theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Man found guilty of murdering girlfriend during drinking session

A Central Criminal Court jury has found an electrician guilty of murdering his partner of four months , whom he strangled in her bedroom after a drinking session .
The jury rejected the defence contention that Sean Nolan ( 36 ) was too drunk to have formed the intent to murder his girlfriend Amanda Caroll ( 33 ) and what had happened to the mother-of-two was an “ accidental death ” .
Nolan , with an address at Ashington Crescent , Navan Road in Dublin had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Ms Carroll at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dublin 7 on October 21st , 2018 .
Defence counsel Michael O ’ Higgins SC , with Garrett McCormack BL , asked for a verdict of manslaughter on the grounds of lack of intent due to alcohol intoxication .
Murder is a crime of specific intent and voluntary intoxication can have the effect of reducing the offence of murder to manslaughter , he said .
In his charge to the jury , Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said if they had any doubt about whether the accused was intoxicated on the night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accused .
Instead the jury accepted the State ’ s case that there could be no doubt that Nolan intended to kill or cause serious injury when he put his hand around Ms Carroll ’ s neck for 20 seconds .
In his closing speech , prosecution counsel Shane Costelloe SC , with Caroline Cummings BL , argued that drunken intent was still an intent and one can decide in a split second to kill or cause serious injury to someone when they have alcohol taken .
Evidence was given that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session ” that started early in the day and continued at different locations throughout Dublin into the night .
The accused and Ms Carroll were involved in a road traffic collision a few hours before the 33-year-old was killed and both fled the scene before being intercepted .
Blood samples were taken from Nolan as there was a concern he was drink driving or drug driving .
Ms Carroll was arrested for a public order offence and had to be handcuffed with her hands behind her back after striking out at gardaí .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda station for a couple of hours , the pair were freed and continued drinking into the night .
When they returned to Ms Carroll ’ s apartment that night , Nolan put one hand on the neck of the mother-of-two and the other over her mouth after she called him by the name of her ex-boyfriend , said she never loved him and tried to hit him .
“ I was angry .
I just wanted her to go asleep and stop , ” the accused told gardaí .
Nolan explained to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead when he woke up in her bed the next morning and had “ just panicked ” before he ran out of the apartment .
Ms Carroll ’ s body was discovered the following afternoon by her then 16-year-old son Denis Carroll , who had left the house earlier in the morning to play football not knowing that his mother was dead .
Denis Carroll told the trial he could see his mother was not breathing .
“ I could see her cheek was puffy and she was cold .
I knew that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again.
” The trial heard that gardaí found Nolan on a North Dublin street after they identified the body of Ms Carroll , with the accused telling them that the couple had argued and he thought he had “ choked her until she passed out ” before falling asleep .
The defendant said he had “ freaked ” and spent the day walking around .
When he was then arrested on the Navan Road and placed in a Garda patrol car , Nolan said “ I probably killed her ” when told of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused also gestured to the arresting officer how he had put his hand on his partner ’ s neck and over her mouth “ to get her to shut up ” .
Assistant State Pathologist , Dr Margaret Bolster , testified that Ms Carroll died from compression of her neck and mouth which was complicated by the ingestion of sedative type drugs .
Ethanol , Diazepine , sleeping tablets , alcohol , antidepressants and cocaine were detected in the deceased ’ s system .
Dr Bolster pointed out that the mother ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the drugs consumed had an added effect .
It was the defence case that Ms Carroll died from a combination of asphyxia aggravated by a weakened respiratory system , which was compromised by ingesting a huge quantity of alcohol and prescribed drugs .
Under no circumstances had the accused intended to kill his girlfriend as his previous conduct on the night emphatically pointed the other way , said Mr O ’ Higgins .
The 12 jurors found Nolan guilty of murder by a majority verdict of 10-2 .
They had deliberated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Following the v erdict , Mr Justice MacGrath thanked the jury for the attention they had given the case .
He exempted them from jury service for 10 years .
Nolan made no reaction when the verdict was delivered .
Mr Justice MacGrath will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on November 4th and remanded Nolan in custody until that date .
The judge directed the preparation of a victim impact report by Ms Carroll ’ s family .

Amanda Carroll with Sean Nolan, who has been found guilty of her murder. Photograph via Facebook
A Central Criminal Court jury has found an electrician guilty of murdering his partner of four months, whom he strangled in her bedroom after a drinking session.
The jury rejected the defence contention that Sean Nolan (36) was too drunk to have formed the intent to murder his girlfriend Amanda Caroll (33) and what had happened to the mother-of-two was an "accidental death".
Nolan, with an address at Ashington Crescent, Navan Road in Dublin had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Ms Carroll at Homestead Court, Quarry Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 on October 21st, 2018.
Defence counsel Michael O’Higgins SC, with Garrett McCormack BL, asked for a verdict of manslaughter on the grounds of lack of intent due to alcohol intoxication. Murder is a crime of specific intent and voluntary intoxication can have the effect of reducing the offence of murder to manslaughter, he said.
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In his charge to the jury, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath said if they had any doubt about whether the accused was intoxicated on the night, they must resolve that in favour of the accused.
Instead the jury accepted the State’s case that there could be no doubt that Nolan intended to kill or cause serious injury when he put his hand around Ms Carroll’s neck for 20 seconds.
In his closing speech, prosecution counsel Shane Costelloe SC, with Caroline Cummings BL, argued that drunken intent was still an intent and one can decide in a split second to kill or cause serious injury to someone when they have alcohol taken.
Evidence was given that the couple went on a “binge drinking session” that started early in the day and continued at different locations throughout Dublin into the night.
The accused and Ms Carroll were involved in a road traffic collision a few hours before the 33-year-old was killed and both fled the scene before being intercepted.
Blood samples were taken from Nolan as there was a concern he was drink driving or drug driving. Ms Carroll was arrested for a public order offence and had to be handcuffed with her hands behind her back after striking out at gardaí. However, after being detained in Mountjoy Garda station for a couple of hours, the pair were freed and continued drinking into the night.
When they returned to Ms Carroll’s apartment that night, Nolan put one hand on the neck of the mother-of-two and the other over her mouth after she called him by the name of her ex-boyfriend, said she never loved him and tried to hit him.
“I was angry. I just wanted her to go asleep and stop,” the accused told gardaí. Nolan explained to detectives that he knew his girlfriend was dead when he woke up in her bed the next morning and had “just panicked” before he ran out of the apartment.
Ms Carroll’s body was discovered the following afternoon by her then 16-year-old son Denis Carroll, who had left the house earlier in the morning to play football not knowing that his mother was dead.
Denis Carroll told the trial he could see his mother was not breathing. “I could see her cheek was puffy and she was cold. I knew that I was not going to see her again.”
The trial heard that gardaí found Nolan on a North Dublin street after they identified the body of Ms Carroll, with the accused telling them that the couple had argued and he thought he had “choked her until she passed out” before falling asleep.
The defendant said he had “freaked” and spent the day walking around.
When he was then arrested on the Navan Road and placed in a Garda patrol car, Nolan said “I probably killed her” when told of Ms Carroll’s death.
The accused also gestured to the arresting officer how he had put his hand on his partner’s neck and over her mouth “to get her to shut up”.
Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, testified that Ms Carroll died from compression of her neck and mouth which was complicated by the ingestion of sedative type drugs.
Ethanol, Diazepine, sleeping tablets, alcohol, antidepressants and cocaine were detected in the deceased’s system. Dr Bolster pointed out that the mother’s death could not have occurred without asphyxia but the drugs consumed had an added effect.
It was the defence case that Ms Carroll died from a combination of asphyxia aggravated by a weakened respiratory system, which was compromised by ingesting a huge quantity of alcohol and prescribed drugs. Under no circumstances had the accused intended to kill his girlfriend as his previous conduct on the night emphatically pointed the other way, said Mr O’Higgins.
The 12 jurors found Nolan guilty of murder by a majority verdict of 10-2. They had deliberated for eight hours and eight minutes over five days.
Following the v erdict, Mr Justice MacGrath thanked the jury for the attention they had given the case. He exempted them from jury service for 10 years.
Nolan made no reaction when the verdict was delivered.
Mr Justice MacGrath will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on November 4th and remanded Nolan in custody until that date. The judge directed the preparation of a victim impact report by Ms Carroll’s family.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Court upholds restriction on identifying mother who smothered child

The Court of Appeal has rejected an application by several media outlets to be allowed to name a woman who smothered her three-year-old child to death with a pillow .
The woman was found not guilty of murdering her child by reason of insanity .
Before her trial began , High Court judge Mr Justice Michael White ordered that the deceased child should not be identified and , as a consequence , the woman can not be named as to do so would identify the dead child .
The judge said that , under Section 252 of the Children Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publish anything that could identify a child who is an alleged victim of an offence .
Media outlets had challenged that interpretation of the legislation , saying that the deceased was no longer a child .
On Thursday , the three-judge Court of Appeal found that the judge had properly applied the law .
In a written judgment , the president of the court Mr Justice George Birmingham said it is “ almost beyond argument ” that the court proceedings were in respect of an offence against a child .
He said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ as not including a deceased person who was a child at the time of death.
” He went on to say that the same rule should apply to children who commit offences but reach 18 by the time they come to trial .
He accepted that the media may find the ruling “ surprising ” and a “ radical departure from what had been a long-established practice ” .
However , he added that the language in the statute is “ clear and unequivocal ” and if change is required that is @ @ @ @ @ @

High Court judge Mr Justice Michael White ordered that the deceased child should not be identified. File Photograph: Collins Courts.
The Court of Appeal has rejected an application by several media outlets to be allowed to name a woman who smothered her three-year-old child to death with a pillow.
The woman was found not guilty of murdering her child by reason of insanity following a short trial in October last year.
Before her trial began, two High Court judges ordered the victim should not be identified and, as a consequence, the woman cannot be named as to do so would identify the child.
Paul Murray SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions had asked the judge to make the order saying Section 252 of the Children Act 2001 makes it an offence to publish anything that could identify a child who is an alleged victim of an offence, including a deceased child.
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RTÉ, Independent News and Media, News Group Newspapers Ltd and The Irish Times had challenged that interpretation of the legislation.
On Thursday, the President of the three-judge Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham found that the judges had properly applied the law.
Section 252 states that in “any proceedings for an offence against a child... no report which reveals the name, address or school of the child or includes any particulars likely to lead to his or her identification... shall be published or included in a broadcast.”
Luán Ó Braonáin SC, counsel for the media outlets, had argued that “child” in the Act does not include a deceased person who died before reaching the age of 18.
He also argued that many previous cases involving child homicide had been reported on and no application was made by the Director of Public Prosecutions to prevent the deceased being identified.
The effect of the order, he said, was to protect the anonymity of the mother and not the child. Mr Ó Braonáin had also stated that the media’s entitlement to report on criminal trials is an important part of the Constitutional requirement that justice be administered in public.
Mr Justice Birmingham said it is “almost beyond argument” that the court proceedings were in respect of an offence against a child. He said it is not possible to interpret Section 252 “as not including a deceased person who was a child at the time of death.”
He accepted that the media may find the ruling “surprising” and a “radical departure from what had been a long-established practice”.
However, he added that the language in the statute is "clear and unequivocal" and if change is required that is a matter for the Oireachtas.
“While the outcome may not be a particularly welcome one, I am of the view that the interpretation of the section in issue by the High Court judge was correct, and accordingly, I would dismiss the appeal.”
His ruling also states that where a child is a victim of an offence but turns 18 before their trial is completed, the ban on identifying them would remain in place.
Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh agreed with Mr Justice Birmingham’s ruling.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier pledge to continue fight for justice

The family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier have pledged to continue their fight for justice for the murdered mother of one after the Irish State opted not to appeal a High Court ruling prohibiting the extradition of Ian Bailey to France to serve a 25 year sentence for her killing .
Ms Toscan du Plantier ’ s uncle , Jean Pierre Gazeau told The Irish Times that the family and the campaign group , the Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier ( ASSOPH ) wished to consult with their legal advisors on the options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Toscan du Plantier ’ s elderly parents , Georges and Marguerite Bouniol , her son , Pierre Louis Baudey Vignaud and her brothers , Betrand and Stephane Bouniol were deeply disappointed at the decision of the Irish state not to appeal the ruling .
“ We will continue the fight for justice for Sophie and we are now going to consult with our legal advisors about the possibilities open to us both in Ireland and at European level because Ireland and France are partners within the European Union , ” said Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ protecting ” someone “ condemned by a French court and sentenced to 25 years in jail for the killing of my niece .
That is not justice for Sophie and it is not something that we as a family can accept , ” he said .
On October 12th , High Court judge Mr Justice Paul Burns refused an application by the Minister for Justice to extradite Mr Bailey on foot of a third European Arrest Warrant .
On Tuesday , counsel for the State , Robert Barron SC indicated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Bailey has welcomed the decision by the State not to appeal Mr Justice Burns ’ ruling .
Mr Bailey said he hoped now to get on with his life in west Cork while conscious that the French EAW remains extant for his extradition to France .
He expressed sympathy for Ms Toscan du Plantier ’ s family over her murder and was philosophical about whether the family might go to the European Courts of Justice to seek to have him extradited to France to serve the 25-year old jail term imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I understand the French family and I understand the necessity that they want closure and they want some form of justice but , by coming after me they are simply going after an innocent person .
I ’ m sympathetic to them but I can ’ t really do anything about what they are going to do.
” Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork ’ s Red FM on Wednesday , Mr Bailey rejected the suggestion that Ms Toscan du Plantier had been forgotten in the midst of all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State on behalf of the French justice system .
“ I know the French family and the French system have bought into the false narrative ( that he was the killer ) but at the end of the day , this isn ’ t over because a woman was murdered quite brutally by somebody - we don ’ t know by whom - all I know is that I had nothing to do with it.
” Mr Bailey said he contemplated going to France to attend his trial in absentia in Paris in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ a sham , kangaroo court ” .
He said he felt that it was inevitable he would be convicted given the different approach of the French justice system .
“ I did consider it ( going to France ) - at one point I remember thinking : ‘ should I go ?
’ I had a long think about it and I took legal advice .
I was advised not to , the reason being that I felt I would not get a fair trial , whether I was there or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once you are accused under French law , unless you can prove you are innocent , you are guilty and that is my situation - barring a miracle which never occurred , ie some new information or some person coming forward , saying some new , I knew that was probably my inevitable fate.
” Mr Bailey thanked his partner , Jules Thomas for her support over the past 24 years but particularly through the extradition process , while he also expressed his gratitude to his solicitor , Frank Buttimer and the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Bailey also expressed his gratitude to people in Schull , Bantry and Skibbereen who had supported him and welcomed the decision by the High Court not to extradite him , saying their support had been particularly important during some very dark days last November and December .
“ There are number of people in the “ He did it ” camp from the beginning and I see them around on the street .
I won ’ t mention any names but I feel quite sorry for them and they can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I think when you have invested so much in a false narrative , when you have chosen to believe a big lie , for whatever reason you have chosen to believe that , it becomes very difficult psychologically for the individual to cross the bridge as it were and say “ Ah I ’ ve made a mistake here ” .
“ I think it ’ s very difficult for people to do that ( admit they were wrong about him ) but the majority of people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that support has been genuinely quite helpful .
It lifted me when I ’ ve been maybe a bit down .
”

The uncle of Sophie Toscan du Plantier Jean Pierre Gazeau said the family wished to consult with their legal advisors on the options that remain open to them.
The family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier have pledged to continue their fight for justice for the murdered mother of one after the Irish State opted not to appeal a High Court ruling prohibiting the extradition of Ian Bailey to France to serve a 25 year sentence for her killing.
Ms Toscan du Plantier's uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau told The Irish Times that the family and the campaign group, the Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier (ASSOPH) wished to consult with their legal advisors on the options open to them.
Mr Gazeau said Ms Toscan du Plantier's elderly parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, her son, Pierre Louis Baudey Vignaud and her brothers, Betrand and Stephane Bouniol were deeply disappointed at the decision of the Irish state not to appeal the ruling.
"We will continue the fight for justice for Sophie and we are now going to consult with our legal advisors about the possibilities open to us both in Ireland and at European level because Ireland and France are partners within the European Union, " said Mr Gazeau.
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He said the Irish State was “protecting” someone “condemned by a French court and sentenced to 25 years in jail for the killing of my niece. That is not justice for Sophie and it is not something that we as a family can accept,” he said.
On October 12th, High Court judge Mr Justice Paul Burns refused an application by the Minister for Justice to extradite Mr Bailey on foot of a third European Arrest Warrant.
On Tuesday, counsel for the State, Robert Barron SC indicated that it would not be appealing his ruling.
Mr Bailey has welcomed the decision by the State not to appeal Mr Justice Burns' ruling. Mr Bailey said he hoped now to get on with his life in west Cork while conscious that the French EAW remains extant for his extradition to France.
He expressed sympathy for Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family over her murder and was philosophical about whether the family might go to the European Courts of Justice to seek to have him extradited to France to serve the 25-year old jail term imposed in absentia in Paris in 2019.
“I understand the French family and I understand the necessity that they want closure and they want some form of justice but, by coming after me they are simply going after an innocent person. I’m sympathetic to them but I can’t really do anything about what they are going to do.”
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM on Wednesday, Mr Bailey rejected the suggestion that Ms Toscan du Plantier had been forgotten in the midst of all the various court proceedings taken by the Irish State on behalf of the French justice system.
A photograph taken on October 12th, 2020 of Ian Bailey leaving from the High Court after it decided to reject the French authorities’ request to for a European Arrest Warrant. Photograph: Getty
“I know the French family and the French system have bought into the false narrative (that he was the killer) but at the end of the day, this isn’t over because a woman was murdered quite brutally by somebody - we don’t know by whom - all I know is that I had nothing to do with it.”
Mr Bailey said he contemplated going to France to attend his trial in absentia in Paris in 2019 even though he described the hearing as “a sham, kangaroo court”. He said he felt that it was inevitable he would be convicted given the different approach of the French justice system.
“I did consider it (going to France) - at one point I remember thinking : ‘should I go?’ I had a long think about it and I took legal advice. I was advised not to, the reason being that I felt I would not get a fair trial, whether I was there or not,” he said.
“Once you are accused under French law, unless you can prove you are innocent, you are guilty and that is my situation - barring a miracle which never occurred, ie some new information or some person coming forward, saying some new, I knew that was probably my inevitable fate.”
Mr Bailey thanked his partner, Jules Thomas for her support over the past 24 years but particularly through the extradition process, while he also expressed his gratitude to his solicitor, Frank Buttimer and the legal team he assembled to fight his case.
Mr Bailey also expressed his gratitude to people in Schull, Bantry and Skibbereen who had supported him and welcomed the decision by the High Court not to extradite him, saying their support had been particularly important during some very dark days last November and December.
“There are number of people in the “He did it” camp from the beginning and I see them around on the street.
I won’t mention any names but I feel quite sorry for them and they can’t look me in the eye,” he said.
“I think when you have invested so much in a false narrative, when you have chosen to believe a big lie, for whatever reason you have chosen to believe that, it becomes very difficult psychologically for the individual to cross the bridge as it were and say “Ah I’ve made a mistake here”.
“I think it’s very difficult for people to do that (admit they were wrong about him) but the majority of people have been really wonderful and really supportive and that support has been genuinely quite helpful. It lifted me when I’ve been maybe a bit down.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Military officers urge Government to give Air Corps key role in aviation search and rescue

The Government should return responsibilities for aviation search and rescue services to the Defence Forces rather than having a contract which cost more than €350 million over the last couple of years with the private sector , military officers have urged .
In a submission to the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney in relation to the Government ’ s planned new Commission on Defence , the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers ( RACO ) said “ serious consideration should be given to making the Air Corps the primary agency for this task and providing it the funding , structures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The State currently contracts a civilian company to provide most of its search and rescue services and paid €367million from the ( Department of ) Transport vote in 2018/19 .
As an essential capability , however , the Air Corps must train and organise to provide this live-saving service at a moment ’ s notice .
Effectively , the State is relying on the Defence Forces to maintain the capability but diverting the funding for same to a civilian company.
” The Government has initiated a new procurement process to secure aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect when the current arrangement ends .
However , Government Ministers signalled in the Dáil last week that responsibility for airborne search and rescue services were not to be given back the Defence Forces .
Mr Coveney said the current contract for the search and rescue helicopter service was between the Minister of Transport and a civil helicopter operation , CHC Ireland DAC .
He said the contract commenced in July 2012 for a period of 10 years , with an option to extend for a further three years .
He said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been brought to Government last July “ This included an appraisal of various service delivery options , including where the State assumed full responsibility for the service , either through the Air Corps or a dedicated Irish Coast Guard aviation branch .
Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons but notably the risks to the State and questions around potential affordability and deliverability.
” The general secretary of RACO Conor King said on Sunday : “ Officers are calling for the meaningful involvement of the Defence Forces in the future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service .
This has obvious benefits to the Air Corps in terms of connection to community , capability and retention , and to the State in terms of value for money and accountability for public funds .
The Air Corps can deliver significant cost effective solutions from a helicopter ( rotary ) , fixed wing and drone capability perspective , which must be factored in the context of future service provision .
All that is required is the political will.
” The involvement of the Air Corps in regular search-and-rescue services was ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In its submission to the Minister , RACO said the Defence Forces were currently operating “ in a state of near crisis and with great uncertainty about their ability to carry out their assigned roles going forward ” .
“ The proposed Commission on the Defence Forces is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the issues that have brought us to this point .
”

RACO said ‘serious consideration should be given to making the Air Corps the primary agency for this task and providing it the funding, structures, and resources to do it’. File photograph: Aidan Crawley
The Government should return responsibilities for aviation search and rescue services to the Defence Forces rather than having a contract which cost more than €350 million over the last couple of years with the private sector, military officers have urged.
In a submission to the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney in relation to the Government's planned new Commission on Defence, the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) said "serious consideration should be given to making the Air Corps the primary agency for this task and providing it the funding, structures, and resources to do it".
“The State currently contracts a civilian company to provide most of its search and rescue services and paid €367million from the (Department of )Transport vote in 2018/19. As an essential capability, however, the Air Corps must train and organise to provide this live-saving service at a moment’s notice. Effectively, the State is relying on the Defence Forces to maintain the capability but diverting the funding for same to a civilian company.”
The Government has initiated a new procurement process to secure aviation search and rescue services to come into effect when the current arrangement ends.
READ MORE
However, Government Ministers signalled in the Dáil last week that responsibility for airborne search and rescue services were not to be given back the Defence Forces.
Mr Coveney said the current contract for the search and rescue helicopter service was between the Minister of Transport and a civil helicopter operation, CHC Ireland DAC. He said the contract commenced in July 2012 for a period of 10 years, with an option to extend for a further three years.
He said a strategic assessment and preliminary appraisal document had been brought to Government last July
“This included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including where the State assumed full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated Irish Coast Guard aviation branch. Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons but notably the risks to the State and questions around potential affordability and deliverability.”
The general secretary of RACO Conor King said on Sunday : "Officers are calling for the meaningful involvement of the Defence Forces in the future of the State's search and rescue service. This has obvious benefits to the Air Corps in terms of connection to community, capability and retention, and to the State in terms of value for money and accountability for public funds. The Air Corps can deliver significant cost effective solutions from a helicopter (rotary), fixed wing and drone capability perspective, which must be factored in the context of future service provision. All that is required is the political will."
The involvement of the Air Corps in regular search-and-rescue services was ended by the then government in late 2003.
In its submission to the Minister, RACO said the Defence Forces were currently operating “in a state of near crisis and with great uncertainty about their ability to carry out their assigned roles going forward”.
“ The proposed Commission on the Defence Forces is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the issues that have brought us to this point.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Social cohesion at risk as economy moves towards carbon neutrality, Higgins warns

There is a very real risk of loss of social cohesion Ireland ’ s economy and society undergoes vital transformation in seeking to become carbon neutral , President Michael D Higgins has warned .
If Ireland ’ s climate targets are to be met over coming decades , “ everyone will have to make significant changes to their lifestyles , but for some the changes will be more considerable ” , he told the annual conference of European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils Network ( EEAC ) .
The event was hosted in Dublin by the National Economic & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Higgins highlighted likely impacts on farmers , peat workers and their communities , often based in underdeveloped regions lacking employment opportunities .
This could only be properly addressed by ensuring a “ just transition ” for all affected by upheaval , Mr Higgins said .
Loss of cohesion was “ a very real concern ” as evidenced by the social devastation caused by closure of coal mines in the UK during the 1980s , “ that has not been recovered to this day ” .
In Ireland ’ s case , “ farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their livelihoods , and peat-extraction workers will , when the extraction ceases , have to be enabled to move into more ecologically sustainable occupations , or in some cases compensated in such a fashion as will enable their changed but full participation in community life.
” He added : “ The challenge is to produce policy measures which enable workers and sectors to be the arrow of change rather than the battered target of random initiatives.
” A critical challenge in public policy is ensuring inclusivity as Europe moves towards a net-zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regenerated soils , protected biodiversity and oceans , and a thriving circular economy - “ adjustments , all of which are so urgently necessary if we are to avoid ecological catastrophe ” .
Just transition entails profound structural change with personal and societal ramifications , he said .
“ However , it is a transformation that will be defined by values brought to it , hence the importance of all partners , trade unions and socially concerned employers being involved in the dialogue as to how the industry or sector is to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , their families and communities to bear the costs of transition , Mr Higgins said , thus leading to unemployment , poverty , and exclusion for those left behind , in contrast to those with flexible and mobile skills sets who are able to afford and adapt to change .
A just transition addresses this concern by promoting sustainable actions to help workers by ensuring their voices are part and parcel of any conversion , he believed .
But fairness was essential ; for farmers “ who will be required to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural systems ; fairness for workers in emerging economies who demand their share of the so-called ‘ industrialisation dividend ’ ; fairness for those having to abandon their homes as sea levels rise and threaten coastal regions and islands as a consequence of climate change ; fairness for those populations impacted by air pollution and broader environmental impacts of fossil fuel use ” .
He said the 2020 NESC report , Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland , was of importance today on a par with the Whitaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report on workers and sectors impacted by the transition to net-zero carbon and the digital revolution “ is a research-validated overview of the challenges facing the economy as it is embedded in society , and the practical choices facing employers , employees and the enterprise sector , ” Mr Higgins noted .
It describes how innovation and regional development can play their part .
“ This return to regionalism is so welcome and long overdue , ” he said .
President Higgins underlined the critical importance of ensuring any major economic change entails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are front and centre-stage .
A “ just recovery ” was also needed post Covid-19 .
He echoed calls for social dialogue on “ how we embed the just economy and society , now so urgently needed , and indeed desired by the citizenry ” .
It also required sustainable investments in low-emission and job-intensive sectors and technologies , embracing “ principles of decent work ” .
Technological developments could be advanced – as advocated by the late Irish scientist Mike Cooley – where “ human-centred , socially useful production can become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we choose it to be ” .
Public investment embracing just transition will necessitate resolute action by all of government , as well as consideration of what resources are needed to meet “ this challenge of economic and societal transformation ” .
Public spending , including filling infrastructural gaps , must be “ viewed as an investment in both society and the economy , not as a cost or a burden as , regrettably , it has often been so myopically considered ” , he said .
Covid-19 has resulted in huge suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for public spending , and a fundamentally new , socially , economically and ecologically sustainable future , Mr Higgins noted .
Successful crisis management was no guarantee of durable reform , the President added .
“ We therefore must embed the hard-earned wisdom from the Covid-19 crisis into strong scholarly work , policy and institutional frameworks ... What we teach as economics must be pluralistic , rich in intellectual engagement , methodologically adequate if it is to be the source of good , inclusive policy.
” He welcomed the European green deal ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mobilise €150 billion by 2027 .
“ Europe must step up to the challenge of ‘ just transition ’ across the regions through adequate resourcing if it is to retain any legitimacy across the citizenries of Europe .
Now is the time to be bold .
After all , the challenge now is to make new forms of European and global economy .
”

Just transition entails profound structural change with personal and societal ramifications, the President has said. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
There is a very real risk of loss of social cohesion as Ireland's economy and society undergoes vital transformation in seeking to become carbon neutral, President Michael D Higgins has warned.
If Ireland’s climate targets are to be met over coming decades, “everyone will have to make significant changes to their lifestyles, but for some the changes will be more considerable”, he told the annual conference of European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils Network (EEAC). The event was hosted in Dublin by the National Economic & Social Council (NESC).
Mr Higgins highlighted likely impacts on farmers, peat workers and their communities, often based in underdeveloped regions lacking employment opportunities. This could only be properly addressed by ensuring a “just transition” for all affected by upheaval, Mr Higgins said.
Loss of cohesion was “a very real concern” as evidenced by the social devastation caused by closure of coal mines in the UK during the 1980s, “that has not been recovered to this day”.
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In Ireland’s case, “farmers will be required to change the basis of their livelihoods, and peat-extraction workers will, when the extraction ceases, have to be enabled to move into more ecologically sustainable occupations, or in some cases compensated in such a fashion as will enable their changed but full participation in community life.”
He added: “The challenge is to produce policy measures which enable workers and sectors to be the arrow of change rather than the battered target of random initiatives.”
A critical challenge in public policy is ensuring inclusivity as Europe moves towards a net-zero emissions economy and society that results in regenerated soils, protected biodiversity and oceans, and a thriving circular economy - "adjustments, all of which are so urgently necessary if we are to avoid ecological catastrophe".
Just transition entails profound structural change with personal and societal ramifications, he said. “However, it is a transformation that will be defined by values brought to it, hence the importance of all partners, trade unions and socially concerned employers being involved in the dialogue as to how the industry or sector is to be restructured.”
Economic structural change could leave workers, their families and communities to bear the costs of transition, Mr Higgins said, thus leading to unemployment, poverty, and exclusion for those left behind, in contrast to those with flexible and mobile skills sets who are able to afford and adapt to change.
A just transition addresses this concern by promoting sustainable actions to help workers by ensuring their voices are part and parcel of any conversion, he believed.
‘Fairness essential’
But fairness was essential; for farmers “who will be required to change practices for the protection of climate and natural systems; fairness for workers in emerging economies who demand their share of the so-called ‘industrialisation dividend’; fairness for those having to abandon their homes as sea levels rise and threaten coastal regions and islands as a consequence of climate change; fairness for those populations impacted by air pollution and broader environmental impacts of fossil fuel use”.
He said the 2020 NESC report, Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland, was of importance today on a par with the Whitaker Report of 60 years ago.
The report on workers and sectors impacted by the transition to net-zero carbon and the digital revolution “is a research-validated overview of the challenges facing the economy as it is embedded in society, and the practical choices facing employers, employees and the enterprise sector,” Mr Higgins noted.
It describes how innovation and regional development can play their part. “This return to regionalism is so welcome and long overdue,” he said.
President Higgins underlined the critical importance of ensuring any major economic change entails just transition, where inclusion and participation are front and centre-stage. A “just recovery” was also needed post Covid-19.
He echoed calls for social dialogue on “how we embed the just economy and society, now so urgently needed, and indeed desired by the citizenry”. It also required sustainable investments in low-emission and job-intensive sectors and technologies, embracing “principles of decent work”.
Technology and public investment
Technological developments could be advanced – as advocated by the late Irish scientist Mike Cooley – where "human-centred, socially useful production can become a lead focus of research and technology if we choose it to be".
Public investment embracing just transition will necessitate resolute action by all of government, as well as consideration of what resources are needed to meet “this challenge of economic and societal transformation”. Public spending, including filling infrastructural gaps, must be “viewed as an investment in both society and the economy, not as a cost or a burden as, regrettably, it has often been so myopically considered”, he said.
Covid-19 has resulted in huge suffering but also near-widespread agreement on the necessity for public spending, and a fundamentally new, socially, economically and ecologically sustainable future, Mr Higgins noted.
Successful crisis management was no guarantee of durable reform, the President added. “We therefore must embed the hard-earned wisdom from the Covid-19 crisis into strong scholarly work, policy and institutional frameworks...What we teach as economics must be pluralistic, rich in intellectual engagement, methodologically adequate if it is to be the source of good, inclusive policy.”
He welcomed the European green deal’s just transition mechanism and a commitment to mobilise €150 billion by 2027. “Europe must step up to the challenge of ‘just transition’ across the regions through adequate resourcing if it is to retain any legitimacy across the citizenries of Europe. Now is the time to be bold. After all, the challenge now is to make new forms of European and global economy.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Cork shootings: Father and sons to be buried in two separate funerals

The three members of a family who died in a murder-suicide shooting at their family home near Kanturk in north Cork are to be buried in two separate funerals over the coming days .
Tadhg O ’ Sullivan ( 59 ) and his two sons , Mark ( 26 ) and Diarmuid ( 23 ) died on Monday in what gardaí described as “ a terrible family tragedy ” which has shocked the local community of Castlemagner , near Kanturk .
Gardaí believe Mark O ’ Sullivan was shot dead in his bed in the family home by either Diarmuid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both , apparently as part of a dispute over a will .
The two men then went to a field some distance from the house where they appear to have taken their own lives .
The three men are survived by Mr O ’ Sullivan ’ s widow , Ann , described on the death notices as “ heartbroken wife ” of Mr O ’ Sullivan and “ heartbroken mother ” of Mark and Diarmuid .
Tadhg and Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan will be buried following a private funeral Mass for family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Castlemagner at 2.30pm on Friday with burial afterwards at St Brigid ’ s Cemetery in Castlemagner .
Mark O ’ Sullivan will buried following a private funeral Mass for family members which will take place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kanturk at 3.30pm on Saturday , with burial taking place afterwards at an undisclosed location .
The funerals are taking place in accordance with current HSE and government guidelines on Covid 19 .
There are no live-streaming facilities at St Mary ’ s Church in Castlemagner but it is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their respects to Tadhg and Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan by lining the streets of the village .
Local parish priest , Canon Toby Bluitt said people in the parishes of Kanturk and Castlemagner offered their deepest sympathies to Ms O ’ Sullivan “ on the tragic loss of her husband , Tadhg and sons , Mark and Diarmuid.
” In a notice posted on the parish Facebook page , Canon Bluitt said : “ All of us are in deep shock and numbed by this heart-breaking news .
We pray the Lord ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pray for God ’ s mercy for Tadhg , Diarmuid and Mark .
May they rest in peace.
” The Garda investigations into the three killings are continuing .
Garda technical experts are still carrying out an examination of the family farm at Assolas between Kanturk and Castlemagner which remains declared a crime scene .
It is understood Garda technical experts found correspondence from solicitors in the house which confirms reports that there was a dispute between Mark on one side and Mr O ’ Sullivan and Diarmuid over a proposed will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Sullivan returned to the family home on Sunday evening with Mark after staying with relatives locally in Castlemagner for a fortnight following her discharge from hospital in Dublin following surgery for a serious medical condition .

Diarmaid O’Sullivan (23, left), his father Tadhg O’Sullivan (59) and another son, Mark (26, right) died at the family farm on Monday. Their funerals will be held over the coming days.
The three members of a family who died in a murder-suicide shooting at their family home near Kanturk in north Cork are to be buried in two separate funerals over the coming days.
Tadhg O'Sullivan (59) and his two sons, Mark (26) and Diarmuid (23) died on Monday in what gardaí described as "a terrible family tragedy" which has shocked the local community of Castlemagner, near Kanturk.
Gardaí believe Mark O’Sullivan was shot dead in his bed in the family home by either Diarmuid O’Sullivan or his father or both, apparently as part of a dispute over a will.
The two men then went to a field some distance from the house where they appear to have taken their own lives.
READ MORE
The three men are survived by Mr O’Sullivan’s widow, Ann, described on the death notices as “heartbroken wife” of Mr O’Sullivan and “heartbroken mother” of Mark and Diarmuid.
Tadhg and Diarmuid O’Sullivan will be buried following a private funeral Mass for family members at St Mary’s Church in Castlemagner at 2.30pm on Friday with burial afterwards at St Brigid’s Cemetery in Castlemagner.
Mark O’Sullivan will buried following a private funeral Mass for family members which will take place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kanturk at 3.30pm on Saturday, with burial taking place afterwards at an undisclosed location.
The funerals are taking place in accordance with current HSE and government guidelines on Covid 19.
Mark O'Sullivan's funeral will be livestreamed.
There are no live-streaming facilities at St Mary’s Church in Castlemagner but it is expected members of the local community will pay their respects to Tadhg and Diarmuid O’Sullivan by lining the streets of the village.
Local parish priest, Canon Toby Bluitt said people in the parishes of Kanturk and Castlemagner offered their deepest sympathies to Ms O'Sullivan "on the tragic loss of her husband, Tadhg and sons, Mark and Diarmuid."
In a notice posted on the parish Facebook page, Canon Bluitt said: "All of us are in deep shock and numbed by this heart-breaking news. We pray the Lord's consolation for Ann and her family and pray for God's mercy for Tadhg, Diarmuid and Mark. May they rest in peace."
The Garda investigations into the three killings are continuing. Garda technical experts are still carrying out an examination of the family farm at Assolas between Kanturk and Castlemagner which remains declared a crime scene.
It is understood Garda technical experts found correspondence from solicitors in the house which confirms reports that there was a dispute between Mark on one side and Mr O’Sullivan and Diarmuid over a proposed will regarding the 115 acre holding.
If you are affected by any of these issues, please contact Pieta House on 1800-247247 or the Samaritans by telephoning 116123 for free, or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie.
Ms O’Sullivan returned to the family home on Sunday evening with Mark after staying with relatives locally in Castlemagner for a fortnight following her discharge from hospital in Dublin following surgery for a serious medical condition.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Flood risk in Connacht and Munster as wind warning issued for Galway, Mayo

A status yellow wind warning has been issued for counties Galway and Mayo , with gusts of up to 100km/h forecast .
The warning came into effect at 10am on Thursday and runs until 4pm with mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h expected .
Meanwhile , a yellow rainfall warning is in place for half of the country with the risk of flooding in parts of Connacht and Munster .
The warning for Connacht , Donegal , Clare , Cork , Kerry and Limerick is in effect until 6am on Friday .
Met Éireann has said accumulations of between 30mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with higher values in mountainous regions .
The forecaster has also issued a yellow gale warning and small craft warning .
Yellow level weather alerts are for weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population , but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity .
Thursday morning will be wet and windy with heavy rain and a risk of flooding in the west and northwest .
The rain will turn patchier in nature by the afternoon with some dry periods developing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highest temperatures will be between 12 and 15 degrees , in fresh to strong south to southwest winds .
Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle .
Rain in the south and southeastern coastal areas will clear on Friday morning and it will brighten up in most areas , becoming mainly dry .
Highest temperatures will range from 9 to 13 degrees while more persistent rain will extend from the south on Friday night .
Saturday will be a wet and possibly stormy day with widespread and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to clear northwards through the evening followed by scattered showers and clear spells .
Highest temperatures will be between 14 and 16 degrees .
A further spell of wet and windy conditions will spread from the southwest to all areas overnight with lowest temperatures between five and eight degrees .
Rain will clear the northeast early on Sunday with scattered outbreaks of rain remaining , becoming heavy and more persistent in southern areas once again during the afternoon .
Fresh southwest winds will ease through the day but will be strong on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be between 10 and 13 degrees .

A surfer takes to high waves caused by Atlantic swells in Mullaghmore in Co Sligo on Wednesday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A status yellow wind warning has been issued for counties Galway and Mayo, with gusts of up to 100km/h forecast.
The warning came into effect at 10am on Thursday and runs until 4pm with mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h expected. Meanwhile, a yellow rainfall warning is in place for half of the country with the risk of flooding in parts of Connacht and Munster.
The warning for Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick is in effect until 6am on Friday. Met Éireann has said accumulations of between 30mm and 60mm of rainfall are expected, with higher values in mountainous regions.
The forecaster has also issued a yellow gale warning and small craft warning.
READ MORE
Yellow level weather alerts are for weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population, but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity.
Thursday morning will be wet and windy with heavy rain and a risk of flooding in the west and northwest. The rain will turn patchier in nature by the afternoon with some dry periods developing, especially in the east and south.
A general view of Classiebawn castle Mullaghmore in front of Mount Ben Bulben in Co Sligo on Wednesday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Highest temperatures will be between 12 and 15 degrees, in fresh to strong south to southwest winds. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
Rain in the south and southeastern coastal areas will clear on Friday morning and it will brighten up in most areas, becoming mainly dry.
Highest temperatures will range from 9 to 13 degrees while more persistent rain will extend from the south on Friday night.
Saturday will be a wet and possibly stormy day with widespread and often heavy rain. The rain will begin to clear northwards through the evening followed by scattered showers and clear spells. Highest temperatures will be between 14 and 16 degrees.
A further spell of wet and windy conditions will spread from the southwest to all areas overnight with lowest temperatures between five and eight degrees.
Rain will clear the northeast early on Sunday with scattered outbreaks of rain remaining, becoming heavy and more persistent in southern areas once again during the afternoon.
Fresh southwest winds will ease through the day but will be strong on west and northwest coasts. Highest temperatures will be between 10 and 13 degrees.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--HSE waiting for department sanction to resume PPE purchases

A document published on the website of the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) warned that it was awaiting a “ crucial ” sanction from the Department of Health in order to resume “ full-scale ” purchases of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
The document , a full situational report on Ireland ’ s response to the Covid crisis , said PPE sourcing “ remains stable ” with “ relatively secure supply lines ” .
However , it said “ sanction is awaited from the Department of Health to resume full-scale sourcing/purchasing activities .
This is critical to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet current needs and have the necessary buffer stocks in place to the end of 2020 , ” the document reads .
The document shows that , based on forecast levels and expected supply , stocks of some PPE may run down to several days ’ supply by the end of November .
However , this was based on “ worst case scenario ” rather than actual demand , which was likely to be lower , the HSE said , with shortages not envisaged .
A spokeswoman said the engagement with the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that sanctioning of purchases was undertaken on an “ iterative basis ” .
“ We are working very closely with our colleagues in [ the Department of Health ] to finalise the remainder of our inventory needs for 2020.
” The Department of Health said it was working with the HSE to finalise orders for the rest of 2020 , and that €650 million was approved for PPE purchases in the budget .
“ The department remains satisfied that the requirements for PPE are adequately resourced in 2020 and going forward for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE website on Wednesday afternoon .
The Department of Health confirmed another 675 cases of the virus in Ireland , as numbers diagnosed continued to trend downwards .
A further six deaths were reported , bringing the total to 1,896 in the Republic , and 59,434 cases .

HSE document said sanction ‘is critical to ensure continued availability of PPE stock to meet current needs and have the necessary buffer stocks in place to the end of 2020’. Photograph: iStock
A document published on the website of the Health Service Executive (HSE) warned that it was awaiting a "crucial" sanction from the Department of Health in order to resume "full-scale" purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The document, a full situational report on Ireland’s response to the Covid crisis, said PPE sourcing “remains stable” with “relatively secure supply lines”.
However, it said “sanction is awaited from the Department of Health to resume full-scale sourcing/purchasing activities.
This is critical to ensure continued availability of PPE stock to meet current needs and have the necessary buffer stocks in place to the end of 2020,” the document reads.
READ MORE
The document shows that, based on forecast levels and expected supply, stocks of some PPE may run down to several days’ supply by the end of November.
However, this was based on “worst case scenario” rather than actual demand, which was likely to be lower, the HSE said, with shortages not envisaged.
A spokeswoman said the engagement with the department was part of its governance arrangements, and that sanctioning of purchases was undertaken on an “iterative basis”.
“We are working very closely with our colleagues in [the Department of Health] to finalise the remainder of our inventory needs for 2020.”
The Department of Health said it was working with the HSE to finalise orders for the rest of 2020, and that €650 million was approved for PPE purchases in the budget.
“The department remains satisfied that the requirements for PPE are adequately resourced in 2020 and going forward for 2021.” The document was removed from the HSE website on Wednesday afternoon.
The Department of Health confirmed another 675 cases of the virus in Ireland, as numbers diagnosed continued to trend downwards. A further six deaths were reported, bringing the total to 1,896 in the Republic, and 59,434 cases.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Covid-19 is not a matter of opinion or politics

It ’ s hard to believe that it ’ s only seven months since the novel coronavirus which causes Covid-19 first emerged .
Quite apart from the tragic statistic of more than a million deaths worldwide , and the many people whose health has been seriously damaged , the virus has had a devastating impact on national economies and on employment .
Early hopes that the virus would be quickly eliminated by lockdown proved optimistic .
While such measures certainly slowed the infection rate , the gradual reopening of society soon caused infection rates to rise again in most countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been faced with difficult choices , from the reopening of schools and restaurants to the partial reopening of colleges and businesses .
In addition , a significant fracture has appeared in the reaction of citizens to the advice of health experts .
While some argue for a “ live with the virus ” approach , others readily accept limitations on movement until a vaccine becomes available .
It is interesting that almost all the scientists I know lie in the second group , perhaps because of our belief in the methods of science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international efforts towards a common goal .
In Ireland , most citizens seem happy to follow governmental guidelines on social distancing and mask wearing .
However , this is not the case in all countries .
In the most glaring example , there has been a persistent reluctance in the United States on the part of both leaders and voters of a Republican hue to take basic precautions against the virus .
Thus , the news in early October that US president Donald Trump , the first lady and many of their inner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not altogether surprising .
After all , Trump ’ s disdain for social distancing and mask wearing is well known , from his insistence on reopening states with high infection rates to his hectoring of reporters wearing masks .
Indeed , media coverage of a White House garden party , hosted to celebrate the nomination of a new supreme court judge , removed any doubt that the president and his staff had any regard for virus protocols .
Ironically , it is now thought that this particular event may have functioned as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of writing , it appears the president is enjoying a full recovery .
However , it is likely that the incident did some damage to his re-election prospects .
In the first instance , the incident ensures that the virus remains a central theme of the election , reminding citizens of his administration ’ s disastrous performance in protecting Americans from the disease .
Second , Trump ’ s succumbing to the virus serves as a reminder that rhetoric is one thing and facts are another .
It turns out that bluster was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This , perhaps , is the real lesson to be learned from recent events .
Not long after Trump ’ s election , Kellyanne Conway , in her role as counsellor to the president , shocked many Americans when she spoke of “ alternative facts ” .
It soon transpired that this relativism was to be the hallmark of this administration .
The concerns of climate scientists were simply dismissed out of hand in favour of the vested interests of the fossil-fuel industry .
More generally , Trump set about appointing lobbyists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions in government agencies tasked with the protection of the environment , a strategy which has resulted in the rollback of countless regulations put in place over the years to protect the environment from the worst ravages of industry .
But facts are facts .
It turns out that greenhouse gases from industry are indeed warming the planet .
Whether one choose to believe this has no impact on the phenomenon itself ; it is not a matter of opinion or of politics .
Similarly , the Covid-19 virus can spread very effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not take basic precautions .
Whether one accepts or denies this well-established fact does not have any effect on the infection process itself .
Thus , the contraction of Covid-19 by Trump and many of his entourage may be a blow in an election campaign that was already in trouble .
After all , it ’ s hard to imagine a more concrete example of the failure of hubris when confronted with immutable facts .
Indeed , the president may even get a taste of the full impact of the virus , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he loses his job and his current residence in consequence .
Dr Cormac O ’ Raifeartaigh lectures in physics at Waterford Institute of Technology and blogs at www.antimatter.ie

President Donald Trump takes off his face mask as he appears on the balcony during a rally at the White House in Washington in his first public event after he was hospitalised for Covid-19. Photograph: Doug Mills/New York Times
It’s hard to believe that it’s only seven months since the novel coronavirus which causes Covid-19 first emerged. Quite apart from the tragic statistic of more than a million deaths worldwide, and the many people whose health has been seriously damaged, the virus has had a devastating impact on national economies and on employment.
Early hopes that the virus would be quickly eliminated by lockdown proved optimistic. While such measures certainly slowed the infection rate, the gradual reopening of society soon caused infection rates to rise again in most countries. Since then, each country has been faced with difficult choices, from the reopening of schools and restaurants to the partial reopening of colleges and businesses.
In addition, a significant fracture has appeared in the reaction of citizens to the advice of health experts. While some argue for a “live with the virus” approach, others readily accept limitations on movement until a vaccine becomes available. It is interesting that almost all the scientists I know lie in the second group, perhaps because of our belief in the methods of science, especially in the context of unprecedented international efforts towards a common goal.
In Ireland, most citizens seem happy to follow governmental guidelines on social distancing and mask wearing. However, this is not the case in all countries. In the most glaring example, there has been a persistent reluctance in the United States on the part of both leaders and voters of a Republican hue to take basic precautions against the virus.
READ MORE
Thus, the news in early October that US president Donald Trump, the first lady and many of their inner circle had tested positive for the virus was not altogether surprising. After all, Trump's disdain for social distancing and mask wearing is well known, from his insistence on reopening states with high infection rates to his hectoring of reporters wearing masks. Indeed, media coverage of a White House garden party, hosted to celebrate the nomination of a new supreme court judge, removed any doubt that the president and his staff had any regard for virus protocols. Ironically, it is now thought that this particular event may have functioned as a superspreader event.
At the time of writing, it appears the president is enjoying a full recovery. However, it is likely that the incident did some damage to his re-election prospects. In the first instance, the incident ensures that the virus remains a central theme of the election, reminding citizens of his administration’s disastrous performance in protecting Americans from the disease. Second, Trump’s succumbing to the virus serves as a reminder that rhetoric is one thing and facts are another. It turns out that bluster was no defence against the reality of Covid-19.
The contraction of Covid-19 by Trump and many of his entourage may be a blow in an election campaign that was already in trouble
Relativism
This, perhaps, is the real lesson to be learned from recent events. Not long after Trump's election, Kellyanne Conway, in her role as counsellor to the president, shocked many Americans when she spoke of "alternative facts". It soon transpired that this relativism was to be the hallmark of this administration. The concerns of climate scientists were simply dismissed out of hand in favour of the vested interests of the fossil-fuel industry. More generally, Trump set about appointing lobbyists from the world of commerce to key positions in government agencies tasked with the protection of the environment, a strategy which has resulted in the rollback of countless regulations put in place over the years to protect the environment from the worst ravages of industry.
But facts are facts. It turns out that greenhouse gases from industry are indeed warming the planet. Whether one choose to believe this has no impact on the phenomenon itself; it is not a matter of opinion or of politics. Similarly, the Covid-19 virus can spread very effectively from person to person if we do not take basic precautions. Whether one accepts or denies this well-established fact does not have any effect on the infection process itself.
Thus, the contraction of Covid-19 by Trump and many of his entourage may be a blow in an election campaign that was already in trouble. After all, it’s hard to imagine a more concrete example of the failure of hubris when confronted with immutable facts. Indeed, the president may even get a taste of the full impact of the virus, as experienced by many ordinary citizens, if he loses his job and his current residence in consequence.
[ www.antimatter.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Shocked locals hold vigil for mother and children found dead in Ballinteer

It was pitch dark and biting cold on the Llewellyn estate in Ballinteer , south Dublin on Wednesday night as people approached from all directions for a vigil .
It marked the end a shocking day when the bodies of two young children and their mother were found in a house on the estate .
Seema Banu , a 37-year-old married mother of two from India , had settled in Ireland over a decade ago and over the past year had moved into a semi-detached house on Llewellyn Court .
Her daughter Affira ( 11 ) and her six-year-old son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their mid-term Halloween break from Ballinteer Educate Together School .
But early on Wednesday afternoon gardaí came to their home in response to concerns for their welfare expressed by neighbours .
And when the gardaí explored the house they found the remains of all three upstairs , the children strangled and their mother also dead , though a postmortem was awaited before the cause of her death could be confirmed .
All day Wednesday detectives were seen coming and going from the house , as well as a pathologist and members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene around the house , in a quiet cul-de-sac on a settled estate , seemed almost normal ; groups of boys pulling wheelies on their bikes up and down the street while other young people quizzed the media about what was going on and relayed news of the latest rumours .
All the while older members of the community passed the scene , looking on in disbelief .
“ It ’ s shocking that it ’ s happened here , on the doorstep of your own home , ” one man told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in the papers and on the television but you never expect it to be here , God help them.
” On Wednesday night on the main green area on the estate , off Llewellyn Lawn , about 200 local people came out to remember the dead .
Many , some with their young children , carried candles , others small lanterns .
They gathered around a recently installed park bench before leaving their candles under the largest tree on the first real winter ’ s night of the season .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin community struggling to make sense of what had just happened in their midst .
Mary Byrne of the local residents ’ association said she and the others present had come because they felt they needed to be together to remember Seema , Affira and Fazan .
“ We didn ’ t know them very well , they were private people .
And we ’ ve put this bench here lately because we have so many new people in the estate , ” she said .
Asked how people were feeling , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shock at what had happened .
“ We just said we have to be here together for them .
There is a lot of emotion , it ’ s just very sad , ” she said .
Sean McLoughlin , a local man and Independent councillor , said the people from the estate had suddenly found themselves at the centre of a national news story that “ the whole country is talking about ” .
“ It was just shocking news that emerged this morning and everyone here this evening is devastated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day gardaí investigating the case appealed to the public to desist from speculating on social media about how the mother and two children had died .
Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond said it was important that gardaí be given the time and space to carry out their investigations .
“ This is truly harrowing news that has left many in what is a very quiet and close suburban community completely stunned , ” he said .
“ The family was relatively new to the area but the children were in school locally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Residents of the Llewellyn estate in Ballinteer hold a candlelit vigil on Wednesday night after the bodies of Seema Banu (37) and her children Affira (11) and Fazan (6) were discovered in their home on the estate. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
It was pitch dark and biting cold on the Llewellyn estate in Ballinteer, south Dublin on Wednesday night as people approached from all directions for a vigil. It marked the end a shocking day when the bodies of two young children and their mother were found in a house on the estate.
Seema Banu, a 37-year-old married mother of two from India, had settled in Ireland over a decade ago and over the past year had moved into a semi-detached house on Llewellyn Court.
Her daughter Affira (11) and her six-year-old son Fazan lived with her and had been on their mid-term Halloween break from Ballinteer Educate Together School. But early on Wednesday afternoon gardaí came to their home in response to concerns for their welfare expressed by neighbours.
And when the gardaí explored the house they found the remains of all three upstairs, the children strangled and their mother also dead, though a postmortem was awaited before the cause of her death could be confirmed.
READ MORE
All day Wednesday detectives were seen coming and going from the house, as well as a pathologist and members of the Garda Technical Bureau.
At times the scene around the house, in a quiet cul-de-sac on a settled estate, seemed almost normal; groups of boys pulling wheelies on their bikes up and down the street while other young people quizzed the media about what was going on and relayed news of the latest rumours.
Disbelief
All the while older members of the community passed the scene, looking on in disbelief. “It’s shocking that it’s happened here, on the doorstep of your own home,” one man told The Irish Times. “You see it in the papers and on the television but you never expect it to be here, God help them.”
On Wednesday night on the main green area on the estate, off Llewellyn Lawn, about 200 local people came out to remember the dead. Many, some with their young children, carried candles, others small lanterns. They gathered around a recently installed park bench before leaving their candles under the largest tree on the first real winter’s night of the season.
It was a makeshift and impromptu memorial by a Dublin community struggling to make sense of what had just happened in their midst.
Mary Byrne of the local residents' association said she and the others present had come because they felt they needed to be together to remember Seema, Affira and Fazan.
“We didn’t know them very well, they were private people. And we’ve put this bench here lately because we have so many new people in the estate,” she said.
Asked how people were feeling, she said the estate was in disbelief and shock at what had happened.
“We just said we have to be here together for them. There is a lot of emotion, it’s just very sad,” she said.
Centre
Sean McLoughlin, a local man and Independent councillor, said the people from the estate had suddenly found themselves at the centre of a national news story that “the whole country is talking about”.
“It was just shocking news that emerged this morning and everyone here this evening is devastated,” he said.
Earlier in the day gardaí investigating the case appealed to the public to desist from speculating on social media about how the mother and two children had died.
Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond said it was important that gardaí be given the time and space to carry out their investigations. "This is truly harrowing news that has left many in what is a very quiet and close suburban community completely stunned," he said.
“The family was relatively new to the area but the children were in school locally, it is just an awful situation.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Department insists schools are safe as ASTI members back strike

The Department of Education has insisted that schools are safe places for staff and students as second-level teachers backed potential strike action over Covid-related concerns .
Members of the ASTI union voted in favour of industrial action up to and including work stoppages unless the Government immediately addressed a number of concerns regarding Covid-19 in schools .
Teachers also supported industrial action over lower pay rates in place for more recent entrants to the profession “ to be taken in conjunction with one or both of the other teacher unions ” .
The Department of Education said it had secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhanced cleaning , building modification , recruitment of additional staff and the provision of personal protective equipment .
It said health precautions were proving very effective in suppressing transmission of the virus in schools .
The ASTI said the Government should introduce serial testing for Covid-19 .
It said there should be rapid testing and turnaround times for results as well as the provision of appropriate resources for schools “ to ensure continuation of learning where there are school closures/self-isolation ” .
The ballot paper said that the Government should address concerns by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected industrial action over any failure to introduce two-metre physical distancing in classrooms or to provide high-quality N95 masks to all students and teachers .
The turnout in the ballots was about 42 per cent .
ASTI general secretary Kieran Christie said strikes would be a last resort .
He said the union wanted an engagement with the Department of Education and health authorities .
The union ’ s executive is to meet in the coming days to consider the results .
The Department of Education said latest positivity rates for close contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools are 2.1 per cent compared to about 10 per cent in the community .
It said new school teams in HSE areas would assist schools when cases were identified and weekly meetings would be held between public health experts and unions .

Teachers also supported industrial action over lower pay rates in place for more recent entrants to the profession ‘to be taken in conjunction with one or both of the other teacher unions’. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times
The Department of Education has insisted that schools are safe places for staff and students as second-level teachers backed potential strike action over Covid-related concerns.
Members of the ASTI union voted in favour of industrial action up to and including work stoppages unless the Government immediately addressed a number of concerns regarding Covid-19 in schools.
Teachers also supported industrial action over lower pay rates in place for more recent entrants to the profession “to be taken in conjunction with one or both of the other teacher unions”.
Hospital Report
The Department of Education said it had secured €375 million to fund various measures including enhanced cleaning, building modification, recruitment of additional staff and the provision of personal protective equipment.
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It said health precautions were proving very effective in suppressing transmission of the virus in schools.
Serial testing
The ASTI said the Government should introduce serial testing for Covid-19. It said there should be rapid testing and turnaround times for results as well as the provision of appropriate resources for schools “to ensure continuation of learning where there are school closures/self-isolation”.
The ballot paper said that the Government should address concerns by Friday, October 30th.
ASTI members rejected industrial action over any failure to introduce two-metre physical distancing in classrooms or to provide high-quality N95 masks to all students and teachers.
The turnout in the ballots was about 42 per cent.
ASTI general secretary Kieran Christie said strikes would be a last resort. He said the union wanted an engagement with the Department of Education and health authorities.
The union’s executive is to meet in the coming days to consider the results.
The Department of Education said latest positivity rates for close contacts of detected cases of Covid-19 in secondary schools are 2.1 per cent compared to about 10 per cent in the community.
It said new school teams in HSE areas would assist schools when cases were identified and weekly meetings would be held between public health experts and unions.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Children found dead in their Dublin home were murdered

Two young children found dead in their south Dublin home were murdered and gardaí on Wednesday night were awaiting results of a postmortem to determine how their mother died .
The Irish Times understands a ligature and a note were found where Seema Banu ’ s remains were discovered early Wednesday afternoon at her home in Ballinteer , and foul play in her death has not been ruled out .
The dead woman ’ s children – Affira ( 11 ) and her six-year-old brother Fazan – were found face down in a bedroom of the family home on Llewellyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The mother of two , who was from India and had been living in Ireland for many years , was the victim of an alleged assault earlier this year .
A male suspect had been identified for that attack in May , which left her very seriously injured and resulted in her losing consciousness .
That man had been charged with assault causing harm and was set to go on trial next April .
The case was due before the courts in Dublin for mention on Thursday morning .
Seema Banu had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid concern for the family ’ s welfare in the aftermath of that attack .
Gardaí were alerted by neighbours late on Wednesday morning about their concerns for the family as they had not been seen for a number of days and the blinds were drawn .
Gardaí arrived on the scene just after midday and found the remains of Ms Banu lying face up in one bedroom and her children in another bedroom .
It is understood they had been dead for some time and a tap that had been left running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ’ s husband , and the father of the two deceased children , was later contacted by gardaí .
He and a legal representative have been speaking to the investigating team .
No arrests in the case had been made on Wednesday night .
Supt Paul Reidy of Blackrock Garda station said the results of the postmortem examinations on the remains of Ms Banu and her children would dictate the nature of the investigation .
Garda Headquarters on Wednesday asked members of the public to desist from posting speculation about the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the main green area on the estate , off Llewellyn Lawn , about 200 local people came out to remember the dead and left candles under the largest tree in the park .
Mary Byrne , of the local residents ’ association , said she and the others present had come because they felt they needed to be together to remember Seema Banu , Affira and Fazan .
Asked how people were feeling after what had happened , she said the estate was in disbelief and shock .
“ We just said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
There is a lot of emotion , it ’ s just very sad , ” she said .

Residents hold a candlelight vigil for Seema Banu and her children, Affira and Fazan, on the main green area on the Llewellyn estate in Ballinteer. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Two young children found dead in their south Dublin home were murdered and gardaí on Wednesday night were awaiting results of a postmortem to determine how their mother died.
The Irish Times understands a ligature and a note were found where Seema Banu’s remains were discovered early Wednesday afternoon at her home in Ballinteer, and foul play in her death has not been ruled out.
The dead woman’s children – Affira (11) and her six-year-old brother Fazan – were found face down in a bedroom of the family home on Llewellyn Court and gardaí believe they were strangled.
The mother of two, who was from India and had been living in Ireland for many years, was the victim of an alleged assault earlier this year.
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A male suspect had been identified for that attack in May, which left her very seriously injured and resulted in her losing consciousness.
That man had been charged with assault causing harm and was set to go on trial next April.
The case was due before the courts in Dublin for mention on Thursday morning.
Seema Banu had also been in contact with the authorities amid concern for the family’s welfare in the aftermath of that attack.
Neighbours
Gardaí were alerted by neighbours late on Wednesday morning about their concerns for the family as they had not been seen for a number of days and the blinds were drawn.
Gardaí arrived on the scene just after midday and found the remains of Ms Banu lying face up in one bedroom and her children in another bedroom.
It is understood they had been dead for some time and a tap that had been left running had flooded the property.
The dead woman’s husband, and the father of the two deceased children, was later contacted by gardaí.
He and a legal representative have been speaking to the investigating team.
No arrests in the case had been made on Wednesday night. Supt Paul Reidy of Blackrock Garda station said the results of the postmortem examinations on the remains of Ms Banu and her children would dictate the nature of the investigation.
Garda Headquarters on Wednesday asked members of the public to desist from posting speculation about the case on social media.
On Wednesday night on the main green area on the estate, off Llewellyn Lawn, about 200 local people came out to remember the dead and left candles under the largest tree in the park.
Mary Byrne, of the local residents’ association, said she and the others present had come because they felt they needed to be together to remember Seema Banu, Affira and Fazan.
Asked how people were feeling after what had happened, she said the estate was in disbelief and shock.
“We just said we have to be here together for them. There is a lot of emotion, it’s just very sad,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-10-29--Dublin City Council seeks to use Docklands tower block for social housing

A 15-storey privately developed apartment block in Dublin ’ s south docklands could be used exclusively for social housing if permission is granted by An Bord Pleanála .
Dublin City Council has told the developers of the proposed tower at the riverside in Ringsend , it would be interested in acquiring a lease on the building “ for exclusive and long-term use ” for social housing .
The council ’ s planning department in September refused permission for the residential tower block at York Road close to the East Link Bridge , due to its height .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this decision to An Bord Pleanála .
The council ’ s planners said the building would have an “ unacceptable impact ” on the character of the area and “ would not integrate successfully into the existing streetscape ” .
At almost 50m tall it would be “ overbearing ” and “ would appear visually incongruous in the context of the surrounding buildings , which range in height from one to four storeys ” .
The development became the focus of controversy earlier this year when it emerged that if the council had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been provided in the development .
Under planning rules , 10 per cent of the homes in any development of 10 or more apartments or houses must be sold to the local authority for social housing .
However , there are exemptions for sites that are under 0.1 of a hectare .
The York Road scheme , despite being 49.6m tall with 48 apartments , was proposed for a 0.073 hectare site , so could remain exclusively private .
However , in documents lodged with An Bord Pleanála , Melvin Properties acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social and affordable housing and said it had approached the council and “ reached agreement in principle ” for the entire block to be used for social housing .
The council ’ s head of housing , Brendan Kenny , said any agreement with the developers would be pursued only if planning permission was granted and would also be subject to negotiations on price .
However , he said the council would be “ very , very interested ” in acquiring the entire block .
“ We would get a lot of criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin 4 , so to have an opportunity like this , we would be very , very interested , if the place gets planning permission , if it gets built , and if the price is right.
” Local Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said securing the building for social housing was a better use of council resources than keeping homeless people in costly family hubs .
“ I would be open to the long-term leasing option .
As long as the price is reasonable , it ’ s a far better use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ It will boil down to value for money , but this could provide people with homes ; a hub is not a home.
” Melvin Properties was previously granted permission for a seven-storey block of just 13 apartments on the same site .
While it is asking the board to grant the 15-storey scheme , it has also submitted a 12-storey option of 36 apartments , which would also be offered for social housing if permission was granted .

Docklands: Local Independent councillor Mannix Flynn says securing the building for social housing is a better use of council resources than keeping homeless people in costly family hubs.
A 15-storey privately developed apartment block in Dublin's south docklands could be used exclusively for social housing if permission is granted by An Bord Pleanála.
Dublin City Council has told the developers of the proposed tower at the riverside in Ringsend, it would be interested in acquiring a lease on the building "for exclusive and long-term use" for social housing.
The council's planning department in September refused permission for the residential tower block at York Road close to the East Link Bridge, due to its height. However, the developer, Melvin Properties, has appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanála.
The council’s planners said the building would have an “unacceptable impact” on the character of the area and “would not integrate successfully into the existing streetscape”.
READ MORE
At almost 50m tall it would be “overbearing” and “would appear visually incongruous in the context of the surrounding buildings, which range in height from one to four storeys”.
The development became the focus of controversy earlier this year when it emerged that if the council had granted permission, no social housing would have been provided in the development.
Rule exemptions
Under planning rules, 10 per cent of the homes in any development of 10 or more apartments or houses must be sold to the local authority for social housing. However, there are exemptions for sites that are under 0.1 of a hectare. The York Road scheme, despite being 49.6m tall with 48 apartments, was proposed for a 0.073 hectare site, so could remain exclusively private.
However, in documents lodged with An Bord Pleanála, Melvin Properties acknowledged the local concerns over the lack of social and affordable housing and said it had approached the council and “reached agreement in principle” for the entire block to be used for social housing.
The council's head of housing, Brendan Kenny, said any agreement with the developers would be pursued only if planning permission was granted and would also be subject to negotiations on price. However, he said the council would be "very, very interested" in acquiring the entire block.
“We would get a lot of criticism over the scarcity of social housing in Dublin 4, so to have an opportunity like this, we would be very, very interested, if the place gets planning permission, if it gets built, and if the price is right.”
Local Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said securing the building for social housing was a better use of council resources than keeping homeless people in costly family hubs.
“I would be open to the long-term leasing option. As long as the price is reasonable, it’s a far better use of money than family hubs and hostels,” he said.
“It will boil down to value for money, but this could provide people with homes; a hub is not a home.”
Melvin Properties was previously granted permission for a seven-storey block of just 13 apartments on the same site. While it is asking the board to grant the 15-storey scheme, it has also submitted a 12-storey option of 36 apartments, which would also be offered for social housing if permission was granted.


theirishtimes--2020-10-30--Clare hoteliers face worrying times as Shannon Airport flights dry up

Hotelier Dermot Kelly , who co-owns the Shannon Springs Hotel in Shannon , Co Clare , has been putting the final touches to a €2.5 million development in recent weeks that will add 17 bedrooms , more meeting rooms and a new lobby .
Currently , however , the hotel , six miles from Shannon Airport , has little need for extra space , with business having dried up since the start of the pandemic .
Shannon Airport is also now facing four weeks without Ryanair flights .
Mr Kelly bought the hotel with his business partner John Gavin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hotel from a two-star to a four-star property , while the latest investment , costing the same amount , is “ in its final weeks ” , he said .
The hotel is popular with outbound Shannon passengers , who stay the night before an early morning flight , while it is also a popular base , too , for people who have flown in to work at any one of a number of the multinationals based in the Mid-West .
“ There has been a lot of conversations with the bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed us to continue on , but it is a worrying time .
The six-month moratorium is up for most people on the loans .
From speaking to hoteliers around Clare , there are a lot of worried people out there .
“ You don ’ t know how long we ’ re going to be in this situation for , ” he said as he absorbed news that Shannon will have no passengers at all between November 14th and December 12th .
The Shannon cutbacks are a crippling blow to the Mid-West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the airport supports approximately 43,700 jobs , contributing approximately €3.6 billion to GDP .
It also found that without the airport ’ s 20 Aer Lingus Heathrow flights a week , some 2,800 jobs would be lost and GDP would reduce by €459 million .
These flights will not return until at least next April .
Shannon has had no transatlantic flights for months , and the loss of American tourists is felt deeply , since they spend an average of €717 per visit , nearly three times the amount of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a huge blow to the region , not alone to the hospitality sector but to all the industry that there is throughout the Western seaboard .
A lot of the companies rely on the air access for getting their employees in and out .
“ We ’ d call on Government to put the financial resources in place to secure the airport , so it ’ s there when the recovery comes .
It ’ s such a fine asset , it can ’ t just be left idle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairperson of the Shannon branch of the Irish Hotels Federation .
PJ Keogh , owner of Shannon-based bus company PK Travel , says that his business has already collapsed , and will drop even further due to this week ’ s news .
“ We ’ re down 80 per cent minimum , that was up to last week .
After this I ’ d say it ’ ll be nearly nil .
”

Dermot Kelly, co-owner of the Shannon Springs Hotel in Shannon, Co Clare. ‘You don’t know how long we’re going to be in this situation for.’ Photograph: Eamon Ward
Hotelier Dermot Kelly, who co-owns the Shannon Springs Hotel in Shannon, Co Clare, has been putting the final touches to a €2.5 million development in recent weeks that will add 17 bedrooms, more meeting rooms and a new lobby.
Currently, however, the hotel, six miles from Shannon Airport, has little need for extra space, with business having dried up since the start of the pandemic. Shannon Airport is also now facing four weeks without Ryanair flights.
Mr Kelly bought the hotel with his business partner John Gavin in 2015. A €2.5 million investment brought the hotel from a two-star to a four-star property, while the latest investment, costing the same amount, is "in its final weeks", he said.
The hotel is popular with outbound Shannon passengers, who stay the night before an early morning flight, while it is also a popular base, too, for people who have flown in to work at any one of a number of the multinationals based in the Mid-West.
READ MORE
“There has been a lot of conversations with the bank since early April. They’ve allowed us to continue on, but it is a worrying time. The six-month moratorium is up for most people on the loans. From speaking to hoteliers around Clare, there are a lot of worried people out there.
“You don’t know how long we’re going to be in this situation for,” he said as he absorbed news that Shannon will have no passengers at all between November 14th and December 12th.
Crippling blow
The Shannon cutbacks are a crippling blow to the Mid-West. A Limerick Chamber-commissioned report last year found the airport supports approximately 43,700 jobs, contributing approximately €3.6 billion to GDP.
It also found that without the airport's 20 Aer Lingus Heathrow flights a week, some 2,800 jobs would be lost and GDP would reduce by €459 million. These flights will not return until at least next April.
Shannon has had no transatlantic flights for months, and the loss of American tourists is felt deeply, since they spend an average of €717 per visit, nearly three times the amount of those coming from the United Kingdom.
“It’s a huge blow to the region, not alone to the hospitality sector but to all the industry that there is throughout the Western seaboard. A lot of the companies rely on the air access for getting their employees in and out.
"We'd call on Government to put the financial resources in place to secure the airport, so it's there when the recovery comes. It's such a fine asset, it can't just be left idle," said Mr Kelly, who is chairperson of the Shannon branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.
PJ Keogh, owner of Shannon-based bus company PK Travel, says that his business has already collapsed, and will drop even further due to this week’s news. “We’re down 80 per cent minimum, that was up to last week. After this I’d say it’ll be nearly nil.”