theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Wakes, beggars and ‘bad air’: When typhus killed 65,000 people in Ireland

An epidemic , a scramble to deal with it and much space in newsprint ; it ’ s not an unfamiliar pattern in newspaper archives .
One of the worst disease outbreaks , in Irish terms , to make headlines was a typhus fever epidemic in the early 19th century .
Between 1816 and 1819 , typhus racked up 1.5 million cases and killed about 65,000 people in Ireland , according to estimates , with the greatest rate of mortality recorded in the summer of 1817 .
In truth , it was likely a problem before that , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it began to affect higher classes .
That ’ s according to a report on the disease ’ s progression published in 1821 by doctors Barker and Cheyne .
The work , comprising two volumes , collects official documents , recommendations and accounts of cases from doctors throughout the country .
A disappointing grain yield and particularly wet weather in the period before the onset of the epidemic created the perfect conditions whereby the disease could ravage an already-vulnerable population .
It spread quickly , particularly among the poor .
A number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the abundance of wandering “ beggars ” and the popularity of holding of wakes for dead typhus patients .
Gathering in cramped places with corpses was a needless hazard that helped spread the fever quickly among affected populations , doctors concluded .
The 1821 report reads : “ Another circumstance , which we have good reason to believe tends , in a very great degree , to the extension of contagion , is the practice so universal amongst the poor of waking , as it is called , the corpse of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from force of habit and ill-directed feeling , brings together a large assemblage of persons , generally in a close ill ventilated apartment , in immediate contact with infection in its most active state ; and such persons , previously free from fever , too often carry it to their respective homes , and thereby spread it amongst habitations and families , that would otherwise , in all human probability , have escaped it.
” There were calls for a ban to be placed on wakes , and in Delgany , Co Wicklow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events , while also refusing “ beggars ” , had benefited some locals : “ In the parish of Delgany , county of Wicklow , the small farmers and labourers who refused admission to beggars , and who ceased to frequent wakes , escaped the fever , while others of the same class suffered ; and some months after a fever had gone through a family in the Wicklow mountains , the disease was frequently re-introduced by beggars from Dublin.
” Typhus fever is transmitted by lice .
Headaches , chills , high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accompany an infection , along with dark spots on the body after a number of days .
Cleanliness and hygiene have much to do with preventing the spread of the disease .
Authorities in the 19th century knew cleanliness was important , but they mainly blamed poor ventilation for the spread of typhus ; its association with lice was not yet established .
“ The proof here is easy , ” wrote Dr Robert John Thornton in a letter to the Freeman ’ s Journal on November 6th , 1817 .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathe is now so well understood , that I scarcely need mention , that the motion of the heart , circulation of the blood , animal heat , digestion - all these depend upon the oxygene or vital air in our atmosphere ... ” Within the doctors ’ report from 1821 were various snippets of advice issued to the public at the time : Though you may have sent your friend to the hospital , yet the infection in all probability still remains in your rooms , and about your clothes .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use , without delay , the following means : 1 .
Let all your doors and windows be immediately thrown open , and let them remain so throughout the day .
3 .
Let the clothes you wear be steeped in cold water , and afterwards washed : and let any chest , box , drawer , & c in the infectious house be emptied and cleansed .
2 .
Let the house , room , or cabin from whence the patient is removed be immediately cleansed ; all dirty clothes , utensils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the bed clothes , first steeped in cold water , then wrung out , and washed in warm water and soap .
4 .
If you lie on straw beds , let the straw be immediately burned , and fresh straw provided , and let the ticken be steeped in cold water .
5 .
Whitewash all your rooms , and the entrance to them , with lime slaked in the place where you intend to use it , and while it continues bubbling and hot .
6 .
Scrape your floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean ; also your furniture .
7 .
Keep in the open air for the space of a week as much as you can .
8 .
And lastly , wash your face , hands , and feet , and comb your hair well every morning at least .
Typhus was not the only disease to kill tens of thousands of people in Ireland during those decades .
More than 50,000 people died from cholera during the 1830s , according to the 1841 census report , with more than 46,000 of those deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 1832 and 1834 .
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by water and food contamination .
Acute , sudden diarrhoea can cause severe hydration and death .
The World Health Organizastion primarily links cholera with poor access to clean water and proper sanitation .
The census report from 1941 notes : “ Cholera prevailed most in the towns of the civic districts ; and ... in 1833 it had spread throughout the country at large , and prevailed most in the rural districts.
” Dublin had many cases .
A news story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1832 , detailed a Dublin case before the central board of health , before which “ reports were laid before them of the deaths of a man and two women , in the neighbourhood of Summer-hill , and of the sickness of a young woman who had been at the wake and funeral of the man ” .
The census report identifies Sligo , Drogheda and Belfast as hotbeds for the disease .
The 1832 outbreak in Sligo has since been associated with the works of Bram Stoker , whose mother apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her son .
A report in the Tralee Mercury on September 1st , 1832 , also notes some “ melancholy details ” of the illness , which “ broke out with fearful violence ” in the town : “ In almost every case where the sick person died in his own house , three or four of the same family have been attacked , thus paralysing every exertion and rendering them incapable of any effort to subdue the virulence of the plague.
” Cholera , that decade , accounted for one in every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison , influenza killed 10,575 people , or one in 112.28 deaths .
Influenza would make headlines during a well-known pandemic that gripped the world and newspaper headlines .
“ Spanish flu ” , as it is commonly known , killed millions worldwide between 1918 and 1919 and more than 20,000 in Ireland , according to most estimates .
A search through the archive of The Irish Times reveals a more familiar news cycle .
By the early 20th century , though many daily newspapers were still mostly dense journals of finely printed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media treatment .
Between 1918 and 1920 , the stories progress from reports of far-off illnesses , to cases racking up at home , to reaction and editorial comment and a number of advertisers taking advantage .
Tragic vignettes stand out .
One story , labelled “ A Dublin Family ’ s Sad Fate ” , recounted “ a melancholy result of the influenza epidemic ” , which quickly portrays the severity with which the illness gripped families .
Frances Phelan was aged 27 when she died , according to the report of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times on Saturday , March 1st , 1919 .
The report was a reprint of a story that had run during the week , detailing the circumstances under which Mrs Phelan ’ s body was found .
Mrs Phelan lived with her husband , their baby , and her sister – identified as Miss Phelan in the reports .
When her neighbours at Corporation Buildings on Corporation Street ( now James Joyce Street in Dublin 1 ) became concerned after not hearing from any of the family , the door of the rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs Phelan was then found dead in bed , and her husband and child were lying beside her , and Miss Phelan was stretched across the foot of the bed , ” reads the report .
“ Phelan himself , the child , and Miss Phelan were removed to the South Dublin Union Hospital , where he ( the Coroner ) was informed they had since died.
” A postmortem of Mrs Phelan ’ s body showed her lungs were heavily congested , and the cause of death was declared as pneumonia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story of the Phelans sits within a front page wrap of the progress of the influenza epidemic – there were many such updates in those months .
The same story carries mentions of Sir Charles Cameron , who was superintendent medical officer of health – and well into his late 80s – when the epidemic began .
The advice issued by Cameron at the time was “ to avoid crowded assemblies , to keep oneself warm and in good condition ” , and at the first sign of illness , go to bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point of that report , medical doctors were “ strongly recommending that the best method of preventing the spread of the infection would be to close the schools , the theatres and other places of assembly , and even the churches , for a brief period ” .
Cameron , too , published a number of letters in The Irish Times advocating the closure of schools – and many did throughout the epidemic .
When it was up to many of the proprietors and patrons of amusements and theatres about whether or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was clear on its position in its editorial commentary on February 22nd , 1919 : “ We realise that that closing of houses of entertainment would cause much financial loss , and that the postponement of dances at the height of the season would be a disappointment to many .
“ Yet , the question remains : Are the providers and seekers of amusement prepared to ‘ carry on ’ in view of the risk that their action may involve to the health of the community ?
”

A disappointing grain yield and particularly wet weather created the perfect conditions for typhus to ravage an already-vulnerable population between 1816 and 1819. Illustration: iStock
An epidemic, a scramble to deal with it and much space in newsprint; it’s not an unfamiliar pattern in newspaper archives.
One of the worst disease outbreaks, in Irish terms, to make headlines was a typhus fever epidemic in the early 19th century. Between 1816 and 1819, typhus racked up 1.5 million cases and killed about 65,000 people in Ireland, according to estimates, with the greatest rate of mortality recorded in the summer of 1817.
In truth, it was likely a problem before that, but the gravity wasn’t fully appreciated until it began to affect higher classes. That’s according to a report on the disease’s progression published in 1821 by doctors Barker and Cheyne. The work, comprising two volumes, collects official documents, recommendations and accounts of cases from doctors throughout the country.
A disappointing grain yield and particularly wet weather in the period before the onset of the epidemic created the perfect conditions whereby the disease could ravage an already-vulnerable population. It spread quickly, particularly among the poor.
READ MORE
A number of factors were blamed; prominent among them was the abundance of wandering “beggars” and the popularity of holding of wakes for dead typhus patients. Gathering in cramped places with corpses was a needless hazard that helped spread the fever quickly among affected populations, doctors concluded.
The 1821 report reads: “Another circumstance, which we have good reason to believe tends, in a very great degree, to the extension of contagion, is the practice so universal amongst the poor of waking, as it is called, the corpse of their deceased friend, a ceremony which, from force of habit and ill-directed feeling, brings together a large assemblage of persons, generally in a close ill ventilated apartment, in immediate contact with infection in its most active state; and such persons, previously free from fever, too often carry it to their respective homes, and thereby spread it amongst habitations and families, that would otherwise, in all human probability, have escaped it.”
Refusing ‘beggars’
There were calls for a ban to be placed on wakes, and in Delgany, Co Wicklow, it was reported that avoiding the events, while also refusing “beggars”, had benefited some locals: “In the parish of Delgany, county of Wicklow, the small farmers and labourers who refused admission to beggars, and who ceased to frequent wakes, escaped the fever, while others of the same class suffered; and some months after a fever had gone through a family in the Wicklow mountains, the disease was frequently re-introduced by beggars from Dublin.”
Typhus fever is transmitted by lice. Headaches, chills, high fever, coughing and severe muscular pain accompany an infection, along with dark spots on the body after a number of days.
Cleanliness and hygiene have much to do with preventing the spread of the disease. Authorities in the 19th century knew cleanliness was important, but they mainly blamed poor ventilation for the spread of typhus; its association with lice was not yet established.
“The proof here is easy,” wrote Dr Robert John Thornton in a letter to the Freeman’s Journal on November 6th, 1817. “The connexion betwixt life and the air we breathe is now so well understood, that I scarcely need mention, that the motion of the heart, circulation of the blood, animal heat, digestion - all these depend upon the oxygene or vital air in our atmosphere...”
Within the doctors’ report from 1821 were various snippets of advice issued to the public at the time:
Though you may have sent your friend to the hospital, yet the infection in all probability still remains in your rooms, and about your clothes. To remove it, you are advised to use, without delay, the following means:
Let all your doors and windows be immediately thrown open, and let them remain so throughout the day. Let the clothes you wear be steeped in cold water, and afterwards washed: and let any chest, box, drawer, &c in the infectious house be emptied and cleansed. Let the house, room, or cabin from whence the patient is removed be immediately cleansed; all dirty clothes, utensils, &c immersed in cold water; the bed clothes, first steeped in cold water, then wrung out, and washed in warm water and soap. If you lie on straw beds, let the straw be immediately burned, and fresh straw provided, and let the ticken be steeped in cold water. Whitewash all your rooms, and the entrance to them, with lime slaked in the place where you intend to use it, and while it continues bubbling and hot. Scrape your floor with a shovel, and wash it clean; also your furniture. Keep in the open air for the space of a week as much as you can. And lastly, wash your face, hands, and feet, and comb your hair well every morning at least.
Cholera
Typhus was not the only disease to kill tens of thousands of people in Ireland during those decades. More than 50,000 people died from cholera during the 1830s, according to the 1841 census report, with more than 46,000 of those deaths occurring in three years of epidemic, between 1832 and 1834.
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by water and food contamination. Acute, sudden diarrhoea can cause severe hydration and death. The World Health Organizastion primarily links cholera with poor access to clean water and proper sanitation.
The census report from 1941 notes: “Cholera prevailed most in the towns of the civic districts; and ... in 1833 it had spread throughout the country at large, and prevailed most in the rural districts.”
Dublin had many cases. A news story in the Belfast Newsletter, April 3rd, 1832, detailed a Dublin case before the central board of health, before which “reports were laid before them of the deaths of a man and two women, in the neighbourhood of Summer-hill, and of the sickness of a young woman who had been at the wake and funeral of the man”.
The census report identifies Sligo, Drogheda and Belfast as hotbeds for the disease. The 1832 outbreak in Sligo has since been associated with the works of Bram Stoker, whose mother apparently related vivid descriptions of the devastation to her son. A report in the Tralee Mercury on September 1st, 1832, also notes some "melancholy details" of the illness, which "broke out with fearful violence" in the town: "In almost every case where the sick person died in his own house, three or four of the same family have been attacked, thus paralysing every exertion and rendering them incapable of any effort to subdue the virulence of the plague."
Cholera, that decade, accounted for one in every 7.36 deaths from all causes; by comparison, influenza killed 10,575 people, or one in 112.28 deaths.
Spanish flu
Influenza would make headlines during a well-known pandemic that gripped the world and newspaper headlines. “Spanish flu”, as it is commonly known, killed millions worldwide between 1918 and 1919 and more than 20,000 in Ireland, according to most estimates.
A search through the archive of The Irish Times reveals a more familiar news cycle. By the early 20th century, though many daily newspapers were still mostly dense journals of finely printed columns, the coverage more resembles modern media treatment. Between 1918 and 1920, the stories progress from reports of far-off illnesses, to cases racking up at home, to reaction and editorial comment and a number of advertisers taking advantage.
Tragic vignettes stand out. One story, labelled “A Dublin Family’s Sad Fate”, recounted “a melancholy result of the influenza epidemic”, which quickly portrays the severity with which the illness gripped families.
Frances Phelan was aged 27 when she died, according to the report of her inquest published in The Weekly Irish Times on Saturday, March 1st, 1919. The report was a reprint of a story that had run during the week, detailing the circumstances under which Mrs Phelan's body was found. Mrs Phelan lived with her husband, their baby, and her sister – identified as Miss Phelan in the reports.
When her neighbours at Corporation Buildings on Corporation Street (now James Joyce Street in Dublin 1) became concerned after not hearing from any of the family, the door of the rooms they rented was forced open. "Mrs Phelan was then found dead in bed, and her husband and child were lying beside her, and Miss Phelan was stretched across the foot of the bed," reads the report. "Phelan himself, the child, and Miss Phelan were removed to the South Dublin Union Hospital, where he (the Coroner) was informed they had since died."
A postmortem of Mrs Phelan’s body showed her lungs were heavily congested, and the cause of death was declared as pneumonia, as a result of influenza.
The story of the Phelans sits within a front page wrap of the progress of the influenza epidemic – there were many such updates in those months. The same story carries mentions of Sir Charles Cameron, who was superintendent medical officer of health – and well into his late 80s – when the epidemic began. The advice issued by Cameron at the time was "to avoid crowded assemblies, to keep oneself warm and in good condition", and at the first sign of illness, go to bed and summon the doctor.
‘Close the schools’
At the point of that report, medical doctors were “strongly recommending that the best method of preventing the spread of the infection would be to close the schools, the theatres and other places of assembly, and even the churches, for a brief period”. Cameron, too, published a number of letters in The Irish Times advocating the closure of schools – and many did throughout the epidemic.
When it was up to many of the proprietors and patrons of amusements and theatres about whether or not the establishments closed, The Irish Times was clear on its position in its editorial commentary on February 22nd, 1919: “We realise that that closing of houses of entertainment would cause much financial loss, and that the postponement of dances at the height of the season would be a disappointment to many.
“Yet, the question remains: Are the providers and seekers of amusement prepared to ‘carry on’ in view of the risk that their action may involve to the health of the community?”


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--The debate about technology in education is focused on devices rather than content

When Apple released the iPad a decade ago , there was a rush among early adopters to embed such an innovative device into their lives .
There was also a surge in the uptake of digital technology in schools around the world at the same time .
Ireland was no different .
From 2012 , some newer post-primary schools were announcing that they were “ tech driven ” .
These schools began to turn away from the traditional delivery of teaching materials in favour of the shiny and new .
Schools in Ireland have a high level of autonomy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Education does not prescribe how schools use digital technology .
In the absence of such direction what are we seeing in schools ?
With the recent reform of the junior cycle here in Ireland , technology has become entrenched in the everyday practices of many schools .
The classroom-based assessments in particular have been a driving force in the rush to embed a range of technologies into classroom practice .
Where schools are “ tech driven ” , many teachers are reporting that they have to design and develop their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional time to do so .
This is a real problem because the process of creating digital teaching and learning materials is more complex than many are prepared to recognise .
As a signatory of the Stavanger Declaration , the culmination of a five-year study , I contributed to the many voices of experts ( including my collaborator , Dr Triona Hourigan ) stating that an indiscriminate swap of traditional hardcopy textbooks for digital materials does not work .
Digital environments also pose challenges and distraction is a major concern highlighted in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced traditional classroom practice .
Where teachers are being asked to create their own resources instead of using textbooks , much of this work is done in a piecemeal manner without sufficient professional time or necessary resources .
Internationally , teachers are often the agents of change but there are examples of more focused government-driven agendas .
At least 20 countries , for example , have initiated e-textbook projects .
There are also cases where countries have taken an approach which puts information and communications technology ( ICT ) at the very core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example is the Netherlands .
In early 2009 , the Dutch minister for education launched the Wikiwijs project , an open , internet-based platform , where teachers could find , download , ( further ) develop and share educational resources .
While Wikiwijs was primarily concerned with creating an infrastructure for open educational resources , it also clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Dutch government to realising a clearly defined and realistic approach to incorporating ICT into schools .
However , even with all of the provision and support put in place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the lessons learned from the project was that “ more communication would have been helpful .
.
.
to be persuasive in nature to convince various parties ( school management , teachers , and so on ) about the benefits and role that open educational resources can have regarding educational reform and in acquiring 21st century skills ” .
Another outcome of the Wikiwijs project was that it was recognised that the project by itself was not enough to realise the objectives set by the government .
“ More prescriptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the current state of permissiveness on adopting an OER policy by educational organisations , ” the review found .
In 1999 in Ireland , a similar service was launched .
This educational website for teachers , parents and pupils provides a comprehensive online library of educational resources .
While there are an impressive number of curriculum resources , there are gaps across subjects .
These projects are pockets of good practice – and what is needed now is to actually assess what works across Europe and build the good practice into second-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 months , there has been a lot of media coverage here in Ireland looking at the digital provision in post-primary schools .
Unfortunately , this debate has become device- rather than content-focused .
Instructional design is a profession and we need to recognise the demands in terms of time , resources and the expertise necessary to create high-quality digital materials for students .
If students are not using professionally produced ebooks and digital material we need to look at the content that they are using rather than focusing on the device .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to us can be used to enrich the student learning experience .
The opportunity to include multimedia alongside a history lesson for example or at a more basic level making changes to the size and colour of the text can be transformative for some students .
For some students , assistive technology will facilitate access to an education that would be impossible without the technology but all of this hangs on the quality of the digital resources and how they are used .
We should want the best materials for our students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is to recognise the professional expertise and instructional design that is necessary to create high-quality digital material .
Technology in schools should never be focused solely on the tools but should be about what , if any , technology is appropriate for the subject – and how technology can really enrich the classroom and the student learning experience Dr Ann Marcus-Quinn is a lecturer in technical communication and instructional design at the University of Limerick

A student using an iPad for her school work. The Stavanger Declaration, the culmination of a five-year study, states that an indiscriminate swap of traditional hardcopy textbooks for digital materials does not work. Photograph: Alan Betson
When Apple released the iPad a decade ago, there was a rush among early adopters to embed such an innovative device into their lives.
There was also a surge in the uptake of digital technology in schools around the world at the same time. Ireland was no different.
From 2012, some newer post-primary schools were announcing that they were “tech driven”. These schools began to turn away from the traditional delivery of teaching materials in favour of the shiny and new.
Schools in Ireland have a high level of autonomy in terms of how they govern themselves and the Department of Education does not prescribe how schools use digital technology.
READ MORE
In the absence of such direction what are we seeing in schools? With the recent reform of the junior cycle here in Ireland, technology has become entrenched in the everyday practices of many schools. The classroom-based assessments in particular have been a driving force in the rush to embed a range of technologies into classroom practice.
Real problem
Where schools are “tech driven”, many teachers are reporting that they have to design and develop their own digital resources without any support or professional time to do so.
This is a real problem because the process of creating digital teaching and learning materials is more complex than many are prepared to recognise.
As a signatory of the Stavanger Declaration, the culmination of a five-year study, I contributed to the many voices of experts (including my collaborator, Dr Triona Hourigan) stating that an indiscriminate swap of traditional hardcopy textbooks for digital materials does not work.
Digital environments also pose challenges and distraction is a major concern highlighted in many global studies where a digital device has replaced traditional classroom practice.
Where teachers are being asked to create their own resources instead of using textbooks, much of this work is done in a piecemeal manner without sufficient professional time or necessary resources.
Internationally, teachers are often the agents of change but there are examples of more focused government-driven agendas. At least 20 countries, for example, have initiated e-textbook projects. There are also cases where countries have taken an approach which puts information and communications technology (ICT) at the very core of the education system.
One such example is the Netherlands. In early 2009, the Dutch minister for education launched the Wikiwijs project, an open, internet-based platform, where teachers could find, download, (further) develop and share educational resources.
While Wikiwijs was primarily concerned with creating an infrastructure for open educational resources, it also clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Dutch government to realising a clearly defined and realistic approach to incorporating ICT into schools.
Lessons learned
However, even with all of the provision and support put in place, not all teachers availed of the resources. One of the lessons learned from the project was that “more communication would have been helpful . . . to be persuasive in nature to convince various parties (school management, teachers, and so on) about the benefits and role that open educational resources can have regarding educational reform and in acquiring 21st century skills”.
Another outcome of the Wikiwijs project was that it was recognised that the project by itself was not enough to realise the objectives set by the government.
“More prescriptive policies and regulations were also needed to avoid the current state of permissiveness on adopting an OER policy by educational organisations,” the review found.
In 1999 in Ireland, a similar service was launched. This educational website for teachers, parents and pupils provides a comprehensive online library of educational resources.
While there are an impressive number of curriculum resources, there are gaps across subjects. These projects are pockets of good practice – and what is needed now is to actually assess what works across Europe and build the good practice into second-level education for all.
Over the last 12 months, there has been a lot of media coverage here in Ireland looking at the digital provision in post-primary schools. Unfortunately, this debate has become device- rather than content-focused.
Instructional design is a profession and we need to recognise the demands in terms of time, resources and the expertise necessary to create high-quality digital materials for students.
If students are not using professionally produced ebooks and digital material we need to look at the content that they are using rather than focusing on the device.
There is no doubt that the technology available to us can be used to enrich the student learning experience.
The opportunity to include multimedia alongside a history lesson for example or at a more basic level making changes to the size and colour of the text can be transformative for some students.
For some students, assistive technology will facilitate access to an education that would be impossible without the technology but all of this hangs on the quality of the digital resources and how they are used.
We should want the best materials for our students – and the only way to guarantee this is to recognise the professional expertise and instructional design that is necessary to create high-quality digital material.
Technology in schools should never be focused solely on the tools but should be about what, if any, technology is appropriate for the subject – and how technology can really enrich the classroom and the student learning experience
Dr Ann Marcus-Quinn is a lecturer in technical communication and instructional design at the University of Limerick


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: Publican groups expect some bars will never reopen

The decision to close the country ’ s pubs in a bid to stem the coronavirus epidemic will decimate the industry and put some bars out of business , industry groups have warned .
The Government asked the country ’ s 7,000 pubs and hotel bars to close from last night until at least March 29th to protect public health after the Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland told State officials that the social distancing guidelines were unworkable .
The decision was taken after images circulated on social media showing packed pubs in Temple Bar , Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people keep a distance in social interaction and that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people be cancelled .
The images prompted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to post on Twitter that he might seek enforcement powers from the Dáil and Seanad to impose guidelines on indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people .
Representatives of the pub trade accepted that the decision was necessary in the interest of public health but warned that it could have long-term consequences for some pubs .
“ I think we have seen some businesses in Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will never reopen again , ” said Donall O ’ Keeffe , chief executive of the LVA .
The coronavirus outbreak had created an “ existential crisis ” for the industry .
He described it as a “ traumatic ” and “ unprecedented ” day for the licensed trade .
“ Our turnover goes to zero in the morning .
We have probably the single biggest loss of jobs in the history of the State : 50,000 people are out of work in the morning , 7,000 businesses are closing tonight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade has operated in Ireland for 200 years plus .
I don ’ t think anyone ever envisaged a situation where pubs in the country would be shut.
” He described the coronavirus outbreak as “ the biggest crisis the State has faced .
“ We have never seen this in our lifetimes .
We are in uncharted territory and it is getting worse fast .
The ramifications of a public health perspective and economic and business perspective are just ginormous , ” he said .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m conscious that I ’ m speaking to people for whom this is going to come as a shock and a worry , and I am conscious that those people will be without employment for a period of weeks , ” he said .
Asked what would happen to pubs who chose to ignore the Government ’ s request to close , Mr O ’ Keeffe said pubs that do not close as told would suffer “ irreparable reputational damage.
” A spokesman for the other publican representative group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We don ’ t imagine that there will be too many pubs that will do .
Certainly they will be getting visits from An Garda Síochána and I would imagine that the local population wouldn ’ t be too impressed either.
” The pub industry representatives will be meeting Department of Business officials to see if they can decide a system to process social welfare payments through employers .
Mr O ’ Keeffe said that social welfare system “ can ’ t cope with 50,000 applications ” , he said .
This week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks on loans and a moratorium from the State on employers ’ social welfare payments and commercial and water rates .
“ We have families going home tonight – workers , barmen , floor staff – who are going to be very worried about paying their rent or their mortgages next week , about paying their way , ” he said .
Pubs in Temple Bar were condemned for failing to impose restrictions on the number of people on their premises in order to stay within the Government limits on social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ St John Gogarty pub in Temple Bar , said his staff were unable to keep 100 people in each of the three separate bars on his premises on Saturday night as his customers wanted to “ gravitate ” between the bars .
“ The place was never designed to segregate people , ” he said .
Asked why the premises was not closed when crowding happened , Mr Keane said that he closed it earlier than normal , at 12.45am instead of 2.30am .
“ I didn ’ t think there would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in hindsight , the buck does stop with me .
I probably didn ’ t realise the effect of so many other places being closed , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t expect that there would be so many other people out at night .
I personally read it wrong .
”

Garda public order unit in Temple Bar as pubs in that area of Dublin close in interest of public health on Sunday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The decision to close the country’s pubs in a bid to stem the coronavirus epidemic will decimate the industry and put some bars out of business, industry groups have warned.
The Government asked the country's 7,000 pubs and hotel bars to close from last night until at least March 29th to protect public health after the Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland told State officials that the social distancing guidelines were unworkable.
The decision was taken after images circulated on social media showing packed pubs in Temple Bar, Dublin, flouting the Government's recommendations that people keep a distance in social interaction and that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people be cancelled.
The images prompted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to post on Twitter that he might seek enforcement powers from the Dáil and Seanad to impose guidelines on indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people.
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Representatives of the pub trade accepted that the decision was necessary in the interest of public health but warned that it could have long-term consequences for some pubs.
“I think we have seen some businesses in Ireland that will sell their last drink tonight and will never reopen again,” said Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the LVA.
The coronavirus outbreak had created an “existential crisis” for the industry. He described it as a “traumatic” and “unprecedented” day for the licensed trade.
“Our turnover goes to zero in the morning. We have probably the single biggest loss of jobs in the history of the State: 50,000 people are out of work in the morning, 7,000 businesses are closing tonight,” he said.
“The licensed trade has operated in Ireland for 200 years plus. I don’t think anyone ever envisaged a situation where pubs in the country would be shut.”
He described the coronavirus outbreak as “the biggest crisis the State has faced.
“We have never seen this in our lifetimes. We are in uncharted territory and it is getting worse fast. The ramifications of a public health perspective and economic and business perspective are just ginormous,” he said.
‘Reputational damage’
Minister for Health Simon Harris said he was conscious of the effect on employees.
“I’m conscious that I’m speaking to people for whom this is going to come as a shock and a worry, and I am conscious that those people will be without employment for a period of weeks,” he said.
Asked what would happen to pubs who chose to ignore the Government’s request to close, Mr O’Keeffe said pubs that do not close as told would suffer “irreparable reputational damage.”
A spokesman for the other publican representative group, the VFI, said: "We don't imagine that there will be too many pubs that will do. Certainly they will be getting visits from An Garda Síochána and I would imagine that the local population wouldn't be too impressed either."
The pub industry representatives will be meeting Department of Business officials to see if they can decide a system to process social welfare payments through employers.
Mr O’Keeffe said that social welfare system “can’t cope with 50,000 applications”, he said.
Bank moratorium
This week the industry would seek a moratorium from banks on loans and a moratorium from the State on employers’ social welfare payments and commercial and water rates.
“We have families going home tonight – workers, barmen, floor staff – who are going to be very worried about paying their rent or their mortgages next week, about paying their way,” he said.
Pubs in Temple Bar were condemned for failing to impose restrictions on the number of people on their premises in order to stay within the Government limits on social distancing.
Martin Keane, owner of the Oliver St John Gogarty pub in Temple Bar, said his staff were unable to keep 100 people in each of the three separate bars on his premises on Saturday night as his customers wanted to "gravitate" between the bars. "The place was never designed to segregate people," he said.
Asked why the premises was not closed when crowding happened, Mr Keane said that he closed it earlier than normal, at 12.45am instead of 2.30am.
“I didn’t think there would be the deluge of people. Looking back, in hindsight, the buck does stop with me. I probably didn’t realise the effect of so many other places being closed,” he said. “I didn’t expect that there would be so many other people out at night. I personally read it wrong.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Increased resources to tackle mental health impact of outbreak

Increased resources for mental health services and a ramping up of community groups ’ capacities are among measures Government will examine this week to tackle the mental health impact of the coronavirus crisis .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said he was “ really worried ” about the psychological impact the crisis could have on people losing livelihoods , feeling isolated , anxious and frightened .
“ We have to slow down Covid-19 and its spread but we have to remember the effect of telling sociable creatures to take distance from each other .
I am looking with the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support our [ counselling ] services and our online mental health services , ” he said .
He said Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Michael Ring would lead “ a body of work ” on supporting organisations , such as meals on wheels and other home-visiting services , particularly for older people and people with disabilities living alone .
Mr Harris said there was a “ huge appetite ” among communities to reach out and help each other , but this had to be done safely and guidance would be issued this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am contacted by hundreds of people saying , ‘ I want to help ’ .
We clearly need to identify what we need them to help us with .
”

Minister for Health Simon Harris said there was a “huge appetite” among communities to reach out and help each other, but this had to be done safely and guidance would be issued this week. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Increased resources for mental health services and a ramping up of community groups’ capacities are among measures Government will examine this week to tackle the mental health impact of the coronavirus crisis.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said he was "really worried" about the psychological impact the crisis could have on people losing livelihoods, feeling isolated, anxious and frightened.
“We have to slow down Covid-19 and its spread but we have to remember the effect of telling sociable creatures to take distance from each other. I am looking with the HSE at what more we can do to support our [counselling] services and our online mental health services,” he said.
He said Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Michael Ring would lead "a body of work" on supporting organisations, such as meals on wheels and other home-visiting services, particularly for older people and people with disabilities living alone.
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Mr Harris said there was a “huge appetite” among communities to reach out and help each other, but this had to be done safely and guidance would be issued this week.
“Every single day I am contacted by hundreds of people saying, ‘I want to help’. We clearly need to identify what we need them to help us with.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Pubs asked to close in latest move to stem coronavirus outbreak

The Government has called for the closure of the country ’ s 7,000 pubs from last night until at least March 29th in a further dramatic effort to stem the spread of coronavirus .
The move was considered essential ahead of the traditionally busy St Patrick ’ s Day bank holiday .
The move leaves 50,000 people in the pub trade out of work overnight in what one industry representative said was the “ biggest loss of jobs in the history of the State ” .
The request to close all pubs , including hotel bars , came as health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 in the Republic , the highest daily total since the State ’ s first case was confirmed on February 29th .
This has brought the total number of cases in the State to 169 .
Some 25 of the new cases were in the east of the country , nine in the west and six in the south .
There were 11 new cases in Northern Ireland , bringing the total in the North to 45 and to 214 overall on the island of Ireland .
The decision to seek the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temple Bar pubs in Dublin over the weekend failing to abide by the social distancing guidelines introduced by the Government last week that recommend indoor gatherings not exceed 100 people .
The request to shut bars came after industry representatives told Government officials they could not enforce the guidelines .
“ The social distancing guidelines are completely unworkable in a pub setting , and we have seen regrettably a small number of pubs behave appallingly , ” said Donall O ’ Keeffe , chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association .
The Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health measure given the reports of reckless behaviour by some members of the public in certain pubs ” .
Mr O ’ Keeffe described it as “ an absolutely traumatic day ” for the trade .
“ There are 7,000 pubs closing with immediate effect , 50,000 jobs gone overnight , ” he said .
“ It ’ s absolutely the right thing to do .
We are doing it in the long-term interest of public health , of our staff and our customers.
” He warned pubs that do not close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Discussions are ongoing between the industry and Government about arrangements for social welfare payments for affected staff and financial support for the pubs .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said the closures were not an excuse for people to hold so-called Covid-19 parties and urged people not to hold house parties .
“ We need people to show a bit of cop on , and a bit of common sense here .
This is a very , very serious virus , and it has taken the lives of thousands of people across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that officials were closely monitoring the situation in restaurants and cafes .
The Government is drafting legislation to deal with the pandemic that could lead to more stringent measures .
Mr Harris confirmed he was considering activating a set of laws which have previously not been used .
Further regulations can be added to the 1948 infectious diseases regulations by the Minister for Health .
These could include the requirement for adults or children to stay home or away from certain places .
Mr Harris said the HSE is being offered the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other premises , and he did not expect the Government to need requisitioning powers for extra capacity .
He said Opposition parties will be briefed on Monday .
The Garda and Defence Forces were set to commence a major new operation from Monday morning as part of the State ’ s response to the Covid-19 crisis .
Additional Garda resources are being drafted , with 12-hour shifts being introduced and annual leave restricted .
Gardaí aim to increase high-visibility patrols to provide reassurance to the public .
They are expected to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still arresting violent suspects , in a bid to minimise the risk of people with Covid-19 being brought into stations as prisoners .
Some medical personnel now had the power , under the Health Act 1947 , to compel people to go into isolation if they had Covid-19 or were suspected of having it .
Meanwhile , a member of staff at The Irish Times has tested positive for the coronavirus .
The company ’ s offices in Dublin will be closed for at least 48 hours .
The newspaper and website will @ @ @ @

The Government has called for the closure of the country’s 7,000 pubs from last night until at least March 29th in a further dramatic effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The move was considered essential ahead of the traditionally busy St Patrick’s Day bank holiday.
The move leaves 50,000 people in the pub trade out of work overnight in what one industry representative said was the “biggest loss of jobs in the history of the State”.
Temple Bar Company Statement #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/zrd5s5JrRG — Love Temple Bar (@LoveTempleBar) March 15, 2020 Not far from here, nurses & doctors are working to prepare for the impact of a global pandemic. Everyone is working 24/7. This is an insult to their efforts. There is very clear public health advice. Follow it. All options will be kept under constant review #CoronaVirusUpdates https://t.co/XQvJ7tC13D — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 14, 2020
The request to close all pubs, including hotel bars, came as health officials said there were 40 new cases of Covid-19 in the Republic, the highest daily total since the State’s first case was confirmed on February 29th. This has brought the total number of cases in the State to 169.
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Some 25 of the new cases were in the east of the country, nine in the west and six in the south. There were 11 new cases in Northern Ireland, bringing the total in the North to 45 and to 214 overall on the island of Ireland.
The decision to seek the closures came after social media videos showed Temple Bar pubs in Dublin over the weekend failing to abide by the social distancing guidelines introduced by the Government last week that recommend indoor gatherings not exceed 100 people. The request to shut bars came after industry representatives told Government officials they could not enforce the guidelines.
"The social distancing guidelines are completely unworkable in a pub setting, and we have seen regrettably a small number of pubs behave appallingly," said Donall O'Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association.
The Government said the closures were “an essential public health measure given the reports of reckless behaviour by some members of the public in certain pubs”. Mr O’Keeffe described it as “an absolutely traumatic day” for the trade.
“There are 7,000 pubs closing with immediate effect, 50,000 jobs gone overnight, ” he said.
“It’s absolutely the right thing to do. We are doing it in the long-term interest of public health, of our staff and our customers.” He warned pubs that do not close would suffer “irreparable damage”.
Welfare payments
Discussions are ongoing between the industry and Government about arrangements for social welfare payments for affected staff and financial support for the pubs.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said the closures were not an excuse for people to hold so-called Covid-19 parties and urged people not to hold house parties.
“We need people to show a bit of cop on, and a bit of common sense here. This is a very, very serious virus, and it has taken the lives of thousands of people across the globe,” he said, adding that officials were closely monitoring the situation in restaurants and cafes.
The Government is drafting legislation to deal with the pandemic that could lead to more stringent measures. Mr Harris confirmed he was considering activating a set of laws which have previously not been used.
Further regulations can be added to the 1948 infectious diseases regulations by the Minister for Health. These could include the requirement for adults or children to stay home or away from certain places.
Mr Harris said the HSE was being offered the use of private healthcare facilities, hotels and other premises, and he did not expect the Government to need requisitioning powers for extra capacity.
He said Opposition parties would be briefed on Monday.
Patrols
The Garda and Defence Forces were set to commence a major new operation from Monday morning as part of the State's response to the Covid-19 crisis. Additional Garda resources are being drafted, with 12-hour shifts being introduced and annual leave restricted.
Gardaí aim to increase high-visibility patrols to provide reassurance to the public. They are expected to take a selective approach to making arrests, while still arresting violent suspects, in a bid to minimise the risk of people with Covid-19 being brought into stations as prisoners.
Some medical personnel now had the power, under the Health Act 1947, to compel people to go into isolation if they had Covid-19 or were suspected of having it.
Meanwhile, a member of staff at The Irish Times has tested positive for the coronavirus. The company’s offices in Dublin will be closed for at least 48 hours. The newspaper and website will continue to operate.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Member of staff at The Irish Times tests positive for coronavirus

A member of staff at The Irish Times has tested positive for the coronavirus .
As a result The Irish @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin will be closed for at least 48 hours .
The newspaper and website @ @ @ @ @ Confirmation of the Covid-19 case was made on Sunday evening .
In a statement , @ @ @ @ @ member who tested positive has been in contact with the HSE and is currently in @ @ @ @ @ HSE advice .
The HSE is also in the process of contacting individuals who may @ @ @ @ @ with the staff member .
“ The health and safety of our employees is our @ @ @ @ @ statement said .
All employees based in Tara Street have been asked to work from @ @ @ @ @ will continue to be published online and in print and every effort will be made @ @ @ @ @ - of the newspaper and irishtimes.com - and to customers.The Citywest printing facility is unaffected @ @ @ @ @ also not affected .

The Irish Times building at Tara Street in Dublin will be closed for at least 48 hours.
A member of staff at The Irish Times has tested positive for the coronavirus.
As a result The Irish Times building at Tara Street in Dublin will be closed for at least 48 hours.
The newspaper and website will continue to operate.
Confirmation of the Covid-19 case was made on Sunday evening.
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In a statement, the company said the staff member who tested positive has been in contact with the HSE and is currently in self-isolation, in line with HSE advice.
The HSE is also in the process of contacting individuals who may have been in close contact with the staff member.
“The health and safety of our employees is our top priority,” the statement said.
All employees based in Tara Street have been asked to work from home.
The Irish Times will continue to be published online and in print and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to readers - of the newspaper and irishtimes.com - and to customers.The Citywest printing facility is unaffected. Home delivery services are also not affected.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Irish scientists confirm chemical in some vaping devices generates toxic gas

A chemical commonly found in vitamin supplements and skin creams generates a highly toxic gas when burned in some vaping products , Irish researchers have found .
The discovery by scientists at RCSI University of Medicine and Health relates to Vitamin E acetate , which is often found in illegally-made vaping devices .
The team at its department of chemistry confirmed the chemical generates a gas known as Ketene .
In August 2019 , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increasing number of lung injuries following the use of some vaping products .
Vitamin E acetate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some patient lung biopsies showed signs of chemical burns that vitamin E acetate alone would not be expected to cause .
Vitamin E acetate , primarily found in illegally made THC-based vape liquids , is considered non-toxic in vitamin supplements and skin creams .
“ This new research has now shown that heating up vitamin E acetate through vaping can produce ketene , a highly toxic gas , ” Prof Donal O ’ Shea explained .
Ketene is a colourless gas with a penetrating odour .
When inhaled , it can cause serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after exposure .
It is lethal at high concentrations , and at lower concentrations , it can irritate the eyes and lungs and impair the central nervous system .

New research has now shown that heating up vitamin E acetate through vaping can produce ketene, a highly toxic gas. Photographer: Michael Nagle/ Bloomberg
A chemical commonly found in vitamin supplements and skin creams generates a highly toxic gas when burned in some vaping products, Irish researchers have found.
The discovery by scientists at RCSI University of Medicine and Health relates to Vitamin E acetate, which is often found in illegally-made vaping devices. The team at its department of chemistry confirmed the chemical generates a gas known as Ketene.
In August 2019, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increasing number of lung injuries following the use of some vaping products. Vitamin E acetate was identified as one possible cause though some patient lung biopsies showed signs of chemical burns that vitamin E acetate alone would not be expected to cause.
Vitamin E acetate, primarily found in illegally made THC-based vape liquids, is considered non-toxic in vitamin supplements and skin creams. “This new research has now shown that heating up vitamin E acetate through vaping can produce ketene, a highly toxic gas,” Prof Donal O’Shea explained.
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Ketene is a colourless gas with a penetrating odour. When inhaled, it can cause serious damage to the lungs up to 24 hours after exposure. It is lethal at high concentrations, and at lower concentrations, it can irritate the eyes and lungs and impair the central nervous system.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: Several Irish citizens are on cruise chip denied entry to Chile

The Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with “ a number ” of Irish citizens who are on board a cruise ship that has been denied entry to Chile .
The cruise ship has been in an hours-long stand-off after Chile ’ s health ministry announced a ban on cruise ships docking at the country ’ s ports due to coronavirus fears , a move which blocked the ship from docking in San Antonio .
In a statement , the department said it was “ aware of a cruise ship which was due to dock in the port of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are in contact with a number of Irish citizens on board and will provide consular assistance as required , ” a spokeswoman said .
“ Irish citizens who may require assistance should contact our Embassy in Chile by calling +56 9 81916981 , or alternatively they can contact the duty officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on +353 ( 0 ) 1 4082000.
” The Celebrity Eclipse , a cruise ship with a capacity of about 3,000 people , attempted to dock at the port after the cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to suspend operations as a result of coronavirus travel restrictions .
In a tweet , the company said it was “ working with government officials to provide a controlled debarkation plan that would ensure all guests have travel arrangements to leave the country ” .
It is understood that nobody on board the ship is sick .
Chile announced on Saturday that it had placed 1,300 people on two other cruise ships in quarantine after an 85-year-old Briton tested positive for the Covid-19 virus .
The man showed symptoms of Covid-19 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far southern port of Caleta Tortel , 2,400km from Santiago .
The man was later transferred to a hospital in the city of Coyhaique where he tested positive for the virus .
Chile has taken a number of measures to prevent the spread of the virus , including the banning of events of more than 500 people , recommending people work from home , and ordering the quarantine of 2,600 students attending an elite private school in Santiago .
The country had 61 cases of the virus on Saturday , 18 more than @ @ @ @ @

The Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with "a number" of Irish citizens who are on board a cruise ship that has been denied entry to Chile.
The cruise ship has been in an hours-long stand-off after Chile’s health ministry announced a ban on cruise ships docking at the country’s ports due to coronavirus fears, a move which blocked the ship from docking in San Antonio.
In a statement, the department said it was “aware of a cruise ship which was due to dock in the port of San Antonio” on Sunday morning.
“We are in contact with a number of Irish citizens on board and will provide consular assistance as required,” a spokeswoman said.
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“Irish citizens who may require assistance should contact our Embassy in Chile by calling +56 9 81916981, or alternatively they can contact the duty officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on +353 (0)1 4082000.”
The Celebrity Eclipse, a cruise ship with a capacity of about 3,000 people, attempted to dock at the port after the cruise company that operates the ship made a decision to suspend operations as a result of coronavirus travel restrictions.
In a tweet, the company said it was “working with government officials to provide a controlled debarkation plan that would ensure all guests have travel arrangements to leave the country”.
It is understood that nobody on board the ship is sick.
Quarantine
Chile announced on Saturday that it had placed 1,300 people on two other cruise ships in quarantine after an 85-year-old Briton tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
The man showed symptoms of Covid-19 after disembarking the Silver Explorer ship in the far southern port of Caleta Tortel, 2,400km from Santiago.
The man was later transferred to a hospital in the city of Coyhaique where he tested positive for the virus.
Chile has taken a number of measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including the banning of events of more than 500 people, recommending people work from home, and ordering the quarantine of 2,600 students attending an elite private school in Santiago.
The country had 61 cases of the virus on Saturday, 18 more than was recorded on Friday.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Teenager remains in critical condition after gun attack in Dublin

A man remains critically ill in hospital after being shot in what gardaí believe was a well planned attack in Dublin .
The victim , who in his late teens , was wounded several times in the upper body when a gunman opened fire on him as he sat in a car .
The incident occurred at Fairlawn Road , Finglas , at about 10.30pm on Saturday .
Gardaí were first to arrive at the scene and discovered the wounded man .
He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to Connolly Hospital , Blanchardstown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transferred to St Vincent ’ s University Hospital in Dublin .
His condition was described on Sunday as stable but critical .
Garda sources said he was fortunate to survive the attack .
“ No persons have been arrested at this time and investigations ongoing , ” the Garda said in a statement .
The scene where he was shot , in what gardai believe was an attempted murder , was sealed off and has undergone examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau .
The man has been linked to criminals involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí were still trying to determine a specific motive for the attack on him .
A close associate of the wounded man was murdered in feuding in Dublin over a decade ago , though the attack on Saturday is not believe to be linked to that crime .
Instead , gardaí were examining if Saturday ’ s shooting was linked to an ongoing feud based mainly in Coolock but also involving criminals from Dublin .
It is also possible the shooting was carried out on behalf of a Dublin criminal now heavily involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal is suspected of ordering the killing and dismembering of Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda in January .
His remains were found in two locations in north Dublin in the days that followed , though his torso has still not been found .
Gardaí are investigating reports the man shot and wounded in Finglas on Saturday night had an altercation on the street earlier this year with the senior criminal figure with ordered the murder of Mulready Woods .
They were trying to establish if Saturday ’ s shooting was effectively revenge for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken place in Dublin .
However , the injured man was also close to a number of young drug dealers from north Dublin who were killed last year .
In the 10 months to last November , five men were murdered as part of the feud and Saturday ’ s attempted murder may be linked to that violent dispute .
That gun feud began with the murder of Zach Parker ( 23 ) in Swords , Co Dublin , last January .
It involves mostly young drug dealers who formerly worked together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force was over the weekend preparing for a new policing plan related to the Covid-19 outbreak and which was set to begin on Monday morning .
However , gardai do not believe the attack was in any way time to take advantage of any perceived reduction in patrolling .
Informed sources said it was highly likely the public would notice more policing on the streets because of the special operation .
They also stressed that serious crime would continue to be dealt with robustly and that gangs involved in gun crime would remain @ @ @

A male in his late teens is in a critical condition in hospital after being shot at Fairlawn Road in Dublin. Photograph: Collins
A man remains critically ill in hospital after being shot in what gardaí believe was a well planned attack in Dublin.
The victim, who in his late teens, was wounded several times in the upper body when a gunman opened fire on him as he sat in a car.
The incident occurred at Fairlawn Road, Finglas, at about 10.30pm on Saturday. Gardaí were first to arrive at the scene and discovered the wounded man.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.
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The wounded man was since been transferred to St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin.
His condition was described on Sunday as stable but critical. Garda sources said he was fortunate to survive the attack.
“No persons have been arrested at this time and investigations ongoing,” the Garda said in a statement.
The scene where he was shot, in what gardai believe was an attempted murder, was sealed off and has undergone examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.
The man has been linked to criminals involved in feuding in Finglas and Coolock and gardaí were still trying to determine a specific motive for the attack on him.
A close associate of the wounded man was murdered in feuding in Dublin over a decade ago, though the attack on Saturday is not believe to be linked to that crime.
Instead, gardaí were examining if Saturday’s shooting was linked to an ongoing feud based mainly in Coolock but also involving criminals from Dublin.
It is also possible the shooting was carried out on behalf of a Dublin criminal now heavily involved in the Drogheda feud.
That Dublin criminal is suspected of ordering the killing and dismembering of Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda in January.
His remains were found in two locations in north Dublin in the days that followed, though his torso has still not been found.
Gardaí are investigating reports the man shot and wounded in Finglas on Saturday night had an altercation on the street earlier this year with the senior criminal figure with ordered the murder of Mulready Woods.
They were trying to establish if Saturday’s shooting was effectively revenge for that altercation, which is believed to have taken place in Dublin.
However, the injured man was also close to a number of young drug dealers from north Dublin who were killed last year.
In the 10 months to last November, five men were murdered as part of the feud and Saturday’s attempted murder may be linked to that violent dispute.
That gun feud began with the murder of Zach Parker (23) in Swords, Co Dublin, last January. It involves mostly young drug dealers who formerly worked together in the drugs trade.
The Garda force was over the weekend preparing for a new policing plan related to the Covid-19 outbreak and which was set to begin on Monday morning.
However, gardai do not believe the attack was in any way time to take advantage of any perceived reduction in patrolling.
Informed sources said it was highly likely the public would notice more policing on the streets because of the special operation.
They also stressed that serious crime would continue to be dealt with robustly and that gangs involved in gun crime would remain under investigation.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--NI Assembly to debate report into botched heating incentive scheme

The Northern Assembly will on Monday debate the report into the botched Renewable Heat Incentive ( RHI ) .
Up to three hours have been set aside for the debate as politicians consider the fallout from the 656-page report published on Friday .
In his report , Sir Patrick Coghlin ’ s was highly critical of how the scheme was operated and said it should never have been adopted in the first place .
But he found there was no corruption or “ malicious activity ” involved by Stormont ministers , officials and special advisers .
The scheme was introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enterprise , Trade and Investment ( DETI ) in 2012 when the current DUP First Minister Arlene Foster was its minister .
Unlike the scheme in England and Wales , there was no cap on subsidies with the result that the 2,000 people approved to install wood-pellet boilers received £1.60 for every £1 they invested in the green heating scheme .
The overall overspend on RHI could be about £500 million , it is estimated .
Cost-cutting measures were introduced that could considerably reduce that cost to the Northern Ireland taxpayer .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who signed what they considered legally binding contracts , that overall cost could spiral back up to around half a billion pounds .
Judging by the current reaction to the report , which is being overshadowed by coronavirus , it seems unlikely that Ms Foster ’ s position as DUP leader and First Minister is under threat .
Following the publication of the report , Ms Foster apologised again “ for my failings in the implementation of the RHI scheme ” and said it would require “ careful consideration so that collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the many systemic failings across government.
” While Sir Patrick was critical of Ms Foster for signing a key document which lacked necessary costing information , he also said that as DETI Minister she was “ incorrectly ” told by officials that the RHI scheme was projected to provide the highest renewable heat output at the best value .
This was one of a number of significant failings by the civil service identified in the report .
Had some of these been addressed , Sir Patrick found , they might have prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme .
These included the failure , by DETI officials , “ properly to understand the damaging presence ” of the “ perverse incentive ” which meant the more participants in the scheme burned , the more they earned .
“ Numerous mistakes and omissions ” in policy advice provided by officials were often repeated in later submissions or other documents used to transmit or explain decisions , thus compounding the errors , while “ basic administration and record keeping ” was found to be lacking “ on too many occasions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deliver the scheme , and without them “ DETI should never have embarked on such a novel and complicated , demand-led scheme ” .
Dave Penman , the general secretary of the FDA , the senior public servants ’ union , said the first and recommendation of the report was that “ any new policy , at its earliest stage , should be subject to a rigorous process to determine whether the devolved administration has or is prepared to assign the necessary skills and resources to deliver the policy safely and competently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servants , like all public officials , expect to be held accountable for their actions .
As the report makes clear , much of that accountability is shared across civil servants , ministers , special advisers and , indeed , the Assembly.
” The union , he said , welcomed the proposal for an independent panel to assess the report and consider whether individual civil servants should be subject to disciplinary action .
“ Our hope is that ministers and the political parties similarly consider how they will assess the accountability of individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make those considerations public , ” he said .

Arlene Foster apologised again ‘for my failings in the implementation of the RHI scheme’.
The Northern Assembly will on Monday debate the report into the botched Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Up to three hours have been set aside for the debate as politicians consider the fallout from the 656-page report published on Friday.
In his report, Sir Patrick Coghlin’s was highly critical of how the scheme was operated and said it should never have been adopted in the first place. But he found there was no corruption or “malicious activity” involved by Stormont ministers, officials and special advisers.
The scheme was introduced by the North's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in 2012 when the current DUP First Minister Arlene Foster was its minister.
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Unlike the scheme in England and Wales, there was no cap on subsidies with the result that the 2,000 people approved to install wood-pellet boilers received £1.60 for every £1 they invested in the green heating scheme.
The overall overspend on RHI could be about £500 million, it is estimated. Cost-cutting measures were introduced that could considerably reduce that cost to the Northern Ireland taxpayer. But equally, with legal cases pending from those who signed what they considered legally binding contracts, that overall cost could spiral back up to around half a billion pounds.
Judging by the current reaction to the report, which is being overshadowed by coronavirus, it seems unlikely that Ms Foster’s position as DUP leader and First Minister is under threat.
Following the publication of the report, Ms Foster apologised again “for my failings in the implementation of the RHI scheme” and said it would require “careful consideration so that collectively we can ensure there is no repeat of the many systemic failings across government.”
While Sir Patrick was critical of Ms Foster for signing a key document which lacked necessary costing information, he also said that as DETI Minister she was “incorrectly” told by officials that the RHI scheme was projected to provide the highest renewable heat output at the best value.
This was one of a number of significant failings by the civil service identified in the report. Had some of these been addressed, Sir Patrick found, they might have prevented or mitigated some of the flaws in the scheme.
These included the failure, by DETI officials, “properly to understand the damaging presence” of the “perverse incentive” which meant the more participants in the scheme burned, the more they earned.
“Numerous mistakes and omissions” in policy advice provided by officials were often repeated in later submissions or other documents used to transmit or explain decisions, thus compounding the errors, while “basic administration and record keeping” was found to be lacking “on too many occasions.”
The department lacked the resources and capability to deliver the scheme, and without them “DETI should never have embarked on such a novel and complicated, demand-led scheme”.
Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA, the senior public servants' union, said the first and recommendation of the report was that "any new policy, at its earliest stage, should be subject to a rigorous process to determine whether the devolved administration has or is prepared to assign the necessary skills and resources to deliver the policy safely and competently".
He said that “civil servants, like all public officials, expect to be held accountable for their actions. As the report makes clear, much of that accountability is shared across civil servants, ministers, special advisers and, indeed, the Assembly.”
The union, he said, welcomed the proposal for an independent panel to assess the report and consider whether individual civil servants should be subject to disciplinary action.
“Our hope is that ministers and the political parties similarly consider how they will assess the accountability of individuals for their role in the scheme and make those considerations public,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--NI Executive to decide on escalating Covid-19 response

The Northern Executive is meeting on Monday to decide whether to escalate its response to the coronavirus emergency as 16 new cases were confirmed over the weekend , bringing the number of cases in Northern Ireland to 45 .
The North ’ s Department of Health advised people with “ mild symptoms ” such as a new persistent cough and/or fever to stay at home and self-isolate for seven days .
It said in such cases testing would not be required .
Executive Ministers are to meet at Stormont on Monday amid continuing differences between the DUP and Sinn Féin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when to close schools and universities .
Ministers from the North and South met in Armagh on Saturday to discuss coronavirus .
First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill held firmly to opposing views on whether schools , universities and childcare facilities should be closed in Northern Ireland , as happened in the Republic .
In the North Sinn Féin and the SDLP have called for school closures , as has Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin and the Irish National Teachers ’ Organisation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would follow the advice of the North ’ s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride who says the time is not yet right for such action .
However , Ms Foster made it clear , without mentioning a date , that schools and colleges would close and were likely to remain shut until early September or late August .
“ When we do close the schools they will be closed for at least 16 weeks .
Then of course you are into the summer period , so they will be off school for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Foster .
Ms O ’ Neill , however , called for immediate action in line with the Republic .
“ Disease knows no border .
We have to work on all-island collective basis in what is an emerging crisis.
” The meeting also was attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Tánaiste Simon Coveney , health ministers Robin Swann and Simon Harris and the respective chief medical officers Dr McBride and Dr Tony Holohan .
While assuring there would be continuing strong co-operation between Dublin and Belfast , Mr Varadkar said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tackling the crisis .
“ What there isn ’ t any difference about is our common objective , which is to slow down this virus in its tracks and push it back as much as possible and limit the harm to human health and human life.
” All 10 special needs schools in Belfast are to close indefinitely from Monday because of coronavirus .
A number of other schools in the North have announced short term closures .
Meanwhile , the unnamed mother of a child in Co Armagh is threatening legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in Northern Ireland , which unlike in the Republic remain open .
Solicitor Darragh Mackin of Belfast firm Phoenix Law , who is representing the woman , said the departments of education and health in the North have been put on notice of an impending emergency judicial review .
“ Our client ’ s daughter suffers underlying health problems , including severe asthma and therefore is at a greater risk of harm should she contract the coronavirus , ” said Mr Mackin .
“ It is our client ’ s case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the necessary protections afforded to all citizens under the human rights act .
For these reasons , we have been instructed to put the various public bodies on notice of our intention to apply for judicial review , ” he added .
“ It is a deplorable situation when a mother has to initiate urgent legal proceedings to ensure that her child , and indeed children across the jurisdiction , are afforded the necessary protections and safeguards required under law.
” Some Northern Ireland councils and businesses have introduced their own measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All council-owned buildings in Derry and Strabane , including leisure facilities , community centres and sports pitches , have been closed to the public , as have some Belfast City Council-owned venues , including City Hall and Belfast Zoo .

After the North-South ministerial meeting in Armagh at the weekend DUP leader Arlene Foster said ‘calm heads’ are needed during this time. Photograph: Photopress
The Northern Executive is meeting on Monday to decide whether to escalate its response to the coronavirus emergency as 16 new cases were confirmed over the weekend, bringing the number of cases in Northern Ireland to 45.
The North's Department of Health advised people with "mild symptoms" such as a new persistent cough and/or fever to stay at home and self-isolate for seven days. It said in such cases testing would not be required.
Executive Ministers are to meet at Stormont on Monday amid continuing differences between the DUP and Sinn Féin on how to deal with Covid-19, and when to close schools and universities.
Ministers from the North and South met in Armagh on Saturday to discuss coronavirus. First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill held firmly to opposing views on whether schools, universities and childcare facilities should be closed in Northern Ireland, as happened in the Republic.
READ MORE
In the North Sinn Féin and the SDLP have called for school closures, as has Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.
The DUP and Ulster Unionist Party said they would follow the advice of the North's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride who says the time is not yet right for such action.
However, Ms Foster made it clear, without mentioning a date, that schools and colleges would close and were likely to remain shut until early September or late August. “When we do close the schools they will be closed for at least 16 weeks. Then of course you are into the summer period, so they will be off school for a very long time,” said Ms Foster.
Ms O’Neill, however, called for immediate action in line with the Republic. “Disease knows no border. We have to work on all-island collective basis in what is an emerging crisis.”
The meeting also was attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney, health ministers Robin Swann and Simon Harris and the respective chief medical officers Dr McBride and Dr Tony Holohan.
While assuring there would be continuing strong co-operation between Dublin and Belfast, Mr Varadkar said it was inevitable there would be differences in approach to tackling the crisis. "What there isn't any difference about is our common objective, which is to slow down this virus in its tracks and push it back as much as possible and limit the harm to human health and human life."
All 10 special needs schools in Belfast are to close indefinitely from Monday because of coronavirus. A number of other schools in the North have announced short term closures.
Meanwhile, the unnamed mother of a child in Co Armagh is threatening legal action to compel the closure of all schools in Northern Ireland, which unlike in the Republic remain open.
Solicitor Darragh Mackin of Belfast firm Phoenix Law, who is representing the woman, said the departments of education and health in the North have been put on notice of an impending emergency judicial review.
“Our client’s daughter suffers underlying health problems, including severe asthma and therefore is at a greater risk of harm should she contract the coronavirus,” said Mr Mackin.
“It is our client’s case that the current position is unlawful and contrary to the necessary protections afforded to all citizens under the human rights act. For these reasons, we have been instructed to put the various public bodies on notice of our intention to apply for judicial review,” he added.
“It is a deplorable situation when a mother has to initiate urgent legal proceedings to ensure that her child, and indeed children across the jurisdiction, are afforded the necessary protections and safeguards required under law.”
Some Northern Ireland councils and businesses have introduced their own measures to limit the spread of the virus.
All council-owned buildings in Derry and Strabane, including leisure facilities, community centres and sports pitches, have been closed to the public, as have some Belfast City Council-owned venues, including City Hall and Belfast Zoo.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Small numbers at Sunday Masses and services, with most live-streamed

At a Mass in a nearly-empty St Andrew ’ s Church on Dublin ’ s Westland Row on Sunday morning , Fr Enda Cunningham asked “ is God with us or not ?
Perhaps now , like never before , our faith is being challenged.
” The parish administrator called for special prayers for those who had no faith for whom the challenge of coronavirus “ is all the greater ” .
He told the small congregation about a WhatsApp message he got from Capuchin Br Richard Hendrick .
“ Yes , there is fear .
Yes , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” it said .
“ But they say that in Wuhan , after so many years of noise , you can hear the birds again .
They say that in Assisi people are singing to each other across empty squares keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them .
They say a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
” All over the world people were “ slowing down and reflecting ” , Fr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way .
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.
” Fr Cunningham suggested “ …open the windows of your soul and , though you may not be able to touch across the empty square , sing !
” At Dublin ’ s Pro Cathedral a woman reader welcomed those viewing the Mass on webcam .
She thanked the small congregation for leaving a metre between each other .
Holy Communion would be distributed only in the hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in keeping with hygiene , ” she said .
There would also be no collections but that stewards at exits could collect “ vital ” offerings .
Mass celebrant Fr Kieran McDermott spoke of “ the great comfort for all of us , taking into consideration the times that we are in , the crisis nationally and internationally , is that God is committed to healing us.
” At Dublin ’ s Church of Ireland Christchurch Cathedral Canon Sonia Gyles found it ironic that the Black Eyed Peas song Where is the Love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last Monday “ as I was driving back from the supermarket in which I had pretty much witnessed two women arguing over the last tray of tinned tomatoes.
” People bulk buying in the shops was a reminder of “ our tendency towards selfishness and self-centredness , and with that our inability to be community , ” she said .
We now had “ an incredible opportunity to show love for one another .
Love , not as doctrine or feeling , but as an attitude.
” Speaking after the service , Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that they were “ trying to keep afloat ” what they could .
“ I am utterly realistic , if regulations change we ’ ll change with the regulations , ” he said .
People “ must do their utmost out of civic responsibility to make sure that contagion doesn ’ t spread and that people are kept safe .
And I would take my hat off to those who are anywhere in the front in line of this , ” he said .
In Kerry , retired Bishop Bill Murphy remarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mass in an empty church , ” as he began 10.30am Mass at St Mary ’ s Cathedral in Killarney .
As in many churches elsewhere in Ireland , the pews were empty with the Mass live-streamed to people at home .

An empty car park as Fr Paddy Stanley says the Sunday 9.30am mass in St Brendan’s Church, Coolock, Dublin which was closed to the public but broadcast live on the webcam. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
At a Mass in a nearly-empty St Andrew's Church on Dublin's Westland Row on Sunday morning, Fr Enda Cunningham asked "is God with us or not? Perhaps now, like never before, our faith is being challenged."
The parish administrator called for special prayers for those who had no faith for whom the challenge of coronavirus “is all the greater”.
He told the small congregation about a WhatsApp message he got from Capuchin Br Richard Hendrick.
“Yes, there is fear. Yes, there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying,” it said.
READ MORE
"But they say that in Wuhan, after so many years of noise, you can hear the birds again. They say that in Assisi people are singing to each other across empty squares keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound."
All over the world people were “slowing down and reflecting”, Fr Cunningham, said. “All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way. All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.”
Fr Cunningham suggested “ …open the windows of your soul and, though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, sing!”
At Dublin’s Pro Cathedral a woman reader welcomed those viewing the Mass on webcam. She thanked the small congregation for leaving a metre between each other. Holy Communion would be distributed only in the hand and there would be no leaflets “in keeping with hygiene,” she said.
There would also be no collections but that stewards at exits could collect “vital” offerings.
Mass celebrant Fr Kieran McDermott spoke of “the great comfort for all of us, taking into consideration the times that we are in, the crisis nationally and internationally, is that God is committed to healing us.”
At Dublin's Church of Ireland Christchurch Cathedral Canon Sonia Gyles found it ironic that the Black Eyed Peas song Where is the Love? should come on her car radio last Monday "as I was driving back from the supermarket in which I had pretty much witnessed two women arguing over the last tray of tinned tomatoes."
People bulk buying in the shops was a reminder of “our tendency towards selfishness and self-centredness, and with that our inability to be community,” she said. We now had “an incredible opportunity to show love for one another. Love, not as doctrine or feeling, but as an attitude.”
Speaking after the service, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson said that they were "trying to keep afloat" what they could.
“ I am utterly realistic, if regulations change we’ll change with the regulations,” he said.
People “must do their utmost out of civic responsibility to make sure that contagion doesn’t spread and that people are kept safe. And I would take my hat off to those who are anywhere in the front in line of this,” he said.
In Kerry, retired Bishop Bill Murphy remarked that it was "a strange thing, Mass in an empty church," as he began 10.30am Mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Killarney. As in many churches elsewhere in Ireland, the pews were empty with the Mass live-streamed to people at home.


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: 40 new cases confirmed in State bringing total to 169

Forty new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the Republic on Sunday , bringing the total in the State to 169 .
There are 214 cases on the island of Ireland after eleven new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Sunday bringing the total number of cases there to 45 .
In a statement the National Public Health Emergency Team said the new cases in the Republic are 23 males and 17 females .
It said 25 are in the east of the country , nine are in the west and six are in the south .
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus in the Srate .
The HSE said it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had , to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan , commenting on the call by the Government for pubs to close and for members of the public not to organise St Patrick ’ s Day house parties said : “ Everyone is asked to reduce their social contact over this time period .
House parties/ COVID parties carry the same risks as being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not organise or attend them .
The virus is now in our community , it is up to us to limit its spread , “ Now is the time for action and to heed the public health advise we will continue to provide.
” “ Healthcare workers across the service are working under extraordinary conditions , preparing for the potential impact of COVID-19 .
“ If all citizens work together and comply with social distancing guidelines , and other measures the Government may take in the coming weeks , we will have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our healthcare workers in their task .
“ Earlier Dublin Fire Brigade said a firefighter/paramedic has tested positive for Covid-19 .
The firefighter “ is under the medical care of the HSE and is doing well , we are respecting their privacy at this time and would ask that others follow likewise ” .
It said management was working through public health to contact , trace and assess other members of staff who may have been “ close or casual contacts ” .

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “Everyone is asked to reduce their social contact over this time period.
Forty new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the Republic on Sunday , bringing the total in the State to 169.
There are 214 cases on the island of Ireland after eleven new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Sunday bringing the total number of cases there to 45.
In a statement the National Public Health Emergency Team said the new cases in the Republic are 23 males and 17 females. It said 25 are in the east of the country, nine are in the west and six are in the south. There have been two deaths in total associated with Coronavirus in the Srate.
DFB can confirm that one of our Firefighter/Paramedics has been tested positive for COVID 19.
The firefighter is under the medical care of the HSE and is doing well, we are respecting their privacy at this time and would ask that others follow likewise.
Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/AiStHwInaX — Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 15, 2020
The HSE said it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
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Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, commenting on the call by the Government for pubs to close and for members of the public not to organise St Patrick's Day house parties said:
“Everyone is asked to reduce their social contact over this time period. House parties/ COVID parties carry the same risks as being in a pub/club, therefore people should not organise or attend them. The virus is now in our community, it is up to us to limit its spread,
“Now is the time for action and to heed the public health advise we will continue to provide.”
Rachel Kenna, Deputy Chief Nurse, Department of Health, said;
“Healthcare workers across the service are working under extraordinary conditions, preparing for the potential impact of COVID-19.
“If all citizens work together and comply with social distancing guidelines, and other measures the Government may take in the coming weeks, we will have a stronger response to this virus. Help our healthcare workers in their task. “
Earlier Dublin Fire Brigade said a firefighter/paramedic has tested positive for Covid-19.
The firefighter “is under the medical care of the HSE and is doing well, we are respecting their privacy at this time and would ask that others follow likewise”.
It said management was working through public health to contact, trace and assess other members of staff who may have been “close or casual contacts”.