theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Andrew McGinley’s funeral eulogy for his children Conor, Darragh and Carla

I will struggle to get through this so please bear with me .
Apologies in advance for the tears and pauses that I will have to take to catch my breath .
Although we are in a House of God , no God should allow this to happen .
Fr Kevin , when I spoke to you on Saturday I was filled with rage and anger but you spoke to me not about God ’ s plan or about angels , you spoke about love and compassion and understanding .
You may never know how much that meant and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So for me we are not just in a House of God , we are in a House of Love and Friendship .
And it will only be with your love , support , understanding and friendship that we , as a family McGinley and Morley , will get through this .
The past days have been hugely emotional but within that I have been able to reflect on the lives of our beloved Conor , Darragh and Carla .
It got me thinking of the small pieces of their lives that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children that they are .
Many of you will never know , until now , how much your everyday actions helped make my children ’ s lives more wonderful and helped us to allow Conor , Darragh and Carla to grow as the creative , funny and unique kids that they are and that it ’ s not just here in Newcastle , Saggart and Rathcoole , in Dublin or Donegal but sometimes even globally .
I need you all to know that and I need you all to understand so please bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear this message .
Thank you Lego .
If you saw Conor and Darragh ’ s bedroom you would know how much they adored Lego .
What I need you all in Lego to understand is that you gave me precious time with my children to create not just the items in the instructions but also many weird and wonderful spaceships , many totally impractical multi purpose vehicles and lots and lots of baddies lairs .
You gave them creativity but most of all you gave us joy together as a family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring as much joy as you can to the children of the world .
Thank you Stan Lee , RIP .
Thank you for your stories and characters .
You fuelled our children ’ s imaginations .
This brings me on to everyone in Marvel .
Thank you for Ironman , Thor , Captain Marvel , Hulk and all the rest .
Thank you Robert Downey Jnr and thank you Chris Hemsworth for bringing Ironman and Thor to life .
My kids absolutely worshipped you both .
To Mark Ruffalo , Carla loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks for your bits of that film that I was able to show her .
So please understand the way your acting profession breeds children ’ s creativity and imagination and how you also bring them awe and wonder .
Because of your films that they loved , and could almost recite line by line , Conor had taken up drama class and he had recently been joined by Darragh there .
Thank you to everyone involved in Frozen , special thanks to princesses Ana and Elsa and also to a snowman called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my love , I had really hoped that we would be finally building that snowman this year .
I ’ m so sorry .
Thank you to whoever invented trampolines .
You will never know the fun and enjoyment ours has brought Conor , Darragh and Carla .
Thank you to all involved in Paw Patrol and Teen Titans .
You brought my children joy .
Thank you to Julia Donaldson for your books about a Gruffalo and about a Snail on a Whale and all the others .
We have many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you need to understand is the time that your work gave us to snuggle our kids and to hold them close as we followed that snail on it ’ s wonderful trail on the tail of whale .
Thank you to David Walliams and Dav Pilkey .
Please understand the sheer joy that the likes of Gangsta Granny , Billionaire Boy , Dogman and Captain Underpants gave Conor and Darragh .
They could hardly catch their breath as they would tell us all about the chapter they had just read .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joy that their joy in your work gave us and how it moulded their sense of humour .
Thank you to the Foo Fighters .
We love your music .
For Conor it ’ s The Pretender , for Darragh it ’ s My Hero and for Carla it ’ s Everlong .
We all love Everlong and Dave Grohl you will never know how much Everlong will get me through the dark days ahead .
Honourable mentions also go to Led Zepplin Immigrants Song for Conor , Thunderstruck by AC/DC for Darragh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Carla .
Carla sure had an eclectic taste in music .
Thank you to all in Happy Feet Crèche .
Carla loved you all and I ’ ve no doubt you all loved her .
She brought that love home and I adored her .
Please understand that the precious moments you have with children shape them for us parents and thank you for your time with Carla .
Thank you to Scoil Chrónáin .
You have helped us develop two magnificent young men in Conor and Darragh .
Thank you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from there and I ’ m truly sorry for the difficult chats parents must have had with them .
Thank you for all the playdates .
Thank you Pauline Hanlon , you are and always have been a huge part of our family .
Thank you to the person who I only met briefly and whose name I don ’ t know .
You worked with Lego club in Citywest in the summer and it was with you and because of you that Darragh felt he could build a Lego universe and by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand your impact on all those kids but I thank you .
I hope you hear this message .
You need to understand how wonderful you are and how wonderful you made Darragh feel .
Thank you Rathcoole Boys .
I hope some big club comes in with huge sponsorship for the club as it deserves all the support it can get as it supports our children and our community .
Each and everyone of you there are truly magnificent .
Dave , Owen and Adrian , you made Conor feel like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Darragh had progressed well in the academy too and was nearly ready for his big comeback .
I hope that all of you there understand how much you are a huge part of every kid ’ s life if they have ever pulled on the green and white .
Please continue that wonderful work .
I can not mention everyone but I do hope that these examples , allows you to see it from a parent ’ s perspective .
I hope you can understand how each of you , have helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so please continue your work on behalf of all parents .
I do need to thank a number of people personally : I want to thank the emergency services who attended last Friday .
In particular , there was a fire crew who I don ’ t know so I hope they get to hear this .
They entered the house with me and they knew when to step in and they knew when to pull back .
They understood my grief and I thank them for managing that .
Also one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been the lead , provided me with much clarity in the middle of the insanity .
You know who you are and I want to thank you .
I want to thank James and Edel at Hotel 44 .
In the past few days I ’ ve thanked you almost as many times as Edel has made pots of tea but I can never ever thank you enough .
Thank you to my neighbours Gavin and Audrey .
You have been fantastic .
Gavin you were beside me when I opened the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m so sorry for that but I was so thankful you were there beside me .
Thank you to everyone in the estate for your support and to everyone in the community .
It is a truly magnificent community .
Thank you to the Newcastle Community Group .
Thank you to everyone who has signed a book of condolence , I will read every one of your messages .
Thank you to Chief Supt Finbar Murphy .
Thank you and your team for your handling of this tragedy .
I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have been a rock for me .
Thank you to all the Garda teams .
Thank you for your dignity and understanding .
I would like to mention Margaret Bolster as when you said that you would treat Conor , Darragh and Carla as if they were your own children , I found great peace in that so thank you .
To Amy in the mortuary .
Thank you , you know why but you may never understand how much that meant to me so thank you .
Thank you to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
Your compassion and kindness has given us huge comfort .
Thanks again to Fr Kevin and also to Fr John and everyone else involved in this service .
Thank you to my work family , Sodexo .
I really do want to respond to all my colleagues who have messaged me so forgive me for not having done so to date .
The support you have all shown me over the past few days has been phenomenal .
Thank you to Julie and thank you Aidan for your support .
Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Morley .
My thoughts are with Conor , Darragh and Carla ’ s godmothers and godfathers and I thank you all for your love and your support for your godchildren .
Thank you to all our friends and all who have helped in our home over the past few days .
Thank you Michelle and Conrad , Darren and Kieran for everything .
Thank you Mum and Dad for completely ignoring me when I would arrive with the kids and showering all your love and all your affection on Conor , Darragh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have promises that I have to keep and this will drive me on .
Conor announced at Christmas that he wanted to set up a You Tube channel .
Containing what he never quite committed to but I promised to help him and I will do that for him .
I promised Darragh that I would coach at Rathcoole Boys so apologies to the club , you may never get me out of there from now on .
And I promised Carla a snowman , the place will be filled with snowmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish with this .
We often misuse words .
When Ireland would lose a match , I used to say I was heartbroken .
I now know what that really means .
We , as a family , are heartbroken .
It will only be with your help , support and friendship that we will be able to patch our hearts together in some way but we will still be forever heartbroken .
Conor , Darragh and Carla .
I love you , I love you , I love you .

This is the full text of the eulogy delievered by Andrew McGinley at the funerals of his children, Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) McGinley at the Church of the Holy Family in Rathcoole today.
I will struggle to get through this so please bear with me. Apologies in advance for the tears and pauses that I will have to take to catch my breath.
Although we are in a House of God, no God should allow this to happen. Fr Kevin, when I spoke to you on Saturday I was filled with rage and anger but you spoke to me not about God’s plan or about angels, you spoke about love and compassion and understanding. You may never know how much that meant and how it has carried me through this far.
So for me we are not just in a House of God, we are in a House of Love and Friendship. And it will only be with your love, support, understanding and friendship that we, as a family McGinley and Morley, will get through this.
READ MORE
The past days have been hugely emotional but within that I have been able to reflect on the lives of our beloved Conor, Darragh and Carla. It got me thinking of the small pieces of their lives that came together to make them the wonderful children that they are.
'Carla my love, I had really hoped that we would be finally building that snowman this year. I'm so sorry'
Many of you will never know, until now, how much your everyday actions helped make my children’s lives more wonderful and helped us to allow Conor, Darragh and Carla to grow as the creative, funny and unique kids that they are and that it’s not just here in Newcastle, Saggart and Rathcoole, in Dublin or Donegal but sometimes even globally. I need you all to know that, and I need you all to understand so please bear with me and I hope you all hear this message.
To start;
Thank you Lego. If you saw Conor and Darragh's bedroom you would know how much they adored Lego. What I need you all in Lego to understand is that you gave me precious time with my children to create not just the items in the instructions but also many weird and wonderful spaceships, many totally impractical multi-purpose vehicles and lots and lots of baddies' lairs. You gave them creativity but most of all you gave us joy together as a family. Please understand that and please continue to bring as much joy as you can to the children of the world.
Members of Rathcoole Boys Soccer Club form a guard of honour at the funeral of Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) McGinley. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Thank you Stan Lee, RIP. Thank you for your stories and characters. You fuelled our children’s imaginations.
This brings me on to everyone in Marvel. Thank you for Ironman, Thor, Captain Marvel, Hulk and all the rest. Thank you Robert Downey Jnr and thank you Chris Hemsworth for bringing Ironman and Thor to life. My kids absolutely worshipped you both. To Mark Ruffalo, Carla loved big friendly Hulk in Avengers Endgame and thanks for your bits of that film that I was able to show her. So please understand the way your acting profession breeds children’s creativity and imagination and how you also bring them awe and wonder. Because of your films that they loved, and could almost recite line by line, Conor had taken up drama class and he had recently been joined by Darragh there.
Thank you to everyone involved in Frozen, special thanks to princesses Ana and Elsa and also to a snowman called Olaf from our princess Carla. Carla my love, I had really hoped that we would be finally building that snowman this year. I’m so sorry.
'Thank you to the Foo Fighters. We love your music. For Conor it's The Pretender, for Darragh it's My Hero and for Carla it's Everlong'
Thank you to whoever invented trampolines. You will never know the fun and enjoyment ours has brought Conor, Darragh and Carla.
Thank you to all involved in Paw Patrol and Teen Titans. You brought my children joy.
Thank you to Julia Donaldson for your books about a Gruffalo and about a Snail on a Whale and all the others. We have many, many well-thumbed copies of your books but what you need to understand is the time that your work gave us to snuggle our kids and to hold them close as we followed that snail on its wonderful trail on the tail of whale.
Thank you to David Walliams and Dav Pilkey. Please understand the sheer joy that the likes of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy, Dogman and Captain Underpants gave Conor and Darragh. They could hardly catch their breath as they would tell us all about the chapter they had just read. I really need you both to understand the joy that their joy in your work gave us and how it moulded their sense of humour.
Thank you to the Foo Fighters. We love your music. For Conor it’s The Pretender, for Darragh it’s My Hero and for Carla it’s Everlong. We all love Everlong and Dave Grohl you will never know how much Everlong will get me through the dark days ahead. Honourable mentions also go to Led Zepplin Immigrants Song for Conor, Thunderstruck by AC/DC for Darragh and Pat Shortt for Jumbo Breakfast Roll for Carla. Carla sure had an eclectic taste in music.
A hearse carrying the coffins of siblings, Conor, nine, Darragh, seven and Carla, three, McGinley, leaves the Church of the Holy Family in Rathcoole, Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Thank you to all in Happy Feet Crèche. Carla loved you all and I’ve no doubt you all loved her. She brought that love home and I adored her. Please understand that the precious moments you have with children shape them for us parents and thank you for your time with Carla.
Thank you to Scoil Chrónáin. You have helped us develop two magnificent young men in Conor and Darragh.
Thank you to all the fantastic friends the lads knew from there and I’m truly sorry for the difficult chats parents must have had with them. Thank you for all the playdates.
Thank you Pauline Hanlon, you are and always have been a huge part of our family.
When Ireland would lose a match, I used to say I was heartbroken. I now know what that really means. We, as a family, are heartbroken
Thank you to the person who I only met briefly and whose name I don’t know. You worked with Lego club in Citywest in the summer and it was with you and because of you that Darragh felt he could build a Lego universe and by god he tried. You may never understand your impact on all those kids but I thank you. I hope you hear this message. You need to understand how wonderful you are and how wonderful you made Darragh feel.
Thank you Rathcoole Boys. I hope some big club comes in with huge sponsorship for the club as it deserves all the support it can get as it supports our children and our community. Each and everyone of you there are truly magnificent. Dave, Owen and Adrian, you made Conor feel like a superstar and we thank you for that. Darragh had progressed well in the academy too and was nearly ready for his big comeback. I hope that all of you there understand how much you are a huge part of every kid’s life if they have ever pulled on the green and white. Please continue that wonderful work.
Andrew McGinley at the Funeral Mass of his children Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley in the Church of The Holy Family, Rathcoole. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
I cannot mention everyone but I do hope that these examples, allows you to see it from a parent’s perspective. I hope you can understand how each of you, have helped us with Conor, Darragh and Carla so please continue your work on behalf of all parents.
I do need to thank a number of people personally:
I want to thank the emergency services who attended last Friday. In particular, there was a fire crew who I don’t know so I hope they get to hear this. They entered the house with me and they knew when to step in and they knew when to pull back. They understood my grief and I thank them for managing that. Also one of the team, I think he may have been the lead, provided me with much clarity in the middle of the insanity. You know who you are and I want to thank you.
I want to thank James and Edel at Hotel 44. In the past few days I’ve thanked you almost as many times as Edel has made pots of tea but I can never ever thank you enough.
Thank you to my neighbours Gavin and Audrey. You have been fantastic. Gavin you were beside me when I opened the door and entered the house and I’m so sorry for that but I was so thankful you were there beside me.
Thank you to everyone in the estate for your support and to everyone in the community. It is a truly magnificent community. Thank you to the Newcastle Community Group. Thank you to everyone who has signed a book of condolence, I will read every one of your messages.
Thank you to Chief Supt Finbar Murphy. Thank you and your team for your handling of this tragedy.
I want to thank our family liaison, Niamh. You have been a rock for me.
Thank you to all the Garda teams. Thank you for your dignity and understanding. I would like to mention Margaret Bolster as when you said that you would treat Conor, Darragh and Carla as if they were your own children, I found great peace in that so thank you.
To Amy in the mortuary. Thank you, you know why but you may never understand how much that meant to me so thank you.
Thank you to our funeral director Michael Cunningham and all your team. Your compassion and kindness has given us huge comfort. Thanks again to Fr Kevin and also to Fr John and everyone else involved in this service.
Thank you to my work family, Sodexo. I really do want to respond to all my colleagues who have messaged me so forgive me for not having done so to date. The support you have all shown me over the past few days has been phenomenal. Thank you to Julie and thank you Aidan for your support.
Thank you to my family, Mc Ginley and Morley. My thoughts are with Conor, Darragh and Carla’s godmothers and godfathers and I thank you all for your love and your support for your godchildren. Thank you to all our friends and all who have helped in our home over the past few days. Thank you Michelle and Conrad, Darren and Kieran for everything. Thank you Mum and Dad for completely ignoring me when I would arrive with the kids and showering all your love and all your affection on Conor, Darragh and Carla. Thank you all.
I have promises that I have to keep and this will drive me on. Conor announced at Christmas that he wanted to set up a You Tube channel. Containing what he never quite committed to but I promised to help him and I will do that for him. I promised Darragh that I would coach at Rathcoole Boys so apologies to the club, you may never get me out of there from now on. And I promised Carla a snowman, the place will be filled with snowmen every time it snows.
I will finish with this. We often misuse words. When Ireland would lose a match, I used to say I was heartbroken. I now know what that really means. We, as a family, are heartbroken. It will only be with your help, support and friendship that we will be able to patch our hearts together in some way but we will still be forever heartbroken.
Conor, Darragh and Carla. I love you, I love you, I love you.


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Gardaí arrest three men after high-speed chase on M50 and M1

Gardaí have arrested three men and are searching for a fourth after a high-speed pursuit late last night on the M50 and M1 motorways .
The chase involved up to Garda 20 patrol cars while the Garda helicopter was also deployed .
While the pursuit began in Dublin it continued through Meath and into Louth , finally coming to a halt on the M1 not far from the border .
Gardaí believe the men in this car were involved in burglaries in Dublin around the time they were spotted by members of the force based in Tallaght .
When those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their vehicle in Tallaght , the men then tried to escape up the M50 .
From that point more Garda reinforcements were called in until a large-scale pursuit was underway that continued the length of the M50 and onto the M1 as far as Dundalk .
The car the men were in had been stolen in the North and property from a burglary in Blackrock , south Dublin , was found late last night having been thrown out of the suspects ’ car during the chase .
Gardaí believe the men , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively on a burglary spree in their stolen car when officers in a patrol car became suspicious of them and the pursuit began .
While the men tried to run after their car was brought to a stop north east of Dundalk on the M1 , three were arrested while a fourth fled across fields .
“ Gardaí in Dundalk have arrested three individuals in connection with burglaries carried out in the Blackrock , area of Co Dublin which occurred on January 30th , ” gardaí said in a statement .
The statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a suspicious manner in Tallaght .
“ Following reports of a number of burglaries in the Blackrock area , gardaí on night patrols , with the assistance of the Air Support Unit monitored traffic and carried out patrols of the area , ” the statement continued .
“ Gardaí observed this vehicle again on the M50 at Junction 13 and a managed Garda pursuit ensued .
“ Four occupants abandoned the offending vehicle on the M1 at junction 18 and fled on foot towards fields nearby.
” One of the three arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in their late teens .
They were being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act , which can be used to question suspected gang members for up to seven days without charge .
Garda Headquarters confirmed the search for the fourth suspect who was in the vehicle was continuing on Friday and that one Garda member was taken to hospital with minor injuries .
That injured garda has since been released from hospital while property from one burglary in Blackrock was recovered on the M50 by gardaí

The chase involved up to Garda 20 patrol cars while the Garda helicopter was also deployed. Photograph: Getty
Gardaí have arrested three men and are searching for a fourth after a high-speed pursuit late last night on the M50 and M1 motorways.
The chase involved up to Garda 20 patrol cars while the Garda helicopter was also deployed.
While the pursuit began in Dublin it continued through Meath and into Louth, finally coming to a halt on the M1 not far from the border.
Gardaí believe the men in this car were involved in burglaries in Dublin around the time they were spotted by members of the force based in Tallaght. When those gardaí began to observe the suspects in their vehicle in Tallaght, the men then tried to escape up the M50.
READ MORE
From that point more Garda reinforcements were called in until a large-scale pursuit was underway that continued the length of the M50 and onto the M1 as far as Dundalk.
The car the men were in had been stolen in the North and property from a burglary in Blackrock, south Dublin, was found late last night having been thrown out of the suspects' car during the chase.
Gardaí believe the men, at least two of them teenagers, were effectively on a burglary spree in their stolen car when officers in a patrol car became suspicious of them and the pursuit began.
While the men tried to run after their car was brought to a stop north east of Dundalk on the M1, three were arrested while a fourth fled across fields. “Gardaí in Dundalk have arrested three individuals in connection with burglaries carried out in the Blackrock, area of Co Dublin which occurred on January 30th,” gardaí said in a statement.
The statement added the men were first spotted acting in a suspicious manner in Tallaght. “Following reports of a number of burglaries in the Blackrock area, gardaí on night patrols, with the assistance of the Air Support Unit monitored traffic and carried out patrols of the area,” the statement continued.
“Gardaí observed this vehicle again on the M50 at Junction 13 and a managed Garda pursuit ensued.
“Four occupants abandoned the offending vehicle on the M1 at junction 18 and fled on foot towards fields nearby.”
One of the three arrested males is in his 20s and two are in their late teens. They were being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which can be used to question suspected gang members for up to seven days without charge.
Garda Headquarters confirmed the search for the fourth suspect who was in the vehicle was continuing on Friday and that one Garda member was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
That injured garda has since been released from hospital while property from one burglary in Blackrock was recovered on the M50 by gardaí


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Father of McGinley children tells mourners ‘now I know what heartbroken really means’

The father of three children whose bodies were discovered in their home at Newcastle , Co Dublin , last weekend has told their funeral Mass that only the love and support of the local community will get the children ’ s wide family through this tragedy .
The bodies of Conor ( 9 ) , Darragh ( 7 ) and Carla ( 3 ) McGinley were discovered just before 8pm on Friday January 24th .
The children ’ s mother Deirdre Morley appeared in court on Wednesday charged with their murder .
At the beginning of his eulogy the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ struggle to get through this so please bear with me .
Apologies in advance for the tears and pauses that I will have to take to catch my breath.
” In a speech that contained thanks for many people Mr McGinley made specific mention of the makers of their favourite toys and storybooks .
“ Thank you to Julia Donaldson for your books about a Gruffalo and about a Snail on a Whale and all the others .
“ We have many , many well-thumbed copies of your books but what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that your work gave us to snuggle our kids and to hold them close as we followed that snail on it ’ s wonderful trail on the tail of whale.
” He also thanked whoever had invented trampolines : “ You will never know the fun and enjoyment ours has brought Conor , Darragh and Carla , ” and the author David Walliams .
“ Please understand the sheer joy that the likes of Gangsta Granny , Billionaire Boy , Dogman and Captain Underpants gave Conor and Darragh .
“ They could hardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us all about the chapter they had just read .
I really need you both to understand the joy that their joy in your work gave us and how it moulded their sense of humour.
” He also thanked the local community , emergency workers and neighbour and told them that “ it will only be with your love , support , understanding and friendship that we as a family , McGinley and Morley will get through this ” .
Mr McGinley paid tribute to members of both families saying “ thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My thoughts are with Conor , Darragh , and Carla ’ s Godparents and I thank you all for your love and support for your godchildren.
” Mr McGinley concluded his eulogy by saying : “ We often misuse words .
When Ireland would lose a match , I used to say I was heartbroken .
I now know what that really means .
“ We , as a family , are heartbroken .
It will only be with your help , support and friendship that we will be able to patch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will still be forever heartbroken.
” Fr Kevin Doherty told mourners that the children ’ s death “ has left a chasm of absence in our lives ” .
He said : “ It is like a pall of darkness , a shroud of darkness , has come down upon us , and no-one is left untouched .
“ This darkness has come into our communities , in Newcastle and in Rathcoole .
“ It has come to our schools , where children are confused and fragile and questioning .
.
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of their own sadness , gentle love to these children.
” Mr McGinley has asked that the family ’ s privacy be respected during the funeral and burial .

Andrew McGinley at the funeral Mass of his children Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley in the Church of The Holy Family, in Rathcoole, Co Dublin this morning. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Close to 1,000 people stood in silence, inside and outside the Church of the Holy Family in Rathcoole, Co Dublin, as the small white coffins of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley were wheeled in and placed in front of the altar from where, disconcertingly, they and their father Andrew McGinley beamed, all smiles from an enlarged family snapshot.
“Although we are in a House of God,” Mr McGinley told mourners, “no God should allow this to happen.”
But this was not a funeral of anger or dispair. This was a funeral infused with deep sorrow and bewilderment. It was infused also with love and a firm belief that ultimately, light always banishes the darkness.
Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) died in their home on Friday, January 24th. Their mother Deirdre Morley has been charged with their murder.
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In his eulogy Mr McGinley spoke at length, displaying remarkable poise, courage and humour.
Members of the Rathcoole Football Club form a guard of honour at the funeral Mass for Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley in the Church of The Holy Family, Rathcoole on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
There was a fire crew, he said, recalling the hideous moment when he entered the family home at Parson’s Court in Newcastle to find what he could not, in his wildest nightmare, have imagined would ever happen.
“There was a fire crew who I don’t know so I hope they get to hear this,” he said. “They entered the house with me and they knew when to step in and they knew when to pull back . . . One of the team, I think he may have been the lead, provided me with much clarity in the middle of the insanity. You know who you are and I want to thank you.”
Pots of tea
James and Edel of Hotel 44 helped make recent days bearable, he said, with many pots of tea. Neighbours Gavin and Audrey - “Gavin, you were beside me when I opened the door and entered the house and I’m so sorry for that but I was so thankful you were there beside me.”
Chief celebrant at the funeral Mass was Fr Kevin Doherty from Donegal, supported by parish priest Fr John Gilligan, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, and joined by the Rev Stephen Neill of the Church of Ireland.
When Ireland would lose a match, I used to say I was heartbroken. I now know what that really means
“Fr Kevin,” said Mr McGinley turning to the priest, “when I spoke to you on Saturday, I was filled with rage and anger but you spoke to me not about God’s plan or about angels, you spoke about love and compassion and understanding. You may never know how much that meant and how it has carried me through this far.”
Mr McGinley took the congregation - filled with friends and supporters of both the McGinley and Morley families, as well as people associated with the children’s school, creche and sports clubs, and sympathisers from the wider community - on a tour through the many happy times he had had with Conor, Darragh and Carla, referring to them notably in the present tense.
There was Lego, Captain Marvel, Thor and Hulk - “thank you Robert Downey Jnr and thank you Chris Hemsworth for bringing Ironman and Thor to life,” he said as the congregation laughed.
He thanked Frozen for princesses Ana and Elsa and the snowman Olaf. Paw Patrol and Teen Titans. “You brought my children joy,” he said.
The hearse bearing the three coffins leaves the church after the funeral Mass for Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) McGinley, who were found dead at their home on Friday, January 24th. Photograph: Collins
Referring to the Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson he said “what you need to understand is the time your work gave us to snuggle our kids and to hold them close as we followed that snail on its wonderful trail on the tail of whale”.
And so it went on. A man in the depths of grief and loss that likely no one else present could even begin to understand, recalling happy times and all the time thanking others.
Grace and love
It was a remarkable display of raw courage, fortitude, grace and love.
“We often misuse words,” he said. “When Ireland would lose a match, I used to say I was heartbroken. I now know what that really means. We, as a family, are heartbroken...Conor, Darragh and Carla,” he said looking at the three coffins, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
In such terrible and cruel darkness, could one dare to say there was light, Fr Doherty asked in his homily, answering himself in the affirmative.
“This light is surely found in the community of Parsons Court and the community in Newcastle,” he said. “The outpouring of goodness and kindness and love among us is extraordinary. The coming together to cry, to hug, to laugh, to remember, to help is a light in the darkness.”
Deirdre Morley was mentioned by name just once - when the priest recalled, faltering with his own emotions, seeing a photograph.
“The family know what I am going to say,” he said.
Sitting recently in the McGinley’s kitchen, there was a snapshot suck to the fridge door that caught his eye. It was of Carla’s baptism in the church now hosting the child’s funeral.
Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) McGinley with their father Andrew McGinley.
“That was a happy day,” said Fr Kevin. “It was a joy-filled day. It was a wonderful family day. And I was very moved to see that picture - because I’m in it, yes - but more because of this: in the very moment of her baptism, God made Carla a promise…that her life is eternal, it is forever.
“God had already made that promise to Conor and Darragh. And when I poured the water over Carla’s head, I was praying for her. Now, with all my heart and all my soul, I ask that she prays for us. Darragh and Conor too.”
Teachers from Scoil Chrónáin provided music on uilleann pipes, tin whistle, guitar and fiddle, and sang. Rathcoole Boys Football Club coaches and helpers provided a guard of honour.
At the Prayers of the Faithful, a young boy praying for the children’s teachers, the football club and the Happy Feet creche staff was unable to contain his grief. Mr McGinley left his pew, walked forward calmly to put his arms around the young man and help him read.
The moment’s reflection after the eucharist was a rendering of the Foo Fighters’ Everlong. The children’s coffins left the church to the strains of the teachers playing Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven, written in memory of his four-year-old son who fell to his death from a New York skyscraper.
Outside the church, Mr McGinley stood in silence as the coffins of his two sons and daughter were slid gently into a hearse, the three so small they were all contained within one vehicle.
A boy stood beside him. They hugged and exchanged sad, supportive smiles.
Small shafts of light.


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Woman seriously injured after being hit by teenager on scrambler bike

Gardaí are looking for a teenager who crashed into a woman on his scrambler bike and then went into a canal .
The incident happened at Drimnagh Luas stop , Davitt Road at lunchtime on Thursday afternoon .
The woman was waiting at the stop when the teenager came along on his scrambler and hit her .
Upon impact the motorbike and the youth went into the Grand Canal beside the Luas stop .
The youth managed to swim to the side of the canal and left the scene on another motorbike .
The woman was removed to St James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been several other incidents involving quad bikes and scramblers in recent months .
At Christmas a young child on a mini scrambler bike was seen crashing into a pole in Dublin .
The video was uploaded to social media and widely shared .
Around the same time a pregnant woman was hit by someone riding a scrambler in Summerhill ; on Christmas night , off-road bikes were used to destroy playing pitches on Benmadigan Road in Drimnagh ; and in Ballymun a quad-bike was involved a serious crash involving two cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road safety legislation to make it easier for gardaí to clamp down on the “ anarchy ” of quad bikes and scramblers being driven dangerously in public places .
The Department of Transport is currently looking at “ specific ” proposals made by Garda management that would hand the force powers to “ seize and detain ” motocross vehicles and prosecute riders for careless or dangerous driving .
The proposals come almost a year and a half after a “ cross-agency ” group , involving several government departments , the Road Safety Authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set up to look at the problem .
Scramblers and quad bikes are meant for off-road use and do not have a licence plate or tax disc .
Those who ride them do not require a driver ’ s licence or insurance though you must be at least 16 to qualify for a licence to drive on a public road .
Up to now , it has been legally unclear if offences under road traffic legislation – such as careless or dangerous driving – can apply in public parks and other green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses to the incident to contact them or any road users who were in the area and may have dash cam footage of the incident or at the time of the incident , to contact them at Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 - 6666600 , the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station .

The woman was waiting at the stop when the teenager came along on his scrambler and hit her. File photograph: An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí are looking for a teenager who crashed into a woman on his scrambler bike and then went into a canal.
The incident happened at Drimnagh Luas stop, Davitt Road at lunchtime on Thursday afternoon.
The woman was waiting at the stop when the teenager came along on his scrambler and hit her.
Upon impact the motorbike and the youth went into the Grand Canal beside the Luas stop. The youth managed to swim to the side of the canal and left the scene on another motorbike.
READ MORE
The woman was removed to St James’s Hospital with serious injuries.
There have been several other incidents involving quad bikes and scramblers in recent months.
At Christmas a young child on a mini scrambler bike was seen crashing into a pole in Dublin. The video was uploaded to social media and widely shared.
Around the same time a pregnant woman was hit by someone riding a scrambler in Summerhill; on Christmas night, off-road bikes were used to destroy playing pitches on Benmadigan Road in Drimnagh; and in Ballymun a quad-bike was involved a serious crash involving two cars.
The outgoing government has suggested changing road safety legislation to make it easier for gardaí to clamp down on the “anarchy” of quad bikes and scramblers being driven dangerously in public places.
The Department of Transport is currently looking at “specific” proposals made by Garda management that would hand the force powers to “seize and detain” motocross vehicles and prosecute riders for careless or dangerous driving.
The proposals come almost a year and a half after a "cross-agency" group, involving several government departments, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Garda, was set up to look at the problem.
Scramblers and quad bikes are meant for off-road use and do not have a licence plate or tax disc. Those who ride them do not require a driver’s licence or insurance though you must be at least 16 to qualify for a licence to drive on a public road.
Up to now, it has been legally unclear if offences under road traffic legislation – such as careless or dangerous driving – can apply in public parks and other green spaces.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact them or any road users who were in the area and may have dash cam footage of the incident or at the time of the incident, to contact them at Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 - 6666600, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Brexit should take priority over Irish unity - Corbyn

British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said during a visit to Stormont that dealing with the fallout from Brexit should take priority over the issue of Irish unity .
Mr Corbyn , on what is expected to be his last visit to Northern Ireland as Labour leader , met the North ’ s five main parties at Stormont on Thursday to discuss Brexit and the restoration of the Northern Executive and Assembly .
He said the meetings were “ informative and constructive ” .
Mr Corbyn told reporters that it was “ difficult to know ” if Brexit had brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said businesses in the region relied on European trade and they needed to know they have a future .
“ I think that ’ s a more important priority than anything else , ” he said .
“ Clearly the issue that is important at the moment is one of dealing with the immediacy of funding and trading arrangements , ” he added .
Mr Corbyn called on British prime minister Boris Johnson to provide Northern Irish businesses with assurances about future trading relationships and whether there will be a border down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised in terms that there would be no border down the Irish Sea and then , as we revealed during the general election debate , that it is quite clear there is going to be some kind of tariff arrangement which is being prepared for .
Now the prime minister must clarify this.
” Mr Corbyn denied his visit was a “ lap of honour ” before he stood down as party leader .
“ I don ’ t do laps of honour , ” he said .
“ What I am doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another leader will take over the party , is listening to people all over the UK about the election result but also laying the basis for foundations in the party for the future .
”

British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said during a visit to Stormont that dealing with the fallout from Brexit should take priority over the issue of Irish unity.
Mr Corbyn, on what is expected to be his last visit to Northern Ireland as Labour leader, met the North's five main parties at Stormont on Thursday to discuss Brexit and the restoration of the Northern Executive and Assembly.
He said the meetings were “informative and constructive”.
Mr Corbyn told reporters that it was “difficult to know” if Brexit had brought a united Ireland any closer.
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He said businesses in the region relied on European trade and they needed to know they have a future. “I think that’s a more important priority than anything else,” he said.
“Clearly the issue that is important at the moment is one of dealing with the immediacy of funding and trading arrangements,” he added.
Mr Corbyn called on British prime minister Boris Johnson to provide Northern Irish businesses with assurances about future trading relationships and whether there will be a border down the Irish Sea.
“The prime minister promised in terms that there would be no border down the Irish Sea and then, as we revealed during the general election debate, that it is quite clear there is going to be some kind of tariff arrangement which is being prepared for. Now the prime minister must clarify this.”
Mr Corbyn denied his visit was a “lap of honour” before he stood down as party leader.
“I don’t do laps of honour,” he said. “What I am doing in the period before April, when another leader will take over the party, is listening to people all over the UK about the election result but also laying the basis for foundations in the party for the future.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--First illegal adoption case launched in Belfast court

The first of potentially dozens of cases over illegal adoptions in the Republic has been formally launched in the high court in Belfast .
The initial case involves Belfast man Patrick FitzSymons whose parents , unable to deal with the stigma of a child born out of wedlock , handed him to the Catholic church agency St Patrick ’ s Guild in the 1960s , which then arranged for him to be adopted by a couple in Co Antrim .
His case is one of more than 25 being dealt with by one Dublin legal firm alone , although it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than three years before the legal proceedings are concluded .
Mr FitzSymons , an actor who has appeared in the television series Game of Thrones and Line of Duty , has hit out over the envisaged lengthy timescale .
His statement of claim , lodged last Friday , shows he is .
He is further seeking exemplary damages for “ actionable conspiracy , deceit , malicious falsehood and infringement of constitutional rights ” – relating to the alleged forgery of birth documents – and a declaration of incompatibility with the European Convention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are now involved in the adoptions which involved falsifying of birth certificates and other baptismal records – more than the 126 announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar 20 months ago .
And the Dublin firm of Coleman Legal Partners predicts the numbers will rise even further .
One of its solicitors , Norman Spicer , said it did not envisage applying for a “ class action ” order because of the complexity of the individual cases .
“ There is no provision for the North American-style of ‘ class action ’ under Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grant an order which may mirror to some extent the other system for a specific case or set of cases , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ We do not envisage making such an application .
These are complex cases involving many different defendants , as a result it is difficult to say how long these cases will take as it depends on all of the parties involved and how quickly responses , replies and motions , and so on , can be turned around .
“ Three years would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is dependent upon many factors and is really only a ‘ ballpark ’ estimate , ” Mr Spicer added .
Speaking to The Irish Times last year , Mr FitzSymons said he had decided to go public about his story in the hope the Catholic Church would admit its role in the illegal adoptions and “ the widespread pain and trauma caused by the subsequent cover-up of the facts ” .
His biological parents were an accountant from Ennis , who asked not to be identified , and Eileen O ’ Connor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arranged for John FitzSymons , a pharmaceutical chemist from Warrenpoint in Co Down and Patricia Bradley , a qualified social worker from Co Tyrone .
Mr FitzSymons said his adoptive parents , both now dead , “ had loved me and provided for me as best they could ” .
At the same time , “ my natural parents , my birth mother in particular , had endured the institutional shaming and disapproval of Ireland at that time to do what she thought to be the right thing ” .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a society that openly admits its past failings and makes whatever information it possesses promptly and freely available to those it concerns.
” Speaking in the Dáil in May 2018 , Mr Varadkar said the disclosures of the adoptions amounted to “ another chapter from the very dark history of our country ” which had “ robbed children – our fellow citizens – of their identity ” .
A spokesperson for St Patrick ’ s Guild which has been wound up was uncontactable .

Patrick FitzSymons as a one-year-old baby: decided to go public about his story in the hope the Catholic Church would admit its role in the illegal adoption.
The first of potentially dozens of cases over illegal adoptions in the Republic has been formally launched in the High Court.
The initial case involves Belfast man Patrick FitzSymons whose parents, unable to deal with the stigma of a child born out of wedlock, handed him to the Catholic church agency St Patrick’s Guild in the 1960s, which then arranged for him to be adopted by a couple in Co Antrim.
His case is one of more than 25 being dealt with by one Dublin legal firm alone, although it has been estimated it could be more than three years before the legal proceedings are concluded.
Mr FitzSymons, an actor who has appeared in the television series Game of Thrones and Line of Duty, has hit out over the envisaged lengthy timescale.
READ MORE
Patrick FitzSymons playing the character of Major O’Dowd in Vanity Fair: Actor is seeking damages for personal and psychological injuries, mental distress, anguish, nervous shock and loss.
His statement of claim, lodged last Friday, shows he is statement of claim shows he is seeking damages for personal and psychological injuries, mental distress, anguish, nervous shock and loss “suffered by reason of negligence and breach of duty including statutory duty”.
‘Actionable conspiracy’
He is further seeking exemplary damages for “actionable conspiracy, deceit, malicious falsehood and infringement of constitutional rights” – relating to the alleged forgery of birth documents – and a declaration of incompatibility with the European Convention of Human Rights.
A total of 148 people are now involved in the adoptions which involved falsifying of birth certificates and other baptismal records – more than the 126 announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar 20 months ago. And the Dublin firm of Coleman Legal Partners predicts the numbers will rise even further.
One of its solicitors, Norman Spicer, said it did not envisage applying for a “class action” order because of the complexity of the individual cases.
“There is no provision for the North American-style of ‘class action’ under Irish law. However a court has discretion to grant an order which may mirror to some extent the other system for a specific case or set of cases,” he told The Irish Times.
“We do not envisage making such an application. These are complex cases involving many different defendants, as a result it is difficult to say how long these cases will take as it depends on all of the parties involved and how quickly responses, replies and motions, and so on, can be turned around.
“Three years would not be an unreasonable timeframe but this is dependent upon many factors and is really only a ‘ballpark’ estimate,” Mr Spicer added.
‘Pain and trauma’
Speaking to The Irish Times last year, Mr FitzSymons said he had decided to go public about his story in the hope the Catholic Church would admit its role in the illegal adoptions and "the widespread pain and trauma caused by the subsequent cover-up of the facts".
His biological parents were an accountant from Ennis, who asked not to be identified, and Eileen O’Connor, a teacher from Kerry. His adoption was arranged for John FitzSymons, a pharmaceutical chemist from Warrenpoint in Co Down and Patricia Bradley, a qualified social worker from Co Tyrone.
Mr FitzSymons said his adoptive parents, both now dead, “had loved me and provided for me as best they could”. At the same time, “my natural parents, my birth mother in particular, had endured the institutional shaming and disapproval of Ireland at that time to do what she thought to be the right thing”.
He said: “I want to live in a society that openly admits its past failings and makes whatever information it possesses promptly and freely available to those it concerns.”
Speaking in the Dáil in May 2018, Mr Varadkar said the disclosures of the adoptions amounted to “another chapter from the very dark history of our country” which had “robbed children – our fellow citizens – of their identity”.
A spokesperson for St Patrick’s Guild which has been wound up was uncontactable.
* This article has been corrected to say the case has been initiated in the High Court in Dublin, not Belfast. The error occurred in the editing process.


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--At least €13m spent on direct provision centre in Co Limerick

At least €13 million in State funds has been spent on running a direct provision centre in Co Limerick which will close its doors on Friday after residents complained about living conditions .
The Mount Trenchard centre , which has been described by residents as “ an open-air prison ” similar to “ Guantanamo Bay ” , is currently transferring its final few residents to direct provision centres across Ireland .
Department of Justice figures released to The Irish Times reveal the State paid contractor Baycaster Limited €9,699,400 between 2004 and 2015 to house asylum seekers at the former stately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the contractor to operate the centre in 2016 , according to data provided by the department .
Additional statistics published online show €1,061,480 was spent in 2017 and €1,106,700 in 2018 totalling €12,967,620 over 15 years .
Figures for 2019 were not available .
The department announced earlier this month that its contract with Baycaster Limited would end in February and would not be renewed .
Its commitment to close the centre followed a report from Limerick charity Doras Luimní which said residents were facing “ the most challenging ” asylum conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre ’ s immediate closure .
The Doras report , as well as a large number of complaints from residents and migrants groups , were key factors in the decision to close the centre , according to a senior source in the Department of Justice .
A spokesman for the department said it was moving all residents from Mount Trenchard to “ dedicated accommodation centres ” by the end of January .
One of the last residents at the centre awaiting transfer said his mental health deteriorated in Foynes , while some residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have friends who came here normal , as free people and now they ’ re nothing .
They can not cope with the situation , ” said the man , who did not want to be identified as he feared his comments might affect his asylum application .
He said he shared a room for years in Mount Trenchard with seven other men .
Photos taken inside the centre reveal beds are separated into cubicles by tall wooden boards and curtains .
While he is now being transferred , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punished by the State .
“ I have not committed any crime but I ’ m treated like a commodity , not a human .
My crime was applying for asylum here .
My mental health is really bad and so many times in these years I ’ ve felt like I want to kill myself .
I don ’ t like myself anymore.
” Those placed in Mount Trenchard were isolated from the outside world , he said .
“ Some people use drugs to cope with the situation .
Nobody was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about our problems.
” Frustration among residents often resulted in fights breaking out with many men fed up with the bad food , poor hygiene and lack of privacy , he said .
A justice spokesman said no complaints had been raised regarding conduct of staff at Mount Trenchard and that all residents were entitled to lodge any grievances using the department ’ s dedicated email or telephone line .
Regular clinics and inspections were held at Mount Trenchard and any complaints raised were investigated , the spokesman said , adding that residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ombudsman regarding concerns .
“ The department is not aware of drug use in the centre , ” he said .
Asked whether former residents suffering mental health issues would be offered additional health support , the spokesman said the department was working closely with the HSE to provide a range of health services to all residents .

The direct provision centre in Foynes, Co Limerick which is now closing. Photograph: Brian Gavin
At least €13 million in State funds has been spent on running a direct provision centre in Co Limerick which will close its doors on Friday after residents complained about living conditions.
The Mount Trenchard centre, which has been described by residents as "an open-air prison" similar to "Guantanamo Bay", is currently transferring its final few residents to direct provision centres across Ireland.
Department of Justice figures released to The Irish Times reveal the State paid contractor Baycaster Limited €9,699,400 between 2004 and 2015 to house asylum seekers at the former stately home. Some €1.1 million was paid to the contractor to operate the centre in 2016, according to data provided by the department.
Additional statistics published online show €1,061,480 was spent in 2017 and €1,106,700 in 2018 totalling €12,967,620 over 15 years. Figures for 2019 were not available.
READ MORE
The department announced earlier this month that its contract with Baycaster Limited would end in February and would not be renewed. Its commitment to close the centre followed a report from Limerick charity Doras Luimní which said residents were facing “the most challenging” asylum conditions in the country and called for the centre’s immediate closure.
The Doras report, as well as a large number of complaints from residents and migrants groups, were key factors in the decision to close the centre, according to a senior source in the Department of Justice.
A spokesman for the department said it was moving all residents from Mount Trenchard to “dedicated accommodation centres” by the end of January.
One of the last residents at the centre awaiting transfer said his mental health deteriorated in Foynes, while some residents "completely lost their minds".
“I have friends who came here normal, as free people and now they’re nothing. They cannot cope with the situation,” said the man, who did not want to be identified as he feared his comments might affect his asylum application.
He said he shared a room for years in Mount Trenchard with seven other men. Photos taken inside the centre reveal beds are separated into cubicles by tall wooden boards and curtains.
While he is now being transferred, he was not optimistic about the future and feels punished by the State.
“I have not committed any crime but I’m treated like a commodity, not a human. My crime was applying for asylum here. My mental health is really bad and so many times in these years I’ve felt like I want to kill myself. I don’t like myself anymore.”
‘Nobody was listening’
Those placed in Mount Trenchard were isolated from the outside world, he said. “Some people use drugs to cope with the situation. Nobody was listening to us, nobody was serious about our problems.”
Frustration among residents often resulted in fights breaking out with many men fed up with the bad food, poor hygiene and lack of privacy, he said.
A justice spokesman said no complaints had been raised regarding conduct of staff at Mount Trenchard and that all residents were entitled to lodge any grievances using the department’s dedicated email or telephone line.
Regular clinics and inspections were held at Mount Trenchard and any complaints raised were investigated, the spokesman said, adding that residents in all centres could also contact the Ombudsman regarding concerns.
“The department is not aware of drug use in the centre,” he said.
Asked whether former residents suffering mental health issues would be offered additional health support, the spokesman said the department was working closely with the HSE to provide a range of health services to all residents.


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Call for firms and State agencies to access security threat intelligence

Intelligence on threats to national security should be shared between government agencies and with the private sector , the body responsible for communications security has said .
According to the Commission for Communications Regulation ( ComReg ) it is not possible to guarantee secure telecommunications networks within the State without access to intelligence on national security risks .
Ireland ’ s increasing reliance on telecommunications networks means their security has now become a “ matter of critical concern ” , it said in its submission to the Government ’ s public consultation on national security strategy .
Along with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyber Security Centre , ComReg is responsible for guarding Ireland ’ s networks against attack , including cyber attacks .
With the ongoing rollout of 5G technology , nation states or groups acting on their behalf pose the biggest threat to cybersecurity , ComReg submitted , citing a recent EU cyber security report .
ComReg ’ s view of increasing cyber threats from State actors echoes those expressed in a defence policy review provided to Cabinet last month which warned that increased spying by foreign intelligence agencies poses a risk to national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the National Cyber Security Strategy released in December , Ireland is particularly vulnerable to attack due to the large numbers of data centres here .
By some estimates , Ireland is home to 30 per cent of all EU data .
New 5G technology will benefit society and technology but will also “ increase the attack area of the network .
It will also result in an increase in threats to and vulnerability within a network , ” ComReg director of markets George Merrigan wrote in the submission .
Vendors of 5G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet speeds , have the capacity to cause devastating cyber attacks , especially when induced to do so by foreign governments , ComReg stated , citing the EU report .
Western governments and intelligence agencies are particularly worried about the role of companies with close links to the Chinese government , such as Huawei , in manufacturing 5G technology which may be vulnerable to espionage .
December ’ s National Cyber Security Strategy document stated there have been a number of “ serious cyber security incidents ” in recent years but the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the vast majority of information on national security threats , including threats of cyber attacks , is kept closely guarded by the State ’ s security services .
Even when a major cyber attack occurs , information is scant .
ComReg called for the establishment of a mechanism for sharing and accessing national security intelligence “ in a controlled way ” and “ particularly among State agencies ” .
It said this should be achieved using a security clearance framework .
Other countries allow personnel in both the public and private sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to classified information , subject to background checks .
As well as allowing State agencies access to intelligence , the Government should also grant access to public companies responsible for communications networks , ComReg said .
This would mean allowing certain staff in companies like Vodafone or Eir access to classified intelligence on threats .
ComReg offered to assist in the development of a process to allow this to take place .
Such intelligence-sharing protocols are common in other countries , said Brian Honan , a cyber security expert and advisor to Europol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ two-way street ” which allows governments to share information with businesses and vice versa , he said .
“ It also enables industry to raise specific concerns , observations or intelligence on attacks they have observed themselves with those government agencies.
” More and more , governments are relying on privately run companies to provide information on threats , he said .
“ While the government agencies can get specific data about suspected criminals and terrorists on foot of court orders , these agencies do not have visibility into the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be happening.
” Mr Honan added that if information is to be shared in this way , it is vital strict guidelines are in place to guard against misuse of personal data .

ComReg wants a mechanism for sharing and accessing national security intelligence “in a controlled way” and “particularly among State agencies”.
Intelligence on threats to national security should be shared between government agencies and with the private sector, the body responsible for communications security has said.
According to the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) it is not possible to guarantee secure telecommunications networks within the State without access to intelligence on national security risks.
Ireland’s increasing reliance on telecommunications networks means their security has now become a “matter of critical concern”, it said in its submission to the Government’s public consultation on national security strategy.
Along with the Garda, Defence Forces and the National Cyber Security Centre, ComReg is responsible for guarding Ireland's networks against attack, including cyber attacks.
READ MORE
With the ongoing rollout of 5G technology, nation states or groups acting on their behalf pose the biggest threat to cybersecurity, ComReg submitted, citing a recent EU cyber security report.
ComReg's view of increasing cyber threats from State actors echoes those expressed in a defence policy review provided to Cabinet last month which warned that increased spying by foreign intelligence agencies poses a risk to national security and to foreign direct investment.
According to the National Cyber Security Strategy released in December, Ireland is particularly vulnerable to attack due to the large numbers of data centres here. By some estimates, Ireland is home to 30 per cent of all EU data.
New 5G technology will benefit society and technology but will also "increase the attack area of the network. It will also result in an increase in threats to and vulnerability within a network," ComReg director of markets George Merrigan wrote in the submission.
Chinese government
Vendors of 5G technology, which allows for much faster internet speeds, have the capacity to cause devastating cyber attacks, especially when induced to do so by foreign governments, ComReg stated, citing the EU report.
Western governments and intelligence agencies are particularly worried about the role of companies with close links to the Chinese government, such as Huawei, in manufacturing 5G technology which may be vulnerable to espionage.
December’s National Cyber Security Strategy document stated there have been a number of “serious cyber security incidents” in recent years but the Government declined to provide further details.
Currently, the vast majority of information on national security threats, including threats of cyber attacks, is kept closely guarded by the State’s security services. Even when a major cyber attack occurs, information is scant.
ComReg called for the establishment of a mechanism for sharing and accessing national security intelligence “in a controlled way” and “particularly among State agencies”.
It said this should be achieved using a security clearance framework. Other countries allow personnel in both the public and private sectors to be granted varying levels of access to classified information, subject to background checks.
Intelligence-sharing protocols
As well as allowing State agencies access to intelligence, the Government should also grant access to public companies responsible for communications networks, ComReg said.
This would mean allowing certain staff in companies like Vodafone or Eir access to classified intelligence on threats.
ComReg offered to assist in the development of a process to allow this to take place.
Such intelligence-sharing protocols are common in other countries, said Brian Honan, a cyber security expert and advisor to Europol on cybercrime.
These mechanisms operate as a “two-way street” which allows governments to share information with businesses and vice versa, he said.
“It also enables industry to raise specific concerns, observations or intelligence on attacks they have observed themselves with those government agencies.”
More and more, governments are relying on privately run companies to provide information on threats, he said. “While the government agencies can get specific data about suspected criminals and terrorists on foot of court orders, these agencies do not have visibility into the more widespread illegal and abusive activities that may be happening.”
Mr Honan added that if information is to be shared in this way, it is vital strict guidelines are in place to guard against misuse of personal data.


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Senior officers still flying air ambulance missions as fears for service grow

Senior Air Corps officers are still flying air ambulance missions despite the service being cut back over the winter to allow them to carry out management duties .
Lieut Cols are typically management roles within the Air Corps and personnel holding those ranks are not supposed to regularly fly aircraft .
However , due to the ongoing retention crisis in the Defence Forces senior ranks have been forced to regularly fly missions in a number of areas including operating the Emergency Aeronautical Service ( EAS ) – an air ambulance service based out of Custume Barracks in Athlone – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced last November the EAS service would not operate for four days a month until March 2020 .
The break period was needed from “ a safety and governance perspective , ” the Defence Forces said .
The break period was introduced to allow Lieut Cols to concentrate on management duties while lower ranks were trained to pilot the EAS helicopter .
However pilot shortages mean Lieut Cols must regularly fly missions despite the decreased number of operations , The Irish Times has learned .
The continuing shortage of pilots has caused senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EAS will not be able to resume full operations in March as promised by the Department of Defence .
This would put increased pressure of the Coast Guard and Irish Community Rapid Response ( ICRR ) helicopter service , which have both been covering the EAS during its downtime .
The Coast Guard has previously warned its search and rescue helicopters can not match the ambulance service provided by the EAS while the ICRR is facing ongoing funding difficulties .
The EAS has been credited with dramatically reducing the time it takes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly in the aftermath of car crashes .
In 2018 , it responded to 159 serious car crashes , 146 other medical emergencies and 15 urgent transports of children to hospital .
In a statement the Department of Defence confirmed senior officers are continuing to fly EAS missions .
Asked if full service will resume in March , it said the matter is being kept under review .
“ The training surge is progressing in line with expectations .
The matter is under continuous review , with a view to the service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Lower ranks receive extra allowances to fly EAS missions but these are not paid to Lieut Cols who fly , a point of additional frustration within the senior ranks .
“ Using senior Air Corps pilots to conduct operations normally undertaken by junior officers takes them away from their leadership , management , instructional and mentoring roles in the Air Corps , with an associated detrimental impact on governance , and consequent increased organisational risk , ” said Conor King , general secretary of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the retention crisis affecting the Defence Forces has left the EAS “ on the brink of collapse .
”

Pilot shortages mean Lieut Cols must regularly fly missions despite the decreased number of operations. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times
Senior Air Corps officers are still flying air ambulance missions despite the service being cut back over the winter to allow them to carry out management duties.
Lieut Cols are typically management roles within the Air Corps and personnel holding those ranks are not supposed to regularly fly aircraft.
However, due to the ongoing retention crisis in the Defence Forces senior ranks have been forced to regularly fly missions in a number of areas including operating the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) – an air ambulance service based out of Custume Barracks in Athlone – and piloting the Garda helicopters.
It was announced last November the EAS service would not operate for four days a month until March 2020. The break period was needed from “a safety and governance perspective,” the Defence Forces said.
READ MORE
The break period was introduced to allow Lieut Cols to concentrate on management duties while lower ranks were trained to pilot the EAS helicopter.
However pilot shortages mean Lieut Cols must regularly fly missions despite the decreased number of operations, The Irish Times has learned.
The continuing shortage of pilots has caused senior military figures to express concern that the EAS will not be able to resume full operations in March as promised by the Department of Defence.
This would put increased pressure of the Coast Guard and Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) helicopter service, which have both been covering the EAS during its downtime.
The Coast Guard has previously warned its search and rescue helicopters cannot match the ambulance service provided by the EAS while the ICRR is facing ongoing funding difficulties.
The EAS has been credited with dramatically reducing the time it takes to transport patients to hospital from rural areas, particularly in the aftermath of car crashes.
Training surge
In 2018, it responded to 159 serious car crashes, 146 other medical emergencies and 15 urgent transports of children to hospital.
In a statement the Department of Defence confirmed senior officers are continuing to fly EAS missions. Asked if full service will resume in March, it said the matter is being kept under review.
“The training surge is progressing in line with expectations. The matter is under continuous review, with a view to the service resuming in March,” a spokeswoman said.
Lower ranks receive extra allowances to fly EAS missions but these are not paid to Lieut Cols who fly, a point of additional frustration within the senior ranks.
"Using senior Air Corps pilots to conduct operations normally undertaken by junior officers takes them away from their leadership, management, instructional and mentoring roles in the Air Corps, with an associated detrimental impact on governance, and consequent increased organisational risk," said Conor King, general secretary of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco).
Raco has previously warned the retention crisis affecting the Defence Forces has left the EAS “on the brink of collapse.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-31--Rescue package worth more than €30m agreed for FAI

A rescue package worth more than €30 million has been agreed for the Football Association of Ireland .
The majority of the package will come in the form of new funding from the State , with the Government on Thursday agreeing to provide €19.2 million in new funding , spread across enhanced grants and an interest-free loan .
The remaining value of the package , in excess of €10 million , is made up of increased supports from Uefa and a restructuring of the FAI ’ s bank debt , The Irish Times has learned .
The Government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doubling of the FAI ’ s Sport Ireland grant , from €2.9 million to €5.8 million , for the next four years .
A repayable grant worth a total of €7.63 million will be paid to the company which owns the Aviva stadium – which is part-owned by the FAI – over the next three years .
In total , when the new monies are added to grants which had already been approved , state support for the FAI will reach €30.83 million over the next four years .
Minister for Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not a “ bailout ” , said it marked a “ new dawn ” for Irish football .
“ It took a long time to eradicate the old guard from the upper echelons of the FAI - far too long - and it was a very hard-won battle , ” he said .
The package was welcomed by the association itself , with FAI president Gerry McAnaney saying the agreement will “ ensure the survival of football in Ireland ” .
The new funding package comes at a price , however .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding governing the deal , the FAI has committed to an expanded corporate governance reform programme , enhanced oversight of the organisation ’ s pay arrangements , and new limits on the salary of the chief executive of the organisation .
Half of the 12-person board including the chairman will be independent following rule changes mandated under the package .
While the Government ’ s contribution to the package is clear , the measures taken by the other parties to the negotiation – Bank of Ireland and Uefa – were not disclosed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of corporate banking Tom Hayes would not be drawn on concessions made by the bank , saying only that “ we have put the finances on a sustainable footing ” .
The new FAI interim chief executive , Gary Owens , said “ everybody has taken a bit of pain ” .
Mr Owens said the new funding package reduced the likelihood of significant levels of redundancy at the association .
“ I ’ m around long enough not to say there will never be any redundancies , but I ’ m much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , ” he said yesterday .
This was echoed by FAI chairman Roy Barrett , who said management will be focusing on restructuring the organisation “ and hopefully that will involve most or all of the staff being on that journey ” .

The Government’s commitment under the rescue plan consists of a doubling of the FAI’s Sport Ireland grant, from €2.9 million to €5.8 million, for the next four years. Photograph: Inpho
A rescue package worth more than €30 million has been agreed for the Football Association of Ireland.
The majority of the package will come in the form of new funding from the State, with the Government on Thursday agreeing to provide €19.2 million in new funding, spread across enhanced grants and an interest-free loan.
The remaining value of the package, in excess of €10 million, is made up of increased supports from Uefa and a restructuring of the FAI's bank debt, The Irish Times has learned.
The Government's commitment under the rescue plan consists of a doubling of the FAI's Sport Ireland grant, from €2.9 million to €5.8 million, for the next four years.
READ MORE
A repayable grant worth a total of €7.63 million will be paid to the company which owns the Aviva stadium – which is part-owned by the FAI – over the next three years.
In total, when the new monies are added to grants which had already been approved, state support for the FAI will reach €30.83 million over the next four years.
Minister for Sport Shane Ross, insisting that the package was not a "bailout", said it marked a "new dawn" for Irish football.
“It took a long time to eradicate the old guard from the upper echelons of the FAI - far too long - and it was a very hard-won battle,” he said.
The package was welcomed by the association itself, with FAI president Gerry McAnaney saying the agreement will “ensure the survival of football in Ireland”.
The new funding package comes at a price, however.
Terms
Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding governing the deal, the FAI has committed to an expanded corporate governance reform programme, enhanced oversight of the organisation’s pay arrangements, and new limits on the salary of the chief executive of the organisation.
Half of the 12-person board including the chairman will be independent following rule changes mandated under the package.
While the Government's contribution to the package is clear, the measures taken by the other parties to the negotiation – Bank of Ireland and Uefa – were not disclosed.
Bank of Ireland's chief executive of corporate banking Tom Hayes would not be drawn on concessions made by the bank, saying only that "we have put the finances on a sustainable footing".
The new FAI interim chief executive, Gary Owens, said "everybody has taken a bit of pain".
Mr Owens said the new funding package reduced the likelihood of significant levels of redundancy at the association. “I’m around long enough not to say there will never be any redundancies, but I’m much more confident today than I was last week,” he said yesterday.
This was echoed by FAI chairman Roy Barrett, who said management will be focusing on restructuring the organisation "and hopefully that will involve most or all of the staff being on that journey".


theirishtimes--2020-01-30--Leaders’ TV debate: Martin puts in his best performance so far

The only missing ingredients from the latest leaders ’ debate were individual entrance tunes for each of the participants , just like in professional wrestling .
Despite that omission , there was just as much shouting and posturing during the Virgin Media seven-way contest as would be expected at the hammiest WWE encounter .
The tone was set early on by Ivan Yates , moderating alongside Matt Cooper , who looked across at Leo Varadkar , Micheál Martin , Mary Lou McDonald , Brendan Howlin , Eamon Ryan , Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats and Mick Barry of Socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charlatans and chancers because of the commitments in their manifestos .
Both Cooper and Yates were aggressive from the off but backed off in the second half of the 90-plus minutes show , allowing the leaders more space to debate the issues .
There were some trends amid the noise , however .
It came only days after the first multi-party leaders ’ debate with Claire Byrne on RTÉ but the intervening period had seen an important point in the campaign with the publication of the Sinn Féin manifesto .
McDonald ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public spending funded by billions of euro in tax increases on businesses and higher earners .
Both Varadkar and Martin attacked Sinn Féin on their policies , with the Fianna Fáil leader saying McDonald will tax everyone “ out of existence ” .
Varadkar said Sinn Féin would bring in €4 billion in new taxes and cause capital flight .
Both clearly feel the way to peg Sinn Féin ’ s campaign momentum so far is to highlight these policies .
McDonald ’ s party may come to regret laying such a manifesto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to be a drag on their support .
McDonald herself was more subdued on Thursday than during the RTÉ debate , where she seemingly drew energy from the live studio audience .
She was at her strongest when criticising Martin , in particular , for his attitude to her party .
“ It is always the jibe , it is always the put down to the side regarding the North , ” she told Martin .
The standard Sinn Féin lines on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael being the same were rolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party of the developers , Fine Gael are the party of the landlords.
” She was , however , clearly more complimentary of Varadkar than Martin .
While both Martin and Varadkar ruled out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner , the Taoiseach said it was because of what their policies would do in future rather than what had been done in the past .
Varadkar , in line with the Fine Gael campaign as it enters the final week , attempted to wheel most of his answers back around to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t pay for any of these things unless we have a strong economy.
” “ Which party do you trust ?
” he asked , as he also made the case for tax cuts and putting money back in people ’ s pockets .
Other strong points came when he admitted the abandoned commemoration of the RIC had been a mistake and argued his position that landlords are often small investors , are needed in the housing sector and should not be vilified Martin put in his best debate performance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times and playing the grown up when proceedings became loud and unruly .
“ Just calm it , ” he told the moderators at one point .
He probably emerged the narrow winner because he acted with calm authority at times , whilst also mixing emotive argument .
“ Leo , I don ’ t know if you get it , ” he said to Varadkar .
“ There are thousands of people looking social houses.
” Eamon Ryan also improved his performance from the RTÉ debate , and spoke with a passion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more precise that he had been earlier in the week .
At one point , Yates tried to make him feel uncomfortable on the issue of €15 billion of costs associated with his plan to retrofit houses but the Green leader explained himself well .
Howlin is a polished debate performer and can be content with how he has pushed his party ’ s message over both debates this week .
Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats seemed to get lost in the early chaos and struggled to get her point across when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyd Barrett on Monday , Mick Barry made the most of his appearance and the other leaders seemed content to let him have the floor .
One of the few occasions he was challenged was when Varadkar pulled him up on his general criticism of landlords .
Yet it was a messy and noisy affair overall , and the next and final debate - the head to head between Martin and Varadkar next Tuesday , shortly ahead of polling day on Saturday , February 8th - will be the key broadcast event of @ @ @

Representatives from seven political parties took part in a boisterous Election 2020 debate special on Virgin Media One with Ivan Yates and Matt Cooper presenting the show. Video: Virgin Media News
The only missing ingredients from the latest leaders’ debate were individual entrance tunes for each of the participants, just like in professional wrestling.
Despite that omission, there was just as much shouting and posturing during the Virgin Media seven-way contest as would be expected at the hammiest WWE encounter.
The tone was set early on by Ivan Yates, moderating alongside Matt Cooper, who looked across at Leo Varadkar, Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald, Brendan Howlin, Eamon Ryan, Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats and Mick Barry of the Socialist Party, and asked if they were charlatans and chancers because of the commitments in their manifestos.
Both Cooper and Yates were aggressive from the off but backed off in the second half of the 90-plus minutes show, allowing the leaders more space to debate the issues. There were some trends amid the noise, however.
READ MORE
It came only days after the first multi-party leaders' debate with Claire Byrne on RTÉ but the intervening period had seen an important point in the campaign with the publication of the Sinn Féin manifesto. McDonald's radical proposals envisage a dramatic increase in public spending funded by billions of euro in tax increases on businesses and higher earners.
Both Varadkar and Martin attacked Sinn Féin on their policies, with the Fianna Fáil leader saying McDonald will tax everyone "out of existence". Varadkar said Sinn Féin would bring in €4 billion in new taxes and cause capital flight.
Both clearly feel the way to peg Sinn Féin’s campaign momentum so far is to highlight these policies. McDonald’s party may come to regret laying such a manifesto before the public, if it turns out to be a drag on their support.
McDonald herself was more subdued on Thursday than during the RTÉ debate, where she seemingly drew energy from the live studio audience.
She was at her strongest when criticising Martin, in particular, for his attitude to her party. "It is always the jibe, it is always the put down to the side regarding the North," she told Martin. The standard Sinn Féin lines on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael being the same were rolled out.
“If Fianna Fáil are the party of the developers, Fine Gael are the party of the landlords.” She was, however, clearly more complimentary of Varadkar than Martin.
While both Martin and Varadkar ruled out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, the Taoiseach said it was because of what their policies would do in future rather than what had been done in the past.
Varadkar, in line with the Fine Gael campaign as it enters the final week, attempted to wheel most of his answers back around to the economy, arguing: “We can’t pay for any of these things unless we have a strong economy.”
“Which party do you trust?” he asked, as he also made the case for tax cuts and putting money back in people’s pockets. Other strong points came when he admitted the abandoned commemoration of the RIC had been a mistake and argued his position that landlords are often small investors, are needed in the housing sector and should not be vilified
Martin put in his best debate performance of the campaign to date, interjecting successfully at times and playing the grown up when proceedings became loud and unruly.
“Just calm it,” he told the moderators at one point. He probably emerged the narrow winner because he acted with calm authority at times, whilst also mixing emotive argument.
“Leo, I don’t know if you get it,” he said to Varadkar. “There are thousands of people looking for social houses.”
Eamon Ryan also improved his performance from the RTÉ debate, and spoke with a passion on subjects whilst also managing to be more precise than he had been earlier in the week. At one point, Yates tried to make him feel uncomfortable on the issue of €15 billion of costs associated with his plan to retrofit houses but the Green leader explained himself well.
Howlin is a polished debate performer and can be content with how he has pushed his party’s message over both debates this week.
Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats seemed to get lost in the early chaos and struggled to get her point across when the opportunity arose. Much like Richard Boyd Barrett on Monday, Mick Barry made the most of his appearance and the other leaders seemed content to let him have the floor.
One of the few occasions he was challenged was when Varadkar pulled him up on his general criticism of landlords.
Yet it was a messy and noisy affair overall, and the next and final debate - the head to head between Martin and Varadkar next Tuesday, shortly ahead of polling day on Saturday, February 8th - will be the key broadcast event of Election 2020.


theirishtimes--2020-02-03--Man (30s) dies following car crash in Co Donegal

A man in his mid-30s has died following a single-vehicle road crash in Co Donegal in the early hours of @ @ @ @ @ on the main Muff and Quigley ’ s Point road , Inishowen , at about @ @ @ @ @ the car was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Letterkenny @ @ @ @ @ examination .
The road has been closed and local diversions are in place .
Gardaí @ @ @ @ @ to be reopened later on Monday .
The incident is the first fatal road crash @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to contact them at Buncrana @ @ @ @ @ 0540 ) , the Garda confidential line ( 1800 666 111 ) or any Garda @ @

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses after a single-vehicle crash between Muff and Quigley’s Point on Monday morning
A man was killed when his car crashed on a coastal road in Co Donegal and ended up on a nearby beach.
The victim has been named locally as John Patton, who was originally from Derry.
Mr Patton (34) was killed when his grey Volkswagen Golf crashed around 3.50am on Monday on the main Muff to Quigley’s Point road on the Inishowen Peninsula.
The emergency services, including the coastguard, rushed to the scene unaware of how many passengers were in the car.
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The tide on Lough Foyle was partially in and Gardaí feared there may have been other casualties.
A Rescue 118 helicopter using heat-seeking equipment was also drafted in.
Garda Supt Eugene McGovern said when the car entered the water they did not know how many people were in the vehicle.
“We requested assistance from both the coastguard and the rescue helicopter using heat-seeking equipment.
“In the end there was just one person in the car and he was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Mr Patton’s body was removed to the mortuary at Letterkenny University Hospital for a postmortem examination.
The R238 between Muff and Moville is currently closed for Garda forensic collision investigators with local diversions in place, and is expected to re-open later this evening.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information regarding this incident, particularly any road users with camera footage who were travelling on the Muff to Moville road between 3.00am and 4.30am on 3rd February 2020, to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.


theirishtimes--2020-02-03--Wind warning issued for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo

A status yellow wind warning has been issued for Donegal , Leitrim , Mayo and Sligo from 5pm on Monday night .
Winds of 50km/h to 60km/h with of gusts of up to 100km/h are expected throughout the northwest .
The strongest gales will be on the coast .
The warning is in place until 6am on Tuesday morning .
Showers will become widespread early on Monday night , turning wintry over high ground .
It will become blustery in all area with fresh to strong winds .
Ulster is set to be very windy especially in coastal areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 and 5 degrees .
Tuesday will be largely dry and sunny day .
Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees .
The strong winds will gradually ease through the afternoon .
Another dry day on Wednesday but it will be quite cloudy with maximum temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees .
The cloud cover will keep the temperatures from dropping below freezing in many places , but there is a risk of frost in some areas .
Thursday will be a largely dry and cloudy with temperatures from 9 to 11 degrees @ @ @ @

A status yellow wind warning has been issued for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 5pm on Monday night. File Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
A status yellow wind warning has been issued for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 5pm on Monday night.
Winds of 50km/h to 60km/h with of gusts of up to 100km/h are expected throughout the northwest.
The strongest gales will be on the coast.
The warning is in place until 6am on Tuesday morning.
READ MORE
Showers will become widespread early on Monday night, turning wintry over high ground. It will become blustery in all area with fresh to strong winds.
Ulster is set to be very windy especially in coastal areas. Temperatures are expected to drop to between 1 and 5 degrees.
Tuesday
Tuesday will be largely dry and sunny day. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees. The strong winds will gradually ease through the afternoon.
Wednesday
Another dry day on Wednesday but it will be quite cloudy with maximum temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees. The cloud cover will keep the temperatures from dropping below freezing in many places, but there is a risk of frost in some areas.
Thursday
Thursday will be a largely dry and cloudy with temperatures from 9 to 11 degrees with moderate winds.