theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Senior Kinahan cartel member and accomplice receive sentences totalling 17½ years

A senior Kinahan cartel member and an accomplice have received sentences totalling 17½ years at the Special Criminal Court for orchestrating the gang ’ s plan to kill a member of the Hutch family in Dublin ’ s north inner city .
Patrick Curtis ( 38 ) of Bellman ’ s Walk , Seville Place , Dublin 1 was jailed for 10 years while his co-accused Mohammed Smew ( 27 ) of Milner ’ s Square , Shanowen Road , Santry , Dublin 9 was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for their role in the plot to murder Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Smew are the last two men to be sentenced for their involvement in the plan to kill Mr Hutch .
Patrick Curtis previously admitted directing the activities of a criminal organisation within the State between February 1 and March 10 , 2018 .
Smew had pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a criminal organisation , to wit the murder of Mr Hutch , by providing , moving and repairing vehicles , and of the planning or assisting to plan an attempted shooting between February 1 , 2018 , and March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Tony Hunt , sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Dermot Dempsey , said the court accepted the uncontradicted evidence of the nature of the Kinahan crime group , which was organised on a hierarchical basis with a subcell structure .
A specific subcell had been formed in this case for the motive of murdering Mr Hutch , he said .
Patrick Curtis had supervised and directed the subcell and was the highest figure within its hierarchy , the judge said , adding however that Patrick Curtis was not the author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and passed on from his superiors .
Mr Justice Hunt said there was no doubt that Patrick Curtis knew that he was directing the subcell on behalf of the Kinahan organised crime group , which he called “ an insidious organisation ” , in the preparation for the murder of Mr Hutch .
He said Patrick Curtis was the “ top figure within ” the sub-cell of the Kinahan organised crime group and was therefore regarded as a “ repository of trust and confidence ” by his superiors , even if his lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge noted that Patrick Curtis had some difficulty in dealing with the detailed nature of the instructions for murder that he received , which caused him to compromise the security of the encrypted phone issued to him by the Kinahan cartel by taking screen shots of his instructions on his unencrypted phone .
Referring to Mohammed Smew , Mr Justice Hunt said that the “ startling feature ” of this case was the “ relative stability and prosperity of his childhood years ” when compared to the “ dysfunctional and chaotic upbringings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The non-jury court has heard that both of Smew ’ s parents are doctors and he had embarked on a law degree at Griffith College .
A doctor told Patrick Curtis ’ sentence hearing last month that jailing the claustrophobic senior Kinahan cartel member was like putting “ a man with arachnophobia in a cell with spiders ” .
Dr Conor McGarry , a GP attached to Portlaoise Prison , said that Patrick Curtis was diagnosed with excessive compulsive disorder and had historic issues which have impacted on his ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the defendant got locked in a car at the age of seven , broke his fingernails attempting to get out of the vehicle and had suffered from a fear of being alone since .
The sentence hearing was told that Patrick Curtis suffers from irrational behaviour and blesses himself around sixty times a day to compensate for negative thoughts .
He shares a cell in the A block of Portlaoise Prison with his brother Stephen as his anxiety levels are so bad and it has never previously happened that two prisoners have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGarry .
Mr Justice Hunt said on Monday that Patrick Curtis ’ barrister Michael O ’ Higgins SC had submitted that the court should apply a further reduction on the basis of his client having a condition that would make the serving of a lengthy sentence significantly more difficult .
“ In this first instance , it is tempting to observe that not plotting to murder other people would have been the best way of avoiding this unfortunate situation , ” remarked the judge .
The judge said the headline sentence for Curtis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigation factor was his guilty plea , which deserved a straight 25 per cent discount .
Mr Justice Hunt indicated that if Curtis genuinely found prison so unattractive , then he should have no difficulty keeping his side of the “ social contract involved in his acceptance of a conditionally suspended portion of his sentence ” .
The judge said he would suspend the last two years of the 12-year adjusted sentence on condition that the accused enter a bond in the sum of €100 to keep the peace and be of good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during any period of temporary release , and for a period of six years following his date of final release from his sentence .
The non-jury court imposed a final sentence of 12 years imprisonment with the last two years suspended on Curtis .
Passing sentence on Smew , Mr Justice Hunt observed that the evidence unequivocally established that he assisted in the preparations for the “ very grave crime of murder ” and was initially prepared to serve on the “ front line of the killing ” .
“ There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of considerable assistance in the Kinahan organised crime group over the time in which his participation lasted , ” he noted .
He observed that the plan to perform the murder was postponed due to the arrival of Storm Emma and Smew was arrested and remanded in custody in relation to a separate matter after the arrival of the storm .
The judge set a headline sentence of 11 years imprisonment and said the court found the weightiest mitigating factor was his guilty plea , which deserved a 25 per cent discount .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months in prison with the final nine months suspended .
The men ’ s sentences were backdated to December 2019 , when they were first arrested .
The court previously heard that Patrick Curtis has 13 previous convictions which include road traffic and public order offences , as well as violent disorder .
Smew has 15 previous convictions which include damaging property , theft and the production of an article in the course of a fight .
In June , Mr Justice Hunt imposed sentences totalling 19 years on three men who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plot to kill Mr Hutch .
Michael Burns ( 43 ) was jailed for nine years whilst Stephen Curtis ( 32 ) , the younger brother of Patrick Curtis , and Ciaran O ’ Driscoll ( 25 ) were both sentenced to five years each in prison for their role in the plot to murder Mr Hutch .
Last May , Kinahan Cartel foot soldier Mark Capper ( 31 ) , who “ poured cold water on ” and withdrew from a plan to murder Mr Hutch three days before the proposed killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court for seven-and-a-half years .
Capper had admitted helping the organised crime group in a plan to kill Mr Hutch by providing and repairing vehicles for the criminal organisation and carrying out reconnaissance .
In July 2019 , a three-man “ hit for hire team ” received sentences totalling 36.5 years at the Special Criminal Court for planning to kill Mr Hutch before they were intercepted by gardaí just 250 metres from their target ’ s home in Dublin ’ s north inner city .
Gary Thompson ( 35 ) and his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jailed for 12 years and six months .
A third man , Afghan war veteran Robert Browne ( 36 ) was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison .

The judge observed that the plan to perform the murder of Patrick “Patsy” Hutch (above) was postponed due to the arrival of Storm Emma. File photograph: Collins Dublin
A senior Kinahan cartel member and an accomplice have received sentences totalling 17½ years at the Special Criminal Court for orchestrating the gang's plan to kill a member of the Hutch family in Dublin's north inner city.
Patrick Curtis (38) of Bellman's Walk, Seville Place, Dublin 1 was jailed for 10 years while his co-accused Mohammed Smew (27) of Milner's Square, Shanowen Road, Santry, Dublin 9 was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for their role in the plot to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch.
Patrick Curtis and Smew are the last two men to be sentenced for their involvement in the plan to kill Mr Hutch.
Patrick Curtis previously admitted directing the activities of a criminal organisation within the State between February 1 and March 10, 2018. Smew had pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a criminal organisation, to wit the murder of Mr Hutch, by providing, moving and repairing vehicles, and of the planning or assisting to plan an attempted shooting between February 1, 2018, and March 3, 2018.
READ MORE
Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Dermot Dempsey, said the court accepted the uncontradicted evidence of the nature of the Kinahan crime group, which was organised on a hierarchical basis with a subcell structure. A specific subcell had been formed in this case for the motive of murdering Mr Hutch, he said.
Patrick Curtis had supervised and directed the subcell and was the highest figure within its hierarchy, the judge said, adding however that Patrick Curtis was not the author of the instructions, which he had received and passed on from his superiors.
Mr Justice Hunt said there was no doubt that Patrick Curtis knew that he was directing the subcell on behalf of the Kinahan organised crime group, which he called “an insidious organisation”, in the preparation for the murder of Mr Hutch.
Screen shots
He said Patrick Curtis was the “top figure within” the sub-cell of the Kinahan organised crime group and was therefore regarded as a “repository of trust and confidence” by his superiors, even if his lack of competence betrayed his trust.
The judge noted that Patrick Curtis had some difficulty in dealing with the detailed nature of the instructions for murder that he received, which caused him to compromise the security of the encrypted phone issued to him by the Kinahan cartel by taking screen shots of his instructions on his unencrypted phone.
Referring to Mohammed Smew, Mr Justice Hunt said that the “startling feature” of this case was the “relative stability and prosperity of his childhood years” when compared to the “dysfunctional and chaotic upbringings of many who become involved in such matters”. The non-jury court has heard that both of Smew’s parents are doctors and he had embarked on a law degree at Griffith College.
A doctor told Patrick Curtis' sentence hearing last month that jailing the claustrophobic senior Kinahan cartel member was like putting "a man with arachnophobia in a cell with spiders". Dr Conor McGarry, a GP attached to Portlaoise Prison, said that Patrick Curtis was diagnosed with excessive compulsive disorder and had historic issues which have impacted on his ability to cope with prison in Ireland. He said the defendant got locked in a car at the age of seven, broke his fingernails attempting to get out of the vehicle and had suffered from a fear of being alone since.
The sentence hearing was told that Patrick Curtis suffers from irrational behaviour and blesses himself around sixty times a day to compensate for negative thoughts. He shares a cell in the A block of Portlaoise Prison with his brother Stephen as his anxiety levels are so bad and it has never previously happened that two prisoners have shared the same cell, said Dr McGarry.
‘Unfortunate situation’
Mr Justice Hunt said on Monday that Patrick Curtis’ barrister Michael O’Higgins SC had submitted that the court should apply a further reduction on the basis of his client having a condition that would make the serving of a lengthy sentence significantly more difficult. “In this first instance, it is tempting to observe that not plotting to murder other people would have been the best way of avoiding this unfortunate situation,” remarked the judge.
The judge said the headline sentence for Curtis was 16 years imprisonment and the weightiest mitigation factor was his guilty plea, which deserved a straight 25 per cent discount. Mr Justice Hunt indicated that if Curtis genuinely found prison so unattractive, then he should have no difficulty keeping his side of the “social contract involved in his acceptance of a conditionally suspended portion of his sentence”. The judge said he would suspend the last two years of the 12-year adjusted sentence on condition that the accused enter a bond in the sum of €100 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour during his time in custody, during any period of temporary release, and for a period of six years following his date of final release from his sentence.
The non-jury court imposed a final sentence of 12 years imprisonment with the last two years suspended on Curtis.
Storm Emma
Passing sentence on Smew, Mr Justice Hunt observed that the evidence unequivocally established that he assisted in the preparations for the “very grave crime of murder” and was initially prepared to serve on the “front line of the killing”. “There is no doubt that Smew’s conduct was of considerable assistance in the Kinahan organised crime group over the time in which his participation lasted,” he noted.
He observed that the plan to perform the murder was postponed due to the arrival of Storm Emma and Smew was arrested and remanded in custody in relation to a separate matter after the arrival of the storm.
The judge set a headline sentence of 11 years imprisonment and said the court found the weightiest mitigating factor was his guilty plea, which deserved a 25 per cent discount. Smew was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison with the final nine months suspended.
The men’s sentences were backdated to December 2019, when they were first arrested.
The court previously heard that Patrick Curtis has 13 previous convictions which include road traffic and public order offences, as well as violent disorder. Smew has 15 previous convictions which include damaging property, theft and the production of an article in the course of a fight.
In June, Mr Justice Hunt imposed sentences totalling 19 years on three men who also took part in the Kinahan Cartel plot to kill Mr Hutch. Michael Burns (43) was jailed for nine years whilst Stephen Curtis (32), the younger brother of Patrick Curtis, and Ciaran O'Driscoll (25) were both sentenced to five years each in prison for their role in the plot to murder Mr Hutch.
Last May, Kinahan Cartel foot soldier Mark Capper (31), who "poured cold water on" and withdrew from a plan to murder Mr Hutch three days before the proposed killing was also jailed by the Special Criminal Court for seven-and-a-half years. Capper had admitted helping the organised crime group in a plan to kill Mr Hutch by providing and repairing vehicles for the criminal organisation and carrying out reconnaissance.
In July 2019, a three-man "hit for hire team" received sentences totalling 36.5 years at the Special Criminal Court for planning to kill Mr Hutch before they were intercepted by gardaí just 250 metres from their target's home in Dublin's north inner city. Gary Thompson (35) and his brother Glen Thompson (25) were each jailed for 12 years and six months. A third man, Afghan war veteran Robert Browne (36) was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Irish Rail planning new Dart station between Bray and Shankill

Irish Rail is planning to open a new Dart station between those existing in Bray and Shankill at the southern @ @ @ @ @ line .
On Monday , it released details of its planning application at Woodbrook which @ @ @ @ @ be the 32nd station on the route , opening greater access to the line .
@ @ @ @ @ heart of the Woodbrook Strategic Housing Development which envisages a population of over 5,000 people @ @ @ @ @ and progress with the Woodbrook development , construction on the new amenity would commence in @ @ @ @ @ early 2023 .
Under the DART+ Programme , infrastructural works including signalling and level crossings @ @ @ @ @ capacity trains being ordered , will mean more train users can be accommodated .
“ @ @ @ @ @ of how residential development and provision of public transport can be delivered in tandem , @ @ @ @ @ this area will have a frequent , reliable and sustainable alternative , ” said Anne @ @ @ @ @ the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) .

There are delays of up to 30 minutes on DART services this morning after a truck hit a bridge at Clontarf. Subject to planning permission and progress with a housing development, construction on the new amenity would commence in late 2021 and open in early 2023.
Irish Rail is planning to open a new Dart station between those existing in Bray and Shankill at the southern end of the Dublin commuter line.
On Monday, it released details of its planning application at Woodbrook which, if successful, would be the 32nd station on the route, opening greater access to the line.
It is intended for the heart of the Woodbrook Strategic Housing Development which envisages a population of over 5,000 people.
Subject to planning permission and progress with the Woodbrook development, construction on the new amenity would commence in late 2021 and open in early 2023.
READ MORE
Under the DART+ Programme, infrastructural works including signalling and level crossings, together with new higher capacity trains being ordered, will mean more train users can be accommodated.
"This is a great example of how residential development and provision of public transport can be delivered in tandem, so that people moving to this area will have a frequent, reliable and sustainable alternative," said Anne Graham, chief executive of the National Transport Authority (NTA).


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Waterford IT will deliver lectures, tutorials and classes remotely

Waterford Institute of Technology ( WIT ) has announced that all lectures , tutorials and practical classes will be delivered remotely for the academic year , as a result of Covid-19 .
The education facility has outlined its new “ blended learning ” approach , which , it says , “ places the welfare of our students , staff and communities at the forefront ” .
The remote delivery of classes will include live-streaming of lectures and other forms of remote learning platforms , “ appropriate to individual modules or programmes ” , the guidance states .
Learning activity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities or those that require special equipment , will occur on-campus but will be subject to appropriate social distancing and PPE .
A student ’ s level of on or off campus activity will vary depending on the student ’ s programme , the institute states .
WIT said in the case of public policy or the prevalence of Covid-19 changing , the return to on-campus delivery “ may be facilitated on a phased basis ” but that remote delivery will continue in all cases to “ ensure continued flexibility and choice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students to be “ as flexible as possible ” in terms of their planning for accommodation , travel and general study arrangements .
The campus library , shop and restaurants will all be open , albeit in a more restricted manner , the institute said , while first year orientation will take place but in a “ different way than previous years ” .
Students who have booked WIT accommodation and have had a change of mind before signing a contract , will have their deposit refunded to them on request .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at One , Prof Willie Donnelly , president of WIT , said they had chosen to operate mainly online this year due to the “ changing environment ” of coronavirus .
He said despite the move to online , the institute is working with the students ’ union to look at how they can maintain the college experience , particularly for first year students .
Prof Donnelly said the college is open and they intend to provide internet hotspots for people who may not have access to broadband .
WIT has also committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prof Donnelly added that they are still delivering the labs in person and that will restrict student numbers for those courses .
He added that WIT will be requesting students pay the full registration fee for the year .
“ Unfortunately , that ’ s part of our income and we still have the same costs in terms of staff and in terms of the overhead of running the institutes themselves , so unfortunately it ’ s not a decision for the institute , it ’ s a decision for the Government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has called on the Government to reduce third-level fees by € 500 , to reflect the restricted access to campuses and facilities .

Learning activity, such as laboratories, workshops, studio-based activities or those that require special equipment, will occur on-campus but will be subject to appropriate social distancing and PPE. Photograph: Paddy Whelan/The Irish Times
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has announced that all lectures, tutorials and practical classes will be delivered remotely for the academic year, as a result of Covid-19.
The education facility has outlined its new “blended learning” approach, which, it says, “places the welfare of our students, staff and communities at the forefront”.
The remote delivery of classes will include live-streaming of lectures and other forms of remote learning platforms, “appropriate to individual modules or programmes”, the guidance states.
Learning activity, such as laboratories, workshops, studio-based activities or those that require special equipment, will occur on-campus but will be subject to appropriate social distancing and PPE.
READ MORE
A student’s level of on or off campus activity will vary depending on the student’s programme, the institute states.
WIT said in the case of public policy or the prevalence of Covid-19 changing, the return to on-campus delivery “may be facilitated on a phased basis” but that remote delivery will continue in all cases to “ensure continued flexibility and choice for learners”.
WIT has advised its students to be “as flexible as possible” in terms of their planning for accommodation, travel and general study arrangements.
The campus library, shop and restaurants will all be open, albeit in a more restricted manner, the institute said, while first year orientation will take place but in a “different way than previous years”.
Students who have booked WIT accommodation and have had a change of mind before signing a contract, will have their deposit refunded to them on request.
College experience
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One's News at One, Prof Willie Donnelly, president of WIT, said they had chosen to operate mainly online this year due to the "changing environment" of coronavirus.
He said despite the move to online, the institute is working with the students’ union to look at how they can maintain the college experience, particularly for first year students.
Prof Donnelly said the college is open and they intend to provide internet hotspots for people who may not have access to broadband.
WIT has also committed to taking in more students, but Prof Donnelly added that they are still delivering the labs in person and that will restrict student numbers for those courses.
He added that WIT will be requesting students pay the full registration fee for the year.
“Unfortunately, that’s part of our income and we still have the same costs in terms of staff and in terms of the overhead of running the institutes themselves, so unfortunately it’s not a decision for the institute, it’s a decision for the Government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has called on the Government to reduce third-level fees by € 500, to reflect the restricted access to campuses and facilities.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Kildare lockdown lifts as 53 Covid-19 cases and no new deaths reported in the State

A further 53 Covid-19 cases were reported in the State , with no further deaths , NPHET confirmed on Monday evening .
This brings the total number of cases to 28,811 , while the total number of deaths remains at 1,777 .
In Northern Ireland , 58 new cases were reported by authorities and no further deaths .
Earlier , Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed a decision had been taken to lift local lockdown measures in Co Kildare .
Localised lockdown measures were announced for Counties Kildare , Laois and Offaly on August 7th .
Laois and Offaly emerged from lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place in Kildare .
Explaining the rationale for the Government ’ s decision to lift regional restrictions applying in Co Kildare , Dr Glynn said it was no longer proportionate to keep the measures in place given current trends .
The number of new cases in the county has falled from 238 in the first week of August to 75 last week , with its share of all cases nationally dropping from almost half to 10 per cent over this period The incidence of the disease in Kildare is still above the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the right direction , he said .
The willingness of people in the county to “ buy into ” the measures had protected them and their families , according to Dr Glynn .
Imposing the restrictions on meat plants in Kildare with outbreaks , instead of on the whole county , would not have worked , he said .
Kildare had suffered a “ dual peak ” of clusters , first in meat plants and then in households .
Family members of a child with suspected Covid-19 symptoms have to self-isolate while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health officials have advised .
However , it may take up to 72 hours for the test results to arrive , they said .
GP Dr Sumi Dunne urged parents not to send their children to school when they are unwell “ outside of a blocked/runny nose ” and not to dose them with paracetamol .
“ Keep them at home , restrict your movements and make contact with your GP , ” she told a National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) briefing on Monday .
“ Until the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the child and the carer have to stay until they are fit to go back to school.
” The requirement to restrict one ’ s movements applies to all close contacts of the child - in effect , other family members - she clarified .
While the case numbers on Sunday and Monday have been low relative to recent weeks , Dr Glynn said it was too early to read anything into the trend .
“ This could go either way at this point but we are heartened by the apparent stabilisation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said too many people were wearing them “ under the chin or with their nose exposed ” .
This did not provide protection and could increase risk .
Face visors were acceptable but were “ not as good ” as face-coverings , he advised .
Of the new cases across the State , 28 were men and 25 women .
Three out of every four were in people aged under 45 years .
Some 27 of the 53 cases were associated with outbreaks or were close contacts of confirmed cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin accounted for 25 of the cases , Limerick for 11 , while the remaining 17 were located in Kildare , Longford , Clare , Cork , Kerry , Laois , Meath , Roscommon , Tipperary and Westmeath .
There are 35 Covid-19 patients in hospital at present including six in intensive care .
Nphet also reported 22 new cases in the Roma community , six in direct provision and two among the homeless .
Referring to Kildare , Mr Martin tweeted at 4.18pm on Monday : “ Today ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kildare was only possible because of the people of Kildare - their extra effort , their sacrifices and their patience .
“ And it worked .
Numbers in Kildare are now similar to rest of country .
We must all stay vigilant.
” Business and political leaders in the county were told of the decision earlier on Monday .
A Government statement confirmed the Kildare lockdown “ will be lifted with immediate effect ” and public health measures in the county will be aligned with those introduced nationally on August 18th .
NPHET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Kildare , confirming that it continues to improve and is now broadly similar to that across the country .
“ As the epidemiological situation both nationally and in Kildare are broadly similar , there is no longer a rationale for a differentiated approach between Kildare and the rest of the country , ” the statement added .
Kildare Chamber of Commerce chief executive Allan Shine said earlier he had been told today by Government that the measures would be lifted this evening .
Meanwhile , senior health sources confirmed that the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had decided to recommend lifting the measures , and the matter was discussed by an incorporeal Cabinet meeting today .
“ The news of the lifting of the lockdown will be very welcome to business community in Kildare ; cashflow remains a concern for those in the tourism , hospitality and retail sectors , ” Mr Shine said .
“ The conversation must start now about how we live with Covid and work alongside Covid until a vaccine is found , ” he said , adding that a promised Government plan on living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because business can ’ t live with any more restrictions ” .
Government backbencher James Lawless , Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North , welcomed the development , saying it was a “ relief and reward for the people of Kildare ” .
“ Two weeks ago we had incidence rates here that were among the highest in Europe .
Now that has been suppressed and we have stopped the virus .
It is a huge relief to the people of Kildare who have lived through three lockdowns in rapid succession and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Earlier , a Kildare county councillor claimed he had received confirmation that the county lockdown aimed at combatting a spike in Covid-19 cases would be lifted on Monday night .
Robert Power , who represents Fianna Fáil in Naas , posted on Facebook on Monday afternoon : “ I ’ ve just had confirmation that Government has decided to lift additional restriction measures on Kildare .
“ We ’ re not out of the woods yet and our numbers remain high but thanks to the extra sacrifices made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have been a very substantial wave of fatalities has been curtailed .
“ This is great news in a week where thousands of excited children finally get to return to some sort of normality .
Let ’ s keep our efforts up for them !
”

Explaining the rationale for the Government’s decision to lift regional restrictions applying in Co Kildare, Dr Glynn said it was no longer proportionate to keep the measures in place given current trends. Video: RTE
A further 53 Covid-19 cases were reported in the State, with no further deaths, NPHET confirmed on Monday evening.
This brings the total number of cases to 28,811, while the total number of deaths remains at 1,777.
In Northern Ireland, 58 new cases were reported by authorities and no further deaths.
I am delighted that today we can lift the extra public health measures in Kildare. I am aware that it has been a difficult time for people and businesses in Kildare. Their efforts have saved lives in their communities and across the country. 1/2 — Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 31, 2020
Today’s decision to lift the additional Covid restrictions on County Kildare was only possible because of the people of Kildare - their extra effort, their sacrifices and their patience. And it worked. Numbers in Kildare now similar to rest of country. We must all stay vigilant. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 31, 2020
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed a decision had been taken to lift local lockdown measures in Co Kildare.
READ MORE
Localised lockdown measures were announced for Counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly on August 7th. Laois and Offaly emerged from lockdown on August 21st but strict restrictions remained in place in Kildare.
Explaining the rationale for the Government’s decision to lift regional restrictions applying in Co Kildare, Dr Glynn said it was no longer proportionate to keep the measures in place given current trends.
The number of new cases in the county has falled from 238 in the first week of August to 75 last week, with its share of all cases nationally dropping from almost half to 10 per cent over this period
The incidence of the disease in Kildare is still above the national average but the trajectory is moving in the right direction, he said.
The willingness of people in the county to “buy into” the measures had protected them and their families, according to Dr Glynn.
Imposing the restrictions on meat plants in Kildare with outbreaks, instead of on the whole county, would not have worked, he said. Kildare had suffered a “dual peak” of clusters, first in meat plants and then in households.
Family members of a child with suspected Covid-19 symptoms have to self-isolate while the child is awaiting a test, public health officials have advised.
However, it may take up to 72 hours for the test results to arrive, they said.
GP Dr Sumi Dunne urged parents not to send their children to school when they are unwell “outside of a blocked/runny nose” and not to dose them with paracetamol.
“Keep them at home, restrict your movements and make contact with your GP,” she told a National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) briefing on Monday.
“Until the child’s symptoms have resolved, both the child and the carer have to stay until they are fit to go back to school.”
The requirement to restrict one’s movements applies to all close contacts of the child - in effect, other family members - she clarified.
While the case numbers on Sunday and Monday have been low relative to recent weeks, Dr Glynn said it was too early to read anything into the trend.
“This could go either way at this point but we are heartened by the apparent stabilisation in numbers in recent days.”
On face-coverings, he said too many people were wearing them “under the chin or with their nose exposed”. This did not provide protection and could increase risk.
Face visors were acceptable but were “not as good” as face-coverings, he advised.
Of the new cases across the State, 28 were men and 25 women. Three out of every four were in people aged under 45 years.
Some 27 of the 53 cases were associated with outbreaks or were close contacts of confirmed cases, while 14 cases involved community transmission.
Dublin accounted for 25 of the cases, Limerick for 11, while the remaining 17 were located in Kildare, Longford, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Laois, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath.
There are 35 Covid-19 patients in hospital at present including six in intensive care.
Nphet also reported 22 new cases in the Roma community, six in direct provision and two among the homeless.
Referring to Kildare, Mr Martin tweeted at 4.18pm on Monday: “Today’s decision to lift the additional Covid restrictions on County Kildare was only possible because of the people of Kildare - their extra effort, their sacrifices and their patience.
“And it worked. Numbers in Kildare are now similar to rest of country. We must all stay vigilant.”
Business and political leaders in the county were told of the decision earlier on Monday.
A Government statement confirmed the Kildare lockdown “will be lifted with immediate effect” and public health measures in the county will be aligned with those introduced nationally on August 18th.
NPHET met earlier and reviewed the epidemiological situation in Kildare, confirming that it continues to improve and is now broadly similar to that across the country.
“As the epidemiological situation both nationally and in Kildare are broadly similar, there is no longer a rationale for a differentiated approach between Kildare and the rest of the country,” the statement added.
Kildare Chamber of Commerce chief executive Allan Shine said earlier he had been told today by Government that the measures would be lifted this evening.
Meanwhile, senior health sources confirmed that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) had decided to recommend lifting the measures, and the matter was discussed by an incorporeal Cabinet meeting today.
“The news of the lifting of the lockdown will be very welcome to business community in Kildare; cashflow remains a concern for those in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors,” Mr Shine said.
“The conversation must start now about how we live with Covid and work alongside Covid until a vaccine is found,” he said, adding that a promised Government plan on living beside Covid should be launched immediately “because business can’t live with any more restrictions”.
Government backbencher James Lawless, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, welcomed the development, saying it was a “relief and reward for the people of Kildare”.
“Two weeks ago we had incidence rates here that were among the highest in Europe. Now that has been suppressed and we have stopped the virus. It is a huge relief to the people of Kildare who have lived through three lockdowns in rapid succession and made huge sacrifices, both personally and commercially,” he said.
Earlier, a Kildare county councillor claimed he had received confirmation that the county lockdown aimed at combatting a spike in Covid-19 cases would be lifted on Monday night.
Robert Power, who represents Fianna Fáil in Naas, posted on Facebook on Monday afternoon: “I’ve just had confirmation that Government has decided to lift additional restriction measures on Kildare.
“We’re not out of the woods yet and our numbers remain high but thanks to the extra sacrifices made by the people of Kildare, what could have been a very substantial wave of fatalities has been curtailed.
“This is great news in a week where thousands of excited children finally get to return to some sort of normality. Let’s keep our efforts up for them!”


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Trial of man accused of murder in a Limerick bar begins

A 43-year-old man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of stabbing another man to death in a Limerick bar after a row over payment for cocaine .
Evidence will be given that the accused admitted to gardaí that he stabbed the deceased but said he had acted in self-defence out of concern he was going to be attacked as he was not from that part of Limerick city .
Mark Crawford with an address at Quarry Road , Thomondgate , Co Limerick has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patrick O ’ Connor ( 24 ) at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Limerick city between July 7th and July 8th , 2018 .
In his opening address , prosecuting counsel John Fitzgerald SC said the court will hear evidence that this incident happened in a bar on the north-side of Limerick city shortly before midnight on July 7th , 2018 .
Outlining the facts of the case , Mr Fitzgerald said that Mr Crawford and Mr O ’ Connor knew each other “ to some extent ” because it appeared that the accused man had recently moved to the area to live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court that both men had met in a betting shop on the day before the incident before going to Fitzgerald ’ s Bar with Mr Crawford ’ s sister .
The three individuals had a few drinks in the bar until 9.30pm and then went back to the home of Mr Crawford ’ s sister and continued to drink there into the early hours of the morning , said Mr Fitzgerald .
The lawyer indicated to the jury that Mr O ’ Connor left the house at 2am that morning and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Crawford ’ s sister had “ some romantic involvement ” during the night .
A dispute between Mr O ’ Connor and Mr Crawford was heard by the neighbours the next day but “ whatever this dispute was , it did not prevent both men going back to Fitzgerald ’ s Bar on Saturday afternoon and drinking on and off from there , ” said the lawyer .
There will be evidence , counsel said , that Mr Crawford and Mr O ’ Connor were joined by a third man that evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the circumstances of the deceased ’ s death , Mr Fitzgerald said eye-witnesses in the bar heard “ a sudden commotion ” shortly before midnight and turned around to see Mr Crawford repeatedly punching Mr O ’ Connor , who fell to the ground .
Mr Crawford left the pub immediately and witnesses in the bar went to Mr O ’ Connor ’ s assistance .
“ It seemed Mr O ’ Connor was stabbed as he was bleeding profusely from his neck and was unconscious , ” said Mr Fitzgerald .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limerick University Hospital but never regained consciousness and died before 1am , said the barrister .
Mr Fitzgerald said the postmortem revealed that two of the stab wounds to Mr O ’ Connor were fatal , one to the neck and the other to the heart .
Gardaí were called to Fitzgerald ’ s Bar and commenced their investigation which involved them looking at CCTV footage in which Mr Crawford was quickly identified , he said .
The court will also hear evidence , the lawyer said , that Mr Crawford was brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister and wife on the night .
The following morning , the accused man was brought to Nenagh by his wife where he stayed in a hotel before surrendering himself to gardaí the next day .
During his interviews with gardaí , Mr Fitzgerald said the defendant admitted stabbing Mr O ’ Connor but said he did it in self-defence .
Mr Crawford told detectives that he had become concerned during the day with Mr O ’ Connor that he was going to be attacked as he was not from that part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of young people in the bar had given him a small flick-knife in case he was attacked , said counsel , adding that this knife was never found .
One of the eye-witnesses will say that they saw a “ bit of a niggle ” or some form of argument develop between Mr Crawford and Mr O ’ Connor on the night over payment for cocaine .
“ They had been taking cocaine together and Mr O ’ Connor was aggrieved that he had paid €100 for cocaine , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was in fear that he was going to be attacked when the argument developed between him and the deceased so he took out the knife and stabbed Mr O ’ Connor , said the barrister .
Mr Crawford told detectives he did not know how many times he had stabbed the deceased and it could have been three or four times , explained counsel .
“ He said he did not know where he had stabbed Mr O ’ Connor on his body and said he did not mean to kill him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” indicated Mr Fitzgerald .
The court will finally hear evidence , Mr Fitzgerald said , that Mr Crawford expressed considerable regret and remorse in his interviews with gardaí .
“ Ultimately , the net issue is whether or not you are satisfied that when Mr Crawford stabbed Mr O ’ Connor , he did so in self-defence or not , ” said the lawyer .
Mr Fitzgerald explained that the State ’ s case was that stabbing a person in these circumstances would never amount to self-defence .
The trial continues this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a jury of 11 men and one woman .
It is expected to last two weeks .

Evidence will be given that the accused admitted to gardaí that he stabbed the deceased but said he had acted in self-defence. File Photograph: Collins Court
A 43-year-old man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of stabbing another man to death in a Limerick bar after a row over payment for cocaine.
Evidence will be given that the accused admitted stabbing the deceased to gardai but said he had acted in self-defence out of concern he was going to be attacked as he was not from that part of Limerick city.
Mark Crawford with an address at Quarry Road, Thomondgate, Co Limerick has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patrick O'Connor (24) at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, in Limerick city between July 7th and July 8th, 2018.
In his opening address, prosecuting counsel John Fitzgerald SC said the court will hear evidence that this incident happened in a bar on the north-side of Limerick city shortly before midnight on July 7th, 2018.
READ MORE
Outlining the facts of the case, Mr Fitzgerald said that Mr Crawford and Mr O’Connor knew each other “to some extent” because it appeared that the accused man had recently moved to the area to live in Limerick city.
The prosecution barrister told the court that both men had met in a betting shop on the day before the incident before going to Fitzgerald’s Bar with Mr Crawford’s sister.
The three individuals had a few drinks in the bar until 9.30pm and then went back to the home of Mr Crawford’s sister and continued to drink there into the early hours of the morning, said Mr Fitzgerald.
The lawyer indicated to the jury that Mr O’Connor left the house at 2am that morning and there is some suggestion that the deceased and Mr Crawford’s sister had “some romantic involvement” during the night.
A dispute between Mr O’Connor and Mr Crawford was heard by the neighbours the next day but “whatever this dispute was, it did not prevent both men going back to Fitzgerald’s Bar on Saturday afternoon and drinking on and off from there,” said the lawyer.
There will be evidence, counsel said, that Mr Crawford and Mr O’Connor were joined by a third man that evening and they all drank together.
Outlining the circumstances of the deceased’s death, Mr Fitzgerald said eye-witnesses in the bar heard “a sudden commotion” shortly before midnight and turned around to see Mr Crawford repeatedly punching Mr O’Connor, who fell to the ground. Mr Crawford left the pub immediately and witnesses in the bar went to Mr O’Connor’s assistance.
“It seemed Mr O’Connor was stabbed as he was bleeding profusely from his neck and was unconscious,” said Mr Fitzgerald.
Mr O’Connor was immediately taken to Limerick University Hospital but never regained consciousness and died before 1am, said the barrister.
Mr Fitzgerald said the postmortem revealed that two of the stab wounds to Mr O’Connor were fatal, one to the neck and the other to the heart.
Gardaí were called to Fitzgerald’s Bar and commenced their investigation which involved them looking at CCTV footage in which Mr Crawford was quickly identified, he said.
The court will also hear evidence, the lawyer said, that Mr Crawford was brought about 15km outside Limerick city by his sister and wife on the night. The following morning, the accused man was brought to Nenagh by his wife where he stayed in a hotel before surrendering himself to gardaí the next day.
During his interviews with gardaí, Mr Fitzgerald said the defendant admitted stabbing Mr O’Connor but said he did it in self-defence. Mr Crawford told detectives that he had become concerned during the day with Mr O’Connor that he was going to be attacked as he was not from that part of Limerick. The accused told gardai that a group of young people in the bar had given him a small flick-knife in case he was attacked, said counsel, adding that this knife was never found.
One of the eye-witnesses will say that they saw a “bit of a niggle” or some form of argument develop between Mr Crawford and Mr O’Connor on the night over payment for cocaine. “They had been taking cocaine together and Mr O’Connor was aggrieved that he had paid €100 for cocaine,” said Mr Fitzgerald.
Mr Crawford told gardaí he was in fear that he was going to be attacked when the argument developed between him and the deceased so he took out the knife and stabbed Mr O’Connor, said the barrister.
Mr Crawford told detectives he did not know how many times he had stabbed the deceased and it could have been three or four times, explained counsel.
“He said he did not know where he had stabbed Mr O’Connor on his body and said he did not mean to kill him and this was not his intention,” indicated Mr Fitzgerald.
The court will finally hear evidence, Mr Fitzgerald said, that Mr Crawford expressed considerable regret and remorse in his interviews with gardaí. “Ultimately, the net issue is whether or not you are satisfied that when Mr Crawford stabbed Mr O’Connor, he did so in self-defence or not,” said the lawyer.
Mr Fitzgerald explained that the State’s case was that stabbing a person in these circumstances would never amount to self-defence.
Giving evidence on Tuesday afternoon, Terence Roche told Mr Fitzgerald that he was working on a part-time basis doing stocktaking in Fitzgerald’s Bar in July 2018.
Mr Roche said Mr O’Connor came into the bar on his own at about 11.30am on July 8th and Mr Crawford arrived around 4.30pm.
Mr Roche testified that Mr O’Connor came up to him later that night and said that he had given somebody €100.
When asked by Mr Fitzgerald why Mr O’Connor had given this person €100, Mr Roche replied: “At the time I didn’t know but then I heard it was for coke”.
The witness said Mr O’Connor was in great form on the night.
Under cross-examination, Mr Roche told defence counsel Patrick McGrath SC that Mr Crawford, Mr O’Connor and another man were sitting at the bottom of the bar near the door that night.
Mr Roche agreed with counsel that he told gardaí shortly after the incident that Mr O’Connor had given €100 to Mr Crawford to get cocaine “and he got nothing”. Mr Roche agreed that he did not know Mr Crawford before this.
In re-examination, Mr Roche told Mr Fitzgerald that the deceased was upset over the €100 and he had told Mr O’Connor to relax.
The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Tara Burns and a jury of 11 men and one woman. It is expected to last two weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Covid-19: Sports clubs and restaurant in Skerries close temporarily

Several sports clubs and a restaurant in a town in North Co Dublin have ceased activity due to a rising number of confirmed Covid-19 cases among the local community .
There has been an increase in the incidences of test-positive coronavirus cases in the coastal town of Skerries , according to local residents .
The local GAA club , hockey club and soccer club have temporarily closed , as has a popular restaurant on the harbour , Blue Bar .
In a statement , the Blue Bar stated that it temporarily closed its doors after a member of staff tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The restaurant said they “ did not have to close ” but “ in the interest of public safety we are taking no chances ” .
“ From the outset maintaining the health and safety of our customers and staff has been our overriding concern , ” the restaurant said .
“ We have made every effort to ensure the public health guidelines are thoroughly followed , with all staff members wearing visors and continual sanitising undertaken throughout the premises.
” Blue Bar said it has contacted the authorities to inform them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all health measures .
“ We have also asked all members of staff who worked with the individual who has contracted Covid-19 to self-isolate and to get tested , ” it added .
“ We will always put safety first and we will continue to keep our customers and staff informed.
” Meanwhile , Skerries Harps GAA club said it has made the decision to cease club activity , with immediate effect , due to a number of its players being identified as “ potential close contacts ” .
“ On Saturday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of potential close contacts to a confirmed Covid-19 case in the town .
On Saturday evening the decision was made to cancel an adult camogie training session scheduled for Sunday morning , ” the club said in a statement .
“ As Sunday progressed , the club became aware of further potential close contacts in the adult ladies football/camogie sections , leading us to cancel activities in both sections immediately.
” The club executive met virtually on Monday , and decided to close all sections of the club “ pending Covid-19 test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While this is a difficult decision , we believe it is in the interests of our members , our players and the Skerries community as a whole , ” Skerries Harps said .
“ The club have [ SIC ] followed all HSE , Government and GAA guidelines in the past few days and will continue to do so in the future.
” Skerries Town Football club said “ in light of recent events in Skerries ” they have postponed all club activities “ until further information is made available for the club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the decision is a “ precautionary measure ” and that there are “ no suspected Covid-19 cases in the club ” .
In a statement on social media , Skerries hockey club said “ after careful consideration ” , the club ’ s committee has decided to call a suspension to all hockey training “ until further notice ” .
“ Skerries Hockey Club would urge all our players and members to stay safe and please adhere to the Government guidelines , ” the club said .
“ We will notify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Local Green Party councillor Karen Power said there has been a “ reported increase in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Skerries in the last few days ” .
“ I would encourage everyone to take extra precautions over the coming days and check in with the more vulnerable members of our communities , ” she added .

There has been an increase in the number coronavirus cases in the coastal town of Skerries, according to local residents. Photograph: iStock
Several sports clubs and a restaurant in a town in North Co Dublin have ceased activity due to a rising number of confirmed Covid-19 cases among the local community.
There has been an increase in the incidences of test-positive coronavirus cases in the coastal town of Skerries, according to local residents.
The local GAA club, hockey club and soccer club have temporarily closed, as has a popular restaurant on the harbour, Blue Bar.
In a statement, the Blue Bar stated that it temporarily closed its doors after a member of staff tested positive for the virus on Monday night.
READ MORE
The restaurant said they “did not have to close” but “in the interest of public safety we are taking no chances”.
“From the outset maintaining the health and safety of our customers and staff has been our overriding concern,” the restaurant said.
“We have made every effort to ensure the public health guidelines are thoroughly followed, with all staff members wearing visors and continual sanitising undertaken throughout the premises.”
Blue Bar said it has contacted the authorities to inform them of the test, and are following all health measures.
“We have also asked all members of staff who worked with the individual who has contracted Covid-19 to self-isolate and to get tested,” it added.
“We will always put safety first and we will continue to keep our customers and staff informed.”
Meanwhile, Skerries Harps GAA club said it has made the decision to cease club activity, with immediate effect, due to a number of its players being identified as “potential close contacts”.
“On Saturday afternoon, the club became aware of a number of potential close contacts to a confirmed Covid-19 case in the town. On Saturday evening the decision was made to cancel an adult camogie training session scheduled for Sunday morning,” the club said in a statement.
“As Sunday progressed, the club became aware of further potential close contacts in the adult ladies football/camogie sections, leading us to cancel activities in both sections immediately.”
The club executive met virtually on Monday, and decided to close all sections of the club “pending Covid-19 test results in the town”.
“While this is a difficult decision, we believe it is in the interests of our members, our players and the Skerries community as a whole,” Skerries Harps said.
“The club have [SIC]followed all HSE, Government and GAA guidelines in the past few days and will continue to do so in the future.”
Skerries Town Football club said “in light of recent events in Skerries” they have postponed all club activities “until further information is made available for the club to further assess”.
The club added that the decision is a “precautionary measure” and that there are “no suspected Covid-19 cases in the club”.
In a statement on social media, Skerries hockey club said “after careful consideration”, the club’s committee has decided to call a suspension to all hockey training “until further notice”.
“Skerries Hockey Club would urge all our players and members to stay safe and please adhere to the Government guidelines ,” the club said. “We will notify you of any changes as they occur.”
Local Green Party councillor Karen Power said there has been a "reported increase in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Skerries in the last few days".
“ I would encourage everyone to take extra precautions over the coming days and check in with the more vulnerable members of our communities,” she added.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Class sent home from Dublin school after positive Covid-19 test

A class has been sent home from a Dublin primary school following a confirmed case of coronavirus in recent days .
In correspondence sent to parents the school stated “ there has been a positive Covid-19 case with a pupil in your class ” .
The school is located in the south west of Dublin .
The coronavirus case had been “ contracted outside of school , ” and sending the class of the pupil home was a “ precautionary measure , ” the school said .
The pupils in the affected class were directed to remain at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public health officials would be making contact with parents in the next 48 hours , the email said .
Parents were advised if children who had been in the class began to show symptoms of coronavirus they should contact a GP .
The email to parents said siblings of any pupils in the affected class “ may still come to school unless symptomatic or otherwise directed by public health.
” In another email to parents , the school said it “ continues its enhanced cleaning and the particular classroom has been deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines schools are not required to contact parents if there has been a confirmed case , with public health teams to inform the “ close contacts ” of the pupil or staff member of their need to self-isolate while awaiting testing .
The correspondence from the school said it was informing all parents of the confirmed case “ in keeping with our policy of open communication ” .
“ Whilst we are informing parents of this first event , we will not be informing of each individual further cases unless instructed by public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school said .

Under HSE guidelines schools are not required to contact parents if there has been a confirmed Covid-19 case. Photograph: iStock
A class has been sent home from a Dublin primary school following a confirmed case of coronavirus in recent days.
In correspondence sent to parents the school stated “there has been a positive Covid-19 case with a pupil in your class”. The school is located in the south west of Dublin.
The coronavirus case had been “contracted outside of school,” and sending the class of the pupil home was a “precautionary measure,” the school said.
The pupils in the affected class were directed to remain at home and restrict their movements for 14 days, and public health officials would be making contact with parents in the next 48 hours, the email said.
READ MORE
Parents were advised if children who had been in the class began to show symptoms of coronavirus they should contact a GP.
The email to parents said siblings of any pupils in the affected class “may still come to school unless symptomatic or otherwise directed by public health.”
In another email to parents, the school said it “continues its enhanced cleaning and the particular classroom has been deep cleaned”.
Under HSE guidelines schools are not required to contact parents if there has been a confirmed case, with public health teams to inform the “close contacts” of the pupil or staff member of their need to self-isolate while awaiting testing.
The correspondence from the school said it was informing all parents about the confirmed case “in keeping with our policy of open communication”.
“Whilst we are informing parents of this first event, we will not be informing of each individual further cases unless instructed by public health to do so,” the school said.
The school told parents it was “inevitable” that cases of the virus would occur in schools, as they reopened across the country in recent days.
Family members of a child with suspected Covid-19 symptoms have to self-isolate while the child is awaiting a test. However, this requirement would not extend to other children in the class sent home from the school, unless they begin to display symptoms.
Guidelines
Under current HSE guidelines all pupils in a class will not automatically be referred for testing if there is a confirmed coronavirus case.
The number of students in a class deemed “close contacts” of pupils who test positive for Covid-19 and referred for testing will be “variable” to each classroom and school, HSE guidance states.
In primary schools, where students are divided into smaller groups called “pods,” it is likely the other students in a pod would be deemed “close contacts” of a case. However, students in other pods in the classroom would not be, and as such would not be referred for testing.
Pupils in the class sent home from the south-west Dublin primary school will only be referred for testing if they are deemed “close contacts” of the positive case by public health teams.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is understood to be considering introducing new, less invasive tests for children, as more cases and clusters are expected in schools in the coming weeks.
The alternative tests would see swabs being taken from inside the cheek and nostril. It is understood the matter is still under discussion and it would be a number of weeks before NPHET make a decision on it.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Wet but mild weather forecast for first week of September

Wet , unsettled weather is expected to hit the country from Tuesday evening but temperatures will remain mild throughout the first week of September .
Met Éireann has forecast outbreaks of rain in the west and northwest of the country late on Tuesday which will spread eastwards through the night .
The rain will become persistent overnight with some very heavy bursts , especially in the northern half of the country , with a risk of spot flooding , On Wednesday , the heavy rain will continue in the east but conditions will become drier in western counties .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning with most rain due to have cleared by lunchtime .
The wet weather will return to the northwest during the afternoon and evening , with highest temperatures ranging between 17 to 21 degrees Celsius .
Temperatures will drop slightly to between 17 and 18 degrees on Thursday with continued showers and some sunny spells .
Friday and Saturday will also see sunny spells and showers , with most of the wet weather in the west , according to the forecaster .
The latest indicators suggest a ridge of high pressure will build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Met Éireann .
There are currently no weather warnings in place but Met Éireann did issue a small craft marine warning at 5am on Tuesday with southerly winds occasionally reaching force 6 or higher .
A series of weather warnings were issued in August when Storm Francis and Storm Ellen hit the country leaving nearly 200,000 homes and businesses without power .
The storms also resulted in flooding in many parts with Co Cork particularly badly hit .
Met Éireann said at the time that the arrival of storms in August was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hurricane Charlie hit the country at the same time of year in 1986 .
Storm Aiden will be the first storm to blow across Ireland and the UK this winter , according to the latest list of storm names announced by Met Éireann , the UK Met Office and the Dutch national weather forecasting service on Tuesday .
Bella , Gavin , Julia , Minnie , Oscar , Ravi , Saidhbhín and Wilson also feature on the list of names for 2020-21 which was compiled from names suggested by the public to reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A juvenile herring gull enjoys a biscuit in St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, on Sunday. This week’s weather is set to be wet. Photograph: Tom Honan
Wet, unsettled weather is expected to hit the country from Tuesday evening but temperatures will remain mild throughout the first week of September.
Met Éireann has forecast outbreaks of rain in the west and northwest of the country late on Tuesday which will spread eastwards through the night. The rain will become persistent overnight with some very heavy bursts, especially in the northern half of the country, with a risk of spot flooding,
On Wednesday, the heavy rain will continue in the east but conditions will become drier in western counties. This dry weather will extend eastwards through the morning with most rain due to have cleared by lunchtime. The wet weather will return to the northwest during the afternoon and evening, with highest temperatures ranging between 17 to 21 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures will drop slightly to between 17 and 18 degrees on Thursday with continued showers and some sunny spells. Friday and Saturday will also see sunny spells and showers, with most of the wet weather in the west, according to the forecaster.
READ MORE
The latest indicators suggest a ridge of high pressure will build on Sunday bringing mainly dry weather, said Met Éireann.
There are currently no weather warnings in place but Met Éireann did issue a small craft marine warning at 5am on Tuesday with southerly winds occasionally reaching force 6 or higher.
A series of weather warnings were issued in August when Storm Francis and Storm Ellen hit the country leaving nearly 200,000 homes and businesses without power. The storms also resulted in flooding in many parts with Co Cork particularly badly hit.
Met Éireann said at the time that the arrival of storms in August was unusual but not unprecedented, noting that Hurricane Charlie hit the country at the same time of year in 1986.
Storm Aiden will be the first storm to blow across Ireland and the UK this winter, according to the latest list of storm names announced by Met Éireann, the UK Met Office and the Dutch national weather forecasting service on Tuesday.
Bella, Gavin, Julia, Minnie, Oscar, Ravi, Saidhbhín and Wilson also feature on the list of names for 2020-21 which was compiled from names suggested by the public to reflect the diversity of the three nations.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Male cyclist (20s) seriously injured after hit by car

A cyclist ( 20s ) was seriously injured when he was struck by a car in Dublin on Monday night .
Gardaí said the car failed to remain at the scene and are appealing for witnesses .
The male cyclist was struck by the car at about 10.30pm on North Wall Quay .
He was taken by ambulance to the Mater Hospital .
The scene was examined by Garda investigators , and the road has reopened .
The car understood to have been involved was recovered at Castleforbes Square a short time later by gardaí .
No arrests have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman said .
Gardaí are appealing in particular to anyone who was in the area of the North Wall Quay , North Wall Avenue , East Wall Road , Sheriff Street Upper , Castleforbes Road or Castleforbes Square between 10.15pm and 10.30pm to come forward .
They are also appealing to road users with camera footage , such as a dash-cam , from the area at the time .
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Store Street Garda station 01 6668000 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 @ @

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a Dublin crash involving a car and a cyclist. File photograph: The Irish Times
A cyclist (20s) was seriously injured when he was struck by a car in Dublin on Monday night.
Gardaí said the car failed to remain at the scene and are appealing for witnesses .
The male cyclist was struck by the car at about 10.30pm on North Wall Quay. He was taken by ambulance to the Mater Hospital.
The scene was examined by Garda investigators, and the road has reopened.
READ MORE
The car understood to have been involved was recovered at Castleforbes Square a short time later by gardaí.
No arrests have been, enquires are ongoing, a garda spokesman said.
Gardaí are appealing in particular to anyone who was in the area of the North Wall Quay, North Wall Avenue, East Wall Road, Sheriff Street Upper, Castleforbes Road or Castleforbes Square between 10.15pm and 10.30pm to come forward.
They are also appealing to road users with camera footage, such as a dash-cam, from the area at the time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Store Street Garda station 01 6668000 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Ronan Glynn: People aren’t wearing their face masks properly

Acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn has warned members of the public that wearing face coverings incorrectly could possibly increase their risk of contracting Covid-19 .
Face coverings are now mandatory in various settings , including on public transport and in retail outlets .
Speaking at the National Public Health Emergency Team briefing on Monday night , Dr Glynn said while compliance with the regulations of face masks was high , many people were wearing them incorrectly .
“ If you are wearing them , wear them properly .
We ’ re seeing far too many people walking around with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re seeing many people with their nose exposed , ” Dr Glynn said .
“ Neither of those things provide protection and may increase the risk.
” Dr Glynn added that Nphet is “ delighted ” to see so many people wearing face masks where appropriate , but requested that they look at the guidance or HSE videos on the correct way to wear them The acting CMO also said it is better to wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose than wearing a visor .
Asked about workers in food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glynn said the official guidance is that visors are “ an acceptable alternative but they ’ re not as good as a face covering ” .
“ The simple message is : if possible , wear a face covering rather than a face visor .
There will of course be scenarios where people can only wear a face visor and in those scenarios obviously that ’ s acceptable , ” he added .
According to the HSE guidance on face masks , a cloth face covering should cover the nose and go under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear loops .
The cloth covering should include at least two layers of fabric and allow for breathing without restriction , health officials say .
You should also wash your hands before and after putting on or taking off a face mask .
Unused face coverings should be held in a sealable waterproof bag , like a ziplock , and a second similar type bag should be carried for used face coverings .
The face coverings should be washed daily in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detergent .
If using a washing machine , you should be able to wash and machine dry it without damage or change to shape .

According to the HSE guidance on face masks, a cloth face covering should cover the nose and go under the chin. Photograph: iStock
Acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn has warned members of the public that wearing face coverings incorrectly could possibly increase their risk of contracting Covid-19.
Face coverings are now mandatory in various settings, including on public transport and in retail outlets.
Speaking at the National Public Health Emergency Team briefing on Monday night, Dr Glynn said while compliance with the regulations of face masks was high, many people were wearing them incorrectly.
“If you are wearing them, wear them properly. We’re seeing far too many people walking around with them under their chin, we’re seeing many people with their nose exposed,” Dr Glynn said. “Neither of those things provide protection and may increase the risk.”
READ MORE
Dr Glynn added that Nphet is “delighted” to see so many people wearing face masks where appropriate, but requested that they look at the guidance or HSE videos on the correct way to wear them
The acting CMO also said it is better to wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose than wearing a visor.
Asked about workers in food and retail businesses wearing visors, Dr Glynn said the official guidance is that visors are “an acceptable alternative but they’re not as good as a face covering”.
“The simple message is: if possible, wear a face covering rather than a face visor. There will of course be scenarios where people can only wear a face visor and in those scenarios obviously that’s acceptable,” he added.
According to the HSE guidance on face masks, a cloth face covering should cover the nose and go under the chin.
It should fit snugly against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear loops. The cloth covering should include at least two layers of fabric and allow for breathing without restriction, health officials say.
You should also wash your hands before and after putting on or taking off a face mask.
Unused face coverings should be held in a sealable waterproof bag, like a ziplock, and a second similar type bag should be carried for used face coverings.
The face coverings should be washed daily in a hot wash over 60 degrees with detergent.
If using a washing machine, you should be able to wash and machine dry it without damage or change to shape.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--New list of names for storms in Ireland, UK and Netherlands announced

Aiden will be the first storm to blow in across Ireland and the UK this winter , according to the new list of names for this year ’ s strongest weather systems .
Bella , Gavin , Julia , Minnie , Oscar , Ravi , Saidhbhín and Wilson are among the storm names for 2020-21 announced by Met Éireann , the Met Office and Dutch national weather forecasting service the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute ( KNMI ) .
Now heading into its sixth year , the Name our Storms collaboration aims to raise awareness of the potential impact of severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list has been compiled from names suggested by the public which reflect the diversity of the three nations .
Others on the list include Christoph , Darcy , Evert , Fleur , Heulwen , Iain , Klaas , Lilah , Naia , Phoebe , Tobias and Veronica .
From September 1st , the first storm to hit the UK , Ireland and/or the Netherlands will be named Aiden , while the second storm will be Bella .
As in previous years , Q , U , X , Y and Z will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm-naming conventions .
Last week , Ireland was hit by Storm Francis , days after Storm Ellen struck .
Evelyn Cusack , head of forecasting at Met Eireann , said : “ This summer has closed with Storms Ellen and Francis bringing wet and windy weather to our shores .
“ As we begin the new storm season for 2020-21 , Met Éireann forecasters look forward to working in close co-operation with our colleagues in the UK and Netherlands by continuing to provide a clear and consistent message to the public , encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to themselves or to their property at times of severe weather.
” Will Lang , head of the national severe weather warning service at the Met Office , said : “ The impacts from Storm Ciara and Dennis earlier this year are still fresh in many people ’ s minds and although it ’ s too early to anticipate what weather this autumn and winter will bring , we are prepared with a new list of names to help raise awareness of severe weather before it hits.
” – PA

Swimmers enjoying the swell in Dublin Bay during Storm Francis at the end of August. Photograph: Alan Betson
Aiden will be the first storm to blow in across Ireland and the UK this winter, according to the new list of names for this year's strongest weather systems.
Bella, Gavin, Julia, Minnie, Oscar, Ravi, Saidhbhín and Wilson are among the storm names for 2020-21 announced by Met Éireann, the Met Office and Dutch national weather forecasting service the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI).
Now heading into its sixth year, the Name our Storms collaboration aims to raise awareness of the potential impact of severe weather before it arrives.
The 2020-21 list has been compiled from names suggested by the public which reflect the diversity of the three nations.
READ MORE
Others on the list include Christoph, Darcy, Evert, Fleur, Heulwen, Iain, Klaas, Lilah, Naia, Phoebe, Tobias and Veronica.
From September 1st, the first storm to hit the UK, Ireland and/or the Netherlands will be named Aiden, while the second storm will be Bella.
As in previous years, Q, U, X, Y and Z will not be used, to comply with international storm-naming conventions.
Last week, Ireland was hit by Storm Francis, days after Storm Ellen struck.
Evelyn Cusack, head of forecasting at Met Eireann, said: “This summer has closed with Storms Ellen and Francis bringing wet and windy weather to our shores.
“As we begin the new storm season for 2020-21, Met Éireann forecasters look forward to working in close co-operation with our colleagues in the UK and Netherlands by continuing to provide a clear and consistent message to the public, encouraging people to take action to prevent harm to themselves or to their property at times of severe weather.”
Will Lang, head of the national severe weather warning service at the Met Office, said: “The impacts from Storm Ciara and Dennis earlier this year are still fresh in many people’s minds and although it’s too early to anticipate what weather this autumn and winter will bring, we are prepared with a new list of names to help raise awareness of severe weather before it hits.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Covid-19: Sport in Ireland linked to at least 55 cases in August

At least 55 cases of Covid-19 in August have been linked to some form of sporting activity , the Department of Health has said .
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre , which monitors outbreaks of the virus , says those who have been infected have had 365 close contacts , with each case generating an average of 6.6 close contacts .
Public health officials last night ruled out any immediate lifting of the ban on spectators at sporting events , which was imposed in mid-August .
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the focus for now was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next few weeks , after which other measures would be examined .
The GAA , which believes the measure will force spectators indoors to more risky environments , has asked officials to present the underlying evidence .
Although no meeting has taken place between the GAA and the National Public Health Emergency Team , Dr Glynn said he was happy to meet all sporting bodies .
Meanwhile , Cabinet is expected today to sign off on a plan to supply free flu vaccines to more than two million people .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being delayed due to problems relating to Covid-19 .
Doses for 1.4 million adults will be made available from mid-September .
For the first time , a mass vaccination of 600,000 children is planned , but this will not start until mid- to late October , it is understood .
This is close to the recommended timeline of within two weeks of the annual flu season .
With new figures showing Ireland ’ s incidence of Covid-19 higher than in Sweden , the UK , Germany and 14 other European countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s response in recent months .
With 30.6 cases per 100,000 population over the last fortnight , the incidence of the disease in Ireland is up to 12 times higher than it was two months ago , according to figures from the European Centre for Disease Control .
However , Dr Glynn denied that public health officials had “ taken their eye off the ball ” and put the surge down to an “ explosive ” and “ unusual ” growth in clusters with “ significant knock-on effects ” .
He admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing large clusters in Co Kildare but said these issue were being addressed and “ lessons have been learned ” .
Ireland was “ there with the best countries in Europe with testing ” , he insisted .
Businesses in Co Kildare yesterday welcomed the Government ’ s decision to lift restrictions imposed on the county last month following a steep rise in cases , initially linked to outbreaks in local meat processing plants .
The decision was made despite Kildare still having the highest incidence of any county in the Republic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further 53 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported by public health emergency team on Monday evening , and no new deaths .
Dublin accounted for 25 of the new cases and Limerick for 11 .
Dr Glynn said it was too early to read anything into the improvement seen in recent days but added that he was heartened by the “ apparent stabilisation ” in numbers .
Any review of the green list of countries from which travellers do not have to quarantine on arriving in Ireland , is a matter for Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency team has undertaken an internal review of its operations , according to Dr Glynn , and its role would be reviewed externally as part of the Government ’ s planned framework for tackling the disease .
The US yesterday surpassed six million cases of Covid-19 , including one million new infections in the past month .

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre says those who have been infected have had 365 close contacts, with each case generating an average of 6.6 close contacts. File photograph: The Irish Times
At least 55 cases of Covid-19 in August have been linked to some form of sporting activity, the Department of Health has said.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre, which monitors outbreaks of the virus, says those who have been infected have had 365 close contacts, with each case generating an average of 6.6 close contacts.
Public health officials last night ruled out any immediate lifting of the ban on spectators at sporting events, which was imposed in mid-August. Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the focus for now was on making the reopening of schools work over the next few weeks, after which other measures would be examined.
The GAA, which believes the measure will force spectators indoors to more risky environments, has asked officials to present the underlying evidence.
READ MORE
Although no meeting has taken place between the GAA and the National Public Health Emergency Team, Dr Glynn said he was happy to meet all sporting bodies.
Meanwhile, Cabinet is expected today to sign off on a plan to supply free flu vaccines to more than two million people.
However, the delivery to Ireland of flu jabs is being delayed due to problems relating to Covid-19.
Doses for 1.4 million adults will be made available from mid-September. For the first time, a mass vaccination of 600,000 children is planned, but this will not start until mid- to late October, it is understood. This is close to the recommended timeline of within two weeks of the annual flu season.
With new figures showing Ireland’s incidence of Covid-19 higher than in Sweden, the UK, Germany and 14 other European countries, Dr Glynn defended public health emergency team’s response in recent months.
Businesses in Co Kildare yesterday welcomed the Government's decision to lift restrictions imposed on the county last month
With 30.6 cases per 100,000 population over the last fortnight, the incidence of the disease in Ireland is up to 12 times higher than it was two months ago, according to figures from the European Centre for Disease Control.
However, Dr Glynn denied that public health officials had “taken their eye off the ball” and put the surge down to an “explosive” and “unusual” growth in clusters with “significant knock-on effects”.
He admitted there were “some delays” in testing large clusters in Co Kildare but said these issue were being addressed and “lessons have been learned”. Ireland was “there with the best countries in Europe with testing”, he insisted.
Businesses in Co Kildare yesterday welcomed the Government’s decision to lift restrictions imposed on the county last month following a steep rise in cases, initially linked to outbreaks in local meat processing plants.
‘Apparent stabilisation’
The decision was made despite Kildare still having the highest incidence of any county in the Republic, although the trend is downwards.
A further 53 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported by public health emergency team on Monday evening, and no new deaths. Dublin accounted for 25 of the new cases and Limerick for 11.
Dr Glynn said it was too early to read anything into the improvement seen in recent days but added that he was heartened by the “apparent stabilisation” in numbers.
Any review of the green list of countries from which travellers do not have to quarantine on arriving in Ireland, is a matter for Government, he said.
The public health emergency team has undertaken an internal review of its operations, according to Dr Glynn, and its role would be reviewed externally as part of the Government’s planned framework for tackling the disease.
The US yesterday surpassed six million cases of Covid-19, including one million new infections in the past month.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Golf dinner: Woulfe review to be shaped by international guidelines

A review into the attendance by Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe at the Oireachtas golf dinner is expected to be framed by international guidelines on judicial conduct , legal experts say .
In the absence of defined Irish rules on how judges should behave , with the Judicial Council Act still not fully commenced , former chief justice Susan Denham is expected to consider a United Nations code known as the Bangalore principles and rules in other countries with the common law system .
Ms Denham , a retired supreme court judge , has been asked to report to Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s decision to attend the August 19th dinner in Clifden .
The dinner , attended by more than 80 people , went ahead despite Covid-19 public health guidelines that limit indoor gatherings .
Ms Denham has been asked to consider any relevant codes of practice or guidelines and to make any recommendations on the attendance of Mr Justice Woulfe , a former attorney general , at the dinner .
Her review is expected to be completed in the coming weeks .
It will be a non-statutory review because the parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct have not yet been commenced .
The judicial conduct committee , created in July , has 12 months to set guidelines .
The Act defines judicial misconduct as behaviour that departs from acknowledged standards of conduct requiring judges to uphold and exemplify judicial independence , integrity and propriety , or conduct that brings the administration of justice into disrepute .
“ I think the way Ms Justice Denham will approach it is by asking the question of whether his conduct in any way compromised the administration of justice , ” said Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Limerick .
“ The question is : can someone continue as a judge if their conduct has brought the administration of justice into disrepute ?
She will have to use her own judgment in trying to assess the impact of public confidence on the administration of justice.
” The Bangalore principles , endorsed at the UN Human Rights Commission in 2003 , set an international guide on judicial ethics .
They say a judge should avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety in all their activities , and accept personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny .
They state that the behaviour and conduct of a judge “ must reaffirm the people ’ s faith in the integrity ” of the judiciary .
“ We do have some sense of what constitutes good judicial conduct here already – that wheel has already been invented , ” said Dr Rónán Kennedy , a lecturer in law at NUI Galway .
“ I wouldn ’ t be expecting her to break any new ground on what she considers to be best practice or appropriate standards for the judiciary .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wales , rules state that while judges are entitled to engage in social activities , they must accept that the nature of their office exposes them to considerable scrutiny and puts constraints on their behaviour .
“ Judges should avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office or might cast doubt upon their judicial impartiality , or which might expose them to charges of hypocrisy by reason of their private life , ” the regulations state .
Judges are urged to “ avoid any appearance of political ties ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says a judge “ should do nothing which could give rise to any suggestion of political partisanship ” , while the Canadian rules state that a judge should refrain from attendance at political gatherings .
Australia ’ s regulations say a judge , on appointment , should sever all ties with political parties , and an appearance of continuing ties , such as by attending political gatherings , should be avoided .
“ I am not sure Ms Justice Denham will be focusing so much on the administration of justice in the courtroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Woulfe ’ s ] conduct could give to an apprehension of bias or could be seen to draw the integrity of the judiciary into question , ” said Dr Kennedy .

A review into the attendance by Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe at the Oireachtas golf dinner is expected to be framed by international guidelines on judicial conduct, legal experts say.
In the absence of defined Irish rules on how judges should behave, with the Judicial Council Act still not fully commenced, former chief justice Susan Denham is expected to consider a United Nations code known as the Bangalore principles and rules in other countries with the common law system.
Ms Denham, a retired supreme court judge, has been asked to report to Chief Justice Frank Clarke on Mr Justice Woulfe's decision to attend the August 19th dinner in Clifden. The dinner, attended by more than 80 people, went ahead despite Covid-19 public health guidelines that limit indoor gatherings.
Ms Denham has been asked to consider any relevant codes of practice or guidelines and to make any recommendations on the attendance of Mr Justice Woulfe, a former attorney general, at the dinner.
READ MORE
Her review is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. It will be a non-statutory review because the parts of the Judicial Council Act that relate to judicial conduct have not yet been commenced. The judicial conduct committee, created in July, has 12 months to set guidelines.
The Act defines judicial misconduct as behaviour that departs from acknowledged standards of conduct requiring judges to uphold and exemplify judicial independence, integrity and propriety, or conduct that brings the administration of justice into disrepute.
Judges should avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office or might cast doubt upon their judicial impartiality
"I think the way Ms Justice Denham will approach it is by asking the question of whether his conduct in any way compromised the administration of justice," said Dr Laura Cahillane, a law lecturer at the University of Limerick.
“The question is: can someone continue as a judge if their conduct has brought the administration of justice into disrepute? She will have to use her own judgment in trying to assess the impact of public confidence on the administration of justice.”
Public scrutiny
The Bangalore principles, endorsed at the UN Human Rights Commission in 2003, set an international guide on judicial ethics. They say a judge should avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety in all their activities, and accept personal restrictions as a subject of constant public scrutiny.
They state that the behaviour and conduct of a judge “must reaffirm the people’s faith in the integrity” of the judiciary.
"We do have some sense of what constitutes good judicial conduct here already – that wheel has already been invented," said Dr Rónán Kennedy, a lecturer in law at NUI Galway. "I wouldn't be expecting her to break any new ground on what she considers to be best practice or appropriate standards for the judiciary. Those are well established internationally."
In England and Wales, rules state that while judges are entitled to engage in social activities, they must accept that the nature of their office exposes them to considerable scrutiny and puts constraints on their behaviour.
“Judges should avoid situations which might reasonably reduce respect for judicial office or might cast doubt upon their judicial impartiality, or which might expose them to charges of hypocrisy by reason of their private life,” the regulations state.
Judges are urged to “avoid any appearance of political ties” by attending political gatherings.
The Scottish guide says a judge “should do nothing which could give rise to any suggestion of political partisanship”, while the Canadian rules state that a judge should refrain from attendance at political gatherings.
Australia’s regulations say a judge, on appointment, should sever all ties with political parties, and an appearance of continuing ties, such as by attending political gatherings, should be avoided.
“I am not sure Ms Justice Denham will be focusing so much on the administration of justice in the courtroom as the extent to which [Mr Justice Woulfe’s] conduct could give to an apprehension of bias or could be seen to draw the integrity of the judiciary into question,” said Dr Kennedy.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Pessimism around Covid-19 infection and school return unfounded

Although some will be perturbed , there is nothing at all surprising in the news that a Dublin primary school has had to send a pupil home after a positive Covid-19 test .
Everyone from the Taoiseach down has warned this is an inevitability given the virus is circulating at a time when so many pupils are finally returning to school .
A distinction has to be made between an isolated case , as this so far appears to be , and a larger outbreak , though even these can involve as few as two cases .
A further distinction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that arise outside schools , in the community and infections that are passed on within the classroom .
Internationally , the vast majority of infections among schoolchildren have their origins outside the education system , usually involving parent-to-child transmission in the home .
If , as seems likely , this case follows this pattern , it means the school is no more “ responsible ” for the infection than the health service is for staff who contracted the virus while on holidays .
School outbreaks have not been a prominent feature of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no evidence to suggest children are a primary driver of transmission of the virus ( unlike flu ) .
They can become infected and spread the disease but there is no reason to believe schools are any different from any other communal environments in terms of the risk of spreading it .
Transmission rates for children are low , the Health Information and Quality Authority concluded last month after analysing the admittedly limited international evidence .
What matters now is how schools react to cases .
It does seem that principals across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usefully to prepare for reopening their classrooms in as safe a manner as possible .
Risk levels are being minimised through physical separation , staggered opening times , masks for teachers and older pupils , education about handwashing and other infection-control measures .
Though nothing is certain , the education system has given itself the best possible chance of minimising infection .
You mightn ’ t know this from much of the unduly pessimistic coverage of the reopening of the education system .
There were reports of 41 schools closing in Berlin due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsequent prompt reopening , or the fact that no more than 41 cases were involved , or that the schools affected accounted for less than 5 per cent of all schools in the city .
The fact is that children are least affected by Covid-19 and so long as infections are identified quickly – quicker testing would help – the impact of the virus on the classroom can be minimised .

Transition-year students at Mount Sackville in Chapelizod: Internationally, the vast majority of infections among schoolchildren usually involve parent-to-child transmission in the home. Photograph: Alan Betson
Although some will be perturbed, there is nothing at all surprising in the news that a Dublin primary school has had to send a pupil home after a positive Covid-19 test.
Everyone from the Taoiseach down has warned this is an inevitability given the virus is circulating at a time when so many pupils are finally returning to school.
A distinction has to be made between an isolated case, as this so far appears to be, and a larger outbreak, though even these can involve as few as two cases.
A further distinction should be made between cases involving pupils that arise outside schools, in the community and infections that are passed on within the classroom.
READ MORE
Internationally, the vast majority of infections among schoolchildren have their origins outside the education system, usually involving parent-to-child transmission in the home. If, as seems likely, this case follows this pattern, it means the school is no more “responsible” for the infection than the health service is for staff who contracted the virus while on holidays.
No evidence
School outbreaks have not been a prominent feature of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world and there is no evidence to suggest children are a primary driver of transmission of the virus (unlike flu).
They can become infected and spread the disease but there is no reason to believe schools are any different from any other communal environments in terms of the risk of spreading it. Transmission rates for children are low, the Health Information and Quality Authority concluded last month after analysing the admittedly limited international evidence.
What matters now is how schools react to cases. It does seem that principals across the country have used the summer months usefully to prepare for reopening their classrooms in as safe a manner as possible.
Physical separation
Risk levels are being minimised through physical separation, staggered opening times, masks for teachers and older pupils, education about handwashing and other infection-control measures. Though nothing is certain, the education system has given itself the best possible chance of minimising infection.
You mightn't know this from much of the unduly pessimistic coverage of the reopening of the education system. There were reports of 41 schools closing in Berlin due to outbreaks, but not of their subsequent prompt reopening, or the fact that no more than 41 cases were involved, or that the schools affected accounted for less than 5 per cent of all schools in the city.
The fact is that children are least affected by Covid-19 and so long as infections are identified quickly – quicker testing would help – the impact of the virus on the classroom can be minimised.