theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Ask Brian: Will Leaving Cert exams take account of Covid?

My daughter is worried that she missed out on coursework in fifth year when schools closed between March and June .
What changes are being made to the curriculum to accommodate this year group ?
Next summer ’ s Leaving Cert exams will look largely the same as previous years ’ .
Students will , as always , have to carefully read the instructions on the exam papers to make sure they are answering the correct combination of questions to maximise their marks .
However , there are some changes which the Department of Education has published online for each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online by searching for assessment arrangements for the 2021 State exams .
If a student is doing a practical subject , the design brief will be issued to their school earlier than normal so they have more time to prepare and finalise the project .
Therefore , teachers will be able to revise key skills developed before the schools closed down and re-teach and revise the skills and knowledge that students may need to complete their project .
A key change for all oral exams is that the amount of material that needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For example , the number of sraith pictiúr for Irish has decreased from 20 to 10 .
This will allow teachers and students to spend more time on preparing other aspects of the oral examination .
Otherwise , the same advice as in every year applies to the students studying for the Leaving Cert .
First , always listen closely to the advice provided by your teachers .
Always ask the teacher to revisit aspects of the course that you may have forgotten or found difficult to understand .
Make time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then build in time for revision .
You can take a variety of approaches , but it is often useful to start with the subjects you like best as you will feel positive about your learning and what you can achieve .
Store the tests you do in school as the teachers will have designed these using exam-style questions and they will be useful to help with revision If there is a topic you know you need to work on , use the past exam papers and the sample solutions available online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be used to assist with your revision Find the revision style that best suits you ; this may be mindmaps , summary notes , flash cards or whatever method you find useful .
Design a study and revision plan for a week .
You can change this if you find that you are revising the same subjects more often than others .
Keep healthy .
Eat well , get regular exercise , maintain your friendships and talk to your parents/guardians about how you are getting on .
Last , focus on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the exams start .
Placing yourself under too much pressure will not help and may stoke anxieties .

Always ask the teacher to revisit aspects of the course you may have forgotten or found difficult to understand. Photograph: iStock
My daughter is worried that she missed out on coursework in fifth year when schools closed between March and June. What changes are being made to the curriculum to accommodate this year group?
Next summer’s Leaving Cert exams will look largely the same as previous years’. Students will, as always, have to carefully read the instructions on the exam papers to make sure they are answering the correct combination of questions to maximise their marks.
However, there are some changes which the Department of Education has published online for each subject . Students can also access it online by searching for assessment arrangements for the 2021 State exams.
Hospital Report
If a student is doing a practical subject, the design brief will be issued to their school earlier than normal so they have more time to prepare and finalise the project. Therefore, teachers will be able to revise key skills developed before the schools closed down and re-teach and revise the skills and knowledge that students may need to complete their project.
READ MORE
Prepared material
A key change for all oral exams is that the amount of material that needs to be prepared in advance has decreased. For example, the number of sraith pictiúr for Irish has decreased from 20 to 10. This will allow teachers and students to spend more time on preparing other aspects of the oral examination.
Otherwise, the same advice as in every year applies to the students studying for the Leaving Cert.
First, always listen closely to the advice provided by your teachers. Always ask the teacher to revisit aspects of the course that you may have forgotten or found difficult to understand.
Make time to study. Concentrate first on written homework and then build in time for revision. You can take a variety of approaches, but it is often useful to start with the subjects you like best as you will feel positive about your learning and what you can achieve.
Revision style
Store the tests you do in school as the teachers will have designed these using exam-style questions and they will be useful to help with revision
If there is a topic you know you need to work on, use the past exam papers and the sample solutions available online (examinations.ie) to model answers that can be used to assist with your revision
Find the revision style that best suits you; this may be mindmaps, summary notes, flash cards or whatever method you find useful.
Design a study and revision plan for a week. You can change this if you find that you are revising the same subjects more often than others.
Keep healthy. Eat well, get regular exercise, maintain your friendships and talk to your parents/guardians about how you are getting on.
Last, focus on the positive. There is plenty of time before the exams start. Placing yourself under too much pressure will not help and may stoke anxieties.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Teachers are pulling out all the stops yet education continues to be underfunded

The fact that our schools are continuing to operate during Level 5 restrictions , even with recent difficulties such as contact tracing and sanitisation , is a testament to the extraordinary effort and diligence of our school communities .
It is also a reflection , in particular , of the determination of school management to do everything possible to mitigate the negative effects on students .
It ’ s been quite a year .
We have had to contend with issues regarding the State examinations , and that protracted and complex saga brought about the calculated grades process which , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed our students to progress and a chance to conclude the second-level education chapter of their lives in a relatively orderly fashion .
There has been criticism of the decision to postpone the Leaving Certificate but , as someone involved in the deliberations this necessitated among the education partners , what was striking was the unanimity evident when medical advice and forensic interrogation of all the possible options led to the difficult decisions that had to be taken .
I have always maintained that the quality of the teaching workforce in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generosity exhibited by teachers in engaging with the calculated grades process was exemplary , but it was the investment of school management in organising and overseeing the process throughout the summer that enabled it to function .
It was not a simple task .
Unprecedented as the model was , it inevitably presented management with profound challenges and frayed many nerves as we all endeavoured to make it work .
That issues subsequently arose regarding the use of historical data in determining grades and the algorithm errors that occurred was far from ideal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced at local level in explaining , managing and supporting students , with our principals inevitably to the fore .
As we worked our way through that chapter , our hope always was that we could reopen our schools fully at the start of the new academic year .
Acutely aware of how challenging a period this has been for students and their parents , we were all delighted when this became a reality .
At school level we now had to segue quickly into issues relating to reopening , and this placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a raft of guidelines landed on the principal ’ s desk .
Again , there was an extraordinary generosity in engaging with so much that was new and unknown , and I can attest to the commitment of the leaders in our schools in harnessing the goodwill of staff , and the amazing adaptability of our students in enabling the reopening to work .
As you can imagine , the added complication of now managing the Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations scheduled for November and December in our schools will further stretch us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the forefront of a national endeavour to keep our schools open .
We are proud of the progress to date and will do everything we can to enable that to continue .
But I do worry about my colleagues involved in the running of our member schools , by virtue of their giving nature , the unrelenting and unrehearsed journey they have been on and the incessant demands we all seem to place on them .
Prof Selina McCoy , head of education research at the ESRI , and Dr Eamonn Carroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All ?
Second-level Education in Ireland during Covid-19 , have pointed to the difficulties principals are experiencing in the face of the unprecedented demands on their time and emotional energy and the toll this invariably takes .
We can take too much for granted .
I would like to think there would be a collective acknowledgement of how much has been achieved by leaders in our schools .
This has masked the ongoing underinvestment that has characterised education in this country over many years .
At an Oireachtas hearing on school buildings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with underinvestment was not with the Department of Education .
There are different parties in the education sphere who would all contend that available funds should be directed more in their direction , and those of us in the voluntary second-level sector are particularly exercised over issues relating to equity of funding .
But , in essence , if the Minister and department personnel are allocated funds , they will spend them judiciously .
The real issue is the proportion of the national financial pie that is allocated to education in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Glance 2020 ranks Ireland in last place out of 36 countries for investment in second-level education as a percentage of GDP .
This is the crux .
We acknowledge that this year ’ s budget had to take account of unique circumstances , but yet again education remains underfunded .
Our schools , and management in our schools , need more support .
Given our present situation , there are inevitably further challenges on the horizon but we will keep on giving .
It ’ s in our nature , and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that collective drive to look after our students , to lead with optimism and confidence , and to replicate that sense of service that so many of us have experienced in our own time in our country ’ s schools .
So , with the schools reopened , well done and thank you to all of my colleagues on the front line .
Perhaps we might all reflect on the value we place on education and what we need to do to sustain what we have and to provide for our children ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of the Joint Managerial Body , the advisory and negotiating body for the management authorities of almost 380 voluntary secondary schools .

‘We know we are at the forefront of a national endeavour to keep our schools open,’ writes John Curtis. ‘We are proud of the progress to date and will do everything we can to enable that to continue.’ Photograph: Alan Betson
The fact that our schools are continuing to operate during Level 5 restrictions, even with recent difficulties such as contact tracing and sanitisation, is a testament to the extraordinary effort and diligence of our school communities. It is also a reflection, in particular, of the determination of school management to do everything possible to mitigate the negative effects on students.
It’s been quite a year. We have had to contend with issues regarding the State examinations, and that protracted and complex saga brought about the calculated grades process which, inherently imperfect as it was, has allowed our students to progress and a chance to conclude the second-level education chapter of their lives in a relatively orderly fashion.
There has been criticism of the decision to postpone the Leaving Certificate but, as someone involved in the deliberations this necessitated among the education partners, what was striking was the unanimity evident when medical advice and forensic interrogation of all the possible options led to the difficult decisions that had to be taken.
Hospital Report
I have always maintained that the quality of the teaching workforce in this country is second to none, and the generosity exhibited by teachers in engaging with the calculated grades process was exemplary, but it was the investment of school management in organising and overseeing the process throughout the summer that enabled it to function. It was not a simple task. Unprecedented as the model was, it inevitably presented management with profound challenges and frayed many nerves as we all endeavoured to make it work.
READ MORE
Determining grades
That issues subsequently arose regarding the use of historical data in determining grades and the algorithm errors that occurred was far from ideal, and compounded the difficulties that schools experienced at local level in explaining, managing and supporting students, with our principals inevitably to the fore.
As we worked our way through that chapter, our hope always was that we could reopen our schools fully at the start of the new academic year. Acutely aware of how challenging a period this has been for students and their parents, we were all delighted when this became a reality. At school level we now had to segue quickly into issues relating to reopening, and this placed a considerable burden on school management as a raft of guidelines landed on the principal’s desk.
Again, there was an extraordinary generosity in engaging with so much that was new and unknown, and I can attest to the commitment of the leaders in our schools in harnessing the goodwill of staff, and the amazing adaptability of our students in enabling the reopening to work. As you can imagine, the added complication of now managing the Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations scheduled for November and December in our schools will further stretch us.
We know that we are now at the forefront of a national endeavour to keep our schools open. We are proud of the progress to date and will do everything we can to enable that to continue. But I do worry about my colleagues involved in the running of our member schools, by virtue of their giving nature, the unrelenting and unrehearsed journey they have been on and the incessant demands we all seem to place on them.
Difficulties
Prof Selina McCoy, head of education research at the ESRI, and Dr Eamonn Carroll in their recent report, Learning for All? Second-level Education in Ireland during Covid-19, have pointed to the difficulties principals are experiencing in the face of the unprecedented demands on their time and emotional energy and the toll this invariably takes.
We can take too much for granted. I would like to think there would be a collective acknowledgement of how much has been achieved by leaders in our schools. This has masked the ongoing underinvestment that has characterised education in this country over many years. At an Oireachtas hearing on school buildings, I made the point that our issue with underinvestment was not with the Department of Education. There are different parties in the education sphere who would all contend that available funds should be directed more in their direction, and those of us in the voluntary second-level sector are particularly exercised over issues relating to equity of funding. But, in essence, if the Minister and department personnel are allocated funds, they will spend them judiciously. The real issue is the proportion of the national financial pie that is allocated to education in the first instance – the OECD report Education at a Glance 2020 ranks Ireland in last place out of 36 countries for investment in second-level education as a percentage of GDP.
Sense of service
This is the crux. We acknowledge that this year’s budget had to take account of unique circumstances, but yet again education remains underfunded. Our schools, and management in our schools, need more support. Given our present situation, there are inevitably further challenges on the horizon but we will keep on giving. It’s in our nature, and, tired as we are, there is that collective drive to look after our students, to lead with optimism and confidence, and to replicate that sense of service that so many of us have experienced in our own time in our country’s schools. So, with the schools reopened, well done and thank you to all of my colleagues on the front line. Perhaps we might all reflect on the value we place on education and what we need to do to sustain what we have and to provide for our children’s future.
John Curtis is general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body, the advisory and negotiating body for the management authorities of almost 380 voluntary secondary schools.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Population growth projections for Tullamore queried

The State ’ s planning watchdog has questioned proposals by Offaly County Council to plan for a 33 per cent increase in the population of Tullamore over the next seven years .
The Office of the Planning Regulator expressed doubt if the council ’ s draft development plan which projects the population of Offaly ’ s county town will grow by 4,753 by 2027 was “ sustainable ” .
The OPR has raised a series of concerns about the local authority ’ s draft plan including projections of population growth across Offaly over the coming years .
The regulator pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than half of all population growth in Offaly over the lifetime of the development plan .
It noted Offaly County Council was planning for a 33 per cent increase in Tullamore ’ s population by 2027 even though regional and national policy objectives had not identified growth in excess of 30 per cent for the town by 2040 .
At the same time , the OPR questioned the appropriateness of the council providing for only a 5 per cent growth in population over the same period for Edenderry and Portarlington ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laois ) given the recommended policy toward self-sustaining towns .
The OPR ’ s deputy regulator and director of plans evaluations , Anne Marie O ’ Connor , said the council needed to review and reconsider its overall allocation of population growth across all the settlements in the county using an evidence-based approach .
Plans to rezone a large landbank near the Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall , Co Offaly , to attract further businesses to the area were also opposed by the OPR .

The Office of the Planning Regulator expressed doubt about Offaly County Council’s draft development plan projecting the population of Tullamore as growing by 4,753 by 2027. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
The State's planning watchdog has questioned proposals by Offaly County Council to plan for a 33 per cent increase in the population of Tullamore over the next seven years.
The Office of the Planning Regulator expressed doubt if the council’s draft development plan which projects the population of Offaly’s county town will grow by 4,753 by 2027 was “sustainable”.
The OPR has raised a series of concerns about the local authority’s draft plan including projections of population growth across Offaly over the coming years.
The regulator pointed out that Tullamore was expected to account for more than half of all population growth in Offaly over the lifetime of the development plan.
READ MORE
Unidentified growth
It noted Offaly County Council was planning for a 33 per cent increase in Tullamore’s population by 2027 even though regional and national policy objectives had not identified growth in excess of 30 per cent for the town by 2040.
At the same time, the OPR questioned the appropriateness of the council providing for only a 5 per cent growth in population over the same period for Edenderry and Portarlington (which is located both in Offaly and Laois) given the recommended policy toward self-sustaining towns.
The OPR’s deputy regulator and director of plans evaluations, Anne Marie O’Connor, said the council needed to review and reconsider its overall allocation of population growth across all the settlements in the county using an evidence-based approach.
Plans to rezone a large landbank near the Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall, Co Offaly, to attract further businesses to the area were also opposed by the OPR.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--McAleese warns of potential Brexit toll on Belfast Agreement

Former president Mary McAleese has warned of possible implications of Brexit and a referendum on Irish unity for the 1998 Belfast Agreement .
“ The Good Friday [ Belfast ] Agreement never foresaw Brexit and did not have built into it a mechanism for dealing with such a phenomenon , ” she said , “ so it hasn ’ t been road-tested against Brexit .
Nor has it been road-tested against a referendum on partition .
“ The vast majority of people signed up to the idea of that referendum but there are people who didn ’ t .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and would still have a grá for the old violence possibly .
“ We have to ensure that we work to create a stable sense of good neighbourliness that will allow us to approach both Brexit and its consequences , and the possibility of a referendum and its consequences , without destabilisation and without the pull of old sectarian pathways , ” she said .
Mrs McAleese was speaking in an interview with broadcaster Mary Kennedy to be released on the Senior Times podcast on Tuesday .
The former president also spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favour of full equality for LGBTI people and women in the Catholic Church , a momentum she described as essential to the Catholic Church ’ s survival .
It follows Pope Francis ’ s endorsement of same-sex civil unions last week .
In the interview Mrs McAleese said she feels “ There is a momentum growing now .
I feel the wheels of a momentum growing ” in the Catholic Church .
“ I ’ m not saying that it is in first gear or anywhere near first gear .
But certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She felt “ the Catholic Church of the future , if it fails to address these issues , if they fail to honour the full equality and equal dignity of women , if they fail to honour the full equality and equal dignity of LGBTI people , it ’ s going to be lost , it will be lost probably in the next generation ” .
In the wide-ranging interview Mrs McAleese also speaks of her happiness at her son Justin ’ s same-sex marriage , her own upbringing in Belfast , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2011 visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland , and her current work as a canon lawyer to secure reform in the Catholic Church .
Mrs McAleese ’ s recently published memoir Here ’ s the Story remains in Ireland ’ s bestseller list and was nominated last week for a Book of the Year Award in the non-fiction category .
Her interview with Kennedy is the third of eight to be released by Senior Times featuring Ireland ’ s leading women writers .
The series continues with new podcasts every Tuesday until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as on all major podcast platforms .

Former president Mary McAleese: Belfast Agreement has not been “road-tested” against Brexit or a referendum on partition. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Former president Mary McAleese has warned of possible implications of Brexit and a referendum on Irish unity for the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
“The Good Friday [Belfast] Agreement never foresaw Brexit and did not have built into it a mechanism for dealing with such a phenomenon,” she said, “so it hasn’t been road-tested against Brexit. Nor has it been road-tested against a referendum on partition.
“The vast majority of people signed up to the idea of that referendum but there are people who didn’t. There are small constituencies which didn’t, and would still have a grá for the old violence possibly.
“We have to ensure that we work to create a stable sense of good neighbourliness that will allow us to approach both Brexit and its consequences, and the possibility of a referendum and its consequences, without destabilisation and without the pull of old sectarian pathways,” she said.
READ MORE
Mary Kennedy
Mrs McAleese was speaking in an interview with broadcaster Mary Kennedy to be released on the Senior Times podcast on Tuesday.
The former president also spoke of a new "momentum growing" in favour of full equality for LGBTI people and women in the Catholic Church, a momentum she described as essential to the Catholic Church's survival.
It follows Pope Francis’s endorsement of same-sex civil unions last week.
In the interview Mrs McAleese said she feels “There is a momentum growing now. I feel the wheels of a momentum growing” in the Catholic Church. “I’m not saying that it is in first gear or anywhere near first gear. But certainly there is a building-up of momentum.”
She felt “the Catholic Church of the future, if it fails to address these issues, if they fail to honour the full equality and equal dignity of women, if they fail to honour the full equality and equal dignity of LGBTI people, it’s going to be lost, it will be lost probably in the next generation”.
Same-sex marriage
In the wide-ranging interview Mrs McAleese also speaks of her happiness at her son Justin's same-sex marriage, her own upbringing in Belfast, the achievements of her two-term presidency, including the 2011 visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland, and her current work as a canon lawyer to secure reform in the Catholic Church.
Mrs McAleese’s recently published memoir Here’s the Story remains in Ireland’s bestseller list and was nominated last week for a Book of the Year Award in the non-fiction category.
Her interview with Kennedy is the third of eight to be released by Senior Times featuring Ireland’s leading women writers. The series continues with new podcasts every Tuesday until December 1st and is available at seniortimes.ie as well as on all major podcast platforms.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Minister rejects application for NI’s largest wind farm

A proposal to create Northern Ireland ’ s largest wind farm on a site on the Sperrin Mountains has been rejected by the North ’ s infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon .
The SDLP Minister made her decision following a four-day public inquiry last September and a refusal recommendation by the North ’ s Planning Appeals Commission .
There were 2,160 representations received in relation to the application , of which 2,153 were objections .
The Doraville Wind Farm proposal involved the erection of 33 wind turbines comprising 10 turbines with a maximum tip height of 136m ( 446ft ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 149m ( 489ft ) .
The site is 12km west of Draperstown in Co Derry .
“ This refusal was a finely balanced decision where I had to weigh up the various benefits with the harm to the local area , ” said Ms Mallon .
The Minister said she was a “ huge advocate for renewable energy ” but that “ in this case 33 wind turbines would cause considerable harm to the landscape interest of a large part of the Sperrin area of outstanding natural beauty and its unique archaeological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Mallon added : “ The PAC [ commission ] report indicates that the scale of the proposal and the sheer magnitude of the associated change has the potential to detract from local people ’ s sense of place and connection to the land .
My aim is to improve people ’ s lives , not add to their burden .
So taking all of this in to account , and in line with the PAC recommendation , I have decided to refuse this application .
”

A proposal to create Northern Ireland's largest wind farm on a site on the Sperrin Mountains has been rejected by the North's infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon.
The SDLP Minister made her decision following a four-day public inquiry last September and a refusal recommendation by the North's Planning Appeals Commission.
There were 2,160 representations received in relation to the application, of which 2,153 were objections.
The Doraville Wind Farm proposal involved the erection of 33 wind turbines comprising 10 turbines with a maximum tip height of 136m (446ft) and 23 turbines with a maximum tip height of 149m (489ft). The site is 12km west of Draperstown in Co Derry.
READ MORE
“This refusal was a finely balanced decision where I had to weigh up the various benefits with the harm to the local area,” said Ms Mallon.
‘Considerable harm to landscape’
The Minister said she was a “huge advocate for renewable energy” but that “in this case 33 wind turbines would cause considerable harm to the landscape interest of a large part of the Sperrin area of outstanding natural beauty and its unique archaeological, cultural and tourism assets”.
Ms Mallon added: “The PAC [commission] report indicates that the scale of the proposal and the sheer magnitude of the associated change has the potential to detract from local people’s sense of place and connection to the land. My aim is to improve people’s lives, not add to their burden. So taking all of this in to account, and in line with the PAC recommendation, I have decided to refuse this application.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Care in nursing homes should be prioritised in Level 5, says bishop

A Catholic bishop has called on the Government to prioritise care in nursing homes during this Level 5 phase of the Covid-19 pandemic .
It was “ hugely distressing ” in the early phase of the pandemic “ that so many vulnerable people died as a result of the spread of Covid-19 in nursing care homes , ” said Michael Router , Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh .
“ As we face a rise in coronavirus cases , we need to remind ourselves that every nursing care home resident is someone ’ s mother , father , grandparent , brother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend .
They have played their part over many decades in contributing to their communities and to the economy , ” he said .
“ The lives of those who live in such facilities should be valued , respected and enhanced .
Nursing homes should be prioritised by the State to ensure that they have the personnel and equipment necessary to deal with the current Covid-19 crisis , ” he said .
He also encouraged “ the management of nursing care homes and local clergy to continue to communicate about how best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this difficult time ” .
Bishop Router , who is chair of the Catholic Bishops ’ Council for Healthcare , said that “ our elderly parents , grandparents and relatives are amongst the most vulnerable during this pandemic ” .
He encouraged people “ to reach out to support and care for our elderly .
As a group that can sometimes be neglected , they have borne the brunt of this pandemic ’ s wide-ranging effects.
” The latest restrictions were “ distressing for them , especially as the autumn evenings close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ Perhaps we could phone an elderly neighbour on a regular basis just for a short chat or to inquire if they needed something from the shops or the chemist , ” he suggested .
He asked parishes “ to make their elderly parishioners aware of a service called Senior Line , ” the free phone confidential listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers .
“ The number for the service is 1800-804591 .
The lines are open from 10am to 10pm , 365 days a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this difficult time to be aware of the presence of those who are elderly or alone among us and to discreetly check in on them occasionally , ” he said .
Bishop Router also acknowledged “ the tremendous work of our doctors , nurses , administrators , chaplains and ancillary staff in healthcare facilities across the country ” during the pandemic .

‘We need to remind ourselves that every nursing care home resident is someone’s mother, father, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or friend,’ said Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh Michael Router. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
A Catholic bishop has called on the Government to prioritise care in nursing homes during this Level 5 phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was "hugely distressing" in the early phase of the pandemic "that so many vulnerable people died as a result of the spread of Covid-19 in nursing care homes," said Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh.
“As we face a rise in coronavirus cases, we need to remind ourselves that every nursing care home resident is someone’s mother, father, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or friend. They have played their part over many decades in contributing to their communities and to the economy,” he said.
“The lives of those who live in such facilities should be valued, respected and enhanced. Nursing homes should be prioritised by the State to ensure that they have the personnel and equipment necessary to deal with the current Covid-19 crisis,” he said.
READ MORE
He also encouraged “the management of nursing care homes and local clergy to continue to communicate about how best to look after the pastoral care of residents during this difficult time”.
‘Most vulnerable’
Bishop Router, who is chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Council for Healthcare, said that “our elderly parents, grandparents and relatives are amongst the most vulnerable during this pandemic”.
He encouraged people “to reach out to support and care for our elderly. As a group that can sometimes be neglected, they have borne the brunt of this pandemic’s wide-ranging effects.”
The latest restrictions were “distressing for them, especially as the autumn evenings close in and the days shorten,” he said. “Perhaps we could phone an elderly neighbour on a regular basis just for a short chat or to inquire if they needed something from the shops or the chemist,” he suggested.
He asked parishes “to make their elderly parishioners aware of a service called Senior Line,” the free phone confidential listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. “The number for the service is 1800-804591. The lines are open from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year. It is important for us at this difficult time to be aware of the presence of those who are elderly or alone among us and to discreetly check in on them occasionally,” he said.
Bishop Router also acknowledged “the tremendous work of our doctors, nurses, administrators, chaplains and ancillary staff in healthcare facilities across the country” during the pandemic.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--UK Labour party calls for public inquiry into murder of Pat Finucane

The UK Labour party has urged British prime minister Boris Johnson to “ act without delay ” and order a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane .
Mr Finucane ( 39 ) was shot by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his family in 1989 amid claims of collusion with state security forces .
In February last year , the UK Supreme Court ruled that investigations into the fatal shooting of the solicitor have not been effective and fell short of international human rights standards .
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has indicated that a decision over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be announced next month .
Shadow secretary of state Louise Haigh met with the Finucane family last week and has pledged her support .
Ms Haigh has now written to Mr Johnson pressing him to call a public inquiry .
“ That this crime could happen at all in our country is shocking ; that it has never been investigated to a lawful standard is unjustifiable , ” she wrote .
“ The delay by the Secretary of State [ in reaching a decision on complying with the law ] has added insult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view , and the long-standing view of the Labour Party inside and outside of government , that an independent public inquiry is the only remaining mechanism which can establish the full truth and deliver on promises made to the family .
“ The long years which have passed since the ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement have served to demonstrate that , unless justice is done , and seen to be done , the wounds of the past simply will not be allowed to heal .
“ I therefore urge you to act @ @ @ @

Pat Finucane – the UK Supreme Court ruled that investigations into the fatal shooting of the solicitor have not been effective and fell short of international human rights standards. File photograph: Pacemaker
The UK Labour party has urged British prime minister Boris Johnson to “act without delay” and order a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Mr Finucane (39) was shot by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his family in 1989 amid claims of collusion with state security forces.
In February last year, the UK Supreme Court ruled that investigations into the fatal shooting of the solicitor have not been effective and fell short of international human rights standards.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has indicated that a decision over how the British government will proceed will be announced next month.
READ MORE
Shadow secretary of state Louise Haigh met with the Finucane family last week and has pledged her support.
Ms Haigh has now written to Mr Johnson pressing him to call a public inquiry.
“That this crime could happen at all in our country is shocking; that it has never been investigated to a lawful standard is unjustifiable,” she wrote.
“The delay by the Secretary of State [in reaching a decision on complying with the law] has added insult to injury.
“It is my view, and the long-standing view of the Labour Party inside and outside of government, that an independent public inquiry is the only remaining mechanism which can establish the full truth and deliver on promises made to the family.
“The long years which have passed since the ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement have served to demonstrate that, unless justice is done, and seen to be done, the wounds of the past simply will not be allowed to heal.
“I therefore urge you to act without delay.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Cork shooting tragedy: Postmortems to be carried out as community shocked by deaths in ‘well liked f

Cork shooting tragedy: Postmortems to be carried out as community shocked by deaths in ‘well liked family’

A postmortem is due to be carried out today on the bodies of a father and his two sons following what gardaí believe was a murder-suicide in Cork on Monday .
It is hoped the postmortem examinations will help establish what exactly happened to the family at their farm near Castlemagner outside Kanturk in north Cork yesterday .
All three had suffered gunshot wounds .
Gardaí described the incident , which claimed the lives of Tadhg O ’ Sullivan ( 59 ) and his two sons , Mark ( 26 ) and Diarmuid ( 23 ) , as a terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr O ’ Sullivan ’ s widow , Anne ( 60 ) who had recently come out of hospital following surgery .
The bodies of the three men were taken to Cork University Hospital on Monday evening after the State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster attended the scene .
Gardaí will await the results of Dr Bolster ’ s postmortems at Cork University Hospital to establish how many times Mark O ’ Sullivan was shot but early indications were that Tadhg and Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan suffered single gunshot wounds .
A technical examination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ongoing .
Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on what led to the tragedy but say they are inquiring whether the shootings may have been related to a dispute over a will that would have seen Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan miss out on a share of the family farm at Castlemagner near Kanturk .
Ms O ’ Sullivan ( 60 ) , a nurse at Mount Alverna in Mallow , had been in hospital in Dublin last week for surgery for a serious medical condition and was accompanied to Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is understood they stayed with neighbours for the past few days upon their return to Castlemagner .
However , they moved back to the family home on Sunday night and events took a tragic turn on Monday morning when it is believed Tadhg and Diarmuid burst into Mark ’ s bedroom sometime after 6.30am and one or both of them shot him .
Tadhg O ’ Sullivan was originally from Roskeen , between Mallow and Kanturk , and had married into the farm but never farmed or worked the 150-acre tillage holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanic at Greenhall Motors in Buttevant about 15km away .
Gardaí were alerted to a “ critical firearms incident ” at around 6.30am on Monday after Mrs O ’ Sullivan raised the alarm that firearms may have been discharged at her home .
They were informed that three men were present in the house , and that one may have suffered from gunshot wounds .
The Garda initiated their critical firearms incident response and negotiators attempted to make contact with anyone in the property during the morning .
Officers from the emergency response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiator unit , technical support unit ( Garda Headquarters ) , southern region dog unit and air support unit were involved .
Shortly after 1pm gardaí approached the house where they found Mark ’ s body in a bedroom at the home .
The bodies of Tadhg and Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan were later found on adjoining land after an aerial search .
A number of firearms were found at the scene and seized .
Gardaí indicated on Monday that they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ community shocked and saddened .
Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan had concluded his studies at Cork Institute of Technology ( CIT ) in June and was due to be conferred with a First Class Honours degree in accounting next week , the institute confirmed .
Dr Dan Collins , head of student affairs at CIT said the CIT community was in shock as news of the tragic deaths unfolded .
Dr Collins said staff at CIT where Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan undertook the four-year course , described him as “ a young man with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , respected , and held in high regard by staff and students alike ” .
“ This tragedy is heart-breaking , and we extend our thoughts and sympathy to his mother , Anne .
We also keep in our thoughts , and prayers , his brother Mark and his father Tadgh .
“ We are mindful at this time of his friends , classmates , and staff of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems , as well as the extended family and neighbours , ” said Dr Collins in a statement issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public relations officer of Castlemagner GAA club , where the brothers used to play at a young age , extended his deepest sympathies to Mrs O ’ Sullivan and her extended family on behalf of the club .
Mr Gallagher said it was a “ close-knit ” community and the family were “ very well liked ” .
“ Normally we ’ re used to hearing these stories , or watch them on the TV rather than seeing them outside your window , ” he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland programme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs O ’ Sullivan to try to help her through this time , but he said Covid-19 restrictions were making it more difficult .
Local Fine Gael Cllr John Paul O ’ Shea from Lombardstown said people in Castlemagner and nearby Kanturk were trying to come to terms with the enormity of the tragedy .
“ There ’ s a total sense of disbelief .
The exact details of the case have to be confirmed but obviously it ’ s a very close knit community in Castlemagner so confirmation that three people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greeted with a real sense of grief and loss in the area .
“ The news is getting out on different social media platforms so people from Castlemagner and Kanturk across the world are learning about it so people will find it very hard to come to terms with it but I have no doubt the people of Castlemagner will rally around and support the family.
” Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes said it was a tragedy for the family and said his thoughts , sympathies and prayers go out to them at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has come as a real shock to the community , ” he said .
“ We ’ re a very close knit community here and to be honest with you , every one is just numb.
” –Additional reporting PA

Three relatives have died in an apparent murder-suicide on a farm in Kanturk, north Co Cork. The shooting incident has left a father (late 50s) and his two sons (aged in their 20s) dead. Video: Provision
The postmortems on two of the three members of the same family who died following what gardaí believe was a murder-suicide in Cork on Monday have been completed. The third postmortem is scheduled to take place on Wednesday morning.
It is hoped the postmortems will help establish what exactly happened to the O'Sullivan family at their farm near Castlemagner outside Kanturk in north Cork on Monday. All three had suffered gunshot wounds.
Gardaí described the incident, in which Tadhg O'Sullivan (59) and two sons Mark (26) and Diarmuid (23) died, as a terrible tragedy. Relatives are comforting Mr O'Sullivan's widow, Anne (60), who had left hospital recently following surgery.
The bodies of the three men were taken to Cork University Hospital on Monday evening after Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster attended the scene.
READ MORE
She completed her postmortem examinations on the bodies of Tadhg O’Sullivan and his son, Diarmuid on Tuesday. Each were found with single gunshot wounds to the head in a field on their farm.
Gardaí at the scene of the shootings at Assolas, near Kanturk in north Cork. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision
Dr Bolster is expected to carry out a postmortem on Wednesday on the body of Mark O’Sullivan whom gardaí believe was shot in his bed at around 6.40am on Mondayin the family home, prior to the other deaths on the farm.
Gardaí are keeping an open mind on what led to the deaths but say they are inquiring whether the shootings may have been related to a dispute over a will that would have meant Diarmuid miss out on a share of the family farm.
Gardaí said that contrary to some reports there had been no Garda interaction with the deceased men, or their family, prior to the incident.
A technical examination of the house and the adjoining land is ongoing.
Tadhg O'Sullivan was originally from Roskeen, between Mallow and Kanturk, and had married into the farm but neither farmed nor worked the 150-acre tillage holding. He was employed as a mechanic at Greenhall Motors in Buttevant about 15km away.
Ms O’Sullivan, a nurse at Mount Alverna in Mallow, had been in hospital in Dublin last week for surgery for a serious medical condition and was accompanied to Dublin by her older son, Mark. It is understood they stayed with relatives for the past few days after returning to Castlemagner.
Farm buildings at he scene of a fatal shooting at Assolas, near Kanturk, North Cork. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
However, they moved back to the family home on Sunday night, and events took a terrible turn on Monday morning when it is believed Tadhg and Diarmuid burst into Mark’s bedroom after 6.30am and one or both of them shot him.
‘Critical firearms incident’
Gardaí were alerted to a “critical firearms incident” at about 6.30am on Monday after Ms O’Sullivan raised the alarm that firearms may have been discharged at her home.
They were informed that three men were in the house and that one may have suffered from gunshot wounds.
The Garda initiated their critical firearms incident response, and negotiators attempted to make contact with anyone in the property during the morning.
Officers from the emergency response unit, armed support unit, national negotiator unit, technical support unit (Garda Headquarters), southern region dog unit and air support unit were involved.
Shortly after 1pm gardaí approached the house and found Mark’s body in a bedroom.
The bodies of Tadhg and Diarmuid O’Sullivan were later found on adjoining land after an aerial search. Several weapons were found at the scene.
Gardaí indicated on Monday that they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Family ‘very well liked’
The incident has left the north Cork community shocked and saddened. Diarmuid had concluded his studies at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) in June and was due to be conferred with a first-class honours degree in accounting next week, the institute confirmed.
Dr Dan Collins, head of student affairs at CIT, said the CIT community was in shock as news of the deaths unfolded.
Dr Collins said staff at CIT where Diarmuid O’Sullivan did the four-year course, described him as “a young man with promise, who was a hard worker, respected, and held in high regard by staff and students alike”.
“This tragedy is heartbreaking. And we extend our thoughts and sympathy to his mother, Anne. We also keep in our thoughts, and prayers, his brother Mark and his father Tadhg.
“We are mindful at this time of his friends, class-mates, and staff of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, as well as the extended family and neighbours,” said Dr Collins in a statement issued by CIT.
Paul Gallagher – assistant public relations officer of Castlemagner GAA club, where the brothers used to play at a young age – extended his sympathies to Ms O’Sullivan and her extended family on behalf of the club.
Mr Gallagher said it was a “close-knit” community and the family were “very well liked”.
"Normally we're used to hearing these stories, or watch them on the TV rather than seeing them outside your window," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
He said the community would rally around Ms O’Sullivan to try to help her through this time, but he said Covid-19 restrictions were making it more difficult.
‘A very sad scene’
Kanturk curate Fr John Magner attended the scene where he blessed the bodies and later offered comfort to Ms O’Sullivan at the home of relatives.
“I spent some time talking to her, offering comfort. I prayed over her, to have the strength to cope with his enormous loss,” Fr Magner told RTÉ radio’s News at One.
It had been difficult for him to find the words to say to her, he said. “I didn’t know what to say . . . It was a very sad scene.” It had been difficult to communicate through masks, he said.
He said it would be difficult for younger people to understand that someone their age had departed this world so early.
Local Fine Gael Cllr John Paul O'Shea from Lombardstown said people in Castlemagner and nearby Kanturk were trying to come to terms with the deaths.
“There’s a total sense of disbelief. The exact details of the case have to be confirmed, but obviously it . . . has been greeted with a real sense of grief and loss in the area.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Pat Hayes said it was a tragedy for the family.
“It has come as a real shock to the community,” he said.
“We’re a very close knit community here and to be honest with you, every one is just numb.”–Additional reporting PA
If you are affected by any issue in this article, please contact Pieta House on 1800-247247 or the Samaritans by telephoning 116123 (free), or emailing jo@samaritans.ie


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Cork farm shootings: A timeline

Cork farm shootings: A timeline

Ann O ’ Sullivan ( 60 ) and her son Mark ( 26 ) return home having stayed with neighbours in Castlemagner for a couple of days after Ms O ’ Sullivan ’ s discharge from hospital in Dublin following surgery for a serious medical condition 6.40am : Mark O ’ Sullivan is shot dead in his bedroom in the family home at Assolas between Castlemagner and Kanturk .
Ann O ’ Sullivan flees the house and runs across the fields to a neighbour ’ s house to raise the alarm .
7am : Gardai receive a 999 call that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dead with possibly up to two armed men barricading themselves into the O ’ Sullivan family home in a siege-like situation .
Garda Press issues a statement requesting a media blackout on the incident .
7.25am : Uniformed and plainclothes officers arrive at the entrance to the O ’ Sullivan family home and speak to a neighbour who informs them he heard two shots sometime earlier .
7.30am : Gardaí declare the matter a critical firearms incident and establish an inner cordon 100 metres back from the house and an outer cordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the farmhouse .
An on-scene commander is appointed from Cork city division .
A trained negotiator begins attempts to make contact anyone in the house and continues this through the morning without any success .
8.15am : Armed members of the Emergency Response Unit ( ERU ) from Cork city arrive at the scene and take up position in the inner cordon as the trained negotiator continues with his efforts to contact with anyone in the house .
9am : A team of paramedics from the HSE trained to treat gunshot wounds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullet-proof vests and helmets , are airlifted to near the scene by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter , Rescue 116 from Dublin , which lands at Castlemagner GAA pitch .
The team is ferried by minibus to the inner Garda cordon where they take up positions with the armed members of the ERU who are maintaining their position some 100 metres or so back from the property .
The paramedics are joined by consultants in emergency medicine Dr Jason Van Der Velde and Dr Adrian Murphy who travelled from Cork and are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical emergency .
Noon : Members of the Armed Support Unit ( ASU ) arrive from Dublin on board an Air Corps helicopter and are brought to the inner cordon where they take up their positions with the local ERU and begin discussions with the on-scene commander .
1pm : After the negotiator fails to engage with anyone in the house , a decision is taken to enter the farmhouse with the ASU taking the lead followed by the ERU with the trained paramedics following in once the house is declared safe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmhouse supported by the ERU and discover the body of Mark O ’ Sullivan in a bedroom .
He has suffered at least one gunshot wound and is pronounced dead by members of the medical team .
No one else is found in the house .
Members of the ASU and ERU begin a search of the adjoining sheds and outhouses before moving out into a wider search of the fields immediately adjacent to the farmhouse .
1.40pm : The Garda Air Support helicopter , which had come from Dublin , begins an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with infrared heat-seeking equipment locates the bodies of two men near a fairy fort some four fields from the house .
Members of the ASU and ERU approach the scene , and members of the medical team pronounce Tadgh ( 59 ) and Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan ( 23 ) dead .
Two rifles are found beside them in the fields , and the critical firearms incident is stood down .
2pm : Gardaí begin a criminal investigation and request the services of the State Pathologist ’ s Office and expertise from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular experts from the ballistics section .
Gardaí declare the farmhouse and field separate crime scenes 3.30pm : Garda Press Office issues a statement lifting the media blackout and confirming the discovery of the bodies of three men , the standing down of the critical firearms incident and the opening of a criminal investigation .
5.30pm : Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster arrives at the scene and carries out a preliminary examination of Mark O ’ Sullivan ’ s body at the farmhouse and a preliminary examination of the bodies of Tadhg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field .
9pm : Bodies of all three deceased are removed from the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital where Dr Bolster was due to start the postmortems at 9.30am .
The scene at Assolas remains sealed off as Garda technical experts , including Garda ballistic experts , examine the farmhouse and the field .

Sunday night
Ann O’Sullivan (60) and her son Mark (26) return home having stayed with neighbours in Castlemagner for a couple of days after Ms O’Sullivan’s discharge from hospital in Dublin following surgery for a serious medical condition
Monday
6.40am: Mark O'Sullivan is shot dead in his bedroom in the family home at Assolas between Castlemagner and Kanturk. Ann O'Sullivan flees the house and runs across the fields to a neighbour's house to raise the alarm.
7am: Gardaí receive a 999 call that one man has been shot and may be dead with possibly up to two armed men barricading themselves into the O'Sullivan family home in a siege-like situation. Garda Press issues a statement requesting a media blackout on the incident.
7.25am: Uniformed and plainclothes officers arrive at the entrance to the O'Sullivan family home and speak to a neighbour who informs them he heard two shots sometime earlier.
READ MORE
7.30am: Gardaí declare the matter a critical firearms incident and establish a cordon 100 metres back from the house and an outer cordon over 1km on all approach roads to the farmhouse. An on-scene commander is appointed from Cork city division. A trained negotiator begins attempts to make contact anyone in the house and continues this through the morning without any success.
8.15am: Members of the Armed Support Unit (ASU) from Cork city arrive at the scene and take up position in the inner cordon as the trained negotiator continues with his efforts to contact with anyone in the house.
9am: A team of paramedics from the HSE trained to treat gunshot wounds and equipped with protective ballistic equipment, including bullet-proof vests and helmets, are airlifted to near the scene by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 116 from Dublin, which lands at Castlemagner GAA pitch.
The team is ferried by minibus to the inner Garda cordon where they take up positions with the armed members of the ASU who are maintaining their position some 100 metres or so back from the property.
The paramedics are joined by consultants in emergency medicine Dr Jason Van Der Velde and Dr Adrian Murphy who travelled from Cork and are on standby in the event of a critical medical emergency.
Noon: Members of the Emergency Reponse Unit (ERU) arrive from Dublin on board an Air Corps helicopter and are brought to the inner cordon where they take up their positions with the local ASU and begin discussions with the on-scene commander.
1pm: After the negotiator fails to engage with anyone in the house, a decision is taken to enter the farmhouse with the ERU taking the lead followed by the ASU with the trained paramedics following in once the house is declared safe to enter
Members of the ERU enter the farmhouse supported by the ASU and discover the body of Mark O’Sullivan in a bedroom. He has suffered at least one gunshot wound and is pronounced dead by members of the medical team. No one else is found in the house.
Members of the ERU and ASU begin a search of the adjoining sheds and outhouses before moving out into a wider search of the fields immediately adjacent to the farmhouse.
1.40pm: The Garda Air Support helicopter, which had come from Dublin, begins an aerial sweep of the farm and equipped with infrared heat-seeking equipment locates the bodies of two men near a fairy fort some four fields from the house.
Members of the ERU and ASU approach the scene, and members of the medical team pronounce Tadgh (59) and Diarmuid O’Sullivan (23) dead. Two rifles are found beside them in the fields, and the critical firearms incident is stood down.
2pm: Gardaí begin a criminal investigation and request the services of the State Pathologist's Office and expertise from the Garda Technical Bureau in Dublin – in particular experts from the ballistics section. Gardaí declare the farmhouse and field separate crime scenes
3.30pm: Garda Press Office issues a statement lifting the media blackout and confirming the discovery of the bodies of three men, the standing down of the critical firearms incident and the opening of a criminal investigation.
5.30pm: Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster arrives at the scene and carries out a preliminary examination of Mark O'Sullivan's body at the farmhouse and a preliminary examination of the bodies of Tadhg and Diarmuid O'Sullivan in the field.
9pm: Bodies of all three deceased are removed from the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital where Dr Bolster was due to start the postmortems at 9.30am.
Tuesday
The scene at Assolas remains sealed off as Garda technical experts, including Garda ballistic experts, examine the farmhouse and the field.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Man (30s) killed in house fire in Tipperary town

A man in his 30s has been killed in a house fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning in @ @ @ @ @ were alerted after a fire broke out at a home on St Michaels Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ about 5am .
Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and afterwards discovered the body of @ @ @ @ @ .
No one else was injured in the fire , and a technical examination of @ @ @ @ @ place to try and establish the cause of the fire .
Gardaí currently believe that @ @ @ @ @ deliberately .
A Garda spokesman issued an appeal for any witnesses who may have noticed @ @ @ @ @ the fire to contact Tipperary Town Garda Station on 062-80670 .

Gardaí have issued an appeal for any witnesses to contact them. File photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty
A man in his 30s was killed in a house fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Co Tipperary.
Emergency services were alerted after a fire broke out at a home on St Michael’s Avenue, in Tipperary town, at about 5am.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and afterwards discovered the body of a man inside the home.
No one else was injured in the fire, and a technical examination of the house is to take place to try and establish the cause of the fire. Gardaí believe that the fire was not started deliberately.
READ MORE
A Garda spokesman issued an appeal for any witnesses who may have noticed anything at the time of the fire to contact Tipperary Town Garda station on 062-80670.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Teenage boy (15) stabbed during altercation in Galway church grounds

Gardaí in Galway have appealed for witnesses after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed during an altercation in church grounds .
@ @ @ @ @ being approached by a male who unknown to him and an altercation ensued .
The @ @ @ @ @ single stab wound and was taken to University Hospital Galway .
It is understood his @ @ @ @ @ The incident happened around 6pm on Monday evening in the grounds of St Brigid ’ @ @ @ @ @ the east of the city .
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Alan Cheevers said there was @ @ @ @ @ the incident .
“ I believe the injuries are not life-threatening but that doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ seriousness of the incident .
You don ’ t want to see this sort of @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is not just that it happened on church grounds , it could @ @ @ @ @ deep concern , ” he said .
Gardaí at Mill Street station have appealed for @ @ @ @ @ is asked to contact them on 091-538000 .

The 15-year-old boy suffered a single stab wound and was taken to University Hospital Galway. Photograph: iStock
Gardaí in Galway have appealed for witnesses after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed in an altercation in church grounds.
The teenager was injured after being approached by a male who was unknown to him and an altercation ensued.
The 15 year old suffered a single stab wound and was taken to University Hospital Galway. It is understood his injuries are not life-threatening.
The incident happened about 6pm on Monday evening in the grounds of St Brigid's Church in Ballybane in the east of the city.
READ MORE
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Alan Cheevers said there was shock in the community over the incident.
“I believe the injuries are not life-threatening but that doesn’t take away from the seriousness of the incident. You don’t want to see this sort of thing happen in any community.
“It is not just that it happened on church grounds, it could happen anywhere and there is deep concern,” he said.
Gardaí at Mill Street station have appealed for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 091-538000.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Third person arrested in education board corruption investigation

Gardaí have arrested a third person as part of an anti-corruption investigation involving the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board ( ETB ) .
The investigation into alleged corrupt practices followed serious concerns raised about the tendering and procurement procedures at the State body .
The arrest of a man in his 40s on Tuesday morning followed the previous arrests of a man in his 50s in August , and a woman in her 30s in September .
Operation Lakefront , the investigation into the education board , is being led by the Co Kildare anti-corruption unit of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda spokesman said the man ( 40s ) had been arrested on Tuesday “ as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corrupt practices at an office of a statutory body.
” The man was arrested for offences contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Acts .
He is currently being detained at Naas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 .
A number of issues about the Kildare and Wicklow ETB were raised in a Department of Education investigation , and a highly critical Comptroller and Auditor General ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The C & AG audit found the ETB repeatedly broke public contract rules and indulged in “ excessive ” spending on five-star hotels .
The audit by the State ’ s spending watchdog found that some suppliers received contracts from the education board even though information existed that cast doubt over their qualifications .

The arrest of a man in his 40s on Tuesday morning followed the previous arrests of a man in his 50s in August, and a woman in her 30s in September.
Gardaí have arrested a third person as part of an anti-corruption investigation involving the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (ETB).
The investigation into alleged corrupt practices followed serious concerns raised about the tendering and procurement procedures at the State body.
The arrest of a man in his 40s on Tuesday morning followed the previous arrests of a man in his 50s in August, and a woman in her 30s in September.
Operation Lakefront, the investigation into the education board, is being led by the Co Kildare anti-corruption unit of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.
READ MORE
A Garda spokesman said the man (40s) had been arrested on Tuesday “as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corrupt practices at an office of a statutory body.”
The man was arrested for offences contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Acts. He is currently being detained at Naas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
A number of issues about the Kildare and Wicklow ETB were raised in a Department of Education investigation, and a highly critical Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) report last year.
The C&AG audit found the ETB repeatedly broke public contract rules and indulged in “excessive” spending on five-star hotels.
The audit by the State’s spending watchdog found that some suppliers received contracts from the education board even though information existed that cast doubt over their qualifications.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Some schools missing up to 10 teachers over wait for Covid-19 test result – ASTI

Schools are facing staff shortages while teachers are required to self-isolate while awaiting Covid-19 test results , the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland ( ASTI ) has said .
In some cases , schools were missing up to 10 teachers who were absent while waiting for test results , ASTI president Ann Piggott said .
The contract tracing system in schools needed to be much faster , as there are current delays of up to a week for close contacts of positive cases to be identified in some cases , she said .
Teachers and school staff would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the trade union official told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
While transmission rates of the virus from children were low at 2.4 per cent , if there were a lot of cases in the community this was “ bound to be replicated ” in schools , she said .
There was a fear asymptomatic children could transmit the virus to teachers , she said .
“ We ’ ve asked for rapid testing , but it has to be safe and reliable , ” Ms Piggott said .
It could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back and a further four days for contacts to be identified and traced , she said .
An initial rapid testing system could be used to identify cases for further testing , Ms Piggott suggested .
“ Teachers are very fearful , they would like schools to be opened in a safe way , ” she said .
Since the country moved into nationwide Level 5 lockdown last week , teachers ’ trade unions have expressed concerns over schools remaining open .
The unions have called for more detailed information on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a fast-track testing system to be put in place , similar to healthcare settings .
The Government has strongly ruled out previous suggestions that the October mid-term break in schools would be extended for an extra week , due to the rising number of coronavirus cases .
The Department of Education has said a national network of new school teams , to be led by public health professionals and supported by education officials , will be established when schools return on November 2nd .
This aims to speed up the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts of positive cases , as well as supporting principals to find substitute teachers and special needs assistants in cases linked to Covid-19 absences .
Health authorities are also understood to be considering rapid testing for Covid-19 in schools .

Since the country moved into nationwide Level 5 lockdown last week, teachers’ trade unions have expressed concerns over schools remaining open. Photograph: iStock
Schools are facing staff shortages while teachers are required to self-isolate while awaiting Covid-19 test results, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has said.
In some cases, schools were missing up to 10 teachers who were absent while waiting for test results, ASTI president Ann Piggott said.
The contract tracing system in schools needed to be much faster, as there are current delays of up to a week for close contacts of positive cases to be identified in some cases, she said.
Teachers and school staff would like more confidence in the contact tracing system, the trade union official told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
READ MORE
While transmission rates of the virus from children were low at 2.4 per cent, if there were a lot of cases in the community this was “bound to be replicated” in schools, she said. There was a fear asymptomatic children could transmit the virus to teachers, she said.
“We’ve asked for rapid testing, but it has to be safe and reliable,” Ms Piggott said. It could take two days for test results to come back and a further four days for contacts to be identified and traced, she said.
An initial rapid testing system could be used to identify cases for further testing, Ms Piggott suggested. “Teachers are very fearful, they would like schools to be opened in a safe way,” she said.
Since the country moved into nationwide Level 5 lockdown last week, teachers’ trade unions have expressed concerns over schools remaining open.
The unions have called for more detailed information on the number of positive cases in school settings, and a fast-track testing system to be put in place, similar to healthcare settings.
The Government has strongly ruled out previous suggestions that the October mid-term break in schools would be extended for an extra week, due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.
The Department of Education has said a national network of new school teams, to be led by public health professionals and supported by education officials, will be established when schools return on November 2nd.
This aims to speed up the time it takes to alert schools to close contacts of positive cases, as well as supporting principals to find substitute teachers and special needs assistants in cases linked to Covid-19 absences.
Health authorities are also understood to be considering rapid testing for Covid-19 in schools.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--State will not appeal court decision to refuse Ian Bailey’s extradition to France

The State will not appeal the High Court ’ s decision to refuse to surrender Ian Bailey to the French @ @ @ @ @ prison sentence imposed by a French court for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier @ @ @ @ @ the High Court on Tuesday Robert Barron SC for the Minister for Justice told Mr @ @ @ @ @ was not seeking a certificate to appeal the judge ’ s decision .
Mr Justice @ @ @ @ @ Bailey can recover his legal costs from the State .
Mr Barron further told the @ @ @ @ @ Plantier ’ s family wanted a copy of the judge ’ s ruling , delivered @ @ @ @ @ the application for Mr Bailey ’ s surrender .
The judge said a copy of @ @ @ @ @ available to the family and to the French authorities .
Mr Bailey has always maintained @ @ @ @ @ do with the death of Ms du Plantier .

The State will not appeal the High Court's decision refusing to surrender Ian Bailey to French authorities to serve a 25-year prison sentence imposed by a French court for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier 24 years ago.
Robert Barron SC, for the Minister for Justice, told Mr Justice Paul Burns in the High Court that the State was not seeking a certificate to appeal the judge's decision.
Mr Justice Burns also ordered that Mr Bailey can recover his legal costs for two senior barristers, a junior barrister and solicitor from the State.
Mr Barron further told the judge that Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family wanted a copy of the judge’s ruling, delivered earlier this month, refusing the application for Mr Bailey’s surrender.
READ MORE
The judge said a copy of his judgment should be made available to the family and to the French authorities.
Mr Bailey (63), of The Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, west Cork, denies any involvement in the death of Ms du Plantier, who was found dead outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996.
He has been twice arrested but never charged in relation to her death. In May 2019, the former journalist was convicted of the French woman’s murder in his absence by a three-judge Cour d’Assises (criminal trial court) in Paris, which went on to impose a 25-year prison sentence.
Mr Bailey did not attend the French court and had no legal representation in the proceedings, which he has described as a “farce”.
In his judgment on October 12th rejecting the State’s application to surrender Mr Bailey, who is a British citizen ordinarily resident in Ireland, the judge ruled his surrender was precluded under section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003.
This section deals with offences committed outside of the State seeking the surrender of an alleged offender. Under Irish law the State could bring a prosecution for a murder committed outside of Ireland where the alleged offender is an Irish citizen or ordinarily resident here.
However, in France an "extraterritorial" prosecution can be brought on the basis that the alleged victim was French. In this case France is seeking the surrender of a non-French citizen or resident for an alleged murder committed outside of France.
In his judgement Mr Justice Burns found there was no reciprocity between French and Irish law in the exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction for the offence of murder in this case as the French basis for extraterritoriality remains the nationality of the alleged victim, whereas an Irish basis would be the nationality or ordinary residence of the alleged perpetrator.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Son (23) who died in suspected Cork murder-suicide was due to graduate

One of the young men at the centre of a apparent murder-suicide tragedy which claimed the lives of three members of the same family in North Cork on Monday was due to graduate with a degree in accountancy next week , it has emerged .
Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan ( 23 ) from Assolas near Kanturk had concluded his studies at Cork Institute of Technology in June and was due to be conferred with a First Class Honours degree in accounting next week , the institute confirmed .
Dr Dan Collins , Head of Student Affairs at CIT said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tragic deaths of Mr O ’ Sullivan and his brother , Mark and father , Tadhg unfolded .
“ There are no words anyone can say to express how people are feeling .
This tragedy is heart-breaking , and we extend our thoughts and sympathy to his mother , Anne .
We also keep in our thoughts , and prayers , his brother Mark and his father Tadgh .
“ We are mindful at this time of his friends , classmates , and staff of the Department of Accounting and Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and neighbours , ” said Dr Collins in a statement issued by CIT .
Dr Collins said staff at CIT where Mr O ’ Sullivan undertook the four-year course , described him as “ a young man with promise , who was a hard worker , respected , and held in high regard by staff and students alike ” .
The shock that Dr Collins spoke of at CIT was echoed in north Cork where local Fine Gael Cllr John Paul O ’ Shea from Lombardstown said people in Castlemagner and nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the enormity of the tragedy .
“ There ’ s a total sense of disbelief .
The exact details of the case have to be confirmed but obviously it ’ s a very close knit community in Castlemagner so confirmation that three people had passed is very tragic and has been greeted with a real sense of grief and loss in the area .
“ The news is getting out on different social media platforms so people from Castlemagner and Kanturk across the world are learning about it so people will find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it but I have no doubt the people of Castlemagner will rally around and support the family.
” Gardaí say they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the three deaths but confirmed they hope the results of postmortems on Tuesday by Assistant State Pathologist , Dr Margot Bolster at Cork University Hospital will help clarify what happened .
The body of Mark O ’ Sullivan ( 26 ) , a trainee solicitor was found with gunshot wounds in an upstairs room of the family farmhouse while the bodies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tadhg ( 59 ) were found beside two rifles in a field some distance from the house .
Gardaí described the incident as a terrible tragedy .
Relatives were last night comforting Mr O ’ Sullivan ’ s widow , Anne ( 60 ) who had recently come out of hospital following surgery .
Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on what triggered the tragedy but say they are inquiring whether the shootings may have been related to a dispute over a will which may have seen younger son , Diarmuid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 acre family farm .
The tragedy began on Monday morning when Tadhg and Diarmuid went into Mark ’ s bedroom in the house sometime after 6.30am and one or both of them shot him .
Ms O ’ Sullivan fled the house and went to neighbour to raise the alarm , telling them that her husband and son had shot her other son .
The neighbour contacted gardaí who raced to the scene .
Locals told gardaí they had heard further gunshots around 7.25am so officers set up a cordon as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms , two rifles and a shotgun and were unsure whether or not they were facing a siege or possible hostage situation .
Gardaí declared the matter a Critical Firearms incident and a senior officer from Cork City Division was appointed as on scene commander as gardaí requested back up and armed members of the Emergency Response Unit from Cork were deployed and took up positions around the farmhouse .
Meanwhile , a trained negotiator attached to the Cork North Division attempted to make contact with any persons in the house throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position in the cordon in case anyone in the house was armed .
Following the discovery of the three bodies Assistant State Pathologist , Dr Margot Bolster carried out a preliminary examination of the three bodies at the farm .
Gardaí also requested the services of the Garda Technical Bureau from Dublin and ballistic experts travelled to Kanturk to carry out examinations of the two rifles found beside Tadhg and Diarmuid O ’ Sullivan to see if one or both weapons were used to shoot Mark O ’ Sullivan .

A shooting incident near Kanturk, Co Cork, on Monday, left Diarmaid O’Sullivan (23, left), his father Tadhg O’Sullivan (59) and another son, Mark (26, right) dead at the family farm.
One of the young men at the centre of a apparent murder-suicide tragedy which claimed the lives of three members of the same family in North Cork on Monday was due to graduate with a degree in accountancy next week, it has emerged.
Diarmuid O'Sullivan (23) from Assolas near Kanturk had concluded his studies at Cork Institute of Technology in June and was due to be conferred with a First Class Honours degree in accounting next week, the institute confirmed.
Dr Dan Collins, Head of Student Affairs at CIT said the CIT community was in shock as news of the tragic deaths of Mr O'Sullivan and his brother, Mark and father, Tadhg unfolded.
“There are no words anyone can say to express how people are feeling. This tragedy is heart-breaking, and we extend our thoughts and sympathy to his mother, Anne. We also keep in our thoughts, and prayers, his brother Mark and his father Tadgh.
READ MORE
“We are mindful at this time of his friends, classmates, and staff of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, as well as the extended family and neighbours,” said Dr Collins in a statement issued by CIT.
Dr Collins said staff at CIT where Mr O’Sullivan undertook the four-year course, described him as “a young man with promise, who was a hard worker, respected, and held in high regard by staff and students alike”.
The shock that Dr Collins spoke of at CIT was echoed in north Cork where local Fine Gael Cllr John Paul O'Shea from Lombardstown said people in Castlemagner and nearby Kanturk were trying to come to terms with the enormity of the tragedy.
“There’s a total sense of disbelief. The exact details of the case have to be confirmed but obviously it’s a very close knit community in Castlemagner so confirmation that three people had passed is very tragic and has been greeted with a real sense of grief and loss in the area.
“The news is getting out on different social media platforms so people from Castlemagner and Kanturk across the world are learning about it so people will find it very hard to come to terms with it but I have no doubt the people of Castlemagner will rally around and support the family.”
Gardaí say they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the three deaths but confirmed they hope the results of postmortems on Tuesday by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster at Cork University Hospital will help clarify what happened.
The body of Mark O’Sullivan (26), a trainee solicitor was found with gunshot wounds in an upstairs room of the family farmhouse while the bodies of his brother, Diarmuid and father, Tadhg (59) were found beside two rifles in a field some distance from the house.
Gardaí described the incident as a terrible tragedy. Relatives were last night comforting Mr O’Sullivan’s widow, Anne (60) who had recently come out of hospital following surgery.
Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on what triggered the tragedy but say they are inquiring whether the shootings may have been related to a dispute over a will which may have seen younger son, Diarmuid miss out on a share of the 150 acre family farm.
Reports suggested Diarmuid felt aggrieved at this.
The tragedy began on Monday morning when Tadhg and Diarmuid went into Mark’s bedroom in the house sometime after 6.30am and one or both of them shot him.
Ms O’Sullivan fled the house and went to neighbour to raise the alarm, telling them that her husband and son had shot her other son.
The neighbour contacted gardaí who raced to the scene.
Locals told gardaí they had heard further gunshots around 7.25am so officers set up a cordon as they knew that the family had three licensed firearms, two rifles and a shotgun and were unsure whether or not they were facing a siege or possible hostage situation.
Gardaí declared the matter a Critical Firearms incident and a senior officer from Cork City Division was appointed as on scene commander as gardaí requested back up and armed members of the Emergency Response Unit from Cork were deployed and took up positions around the farmhouse.
Meanwhile, a trained negotiator attached to the Cork North Division attempted to make contact with any persons in the house throughout the morning without success as gardaí maintained their position in the cordon in case anyone in the house was armed.
Following the discovery of the three bodies Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster carried out a preliminary examination of the three bodies at the farm.
Gardaí also requested the services of the Garda Technical Bureau from Dublin and ballistic experts travelled to Kanturk to carry out examinations of the two rifles found beside Tadhg and Diarmuid O'Sullivan to see if one or both weapons were used to shoot Mark O'Sullivan.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world – report

Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world , with only two out of three women initiating it before leaving the maternity hospital , according to a new report .
In one smaller maternity unit , just one in three women try breastfeeding their newborn during their stay , according to the Irish Maternity Indicator System 2019 national report .
Nationally , 63.8 per cent of woman initiate breastfeeding at their baby ’ s first feed , compared with rates of 90 per cent in Australia , 81 per cent in the UK and 79 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
On discharge , just 37.3 per cent of mothers are breastfeeding , with one maternity unit recording a rate of under 20 per cent , the 2019 figures show .
Last year , only 19,076 out of 51,152 babies born in 18 out of 19 maternity units were being exclusively breastfed on discharge from the maternity hospital .
Prof Michael Turner , clinical lead , HSE national programme for obstetrics , described the figures as disappointing .
According to a World Health Organisation target , half of all newborns should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the most recent figures , 13 per cent of Irish babies are breastfed after six months , compared with a European average of 25 per cent and a global average of 38 per cent .
The total number of births in Ireland has fallen by almost 12 per cent since 2014 and almost 20 per cent since 2008 .
Last year , there were 59,352 births , down from 61,084 the previous year .
“ The decrease in births over the last decade may reflect a fall in immigration from eastern Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Prof Turner .
“ This has implications for the maternity services but also , in due course , for class sizes in schools.
” There were 1,068 multiple births last year , or 1.8 per cent of all births , with the highest rate of multiple deliveries occurring in large maternity hospitals in Dublin and Cork .
The report says this has “ serious ” implications for the provision of services at these sites .
Last year , there were four maternal deaths , defined as death during pregnancy or within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnancy .
Two of them occurred in the same hospital .
There were six maternal deaths in 2018 .
The report says it is disappointing that two cases of miscarriage misdiagnosis were reported , the same as in 2018 .
“ While miscarriage is common , estimated as affecting one in five pregnancies , incorrect diagnosis of miscarriage may result in some pregnancies being terminated unnecessarily.
” It says an increase in the incidence of swabs being unintentionally retained in women after delivery is concerning .
Two of the six cases occurred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than half of all women having their first baby were delivered by Caesarean section .
The overall rate of Caesarean sections increased again , to 34.3 per cent of all births .
Rates varied from 27 per cent to 41 per cent across different maternity units .
The number of perinatal deaths , which includes stillbirths and early neonatal deaths up to six days , increased by 19.7 per cent year on year , though Prof Turner said the rise may be due to “ random variation ” .
Some 73 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a technique used to minimise the risk from oxygen deficiency during birth .
There was a significant fall in eclampsia cases , from 21 to 11 , while 68 cases of maternal sepsis were recorded .

On discharge, just 37.3 per cent of mothers are breastfeeding, the 2019 figures show. Photograph: iStock
Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, with only two out of three women initiating it before leaving the maternity hospital, according to a new report.
In one smaller maternity unit, just one in three women try breastfeeding their newborn during their stay, according to the Irish Maternity Indicator System 2019 national report.
Nationally, 63.8 per cent of woman initiate breastfeeding at their baby's first feed, compared with rates of 90 per cent in Australia, 81 per cent in the UK and 79 per cent in the US, the report points out.
On discharge, just 37.3 per cent of mothers are breastfeeding, with one maternity unit recording a rate of under 20 per cent, the 2019 figures show.
READ MORE
Last year, only 19,076 out of 51,152 babies born in 18 out of 19 maternity units were being exclusively breastfed on discharge from the maternity hospital.
Prof Michael Turner, clinical lead, HSE national programme for obstetrics, described the figures as disappointing.
According to a World Health Organisation target, half of all newborns should be exclusively breastfed after six months. According to the most recent figures, 13 per cent of Irish babies are breastfed after six months, compared with a European average of 25 per cent and a global average of 38 per cent.
Decrease in births
The total number of births in Ireland has fallen by almost 12 per cent since 2014 and almost 20 per cent since 2008.
Last year, there were 59,352 births, down from 61,084 the previous year.
"The decrease in births over the last decade may reflect a fall in immigration from eastern Europe and a fall in family size," said Prof Turner. "This has implications for the maternity services but also, in due course, for class sizes in schools."
There were 1,068 multiple births last year, or 1.8 per cent of all births, with the highest rate of multiple deliveries occurring in large maternity hospitals in Dublin and Cork. The report says this has “serious” implications for the provision of services at these sites.
Last year, there were four maternal deaths, defined as death during pregnancy or within 42 days of the end of the pregnancy. Two of them occurred in the same hospital. There were six maternal deaths in 2018.
Miscarriage misdiagnosis
The report says it is disappointing that two cases of miscarriage misdiagnosis were reported, the same as in 2018. “While miscarriage is common, estimated as affecting one in five pregnancies, incorrect diagnosis of miscarriage may result in some pregnancies being terminated unnecessarily.”
It says an increase in the incidence of swabs being unintentionally retained in women after delivery is concerning. Two of the six cases occurred in the same hospital. In one unit, more than half of all women having their first baby were delivered by Caesarean section.
The overall rate of Caesarean sections increased again, to 34.3 per cent of all births. Rates varied from 27 per cent to 41 per cent across different maternity units.
The number of perinatal deaths, which includes stillbirths and early neonatal deaths up to six days, increased by 19.7 per cent year on year, though Prof Turner said the rise may be due to “random variation”.
Some 73 newborns were sent for whole body cooling, a technique used to minimise the risk from oxygen deficiency during birth.
There was a significant fall in eclampsia cases, from 21 to 11, while 68 cases of maternal sepsis were recorded.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Tourists and renters to be permitted in student accommodation

Permission has been granted to convert up to 1,600 student accommodation beds across Dublin city into tourist or short-term worker apartments for the current academic year .
The decision by Dublin City Council to allow five purpose-built student facilities to be used for holiday or general rental was described by Labour Senator Maire Sherlock as setting a “ dangerous precedent for co-living by the back door ” .
Representatives of the complexes ’ owners said demand from students was set to be extremely low for the next academic year and the rooms could provide “ attractive and affordable ” temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five facilities , four on the northside of the city and one on the southside , operate under the Uninest brand and were developed in recent years as purpose-built off-campus student housing .
Two blocks are on Dominick Street in the north inner city , with one on the North Circular Road and another on Grangegorman Lower , close to the TU Dublin campus .
The southside complex is the Tannery on Mill Street in the Liberties .
The applications for the change of use stated that while students continued to live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined ” and the units could provide “ an attractively priced alternative in the hospitality accommodation sector ” or housing for “ employees requiring accommodation on a temporary basis ” .
Student and non-student residences would be segregated within the development .
The council approved the use up to May 31st with a condition that short-term lets would be restricted to two months .
However , Ms Sherlock said continuous short leases could turn student facilities into co-living developments and “ dumping ” so many additional beds into the tourism sector would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to cope with a dramatic collapse in demand ” .
There was no evidence of any attempt to lower prices to attract more students she said .
The Irish Hotels Federation said it had “ serious concern ” over any developments that could “ undermine the viability of the hotel and guesthouse sector which has already been disproportionately impacted by Government restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic ” .

Permission has been granted to convert up to 1,600 student accommodation beds across Dublin city into tourist or short-term worker apartments for the current academic year.
The decision by Dublin City Council to allow five purpose-built student facilities to be used for holiday or general rental was described by Labour Senator Maire Sherlock as setting a "dangerous precedent for co-living by the back door".
Representatives of the complexes’ owners said demand from students was set to be extremely low for the next academic year and the rooms could provide “attractive and affordable” temporary accommodation in the inner city.
The five facilities, four on the northside of the city and one on the southside, operate under the Uninest brand and were developed in recent years as purpose-built off-campus student housing. Two blocks are on Dominick Street in the north inner city, with one on the North Circular Road and another on Grangegorman Lower, close to the TU Dublin campus. The southside complex is the Tannery on Mill Street in the Liberties.
READ MORE
The applications for the change of use stated that while students continued to live in the schemes, demand had “significantly declined” and the units could provide “an attractively priced alternative in the hospitality accommodation sector” or housing for “employees requiring accommodation on a temporary basis”. Student and non-student residences would be segregated within the development.
Two-month restriction
The council approved the use up to May 31st with a condition that short-term lets would be restricted to two months.
However, Ms Sherlock said continuous short leases could turn student facilities into co-living developments and “dumping” so many additional beds into the tourism sector would have a crippling effect on hoteliers “already having to cope with a dramatic collapse in demand”. There was no evidence of any attempt to lower prices to attract more students she said.
The Irish Hotels Federation said it had “serious concern” over any developments that could “undermine the viability of the hotel and guesthouse sector which has already been disproportionately impacted by Government restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic”.