theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Is a Sinn Féin-led coalition of the left still possible?

The warmth and colour evident as new TDs arrived in Leinster House with their families for the first day of the 33rd Dáil gave way to vitriol and bitterness as the main party leaders debated in the chamber on Thursday night .
All nominees for the position of taoiseach – Micheál Martin , Mary Lou McDonald , Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan – fell short of securing the required Dáil numbers .
For Sinn Féin , the day ’ s proceedings illustrated the difficulties it faces in attempting to form a government or enter coalition .
McDonald and her senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government of the left but also want to talk to Fianna Fáil about coalition .
Sinn Féin figures say they are genuine about pursuing both options but Martin – in a Dáil speech that trenchantly attacked Sinn Féin for its economic politics and associations with the IRA – sent a message to McDonald and to those on his own benches who want to deal with her : a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin coalition will not happen on his watch .
McDonald responded by telling Martin he had a “ narrow and bitter mind ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes for taoiseach – she won the support of 45 deputies , with 54 against her candidacy and 29 abstentions – thanks to support from left-wing TDs from Solidarity-People Before Profit , Rise and Independents4Change .
But Paul Murphy , the Rise Dublin South-West TD , told McDonald their support should not be “ used to strengthen Sinn Féin ’ s hand in negotiations with Fianna Fáil ; they are votes for an alternative government excluding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ” .
In a Leinster House corridor , one Fine Gael TD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-wing government taking office .
“ It won ’ t , ” the TD said , “ we know it won ’ t .
Because they are puritans.
” Sinn Féin figures acknowledge there are no bad outcomes for the party , no matter what happens over the coming weeks .
They will either be in government pursuing their own policies or will be the dominant party of Opposition facing a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-led government or alliance , allowing McDonald build towards a goal of firmly establishing Sinn Féin as the largest party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party in government after the next election .
But they are also adamant Sinn Féin wants to be in government and reject suggestions that its goal is to push Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil together .
Sinn Féin negotiators , such as Eoin Ó Broin , Matt Carthy , Louise O ’ Reilly , David Cullinane and Pearse Doherty , have held opening talks with the Greens , Social Democrats and other left groupings .
The aim is to build an alliance of the left – or a government of change , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties and groupings .
In theory , a Sinn Féin-led minority or majority government not involving Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is possible .
A Dáil majority is 80 and the two Civil War parties have 72 seats between them .
In practice , getting every non-Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael TD – including Independent deputies of wildly different political philosophies – to either support a Sinn Féin-led government or abstain in Dáil votes to allow it take office , is impossible .
Some on the left have asked Fine Gael and Fianna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government , to effectively stand aside and allow McDonald be elected taoiseach , a move that would require Varadkar ’ s TDs and Martin ’ s to abstain .
Varadkar has made clear that is extremely unlikely to happen .
Ó Broin had acknowledged publicly a view commonly held in private in Sinn Féin : that it is not possible for the party to be in government without the co-operation of either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil .
The party is still pursuing a left-wing alliance , however , but some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause are sceptical .
Those on the left see Ó Broin – “ the left face of Sinn Féin ” , as one source called the housing spokesman – and Cullinane as perhaps more open to a left-wing minority government than others .
“ Maybe they have different views within their party , ” said one left-wing TD .
“ I ’ d say certainly some of them are going through the motions while waiting for Fianna Fáil to come around .
But maybe some of them are at least seriously considering it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their preferred option is a sustainable government that can last a number of years in order to push through reforms has aroused the suspicions of some on the left that a Fianna Fáil coalition is the ultimate goal .
Some on the radical left envisage a much shorter-term arrangement .
This would see some TDs of that political persuasion stay out of a Sinn Féin-led government but support it from Opposition , on condition it implements a number of policies , such as bringing the eligibility for the State pension back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fáil and Fine Gael to vote us down , ” said one source , who said such an outcome would bring mass street protests that would help “ push through ” the desired measures .
Another general election would follow later this year under this scenario , since the left-wing minority government would not be able to pass a budget .
Solidarity–People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said he would only enter government if there is a “ much more extensive programme , a radical programme ” than currently envisaged .
Catherine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , believes Sinn Féin is “ serious ” about forming a left-wing bloc but acknowledges Dáil arithmetic is against this taking shape .
“ We are interested in talking about the detail of policy and where there can be a similarity of approach , ” she said .
“ None of us know where this is eventually going to end.
” Cullinane , Sinn Féin ’ s Waterford TD , said his party ’ s aim is to build a broad policy platform that would encourage others on the left to support McDonald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s position .
“ That is obviously the hope .
We would do that by convincing people who stood on a platform for change , ” he said , but cautioned any such platform would be “ a long way ” from an agreed programme for government .
“ The programme for government will come once it is clear there is support for a taoiseach in a majority or minority government .
We are saying to the others – let ’ s focus on what we agree on .
When we met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven priorities that we agreed with .
What we are trying to do is make it more about the issues and that will put it up to the others – including those on the left.
” Smaller parties will be told by Sinn Féin their policies have more chance of being implemented by McDonald than Martin or Varadkar .
Cullinane also said forming a left-wing alliance may serve as roadblock to an FG-FF coalition taking office .
Smaller parties on the left may be dissuaded from joining Martin and Varadkar , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong left-wing opposition across the Dáil .
According to this line of argument , the Greens or Social Democrats would be less likely to enter a so-called grand coalition on their own without the support of others on the left .
In practice , it could mean Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would have to rely solely on Independents , making the government formation process more difficult .

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and her senior TDs say they want to build a government of the left but also want to talk to Fianna Fáil about coalition. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
The warmth and colour evident as new TDs arrived in Leinster House with their families for the first day of the 33rd Dáil gave way to vitriol and bitterness as the main party leaders debated in the chamber on Thursday night.
All nominees for the position of taoiseach – Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan – fell short of securing the required Dáil numbers.
For Sinn Féin, the day's proceedings illustrated the difficulties it faces in attempting to form a government or enter coalition. McDonald and her senior TDs say they want to build a government of the left but also want to talk to Fianna Fáil about coalition.
Sinn Féin figures say they are genuine about pursuing both options but Martin – in a Dáil speech that trenchantly attacked Sinn Féin for its economic politics and associations with the IRA – sent a message to McDonald and to those on his own benches who want to deal with her: a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin coalition will not happen on his watch. McDonald responded by telling Martin he had a “narrow and bitter mind”.
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She had emerged with the most votes for taoiseach – she won the support of 45 deputies, with 54 against her candidacy and 29 abstentions – thanks to support from left-wing TDs from Solidarity-People Before Profit, Rise and Independents4Change.
But Paul Murphy, the Rise Dublin South-West TD, told McDonald their support should not be "used to strengthen Sinn Féin's hand in negotiations with Fianna Fáil; they are votes for an alternative government excluding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael".
‘They are puritans’
In a Leinster House corridor, one Fine Gael TD stopped to consider the prospects of a left-wing government taking office. "It won't," the TD said, "we know it won't. Because they are puritans."
Sinn Féin figures acknowledge there are no bad outcomes for the party, no matter what happens over the coming weeks. They will either be in government pursuing their own policies or will be the dominant party of Opposition facing a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-led government or alliance, allowing McDonald build towards a goal of firmly establishing Sinn Féin as the largest party in the next Dáil and the lead party in government after the next election.
But they are also adamant Sinn Féin wants to be in government and reject suggestions that its goal is to push Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil together.
Sinn Féin negotiators, such as Eoin Ó Broin, Matt Carthy, Louise O'Reilly, David Cullinane and Pearse Doherty, have held opening talks with the Greens, Social Democrats and other left groupings.
The aim is to build an alliance of the left – or a government of change, as Sinn Féin calls it – with smaller parties and groupings. In theory, a Sinn Féin-led minority or majority government not involving Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is possible. A Dáil majority is 80 and the two Civil War parties have 72 seats between them.
In practice, getting every non-Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael TD – including Independent deputies of wildly different political philosophies – to either support a Sinn Féin-led government or abstain in Dáil votes to allow it take office, is impossible.
Some on the left have asked Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, if they cannot form a government, to effectively stand aside and allow McDonald be elected taoiseach, a move that would require Varadkar’s TDs and Martin’s to abstain. Varadkar has made clear that is extremely unlikely to happen.
Ó Broin had acknowledged publicly a view commonly held in private in Sinn Féin: that it is not possible for the party to be in government without the co-operation of either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.
The party is still pursuing a left-wing alliance, however, but some of those it hopes to attract to that cause are sceptical.
Those on the left see Ó Broin – “the left face of Sinn Féin”, as one source called the housing spokesman – and Cullinane as perhaps more open to a left-wing minority government than others.
“Maybe they have different views within their party,” said one left-wing TD. “I’d say certainly some of them are going through the motions while waiting for Fianna Fáil to come around. But maybe some of them are at least seriously considering it.”
Suspicions
The argument from Sinn Féin negotiators that their preferred option is a sustainable government that can last a number of years in order to push through reforms has aroused the suspicions of some on the left that a Fianna Fáil coalition is the ultimate goal.
Some on the radical left envisage a much shorter-term arrangement. This would see some TDs of that political persuasion stay out of a Sinn Féin-led government but support it from Opposition, on condition it implements a number of policies, such as bringing the eligibility for the State pension back to 65.
“We would defy Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to vote us down,” said one source, who said such an outcome would bring mass street protests that would help “push through” the desired measures.
Another general election would follow later this year under this scenario, since the left-wing minority government would not be able to pass a budget.
Solidarity–People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said he would only enter government if there is a "much more extensive programme, a radical programme" than currently envisaged.
Catherine Murphy, co-leader of the Social Democrats, believes Sinn Féin is "serious" about forming a left-wing bloc but acknowledges Dáil arithmetic is against this taking shape.
“We are interested in talking about the detail of policy and where there can be a similarity of approach,” she said. “None of us know where this is eventually going to end.”
Cullinane, Sinn Féin's Waterford TD, said his party's aim is to build a broad policy platform that would encourage others on the left to support McDonald in future Dáil votes for the taoiseach's position. "That is obviously the hope. We would do that by convincing people who stood on a platform for change," he said, but cautioned any such platform would be "a long way" from an agreed programme for government.
“The programme for government will come once it is clear there is support for a taoiseach in a majority or minority government. We are saying to the others – let’s focus on what we agree on. When we met with the Greens there were six or seven priorities that we agreed with. What we are trying to do is make it more about the issues and that will put it up to the others – including those on the left.”
Smaller parties will be told by Sinn Féin their policies have more chance of being implemented by McDonald than Martin or Varadkar. Cullinane also said forming a left-wing alliance may serve as roadblock to an FG-FF coalition taking office. Smaller parties on the left may be dissuaded from joining Martin and Varadkar, he said, if they know they will face strong left-wing opposition across the Dáil.
According to this line of argument, the Greens or Social Democrats would be less likely to enter a so-called grand coalition on their own without the support of others on the left.
In practice, it could mean Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would have to rely solely on Independents, making the government formation process more difficult.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Viable device left in Armagh residential area could have been ‘devastating’

The explosion of a viable device left in a residential area of Co Antrim could have been “ devastating ” , police have said .
A security alert was sparked on Saturday afternoon following a report of a suspicious object in Felden Place , Newtownabbey .
The area was sealed off as police and army bomb experts launched an investigation .
Residents were evacuated from the street , which is close to the Abbey Centre on the outskirts of Belfast .
A PSNI spokesman said a viable device had been found .
“ Police and ATO attended the scene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area , ” he said .
“ The object , which has been declared a viable device , was made safe and taken away for examination .
“ Residents have now been allowed to return to their homes.
” He added : “ We ’ re grateful to local people for their patience .
Families had to leave their homes , having their afternoon disrupted , while we worked to make the area safe .
“ Most importantly , it ’ s fortunate that no-one was physically injured .
The consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am appealing to anyone with information to contact us on 101 , quoting reference number 869 of 22/02/20.
” – PA

Residents were evacuated from the street, which is close to the Abbey Centre on the outskirts of Belfast. Photogrph: Paul McErlane/EPA
The explosion of a viable device left in a residential area of Co Antrim could have been “devastating”, police have said.
A security alert was sparked on Saturday afternoon following a report of a suspicious object in Felden Place, Newtownabbey.
The area was sealed off as police and army bomb experts launched an investigation.
Residents were evacuated from the street, which is close to the Abbey Centre on the outskirts of Belfast.
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The security alert ended on Saturday evening.
A PSNI spokesman said a viable device had been found.
“Police and ATO attended the scene, following the report of a suspicious object in the area,” he said.
“The object, which has been declared a viable device, was made safe and taken away for examination.
“Residents have now been allowed to return to their homes.”
He added: “We’re grateful to local people for their patience. Families had to leave their homes, having their afternoon disrupted, while we worked to make the area safe.
“Most importantly, it’s fortunate that no-one was physically injured. The consequences of the attack could have been devastating.
“I am appealing to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 869 of 22/02/20.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--War of Independence files on IRA policing of spies goes on display

Documentation outlining how the IRA dealt with spies during the War of Independence have been made available to the public for the first time .
Monaghan County Museum has made public original letters and documentation collected by Thomas Brennan who was second in command of the 5th Northern Division of the IRA during the War of Independence .
He was interned in Ballykinlar Internment Camp in 1921 .
They include correspondence from IRA headquarters sent in April 1921 dealing with spies at a critical time in the War of Independence .
One deals with cases of “ association with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraternising with the enemy which places them “ in a position of being potential spies ” .
It then goes on to advise of the consequences if people do not adhere to the warnings : “ Such association can not be allowed to continue with impunity : that it is not desired to molest or inflict punishment or inconvenience unnecessarilyupon any person ; but that the danger involved is such that if this dangerous association continues , action shall have to be taken ” .
It then goes on to outline the steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ executed ” .
“ All cases of execution of spies shall be notified at once to the Adjutant General .
All cases of persons killed by the British and marked by them as spies ‘ executed by the IRA ’ shall be speedily investigated and reported on .
“ In all cases of alleged spying , in which , while the evidence obtainable is suggestive of guilt , it is considered to be inconclusive , it shall , before the arrest of the suspected person , be placed before a Court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together with a full report in the matter , shall be submitted without delay to the Adjutant General.
” The exhibition includes a full copy of the recently rediscovered intelligence book used by the IRA to target its enemies in the War of Independence .
Described by National Museum of Ireland curator Brenda Malone as a “ find of national importance ” , the album features photographs detailing those who the IRA wished to target .
It was owned by the family of Monaghan IRA commander Matt Fitzpatrick .
He was shot dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which ended in the deaths of four members of the Ulster Special Constabulary ( the B Specials ) .
That incident became known as the “ Clones affray ” .
It is uncertain how the photographs ended up with Fitzpatrick as he does not appear to have been involved in IRA intelligence during the War of Independence .
The blue hardback album entitled News Cuttings has belonged to his nephew , Gerard Fitzpatrick from Clones who has now loaned it to the museum at Collins Barracks .
The Monaghan Museum exhibition is produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maynooth University and reveals a tale which is more than just a struggle between the IRA and the British forces .
The exhibition also considers the impact of the conflict on the local population , men and women , plus sectarianism due to Monaghan ’ s proximity with the Unionist majority counties in Ulster .
The county had one of the highest percentages of Unionists in what is now the Republic accounting for one-in-four of the population 100 years ago .
Monaghan Museum curator Liam Bradley said the county was distinguished in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a sectarian tinge with tit-for-tat killings between the B Specials and the IRA .
Also available to view is a collection of short films bringing eyewitness accounts to life , based on the Monaghan War of Independence Files - a collection of over 500 pages of first-hand accounts from IRA veterans .

The Monaghan Museum exhibition includes a full copy of the recently rediscovered intelligence book used by the IRA to target its enemies in the War of Independence.
Documentation outlining how the IRA dealt with spies during the War of Independence have been made available to the public for the first time.
Monaghan County Museum has made public original letters and documentation collected by Thomas Brennan who was second in command of the 5th Northern Division of the IRA during the War of Independence. He was interned in Ballykinlar Internment Camp in 1921.
They include correspondence from IRA headquarters sent in April 1921 dealing with spies at a critical time in the War of Independence.
One deals with cases of “association with the enemy” whereby civilians might inadvertently be fraternising with the enemy which places them “in a position of being potential spies”.
READ MORE
It then goes on to advise of the consequences if people do not adhere to the warnings: “Such association cannot be allowed to continue with impunity: that it is not desired to molest or inflict punishment or inconvenience unnecessarilyupon any person; but that the danger involved is such that if this dangerous association continues, action shall have to be taken”.
It then goes on to outline the steps to be taken before convicted spies are “executed”.
“All cases of execution of spies shall be notified at once to the Adjutant General. All cases of persons killed by the British and marked by them as spies ‘executed by the IRA’ shall be speedily investigated and reported on.
“In all cases of alleged spying, in which, while the evidence obtainable is suggestive of guilt, it is considered to be inconclusive, it shall, before the arrest of the suspected person, be placed before a Court of Inquiry, and the notes of evidence together with a full report in the matter, shall be submitted without delay to the Adjutant General.”
Intelligence book
The exhibition includes a full copy of the recently rediscovered intelligence book used by the IRA to target its enemies in the War of Independence.
Described by National Museum of Ireland curator Brenda Malone as a "find of national importance", the album features photographs detailing those who the IRA wished to target.
It was owned by the family of Monaghan IRA commander Matt Fitzpatrick. He was shot dead in February 1922 during a gun battle which ended in the deaths of four members of the Ulster Special Constabulary (the B Specials). That incident became known as the "Clones affray".
It is uncertain how the photographs ended up with Fitzpatrick as he does not appear to have been involved in IRA intelligence during the War of Independence.
The blue hardback album entitled News Cuttings has belonged to his nephew, Gerard Fitzpatrick from Clones who has now loaned it to the museum at Collins Barracks.
The Monaghan Museum exhibition is produced in collaboration with Professor Terence Dooley of Maynooth University and reveals a tale which is more than just a struggle between the IRA and the British forces.
The exhibition also considers the impact of the conflict on the local population, men and women, plus sectarianism due to Monaghan’s proximity with the Unionist majority counties in Ulster.
The county had one of the highest percentages of Unionists in what is now the Republic accounting for one-in-four of the population 100 years ago.
Monaghan Museum curator Liam Bradley said the county was distinguished in that the War of Independence was carrying on with a sectarian tinge with tit-for-tat killings between the B Specials and the IRA.
Also available to view is a collection of short films bringing eyewitness accounts to life, based on the Monaghan War of Independence Files - a collection of over 500 pages of first-hand accounts from IRA veterans.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Lithuanian man given until midnight on Saturday to leave Ireland

A foreign national living in Ireland has been given until midnight on Saturday to leave the country or face going to jail for seven years after he pleaded guilty to a number of offences including that he allowed his business premises be used to store drugs .
Viktoras Andriejevas , a 39-year-old Lithuanian national , who has been living in Ireland since 2006 , was given two consecutive jail sentences totalling seven years by Judge Sean O ’ Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday .
But Judge O Donnabhain suspended both sentences after being informed that the father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Bungalow , Castleterry , Mitchelstown , Co Cork , had a ticket to leave Ireland by ferry today and would be gone by midnight .
Det Gda Eoin O ’ Toole of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad told how he had obtained a warrant to search a business premises leased by Andriejevas on February 20th 2019 at Unit 5 , Carrigaline Industrial Estate where he ran a second hand clothes business VD Fashions .
Det Gda O ’ Toole said that €10,000 worth of cannabis herb had been found in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a search of the warehouse which Andriejevas had been renting for five years and using as a base to ship second hand clothes to Lithuania .
Andriejavas pleaded guilty to allowing his premises be used for the storage of drugs on that date and Judge O Donnabhain was told by Det Gda Oisin Cotter that he was out on bail at the time for another offence relating to the handling of stolen property .
Det Garda Cotter told the court that Andriejavas was caught with €63,000 worth of stolen property , including expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property stolen from various yacht clubs , in the back of a truck which was about to be transported out of the country .
Andriejevas pleaded guilty to handling stolen property on that occasion and Judge O Donnabhain noted that his guilty plea was of considerable significance as it has spared the state the expense and difficulty of a trial where there was no guarantee of a conviction .
“ He allowed his premises to be used for storing of a large amount of marine parts and boats .
It seems to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of .
These are difficult cases to prove .
If the trial went on it would be a lengthy , difficult and problematic , ” said Judge O Donnabhain .
“ While on bail for that he was found allowing his premises to be used for storing of drugs .
It is a significant factor that being on bail he allowed this level of criminality to occur on his premise .
It was a knowing and deliberate action.
” Judge O Donnabhain imposed a three year sentence on Andriejevas for handling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was on bail for that offence when allowing his premises to be used to store drugs , he imposed a consecutive four year term for the drugs offence .
But Judge O Donnabhain suspended both jail terms on condition that Andriejevas gave an undertaking that he would leave the jurisdiction by midnight tonight and not return for a period of ten years which the accused agreed to do .
Defence counsel , Dermot Sheehan SC said that his client became aware that his life might be in danger from criminals , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he were to leave the country it might help everybody , ” said Mr Sheehan .
During his bail hearing at Cork District Court in relation to the drugs charges , Andriejevas took the stand and said that he had a business where he exported second hand clothing to Lithuania and Eastern Europe which had a turnover of approximately €5,000 to €6,000 a week .

The court heard that €10,000 worth of cannabis herb had been found in two vacuum-packed packets by a sniffer dog during a search of the warehouse which Andriejevas had been renting for five years. File photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
A foreign national living in Ireland has been given until midnight on Saturday to leave the country or face going to jail for seven years after he pleaded guilty to a number of offences including that he allowed his business premises be used to store drugs.
Viktoras Andriejevas, a 39-year-old Lithuanian national, who has been living in Ireland since 2006, was given two consecutive jail sentences totalling seven years by Judge Sean O'Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday.
But Judge O Donnabhain suspended both sentences after being informed that the father of two, with an address at New Bungalow, Castleterry, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, had a ticket to leave Ireland by ferry today and would be gone by midnight.
Det Gda Eoin O'Toole of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad told how he had obtained a warrant to search a business premises leased by Andriejevas on February 20th 2019 at Unit 5, Carrigaline Industrial Estate where he ran a second hand clothes business VD Fashions.
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Det Gda O'Toole said that €10,000 worth of cannabis herb had been found in two vacuum-packed packets by a sniffer dog during a search of the warehouse which Andriejevas had been renting for five years and using as a base to ship second hand clothes to Lithuania.
On bail
Andriejavas pleaded guilty to allowing his premises be used for the storage of drugs on that date and Judge O Donnabhain was told by Det Gda Oisin Cotter that he was out on bail at the time for another offence relating to the handling of stolen property.
Det Garda Cotter told the court that Andriejavas was caught with €63,000 worth of stolen property, including expensive outboard engines, RIB dinghies and other property stolen from various yacht clubs, in the back of a truck which was about to be transported out of the country.
Andriejevas pleaded guilty to handling stolen property on that occasion and Judge O Donnabhain noted that his guilty plea was of considerable significance as it has spared the state the expense and difficulty of a trial where there was no guarantee of a conviction.
“He allowed his premises to be used for storing of a large amount of marine parts and boats. It seems to have been a significant operation that he was aware of. These are difficult cases to prove. If the trial went on it would be a lengthy, difficult and problematic,” said Judge O Donnabhain.
“While on bail for that he was found allowing his premises to be used for storing of drugs. It is a significant factor that being on bail he allowed this level of criminality to occur on his premise. It was a knowing and deliberate action.”
Consecutive term
Judge O Donnabhain imposed a three year sentence on Andriejevas for handling the stolen marine property and then, because he was on bail for that offence when allowing his premises to be used to store drugs, he imposed a consecutive four year term for the drugs offence.
But Judge O Donnabhain suspended both jail terms on condition that Andriejevas gave an undertaking that he would leave the jurisdiction by midnight tonight and not return for a period of ten years which the accused agreed to do.
Defence counsel, Dermot Sheehan SC said that his client became aware that his life might be in danger from criminals, making death threats against him. "If he were to leave the country it might help everybody," said Mr Sheehan.
During his bail hearing at Cork District Court in relation to the drugs charges, Andriejevas took the stand and said that he had a business where he exported second hand clothing to Lithuania and Eastern Europe which had a turnover of approximately €5,000 to €6,000 a week.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Efforts ongoing to prevent pollution from MV Alta wreck

Preparations are continuing over the weekend to use a helicopter to airlift off barrels of oil from a ghost ship stranded on rocks near Ballycotton in east Cork , according to Cork County Council .
According to Cork County Council which is co-ordinating efforts to prevent any pollution from the MV Alta , a marine contractor is continuing with preparations to airlift off barrels of machine oil .
The MV Alta was washed on to rocks at Ballyandreen some 4km west of Ballycotton by Storm Dennis which battered the south and west coasts of Ireland with high seas and strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marine surveyor to examine the vessel and over the past week , the ship has been inspected to see if there was any risk of fuel or bunker oil spilling and polluting the sea .
The marine surveyor found there was very little diesel left in the fuel tanks but they did find barrels of machine oil and diesel stored in various parts of the 77m long cargo freighter .
Over the past few days , the marine contractor has been bringing those barrels on to the deck of the freighter as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store other materials for removal .
According to Cork County Council County Engineer , Kevin Morey , it is hoped to airlift all the barrels from the ship starting on Tuesday providing the weather remains favourable .
“ Cork County Council ’ s marine contractor is progressing well with preparations for the removal of the oil and other materials identified which could pose a pollution risk in the event of their spillage .
“ This work will continue throughout the weekend in order to ensure all these materials are ready for their safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather conditions be suitable , ” he said .
Mr Morey said the council is again asking members of the public to stay away from the wreck as it is located on a dangerous and inaccessible stretch of coastline and is in an unstable condition .
And he said that as part of the operation , Cork County Council is restricting access to a local cul-de-sac road with access only being permitted for local residents living near Ballyandreen .
“ The Council also wishes to advise that the lands along this stretch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not open to the public , ” said Cork County Council in a statement .
Meanwhile , the Revenue Commissioners , who are acting as Receiver of Wreck for the MV Alta , are continuing with efforts to try and trace ownership of the 44 year old abandoned freighter .
The freighter was abandoned in October 2018 when it ran into difficulty while sailing from Greece to Haiti after its main engine broke down over 1,600km off Bermuda and the crew asked for help .
According to Insurance Marine News , the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Panama , Honduras and Greece when the ship was some 2,000km south east of Bermuda .
The MV Alta at that stage was registered in Tanzania and was owned by Alta Shipping of Miami , Florida and salvage attempts by the owners were made , according to Insurance Marine News .
However the MV Alta began drifting eastwards and the Royal Navy ice patrol ship , HMS Protector came across the abandoned MV Alta off Africa on August 30th , 2019 .
The HMS Protector , which was on its way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attempted to make contact with the MV Alta but received no response and it continued drifting eastwards .
According to the Marine Traffic website , the MV Alta was by then registered in Norway where having been registered there on May 26th , 2019 , having been first registered in Panama on April 1st , 2019 .
It appears that both these most recent registration of ownership took place while the ship was abandoned at sea adding to the mystery surrounding the ownership of the ghost ship .

The abandoned cargo ship MV Alta stuck on rocks near the village of Ballycotton south-east of Cork. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/AFP via Getty
Preparations are continuing over the weekend to use a helicopter to airlift off barrels of oil from a ghost ship stranded on rocks near Ballycotton in east Cork, according to Cork County Council.
According to Cork County Council which is co-ordinating efforts to prevent any pollution from the MV Alta, a marine contractor is continuing with preparations to airlift off barrels of machine oil.
The MV Alta was washed on to rocks at Ballyandreen some 4km west of Ballycotton by Storm Dennis which battered the south and west coasts of Ireland with high seas and strong winds.
Cork County Council hired a marine surveyor to examine the vessel and over the past week, the ship has been inspected to see if there was any risk of fuel or bunker oil spilling and polluting the sea.
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The marine surveyor found there was very little diesel left in the fuel tanks but they did find barrels of machine oil and diesel stored in various parts of the 77m long cargo freighter.
Over the past few days, the marine contractor has been bringing those barrels on to the deck of the freighter as well as bringing other barrels aboard to safely store other materials for removal.
Dangerous coastline
According to Cork County Council County Engineer, Kevin Morey, it is hoped to airlift all the barrels from the ship starting on Tuesday providing the weather remains favourable.
“Cork County Council’s marine contractor is progressing well with preparations for the removal of the oil and other materials identified which could pose a pollution risk in the event of their spillage.
“This work will continue throughout the weekend in order to ensure all these materials are ready for their safe removal by helicopter on Tuesday, should weather conditions be suitable,” he said.
Mr Morey said the council is again asking members of the public to stay away from the wreck as it is located on a dangerous and inaccessible stretch of coastline and is in an unstable condition.
And he said that as part of the operation, Cork County Council is restricting access to a local cul-de-sac road with access only being permitted for local residents living near Ballyandreen.
“The Council also wishes to advise that the lands along this stretch of shoreline are in private ownership and are not open to the public,” said Cork County Council in a statement.
Owners
Meanwhile, the Revenue Commissioners, who are acting as Receiver of Wreck for the MV Alta, are continuing with efforts to try and trace ownership of the 44 year old abandoned freighter.
The freighter was abandoned in October 2018 when it ran into difficulty while sailing from Greece to Haiti after its main engine broke down over 1,600km off Bermuda and the crew asked for help.
According to Insurance Marine News, the US Coast Guard rescued the crew of ten from Panama, Honduras and Greece when the ship was some 2,000km south east of Bermuda.
The MV Alta at that stage was registered in Tanzania and was owned by Alta Shipping of Miami, Florida and salvage attempts by the owners were made, according to Insurance Marine News.
However the MV Alta began drifting eastwards and the Royal Navy ice patrol ship, HMS Protector came across the abandoned MV Alta off Africa on August 30th, 2019.
The HMS Protector, which was on its way to the Bahamas to assist with hurricane relief, attempted to make contact with the MV Alta but received no response and it continued drifting eastwards.
According to the Marine Traffic website, the MV Alta was by then registered in Norway where having been registered there on May 26th, 2019, having been first registered in Panama on April 1st, 2019.
It appears that both these most recent registration of ownership took place while the ship was abandoned at sea adding to the mystery surrounding the ownership of the ghost ship.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Boy (11) seriously injured after being struck by van in Co Donegal

An 11-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a crash in Co Donegal on Friday evening has been transferred to a Belfast Hospital for emergency treatment .
The child was struck by a van shortly after 5.30pm at Slavery Road in Buncrana .
The victim was along with a friend when he was struck by the van being driven by a local man .
He was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel and removed by ambulance to Altnagelvin Hospital in Co. Derry but has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast .
The victim ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver of the van , a man in his 50s , was uninjured but is being treated for shock .
Garda Supt Eugene McGovern said the area has been sealed off and a full forensic examination is currently being examined by scenes of crime officers .
He appealed for anybody who was in the area and who may have witnessed anything to come forward .
“ We have received some witness statements but we are appealing to anybody who was in the area at the time and who has not spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This incident happened in what is a built-up area and there is a lot of traffic , ” he said .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station .
Separately , a man in his 40s was killed when the van he was driving collided with a tree between Goresbridge and Bagenalstown in Co Kilkenny in the early hours of Saturday morning .
He was critically injured during the incident and was later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital .
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information regarding the collision , particularly any road users with camera footage who were travelling the R705 road between Goresbridge and Bagenalstown between 12.00am and 01.00am on to contact Thomastown Garda Station on 056 775 4150 , the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station .
Meanwhile , gardaí in Co Cork are renewing their appeal for information on a road traffic collision that took place on Harbour View Road , Knocknaheeney on Wednesday , February 19th .
The car collided with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her teens was pronounced dead at the scene .
Two males in their teens were the driver and a second passenger in the vehicle who received serious injuries .
Gardaí are looking to speak to a taxi driver who was in a white Toyota car who was travelling on Harbour View Road between 11.30pm on Wednesday and 2am on Thursday morning .
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 494 6200 , the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station .

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with any information about either incident to come forward. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
An 11-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a crash in Co Donegal on Friday evening has been transferred to a Belfast Hospital for emergency treatment.
The child was struck by a van shortly after 5.30pm at Slavery Road in Buncrana. The victim was along with a friend when he was struck by the van being driven by a local man.
He was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel and removed by ambulance to Altnagelvin Hospital in Co. Derry but has since been transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
The victim’s injuries are understood to be serious.
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The driver of the van, a man in his 50s, was uninjured but is being treated for shock.
Garda Supt Eugene McGovern said the area has been sealed off and a full forensic examination is currently being examined by scenes of crime officers.
He appealed for anybody who was in the area and who may have witnessed anything to come forward.
“We have received some witness statements but we are appealing to anybody who was in the area at the time and who has not spoken to Gardai to come forward.
“This incident happened in what is a built-up area and there is a lot of traffic,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Separately, a man in his 40s was killed when the van he was driving collided with a tree between Goresbridge and Bagenalstown in Co Kilkenny in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was critically injured during the incident and was later pronounced dead at St Luke’s Hospital.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information regarding the collision, particularly any road users with camera footage who were travelling the R705 road between Goresbridge and Bagenalstown between 12.00am and 01.00am on to contact Thomastown Garda Station on 056 775 4150, the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station.
Renewed appeal
Meanwhile, gardaí in Co Cork are renewing their appeal for information on a road traffic collision that took place on Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeney on Wednesday, February 19th.
The car collided with a wall on the road and female passenger in her teens was pronounced dead at the scene. Two males in their teens were the driver and a second passenger in the vehicle who received serious injuries.
Gardaí are looking to speak to a taxi driver who was in a white Toyota car who was travelling on Harbour View Road between 11.30pm on Wednesday and 2am on Thursday morning.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 494 6200, the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Weekend of floods, sleet and high winds in store as weather warning issued

A status yellow rain warning has been issued by Met Éireann for most of the north west and midland counties as a weekend of rain , sleet and high winds is set to hit the country .
The rainfall warning comes into effect at 8pm on Sunday night until Monday morning for all of Connacht as well as counties Cavan , Monaghan , Donegal , Longford , Louth , Offaly , Westmeath , Meath , Clare and Tipperary .
The rain will lead to accumulations of between 20 to 25mm , with higher totals possible in upland areas .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be preceded by a period of snow in parts of Connacht , Ulster and north Leinster before turning to rain later in the night .
The combined effect of rainfall and snow melt may lead to flooding in some areas .
Based on weather projections , the River Shannon ’ s water levels may exceed the ten-year flood mark on Tuesday .
The Minister of State at the Office of Public Works with responsibility for flooding , Kevin Boxer Moran , said local authorities from Cavan to Limerick were on high alert .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels on the Shannon in Athlone are continuing to rise , resulting in water on the minor roads in the lower parts of the town .
However , currently water levels remain 0.8m below the highest level recorded in the winter of 2015/2016 .
The local authority said no residences are at imminent risk and that staff are on the ground putting in flood barriers .
Some of the first water pumps have been deployed in Athlone this morning .
Meanwhile , in co Clare , sandbags and pumping generators are being distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the worst affected areas in the country during the bad flooding periods of 2015 and 2009 .
Clare County Council will check on people living in the area over the coming days to monitor how rising water levels are affecting them .
In addition a status yellow wind warning for Donegal remains in place until 8 pm Saturday night with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h and possibly higher in coastal areas .

A group of starlings bathe in a puddle in Howth on Friday. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell/The Irish Times.
A status yellow rain warning has been issued by Met Éireann for most of the north west and midland counties as a weekend of rain, sleet and high winds is set to hit the country.
The rainfall warning comes into effect at 8pm on Sunday night until Monday morning for all of Connacht as well as counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare and Tipperary.
The rain will lead to accumulations of between 20 to 25mm, with higher totals possible in upland areas.
The forecaster said the rain is likely to be preceded by a period of snow in parts of Connacht, Ulster and north Leinster before turning to rain later in the night.
READ MORE
The combined effect of rainfall and snow melt may lead to flooding in some areas.
Based on weather projections, the River Shannon’s water levels may exceed the ten-year flood mark on Tuesday.
The Minister of State at the Office of Public Works with responsibility for flooding, Kevin Boxer Moran, said local authorities from Cavan to Limerick were on high alert.
According to Westmeath County Council, water levels on the Shannon in Athlone are continuing to rise, resulting in water on the minor roads in the lower parts of the town. However, currently water levels remain 0.8m below the highest level recorded in the winter of 2015/2016.
The local authority said no residences are at imminent risk and that staff are on the ground putting in flood barriers.
Some of the first water pumps have been deployed in Athlone this morning.
Meanwhile, in co Clare, sandbags and pumping generators are being distributed to 10 houses in Springfield, which was one of the worst affected areas in the country during the bad flooding periods of 2015 and 2009.
Clare County Council will check on people living in the area over the coming days to monitor how rising water levels are affecting them.
In addition a status yellow wind warning for Donegal remains in place until 8 pm Saturday night with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h and possibly higher in coastal areas.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Irish singer ‘healthy and safe’ after leaving coronavirus ship

An Irish singer who was among 4,000 people quarantined on a cruise ship off the Japanese coast at the start of the month because of coronavirus has expressed her gratitude to the authorities after being taken off the boat .
Rebecca Harkin and her partner were both musicians on the Diamond Princess cruise liner which was forced into quarantine on February 3rd after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus .
All told 621 passengers and crew were found to have contracted the coronavirus making it the largest cluster outside China .
Two passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuated from the ship for treatment .
In a message posted on Twitter last night the singer said she and her partner were both well and settling in to a two week spell of quarantine in Darwin , Australia .
She expressed gratitude to people for their “ lovely messages and prayers these last few weeks ” and added that the couple were “ both healthy and safe [ and ] getting so well looked after in Darwin along with all the other evacuees.
” She said the team looking after them were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendly and understanding ...
I can not thank them enough.
” She said she was looking forward to “ two weeks of sunshine and unwinding after the crisis ” .
Around 100 passengers who were in close contact with infected people on board the ship began disembarking from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama on Saturday , local media said .
They included the last batch of Japanese passengers to leave the ship while some foreign passengers were still waiting on board for chartered aircraft to be sent by their governments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Australia , six people taken back to Darwin from the ship have tested positive to Covid-19 .
Another three people who have developed symptoms were being tested on Saturday .
There were 170 Australians on the evacuation flight and all were checked for symptoms before leaving Yokohama , where they had been kept on the ship .

Rebecca Harkin and her partner were both musicians on the Diamond Princess cruise liner which was forced into quarantine on February 3rd after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
An Irish singer who was among 4,000 people quarantined on a cruise ship off the Japanese coast at the start of the month because of coronavirus has expressed her gratitude to the authorities after being taken off the boat.
Rebecca Harkin and her partner were both musicians on the Diamond Princess cruise liner which was forced into quarantine on February 3rd after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
All told 621 passengers and crew were found to have contracted the coronavirus making it the largest cluster outside China. Two passengers from Japan died in hospital after being evacuated from the ship for treatment.
In a message posted on Twitter last night the singer said she and her partner were both well and settling in to a two week spell of quarantine in Darwin, Australia.
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She expressed gratitude to people for their “lovely messages and prayers these last few weeks” and added that the couple were “both healthy and safe [and]getting so well looked after in Darwin along with all the other evacuees.”
She said the team looking after them were “amazing” and “so caring friendly and understanding... I cannot thank them enough.”
She said she was looking forward to “two weeks of sunshine and unwinding after the crisis”.
Around 100 passengers who were in close contact with infected people on board the ship began disembarking from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama on Saturday, local media said.
They included the last batch of Japanese passengers to leave the ship while some foreign passengers were still waiting on board for chartered aircraft to be sent by their governments.
Around 970 passengers disembarked earlier this week. In Australia, six people taken back to Darwin from the ship have tested positive to Covid-19. Another three people who have developed symptoms were being tested on Saturday.
There were 170 Australians on the evacuation flight and all were checked for symptoms before leaving Yokohama, where they had been kept on the ship.


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Archbishop: Sex abuse of women by L’Arche founder ‘reprehensible’

Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has described as “ particularly reprehensible ” the actions of the late L ’ Arche founder Jean Vanier after a report found Vanier had sexually abused six women .
L ’ Arche International , which assists people with intellectual disabilities and has four centres in Ireland , said on Saturday an inquiry it commissioned last year into allegations of sex abuse carried out by Vanier had “ received credible and consistent testimonies from six .
.
.
women without disabilities , covering the period from 1970 to 2005 ” .
Expressing “ great sympathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caring in the L ’ Arche movement ” , Archbishop Martin said : “ I appreciate their disillusionment and encourage them to keep alive the extraordinary witness they give .
We all have an obligation to be at their side at this moment of sadness.
” He continued : “ Naturally I think of those who have been exploited and abused sexually .
The abuse is particularly reprehensible in that it took place in the context of spiritual guidance and seemingly used false spiritual motivation to justify abuse .
“ Those women who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real service to saving the integrity of the L ’ Arche movement and its care for those with special needs and disabilities.
” Vanier died last May aged 90 .
L ’ Arche has more than 10,000 members in 149 communities in 39 countries worldwide .
It has four communities in Dublin , Belfast , Cork and Kilkenny , where up to 60 people are cared for .
It also provides day services to more than 100 others here .
L ’ Arche International said “ the women each reported that Jean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually in the context of spiritual accompaniment .
“ Although they had no prior knowledge of each other ’ s experiences , these women reported similar facts associated with highly unusual spiritual or mystical explanations used to justify these behaviours .
“ The relationships were found to be manipulative and emotionally abusive , and had a significant negative impact on their personal lives and subsequent relationships .
“ These actions are indicative of a deep psychological and spiritual hold Jean Vanier had on these women and confirm his own adoption of some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and practices.
” Fr Philippe , a Dominican priest who died in 1993 , was Vanier ’ s mentor and spiritual director .
In 2015 Fr Philippe was found by a Catholic Church investigation to have sexually abused 14 women , many of them associated with the L ’ Arche community , with some incidents back to the 1970s .
It is understood that no people with disabilities were abused .
In its statement on Saturday , L ’ Arche International stressed “ the inquiry found no suggestion that Jean Vanier had inappropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The inquiry into L ’ Arche founder Jean Vanier was undertaken by UK-based GCPS Consulting , which “ specialises in helping organisations ensure the safety of children and other vulnerable groups ” .
On Saturday , L ’ Arche International ’ s leaders Stephan Posner and Stacy Cates Carney said they were “ shocked by these discoveries and unreservedly condemn these actions , which are in total contradiction with the values Jean Vanier claimed and are incompatible with the basic rules of respect and integrity of persons , and contrary to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is based .
“ We recognise the courage and suffering of these women , and of those who may remain silent .
We also want to express our gratitude to the women who , a few years ago , broke the silence about Father Thomas Philippe and thus helped others to speak out about the undue burden of shame and pain .
Because these events took place in the context of L ’ Arche and some were brought about by our founder ; to all of you , we ask forgiveness ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ committed to making sure that its ... communities across the world are places of safety and growth for all its members , with and without disabilities ” .
It has undertaken to conduct “ a thorough and independent evaluation of safeguarding [ and ] wellbeing policies and procedures .
“ In addition to the safeguarding and wellbeing regulations , already existing throughout its federation , L ’ Arche International has created a commission , composed in part of people from outside its organisation , to allow all its members to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in complete confidentiality.
” In a separate statement , L ’ Arche Ireland and Northern Ireland paid “ tribute to the women who gave us their testimony and our thoughts very much remain with them .
This inquiry is being taken with the utmost seriousness by our international organisation to better understand its history and improve all safeguarding procedures and policies .
“ We will be working with them to implement any recommendations that arise from the process.
” It was emphasised that what had emerged “ in no way reflects the ethos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L ’ Arche in Ireland , Northern Ireland or in any part of L ’ Arche International .
Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of all our community members , and we will support them through this news .
“ L ’ Arche has undertaken a thorough review of well-established and recognised safeguarding policies and procedures across Ireland and Northern Ireland .
We remain fully focused on our mission to ensure all community members realise their full potential .
”

L’Arche International, which assists people with intellectual disabilities and has four centres in Ireland, was founded by Jean Vanier. Photograph: Getty Images.
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has described as "particularly reprehensible" the actions of the late L'Arche founder Jean Vanier after a report found Vanier had sexually abused six women.
L'Arche International, which assists people with intellectual disabilities and has four centres in Ireland, said on Saturday an inquiry it commissioned last year into allegations of sex abuse carried out by Vanier had "received credible and consistent testimonies from six . . . women without disabilities, covering the period from 1970 to 2005".
Expressing “great sympathy with those who were inspired to genuine caring in the L’Arche movement”, Archbishop Martin said: “I appreciate their disillusionment and encourage them to keep alive the extraordinary witness they give. We all have an obligation to be at their side at this moment of sadness.”
He continued: “Naturally I think of those who have been exploited and abused sexually. The abuse is particularly reprehensible in that it took place in the context of spiritual guidance and seemingly used false spiritual motivation to justify abuse.
READ MORE
“Those women who came forward showed courage and have rendered a real service to saving the integrity of the L’Arche movement and its care for those with special needs and disabilities.”
Spiritual accompaniment
Vanier died last May aged 90. L'Arche has more than 10,000 members in 149 communities in 39 countries worldwide. It has four communities in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Kilkenny, where up to 60 people are cared for. It also provides day services to more than 100 others here.
L’Arche International said “the women each reported that Jean Vanier initiated sexual relations with them, usually in the context of spiritual accompaniment.
“Although they had no prior knowledge of each other’s experiences, these women reported similar facts associated with highly unusual spiritual or mystical explanations used to justify these behaviours.
“The relationships were found to be manipulative and emotionally abusive, and had a significant negative impact on their personal lives and subsequent relationships.
“These actions are indicative of a deep psychological and spiritual hold Jean Vanier had on these women and confirm his own adoption of some of Father Thomas Philippe’s deviant theories and practices.”
Fr Philippe, a Dominican priest who died in 1993, was Vanier’s mentor and spiritual director.
In 2015 Fr Philippe was found by a Catholic Church investigation to have sexually abused 14 women, many of them associated with the L’Arche community, with some incidents back to the 1970s. It is understood that no people with disabilities were abused.
In its statement on Saturday, L’Arche International stressed “the inquiry found no suggestion that Jean Vanier had inappropriate relationships with people with intellectual disabilities”.
The inquiry into L’Arche founder Jean Vanier was undertaken by UK-based GCPS Consulting, which “specialises in helping organisations ensure the safety of children and other vulnerable groups”.
‘Shocked’
On Saturday, L'Arche International's leaders Stephan Posner and Stacy Cates Carney said they were "shocked by these discoveries and unreservedly condemn these actions, which are in total contradiction with the values Jean Vanier claimed and are incompatible with the basic rules of respect and integrity of persons, and contrary to the fundamental principles on which L'Arche is based.
"We recognise the courage and suffering of these women, and of those who may remain silent. We also want to express our gratitude to the women who, a few years ago, broke the silence about Father Thomas Philippe and thus helped others to speak out about the undue burden of shame and pain. Because these events took place in the context of L'Arche and some were brought about by our founder; to all of you, we ask forgiveness".
It was emphasised that L’Arche was “committed to making sure that its...communities across the world are places of safety and growth for all its members, with and without disabilities”.
It has undertaken to conduct “a thorough and independent evaluation of safeguarding [and] wellbeing policies and procedures.
“In addition to the safeguarding and wellbeing regulations, already existing throughout its federation, L’Arche International has created a commission, composed in part of people from outside its organisation, to allow all its members to speak out and to follow-up on any reports in complete confidentiality.”
L’Arche Ireland
In a separate statement, L'Arche Ireland and Northern Ireland paid "tribute to the women who gave us their testimony and our thoughts very much remain with them. This inquiry is being taken with the utmost seriousness by our international organisation to better understand its history and improve all safeguarding procedures and policies.
“We will be working with them to implement any recommendations that arise from the process.”
It was emphasised that what had emerged “in no way reflects the ethos or operations, current or historical of L’Arche in Ireland, Northern Ireland or in any part of L’Arche International. Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of all our community members, and we will support them through this news.
“L’Arche has undertaken a thorough review of well-established and recognised safeguarding policies and procedures across Ireland and Northern Ireland. We remain fully focused on our mission to ensure all community members realise their full potential.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-22--Three arrested after shooting incident in Co Donegal

A man in his early 20s has been arrested after shooting a rifle in the direction of gardaí in Glenties @ @ @ @ @ night .
Gardaí were called to Mill Road shortly after midnight following reports of shots @ @ @ @ @ with a rifle .
During a brief stand-off the man shot in the direction of @ @ @ @ @ car but not injuring anyone .
The man was apprehended by armed gardaí and taken @ @ @ @ @ A rifle , a hunting knife and a number of rounds of ammunition were seized @ @ @ @ @ at a house on Main Street , Glenties , a second firearm was seized and @ @ @ @ @ 20s and 40s , were arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station for questioning .
@ @ @ @ @ Garda press office said no shots were fired by gardaí during the incident and there @ @ @ @ @ any injuries .

During a brief stand-off the man shot in the direction of gardaí, hitting a patrol car but not injuring anyone. Stock photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images.
A man in his early 20s has been arrested after shooting a rifle in the direction of gardaí in Glenties, Co Donegal on Friday night.
Gardaí were called to Mill Road shortly after midnight following reports of shots being fired by a man with a rifle.
During a brief stand-off the man shot in the direction of gardaí, hitting a patrol car but not injuring anyone.
The man was apprehended by armed gardaí and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station. A rifle, a hunting knife and a number of rounds of ammunition were seized.
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During a follow-up search at a house on Main Street, Glenties, a second firearm was seized and two men, in their 20s and 40s, were arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station for questioning.
A statement released by the Garda press office said no shots were fired by gardaí during the incident and there have been no reports of any injuries.


theirishtimes--2020-02-23--High risk of flooding along river Shannon as rainfall warning issued

There is a high risk of flooding along parts of the river Shannon over the coming days due to high water levels and expected heavy rainfall on Sunday night .
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rainfall warning for the majority of the country , including counties along the river Shannon , valid from 8pm on Sunday until 8am Monday morning .
The affected areas include the whole of Connacht , and counties Cavan , Monaghan , Donegal , Dublin , Kildare , Laois , Longford , Louth , Wicklow , Offaly , Westmeath , Meath , Clare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a spell of heavy rain on Sunday night “ will lead to accumulations of between 20 to 25mm , with higher totals possible in upland areas.
” The heavy rain is to be followed by sleet and snow in parts .
“ As the ground is saturated at the moment and river levels are elevated the combined effect of rainfall and snow melt may lead to some localised surface and river flooding , ” the forecaster warned .
On Saturday , Westmeath County Council said high water levels in Athlone town has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roads in the lower parts of the town.
” “ There are no residences at imminent risk and water levels remain approximately 0.8m below the highest level recorded in winter of 2015/16 , ” which saw severe flooding .
The local authority said staff were “ on the ground carrying out protective works and will continue to deploy defence measures as required and in the expectation that water levels will continue to increase in the coming days.
” Both Galway County Council and Mayo County Council have closed some local roads due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councillor Peter Ormond has requested an emergency meeting of the Birr municipal district to discuss flooding along the Shannon .
Finola Armstrong-McGuire , a Fine Gael councillor on Leitrim County Council said the rising river levels in Carrick-on-Shannon were “ concerning.
” A retail park just outside of Carrick-on-Shannon had seen some flooding , but the town was currently safe and roads were passable , she said .
“ Everyone is on red alert , it will get worse with coming rainfall , ” she said .
“ It is concerning ...
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are threats [ to homes ] , ” she said .

Residents of Springfield, Clonlara, Co Clare, were moved from their homes and around 7,000 sandbags and pumping stations were delivered to ten houses in the village. Photograph: David Raleigh.
Houses in a Co Clare village have been evacuated as the flooded river Shannon swept around their homes and threatened to burst its banks in other parts of the country.
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rainfall warning for the majority of the country, including counties along the River Shannon, valid from 8pm on Sunday until 8am Monday morning.
Residents of Springfield, Clonlara, Co Clare, were moved from their homes and around 7,000 sandbags and pumping stations were delivered to ten houses in the village, some of which have been cut off from roads, and are now effectively languished on islands.
Areas included in Sunday night’s weather alert are the whole of Connacht, and counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare, and Tipperary.
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The national forecaster has said a spell of heavy rain on Sunday night “will lead to accumulations of between 20 to 25mm, with higher totals possible in upland areas.” The heavy rain is to be followed by sleet and snow in parts.
“As the ground is saturated at the moment and river levels are elevated the combined effect of rainfall and snow melt may lead to some localised surface and river flooding,” the forecaster warned.
Flooding in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim on Sunday. Photograph: Ronan McGreevy/The Irish Times.
On Saturday, Westmeath County Council said high water levels in Athlone town has led to "water on the minor roads in the lower parts of the town."
“There are no residences at imminent risk and water levels remain approximately 0.8m below the highest level recorded in winter of 2015/16,” which saw severe flooding.
The local authority said staff were “on the ground carrying out protective works and will continue to deploy defence measures as required and in the expectation that water levels will continue to increase in the coming days.”
Both Galway County Council and Mayo County Council have closed some local roads due to flooding.
Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council councillor Peter Ormond has requested an emergency meeting of the Birr municipal district to discuss flooding along the Shannon.
Localised flooding has closed the Clonown Road in Athlone this week. Photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times.
‘It’s bringing back hell again’
Meanwhile in Co Clare, the nightmare of previous devastating floods, in 1995, 2009, and 2016 returned for Joe and Geraldine Quinlivan who have built a sandbag trench around their bungalow in Springfield.
“It’s bringing back hell again. Politicians just don’t seem to care. You’ll get the politicians here when the media arrive, and when they get their faces on the papers and on the television, they go away after that, and that’s what they have been doing since 1995,” said Mr Quinlivan.
He believes the solution lies in dredging trees and silt on a stretch of the River Shannon about a mile from his home. However, he said his requests have, so far, fallen on deaf ears.
“There are two types of people in this country, one that will do it and one will talk about it. Give me the man that will do it.”
In 2016, the family spent an exhausting seven weeks, night and day, pumping floodwater away from their home.
Everyone is on red alert, it will get worse with coming rainfall
Looking over her rear garden fence at a lake of floodwater coming towards her home, Geraldine Quinlivan fought back tears.
“The water has risen approximately six inches since 9pm last night, and its still rising so, it’s a cause of great concern for us,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate we find ourselves back in the same situation again with nothing done.
“I was up this morning at 3.30am and my husband got up at 5.30am to check to see what the water levels were like. We’ve just had enough, we cannot live like this any more.”
“It’s not good enough we are putting up with this and living with this threat every year.”
“This is not an acceptable way to live, we can’t cope with this physically or mentally anymore.”
Embankment
Springfield is located between the Parteen Weir and Limerick. The Parteen Weir sluice gates are operated by the ESB, which in the event of increased rainfall and large volumes flowing from Athlone,must in turn release increased discharge flows, which in turn flood communities on the lower Shannon basin.
Plans by Clare County Council to construct a nearby embankment and pumping station have been put on hold.
“We need this embankment built. The time for surveys, talking, and meetings is over,” Ms Quinlivan said.
“We need the new government to put an emphasis on flooding, on the misery of flooding and its effects on people. The new government should make flooding a priority.”
“It’s not rocket science. We just need it to be done.”
Speaking in Springfield, John Leahy, Clare Council Senior Engineer, said an increase in rainfall was forecast for the area overnight which would likely result in floodwaters rising.
“We’ve had crews here all week making preparations. There are some houses that have been cut off and some of those residents have been put up in local hotels,” Mr Leahy said.
“In addition to our own crews working here all week, we have the (Clare) Civil Defence here and we also have the Fire Service, and the Army on standby, if we need their assistance.”
“We’d like to reassure the people of Springfield/Clonlara that Clare County Council won’t be leaving here until the flood has subsided, until the waters have abated around their houses.”
Flooding in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim on Sunday. Photograph: Ronan McGreevy/The Irish Times.
Meanwhile in Leitrim, Finola Armstrong-McGuire, a Fine Gael councillor, said the rising river levels in Carrick-on-Shannon were "concerning."
A retail park just outside of Carrick-on-Shannon had seen some flooding, but the town was currently safe and roads were passable, she said.
“Everyone is on red alert, it will get worse with coming rainfall,” she said.
“It is concerning ... The river has burst its banks, and there are threats [to homes],” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-23--Sinn Féin to hold public meetings around country to rally support for government efforts

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has announced plans to hold a series of public meetings over the next two weeks , starting in the Cork South Central constituency where Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is a TD .
The meetings aim to rally public support for Sinn Féin ’ s efforts to get into government .
Over the next fortnight , meetings are planned for Dublin , Galway , Cavan and Newry , but with the first taking place in Cork on Monday night .
Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin had not only obtained the largest number of votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes for the position of taoiseach than either Mr Martin or Fine Gael ’ s Leo Varadkar when nominations were sought for the position in Dáil Éireann on Thursday .
“ It is now emerging is that there will be a clear choice to be made - on the one hand for a government of change or on the other hand , the carve up of power again between the two old parties of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and I know which of those the people want , ” said Ms McDonald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with Ms McDonald at the Rochestown Park Hotel began appearing around Cork on Friday advertising the rally , which will also feature TDs Pearse Doherty and Eoin Ó Broin .
Sinn Féin performed well in Cork with the party holding its seats and topping the polls in Cork South Central and Cork East through outgoing TDs Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Pat Buckley , while Cllr Thomas Gould was elected on the first count in Cork North Central where Sinn Féin TD , Jonathan O Brien was stepping down .
Ó Laoghaire ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first count in Cork South Central was particularly noteworthy given he was up against Mr Martin , Tánaiste Simon Coveney of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath .

Over the next fortnight, meetings are planned for Dublin, Galway, Cavan and Newry, but with the first taking place in Cork on Monday night. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has announced plans to hold a series of public meetings over the next two weeks, starting in the Cork South Central constituency where Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is a TD.
The meetings aim to rally public support for Sinn Féin's efforts to get into government. Over the next fortnight, meetings are planned for Dublin, Galway, Cavan and Newry, but with the first taking place in Cork on Monday night.
Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin had not only obtained the largest number of votes in the general election but received more votes for the position of taoiseach than either Mr Martin or Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar when nominations were sought for the position in Dáil Éireann on Thursday.
"It is now emerging is that there will be a clear choice to be made - on the one hand for a government of change or on the other hand, the carve up of power again between the two old parties of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and I know which of those the people want," said Ms McDonald.
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Posters for the Sinn Féin public meeting with Ms McDonald at the Rochestown Park Hotel began appearing around Cork on Friday advertising the rally, which will also feature TDs Pearse Doherty and Eoin Ó Broin.
Sinn Féin performed well in Cork with the party holding its seats and topping the polls in Cork South Central and Cork East through outgoing TDs Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Pat Buckley, while Cllr Thomas Gould was elected on the first count in Cork North Central where Sinn Féin TD, Jonathan O Brien was stepping down.
Ó Laoghaire's achievement in getting elected on the first count in Cork South Central was particularly noteworthy given he was up against Mr Martin, Tánaiste Simon Coveney of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath.


theirishtimes--2020-02-23--Gardaí wish to speak to taxi driver after girl dies in Cork car crash

Gardaí investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl in a single vehicle car crash in Cork city on Wednesday night have appealed for a taxi driver who may have information to contact them .
Officers investigating the death of Kimberly O ’ Connor on Harbour View Road believe the driver of a white Toyota taxi who was in the area on Wednesday night may be able to help them .
Gardaí believe the driver of the taxi was travelling on Harbour View Road between 11.30pm and 12 midnight on the night in question and may have seen what exactly happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who may have information regarding the collision , particularly any road users with camera footage , are also asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 494 6200 .
Kimberly was killed when the car in which she was a front seat passenger collided with a wall on Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny on the city ’ s northside at around 11.45pm on February 19th .
Gardaí are trying to establish the exact movements of the car , a 19-year-old Seat Toledo , in the run up to the collision which happened just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harbour View Road .
One theory they are investigating is that the car , driven by a 16-year-old boy , came down Court Town Drive and hit the roundabout at the junction with Harbour View Road where the driver lost control .
The car demolished pedestrian traffic lights on Harbour View Road before colliding with a wall where it came to a halt and Kimberly was pronounced dead in the vehicle by the emergency services .
The driver of the car left the scene but later presented at the Mercy University Hospital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head injuries .
Gardaí are hoping to speak to him later in the week .
An 18-year-old man who was a back seat passenger in the car remains in a critical condition on a ventilator in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit of Cork University Hospital .
Meanwhile funeral arrangements have been published for Kimberly - a popular Transition Year student at nearby Terence Mac Swiney Community College just yards from the scene of the crash .
Kimberly , who lost her father Mark several years ago , is survived by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shannon and Britney and month old baby brother , Cody as well as Jennifer ’ s partner , Ken .
A rosary will take place for her at O ’ Connor Bros Funeral Home , North Gate Bridge on Sunday at 5pm and she will be removed to St Mary ’ s on the Hill Church in Knocknaheeny at 7pm on Monday .
Kimberly ’ s funeral mass will take place at St Mary ’ s on the Hill at 12pm on Wednesday with her funeral taking place immediately afterwards with burial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kilcully .

Gardaí investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl in a single vehicle car crash in Cork city on Wednesday night have appealed for a taxi driver who may have information to contact them.
Officers investigating the death of Kimberly O'Connor on Harbour View Road believe the driver of a white Toyota taxi who was in the area on Wednesday night may be able to help them.
Gardaí believe the driver of the taxi was travelling on Harbour View Road between 11.30pm and 12 midnight on the night in question and may have seen what exactly happened to cause the crash.
Anyone else who may have information regarding the collision, particularly any road users with camera footage, are also asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 494 6200.
READ MORE
Kimberly was killed when the car in which she was a front seat passenger collided with a wall on Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny on the city's northside at around 11.45pm on February 19th.
Gardaí are trying to establish the exact movements of the car, a 19-year-old Seat Toledo, in the run up to the collision which happened just yards from Kimberly's home on Harbour View Road.
One theory they are investigating is that the car, driven by a 16-year-old boy, came down Court Town Drive and hit the roundabout at the junction with Harbour View Road where the driver lost control.
The car demolished pedestrian traffic lights on Harbour View Road before colliding with a wall where it came to a halt and Kimberly was pronounced dead in the vehicle by the emergency services.
The driver of the car left the scene but later presented at the Mercy University Hospital and is still being treated in hospital for head injuries. Gardaí are hoping to speak to him later in the week.
An 18-year-old man who was a back seat passenger in the car remains in a critical condition on a ventilator in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit of Cork University Hospital.
Meanwhile funeral arrangements have been published for Kimberly - a popular Transition Year student at nearby Terence Mac Swiney Community College just yards from the scene of the crash.
Kimberly, who lost her father Mark several years ago, is survived by her mother, Jennifer Haynes, sisters, Shannon and Britney and month old baby brother, Cody as well as Jennifer's partner, Ken.
A rosary will take place for her at O’Connor Bros Funeral Home, North Gate Bridge on Sunday at 5pm and she will be removed to St Mary’s on the Hill Church in Knocknaheeny at 7pm on Monday.
Kimberly’s funeral mass will take place at St Mary’s on the Hill at 12pm on Wednesday with her funeral taking place immediately afterwards with burial at St Catherine’s Cemetery, Kilcully.