theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Ireland to receive €30m in grants to help with move away from peat production

Ireland is set to be allocated €30 million in grants from a European Union green fund to help ease the transition away from peat production .
The money is expected to help with retraining workers at power plants like Moneypoint in Co Clare .
The funding is being earmarked for Ireland from a €7.5 billion fund to be established as part of a “ Just Transition Mechanism ” to help wean member-states off carbon-based energy production such as coal and peat , which is a key element of the European Commission ’ s Green Deal initiative .
The commission on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion in investment , aid and loan guarantees over the next seven years to fund the Green Deal .
The scale of such funding , however , will depend on the outcome of difficult negotiations currently under way on the union ’ s budget for 2021-27 .
The commission last night set out tentative national allocations from the proposed Just Transition Fund ( JTF ) which will provide grants ranging between €2 billion for Poland to €4 million for Luxembourg .
These will have to be supplemented by member states by up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their national allocations of EU regional and structural funds .
The fund has been proposed as a response to concerns expressed by several eastern states that emissions targets , notably the commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050 , are particularly onerous on economies traditionally based on coal production .
Poland had been the only state to refuse at the December summit to commit to the 2050 carbon-neutrality target .
The commission hopes the JTF proposals will help it come on board .

Ireland is set to be allocated €30 million in grants from a European Union green fund to help ease the transition away from peat production. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Ireland is set to be allocated €30 million in grants from a European Union green fund to help ease the transition away from peat production.
The money is expected to help with retraining workers at power plants like Moneypoint in Co Clare.
The funding is being earmarked for Ireland from a €7.5 billion fund to be established as part of a “Just Transition Mechanism” to help wean member-states off carbon-based energy production such as coal and peat, which is a key element of the European Commission’s Green Deal initiative.
The commission on Tuesday announced it would mobilise some €1 trillion in investment, aid and loan guarantees over the next seven years to fund the Green Deal. The scale of such funding, however, will depend on the outcome of difficult negotiations currently under way on the union’s budget for 2021-27.
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Allocations
The commission last night set out tentative national allocations from the proposed Just Transition Fund (JTF) which will provide grants ranging between €2 billion for Poland to €4 million for Luxembourg.
These will have to be supplemented by member states by up to three euro for every euro received from their national allocations of EU regional and structural funds.
The fund has been proposed as a response to concerns expressed by several eastern states that emissions targets, notably the commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050, are particularly onerous on economies traditionally based on coal production.
Poland had been the only state to refuse at the December summit to commit to the 2050 carbon-neutrality target. The commission hopes the JTF proposals will help it come on board.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Four investigations to look into homeless man’s injury

Four separate investigations are under way into a homeless man being seriously injured while a utility vehicle was removing tents pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin .
The incident , which happened between 12pm and 1pm on Tuesday , occurred during clearance works that were being carried out by Waterways Ireland along the canal banks .
The man was in a tent on the bank at the Leeson Street Bridge end of the canal at Wilton Terrace .
It is understood that a vehicle with a mechanical arm and claw was used to remove tents that were along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a truck for disposal .
Waterways Ireland , which manages the canal , was removing up to 10 tents in the area at the time .
An outreach worker from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive ( DRHE ) was present to assist people sleeping rough on how to access alternative accommodation .
Sources say the occupied tent was not opened but was checked verbally and that there was no response from inside .
The worker operating the utility vehicle was then given the go-ahead to move it .
When it was lifted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was immediately returned to the ground .
The man inside was removed to hospital by ambulance .
The incident is now the subject of a Garda investigation , an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority , as it was a workplace incident , and separate reviews by Waterways Ireland and the DRHE .
While the DRHE provides homeless services across the four Dublin local authority areas , a spokeswoman said it had no remit to decide to clear tents or items from the canals .
This was a matter solely for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its statement Waterways Ireland said it had been working “ in co-operation with the DRHE to remove tents along the canals in Dublin where they have become a public safety hazard ” .
“ On the 14th January an incident occurred at Leeson Street , on the Grand Canal .
Our thoughts are very much with the individual who was involved , ” it said .
“ A Garda investigation has been launched and Waterways Ireland is co-operating fully .
While that investigation is ongoing Waterways Ireland is obliged to not comment further.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” had been delivered to people in tents in the days previously , giving notice of the date and time of the planned “ clean-up ” .
A source in Waterways Ireland told The Irish Times that they had encountered ongoing issues with tent encampments by the canals .
In the past few years , the source added , there had been a “ considerable problem with human defecation ” and discarded needles by the waterways .
“ We are managing a public amenity and we have to manage it in a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , ” the source added .
The organisation , however , did not move to clear tents or other paraphernalia until given the “ all-clear ” by the DRHE that rough-sleeper outreach teams had engaged with people there and moved them on to alternative accommodation .
“ We go on-site at the end of that process .
At that stage our role is to go in and clear away the items which are left behind – needles , tents , and sleeping bags , ” the source said .
“ We never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive being there , and they were on this occasion.
” Waterways Ireland faced criticism in late 2017 when it raised water levels on the Royal Canal at Binn ’ s Bridge in Drumcondra , flooding the banks .
It had issued “ eviction notices ” to people in tents in the area in the weeks previously , telling them : “ You unlawfully entered on to the above lands in the past few months and have set up an encampment .
You are trespassing on lands which are the property of Waterway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canal which is a public amenity .
”

Gardaí at the scene where a homeless man was injured along the Grand Canal in Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Four separate investigations are under way into a homeless man being seriously injured while a utility vehicle was removing tents pitched along the Grand Canal in Dublin.
The incident, which happened between 12pm and 1pm on Tuesday, occurred during clearance works that were being carried out by Waterways Ireland along the canal banks. The man was in a tent on the bank at the Leeson Street Bridge end of the canal at Wilton Terrace.
It is understood that a vehicle with a mechanical arm and claw was used to remove tents that were along the canal which were lifted and placed into a truck for disposal.
Waterways Ireland, which manages the canal, was removing up to 10 tents in the area at the time. An outreach worker from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) was present to assist people sleeping rough on how to access alternative accommodation.
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Sources say the occupied tent was not opened but was checked verbally and that there was no response from inside. The worker operating the utility vehicle was then given the go-ahead to move it. When it was lifted, however, the tent began to move and was immediately returned to the ground.
The man inside was removed to hospital by ambulance.
The incident is now the subject of a Garda investigation, an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority, as it was a workplace incident, and separate reviews by Waterways Ireland and the DRHE.
While the DRHE provides homeless services across the four Dublin local authority areas, a spokeswoman said it had no remit to decide to clear tents or items from the canals. This was a matter solely for Waterways Ireland, she added.
In its statement Waterways Ireland said it had been working “in co-operation with the DRHE to remove tents along the canals in Dublin where they have become a public safety hazard”.
“On the 14th January an incident occurred at Leeson Street, on the Grand Canal. Our thoughts are very much with the individual who was involved,” it said.
“A Garda investigation has been launched and Waterways Ireland is co-operating fully. While that investigation is ongoing Waterways Ireland is obliged to not comment further.”
It is understood “eviction notices” had been delivered to people in tents in the days previously, giving notice of the date and time of the planned “clean-up”.
‘Public amenity’
A source in Waterways Ireland told The Irish Times that they had encountered ongoing issues with tent encampments by the canals. In the past few years, the source added, there had been a “considerable problem with human defecation” and discarded needles by the waterways.
“We are managing a public amenity and we have to manage it in a way that ensures it is safe for the public,” the source added.
The organisation, however, did not move to clear tents or other paraphernalia until given the “all-clear” by the DRHE that rough-sleeper outreach teams had engaged with people there and moved them on to alternative accommodation.
“We go on-site at the end of that process. At that stage our role is to go in and clear away the items which are left behind – needles, tents, and sleeping bags,” the source said.
“We never go on-site without someone from the homelessness executive being there, and they were on this occasion.”
Waterways Ireland faced criticism in late 2017 when it raised water levels on the Royal Canal at Binn's Bridge in Drumcondra, flooding the banks. It had issued "eviction notices" to people in tents in the area in the weeks previously, telling them: "You unlawfully entered on to the above lands in the past few months and have set up an encampment. You are trespassing on lands which are the property of Waterway Ireland along the banks of the Royal Canal which is a public amenity."


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Dublin basketball club challenges suspension of teams

A Dublin basketball club has taken a High Court challenge over a 30-day suspension imposed on 11 of its teams .
St Vincent ’ s Basketball Club in Dublin secured a temporary High Court injunction on Wednesday halting the imposition of a suspension imposed on all its teams , including underage teams , and activities by the Dublin Men ’ s Basketball Board ( DMBB ) .
The suspension relates to issues including the registrations of a number of adult players by the club .
At the High Court on Wednesday , Anthony Thuillier BL , for the Glasnevin- based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on January 13th last was “ draconian ” and had been imposed in breach of fair procedures .
Counsel said the club was shocked by its suspension and was only informed of the DMBB ’ s decision on January 8th last.The suspension by the DMBB , one of several area boards that organises local basketball competitions in Ireland , was an “ ambush ” , he said .
The club says the factual position set out by the DMBB in its decision is inaccurate and not correct .
It also claims the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sport ’ s Irish governing body Basketball Ireland .
It has appealed the decision to suspend all its teams but claims it was informed by the defendant the suspension will remain in force until the appeal has been determined .
Counsel said this goes against Basketball Ireland ’ s procedures which stipulate a proposed sanction should not take effect until the appeal is concluded .
Other clubs have been informed by the defendant that all games with St Vincents have been cancelled during the period of the proposed suspension , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge impact on its teams which are midway through their season .
There are fears the 30-day ban could result in all the sides being withdrawn from their respective competitions .
As well as playing in national competitions , the club fields a total of 100 players in 11 teams in league and cup competitions run by the DMBB from the under-11s age group up to the adult Super League .
There are also concerns that the suspension could have repercussions for the club ’ s top men ’ s team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saints , in the National Super League , a national competition .
The temporary injunction preventing the DMBB enforcing the suspension was granted , on an ex-parte basis , by Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds who returned the matter to next week .
Noting the impact on the club ’ s teams , the judge accepted the matter was urgent .
She also voiced concern about the impact on the club of the sizeable costs involved in bringing legal proceedings .
Counsel said the club had no option but to bring the proceedings as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday night .
Mr Thuillier added it was hoped the dispute could ultimately be resolved between the parties outside of the courts .

A Dublin basketball club has taken a High Court challenge over a 30-day suspension imposed on 11 of its teams.
St Vincent’s Basketball Club in Dublin secured a temporary High Court injunction on Wednesday halting the imposition of a suspension imposed on all its teams, including underage teams, and activities by the Dublin Men’s Basketball Board (DMBB). The suspension relates to issues including the registrations of a number of adult players by the club.
At the High Court on Wednesday, Anthony Thuillier BL, for the Glasnevin- based club, said the suspension which commenced on January 13th last was “draconian” and had been imposed in breach of fair procedures.
Counsel said the club was shocked by its suspension and was only informed of the DMBB’s decision on January 8th last.The suspension by the DMBB, one of several area boards that organises local basketball competitions in Ireland, was an “ambush”, he said.
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The club says the factual position set out by the DMBB in its decision is inaccurate and not correct. It also claims the decision was flawed and breaches the rules of the sport’s Irish governing body Basketball Ireland.
It has appealed the decision to suspend all its teams but claims it was informed by the defendant the suspension will remain in force until the appeal has been determined.
Counsel said this goes against Basketball Ireland’s procedures which stipulate a proposed sanction should not take effect until the appeal is concluded.
Other clubs have been informed by the defendant that all games with St Vincents have been cancelled during the period of the proposed suspension, he said.
The club claims this will have a huge impact on its teams which are midway through their season. There are fears the 30-day ban could result in all the sides being withdrawn from their respective competitions.
As well as playing in national competitions, the club fields a total of 100 players in 11 teams in league and cup competitions run by the DMBB from the under-11s age group up to the adult Super League. There are also concerns that the suspension could have repercussions for the club’s top men’s team, which plays under the title DCU Super Saints, in the National Super League, a national competition.
The temporary injunction preventing the DMBB enforcing the suspension was granted, on an ex-parte basis, by Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds who returned the matter to next week.
Noting the impact on the club’s teams, the judge accepted the matter was urgent. She also voiced concern about the impact on the club of the sizeable costs involved in bringing legal proceedings. Counsel said the club had no option but to bring the proceedings as it was due to play several games on Wednesday night. Mr Thuillier added it was hoped the dispute could ultimately be resolved between the parties outside of the courts.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--UK funding for North is ‘woefully inadequate’ – finance minister

A pledge by the British government to provide a £2 billion injection of financial support to help the restored Northern Executive and Assembly begin working has been described as “ woefully inadequate ” by the Stormont finance minister .
The funding announced by the Northern Ireland Office ( NIO ) involves an extra £1 billion to augment the £1 billion Northern Ireland would receive under the Barnett Formula , the system by which the British treasury allocates money to it , Scotland and Wales .
Sinn Féin finance minister Conor Murphy said the funding announced was “ woefully inadequate ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland ’ s public services facing “ a shortfall of at least £1 billion next year alone ” .
Northern secretary Julian Smith and British prime minister Boris Johnson , who visited the North on Monday , had come under criticism for failing to be specific about how much the financial support promised in the New Decade , New Approach deal would be .
The NIO on Wednesday evening said the British government was providing a “ £2 billion injection of financial support ” which it said would “ end the nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , turbocharge infrastructure investment and address Northern Ireland ’ s unique circumstances ” .
The NIO statement said the “ financial package will be accompanied by stringent conditions … to deliver a greater level of accountability for public spending and ensure the new Executive is building sustainable public services ” .
It said a new “ UK Government – Northern Ireland Executive joint board ” would be established , convened by Mr Smith , to oversee implementation .
Ulster Unionist Party health minister Robin Swann announced on Tuesday that the Executive was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the £109 million required this year to settle the health workers ’ industrial dispute .
Mr Smith , however , indicated that the funding would come from London as part of the deal .
“ This funding provides certainty to the Executive and ensures much-needed reforms across health , education and justice can be delivered , ” he added .
The NIO said the financial package would allow the Executive to plan new investment over a five-year period .
It would involve a “ rapid injection of £550 million to put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footing , including £200 million to resolve the nurses ’ pay dispute immediately and deliver pay parity over the next two years ” .
Around £245 million will be provided to support the transformation of public services , including transformation across health , education and justice .
“ Funding release will be tied to the delivery of reform , ” said the NIO .
The British government has also made a commitment to “ ringfence £60 million of capital and resource funding ” to deliver a Northern Ireland Graduate Entry Medical School in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £45 million provided by the Inclusive Future Fund announced last May .
It is to provide £50 million over two years to support the rollout of ultra-low emission public transport .
Without providing detail it added that £140 million will be provided to “ address Northern Ireland ’ s unique circumstances ” .
Mr Murphy said a sum of £1 billion would have come regardless under the Barnett Formula .
He said of the remaining £1 billion , £240 million was promised already as part of the confidence and supply agreement between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This act of bad faith makes our job much more difficult .
As finance minister I can not and will not accept this and will be taking this up with the British government.
” The NIO made clear that if the Executive wanted extra cash it could engage in its own additional revenue creation .
“ The deal includes strict financial conditions such as the establishment of a new independent Fiscal Council .
But it does not include any conditions about the raising of revenue by the Executive – that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide on if it wants to release extra funds.
” First minister Arlene Foster and deputy first minister Michelle O ’ Neill had earlier written to Mr Johnson seeking assurances about the funding pledges .
Stormont civil servants are preparing detailed costings for pledges the British and Irish governments made in the agreement to restore the Executive and Assembly .
The Irish Government as part of the deal also has promised to provide significant funding to assist the new Executive .

The British government is to provide a £2 billion injection of financial support to help the restored Northern Executive and Assembly begin working on a “sustainable footing”, Julian Smith, Northern Secretary, has announced. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
A pledge by the British government to provide a £2 billion injection of financial support to help the restored Northern Executive and Assembly begin working has been described as “woefully inadequate” by the Stormont finance minister.
The funding announced by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) involves an extra £1 billion to augment the £1 billion Northern Ireland would receive under the Barnett Formula, the system by which the British treasury allocates money to it, Scotland and Wales.
Sinn Féin finance minister Conor Murphy said the funding announced was “woefully inadequate”, and that the proposed package left Northern Ireland’s public services facing “a shortfall of at least £1 billion next year alone”.
Northern secretary Julian Smith and British prime minister Boris Johnson, who visited the North on Monday, had come under criticism for failing to be specific about how much the financial support promised in the New Decade, New Approach deal would be.
READ MORE
The NIO on Wednesday evening said the British government was providing a “£2 billion injection of financial support” which it said would “end the nurses’ pay dispute, transform public services, turbocharge infrastructure investment and address Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances”.
The NIO statement said the “financial package will be accompanied by stringent conditions … to deliver a greater level of accountability for public spending and ensure the new Executive is building sustainable public services”.
It said a new “UK Government – Northern Ireland Executive joint board” would be established, convened by Mr Smith, to oversee implementation.
Ulster Unionist Party health minister Robin Swann announced on Tuesday that the Executive was to take £30 million from future funding to meet the £109 million required this year to settle the health workers’ industrial dispute.
Certainty
Mr Smith, however, indicated that the funding would come from London as part of the deal.
“This funding provides certainty to the Executive and ensures much-needed reforms across health, education and justice can be delivered,” he added.
The NIO said the financial package would allow the Executive to plan new investment over a five-year period.
It would involve a “rapid injection of £550 million to put the Executive’s finances on a sustainable footing, including £200 million to resolve the nurses’ pay dispute immediately and deliver pay parity over the next two years”.
Around £245 million will be provided to support the transformation of public services, including transformation across health, education and justice.
“Funding release will be tied to the delivery of reform,” said the NIO.
The British government has also made a commitment to “ringfence £60 million of capital and resource funding” to deliver a Northern Ireland Graduate Entry Medical School in Derry subject to Executive approval, with £45 million provided by the Inclusive Future Fund announced last May.
It is to provide £50 million over two years to support the rollout of ultra-low emission public transport.
Without providing detail it added that £140 million will be provided to “address Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances”.
Mr Murphy said a sum of £1 billion would have come regardless under the Barnett Formula. He said of the remaining £1 billion, £240 million was promised already as part of the confidence and supply agreement between the DUP and last UK Tory minority government.
Shortfall
“This act of bad faith makes our job much more difficult. As finance minister I cannot and will not accept this and will be taking this up with the British government.”
The NIO made clear that if the Executive wanted extra cash it could engage in its own additional revenue creation.
“The deal includes strict financial conditions such as the establishment of a new independent Fiscal Council. But it does not include any conditions about the raising of revenue by the Executive – that will be a matter for the Executive to decide on if it wants to release extra funds.”
First minister Arlene Foster and deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill had earlier written to Mr Johnson seeking assurances about the funding pledges. Stormont civil servants are preparing detailed costings for pledges the British and Irish governments made in the agreement to restore the Executive and Assembly.
The Irish Government as part of the deal also has promised to provide significant funding to assist the new Executive.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Dublin woman’s body dismembered and found in nine locations, court told

The body of a 61-year-old woman was dismembered into 15 separate parts that were found at nine different locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains , a prosecution barrister has told a murder trial .
The Central Criminal Court also heard that Patricia O ’ Connor received a minimum of three blows to the head with a solid implement at her Rathfarnham home before her body was brought in the boot of her Toyota Corolla car to Co Wexford and buried in a shallow grave .
Her remains were later dug up and her body dismembered using hacksaws and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four hours .
Her head , along with both hands , was later discovered in a plastic bag .
Kieran Greene ( 34 ) of Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia O ’ Connor ( 61 ) at the same address on May 29th , 2017 .
The deceased ’ s daughter Louise O ’ Connor ( 41 ) and granddaughter Stephanie O ’ Connor ( 22 ) , both of Millmount Court , Dundrum Road , Dublin 14 , and Louise O ’ Connor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , of Avonbeg Gardens , Tallaght , Dublin 24 are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene , knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence , to wit the murder of Patricia O ’ Connor on May 29th , 2017 .
Opening the prosecution ’ s case on Wednesday , Roisin Lacey SC said the offences alleged against the four accused are “ so closely connected in time ” and the movements of the individuals involved are important in order to understand the significance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jury , Ms Lacey said Mrs O ’ Connor lived in Rathfarnham with her husband Gus , their daughter Louise O ’ Connor and her partner Kieran Greene , their three young children as well as Louise ’ s two children with Keith Johnston .
Ms Lacey said the living conditions were quite cramped , which did not lend itself to a happy environment .
“ Tensions in the house were high and it was stressful at time .
There were interpersonal conflicts and tensions between these individuals , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear Mr O ’ Connor and his son Richard went to Rathfarnham Garda Station on June 1st , 2017 to report Mrs O ’ Connor had been missing since May 29th .
Ms Lacey said that 15 separate body parts were found at nine different locations in the Dublin mountains between June 10th and 14th , 2017 .
They were found in a disparate region , mostly off the Military Road in Enniskerry , in an area covering approximately 30km , she said , adding that other locations included Glencree , Glenmacnass Waterfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were initially recovered by members of the public and then by members of the investigation team , said Ms Lacey , adding that every body part of Mrs O ’ Connor had been found .
The court will also hear evidence , the lawyer said , about a post-mortem being conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Prof Michael Curtis .
It was only through a DNA analysis that the body parts were identified as belonging to the deceased .
Ms Lacey said it was recorded by Prof Curtis during the post-mortem that Mrs O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been found in a plastic bag .
It was Prof Curtis ’ conclusion that the deceased ’ s head was struck a minimum of three blows with a solid implement and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head , she said .
In relation to the evidence against Mr Greene , Ms Lacey said he attended at Rathfarnham Garda Station on June 12th , and admitted killing his mother-in-law on May 29th or 30th .
Mr Greene told gardaí there had been a dispute in the downstairs bathroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him with a hurley stick and he hit her back a few times before she fell on the ground , said Ms Lacey .
Counsel said Mr Greene further told gardaí that he put Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s body in the boot of her Toyota Corolla car and drove up the Dublin mountains , adding he had acted alone at all times and no one in the family was aware of what he had done or even that she was dead .
Mr Greene returned to the garda station the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not gone straight to the Dublin mountains but had taken her intact body to Wexford and buried her in a shallow grave .
On June 13th , Mr Greene agreed to go with gardaí to Blackwater in Wexford to show them where he buried Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s body .
Mr Greene was arrested for Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s murder after the investigating team found what appeared to be hair in the shallow grave as well as a piece of floral fabric .
Mr Greene told gardaí there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 29th and Mrs O ’ Connor had stormed out of the house but returned around midnight , when everyone was in bed .
She came into the bathroom and struck him with a hurley in the bathroom before he struck her a number of times and she fell and hit head .
He said to gardaí that he brought the body in the boot of a car to Wexford and no other family member saw what had happened .
He returned to Wexford on June 9th and dug up the body using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dublin mountains .
When the discovery of the body parts were in the news , he came to the garda station to confess his part in the killing of Mrs O ’ Connor , he said .
CCTV footage , Ms Lacey said , will show Mrs O ’ Connor wearing a floral dress in the front of her garden on May 29th .
The barrister said the prosecution case against Mr Greene is that he murdered Mrs O ’ Connor at some point after 18.35 , when she is last seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The court will see CCTV footage of a person carrying a suitcase and leaving the house at 21.34 on the night , she said .
This person is wearing a jacket with its hood up , covering their face and hair .
At 22.05 , a female enters the rear of the property through the side of the house .
It is the prosecution case that this female is Stephanie O ’ Connor and the person who left the house at 21.34 was Stephanie O ’ Connor , said Ms Lacey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretend that Mrs O ’ Connor had stormed out of the house carrying a suitcase in order to cover up the arrestable offence of murder .
However , Ms Lacey said Mrs O ’ Connor was already dead in the house at the time .
Ms Lacey said Mrs O ’ Connor was lying dead in a shallow grave and not yet dismembered when Mr Johnston assisted Mr Greene in purchasing DIY items .
He also redecorated the bathroom and told gardaí that at the time of carrying out the repairs he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a nagging thought in the back of his head that he could be potentially cleaning up a crime scene , said Ms Lacey .
Louise O ’ Connor , Stephanie O ’ Connor and Keith Johnston were arrested by gardaí in September 2017 and denied all involvement in the event , she said .
Mr Greene told gardaí in December 2017 that what he had originally told them was not correct and other family members were involved in the event , said the lawyer .
Mr Greene claimed Mrs O ’ Connor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he fell to the ground and at this point Gus O ’ Connor entered the bathroom , carrying a crowbar and hit his wife twice .
Mr Greene told gardai that Gus had killed his wife using a crowbar and he ( Mr Greene ) had taken the blame , outlined Ms Lacey .
Mr Greene told gardaí in his later interviews that he and Mr Johnston had gone to Wexford and Mr Johnston spent three to four hours dismembering Mrs O ’ Connor ’ s body , said Ms Lacey .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him through the Dublin mountains where they disposed of her body parts , she said .
Mr Greene also claimed Stephanie O ’ Connor had dressed up as her grandmother to pretend she was alive , said counsel , adding he had been persuaded to take the blame and had been set up by others .
Louise O ’ Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O ’ Connor disguising herself as Patricia O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14th on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that Patricia O ’ Connor was dead .
Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie ’ s , Mr Price , B & Q and Shoe Zone , Tallaght , Dublin 24 on June 9th , 2017 , which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Mr Johnston also denies engaging in the refurbishment of a bathroom at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 between May 31st , 2017 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Stephanie O ’ Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29th , 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead .
The trial continues on Thursday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women .
It is expected to last between five and @ @ @

The body of a 61-year-old woman was dismembered into 15 separate parts that were found at nine different locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, a prosecution barrister has told a murder trial.
The Central Criminal Court also heard that Patricia O’Connor received a minimum of three blows to the head with a solid implement at her Rathfarnham home before her body was brought in the boot of her Toyota Corolla car to Co Wexford and buried in a shallow grave.
Her remains were later dug up and her body dismembered using hacksaws and a hatchet over the course of three to four hours. Her head, along with both hands, was later discovered in a plastic bag.
Kieran Greene (34) of Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia O’Connor (61) at the same address on May 29th, 2017.
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The deceased’s daughter Louise O’Connor (41) and granddaughter Stephanie O’Connor (22), both of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14, and Louise O’Connor’s ex-partner Keith Johnston (43), of Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin 24 are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene, knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence, to wit the murder of Patricia O’Connor on May 29th, 2017.
Opening the prosecution’s case on Wednesday, Roisin Lacey SC said the offences alleged against the four accused are “so closely connected in time” and the movements of the individuals involved are important in order to understand the significance of the facts of the case.
Addressing the jury, Ms Lacey said Mrs O’Connor lived in Rathfarnham with her husband Gus, their daughter Louise O’Connor and her partner Kieran Greene, their three young children as well as Louise’s two children with Keith Johnston.
Ms Lacey said the living conditions were quite cramped, which did not lend itself to a happy environment. “Tensions in the house were high and it was stressful at time. There were interpersonal conflicts and tensions between these individuals,” she said.
Ms Lacey said the jury will hear Mr O’Connor and his son Richard went to Rathfarnham Garda Station on June 1st, 2017 to report Mrs O’Connor had been missing since May 29th.
Ms Lacey said that 15 separate body parts were found at nine different locations in the Dublin mountains between June 10th and 14th, 2017. They were found in a disparate region, mostly off the Military Road in Enniskerry, in an area covering approximately 30km, she said, adding that other locations included Glencree, Glenmacnass Waterfall and Sally Gap.
The body parts were initially recovered by members of the public and then by members of the investigation team, said Ms Lacey, adding that every body part of Mrs O’Connor had been found.
The court will also hear evidence, the lawyer said, about a post-mortem being conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Prof Michael Curtis. It was only through a DNA analysis that the body parts were identified as belonging to the deceased.
Ms Lacey said it was recorded by Prof Curtis during the post-mortem that Mrs O’Connor’s head and hands had been found in a plastic bag. It was Prof Curtis’ conclusion that the deceased’s head was struck a minimum of three blows with a solid implement and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head, she said.
In relation to the evidence against Mr Greene, Ms Lacey said he attended at Rathfarnham Garda Station on June 12th, and admitted killing his mother-in-law on May 29th or 30th.
Mr Greene told gardaí there had been a dispute in the downstairs bathroom during which Mrs O’Connor hit him with a hurley stick and he hit her back a few times before she fell on the ground, said Ms Lacey. Counsel said Mr Greene further told gardaí that he put Mrs O’Connor’s body in the boot of her Toyota Corolla car and drove up the Dublin mountains, adding he had acted alone at all times and no one in the family was aware of what he had done or even that she was dead.
Mr Greene returned to the garda station the following day, where he said he had not gone straight to the Dublin mountains but had taken her intact body to Wexford and buried her in a shallow grave.
On June 13th, Mr Greene agreed to go with gardaí to Blackwater in Wexford to show them where he buried Mrs O’Connor’s body. Mr Greene was arrested for Mrs O’Connor’s murder after the investigating team found what appeared to be hair in the shallow grave as well as a piece of floral fabric.
Mr Greene told gardaí there had been a row over a cat on May 29th and Mrs O’Connor had stormed out of the house but returned around midnight, when everyone was in bed. She came into the bathroom and struck him with a hurley in the bathroom before he struck her a number of times and she fell and hit head.
He said to gardaí that he brought the body in the boot of a car to Wexford and no other family member saw what had happened. He returned to Wexford on June 9th and dug up the body using a hacksaw before discarding the body in the Dublin mountains. When the discovery of the body parts were in the news, he came to the garda station to confess his part in the killing of Mrs O’Connor, he said.
CCTV footage, Ms Lacey said, will show Mrs O’Connor wearing a floral dress in the front of her garden on May 29th. The barrister said the prosecution case against Mr Greene is that he murdered Mrs O’Connor at some point after 18.35, when she is last seen entering the house from the rear garden.
The court will see CCTV footage of a person carrying a suitcase and leaving the house at 21.34 on the night, she said. This person is wearing a jacket with its hood up, covering their face and hair.
At 22.05, a female enters the rear of the property through the side of the house. It is the prosecution case that this female is Stephanie O’Connor and the person who left the house at 21.34 was Stephanie O’Connor, said Ms Lacey.
She said this was a ruse to pretend that Mrs O’Connor had stormed out of the house carrying a suitcase in order to cover up the arrestable offence of murder. However, Ms Lacey said Mrs O’Connor was already dead in the house at the time.
Ms Lacey said Mrs O’Connor was lying dead in a shallow grave and not yet dismembered when Mr Johnston assisted Mr Greene in purchasing DIY items. He also redecorated the bathroom and told gardaí that at the time of carrying out the repairs he felt a tense atmosphere in the house and had a nagging thought in the back of his head that he could be potentially cleaning up a crime scene, said Ms Lacey.
Louise O’Connor, Stephanie O’Connor and Keith Johnston were arrested by gardaí in September 2017 and denied all involvement in the event, she said.
Mr Greene told gardaí in December 2017 that what he had originally told them was not correct and other family members were involved in the event, said the lawyer. Mr Greene claimed Mrs O’Connor had attacked him with a hurley, he fell to the ground and at this point Gus O’Connor entered the bathroom, carrying a crowbar and hit his wife twice. Mr Greene told gardai that Gus had killed his wife using a crowbar and he (Mr Greene) had taken the blame, outlined Ms Lacey.
Mr Greene told gardaí in his later interviews that he and Mr Johnston had gone to Wexford and Mr Johnston spent three to four hours dismembering Mrs O’Connor’s body, said Ms Lacey. He further told gardaí that Mr Johnston directed him through the Dublin mountains where they disposed of her body parts, she said. Mr Greene also claimed Stephanie O’Connor had dressed up as her grandmother to pretend she was alive, said counsel, adding he had been persuaded to take the blame and had been set up by others.
Louise O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O’Connor disguising herself as Patricia O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14th on May 29th, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O’Connor was dead.
Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie’s, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9th, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O’Connor.
Mr Johnston also denies engaging in the refurbishment of a bathroom at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 between May 31st, 2017 and June 9th, 2017, in order to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O’Connor.
Stephanie O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 at a point in time after her murder on May 29th, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that she was already dead.
The trial continues on Thursday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women. It is expected to last between five and seven weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Controversial cameras needed at children’s hospital ‘to prevent babies being taken’

Controversial facial recognition technology is being installed in the new national children ’ s hospital in order to prevent babies being snatched , local politicians in Dublin has been told .
The special child protection responsibilities of paediatric hospitals was also cited by the chief executive of Children ’ s Health Ireland as a reason for equipping the new facility at St James ’ s Hospital with the Chinese-made technology .
Eilísh Hardiman said the hospital ’ s CCTV system has a built-in capacity to control access by way of facial recognition technology , but that no decision had yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Addressing members of Dublin City Council from the south central area of the city , she said the operator of the hospital took its responsibilities seriously in relation to data protection , people ’ s privacy , and civil rights issues .
However , children ’ s hospitals have heightened responsibilities in relation to child protection issues , she emphasised , and there had been instances in the past of babies being taken from hospitals .
Speaking afterwards to The Irish Times , Ms Hardiman said that three per cent of the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for facial recognition .
These cameras could be used without employing facial recognition software .
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has expressed concern the hospital might use Hikvision CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology The State ’ s data protection watchdog has said the use of such technology would have to be justified and shown to be proportionate .
The use of Chinese company Hikvision ’ s technology has been banned in US federal government buildings because of fears of espionage , while the cameras have also been linked to human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the councillors that finding enough nurses will be one of the biggest challenges for the new hospital .
Approximately 1,600 nurses will be needed once the €1.4 billion facility becomes operational in three years ’ time , and while it is planned to employ new Irish nursing graduates , nurses will also be needed from abroad .
Ms Hardiman said it was envisaged that approximately 4,000 people would be employed at the hospital , including 1,600 nurses and 250 consultants .
A committee was in place to examine the issue of access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters .
The new hospital , which will share a campus with St James Hospital , will have 1,000 underground car parking spaces .
The “ frame ” of the new hospital will be “ pretty much in place ” by the end of the year and the building will be ready for being kitted out by 2022 , councillors were told by project director , Phelim Devine .
The hospital will be ready for beginning operations in 2023 , which was within target .
Mr Devine said the hospital was the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State .
It will have a floor area of 160,00 square metres , whereas the average commercial office development is approximately 20,000 square metres .
Some parts of the development are already three storeys high , while three below ground level floors have also been constructed on the site .

Picture showing progress in the construction of the national children’s hospital in south Dublin, the largest construction project in the State. The picture was taken on January 14th.
Controversial facial recognition technology is being installed in the new national children’s hospital in order to prevent babies being snatched, local politicians in Dublin has been told.
The special child protection responsibilities of paediatric hospitals was also cited by the chief executive of Children’s Health Ireland as a reason for equipping the new facility at St James’s Hospital with the Chinese-made technology .
Eilísh Hardiman said the hospital’s CCTV system has a built-in capacity to control access by way of facial recognition technology, but that no decision had yet been made to use such technology.
Addressing members of Dublin City Council from the south central area of the city, she said the operator of the hospital took its responsibilities seriously in relation to data protection, people’s privacy, and civil rights issues.
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However, children’s hospitals have heightened responsibilities in relation to child protection issues, she emphasised, and there had been instances in the past of babies being taken from hospitals.
Speaking afterwards to The Irish Times, Ms Hardiman said that three per cent of the hospital’s CCTV cameras would have a capacity for facial recognition. These cameras could be used without employing facial recognition software.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has expressed concern the hospital might use Hikvision CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology
The State’s data protection watchdog has said the use of such technology would have to be justified and shown to be proportionate.
The use of Chinese company Hikvision’s technology has been banned in US federal government buildings because of fears of espionage, while the cameras have also been linked to human rights abuses in China.
Ms Hardiman told the councillors that finding enough nurses will be one of the biggest challenges for the new hospital.
Nurses
Approximately 1,600 nurses will be needed once the €1.4 billion facility becomes operational in three years’ time, and while it is planned to employ new Irish nursing graduates, nurses will also be needed from abroad.
Ms Hardiman said it was envisaged that approximately 4,000 people would be employed at the hospital, including 1,600 nurses and 250 consultants.
A committee was in place to examine the issue of access to the hospital, parking and other matters. The new hospital, which will share a campus with St James Hospital, will have 1,000 underground car parking spaces.
The "frame" of the new hospital will be "pretty much in place" by the end of the year and the building will be ready for being kitted out by 2022, councillors were told by project director, Phelim Devine.
The hospital will be ready for beginning operations in 2023, which was within target.
Mr Devine said the hospital was the largest construction project currently under way in the State. It will have a floor area of 160,00 square metres, whereas the average commercial office development is approximately 20,000 square metres.
Some parts of the development are already three storeys high, while three below ground level floors have also been constructed on the site.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Gardaí sent to school in response to online shooting threat

An online threat that a school in Co Wicklow would be targeted in a shooting resulted in gardai being dispatched @ @ @ @ @ have also begun an investigation , though nothing untoward was found at the school in @ @ @ @ @ understands a threat online warned there would be a shooting at the school tomorrow .
@ @ @ @ @ the attention of teachers and the school principal contacted gardaí , resulting in an operation @ @ @ @ @ .
However , despite gardaí visiting the school and conducting patrols around it , nothing @ @ @ @ @ Garda resources were also expected to be focused on the school tomorrow .
“ Gardaí @ @ @ @ @ towards an educational institution in the Arklow area that occurred today , Wednesday 15th January @ @ @ @ @ in a statement in reply to queries.
” “ Several patrols of the area have @ @ @ @ @ suspicious detected .
Investigations are continuing.
” Gardai are trying to establish who made the @ @ @ @ @ was expected to continue for some time .

An online threat that a school in Co Wicklow would be targeted in a shooting resulted in gardai being dispatched to the school.
Gardai have also begun an investigation, though nothing untoward was found at the school in Arklow.
The Irish Times understands a threat online warned there would be a shooting at the school tomorrow.
The matter was brought to the attention of teachers and the school principal contacted gardaí, resulting in an operation being put into action today.
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However, despite gardaí visiting the school and conducting patrols around it, nothing sinister was found. Additional Garda resources were also expected to be focused on the school tomorrow.
“Gardaí are investigating online threats made towards an educational institution in the Arklow area that occurred today, Wednesday 15th January 2020,” gardai said in a statement in reply to queries.”
“Several patrols of the area have taken place today. Nothing suspicious detected. Investigations are continuing.”
Gardai are trying to establish who made the threats and the investigation underway was expected to continue for some time.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Man found in possession of more than 4,300 images of child pornography

A man who was caught in possession of over 4,300 images of child pornography was found to have distributed a video of child pornography via email years earlier , a court has heard .
Kevin Maguire ( 29 ) sent an email with an attachment depicting an approximately 10-year-old girl being orally raped by an adult man to two separate email addresses .
He has no previous convictions .
Maguire of The Hedgerow , Foxrock , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at Castlefarm , Shankill , on May 7th , 2015 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address on an unknown date between August 2nd , 2011 and October 22nd , 2011 .
Det Garda Bernard Dunne told Diarmuid Collins BL , prosecuting , that on foot of information received from Interpol regarding the exchange of images on a Russian website , the IP address of a Hotmail account , associated with a user name on the website , was traced to Shankill .
Det Gda Dunne said that on the date in May 2015 , gardaí searched the house where the accused lived with his parents .
Maguire admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two laptops were seized for analysis .
The first laptop contained 1,070 images and 55 videos of child pornography .
This material included boys and girls ranging in age from babies of a few months old to teenagers under the age of 17 being sexually abused .
Gardaí also discovered records of search terms directed towards finding child pornography and records of the Russian website being accessed .
The second laptop contained 3,310 images and 65 videos of child pornography .
This material included boys and girls of the same age range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent from this laptop with a file attached to two email addresses .
The file was a seven-minute video depicting an approximately 10-year-old girl being orally raped by an adult man .
Det Gda Dunne agreed with Philip Rahn BL , defending , that there was no suggestion of contact with children or financial transactions in this case .
He agreed the distribution charge relates to the sending of the email and Maguire was not a systematic distributor for gain .
Mr Rahn said his client attended counselling and group therapy following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said his client has spent the last five years with this case hanging over his head .
Judge Melanie Greally noted that there was no need to pay for child pornography when it was so easy to access and that so many people were quite happy to trade the material .
Judge Greally adjourned the matter for finalisation on January 31st , next .

Kevin Maguire pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, in Shankill, in May 2015, and to distribution of child pornography, on dates between August and October 2011. He will be sentenced at a later date. Photograph: Collins Courts
A man who was caught in possession of over 4,300 images of child pornography was found to have distributed a video of child pornography via email years earlier, a court has heard.
Kevin Maguire (29) sent an email with an attachment depicting an approximately 10-year-old girl being orally raped by an adult man to two separate email addresses. He has no previous convictions.
Maguire of The Hedgerow, Foxrock, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at Castlefarm, Shankill, on May 7th, 2015 and distribution of child pornography at the same address on an unknown date between August 2nd, 2011 and October 22nd, 2011.
Det Garda Bernard Dunne told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that on foot of information received from Interpol regarding the exchange of images on a Russian website, the IP address of a Hotmail account, associated with a user name on the website, was traced to Shankill.
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Det Gda Dunne said that on the date in May 2015, gardaí searched the house where the accused lived with his parents. Maguire admitted he had child pornography on his computer and two laptops were seized for analysis.
The first laptop contained 1,070 images and 55 videos of child pornography. This material included boys and girls ranging in age from babies of a few months old to teenagers under the age of 17 being sexually abused.
Gardaí also discovered records of search terms directed towards finding child pornography and records of the Russian website being accessed.
The second laptop contained 3,310 images and 65 videos of child pornography. This material included boys and girls of the same age range being sexually abused.
An email was sent from this laptop with a file attached to two email addresses. The file was a seven-minute video depicting an approximately 10-year-old girl being orally raped by an adult man.
Det Gda Dunne agreed with Philip Rahn BL, defending, that there was no suggestion of contact with children or financial transactions in this case. He agreed the distribution charge relates to the sending of the email and Maguire was not a systematic distributor for gain.
Mr Rahn said his client attended counselling and group therapy following the search of his then home in 2015. He said his client has spent the last five years with this case hanging over his head.
Judge Melanie Greally noted that there was no need to pay for child pornography when it was so easy to access and that so many people were quite happy to trade the material.
Judge Greally adjourned the matter for finalisation on January 31st, next.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--John Bercow: Brexit is UK’s most colossal foreign-policy blunder in post-war period

The former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow said he would prefer to speak about values for the future rather than talk about Brexit during a visit to Dublin .
Speaking at a gathering in the RDS to mark the ending of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition ( BTYSTE ) , he added , “ Now is not the time for a fulmination of a speech about Brexit.
” Noting people ’ s wish for candour , however , he made no bones about his genuine belief that “ Brexit is the most colossal foreign-policy blunder by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nor did he want it to fail , and he accepted the UK government had the authority and the numbers to proceed with it .
He wished certain values in any scenario would apply including a distinctly internationalist mindset , given increased interdependency , when “ no one country can do it alone ” .
This was the case in trade policy and in addressing climate change ; human trafficking , terrorism , the war on drugs , fraud and identity theft .
In addition , something had to be done to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main media and within social media networks .
It was about accommodating difference and accepting “ democracy is not about decibel levels ” – “ and that lesson that should be learned at the highest level ” .
Referring to hateful , sexist and racist abuse deployed “ on the other side of the pond ” against opponents because they were opponents , he said : “ And frankly the president of the United States ought to know and care to do better than that.
” He wished to make the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just for senior citizens but also for the next generation , “ who are going to have to try to fashion co-operative partnerships in Europe post-Brexit and to trade their way in the world ” , so much so 16- and 17-years old ought to have a say in the heart of democracy .
He opened his address with “ ciúnas , ciúnas !
” ; the nearest Irish equivalent to “ order , order !
” Mr Bercow said he had wished his tenure as speaker would be marked by reform and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in power had to come into the house more frequently to answer urgent questions of the day .
The chair had to intervene more though this was “ not telling them what policies should be ” .
He paid tribute to the BTYSTE on the basis of being an all-Ireland event , where young people ’ s work is underpinned by collaboration that showcases Ireland to magnificent advantage .
On the winners , he added , “ what an outstanding representation of modern Irish youth ” .
Co-winner Cormac Harris of Coláiste Choilm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they hoped their project revealing gender stereotyping in children as young as five would increase awareness of how it is limiting career choices of both girls and boys .
His colleague Alan O ’ Sullivan said they hoped to go back to primary schools to evaluate the impact of their educational programme to counter gender bias .
More than 50,000 people attended the 56th staging of the event .
It coincided with the setting up of the Irish , British and American Junior Chamber of Commerce by sisters Kate and Annie Madden who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after their project about equine health won a major prize at BTYSTE in 2015 .
The British and US embassies have lent support to the initiative .
“ We think there is a huge need for a junior chamber .
.
.
to simplify international business and help young entrepreneurs enter more international markets , ” said Kate , a student at UCC .
A delegation from Jordan attended the exhibition with a view to staging one based on the successful Irish model in 2021 .
Dr Penelope Shihab , a leading Jordanian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by BTYSTE .
“ I just loved the energy and interaction between pupils , teachers , the public and even the politicians ” .
She paid tribute to the Irish Ambassador to Jordan Vincent O ’ Neill for his support in establishing the exhibition .
Since 2017 , Irish Aid , via the Irish Embassy in Kenya , has been supporting Young Scientists Kenya , which is also modelled on the BTYSTE and was set up when Mr O ’ Neill was ambassador there .

Former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow opened his address in Dublin with “ciúnas, ciúnas!”; the nearest Irish equivalent to “order, order!” File photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire
The former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow said he would prefer to speak about values for the future rather than talk about Brexit during a visit to Dublin.
Speaking at a gathering in the RDS to mark the ending of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), he added, “Now is not the time for a fulmination of a speech about Brexit.”
Noting people’s wish for candour, however, he made no bones about his genuine belief that “Brexit is the most colossal foreign-policy blunder by the UK in the post-war period.”
Nor did he want it to fail, and he accepted the UK government had the authority and the numbers to proceed with it.
READ MORE
He wished certain values in any scenario would apply including a distinctly internationalist mindset, given increased interdependency, when “no one country can do it alone”. This was the case in trade policy and in addressing climate change; human trafficking, terrorism, the war on drugs, fraud and identity theft.
Civility
In addition, something had to be done to improve the civility of discourse in parts of the main media and within social media networks. It was about accommodating difference and accepting “democracy is not about decibel levels” – “and that lesson that should be learned at the highest level”.
Referring to hateful, sexist and racist abuse deployed "on the other side of the pond" against opponents because they were opponents, he said: "And frankly the president of the United States ought to know and care to do better than that."
He wished to make the case for "intergenerational respect", not just for senior citizens but also for the next generation, "who are going to have to try to fashion co-operative partnerships in Europe post-Brexit and to trade their way in the world", so much so 16- and 17-years old ought to have a say in the heart of democracy.
He opened his address with “ciúnas, ciúnas!”; the nearest Irish equivalent to “order, order!”
Mr Bercow said he had wished his tenure as speaker would be marked by reform and innovation in the chamber, where those in power had to come into the house more frequently to answer urgent questions of the day. The chair had to intervene more though this was “not telling them what policies should be”.
He paid tribute to the BTYSTE on the basis of being an all-Ireland event, where young people's work is underpinned by collaboration that showcases Ireland to magnificent advantage. On the winners, he added, "what an outstanding representation of modern Irish youth".
Co-winner Cormac Harris of Coláiste Choilm in Ballinchollig, Co Cork, said they hoped their project revealing gender stereotyping in children as young as five would increase awareness of how it is limiting career choices of both girls and boys.
His colleague Alan O’Sullivan said they hoped to go back to primary schools to evaluate the impact of their educational programme to counter gender bias.
Initiative
More than 50,000 people attended the 56th staging of the event. It coincided with the setting up of the Irish, British and American Junior Chamber of Commerce by sisters Kate and Annie Madden who started their own business, FenuHealth, after their project about equine health won a major prize at BTYSTE in 2015. The British and US embassies have lent support to the initiative.
“We think there is a huge need for a junior chamber . . . to simplify international business and help young entrepreneurs enter more international markets,” said Kate, a student at UCC.
A delegation from Jordan attended the exhibition with a view to staging one based on the successful Irish model in 2021. Dr Penelope Shihab, a leading Jordanian scientist, said they were highly impressed by BTYSTE. "I just loved the energy and interaction between pupils, teachers, the public and even the politicians".
She paid tribute to the Irish Ambassador to Jordan Vincent O'Neill for his support in establishing the exhibition. Since 2017, Irish Aid, via the Irish Embassy in Kenya, has been supporting Young Scientists Kenya, which is also modelled on the BTYSTE and was set up when Mr O'Neill was ambassador there.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Son accused of murdering father had ‘love/ hate’ relationship with him – court

A man who is accused of murdering his father during a row over a burnt breakfast had a “ love/hate ” relationship with his dad , the deceased ’ s sister has told the Central Criminal Court .
Another witness told the trial that the accused man , Mark Tims , was “ lovely fella ” .
Mr Tims ( 48 ) has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of his father Anthony “ Tony ” Tims at the home they shared at Rowlagh Green , Clondalkin , Dublin 22 on July 13th , 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ row erupted when Anthony Tims returned home from the pub on his 74th birthday and the accused told him he had “ cremated ” his breakfast that morning .
A witness has told the trial that Anthony Tims then told his son he was a “ disappointment ” and he wished he ’ d never been born before the accused man , who was “ in a rage ” , put his father in a headlock , punched him twice in the head and kicked him when he fell to the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s younger sister , on Wednesday told prosecution counsel Michael Delaney SC that the accused lived with his father for most of his life .
Anthony , she said , had run a successful panel-beating business but was retired at the time of his death .
His wife Dolores died in 1996 .
Although Mark continued living with his father following his mother ’ s death , Ms O ’ Donnell said in the months leading up to Anthony ’ s death there were “ quite a few verbal arguments between them.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death Ms O ’ Donnell received a phone call from Mark ’ s partner Elizabeth “ Lil ” McDonagh and immediately went to Anthony ’ s home at Rowlagh Green .
She saw him being taken out by an ambulance crew and , she said : “ I knew he was dead when he came out.
” Ms O ’ Donnell phoned Mark at about 3am that night and he told her he was hiding .
When she asked why , he responded : “ I gave my dad a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms O ’ Donnell told him that he had killed his father and she wanted him to hand himself in .
He didn ’ t seem emotional , she said , and he told her : “ You don ’ t know what happened.
” She responded : “ I know but you still have to hand yourself in.
” The witness told defence counsel Vincent Heneghan SC that when Mark was a boy he used to go with his dad to a pub in Smithfield in Dublin to listen to Irish music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
She agreed that as he got older and his health started to suffer Anthony became “ narky ” and “ cranky ” and that people would avoid him as a result .
Asked to comment on the relationship between Mark and his dad she said : “ I would say they had a love/hate relationship.
” She further agreed that both men had a “ stubborn streak ” .
James Berney told Mr Delaney that on the evening of July 13 2018 he was having a few cans of cider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he saw Mark Tims cycling by .
They hadn ’ t seen one another for years and Mr Tims was , the witness said , “ delighted to see me.
” The accused told Mr Berney that he had had a fight with his dad and a little time later he received a phone call saying his dad was dead .
He began screaming : “ No , no , no ” and Mr Berney tried to console him .
He said he was worried Mr Tims was going to jump out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men then went to a nearby off-licence and Mr Tims bought eight cans of cider , a bottle of vodka and a large bottle of coke .
They drank the cans in a nearby park and “ talked about old times.
” The witness remembered Mr Tims saying repeatedly that he hoped his father was okay .
When they saw a garda car they moved into some bushes because they thought the gardaí were looking for Mr Tims .
After a few drinks Mr Tims said he was going to hand himself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness told Mr Heneghan that Mr Tims told him his father had , “ started on him and he lost control .
He said his dad kept picking on him.
” When asked if he thought Mark was in shock he said : “ Of course he was .
Mark is a lovely fella .
He was definitely in shock.
” The trial continues in front of Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of seven women and five men .

A man who is accused of murdering his father during a row over a burnt breakfast had a “love/hate” relationship with his dad, the deceased’s sister has told the Central Criminal Court.
Another witness told the trial that the accused man, Mark Tims, was “lovely fella”. Mr Tims (48) has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of his father Anthony “Tony” Tims at the home they shared at Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on July 13th, 2018.
The trial has previously heard that a row erupted when Anthony Tims returned home from the pub on his 74th birthday and the accused told him he had “cremated” his breakfast that morning. A witness has told the trial that Anthony Tims then told his son he was a “disappointment” and he wished he’d never been born before the accused man, who was “in a rage”, put his father in a headlock, punched him twice in the head and kicked him when he fell to the ground.
Sandra O’Donnell, the deceased’s younger sister, on Wednesday told prosecution counsel Michael Delaney SC that the accused lived with his father for most of his life. Anthony, she said, had run a successful panel-beating business but was retired at the time of his death. His wife Dolores died in 1996. Although Mark continued living with his father following his mother’s death, Ms O’Donnell said in the months leading up to Anthony’s death there were “quite a few verbal arguments between them.”
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On the day of Anthony’s death Ms O’Donnell received a phone call from Mark’s partner Elizabeth “Lil” McDonagh and immediately went to Anthony’s home at Rowlagh Green. She saw him being taken out by an ambulance crew and, she said: “I knew he was dead when he came out.” Ms O’Donnell phoned Mark at about 3am that night and he told her he was hiding. When she asked why, he responded: “I gave my dad a couple of slaps and kind of lost it.”
Ms O’Donnell told him that he had killed his father and she wanted him to hand himself in. He didn’t seem emotional, she said, and he told her: “You don’t know what happened.” She responded: “I know but you still have to hand yourself in.”
The witness told defence counsel Vincent Heneghan SC that when Mark was a boy he used to go with his dad to a pub in Smithfield in Dublin to listen to Irish music. “They were close,” she said.
She agreed that as he got older and his health started to suffer Anthony became “narky” and “cranky” and that people would avoid him as a result. Asked to comment on the relationship between Mark and his dad she said: “I would say they had a love/hate relationship.” She further agreed that both men had a “stubborn streak”.
James Berney told Mr Delaney that on the evening of July 13 2018 he was having a few cans of cider on a wall near Rowlagh Green when he saw Mark Tims cycling by. They hadn’t seen one another for years and Mr Tims was, the witness said, “delighted to see me.”
The accused told Mr Berney that he had had a fight with his dad and a little time later he received a phone call saying his dad was dead. He began screaming: “No, no, no” and Mr Berney tried to console him. He said he was worried Mr Tims was going to jump out in front of a bus. The two men then went to a nearby off-licence and Mr Tims bought eight cans of cider, a bottle of vodka and a large bottle of coke. They drank the cans in a nearby park and “talked about old times.” The witness remembered Mr Tims saying repeatedly that he hoped his father was okay.
When they saw a garda car they moved into some bushes because they thought the gardaí were looking for Mr Tims. After a few drinks Mr Tims said he was going to hand himself in and Mr Berney went home. The witness told Mr Heneghan that Mr Tims told him his father had, “started on him and he lost control. He said his dad kept picking on him.” When asked if he thought Mark was in shock he said: “Of course he was. Mark is a lovely fella. He was definitely in shock.”
The trial continues in front of Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of seven women and five men.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Judge permits emergency surgery on intellectually disabled man

A High Court judge has made orders permitting emergency surgery on an intellectually disabled man who is seriously ill .
The surgery may have to include amputation of a severely deformed foot which the man “ venomously ” opposes .
An orthopaedic surgeon described the man ’ s condition as life-threatening with a 100 per cent chance of septicaemia , gangrene and death within a year unless the surgery was performed .
On Wednesday , Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted an application by the HSE for orders permitting the surgery on an emergency basis .
He said the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving the man ’ s foot , severely deformed due to diabetes complications , “ could be fatal ” .
The surgery was also worth doing if it would lead , even in the medium term , to avoidance of the amputation which the man was “ very much against ” .
Aged in his 50s and a ward of court , the man lives at home alone with care supports .
His case came before the court via an urgent application by Patricia Hill BL , for the HSE , for orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , representing Patricia Hickey , general solicitor for wards of court , supported the surgery .
The court heard the man has had several hospital admissions and has been under orthopaedic care for more than a year .
An orthopaedic surgeon , following a recent review of his condition , wanted to perform the surgery urgently as she considered , unless it was done , the man ’ s condition would shortly become life threatening .
Ms Hill said the surgery poses risks , including a 20 per cent risk of infection and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , during surgery , if the surgery was not successful , the surgeon might have to proceed with a below the knee amputation and the surgeon wanted orders permitting that if necessary .
Ms Curry , for Ms Hickey , previously appointed by the court as the committee to represent the interests of the man in wardship , said the man was made a ward of court in autumn 2017 .
He lived alone and , while he had received very good care from a service provider in his home , was difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing home placement had not worked out .
The man was “ venomously ” opposed to amputation but the committee supported the surgery because there was a high risk to his life and this was an emergency situation , she said .
If amputation was considered necessary during the surgery , the committee also felt it must support that .
In his ruling , Mr Justice Kelly said the man is “ grossly overweight ” with a Body Mass Index over 50 and conditions including diabetes and hypertension .
He has a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of complications of diabetes , his foot was severely deformed and he is effectively walking on bone , leaving him vulnerable to infections .
As a result of diabetes , he has no pain sensation and more damage was being done to tissues that he was unaware of .
He had experienced infections and sepsis over the past year and the doctor ’ s concern was these were life threatening .
The evidence was surgeons would usually recommend below-the-knee amputation in such situations but the man opposed that .
This proposed surgery was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it so he would be walking on the sole of the foot again but there were risks , including amputation might ultimately be necessary during surgery .
On the evidence , the surgery was in the man ’ s best interests , the judge ruled .
The judge also noted the man ’ s home situation was “ quite undesirable ” and directed a post-surgery care plan be prepared .

Mr Justice Peter Kelly said the risk of not doing the surgery, aimed at saving the man’s foot, severely deformed due to diabetes complications, “could be fatal”. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
A High Court judge has made orders permitting emergency surgery on an intellectually disabled man who is seriously ill.
The surgery may have to include amputation of a severely deformed foot which the man “venomously” opposes.
An orthopaedic surgeon described the man’s condition as life-threatening with a 100 per cent chance of septicaemia, gangrene and death within a year unless the surgery was performed.
On Wednesday, Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted an application by the HSE for orders permitting the surgery on an emergency basis.
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He said the risk of not doing the surgery, aimed at saving the man’s foot, severely deformed due to diabetes complications, “could be fatal”.
The surgery was also worth doing if it would lead, even in the medium term, to avoidance of the amputation which the man was “very much against”.
Aged in his 50s and a ward of court, the man lives at home alone with care supports. His case came before the court via an urgent application by Patricia Hill BL, for the HSE, for orders permitting the surgery.
Solicitor Aileen Curry, representing Patricia Hickey, general solicitor for wards of court, supported the surgery. The court heard the man has had several hospital admissions and has been under orthopaedic care for more than a year. An orthopaedic surgeon, following a recent review of his condition, wanted to perform the surgery urgently as she considered, unless it was done, the man’s condition would shortly become life threatening.
Ms Hill said the surgery poses risks, including a 20 per cent risk of infection and gangrene. There was also a risk, during surgery, if the surgery was not successful, the surgeon might have to proceed with a below the knee amputation and the surgeon wanted orders permitting that if necessary.
Ms Curry, for Ms Hickey, previously appointed by the court as the committee to represent the interests of the man in wardship, said the man was made a ward of court in autumn 2017. He lived alone and, while he had received very good care from a service provider in his home, was difficult to deal with. A more structured nursing home placement had not worked out. The man was “venomously” opposed to amputation but the committee supported the surgery because there was a high risk to his life and this was an emergency situation, she said. If amputation was considered necessary during the surgery, the committee also felt it must support that. In his ruling, Mr Justice Kelly said the man is “grossly overweight” with a Body Mass Index over 50 and conditions including diabetes and hypertension.
He has a serious medical condition and, as a result of complications of diabetes, his foot was severely deformed and he is effectively walking on bone, leaving him vulnerable to infections. As a result of diabetes, he has no pain sensation and more damage was being done to tissues that he was unaware of.
He had experienced infections and sepsis over the past year and the doctor’s concern was these were life threatening. The evidence was surgeons would usually recommend below-the-knee amputation in such situations but the man opposed that. This proposed surgery was aimed at saving the foot and straightening it so he would be walking on the sole of the foot again but there were risks, including amputation might ultimately be necessary during surgery.
On the evidence, the surgery was in the man’s best interests, the judge ruled. The judge also noted the man’s home situation was “quite undesirable” and directed a post-surgery care plan be prepared.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Motorist given two-year driving ban for knocking down cyclist

A motorist who mowed down a cyclist but failed to stop and then drove by the scene of the accident just minutes later has been put off the road for two years .
Kevin Kennedy left Hugh McLaughlin in agonising pain from his injuries and fearing for his life when he struck him from behind in his Citroen Berlingo van in Co Donegal on September 2nd , 2018 .
Mr McLaughlin had been out for a ride between Dochary and Dungloe around 8pm on a bright evening when the father-of-three was struck .
In a victim impact statement to Dungloe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous driving charges , Mr McLaughlin told how he thought he would never see his family again .
But he said the most frightening part of the crash was how the motorist who knocked him down casually drove by him minutes later in the opposite direction instead of calling for the emergency services .
“ It was a nice bright evening and I was wearing my hi-vis fluorescent cycling top .
I had rounded a corner and was cycling downhill on a straight stretch of road probably at a speed between 30 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind and sent flying into the air and ended up landing face down in the ditch , ” he recalled .
“ I was in total shock at what had happened and still can ’ t believe it .
The road at that location is 7 metres wide and his van is only 2 metres .
It keeps going round in my head why he was unable to avoid me .
My bicycle was lying about 50 metres behind me in the ditch.
” Kennedy , aged 51 , of Meenderryherk , Dungloe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous driving , leaving the scene of an accident and not reporting an accident .
His victim described it as a “ despicable act ” to drive by someone after knocking them down and then to drive by them and not to check if they were alive in dead .
He said the incident goes over and over in his head about how much worse he could have been .
He added “ Thankfully I didn ’ t suffer any life-threatening or serious life-changing injuries .
I do have ongoing pain in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for which I ’ m still doing physio for .
He adds that the crash has completely changed his outlook on life .
“ I have only been out cycling a few times since I was hit as my confidence is badly affected and I ’ m in constant fear of getting hit by a car again .
Kennedy wrote to the cyclist in September apologising for what he had done .
However , his victim has refused to accept his olive branch .
Passing sentence , Judge Paul Kelly banned Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years and also ordered him to do one hundred hours community service in lieu of four months in prison .

A motorist who mowed down a cyclist but failed to stop and then drove by the scene of the accident just minutes later has been put off the road for two years.
Kevin Kennedy left Hugh McLaughlin in agonising pain from his injuries and fearing for his life when he struck him from behind in his Citroen Berlingo van in Co Donegal on September 2nd, 2018.
Mr McLaughlin had been out for a ride between Dochary and Dungloe around 8pm on a bright evening when the father-of-three was struck.
In a victim impact statement to Dungloe District Court, where Kennedy appeared on dangerous driving charges, Mr McLaughlin told how he thought he would never see his family again.
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But he said the most frightening part of the crash was how the motorist who knocked him down casually drove by him minutes later in the opposite direction instead of calling for the emergency services.
“It was a nice bright evening and I was wearing my hi-vis fluorescent cycling top. I had rounded a corner and was cycling downhill on a straight stretch of road probably at a speed between 30 and 35 kph when I was struck from behind and sent flying into the air and ended up landing face down in the ditch,” he recalled.
“I was in total shock at what had happened and still can’t believe it. The road at that location is 7 metres wide and his van is only 2 metres. It keeps going round in my head why he was unable to avoid me. My bicycle was lying about 50 metres behind me in the ditch.”
Kennedy, aged 51, of Meenderryherk, Dungloe, faced a number of charges including dangerous driving, leaving the scene of an accident and not reporting an accident.
His victim described it as a “despicable act” to drive by someone after knocking them down and then to drive by them and not to check if they were alive in dead.
He said the incident goes over and over in his head about how much worse he could have been.
He added “Thankfully I didn’t suffer any life-threatening or serious life-changing injuries. I do have ongoing pain in my right shoulder which is still under investigation and for which I’m still doing physio for.
He adds that the crash has completely changed his outlook on life. “I have only been out cycling a few times since I was hit as my confidence is badly affected and I’m in constant fear of getting hit by a car again.
Kennedy wrote to the cyclist in September apologising for what he had done. However, his victim has refused to accept his olive branch.
Passing sentence, Judge Paul Kelly banned Kennedy of Meenderryherk, Dungloe from driving for two years and also ordered him to do one hundred hours community service in lieu of four months in prison.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Woman charged with murder of Irish dancer in London

A woman has been charged with the murder of a champion Irish dancer last summer .
Adrian Murphy ( 43 ) , originally from Kilkenny city , was found dead at a flat in Battersea on June 4th last year .
Metropolitan police have confirmed 18-year-old Diana Cristea of Barnet in London was arrested on Tuesday and is due before Wimbledon Magistrates Court .
Ms Cristea is also charged with one count of poisoning against a 40-year-old man in a separate incident in Walthamstow , two counts of theft and two counts of fraud by false representation in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been charged in relation to both incidents .
Joel Osei of no fixed abode was remanded in custody in December and is due before the Old Bailey on February 17th .
Metropolitan Police said a postmortem examination at St George ’ s Hospital on June 6th failed to determine Mr Murphy ’ s cause of death .
Police said property was stolen from the premises where Mr Murphy was found .
Their investigations were centred around whether his death was linked to a date he had with a man through the dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident to an earlier allegation of the rape of a 40-year-old man at an address in Walthamstow , north-east London , on May 30th .
Mr Murphy produced and choreographed Celtic Dance Force , Feet of Fire and FireDance The Show .
He also made television appearances in the UK , Australia and US .

A woman has been charged with the murder of a champion Irish dancer last summer.
Adrian Murphy (43), originally from Kilkenny city, was found dead at a flat in Battersea on June 4th last year.
Metropolitan police have confirmed 18-year-old Diana Cristea of Barnet in London was arrested on Tuesday and is due before Wimbledon Magistrates Court.
Ms Cristea is also charged with one count of poisoning against a 40-year-old man in a separate incident in Walthamstow, two counts of theft and two counts of fraud by false representation in relation to both victims.
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A 25-year-old man has already been charged in relation to both incidents.
Joel Osei of no fixed abode was remanded in custody in December and is due before the Old Bailey on February 17th.
Metropolitan Police said a postmortem examination at St George’s Hospital on June 6th failed to determine Mr Murphy’s cause of death.
Police said property was stolen from the premises where Mr Murphy was found.
Their investigations were centred around whether his death was linked to a date he had with a man through the dating app Grindr.
Their inquiries have linked the incident to an earlier allegation of the rape of a 40-year-old man at an address in Walthamstow, north-east London, on May 30th.
Mr Murphy produced and choreographed Celtic Dance Force, Feet of Fire and FireDance The Show. He also made television appearances in the UK, Australia and US.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Canadian tourist sues over fall on Dublin sight-seeing bus

A Canadian tourist who fell down the stairs of a double decker tourist bus in Dublin when , she claims , it jerked after allegedly pulling in for St Patrick ’ s Cathedral has sued for damages in the High Court .
Retired real estate administrator Susan Riches ( 63 ) claims she now suffers post concussion syndrome and has regular migraines after being propelled down the stairs , hitting her head , suffering lacerations to her face , and breaking a finger .
Mr Justice Bernard Barton was told her case was that she was thrown headlong down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post traumatic stress disorder .
She claims she suffered nightmares and flashbacks and now has a significant fear of stairs and escalators .
In opposing her claim , the bus operators and owners have claimed the bus had not stopped at the cathedral but was stopped in traffic and had not reached the tour stop .
They say it was an unfortunate accident and claim it was Ms Riches ’ s fault .
Ms Riches and her husband Patrick were in Dublin for the first time on the last leg of a transatlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had taken in the Azores and Irish ports .
In evidence , Ms Riches told the court they docked in Dublin and got a Hop On , Hop Off tourist bus on April 30th , 2018 .
“ At St Patrick ’ s Cathedral I headed for the stairs .
I took a step and the bus turned and jerked and I flew through the air , ” she said .
She added : “ I felt the bus turned .
It propelled me forward .
I hit my face .
I ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I felt in shock and I was bleeding.
” She said the driver did not have bandages or a phone to call an ambulance but had helped take her off the bus .
She said a Romanian nurse called an ambulance and she was brought to hospital .
She was there about 13 hours until the early hours and got a flight home later that day .
In cross-examination for the defendants , Finbarr Fox SC put it to Ms Riches that the driver had communicated to passengers to remain in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Riches replied : “ I don ’ t remember that .
I was really taken with Dublin and the sights.
” Ms Riches , Oliver ’ s Road , Bobcaygeon , Ontario , has sued the owners and operators of the tourist bus , Last Bus Ltd and Citi Bus Ltd , both with offices at Moorhill House , Brannockstown , Co Kildare ; and Park Fly Ltd and Dockstop Ltd , both with offices at South Bank House , Barrow Street , Dublin .
She claims the bus suddenly and without warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she fell down the stairs .
She has alleged failure to have regard for the safety of passengers disembarking from the bus .
She has also alleged failure to warn the passengers the bus was going to be further moved as they disembarked .
The claims are denied and it is pleaded there was contributory negligence on the part of Ms Riches and she should have had regard for her own safety .
The case continues on Thursday .

A Canadian tourist who fell down the stairs of a double decker tourist bus in Dublin when, she claims, it jerked after allegedly pulling in for St Patrick’s Cathedral has sued for damages in the High Court.
Retired real estate administrator Susan Riches (63) claims she now suffers post concussion syndrome and has regular migraines after being propelled down the stairs, hitting her head, suffering lacerations to her face, and breaking a finger.
Mr Justice Bernard Barton was told her case was that she was thrown headlong down the stairs. She was later diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. She claims she suffered nightmares and flashbacks and now has a significant fear of stairs and escalators.
In opposing her claim, the bus operators and owners have claimed the bus had not stopped at the cathedral but was stopped in traffic and had not reached the tour stop. They say it was an unfortunate accident and claim it was Ms Riches’s fault.
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Ms Riches and her husband Patrick were in Dublin for the first time on the last leg of a transatlantic cruise which had started in Miami and had taken in the Azores and Irish ports.
In evidence, Ms Riches told the court they docked in Dublin and got a Hop On, Hop Off tourist bus on April 30th, 2018. “At St Patrick’s Cathedral I headed for the stairs. I took a step and the bus turned and jerked and I flew through the air,” she said.
She added: “I felt the bus turned. It propelled me forward. I hit my face. I ended up on the floor of the bus. I felt in shock and I was bleeding.”
She said the driver did not have bandages or a phone to call an ambulance but had helped take her off the bus. She said a Romanian nurse called an ambulance and she was brought to hospital.
She was there about 13 hours until the early hours and got a flight home later that day. In cross-examination for the defendants, Finbarr Fox SC put it to Ms Riches that the driver had communicated to passengers to remain in their seats until the bus stops .
Ms Riches replied: “I don’t remember that. I was really taken with Dublin and the sights.”
Ms Riches, Oliver’s Road, Bobcaygeon, Ontario, has sued the owners and operators of the tourist bus, Last Bus Ltd and Citi Bus Ltd, both with offices at Moorhill House, Brannockstown, Co Kildare; and Park Fly Ltd and Dockstop Ltd, both with offices at South Bank House, Barrow Street, Dublin.
She claims the bus suddenly and without warning moved, jerked or jolted violently and she fell down the stairs. She has alleged failure to have regard for the safety of passengers disembarking from the bus. She has also alleged failure to warn the passengers the bus was going to be further moved as they disembarked. The claims are denied and it is pleaded there was contributory negligence on the part of Ms Riches and she should have had regard for her own safety. The case continues on Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Retired council worker jailed for six years for sexual abuse of his granddaughter

A retired Dublin council worker has been jailed for six years for the repeated sexual abuse of his granddaughter .
The 71-year-old man began abusing the child when she was aged around nine and continued to abuse her regularly for four years .
The seriousness of the assaults escalated over that time with the man bringing the child to his bedroom to play cards and boardgames before molesting her .
When the victim tried to get away her grandfather would become aggressive and threaten her to “ keep quiet or it will be a lot worse ” .
He would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while abusing her .
During one attack he threw her across the bed and she hit her head on the headboard .
After comforting her he turned aggressive and proceeded to sexually assault her .
The attacks happened about once a week and Judge Martin Nolan estimated the man molested the child over 150 times .
The abuse stopped after the victim ’ s aunt walked into the man ’ s bedroom and found him on top of the child .
In a victim impact statement the girl , now aged 18 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She didn ’ t report the abuse because she was concerned about how it would affect her grandmother .
The man , who can not be named to protect the identity of the victim , pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of sexual assault committed on dates between June 2010 and May 2014 .
Judge Nolan said there was a huge breach of trust and that a child was entitled to trust her grandfather .
He said his grossly reprehensible actions have left the victim greatly traumatised .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he refused a defence application to suspend part of the sentence .
Det Garda Ronan O ’ Reilly told Diana Stuart BL , prosecuting , that he began investigating the offending after receiving an official notification from Tusla in 2017 .
The four counts are sample charges from a total of 48 charges .

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of sexual assault committed on dates between June 2010 and May 2014.
A retired Dublin council worker has been jailed for six years for the repeated sexual abuse of his granddaughter.
The 71-year-old man began abusing the child when she was aged around nine and continued to abuse her regularly for four years.
The seriousness of the assaults escalated over that time with the man bringing the child to his bedroom to play cards and boardgames before molesting her. When the victim tried to get away her grandfather would become aggressive and threaten her to “keep quiet or it will be a lot worse”.
He would forcefully strip her and pin her down while abusing her. During one attack he threw her across the bed and she hit her head on the headboard.
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After comforting her he turned aggressive and proceeded to sexually assault her. The attacks happened about once a week and Judge Martin Nolan estimated the man molested the child over 150 times.
The abuse stopped after the victim’s aunt walked into the man’s bedroom and found him on top of the child.
In a victim impact statement the girl, now aged 18, said she felt fearful of her grandfather. She didn’t report the abuse because she was concerned about how it would affect her grandmother.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of sexual assault committed on dates between June 2010 and May 2014.
Judge Nolan said there was a huge breach of trust and that a child was entitled to trust her grandfather.
He said his grossly reprehensible actions have left the victim greatly traumatised.
Judge Nolan said he must be punished and he refused a defence application to suspend part of the sentence.
Det Garda Ronan O’Reilly told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that he began investigating the offending after receiving an official notification from Tusla in 2017.
The four counts are sample charges from a total of 48 charges.