theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Covid-19’s teaching challenges: seven key ways the classroom has changed

Teachers learn early on in their career that plans , even the best laid ones , are at the mercy of the children they teach .
The success of a lesson ultimately lies in a teacher ’ s ability to adapt and change direction at the drop of a pencil .
The return to school has sent principals , teachers and SNAs in new directions .
Teaching in rooms not traditionally used as classrooms , incorporating cleaning procedures into their lessons and using paraphernalia that is more at home in a hospital than a classroom .
Here ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience of coronavirus-era teaching practice .
While many of us have become accustomed to wearing masks , teaching and learning in them present a new set of challenges .
“ It is incredibly annoying , ” says Conor Murphy , English teacher at Skibbereen Community School in Cork .
“ In terms of the physicality of it all , you are straining your voice all the time.
” Students in post-primary schools are also wearing face coverings and this can impact upon a teacher ’ s ability to pace their lesson .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has a touch of ambiguity about it , you can usually tell from their expression whether they are getting it or not , ” explains Murphy .
“ There are a lot of subtle cues that you are missing and I can ’ t tell if they are enjoying the class now because their faces are masked.
” Any concerns that younger students at primary might feel intimidated by mask-wearing teachers appear to be unfounded .
“ To be honest I think they are so used to seeing them in shops and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even pass comment on it , ” says Ruth McEvoy , junior infant teacher at Citywest Educate Together National School , Dublin .
Kathy O ’ Driscoll , a special needs assistant at St Anthony ’ s Boy ’ s National School in Cork , found a creative solution to the wearing a mask when one of the students raised a concern .
“ I have one boy who would rather I wear a visor because he wants to see my smile , ” says O ’ Driscoll .
“ So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he liked that then.
” Large class sizes have resulted in many schools having to relocate classes to halls or libraries – but high ceilings , wooden floors and multiple classes can all add to increased noise levels .
Research shows that poor acoustics in a classroom can have a negative impact on teaching and learning .
McEvoy is teaching from the school library this year .
“ The room is fabulous in some ways because I have loads of windows so it is very well ventilated , ” says McEvoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the library , however , there are more challenging things than the view .
“ There are no toilets in a library and with junior infants it can be quite difficult , ” says McEvoy .
“ The children have to exit through an external door onto the yard and enter another door to use the toilet.
” Séamus O ’ Connor , principal at Scoil Bhríde Girls ’ National School , Crosshaven , Co Cork , found the guidance on special education difficult to navigate .
“ There was no guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education into practice under the new normal , ” says O ’ Connor .
The school has decided to follow the extraction model for special education .
“ It is contrary to what we would have done , ” says O ’ Connor , “ team teaching and shared learning support within the classroom is really the ideal way to do it but that is just not possible for us right now ” .
The special education teachers ( SET ) are now also operating out of the school PE hall .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weather is okay , ” says O ’ Connor , “ but that is our PE hall gone ” .
Schools have been instructed to seat children in socially distanced pods within their class , now known as their “ bubble ” .
Social distancing guidelines mean that children should only interact with students within their own class .
While schools may be able to keep “ bubbles ” apart during teaching time , for many , the request to seat children in pods , 1m or 2m apart “ where possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My school has 229 children , eight rooms and no opportunity to socially distance them all correctly , ” says O ’ Connor .
“ I have said this to the parents , but nobody has complained about it.
” Murphy says that while he can follow social distancing guidelines in the classroom , it is proving difficult to enforce during break times .
He says students will make an effort to socially distance but “ subconsciously they slowly edge back towards each other ” .
During lockdown many teachers and students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online and , now that they are back in the building , the teachers at St Mary ’ s College , Naas , Co Kildare , are using their digital experience to solve the physical problems on site .
A week before the school reopened , some of the fifth-year students made a video of the school ’ s coronavirus plan .
The virtual walk-through of the school helped visually explain the terminology and procedures the students would encounter .
The school also introduced satellite rooms as an answer to social distancing difficulties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that one pod of six students will access lessons streamed from the base classroom in separate room .
“ It rotates so one day in every six they are in the satellite room , they are not in the room for the whole day in any day of the week , ” says principal Mark Dowling .
“ It is just for their core subjects.
” Students can ask the teacher questions during the lesson using Microsoft Teams .
Dowling says it has run relatively smoothly .
“ Students are engaged and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left out and there is a teacher supervising at all times if they need assistance.
” Many teachers report that the additional cleaning and health and safety recommendations are impacting on teaching time at both primary and second level .
“ Cleaning takes up a good bit of time .
Getting to class takes longer .
Teaching in the moment behind a mask and to masks takes longer , ” says Murphy .
“ This time lost needs to be addressed by the Department of Education.
” “ I can see that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further because now you have to make sure all the kids get time to wash their hands before they eat and when they come back in , ” adds O ’ Connor .
“ The actual curricular impact is going to be hard to judge until later in the year.
” The need to for increased vigilance is also taking its toll on teacher wellbeing .
“ You are repressing your natural instinct all the time , you ’ re consciously telling yourself you can ’ t do this or that or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy .
“ One thing tumbles into the other and that is the overwhelming part.
” The logistical constraints of leaving books in school have resulted in many primary schools giving homework the pass for September .
The homework pause can also give schools an opportunity to assess their homework policies .
“ They are able to stop and have a look at what it is they really want to get from homework , ” says O ’ Connor .
The school yard is another area where many schools have noted a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to keep “ bubbles ” apart at yard time have resulted in children having more space to play in many cases and teachers are reporting fewer lunchtime tumbles .
The separation is having an impact on staff morale .
“ It is something we are going to see erode as we get to Christmas time because staff are not meeting with each other as they would traditionally have , ” says O ’ Connor .

Teachers learn early on in their career that plans, even the best laid ones, are at the mercy of the children they teach.
The success of a lesson ultimately lies in a teacher’s ability to adapt and change direction at the drop of a pencil.
The return to school has sent principals, teachers and SNAs in new directions. Teaching in rooms not traditionally used as classrooms, incorporating cleaning procedures into their lessons and using paraphernalia that is more at home in a hospital than a classroom. Here’s what they have learned so far from their experience of coronavirus-era teaching practice.
Teaching with masks
While many of us have become accustomed to wearing masks, teaching and learning in them present a new set of challenges.
READ MORE
"It is incredibly annoying," says Conor Murphy, English teacher at Skibbereen Community School in Cork. "In terms of the physicality of it all, you are straining your voice all the time."
Students in post-primary schools are also wearing face coverings and this can impact upon a teacher’s ability to pace their lesson.
“When you are trying to explain something that has a touch of ambiguity about it, you can usually tell from their expression whether they are getting it or not,” explains Murphy. “There are a lot of subtle cues that you are missing and I can’t tell if they are enjoying the class now because their faces are masked.”
Any concerns that younger students at primary might feel intimidated by mask-wearing teachers appear to be unfounded.
"To be honest I think they are so used to seeing them in shops and out and about, they don't even pass comment on it," says Ruth McEvoy, junior infant teacher at Citywest Educate Together National School, Dublin.
Kathy O’Driscoll, a special needs assistant at St Anthony’s Boy’s National School in Cork, found a creative solution to the wearing a mask when one of the students raised a concern. “I have one boy who would rather I wear a visor because he wants to see my smile,” says O’Driscoll. “So, I drew a smile on the mask, and he liked that then.”
Room for improvement
Large class sizes have resulted in many schools having to relocate classes to halls or libraries – but high ceilings, wooden floors and multiple classes can all add to increased noise levels. Research shows that poor acoustics in a classroom can have a negative impact on teaching and learning.
McEvoy is teaching from the school library this year. “The room is fabulous in some ways because I have loads of windows so it is very well ventilated,” says McEvoy.
When it comes to teaching infants from the library, however, there are more challenging things than the view. “There are no toilets in a library and with junior infants it can be quite difficult,” says McEvoy. “The children have to exit through an external door onto the yard and enter another door to use the toilet.”
Special education
Séamus O’Connor, principal at Scoil Bhríde Girls’ National School, Crosshaven, Co Cork, found the guidance on special education difficult to navigate. “There was no guidance on how we were to put special education into practice under the new normal,” says O’Connor.
The school has decided to follow the extraction model for special education. “It is contrary to what we would have done,” says O’Connor, “team teaching and shared learning support within the classroom is really the ideal way to do it but that is just not possible for us right now”.
The special education teachers (SET) are now also operating out of the school PE hall. “It is okay at the minute because the weather is okay,” says O’Connor, “but that is our PE hall gone”.
Bursting bubbles
Schools have been instructed to seat children in socially distanced pods within their class, now known as their “bubble”. Social distancing guidelines mean that children should only interact with students within their own class.
While schools may be able to keep “bubbles” apart during teaching time, for many, the request to seat children in pods, 1m or 2m apart “where possible”, is not actually possible.
“My school has 229 children, eight rooms and no opportunity to socially distance them all correctly,” says O’Connor. “I have said this to the parents, but nobody has complained about it.”
Murphy says that while he can follow social distancing guidelines in the classroom, it is proving difficult to enforce during break times. He says students will make an effort to socially distance but “subconsciously they slowly edge back towards each other”.
Student Aoife Brady during a ‘satellite’ class at St Mary’s College, Naas, Co Kildare. The school is splitting normal large classes into smaller ones where learning takes place remotely. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Satellite rooms
During lockdown many teachers and students had to get to grips with learning online and, now that they are back in the building, the teachers at St Mary's College, Naas, Co Kildare, are using their digital experience to solve the physical problems on site.
A week before the school reopened, some of the fifth-year students made a video of the school’s coronavirus plan.
The virtual walk-through of the school helped visually explain the terminology and procedures the students would encounter.
The school also introduced satellite rooms as an answer to social distancing difficulties in the junior cycle classrooms. This means that one pod of six students will access lessons streamed from the base classroom in separate room.
"It rotates so one day in every six they are in the satellite room, they are not in the room for the whole day in any day of the week," says principal Mark Dowling. "It is just for their core subjects." Students can ask the teacher questions during the lesson using Microsoft Teams. Dowling says it has run relatively smoothly.
“Students are engaged and don’t feel that they are left out and there is a teacher supervising at all times if they need assistance.”
Cleaning-up time
Many teachers report that the additional cleaning and health and safety recommendations are impacting on teaching time at both primary and second level.
“Cleaning takes up a good bit of time. Getting to class takes longer. Teaching in the moment behind a mask and to masks takes longer,” says Murphy. “This time lost needs to be addressed by the Department of Education.”
“I can see that we are even having to step it back further because now you have to make sure all the kids get time to wash their hands before they eat and when they come back in,” adds O’Connor. “The actual curricular impact is going to be hard to judge until later in the year.”
The need to for increased vigilance is also taking its toll on teacher wellbeing. “You are repressing your natural instinct all the time, you’re consciously telling yourself you can’t do this or that or to take a step back,” says Murphy. “One thing tumbles into the other and that is the overwhelming part.”
Homework pass
The logistical constraints of leaving books in school have resulted in many primary schools giving homework the pass for September.
The homework pause can also give schools an opportunity to assess their homework policies.
“They are able to stop and have a look at what it is they really want to get from homework,” says O’Connor.
The school yard is another area where many schools have noted a positive change. Staggered yard times and the need to keep “bubbles” apart at yard time have resulted in children having more space to play in many cases and teachers are reporting fewer lunchtime tumbles.
The separation is having an impact on staff morale. “It is something we are going to see erode as we get to Christmas time because staff are not meeting with each other as they would traditionally have,” says O’Connor.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--I plan to sit the Leaving Cert in November alongside college. Am I taking on too much?

I started my fourth-choice college course this week , but it ’ s not what I want to do .
I want to try my hand at three subjects in the November Leaving Cert exams to see if I can get additional CAO points .
Am I biting off more than I can chew ?
I am aware that , anecdotally , many who have registered with the State Examinations Commission by last Friday did so with a low level of commitment to turning up on the day .
Many are simply keeping their options open for the moment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge made it an easy decision for many of last year ’ s sixth year students .
The question that now arises for you and many others is whether you take on a full undergraduate degree programme alongside seriously revising for three Leaving Cert subjects over the next six weeks ?
If you are genuinely dissatisfied with the course you have just registered for , then I think it is worth the effort to try to secure those extra CAO points which even one higher grade will entitle you to .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subjects you are registered for in November and are upgraded sufficiently in one or more to qualify for a place in any of your higher course preferences from this year ’ s CAO list , you will be offered a deferred college place for the 2021/22 academic year when the results are issued in February .
All first-year college students who become entitled to a higher CAO offer as a result of sitting the November exams will not lose out financially on fee charges or grants by switching to their new course the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could apply to the CAO again for a place in 2021 based solely on your 2020 calculated grades and secure an offer if points come back to 2019 levels following a traditional Leaving Cert exam in June 2021 .
But , in that case you will pay full fees for the first year of the new course including the HEA funding element which will be a minimum of an additional euro8,000 .
Given that you probably haven ’ t looked at the Leaving Cert course content since early May , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem like a big ask to revise all that content again now alongside your new university course work .
On the plus side , given the incredible capacity of the human brain , it should be relatively easy to bring yourself back to a competitive place with a structured programme of work over the coming weeks .
Afterall , given present Covid 19 restrictions , you probably have little else to occupy your time .
It won ’ t be easy .
And we don ’ t know yet whether marking schemes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the normal grade distribution or the above-average grades in this year ’ s calculated grades process .
Do you have a query ?
Email askbrian @ irishtimes.com

Anecdotally, many who have registered to the Leaving Cert in Novemeber have yet to make up their mind as to whether they will sit the exams. Photograph: iStock
I started my fourth-choice college course this week, but it’s not what I want to do. I want to try my hand at three subjects in the November Leaving Cert exams to see if I can get additional CAO points. Am I biting off more than I can chew?
I am aware that, anecdotally, many who have registered with the State Examinations Commission by last Friday did so with a low level of commitment to turning up on the day. Many are simply keeping their options open for the moment. The fact that there was no financial charge made it an easy decision for many of last year's sixth year students.
If you are genuinely dissatisfied with the course you have just registered for, then I think it is worth the effort to try to secure those extra CAO points
The question that now arises for you and many others is whether you take on a full undergraduate degree programme alongside seriously revising for three Leaving Cert subjects over the next six weeks?
If you are genuinely dissatisfied with the course you have just registered for, then I think it is worth the effort to try to secure those extra CAO points which even one higher grade will entitle you to.
READ MORE
If you sit the Leaving Cert in the three subjects you are registered for in November and are upgraded sufficiently in one or more to qualify for a place in any of your higher course preferences from this year’s CAO list, you will be offered a deferred college place for the 2021/22 academic year when the results are issued in February.
Offer
All first-year college students who become entitled to a higher CAO offer as a result of sitting the November exams will not lose out financially on fee charges or grants by switching to their new course the following year.
Given the incredible capacity of the human brain, it should be relatively easy to bring yourself back to a competitive place with a structured programme of work over the coming weeks
Or, alternatively, you could apply to the CAO again for a place in 2021 based solely on your 2020 calculated grades and secure an offer if points come back to 2019 levels following a traditional Leaving Cert exam in June 2021. But, in that case you will pay full fees for the first year of the new course including the HEA funding element which will be a minimum of an additional euro8,000.
Given that you probably haven’t looked at the Leaving Cert course content since early May, when the August exams were abandoned, it may seem like a big ask to revise all that content again now alongside your new university course work.
On the plus side, given the incredible capacity of the human brain, it should be relatively easy to bring yourself back to a competitive place with a structured programme of work over the coming weeks. Afterall, given present Covid 19 restrictions, you probably have little else to occupy your time.
It won’t be easy. And we don’t know yet whether marking schemes for the November exams will be based on the normal grade distribution or the above-average grades in this year’s calculated grades process.
[ askbrian@irishtimes.com ]


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Numbers receiving Covid-19 unemployment payment fall by nearly 12,000

The number of people receiving the special Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by over 11,500 over the last week to 205,593 .
However , new figures show that about 2,000 additional people in Donegal were receiving the pandemic unemployment benefit this week following the introduction of level three Covid-19 restrictions in the county in late September .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said on Monday that in the past seven days 7,298 people had closed their claim for the pandemic unemployment payment .
It said that of these 4,969 had reported that they would be returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affairs and Social Protection said that some 3,378 people would be receiving their final payment under the scheme on Tuesday .
It also said that payments had ceased for 4,645 individuals who had been receiving the pandemic unemployment payment but who had failed to confirm their eligibility to continue to receive the benefit .
The figures for the number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment are in addition to the 211,492 who were on the live register at the end of September .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the separate Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit was continuing to increase .
“ For the second week in a row the number of people medically certified to receive the enhanced illness benefit has increased in every county.
” There has also been an increase in every sector .
The two sectors with the highest number of people medically certified for receipt of a Covid-19 illness benefit payment are wholesale and retail trade ( 14,670 ) and human health and social work ( 13,775 ) , followed by manufacturing ( 9,711 ) The Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector reporting the greatest drop in the numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week was construction , which stood at 15,170 , down 1,743 on last week .
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said on Monday : “ Some €55.2 million has been paid out in pandemic unemployment payments this week , supporting almost 206,000 people .
For the very reason that additional restrictions was a possibility , the Government kept pandemic unemployment payments open for new entrants .
“ I really want to emphasise that anyone who is impacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic unemployment payment via MyWelfare.ie ” The new figures show that in Donegal there were 7,946 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week compared with 5,949 on September 29 .
In Dublin , where level three Covid-19 restrictions also apply , the number of people claiming the pandemic unemployment payment fell by about 2,500 in the last week to 83,356 .
At its peak in early May there were nearly 600,000 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment .

Heather Humphreys: “Some €55.2m has been paid out in pandemic unemployment payments this week, supporting almost 206,000 people.” Photograph: Alan Betson
The number of people receiving the special Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by over 11,500 over the last week to 205,593 .
However, new figures show that about 2,000 additional people in Donegal were receiving the pandemic unemployment benefit this week following the introduction of level three Covid-19 restrictions in the county in late September.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said on Monday that in the past seven days 7,298 people had closed their claim for the pandemic unemployment payment.
It said that of these 4,969 had reported that they would be returning to work. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said that some 3,378 people would be receiving their final payment under the scheme on Tuesday.
READ MORE
It also said that payments had ceased for 4,645 individuals who had been receiving the pandemic unemployment payment but who had failed to confirm their eligibility to continue to receive the benefit.
The figures for the number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment are in addition to the 211,492 who were on the live register at the end of September.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection also said that the number of people receiving the separate Covid-19 enhanced illness benefit was continuing to increase.
“For the second week in a row the number of people medically certified to receive the enhanced illness benefit has increased in every county.”
There has also been an increase in every sector. The two sectors with the highest number of people medically certified for receipt of a Covid-19 illness benefit payment are wholesale and retail trade (14,670) and human health and social work (13,775), followed by manufacturing (9,711)
.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said the sector reporting the greatest drop in the numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week was construction, which stood at 15,170, down 1,743 on last week.
New entrants
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said on Monday: "Some €55.2 million has been paid out in pandemic unemployment payments this week, supporting almost 206,000 people. For the very reason that additional restrictions was a possibility, the Government kept pandemic unemployment payments open for new entrants.
“I really want to emphasise that anyone who is impacted by these new restrictions can avail of the pandemic unemployment payment via MyWelfare.ie”
The new figures show that in Donegal there were 7,946 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week compared with 5,949 on September 29.
In Dublin, where level three Covid-19 restrictions also apply, the number of people claiming the pandemic unemployment payment fell by about 2,500 in the last week to 83,356.
At its peak in early May there were nearly 600,000 people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--‘For businesses I wouldn’t like to see full lockdown – but for people I would’

“ It was hard .
I wouldn ’ t like to see another one now , ” says Kilkenny pensioner Jim Dwyer , as speculation of a move to Level 5 brings back memories of a difficult lockdown in March .
“ I know a lot of people who it didn ’ t suit .
It wouldn ’ t suit anyone really .
If there ’ s another spike in the winter and then a lockdown , you ’ d worry about the suicide rate , ” he says .
Kilkenny is part of the Health Service Executive region with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate per 100,000 at 42.1 .
The recommendation by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) to move the whole country to Level 5 – although ultimately rejected by the Government for a move to Level 3 – doesn ’ t make sense to many locals .
“ Places that have universities and students , your Dublins , your Corks , Limerick , Galway , that seems to be where the cases are .
You ’ re not getting that here so should we be shut down ?
There were only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ] , ” says Dwyer .
Childcare worker Martina Egan can not fathom why Kilkenny would be considered for such harsh measures .
“ Maybe if they closed off the counties with the higher cases , that might work , ” she says .
“ Dublin , Galway , Cork , Donegal , they have the highest , so maybe put them to Level 4 or Level 5 .
But not the whole country again , it ’ d destroy us.
” “ I know it needs to go up a level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will mean closing businesses again .
People are only getting back on their feet , they can ’ t manage that all over again.
” Egan “ hated ” lockdown earlier in the year and fears it being introduced in the coming weeks .
Her sector is still trying to regain stability after a wide-scale shutdown before the summer .
The prospect of shutting down shops under Level 5 – which won ’ t happen under Level 3 – brought worry for businesses in the city on Monday .
Hugh Paul , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High Street , leans over a clothes rack and sums up the confusion over the levels : “ Level 3 was supposed to be there so we could avoid Level 4 , and Level 4 was supposed to be there so we could avoid Level 5.
” He says the shop missed “ three months of selling ” due to being closed earlier in the year , and has just gotten in its autumn stock .
“ It would be a disaster if there is another full-scale lockdown.
” However for Margaret Conroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some comfort .
“ For businesses I wouldn ’ t like to see full lockdown – but for people I would , ” she says .
“ I want lockdown anyway .
I don ’ t think people are adhering to the rules as well as they were .
It ’ s people in their 20s , their 30s , their 40s , ” she says .
“ I just don ’ t want to get this [ coronavirus ] .
I have an underlying condition and I don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost two friends to this and I don ’ t want it.
” She feels sympathy for friends who run businesses but has found the latest rise in Covid-19 cases nationally worrying .
“ My children are in Australia and I probably won ’ t feel well until the day I can see them again and be able to hold my grandchildren in my arms.
” Maurice Bowe is in favour of a “ sharp shock , a lockdown lasting two to three weeks to get the virus under control ” .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown then what ’ s the point in it ?
There ’ s no half measure on it , it ’ s all hog or no dinner .
Just until it ’ s back to where it was in July and then we can re-evaluate where the spike was coming from.
” He believes the rise in cases has come from the schools and colleges reopening , and reckons younger age groups are partly at fault , but tries to avoid passing judgement .
“ I think my generation tends to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking work into account , my and my wife ’ s circle between us is six to eight people .
That wouldn ’ t have been the case when we were younger .
”

Kilkenny on Monday as the county prepares to go, like the rest of the country, to Level 3. Photograph Eoghan Dalton
“It was hard. I wouldn’t like to see another one now,” says Kilkenny pensioner Jim Dwyer, as speculation of a move to Level 5 brings back memories of a difficult lockdown in March.
“I know a lot of people who it didn’t suit. It wouldn’t suit anyone really. If there’s another spike in the winter and then a lockdown, you’d worry about the suicide rate,” he says.
Kilkenny is part of the Health Service Executive region with the country’s lowest Covid-19 incidence rate per 100,000 at 42.1. The recommendation by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to move the whole country to Level 5 – although ultimately rejected by the Government for a move to Level 3 – doesn’t make sense to many locals.
Kilkenny native Marguerite Conroy continues to restrict her movements and says she favours another lockdown
“Places that have universities and students, your Dublins, your Corks, Limerick, Galway, that seems to be where the cases are. You’re not getting that here so should we be shut down? There were only five cases announced for here yesterday [Sunday],” says Dwyer.
READ MORE
Childcare worker Martina Egan cannot fathom why Kilkenny would be considered for such harsh measures. “Maybe if they closed off the counties with the higher cases, that might work,” she says. “Dublin, Galway, Cork, Donegal, they have the highest, so maybe put them to Level 4 or Level 5. But not the whole country again, it’d destroy us.”
“I know it needs to go up a level,” says Egan, “but it will mean closing businesses again. People are only getting back on their feet, they can’t manage that all over again.”
Egan “hated” lockdown earlier in the year and fears it being introduced in the coming weeks. Her sector is still trying to regain stability after a wide-scale shutdown before the summer.
The prospect of shutting down shops under Level 5 – which won’t happen under Level 3 – brought worry for businesses in the city on Monday. Hugh Paul, of clothing store Paul’s on High Street, leans over a clothes rack and sums up the confusion over the levels: “Level 3 was supposed to be there so we could avoid Level 4 , and Level 4 was supposed to be there so we could avoid Level 5.”
He says the shop missed “three months of selling” due to being closed earlier in the year, and has just gotten in its autumn stock. “It would be a disaster if there is another full-scale lockdown.”
Comfort
However for Margaret Conroy, the prospect of more restrictions brought some comfort. “For businesses I wouldn’t like to see full lockdown – but for people I would,” she says .
“I want lockdown anyway. I don’t think people are adhering to the rules as well as they were. It’s people in their 20s, their 30s, their 40s,” she says .
“I just don’t want to get this [coronavirus]. I have an underlying condition and I don’t want to die alone in a hospital. I lost two friends to this and I don’t want it.”
She feels sympathy for friends who run businesses but has found the latest rise in Covid-19 cases nationally worrying.
“My children are in Australia and I probably won’t feel well until the day I can see them again and be able to hold my grandchildren in my arms.”
Maurice Bowe is in favour of a “sharp shock, a lockdown lasting two to three weeks to get the virus under control”.
“If it isn’t a full lockdown then what’s the point in it? There’s no half measure on it, it’s all hog or no dinner. Just until it’s back to where it was in July and then we can re-evaluate where the spike was coming from.”
He believes the rise in cases has come from the schools and colleges reopening, and reckons younger age groups are partly at fault, but tries to avoid passing judgement. “I think my generation tends to have a tighter circle of friends. Like even taking work into account, my and my wife’s circle between us is six to eight people. That wouldn’t have been the case when we were younger.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Woman (90s) dies in car crash in Athlone

A woman in her 90s has died after the car she was driving crashed in Athlone , Co Westmeath on @ @ @ @ @ they were appealing for witnesses to the incident in the Golden Island area of the @ @ @ @ @ The woman was the driver and sole occupant of the car .
She was pronounced @ @ @ @ @ Her body has been removed to mortuary at the Midlands Regional Hospital , Mullingar , @ @ @ @ @ the scene has taken place , gardaí said .
They appealed to anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ cam footage to contact Athlone Garda Station on ( 090 ) 649 2600 or the @ @ @ @ @ 666 111 .

Gardaí appealed to anyone with information or who may have dash cam footage to contact them. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
A woman in her 90s has died after the car she was driving crashed in Athlone, Co Westmeath on Monday afternoon.
Gardaí said they were appealing for witnesses to the incident in the Golden Island area of the town at approximately 2.10pm.
The woman was the driver and sole occupant of the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been removed to mortuary at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, and a technical examination of the scene has taken place, gardaí said.
They appealed to anyone with information or who may have dash cam footage to contact Athlone Garda Station on (090) 649 2600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--‘Abusive interactions’ at Westmeath care centre, Hiqa finds

There was a “ consistent level of abusive interactions ” within a residential care centre for adults with disabilities in Co Westmeath which “ impacted severely ” on the well-being of some of the residents , a report from the State ’ s health watchdog has found .
An inspector from the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) said staff and residents at Gainevale House indicated the centre was not always a “ calm and relaxed or safe atmosphere ” .
The announced inspection , which took place last July , found the centre was not compliant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 21 inspection reports published by Hiqa on Monday on designated centres for people with disabilities , a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards was found in 18 centres .
The inspector said the systems for the protection of residents from abuse “ were not satisfactory in a number of areas ” at Gainevale House .
“ The inspector found that despite appropriate policies and procedures there was a consistent level of abusive interactions within the centre which impacted severely on the well-being of some residents , ” the inspection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the collective assessed needs of the current group of residents were challenging for staff to manage safely in this group living environment , which was known by the manager of this service to be a significant contributing factor to these incidents .
“ From a review of the notifications , the records held in the centre and from speaking with staff , it was evident that there was a lack of timely and consistent response to these types of incidents over a long period of time.
” The inspector noted that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time but that the records indicated these resulted in “ short term changes only ” and were not sustained .
The inspection at Gainevale House was carried out in response to “ a number of significant notifications ” and “ other information of concern ” received by the chief inspector .
This inspection found that there were governance systems and structures in place for oversight and direction of care .
However , despite this , improvements were required in a number of areas to ensure the quality of life , safety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also noted that infection control procedures were in place and the provider had implemented a range of strategies to prevent and manage the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ Sanitising systems were undertaken in the centre and on the vehicles .
However , it was of concern that on the day of the inspection the inspector did not observe any sanitising systems available at suitable points in the premises , ” the inspection report said .
“ While one was eventually located by staff at the request of the inspector , the inspector was advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there was no clear explanation for the deficit on the day , which in the current public health crisis could pose a risk to all persons in the centre.
” Separately , a Hiqa inspection of Sligo Semi-Independent Accommodation operated by RehabCare found non-compliance with regulations and standards relating to the governance and management of the centre which provides residential support to adults with an intellectual disability .
“ The governance and management systems required review to ensure that the centre was effectively and consistently monitored at all times and that actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure timely completion , ” the inspection report said .
“ The annual review of the quality and safety of care and support in the service was not available in the service for review , nor were any associated documentation such as resident questionnaires as part of the consultation process .
”

Hiqa said staff and residents at Gainevale House indicated the centre was not always a ‘calm and relaxed or safe atmosphere’ at the centre. Photograph: iStock.
There was a “consistent level of abusive interactions” within a residential care centre for adults with disabilities in Co Westmeath which “impacted severely” on the well-being of some of the residents, a report from the State’s health watchdog has found.
An inspector from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said staff and residents at Gainevale House indicated the centre was not always a “calm and relaxed or safe atmosphere”.
The announced inspection, which took place last July, found the centre was not compliant in six out of 18 regulations. Of the 21 inspection reports published by Hiqa on Monday on designated centres for people with disabilities, a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards was found in 18 centres.
The inspector said the systems for the protection of residents from abuse “were not satisfactory in a number of areas” at Gainevale House.
READ MORE
“The inspector found that despite appropriate policies and procedures there was a consistent level of abusive interactions within the centre which impacted severely on the well-being of some residents,” the inspection report said.
‘Lack of timely response’
“The inspector found that the collective assessed needs of the current group of residents were challenging for staff to manage safely in this group living environment, which was known by the manager of this service to be a significant contributing factor to these incidents.
“From a review of the notifications, the records held in the centre and from speaking with staff, it was evident that there was a lack of timely and consistent response to these types of incidents over a long period of time.”
The inspector noted that some interventions had been introduced over various periods of time but that the records indicated these resulted in “short term changes only” and were not sustained.
The inspection at Gainevale House was carried out in response to “a number of significant notifications” and “other information of concern” received by the chief inspector.
This inspection found that there were governance systems and structures in place for oversight and direction of care. However, despite this, improvements were required in a number of areas to ensure the quality of life, safety and well-being of the residents.
The inspector also noted that infection control procedures were in place and the provider had implemented a range of strategies to prevent and manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Sanitising systems were undertaken in the centre and on the vehicles. However, it was of concern that on the day of the inspection the inspector did not observe any sanitising systems available at suitable points in the premises,” the inspection report said.
“While one was eventually located by staff at the request of the inspector, the inspector was advised that this was not the usual situation but there was no clear explanation for the deficit on the day, which in the current public health crisis could pose a risk to all persons in the centre.”
Governance
Separately, a Hiqa inspection of Sligo Semi-Independent Accommodation operated by RehabCare found non-compliance with regulations and standards relating to the governance and management of the centre which provides residential support to adults with an intellectual disability.
“The governance and management systems required review to ensure that the centre was effectively and consistently monitored at all times and that actions arising from audits were under ongoing review to ensure timely completion,” the inspection report said.
“The annual review of the quality and safety of care and support in the service was not available in the service for review, nor were any associated documentation such as resident questionnaires as part of the consultation process.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Sacked Vatican cardinal accused of bribing witnesses in abuse trial of rival

A former senior Vatican cardinal , whose resignation was accepted by Pope Francis last month , has been accused of using €700,000 of Catholic Church funds to bribe witnesses to help secure a sexual abuse conviction against a rival , Australian cardinal George Pell .
Italian media reported at the weekend that Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu ( 72 ) is suspected of sending the money to Australia , to help ensure hostile testimony in the abuse trial of Cardinal Pell , who was accused of molesting choir boys when Archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s .
Before returning to Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , jailed and acquitted on appeal , Cardinal Pell ( 79 ) had served as prefect of the Vatican ’ s Secretariat for the Economy between 2014 and 2019 , where his attempts at cleaning up practices there were opposed by Cardinal Becciu .
Quoting leaked documents , Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported that Vatican investigators suspect Cardinal Becciu hoped to use the money sent to Australia to derail Cardinal Pell ’ s efforts at transparency where Vatican finances were concerned and which , they claimed , threatened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management of Vatican money .
Cardinal Becciu has strongly denied these allegations .
He had held an influential role in distributing and investing millions of euro of donations by Catholics as the Vatican deputy secretary of state between 2011 and 2018 , when Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints .
On September 24th Cardinal Becciu was sacked by Pope Francis and stripped of his privileges as a cardinal , as a Vatican team investigate his spending record at the secretariat of state .
It followed suspicions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving luxury property in London ’ s Chelsea and where the Vatican lost millions to consultants .
He has also been accused of directing Vatican money to charities and businesses run by his three brothers .
In 2016 he and Cardinal Pell clashed when the latter ordered an audit of Vatican finances by an external accountancy firm .
Cardinal Becciu overruled him and blocked the audit .
After 13 months in jail and his acquittal last April , Cardinal Pell returned to Rome last week .
In Australian media interviews on his release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaning up Vatican finances with his prosecution on child abuse charges .
Last month , commenting on the sacking of Cardinal Becciu , he “ thanked and congratulated ” Pope Francis .
A lawyer for Cardinal Pell ’ s accuser has denied he received any money in connection with his evidence .

A former senior Vatican cardinal, whose resignation was accepted by Pope Francis last month, has been accused of using €700,000 of Catholic Church funds to bribe witnesses to help secure a sexual abuse conviction against a rival, Australian cardinal George Pell.
Italian media reported at the weekend that Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu (72) is suspected of sending the money to Australia, to help ensure hostile testimony in the abuse trial of Cardinal Pell, who was accused of molesting choir boys when Archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s.
Before returning to Australia in 2017, where he was tried, jailed and acquitted on appeal, Cardinal Pell (79) had served as prefect of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy between 2014 and 2019, where his attempts at cleaning up practices there were opposed by Cardinal Becciu.
Influential role
Quoting leaked documents, Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported that Vatican investigators suspect Cardinal Becciu hoped to use the money sent to Australia to derail Cardinal Pell’s efforts at transparency where Vatican finances were concerned and which, they claimed, threatened to expose Cardinal Becciu’s allegedly corrupt management of Vatican money. Cardinal Becciu has strongly denied these allegations.
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He had held an influential role in distributing and investing millions of euro of donations by Catholics as the Vatican deputy secretary of state between 2011 and 2018, when Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
On September 24th Cardinal Becciu was sacked by Pope Francis and stripped of his privileges as a cardinal, as a Vatican team investigate his spending record at the secretariat of state.
It followed suspicions aroused by multimillion euro investments he supervised involving luxury property in London's Chelsea and where the Vatican lost millions to consultants. He has also been accused of directing Vatican money to charities and businesses run by his three brothers.
Clash
Cardinal Becciu has denied all wrongdoing.
In 2016 he and Cardinal Pell clashed when the latter ordered an audit of Vatican finances by an external accountancy firm. Cardinal Becciu overruled him and blocked the audit.
After 13 months in jail and his acquittal last April, Cardinal Pell returned to Rome last week. In Australian media interviews on his release from jail he linked his attempts at cleaning up Vatican finances with his prosecution on child abuse charges. Last month, commenting on the sacking of Cardinal Becciu, he “thanked and congratulated” Pope Francis.
A lawyer for Cardinal Pell’s accuser has denied he received any money in connection with his evidence.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Christmas panic buying sees queues form outside toy shops

Toys are becoming the new toilet paper if the queues outside some of the largest toy shops in the State on Monday morning were any indication .
The prospect of another lockdown which could force all but non-essential retailers to shut for weeks sent people scrambling to get organised for Christmas earlier than ever .
And while shelves were not stripped bare as they were during the toilet paper shortages of the spring , demand for toys definitely spiked .
Smyths toys outlets around the country were much busier than normal , with long queues at outlets in retail parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday dozens of anxious-looking parents were standing in line waiting to get into the shop in Carrickmines , Co Dublin , with some shoppers saying that it was taking upwards of 30 minutes to get through the doors .
It was quieter in the same chain ’ s branch on Dublin ’ s Jervis Street .
There were no queues outside the shop , although as lunchtime approached and people saw pictures on social media of the carry-on at other shops , it definitely got busier .
By 1pm there were long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something staff said was most unusual for a Monday morning in October .
“ It has been mad busy so far today , and all of the people seem to be shopping for Christmas , ” one staff member said .
“ I think it is crazy to be honest .
There is no need to panic-buy , and even if we do have to close we will still be operating our click-and-collect service.
” The click-and-collect system allows customers to chose the products they want online and pick them up at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smyths outlets during the last lockdown .
“ I am shopping for Christmas alright , ” confirmed Jennifer Murray from Dublin , as she appeared weighed down by a mountain of board games .
“ I ’ d never normally be doing it this early but I ’ d be afraid the shops will close and stay closed until after Christmas .
You never know do you ?
” In a statement Smyths moved to reassure customers there was no need to be concerned .
“ We have good levels of stock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect our stores to remain open .
Please continue to observe social distancing and wear masks when shopping , ” a spokeswoman said .
While Fiona Ryan , the owner of the Little Ones shop and website littleones.ie in Ennis , Co Clare , was also confident about the supplies of toys she had , she said there was still a huge level of uncertainty across the whole retail sector .
“ We just don ’ t know what is going to happen , and if we will end up closed for weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be , ” she said .
“ We have had a fair few people in the shop today .
And the website has been up the walls.
” Her shop specialises in quality traditional wooden toys , including kitchens and train sets , and Ms Ryan said that not only were people buying the bigger ticket items , they were also stocking up on stocking fillers .
“ Normally the smaller items are left until much closer to Christmas , but people are coming in now looking to get all their shopping done @ @

Toys are becoming the new toilet paper if the queues outside some of the largest toy shops in the State on Monday morning were any indication.
The prospect of another lockdown which could force all but non-essential retailers to shut for weeks sent people scrambling to get organised for Christmas earlier than ever. And while shelves were not stripped bare as they were during the toilet paper shortages of the spring, demand for toys definitely spiked.
Smyths toys outlets around the country were much busier than normal, with long queues at outlets in retail parks in Dublin and Cork.
Before midday on Monday dozens of anxious-looking parents were standing in line waiting to get into the shop in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, with some shoppers saying that it was taking upwards of 30 minutes to get through the doors.
READ MORE
It was quieter in the same chain’s branch on Dublin’s Jervis Street. There were no queues outside the shop, although as lunchtime approached and people saw pictures on social media of the carry-on at other shops, it definitely got busier.
By 1pm there were long queues at all the open pay-points, something staff said was most unusual for a Monday morning in October.
“It has been mad busy so far today, and all of the people seem to be shopping for Christmas,” one staff member said. “I think it is crazy to be honest. There is no need to panic-buy, and even if we do have to close we will still be operating our click-and-collect service.”
The click-and-collect system allows customers to chose the products they want online and pick them up at a particular time. It operated at many Smyths outlets during the last lockdown.
"I am shopping for Christmas alright," confirmed Jennifer Murray from Dublin, as she appeared weighed down by a mountain of board games.
“I’d never normally be doing it this early but I’d be afraid the shops will close and stay closed until after Christmas. You never know do you?”
Stock
In a statement Smyths moved to reassure customers there was no need to be concerned.
“We have good levels of stock, with more arriving each week. We expect our stores to remain open. Please continue to observe social distancing and wear masks when shopping,” a spokeswoman said.
While Fiona Ryan, the owner of the Little Ones shop and website littleones.ie in Ennis, Co Clare, was also confident about the supplies of toys she had, she said there was still a huge level of uncertainty across the whole retail sector.
“We just don’t know what is going to happen, and if we will end up closed for weeks or months or what the story will be,” she said.
“We have had a fair few people in the shop today. And the website has been up the walls.”
Her shop specialises in quality traditional wooden toys, including kitchens and train sets, and Ms Ryan said that not only were people buying the bigger ticket items, they were also stocking up on stocking fillers.
“Normally the smaller items are left until much closer to Christmas, but people are coming in now looking to get all their shopping done.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Man stabbed to death after teenage murderer was called a ‘rat’ in drugs row

A 20-year-old was stabbed to death after he called his teenage murderer a “ rat ” during a drug-related row , the Central Criminal Court has heard .
The 17-year-old defendant , who can not be named because he is a minor , pleaded guilty last month to the murder of Glen “ Ossie ” Osborne ( 20 ) at Ballybough House , Ballybough , Dublin on April 15th this year .
At a sentence hearing on Monday the court heard that Mr Osborne ’ s girlfriend Lauren Cray gave birth to their son two months after he was murdered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendant phoned Mr Osborne ’ s mother before the stabbing and said : “ Wait and see what I ’ m going to do.
” In a written statement to the court Ms Cray said she and Glen fell in love and had moved in with one another and planned to have a child .
He was excited when he found out he was going to be a father and cried when he first heard the child ’ s heartbeat .
All he wanted , she said , was to have his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glen Osborne ’ s mother Rose said he was a fighter from the day he was born , six-and-a-half weeks premature .
He was a “ grafter ” who got up early every morning to go to work and never brought trouble to her door .
She said : “ Glen grew into a lovely young man with a cheeky smile .
He had the gift of the gab and he was a charmer with the ladies.
” He was delighted when Lauren got pregnant , she said , adding : “ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my nightmare .
I died with Glen that day.
” He would have been 21 in June this year , “ and that was worse than the funeral of my only child .
My reason for living has been taken away from me.
” She said she feels herself failing every day but she doesn ’ t mind as she would “ gladly go to God.
” She added : “ I ’ m sitting broken and alone waiting for Glen to come in and say , hello princess what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give anything to have her son back .
“ My ray of light is gone forever.
” Det Sgt Ken Hoare of Mountjoy Garda Station told Pauline Whalley SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions that the accused had a “ somewhat troubled upbringing ” .
The deceased , he said , had been promised by his employer that he would begin an apprenticeship but when the Covid restrictions came in he was laid off and started taking cannabis and cocaine .
On the Sunday before he died he went with the defendant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The following day the windows of Mr Osborne ’ s home were smashed in what the detective said was retaliation for the fact payment had not been made .
Mr Osborne believed the defendant had identified his home to those people , that he had “ ratted him to a third party ” .
The day of the murder there were “ angry messages to and fro ” and the defendant was labelled a “ rat ” .
One hour before the murder the defendant ’ s own father sent him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendant , carrying a white bag with a knife in it , took a taxi to Ballybough where he met the deceased at the entrance to Ballybough House .
Shortly before that the defendant had called Rose Osborne and told her : “ Wait and see what I ’ m going to do.
” The defendant put down the bag before a fight broke out in which witnesses said Mr Osborne had the upper hand .
They were split apart and the defendant retrieved the bag before a second fight began that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the defendant could be seen swinging his arm and stabbing Mr Osborne once in the chest .
A pathologist ’ s report showed that he died having suffered a single stab wound that penetrated the heart causing massive blood loss .
The accused ran away but was on his way to Mountjoy Garda Station with his mother and aunt planning to hand himself in that night when he was stopped by a Garda patrol .
In interview he initially claimed he was frightened and grabbed a piece of glass which he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he later admitted to having used a knife .
Det Sgt Hoare said he was distressed and genuinely remorseful .
Det Sgt Hoare agreed with defence counsel James Dwyer SC that the defendant had a chaotic background , having been homeless and with both his parents having been to prison at various times .
He said that to be called a rat would be an “ extreme , negative ” thing in the defendant ’ s social background .
He further agreed that he hadn ’ t used the knife at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t set out to murder Mr Osborne when he went to Ballybough House .
In a written letter of apology the defendant said he was sorry and heartbroken at what he had done .
Addressing Rose Osborne , he said : “ I say a prayer every night that you can get through this.
” Mr Dwyer told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that because his client is a minor he does not face a mandatory life sentence .
He asked the judge to put rehabilitation at front and centre of sentencing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty plea , that he was 16 at the time , has significant cognitive deficits and has shown “ very real expressions of remorse ” .
He said his client has demonstrated a capacity to develop , mature and rehabilitate during his time at Oberstown Detention Centre .
Mr Justice McDermott remanded the defendant until a further hearing on December 7tth .

A 20-year-old was stabbed to death after he called his teenage murderer a “rat” during a drug-related row, the Central Criminal Court has heard.
The 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named because he is a minor, pleaded guilty last month to the murder of Glen “Ossie” Osborne (20) at Ballybough House, Ballybough, Dublin on April 15th this year.
At a sentence hearing on Monday the court heard that Mr Osborne’s girlfriend Lauren Cray gave birth to their son two months after he was murdered.
The court also heard that the defendant phoned Mr Osborne’s mother before the stabbing and said: “Wait and see what I’m going to do.”
READ MORE
In a written statement to the court Ms Cray said she and Glen fell in love and had moved in with one another and planned to have a child. He was excited when he found out he was going to be a father and cried when he first heard the child’s heartbeat. All he wanted, she said, was to have his son and for them to be together. Glen Osborne’s mother Rose said he was a fighter from the day he was born, six-and-a-half weeks premature. He was a “grafter” who got up early every morning to go to work and never brought trouble to her door.
She said: “Glen grew into a lovely young man with a cheeky smile. He had the gift of the gab and he was a charmer with the ladies.” He was delighted when Lauren got pregnant, she said, adding: “When he was murdered it was the start of my nightmare. I died with Glen that day.” He would have been 21 in June this year, “and that was worse than the funeral of my only child. My reason for living has been taken away from me.”
She said she feels herself failing every day but she doesn’t mind as she would “gladly go to God.” She added: “I’m sitting broken and alone waiting for Glen to come in and say, hello princess what’s for dinner.” She said she would give anything to have her son back. “My ray of light is gone forever.”
Det Sgt Ken Hoare of Mountjoy Garda Station told Pauline Whalley SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions that the accused had a “somewhat troubled upbringing”.
The deceased, he said, had been promised by his employer that he would begin an apprenticeship but when the Covid restrictions came in he was laid off and started taking cannabis and cocaine. On the Sunday before he died he went with the defendant and they got drugs without making payment. The following day the windows of Mr Osborne’s home were smashed in what the detective said was retaliation for the fact payment had not been made.
Mr Osborne believed the defendant had identified his home to those people, that he had “ratted him to a third party”. The day of the murder there were “angry messages to and fro” and the defendant was labelled a “rat”.
One hour before the murder the defendant’s own father sent him a message calling him a rat. The defendant, carrying a white bag with a knife in it, took a taxi to Ballybough where he met the deceased at the entrance to Ballybough House. Shortly before that the defendant had called Rose Osborne and told her: “Wait and see what I’m going to do.”
The defendant put down the bag before a fight broke out in which witnesses said Mr Osborne had the upper hand. They were split apart and the defendant retrieved the bag before a second fight began that was caught on CCTV. Det Sgt Hoare said the defendant could be seen swinging his arm and stabbing Mr Osborne once in the chest. A pathologist’s report showed that he died having suffered a single stab wound that penetrated the heart causing massive blood loss.
The accused ran away but was on his way to Mountjoy Garda Station with his mother and aunt planning to hand himself in that night when he was stopped by a Garda patrol. In interview he initially claimed he was frightened and grabbed a piece of glass which he said he used to stab Mr Osborne but he later admitted to having used a knife. Det Sgt Hoare said he was distressed and genuinely remorseful.
Det Sgt Hoare agreed with defence counsel James Dwyer SC that the defendant had a chaotic background, having been homeless and with both his parents having been to prison at various times. He said that to be called a rat would be an “extreme, negative” thing in the defendant’s social background.
He further agreed that he hadn’t used the knife at the beginning of the fight and that he didn’t set out to murder Mr Osborne when he went to Ballybough House.
In a written letter of apology the defendant said he was sorry and heartbroken at what he had done. Addressing Rose Osborne, he said: “I say a prayer every night that you can get through this.”
Mr Dwyer told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that because his client is a minor he does not face a mandatory life sentence. He asked the judge to put rehabilitation at front and centre of sentencing and to consider his client’s early guilty plea, that he was 16 at the time, has significant cognitive deficits and has shown “very real expressions of remorse”. He said his client has demonstrated a capacity to develop, mature and rehabilitate during his time at Oberstown Detention Centre.
Mr Justice McDermott remanded the defendant until a further hearing on December 7tth.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Life under Level 3: What stays open and where can I travel?

The Government on Monday decided that all counties will join Donegal and Dublin in Level 3 of the Living with Covid strategy for the next three weeks until October 27th .
Can I travel outside my county ?
You are advised to stay inside your county unless you have to travel for work , educational or other essential purposes .
Can I have any visitors to my home ?
You can have a maximum of six visitors from one other household only .
No social or family gatherings should take place in other settings .
Are organised indoor or outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences , events in theatres or other arts events ?
No organised indoor gatherings should take place .
Outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people can take place .
Museums , galleries and other cultural attractions all close under Level 3 while libraries will be available for e-services and call and collect .
Up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception .
What happens to Mass and funerals ?
Religious services will be held online .
Places of worship remain open for private prayer .
In terms of funerals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can sport still take place ?
Outdoor non contact training only in pods of up to 15 can take place with an exemption for professional/elite/inter-countysports/senior club championship .
In terms of indoors , individual training only is allowed with no exercise or dance classes to happen .
No matches or sports events are to take place .
Again , there is an exemption for professional/elite/inter-county/club championship/horse-racing which can take place behind closed doors .
But hasn ’ t the GAA suspended all club games ?
It has .
The association ’ s management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call off all club matches until further notice .
It said the decision had been taken “ in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days .
In particular , post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.
” Gyms , leisure centres and swimming pools can remain open provided they have the necessary protective measures and for individual training only .
What about pubs and restaurants ?
Under Level 3 measures wet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving food can remain open for take-away , delivery , and outdoor dining/services to a maximum of 15 people .
Wet pubs in Dublin remain closed .
What about hotels and similar accommodation ?
They can remain open but services are to be limited to residents .
Face coverings must continue to be worn when entering retail outlets , shopping centres , etc .
They along with hairdressers , barbers and beauticians can remain open as long as the necessary protective measures are in place .
Is the advice to still work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice is to “ work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person ” .
Schools and crèches remain open with protective measures in place .
Further , higher and adult education are to “ escalate all appropriate protective measures and limit congregation as far as possible ” .
Do over-70s or medically vulnerable people have to cocoon ?
Those aged 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable are advised to “ exercise judgement ” regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suspended under Level 3 aside from “ critical and compassionate circumstances ” .
Face coverings must continue to be worn on public transport .
People are advised to walk or cycle where possible .
Public transport capacity will be limited to 50 per cent .

Can I travel outside my county?
You are advised to stay inside your county unless you have to travel for work, educational or other essential purposes.
Can I have any visitors to my home?
You can have a maximum of six visitors from one other household only. No social or family gatherings should take place in other settings.
Hospital Report
Are organised indoor or outdoor gatherings allowed to take place such as conferences, events in theatres or other arts events?
No organised indoor gatherings should take place. Outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people can take place.
Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions all close under Level 3 while libraries will be available for e-services and call and collect.
READ MORE
Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks will remain open.
What about weddings?
Up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
What happens to Mass and funerals?
Religious services will be held online. Places of worship remain open for private prayer. In terms of funerals, up to 25 mourners can attend.
Can sport still take place?
Outdoor non-contact training only in pods of up to 15 can take place. In terms of indoors, individual training only is allowed with no exercise or dance classes to happen.
No matches or sports events are to take place. Again, there is an exemption for professional/elite/inter-county/horse-racing which can take place behind closed doors.
Can gyms stay open?
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can remain open provided they have the necessary protective measures and for individual training only.
What about pubs and restaurants?
Under Level 3 measures wet pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars serving food can remain open for take-away, delivery, and outdoor dining/services to a maximum of 15 people. Wet pubs in Dublin remain closed. Nightclubs, discos and casinos remain closed under Level 3.
What about hotels and similar accommodation?
They can remain open but services are to be limited to residents.
Are retail outlets and hairdressers/barbers staying open?
Face coverings must continue to be worn when entering retail outlets, shopping centres, etc. They along with hairdressers, barbers and beauticians can remain open as long as the necessary protective measures are in place.
Is the advice to still work from home?
Yes, under Level 3 the advice is to "work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person".
Will schools and crèches remain open?
Schools and crèches remain open with protective measures in place.
Do over-70s or medically vulnerable people have to cocoon?
Those aged 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable are advised to "exercise judgement" regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside the home.
Can I visit a relative in a nursing home?
Visits to long-term residential care facilities are suspended under Level 3 aside from "critical and compassionate circumstances".
What about public transport?
Face coverings must continue to be worn on public transport. People are advised to walk or cycle where possible. Public transport capacity will be limited to 50 per cent.
People are also advised to wear face masks outdoors on busy streets as well as in places of worship and inside crowded workplaces.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Court confirms cancellation of public health nurse’s registration

The cancellation of the registration of a public health nurse who was found to have poor record keeping , including filing screening documents for new-borns , has been confirmed by the president of the High Court .
Ms Justice Mary Irvine heard some babies under the nurse ’ s care never made it into the public health surveillance system while in her care .
A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland had made several findings of professional misconduct against the nurse , including that she failed to maintain or file records in a timely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee also found the nurse kept records pertaining to one or more clients at her home or in her car when she knew or ought to have known this was not appropriate .
It further found that , over a five-year period at two different health centres , there was a failure by her to file in a timely manner or at all adequate records including new-born screening documentation .
Ms Justice Irvine was told on Monday the Fitness to Practise Committee also found the nurse suffered from a medical disability in respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of obsessional hoarding which may impair her ability to practise nursing .
The committee recommended the nurse ’ s registration be cancelled and stated it considered that advice , admonishment or censure were not sufficient to protect the public , in particular children and new borns .
The cancellation sanction was appropriate because there was no evidence of insight into the seriousness of or the consequences or potential consequences of the nurse ’ s conduct , it also said .
The public health nurse suffers from a chronic medical disability that renders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any area of nursing or midwifery , it considered .
It also found the nurse ’ s conduct had the potential to cause harm in particular to infants and children .
Despite repeated meetings , advices and training over an extended period of in excess of three years , the committee noted the nurse was unable to remediate her conduct , leading ultimately to administrative leave and retirement on medical grounds .
Potentially , if the nurse was allowed to continue to practise , the committee was satisfied service users were likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being referred appropriately or on time or becoming lost in the system because of the nurse ’ s failures .
Confirming the cancellation of the nurse ’ s registration , as sought by the board , Ms Justice Irvine said it was of concern to the court to hear some new-borns did not get into the public health surveillance system .

The cancellation of the registration of a public health nurse who was found to have poor record keeping, including filing screening documents for new-borns, has been confirmed by the president of the High Court.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine heard some babies under the nurse’s care never made it into the public health surveillance system while in her care.
A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland had made several findings of professional misconduct against the nurse, including that she failed to maintain or file records in a timely manner including new-born screening documentation.
The committee also found the nurse kept records pertaining to one or more clients at her home or in her car when she knew or ought to have known this was not appropriate.
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It further found that, over a five-year period at two different health centres, there was a failure by her to file in a timely manner or at all adequate records including new-born screening documentation.
Ms Justice Irvine was told on Monday the Fitness to Practise Committee also found the nurse suffered from a medical disability in respect of obsessional hoarding, or had a history of obsessional hoarding which may impair her ability to practise nursing.
The committee recommended the nurse’s registration be cancelled and stated it considered that advice, admonishment or censure were not sufficient to protect the public, in particular children and new borns.
The cancellation sanction was appropriate because there was no evidence of insight into the seriousness of or the consequences or potential consequences of the nurse’s conduct, it also said.
The public health nurse suffers from a chronic medical disability that renders her unfit and unsafe to work in any area of nursing or midwifery, it considered.
It also found the nurse’s conduct had the potential to cause harm in particular to infants and children.
Despite repeated meetings, advices and training over an extended period of in excess of three years, the committee noted the nurse was unable to remediate her conduct, leading ultimately to administrative leave and retirement on medical grounds.
Potentially, if the nurse was allowed to continue to practise, the committee was satisfied service users were likely to suffer harm, not least by not being referred appropriately or on time or becoming lost in the system because of the nurse’s failures.
Confirming the cancellation of the nurse’s registration, as sought by the board, Ms Justice Irvine said it was of concern to the court to hear some new-borns did not get into the public health surveillance system.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Ireland’s five-level Covid-19 plan attracts international praise

Just as the Irish Government ’ s plan for managing Covid-19 has come under pressure at home , it has attracted international interest and praise .
The five phases of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 were featured on the Dutch equivalent of Saturday Night Live over the weekend and discussed as a system the Netherlands could emulate .
“ How nice would it be to make a super clear plan for the third wave with which .
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it is planned in advance the local rules that will take place at which level of infections , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a television show that mixed jokes , news commentary and criticism of Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte .
“ In Ireland they use this , ” Mr Lubach said , as the Irish Government ’ s colour-coded chart of the five levels and their restrictions was displayed to Dutch television viewers .
“ The only disadvantage of such a schedule is that someone in authority still has to announce : ‘ We are now going to Level 3 ’ .
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So what we have to do we just link it directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , ” Mr Lubach said .
“ It would be useful for us stubborn Dutch .
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if we see that measures will arrive in advance .
Then we are not surprised by a press conference , ” he added .
“ They are not new rules , but just existing rules that come into effect.
” The Irish system was also the subject of a long article by Danish broadsheet newspaper Berlingske , which reported on it as a model to learn from as the Copenhagen government came in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transparency ” in its Covid-19 response .
“ Transparent , predictable and an obvious inspiration for Denmark , say both health professionals and economic experts , ” the newspaper reported on Saturday .
A string of European countries have announced stricter measures to curb rising Covid-19 infections , but in most cases restrictions are decided ad hoc , without following a plan that has been set out in advance .
The Government ’ s launch of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 in September led for a call by the prominent virologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar system .
“ What we need is a system with different stages with different measures , ” he wrote .
“ Ireland is a good example.
” Both in the Netherlands and Denmark , there were appeals to the national governments to adopt an Irish-style system after it was featured in the media .
“ In Ireland , a model has been found that has created predictability in corona crisis management , ” wrote Martin Geersten , a parliamentarian in the Conservative-liberal Venstre party .
“ The government should be inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday at 5pm and introducing new restrictions with less than 12 hours ’ notice .
”

‘How nice would it be to make a super clear plan for the third wave,’ said the comedian presenter Arjen Lubach, in television show that mixed jokes, news commentary and criticism of Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte (above). Photograph: Francisco Seco / Pool / AFP via Getty Images
Just as the Irish Government’s plan for managing Covid-19 has come under pressure at home, it has attracted international interest and praise.
The five phases of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 were featured on the Dutch equivalent of Saturday Night Live over the weekend and discussed as a system the Netherlands could emulate.
“How nice would it be to make a super clear plan for the third wave with which . . . it is planned in advance the local rules that will take place at which level of infections,” said the comedian presenter Arjen Lubach, in a television show that mixed jokes, news commentary and criticism of Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.
“In Ireland they use this,” Mr Lubach said, as the Irish Government’s colour-coded chart of the five levels and their restrictions was displayed to Dutch television viewers.
READ MORE
“The only disadvantage of such a schedule is that someone in authority still has to announce: ‘We are now going to Level 3’ . . . So what we have to do we just link it directly to the number of new infections per week,” Mr Lubach said.
“It would be useful for us stubborn Dutch . . . if we see that measures will arrive in advance. Then we are not surprised by a press conference,” he added. “They are not new rules, but just existing rules that come into effect.”
The Irish system was also the subject of a long article by Danish broadsheet newspaper Berlingske, which reported on it as a model to learn from as the Copenhagen government came in for criticism for “arbitrariness and a lack of transparency” in its Covid-19 response.
“Transparent, predictable and an obvious inspiration for Denmark, say both health professionals and economic experts,” the newspaper reported on Saturday.
Stricter measures
A string of European countries have announced stricter measures to curb rising Covid-19 infections, but in most cases restrictions are decided ad hoc, without following a plan that has been set out in advance.
The Government’s launch of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 in September led for a call by the prominent virologist Marc Van Ranst for Belgium to adopt a similar system.
“What we need is a system with different stages with different measures,” he wrote. “Ireland is a good example.”
Both in the Netherlands and Denmark, there were appeals to the national governments to adopt an Irish-style system after it was featured in the media.
“In Ireland, a model has been found that has created predictability in corona crisis management,” wrote Martin Geersten, a parliamentarian in the Conservative-liberal Venstre party. “The government should be inspired by this instead of convening press conferences on Friday at 5pm and introducing new restrictions with less than 12 hours’ notice.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--‘Arthur Daly’ type used-car dealer faces sentencing over IRA membership

An “ Arthur Daly ” type used-car dealer who supplied a vehicle for a dissident operation to place a bomb under a PSNI officer ’ s jeep in Belfast will be sentenced later this month at the non-jury Special Criminal Court .
Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC , for the convicted man , submitted to the three-judge court during Monday ’ s sentence hearing that there was no evidence his client had knowledge of or involvement in the planting of the bomb .
Last month , the court found Robert O ’ Leary ( 42 ) , of Clancy Road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of membership of an unlawful organisation , styling itself as the Irish Republican Army , otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann , at a location within the State on August 20th , 2019 .
He had denied the charge .
At Monday ’ s sentence hearing , Det Supt Michael Gibbons from the Special Detective Unit , told prosecution counsel Paul Greene SC that O ’ Leary had no relevant previous convictions .
The witness said the used-car dealer is a father-of-two , who runs a garage and sells cars from time to time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mr Condon that the defendant had answered bail at all times .
The detective further agreed that O ’ Leary also employed nine people full-time in his business .
Mr Condon submitted to the non-jury court that there is no evidence his client had knowledge of or involvement in the substantive offence and said the court could not trespass into that area .
O ’ Leary had at all times acknowledged the court process and respected the court , he added .
Counsel handed in to the court four testimonials and highlighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been “ hit by cancer ” in 2008 .
Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt told Mr Condon that all the court had to go on was the supporting evidence and that was the limit of it .
The lawyer agreed with this statement saying : “ There is no evidence of association in this case going back many years ” .
Mr Justice Tony Hunt , sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Dermot Dempsey , remanded O ’ Leary in custody until October 16th , when he will be sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Hunt said that the Skoda Octavia car had been used to survey the area around the PSNI officer ’ s home in Belfast and stopped nearby for three minutes while the device was planted under his car .
The judge said the accused man had invented a purchaser for the Skoda car — a mysterious man — to break the link between him and the Octavia .
The defendant had bought , moved on and repaired the car in a “ purposeful way ” and to suggest that this was some kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borne out by the CCTV in the case , he added .
O ’ Leary , who described himself as a “ bit of an Arthur Daly ” [ the lead character from the 1980s UK TV series Minder ] told detectives in his interviews that they were “ barking up the wrong tree ” and “ never in a million years ” would he source a car for use in an IRA operation .

An “Arthur Daly” type used-car dealer who supplied a vehicle for a dissident operation to place a bomb under a PSNI officer’s jeep in Belfast will be sentenced later this month at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC, for the convicted man, submitted to the three-judge court during Monday’s sentence hearing that there was no evidence his client had knowledge of or involvement in the planting of the bomb.
Last month, the court found Robert O’Leary (42), of Clancy Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, guilty of membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, at a location within the State on August 20th, 2019. He had denied the charge.
At Monday’s sentence hearing, Det Supt Michael Gibbons from the Special Detective Unit, told prosecution counsel Paul Greene SC that O’Leary had no relevant previous convictions. The witness said the used-car dealer is a father-of-two, who runs a garage and sells cars from time to time.
READ MORE
Under cross-examination, Det Supt Gibbons agreed with Mr Condon that the defendant had answered bail at all times.
The detective further agreed that O’Leary also employed nine people full-time in his business.
Mr Condon submitted to the non-jury court that there is no evidence his client had knowledge of or involvement in the substantive offence and said the court could not trespass into that area. O’Leary had at all times acknowledged the court process and respected the court, he added.
Counsel handed in to the court four testimonials and highlighted to the three-judge panel that his client had been “hit by cancer” in 2008.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt told Mr Condon that all the court had to go on was the supporting evidence and that was the limit of it. The lawyer agreed with this statement saying: “There is no evidence of association in this case going back many years”.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Dermot Dempsey, remanded O’Leary in custody until October 16th, when he will be sentenced.
Delivering judgment last month, Mr Justice Hunt said that the Skoda Octavia car had been used to survey the area around the PSNI officer’s home in Belfast and stopped nearby for three minutes while the device was planted under his car.
The judge said the accused man had invented a purchaser for the Skoda car — a mysterious man — to break the link between him and the Octavia. The defendant had bought, moved on and repaired the car in a “purposeful way” and to suggest that this was some kind of “spontaneous long-shot” was not borne out by the CCTV in the case, he added.
O’Leary, who described himself as a “bit of an Arthur Daly” [the lead character from the 1980s UK TV series Minder] told detectives in his interviews that they were “barking up the wrong tree” and “never in a million years” would he source a car for use in an IRA operation.


theirishtimes--2020-10-05--Cycling is safer than many people believe it to be, says Minister

Cycling is not as dangerous a pursuit as it is perceived to be , the Minister with responsibility for road safety has suggested .
Speaking at the launch of the National Road Safety Week , Hildegarde Naughton said cycling suffers from “ negative perceptions ” as to its relative safety .
So far on Irish roads this year , seven cyclists have been killed .
Cyclist road deaths rose by an average of 8 per cent in Ireland each year between 2010 and 2018 peaking at 14 in 2017 ; it was eight last year .
Ms Naughton , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the increase in cycling deaths has to be seen in the context of a greater increase in the number of cyclists on Irish roads .
“ I don ’ t want to minimise any deaths on the road .
The fact is that cycling has become statistically safer in the past 20 years and yet the perception of many people is that it has become more dangerous , ” she said .
Addressing the Road Safety Authority ’ s ( RSA ) annual academic lecture , she said it had been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that deaths on the roads have more than halved in the 20 years between 1999 when there were 413 deaths and last year when there was a record low of 140 deaths on Irish roads .
She said the focus on the the next road strategy will be on pedestrians and cyclists as part of the European Commission ’ s “ vision zero ” strategy .
This envisages a reduction in serious death and injury on EU roads by 50 per cent by 2030 and eliminating such accidents by 2050 .
The RSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter McNicholas on the theme of drivers falling asleep at the wheel .
Prof McNicholas , the director of the pulmonary and sleep disorders unit at St Vincent ’ s Hospital , is an expert of sleepapnoea as a cause of driver fatigue .
He said sleepiness is associated with between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of all major highway accidents globally .
Sleep apnoea is the most common condition associated with driver fatigue .
Obstructive sleep apnoea ( OSA ) is a disorder that affects 5-10 per cent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep disorder causing daytime sleepiness .
Patients with OSA are up to 7 times more likely to have a road traffic collision than the general population as a result of sleepiness .
Such accidents tend to occur after midnight and in the mid-afternoon and tend to correspond to circadian periods of sleepiness .
They involve a single vehicle and usually occur on high-speed roads .
He recommended that patients suffering from sleep apnoea should not drive until effectively treated .
“ The untreated driver is a risk behind the wheel , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donnell said drivers fighting sleep are behaving as if they were over the drink-driving limit for alcohol .
The results of a major international study conducted in 2018 , called the E-Survey of Road Users ’ Attitudes ( ESRA ) , which were presented at the online lecture , showed that a quarter of drivers in Ireland ( 23.9 per cent ) said they had driven at least once , over the previous month , when they were so tired that they had trouble keeping their eyes open .
This is higher than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of drivers .
A similar national study of driver attitudes and behaviour , conducted in Ireland by the RSA last year , further demonstrated that driver fatigue is a major problem on Ireland ’ s roads , as 16 per cent of the 1,000 motorists surveyed confirmed the more serious fact that they had ever fallen asleep or nodded off while driving .

Hildegarde Naughton said cycling suffers from “negative perceptions” as to its relative safety. File photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Cycling is not as dangerous a pursuit as it is perceived to be, the Minister with responsibility for road safety has suggested.
Speaking at the launch of the National Road Safety Week, Hildegarde Naughton said cycling suffers from "negative perceptions" as to its relative safety.
So far on Irish roads this year, seven cyclists have been killed. Cyclist road deaths rose by an average of 8 per cent in Ireland each year between 2010 and 2018 peaking at 14 in 2017; it was eight last year.
Ms Naughton, the Minister of State for Road Transport, said the increase in cycling deaths has to be seen in the context of a greater increase in the number of cyclists on Irish roads.
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“I don’t want to minimise any deaths on the road. The fact is that cycling has become statistically safer in the past 20 years and yet the perception of many people is that it has become more dangerous,” she said.
Addressing the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) annual academic lecture, she said it had been a “great achievement” within the State that deaths on the roads have more than halved in the 20 years between 1999 when there were 413 deaths and last year when there was a record low of 140 deaths on Irish roads.
She said the focus on the the next road strategy will be on pedestrians and cyclists as part of the European Commission’s “vision zero” strategy.
This envisages a reduction in serious death and injury on EU roads by 50 per cent by 2030 and eliminating such accidents by 2050.
Sleep
The RSA annual academic lecture was given by Prof Walter McNicholas on the theme of drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
Prof McNicholas, the director of the pulmonary and sleep disorders unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, is an expert of sleepapnoea as a cause of driver fatigue.
He said sleepiness is associated with between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of all major highway accidents globally. Sleep apnoea is the most common condition associated with driver fatigue.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder that affects 5-10 per cent of the adult population and is the most prevalent sleep disorder causing daytime sleepiness.
Patients with OSA are up to 7 times more likely to have a road traffic collision than the general population as a result of sleepiness.
Such accidents tend to occur after midnight and in the mid-afternoon and tend to correspond to circadian periods of sleepiness.
They involve a single vehicle and usually occur on high-speed roads. He recommended that patients suffering from sleep apnoea should not drive until effectively treated.
“The untreated driver is a risk behind the wheel,” he said.
RSA chairperson Liz O’Donnell said drivers fighting sleep are behaving as if they were over the drink-driving limit for alcohol.
The results of a major international study conducted in 2018, called the E-Survey of Road Users’ Attitudes (ESRA), which were presented at the online lecture, showed that a quarter of drivers in Ireland (23.9 per cent ) said they had driven at least once, over the previous month, when they were so tired that they had trouble keeping their eyes open.
This is higher than the European average of 20 per cent of drivers.
A similar national study of driver attitudes and behaviour, conducted in Ireland by the RSA last year, further demonstrated that driver fatigue is a major problem on Ireland’s roads, as 16 per cent of the 1,000 motorists surveyed confirmed the more serious fact that they had ever fallen asleep or nodded off while driving.