theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Could coronavirus become a Sars-like illness?

Confirmation that a new coronavirus can be transmitted directly from person to person has significantly increased the possibility of a Sars-like illness spreading around the world .
The virus , known as 2019-nCoV , has killed six people in China so far .
More than 224 have been infected , and cases have now been identified in Thailand , Japan and South Korea .
A suspected case is under investigation in Brisbane , Australia .
Coronaviruses cause a variety of mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses , including the common cold .
But two previously identified coronaviruses , MERS-CoV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CoV was identified in the Middle East and spread from camels to humans .
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( Sars ) emerged in China in 2003 , when the virus jumped from civet cats to humans .
Coronaviruses in humans usually spread from an infected person through the air via coughing and sneezing , touching or shaking hands , touching a surface exposed to the virus and then making contact with the eyes , nose or mouth .
According to the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) common signs of coronavirus infection include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and breathing difficulties .
In more severe cases , infection can cause pneumonia , severe acute respiratory syndrome , kidney failure and even death .
So far , the cause of the current outbreak , 2019-nCoV , does not appear to be as deadly as Sars , which emerged from China ’ s Guangdong province .
That outbreak left 774 people dead out of some 8,098 people who became infected .
Sars spread well beyond Asia ; some 438 Canadians were diagnosed with probable and suspected cases of Sars .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can spread microbes .
In Ireland , just one case of Sars was confirmed .
However , it triggered a substantial mobilisation of public health resources and impacted the Special Olympics , which were held here in 2003 .
There are a number of concerns about the timing of the latest coronavirus outbreak as we are on the cusp of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration , which sees hundreds of thousands travel for a week ’ s break – creating ideal conditions for an accelerated spread of the virus .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of a busy influenza season .
It means emergency departments are already full with people experiencing symptoms that are similar to those of the novel coronavirus , something that will undoubtedly add to the diagnostic challenge .
And then there are some important “ known unknowns ” : How deadly is 2019-nCoV ?
The death rate from Sars was 3 to 4 per cent , some three times the death rate of regular influenza .
Death by severe coronavirus infection is usually by respiratory failure – the victims ’ lungs are overwhelmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing assistance is required .
A fatal outcome is more likely among those who already have a chronic health condition .
Other issues include how easily the virus is spread from person to person and the proportion of those infected who develop severe rather than mild symptoms .
On the positive side , scientists have already developed a test for the new virus and have identified its typical symptoms .
And the 2019-nCoV virus does not appear to be as deadly as Sars was .
The WHO is due to hold an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the growing outbreak constitutes a public health emergency .

Scientists at the University of Hong have determined that at least 1,300 individuals in Wuhan are statistically likely to have been infected with a novel coronavirus between January 1st and 17th. Video: Reuters
Confirmation that a new coronavirus can be transmitted directly from person to person has significantly increased the possibility of a Sars-like illness spreading around the world.
The virus, known as 2019-nCoV, has killed six people in China so far. More than 224 have been infected, and cases have now been identified in Thailand, Japan and South Korea. A suspected case is under investigation in Brisbane, Australia. On Tuesday, US officials confirmed that a traveller from China had been diagnosed with the virus in Seattle.
Coronaviruses cause a variety of mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, including the common cold. But two previously identified coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, cause severe symptoms. MERS- CoV was identified in the Middle East and spread from camels to humans.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) emerged in China in 2003, when the virus jumped from civet cats to humans.
READ MORE
Coronaviruses in humans usually spread from an infected person through the air via coughing and sneezing, touching or shaking hands, touching a surface exposed to the virus and then making contact with the eyes, nose or mouth.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) common signs of coronavirus infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
So far, the cause of the current outbreak, 2019-nCoV, does not appear to be as deadly as Sars, which emerged from China's Guangdong province. That outbreak left 774 people dead out of some 8,098 people who became infected.
Sharp reminder
Sars spread well beyond Asia; some 438 Canadians were diagnosed with probable and suspected cases of Sars. It was a sharp reminder how quickly modern air travel can spread microbes.
In Ireland, just one case of Sars was confirmed. However, it triggered a substantial mobilisation of public health resources and impacted the Special Olympics, which were held here in 2003.
There are a number of concerns about the timing of the latest coronavirus outbreak as we are on the cusp of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, which sees hundreds of thousands travel for a week’s break – creating ideal conditions for an accelerated spread of the virus. In addition, the northern hemisphere is in the middle of a busy influenza season.
It means emergency departments are already full with people experiencing symptoms that are similar to those of the novel coronavirus, something that will undoubtedly add to the diagnostic challenge.
And then there are some important “known unknowns”: How deadly is 2019-nCoV? The death rate from Sars was 3 to 4 per cent, some three times the death rate of regular influenza.
Overwhelmed
Death by severe coronavirus infection is usually by respiratory failure – the victims’ lungs are overwhelmed by pneumonia to the point where mechanical breathing assistance is required.
A fatal outcome is more likely among those who already have a chronic health condition. Other issues include how easily the virus is spread from person to person and the proportion of those infected who develop severe rather than mild symptoms.
On the positive side, scientists have already developed a test for the new virus and have identified its typical symptoms. And the 2019-nCoV virus does not appear to be as deadly as Sars was.
The WHO is due to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday which will determine whether the growing outbreak constitutes a public health emergency.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Clothing and footwear seized in Cameron Blair murder inquiry

Gardaí investigating the murder of Cameron Blair at a house party in Cork last week have seized clothing and footwear for forensic examination as well as mobile phones belonging to some of those who attended the party .
Detectives say they are making good progress in the investigation into the murder of the 20-year-old student , who died after being slashed in the neck by a teenager who was trying to gain re-entry to the party in a house on Bandon Road .
It is understood that gardaí have seized clothing and footwear from a number of teenagers who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a forensic analysis of the clothing will assist them in identifying the person who fatally wounded Mr Blair during a row at the door to the house .
Technical experts have started examining a number of phones seized from some of those who attended the party to see if they contain any images , video clips or text messages that will help them clarify the sequence of events that led to the fatal assault .
Officers are continuing to examine more than 200 hours of CCTV footage downloaded from a variety of sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí would not be drawn on whether the knife they believe was used in the killing has been recovered but a search of a green area off Connaught Avenue has concluded after a number of days .
Funeral arrangements for Mr Blair are expected to be announced later this week after a postmortem by State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers .
A past pupil of Bandon Grammar School and Hamilton High School in Bandon , Mr Blair was a second year chemical engineering student at CIT and was living in student accommodation in Bishopstown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his light engineering business last Thursday before coming up to Cork to attend the house party .

Gardaí investigating the murder of Cameron Blair at a house party in Cork last week have seized clothing and footwear for forensic examination. Photograph: Denis Boyle.
Gardaí investigating the murder of Cameron Blair at a house party in Cork last week have seized clothing and footwear for forensic examination as well as mobile phones belonging to some of those who attended the party.
Detectives say they are making good progress in the investigation into the murder of the 20-year-old student, who died after being slashed in the neck by a teenager who was trying to gain re-entry to the party in a house on Bandon Road.
It is understood that gardaí have seized clothing and footwear from a number of teenagers who were at the party. Gardaí hope that a forensic analysis of the clothing will assist them in identifying the person who fatally wounded Mr Blair during a row at the door to the house.
Technical experts have started examining a number of phones seized from some of those who attended the party to see if they contain any images, video clips or text messages that will help them clarify the sequence of events that led to the fatal assault.
READ MORE
CCTV footage
Officers are continuing to examine more than 200 hours of CCTV footage downloaded from a variety of sites in the Bandon Road/Barrack Street area.
Gardaí would not be drawn on whether the knife they believe was used in the killing has been recovered but a search of a green area off Connaught Avenue has concluded after a number of days.
Funeral arrangements for Mr Blair are expected to be announced later this week after a postmortem by State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers.
A past pupil of Bandon Grammar School and Hamilton High School in Bandon, Mr Blair was a second year chemical engineering student at CIT and was living in student accommodation in Bishopstown.
He had been helping his father at his light engineering business last Thursday before coming up to Cork to attend the house party.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Cork group seeks to appeal permission for N28 upgrade

A campaign group representing up to 10,000 Co Cork residents is to seek to overturn a High Court decision which allows Transport Infrastructure Ireland to proceed with plans for a €220 million motorway on the outskirts of the city .
The M28 Steering Group was set up to represent residents in Rochestown , Douglas and Mount Oval opposed to Transport Infrastructure Ireland ’ s plans to upgrade the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road .
The group appealed the decision by An Bord Pleanála in 2018 to grant planning permission for the upgrade to the High Court .
However , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the court was not convinced that the project was not properly assessed by the board before it made its decision .
M28 Steering Group spokesman Ger Harrington said it had decided after reviewing its legal advice on the judgement to try to overturn the ruling .
Mr Harrington said the group had now instructed its legal team to seek a certificate from Mr Justice MacGrath in the High Court this Thursday that would allow it to bring its case to the Court of Appeal .
He said in the event of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group would then seek to petition the Supreme Court to to grant them a judicial review of the decision .
The group claims the board ’ s decision is flawed on several grounds including the application for permission to build the road was premature , incomplete and did not meet domestic and European requirements .
An Bord Pleanála confirmed in July 2018 that its inspector Mary Kenneally had recommended that planning permission be granted for the upgrade with conditions under the Strategic Infrastructure Act .
The proposed motorway runs along the route of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cork ’ s southern suburbs and would involve the acquisition of 141.5 hectares of land through Compulsory Purchase Orders .
Michelle O ’ Sullivan , policy and research executive with Cork Chamber , told an oral hearing into the proposal that the upgrade would allow further growth of the pharma sector in Ringaskiddy , in which some 5,000 people are employed .
The proposed motorway was also supported by Cork County Council and Cork City Council as well as the Port of Cork , which is moving its operations from the city quays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cork senior engineer Henry Kingston told the oral hearing that the upgrade was essential for the move , which would free-up some 220 hectares of land in the city for business and residential development .
The M28 Steering Group argued that the upgrade , which would see the number of vehicles on the route increase from 9.5 million to 24 million per year , would have a hugely detrimental effect on local communities .
It would lead to increased air and noise pollution for families living adjacent to the route with the motorway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the group said .
They also argued it would lead to further congestion at the Bloomfield Junction on the N40 Southern Ring Road .

The High Court ruled in December that a €220m plan to upgrade the N28 road was properly assessed by An Bord Pleanála.
A campaign group representing up to 10,000 Co Cork residents is to seek to overturn a High Court decision which allows Transport Infrastructure Ireland to proceed with plans for a €220 million motorway on the outskirts of the city.
The M28 Steering Group was set up to represent residents in Rochestown, Douglas and Mount Oval opposed to Transport Infrastructure Ireland's plans to upgrade the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road.
The group appealed the decision by An Bord Pleanála in 2018 to grant planning permission for the upgrade to the High Court. However, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath ruled on December 20th that the court was not convinced that the project was not properly assessed by the board before it made its decision.
M28 Steering Group spokesman Ger Harrington said it had decided after reviewing its legal advice on the judgement to try to overturn the ruling.
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Mr Harrington said the group had now instructed its legal team to seek a certificate from Mr Justice MacGrath in the High Court this Thursday that would allow it to bring its case to the Court of Appeal.
He said in the event of that application being refused, the M28 Steering Group would then seek to petition the Supreme Court to to grant them a judicial review of the decision.
Flawed
The group claims the board’s decision is flawed on several grounds including the application for permission to build the road was premature, incomplete and did not meet domestic and European requirements.
An Bord Pleanála confirmed in July 2018 that its inspector Mary Kenneally had recommended that planning permission be granted for the upgrade with conditions under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The proposed motorway runs along the route of the existing N28 from near Carrigaline to Cork's southern suburbs and would involve the acquisition of 141.5 hectares of land through Compulsory Purchase Orders.
Michelle O’Sullivan, policy and research executive with Cork Chamber, told an oral hearing into the proposal that the upgrade would allow further growth of the pharma sector in Ringaskiddy, in which some 5,000 people are employed.
The proposed motorway was also supported by Cork County Council and Cork City Council as well as the Port of Cork, which is moving its operations from the city quays and Tivoli to Ringaskiddy.
Free-up
Port of Cork senior engineer Henry Kingston told the oral hearing that the upgrade was essential for the move, which would free-up some 220 hectares of land in the city for business and residential development.
The M28 Steering Group argued that the upgrade, which would see the number of vehicles on the route increase from 9.5 million to 24 million per year, would have a hugely detrimental effect on local communities.
It would lead to increased air and noise pollution for families living adjacent to the route with the motorway coming within three metres of some houses, the group said. They also argued it would lead to further congestion at the Bloomfield Junction on the N40 Southern Ring Road.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--GRA says lack of resources will leave gardaí ‘without armed backup’

The Garda Representative Association ( GRA ) has raised serious concerns about the resources , training and equipment available to the Emergency Response Unit ( ERU ) .
A 2,000 word letter was sent by GRA representative Ciaran O ’ Neill to Superintendent Alan McGovern of the Garda Special Tactics and Operations Command ( STOC ) who heads the elite armed unit on Monday .
The contents of the letter was reported in The Irish Daily Star .
Mr O ’ Neill said last Friday , “ a day that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice openly stated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with organised crime ” , there was no Emergency Response Unit to deal with “ any call ” .
He also said last week members in Drogheda were left waiting for a number of hours for required assistance from the Emergency Response Unit .
“ I wish that this was an isolated incident but I am informed of regular occasions when there were insufficient numbers available to deal with incidents , ” Mr O ’ Neill added .
The GRA has said the number of armed patrols has been reduced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ without adequate armed backup ” .
It said at times there is “ no available covert patrol car ” due to the enforced restriction on the spending of overtime .
Mr O ’ Neill said the ERU has lost a number of members over the past year and the remaining members are left to fill the gaps without any additional resources , with 21 vacancies within the unit .
He said the decision to cut overtime means that the ERU in his opinion does not at times “ have the available resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious firearms incident and as such will leave our unarmed colleagues on the frontline without adequate protection ” .
The GRA representative said he is advised that all emergency first responders qualifications are out of date and expired and no provision has been made to recertify such qualifications .
Meanwhile , all bulletproof vests currently on issue to the ERU are “ well past the manufacturers warranty ” , Mr O ’ Neill said .
“ Some are over 10 years old at this stage which is not acceptable , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Louth has said he has never had any difficulty securing the services of the Emergency Response Unit .
“ I have never had any difficulty in securing the services of the ERU - they will be here at a moment ’ s notice for me , let it be 3 o ’ clock in the day or 3 o ’ clock in the morning - they have been here .
“ I ’ m never shy about saying when we don ’ t have enough resources - I would always be very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a problem I would say it.
” In a statement on Tuesday , the GRA said it is seeking an “ urgent meeting ” with the Garda Commissioner regarding the resourcing of the Emergency Response Unit ( ERU ) .
“ The purpose of the meeting is to discuss concerns raised in a letter from a local GRA representative to the Detective Superintendent in charge of the unit , ” a GRA spokesman said .
“ This letter was internal correspondence and should not have been placed in the public domain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this time.
” The Garda Press Office confirmed that correspondence has been received from the GRA .
“ An Garda Síochána Special Tactics & Operations Command ( STOC ) provides specialist firearms and less lethal response to spontaneous incidents , such as 999 calls and for pre-planned operations , ” a Garda spokeswoman said .
“ STOC has a number of specialist teams under its command including the Emergency Response Unit ( ERU ) and Armed Support Unit ( ASU ) nationally .
An Garda Síochána Armed support capability , capacity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ An Garda Síochána is satisfied that there is currently a specialist firearms response capability to any critical firearms incidents that may occur in the state , ” the Garda Press Office said .

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has raised serious concerns about the resources, training and equipment available to the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).
A 2,000 word letter was sent by GRA representative Ciarán O’ Neill on Monday to Supt Alan McGovern of the Garda Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC) who heads the elite armed unit. The contents of the letter was reported in The Irish Daily Star.
Mr O’Neill said last Friday, “a day that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice openly stated that there would be no restriction on resources to deal with organised crime”, there was no ERU to deal with “any call”.
He also said last week members in Drogheda were left waiting for a number of hours for required assistance from the ERU.
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“I wish that this was an isolated incident but I am informed of regular occasions when there were insufficient numbers available to deal with incidents,” added Mr O’Neill.
The GRA has said the number of armed patrols has been reduced, further leaving Garda members on the front line “without adequate armed back-up”.
It said at times there is “no available covert patrol car” due to the enforced restriction on the spending of overtime.
Mr O’Neill said the ERU has lost a number of members over the past year and the remaining members are left to fill the gaps without any additional resources, with 21 vacancies within the unit.
Overtime cut
He said the decision to cut overtime means that the ERU in his opinion does not at times “have the available resources to deal with a serious terrorist or serious firearms incident and as such will leave our unarmed colleagues on the frontline without adequate protection”.
The GRA representative said he is advised that all emergency first responders qualifications are out of date and expired and no provision has been made to recertify such qualifications.
Meanwhile, all bulletproof vests on issue to the ERU are “well past the manufacturers warranty”, said Mr O’Neill. “Some are over 10 years old at this stage which is not acceptable,” he added.
However, the Garda chief superintendent for Louth has said he has never had any difficulty securing the services of the ERU.
Chief Supt Christy Mangan told LmFm: “I have never had any difficulty in securing the services of the ERU – they will be here at a moment’s notice for me, let it be 3 o’clock in the day or 3 o’clock in the morning – they have been here.
“I’m never shy about saying when we don’t have enough resources – I would always be very frank with the public – if there was a problem I would say it.”
On Tuesday the GRA said it is seeking an “urgent meeting” with the Garda Commissioner regarding resourcing the ERU.
“The purpose of the meeting is to discuss concerns raised in a letter from a local GRA representative to the Det Supt in charge of the unit,” said a GRA spokesman.
“This letter was internal correspondence and should not have been placed in the public domain. The GRA is making no further comment at this time.”
Responses
President of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors Antoinette Cunningham said the force needs the resources for all units to be at full capacity at all times.
Society is changing and becoming more violent and the Garda needs to be able to respond to that challenge, she told RTÉ radio’s News at One.
The safety of the public and members of the force must be a priority, she added, which was why a full capacity response was needed.
The Garda Press Office confirmed that correspondence has been received from the GRA.
"An Garda Síochána Special Tactics & Operations Command provides specialist firearms and less lethal response to spontaneous incidents, such as 999 calls and for pre-planned operations," a Garda spokeswoman said.
“STOC has a number of specialist teams under its command including the Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Unit nationally. An Garda Síochána Armed support capability, capacity and training has significantly increased in recent years.
“An Garda Síochána is satisfied that there is currently a specialist firearms response capability to any critical firearms incidents that may occur in the state,” said the Garda Press Office.”
Taoiseach’s reaction
In Cork on Tuesday Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed confidence that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will address concerns raised by the Garda Representative Association about the resourcing of the elite ERU.
“I think we have to listen to the concerns raised by the GRA and I’m sure the Commissioner will respond to that in early course,” said Mr Varadkar when questioned while on the campaign trail.
Mr Varadkar said this year the Government has allocated €1.9 billion to An Garda Síochána which is the largest budget ever devoted by any government to policing in Ireland.
He said that in addition to the ERU, there were also armed Regional Support Units in every Garda region in the country while the Fine Gael-led Government had resumed recruitment of additional gardaí.
Asked about public fear over violent crime which was stoked by the murder and dismemberment of Keane Mulready-Woods (17) in Drogheda and the murder of Cameron Blair (20) in Cork, Mr Varadkar said he understood public concern.
“It is perfectly understandable that people are concerned. That is very much what we are hearing from people on the doors and on the streets and what I want people to know is that Fine Gael is the party of law and order.
“If we are given a mandate by the people, we will continue to invest in the gardaí and continue to tackle disadvantage because that is what is required,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Nóra Quoirin’s family sue resort owner and call for inquest

The family of late Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin is suing the owner of the Malaysian resort she disappeared from for alleged negligence and has urged the government to hold an inquest to determine what happened to her .
Nóra ’ s disappearance from her family ’ s cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4th last sparked a massive search operation .
Her body was discovered on August 13th beside a small stream about 2km from the resort .
Police said there was no sign that the 15-year-old was abducted or attacked , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress .
Sankara Nair , a lawyer for the girl ’ s parents Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin , said the family strongly believed Nóra was abducted as she has mental and physical disabilities and could not have wandered off on her own .
The lawsuit says a cottage window was found ajar , with its latch broken , on the morning she disappeared .
It says the resort gate was left open at all times without any security and there was no surveillance camera except for in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain condition called holoprosencephaly which limited her development .
She had poor motor skills and needed help to walk , and her mental age was about five- or six-years-old , her parents say in the claim .
Mr Sankara said outside a court in Negeri Sembilan after a procedural session on the case : “ The place was not safe for the child because of the negligence ... anybody could have come in and taken the child.
” The Quoirin family is seeking more than 180,000 ringgit ( almost €40,000 ) over losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and suffering from the resort owner , Helen Marion Todd .
Ms Todd ’ s lawyers were not immediately available for comment .
Mr Sankara said the family has asked Malaysia ’ s attorney-general to open an inquest because the postmortem inquiry would not include what happened to Nóra before her death .
Police have said a complete postmortem report will be released soon .
Nóra ’ s parents previously said they were shocked when Malaysian prosecutors classified her death as requiring “ no further action ” based on the preliminary coroner ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquest .
They said the move could prevent justice being done .
In a statement issued by the Lucie Blackman Trust , a charity that helps British families in crisis overseas , Nóra ’ s London-based parents said : “ It is crucial to understand how Nóra came to be found where she was .
“ As a vulnerable child , with significant physical and mental challenges , we strongly refute any conclusion that Nóra was alone for the entire duration of her disappearance .
“ We have repeatedly asked the police to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard — and we have been repeatedly ignored.
” - PA

The family of late Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin (pictured) is suing the owner of the Malaysian resort she disappeared from for alleged negligence. Photograph: Quoirin Family/AFP/Getty Images.
The family of late Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin is suing the owner of the Malaysian resort she disappeared from for alleged negligence and has urged the government to hold an inquest to determine what happened to her.
Nóra's disappearance from her family's cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4th last sparked a massive search operation. Her body was discovered on August 13th beside a small stream about 2km from the resort.
Police said there was no sign that the 15-year-old was abducted or attacked, with a preliminary postmortem showing that she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress.
Sankara Nair, a lawyer for the girl's parents Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, said the family strongly believed Nóra was abducted as she has mental and physical disabilities and could not have wandered off on her own.
READ MORE
The lawsuit says a cottage window was found ajar, with its latch broken, on the morning she disappeared. It says the resort gate was left open at all times without any security and there was no surveillance camera except for in the reception area.
Nóra had a brain condition called holoprosencephaly which limited her development. She had poor motor skills and needed help to walk, and her mental age was about five- or six-years-old, her parents say in the claim.
Mr Sankara said outside a court in Negeri Sembilan after a procedural session on the case: “The place was not safe for the child because of the negligence ...anybody could have come in and taken the child.”
Suffering
The Quoirin family is seeking more than 180,000 ringgit (almost €40,000) over losses, bereavement costs and damages for pain and suffering from the resort owner, Helen Marion Todd.
Ms Todd’s lawyers were not immediately available for comment.
Mr Sankara said the family has asked Malaysia’s attorney-general to open an inquest because the postmortem inquiry would not include what happened to Nóra before her death. Police have said a complete postmortem report will be released soon.
Nóra’s parents previously said they were shocked when Malaysian prosecutors classified her death as requiring “no further action” based on the preliminary coroner’s report, essentially ruling out any inquest. They said the move could prevent justice being done.
In a statement issued by the Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity that helps British families in crisis overseas, Nóra’s London-based parents said: “It is crucial to understand how Nóra came to be found where she was.
“As a vulnerable child, with significant physical and mental challenges, we strongly refute any conclusion that Nóra was alone for the entire duration of her disappearance.
“We have repeatedly asked the police to clarify answers to our questions in this regard — and we have been repeatedly ignored.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Immune cell discovery could treat ‘wide range of cancers’

A newly discovered type of killer immune cell has raised the prospect of a “ universal ” cancer therapy , scientists say .
Researchers at Cardiff University suggest the new T-cell offers hope of a “ one-size-fits-all ” cancer therapy .
T-cell therapies for cancer - where immune cells are removed , modified and returned to the patient ’ s blood to seek and destroy cancer cells - are the latest paradigm in cancer treatments .
The most widely used is known as CAR-T and is personalised to each patient .
However , it only targets a limited number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid tumours , which make up the majority of cancers .
But scientists have now discovered T-cells equipped with a new type of T-cell receptor ( TCR ) which recognises and kills most human cancer types , while ignoring healthy cells .
It recognises a molecule present on the surface of a wide range of cancer cells , and normal cells , and is able to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells - killing only the latter .
Professor Andrew Sewell , lead author on the study from Cardiff University ’ s School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly unusual ” to find a TCR with such broad cancer specificity and this raised the prospect of “ universal ” cancer therapy .
He added : “ We hope this new TCR may provide us with a different route to target and destroy a wide range of cancers in all individuals .
“ Current TCR-based therapies can only be used in a minority of patients with a minority of cancers .
“ Cancer-targeting via MR1-restricted T-cells is an exciting new frontier - it raises the prospect of a ‘ one-size-fits-all ’ cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could be capable of destroying many different types of cancers across the population .
“ Previously nobody believed this could be possible.
” Conventional T-cells scan the surface of other cells to find anomalies and eliminate cancerous cells , but ignore cells that contain only “ normal ” proteins .
The scanning recognises small parts of cellular proteins that are bound to cell-surface molecules called human leukocyte antigen ( HLA ) , allowing killer T-cells to see what is occurring inside cells by scanning their surface .
But the study , published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TCR that can recognise many types of cancer via a single HLA-like molecule called MR1 .
Unlike HLA , MR1 is does not vary in the human population - meaning it is a hugely attractive new target for immunotherapies .
In the lab , T-cells equipped with the new TCR were shown to kill lung , skin , blood , colon , breast , bone , prostate , ovarian , kidney and cervical cancer cells , while ignoring healthy cells .
To test the therapeutic potential of these cells in vivo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into mice bearing human cancer and with a human immune system .
Scientists say this showed encouraging cancer-clearing , comparable to the now NHS-approved CAR-T therapy in a similar animal model .
They were also able to demonstrate that T-cells of melanoma patients modified to express this new TCR could destroy not only the patient ’ s own cancer cells , but also other patients ’ cancer cells in the laboratory , regardless of the patient ’ s HLA type .
The researchers are now experimenting to determine the precise molecular mechanism by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells and cancer .
They hope to trial the new approach in patients towards the end of the year .
Professor Awen Gallimore , of the University ’ s division of infection and immunity , and cancer immunology lead for the Wales Cancer Research Centre , said : “ If this transformative new finding holds up , it will lay the foundation for a universal T-cell medicine , mitigating against the tremendous costs associated with the identification , generation and manufacture of personalised T-cells .
“ This is truly exciting and potentially a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer immunotherapy .
”

Professor Andrew Sewell, from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine, where the discovery of a new type of killer immune cell has raised the prospect of a ‘universal’ cancer therapy. Photograph: PA.
A newly discovered type of killer immune cell has raised the prospect of a “universal” cancer therapy, scientists say.
Researchers at Cardiff University suggest the new T-cell offers hope of a "one-size-fits-all" cancer therapy.
T-cell therapies for cancer - where immune cells are removed, modified and returned to the patient’s blood to seek and destroy cancer cells - are the latest paradigm in cancer treatments.
The most widely used is known as CAR-T and is personalised to each patient.
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However, it only targets a limited number of cancers and has not been successful for solid tumours, which make up the majority of cancers.
But scientists have now discovered T-cells equipped with a new type of T-cell receptor (TCR) which recognises and kills most human cancer types, while ignoring healthy cells.
It recognises a molecule present on the surface of a wide range of cancer cells, and normal cells, and is able to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells - killing only the latter.
Professor Andrew Sewell, lead author on the study from Cardiff University's School of Medicine, said it was "highly unusual" to find a TCR with such broad cancer specificity and this raised the prospect of "universal" cancer therapy.
He added: “We hope this new TCR may provide us with a different route to target and destroy a wide range of cancers in all individuals.
“Current TCR-based therapies can only be used in a minority of patients with a minority of cancers.
“Cancer-targeting via MR1-restricted T-cells is an exciting new frontier - it raises the prospect of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ cancer treatment; a single type of T-cell that could be capable of destroying many different types of cancers across the population.
“Previously nobody believed this could be possible.”
Scanning
Conventional T-cells scan the surface of other cells to find anomalies and eliminate cancerous cells, but ignore cells that contain only “normal” proteins.
The scanning recognises small parts of cellular proteins that are bound to cell-surface molecules called human leukocyte antigen (HLA), allowing killer T-cells to see what is occurring inside cells by scanning their surface.
But the study, published in Nature Immunology, describes a unique TCR that can recognise many types of cancer via a single HLA-like molecule called MR1.
Unlike HLA, MR1 is does not vary in the human population - meaning it is a hugely attractive new target for immunotherapies.
In the lab, T-cells equipped with the new TCR were shown to kill lung, skin, blood, colon, breast, bone, prostate, ovarian, kidney and cervical cancer cells, while ignoring healthy cells.
To test the therapeutic potential of these cells in vivo, the researchers injected T-cells able to recognise MR1 into mice bearing human cancer and with a human immune system.
Scientists say this showed encouraging cancer-clearing, comparable to the now NHS-approved CAR-T therapy in a similar animal model.
They were also able to demonstrate that T-cells of melanoma patients modified to express this new TCR could destroy not only the patient’s own cancer cells, but also other patients’ cancer cells in the laboratory, regardless of the patient’s HLA type.
The researchers are now experimenting to determine the precise molecular mechanism by which the new TCR distinguishes between healthy cells and cancer.
They hope to trial the new approach in patients towards the end of the year.
Professor Awen Gallimore, of the University's division of infection and immunity, and cancer immunology lead for the Wales Cancer Research Centre, said: "If this transformative new finding holds up, it will lay the foundation for a universal T-cell medicine, mitigating against the tremendous costs associated with the identification, generation and manufacture of personalised T-cells.
“This is truly exciting and potentially a great step forward for the accessibility of cancer immunotherapy.”
–PA


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Dublin City Council throws out Iveagh Markets application

An application from Temple Bar hotelier Martin Keane to redevelop the historic Iveagh Markets in Dublin ’ s Liberties has been declared invalid by Dublin City Council .
Two days before Christmas Mr Keane lodged an application to turn the Edwardian building on Francis Street into a European-style food hall , restaurants , a distillery , a brewery and crafts workshops .
However , the council plans to repossess the market which Mr Keane has had in his control for over 20 years .
In a report to councillors this month the council ’ s head of planning Richard Shakespeare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keane had “ secured the appropriate funding ” for the project , and his application had been lodged “ without the council ’ s consent as landowner ” .
Mr Keane “ claims to hold the freehold interest in the property which is untrue in relation to the Iveagh Markets element of the application ” , Mr Shakespeare said .
The council has advised Mr Keane it is “ terminating all communication with him , and that it is taking the necessary steps to repossess the property from him ” .
The council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts if necessary ” , said Mr Shakespeare .
The council ’ s planning department has now declared the application invalid on the grounds that no “ letter of consent from the site ’ s owners ” had been submitted with the application .
The market was built early in the last century by the Guinness family to house street traders who had been displaced by the construction of the nearby Iveagh Trust housing development on Patrick Street , and was handed over in trust to Dublin Corporation .
By the 1980s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it eventually closed in the 1990s .
In 1996 , the council announced it was seeking a private developer to regenerate the market .
The following year Mr Keane secured the tender , with an agreement that the title of the market would transfer to him once the redevelopment was completed .
However , the development became mired in an ownership row between the corporation and the Guinness family-controlled Iveagh Trust .
The dispute was not resolved until 2004 .
Mr Keane applied for planning permission , which was granted by An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could act on it the recession hit .
In 2012 , he secured a five-year extension of planning permission , which expired in 2017 .
That year the council voted to take back control of the market from Mr Keane .
The council subsequently commissioned a report on the condition of the building from conservation architects Howley Hayes , which found that “ essential structural repairs ” alone would cost €13 million .
Mr Shakespeare last year told councillors the council did not have the money and the “ most efficient way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mr Keane to redevelop it .
Mr Keane said that , under legal advice , he will not be making any comment on the matter .

An application from Temple Bar hotelier Martin Keane to redevelop the historic Iveagh Markets in Dublin's Liberties has been declared invalid by Dublin City Council.
Two days before Christmas Mr Keane lodged an application to turn the Edwardian building on Francis Street into a European-style food hall, restaurants, a distillery, a brewery and crafts workshops. However, the council plans to repossess the market which Mr Keane has had in his control for over 20 years.
In a report to councillors this month the council's head of planning Richard Shakespeare said the council was not satisfied Mr Keane had "secured the appropriate funding" for the project, and his application had been lodged "without the council's consent as landowner".
Mr Keane “claims to hold the freehold interest in the property which is untrue in relation to the Iveagh Markets element of the application”, Mr Shakespeare said.
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The council has advised Mr Keane it is “terminating all communication with him, and that it is taking the necessary steps to repossess the property from him”. The council “will defend this action in the courts if necessary”, said Mr Shakespeare.
The council’s planning department has now declared the application invalid on the grounds that no “letter of consent from the site’s owners” had been submitted with the application.
The market was built early in the last century by the Guinness family to house street traders who had been displaced by the construction of the nearby Iveagh Trust housing development on Patrick Street, and was handed over in trust to Dublin Corporation.
By the 1980s the building had become very run down, and it eventually closed in the 1990s. In 1996, the council announced it was seeking a private developer to regenerate the market. The following year Mr Keane secured the tender, with an agreement that the title of the market would transfer to him once the redevelopment was completed.
Ownership row
However, the development became mired in an ownership row between the corporation and the Guinness family-controlled Iveagh Trust. The dispute was not resolved until 2004. Mr Keane applied for planning permission, which was granted by An Bord Pleanála in 2007, but before he could act on it the recession hit.
In 2012, he secured a five-year extension of planning permission, which expired in 2017. That year the council voted to take back control of the market from Mr Keane.
The council subsequently commissioned a report on the condition of the building from conservation architects Howley Hayes, which found that "essential structural repairs" alone would cost €13 million.
Mr Shakespeare last year told councillors the council did not have the money and the “most efficient way” forward for the market would be for Mr Keane to redevelop it.
Mr Keane said that, under legal advice, he will not be making any comment on the matter.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Churches urge faithful to exert pressure on politicians over housing

Sixteen Irish churches have called jointly on voters to pressure politicians over the State ’ s housing crisis .
These include the Catholic Church , Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Church .
Every “ local congregation ” is affected by the shortage of affordable housing , said Catholic Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy – co-chairman of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting ( IICM ) .
“ Homelessness is only the tip of the iceberg of a much deeper problem that includes families living in unsuitable accommodation , those living with the stress of mortgage arrears and those who live in fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is our hope that this resource will help local churches to support those who are experiencing , or at risk of , homelessness and to be advocates for their right , ” he said .
In an unprecedented move , the Irish Inter Church Meeting and Irish Council of Churches have listed questions people should ask politicians and canvassers they meet during the campaign .
The other IICM chairman , the Rev Brian Anderson who is president of the Irish Council of Churches , said “ the trauma of homelessness and housing insecurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to ensure “ that the economy serves the common good and respects and protects the dignity of all ” .
However , the churches recognised also “ that it is not enough solely to look to our elected representatives to resolve this , although we have a responsibility to hold them to account .
We also need to ask ourselves challenging questions about the ways in which we may need to change our attitudes and behaviours if we are truly to be on the side of those who are vulnerable and marginalised.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 when the Irish churches came together to reflect on the needs of families in Ireland and what , as churches , they could be doing in response .
Under the heading “ Three Things You Need To Know ” , the documents notes that the 10,000 people housed in hotels and emergency accommodation do not count “ adults still living with parents , or ‘ couch-surfing ’ with friends ” .
“ About 80,000 households are awaiting social housing – that ’ s nearly a quarter of a million people ; 40,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two years .
It ’ s a national epidemic of housing insecurity.
” Moreover , the churches also say that the State built 8,500 local authority and social houses in 1975 , but was able to build only 750 two years ago .
“ It will take a long time to house all those on the social housing list .
The Minister for Housing [ Eoghan Murphy ] has said that the state has enough land to build 50,000 houses , but that he doesn ’ t believe this is the answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
“ Every day we pay about €2,000,000 to landlords via the Housing Assistance Payment ( Hap ) and other rent support schemes .
This is €3,650,000,000 over the last five years that hasn ’ t resulted in a single house being built.
” Voters are urged to demand of politicians that they commit to a dramatic increase in construction of social housing , curb the powers of “ vulture funds ” and offer stronger rental regulations .
The churches have also urged voters to discover more about the housing crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those with whom they work ” who are affected .
“ Would I be prepared to face a degree of suffering so that these peoples ’ suffering will reduce .
For example , through an increase in taxes to pay for social housing or through a reduction in house prices ?
” the churches ask .
Besides the Catholic Church , Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Church , the others involved are the Methodist Church , Antiochian Orthodox Church , Coptic Orthodox Church , Greek Orthodox Church , Indian Orthodox Church , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presbyterian Church , Religious Society of Friends ( Quakers ) , Rock of Ages Cherubim & Seraphim Church , Romanian Orthodox Church , Russian Orthodox Church and Salvation Army .

The churches said ‘the trauma of homelessness and housing insecurity could be prevented’ if society is prepared to ensure ‘the economy serves the common good and respects and protects the dignity of all’. File photograph: PA
Sixteen Irish churches have called jointly on voters to pressure politicians over the State’s housing crisis.
These include the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Church. Every "local congregation" is affected by the shortage of affordable housing, said Catholic Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy – co-chairman of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting (IICM).
“Homelessness is only the tip of the iceberg of a much deeper problem that includes families living in unsuitable accommodation, those living with the stress of mortgage arrears and those who live in fear of the next rent increase. It is our hope that this resource will help local churches to support those who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness and to be advocates for their right,” he said.
In an unprecedented move, the Irish Inter Church Meeting and Irish Council of Churches have listed questions people should ask politicians and canvassers they meet during the campaign.
READ MORE
The other IICM chairman, the Rev Brian Anderson who is president of the Irish Council of Churches, said "the trauma of homelessness and housing insecurity could be prevented" if society is prepared to ensure "that the economy serves the common good and respects and protects the dignity of all".
However, the churches recognised also “that it is not enough solely to look to our elected representatives to resolve this, although we have a responsibility to hold them to account. We also need to ask ourselves challenging questions about the ways in which we may need to change our attitudes and behaviours if we are truly to be on the side of those who are vulnerable and marginalised.”
Ideas for the document originated in 2018 when the Irish churches came together to reflect on the needs of families in Ireland and what, as churches, they could be doing in response.
Under the heading “Three Things You Need To Know”, the documents notes that the 10,000 people housed in hotels and emergency accommodation do not count “adults still living with parents, or ‘couch-surfing’ with friends”.
“About 80,000 households are awaiting social housing – that’s nearly a quarter of a million people; 40,000 households are in mortgage arrears of more than two years. It’s a national epidemic of housing insecurity.”
Moreover, the churches also say that the State built 8,500 local authority and social houses in 1975, but was able to build only 750 two years ago.
“It will take a long time to house all those on the social housing list. The Minister for Housing [Eoghan Murphy] has said that the state has enough land to build 50,000 houses, but that he doesn’t believe this is the answer to the housing crisis,” they say.
“Every day we pay about €2,000,000 to landlords via the Housing Assistance Payment (Hap) and other rent support schemes. This is €3,650,000,000 over the last five years that hasn’t resulted in a single house being built.”
Reflecting on the destitute
Voters are urged to demand of politicians that they commit to a dramatic increase in construction of social housing, curb the powers of “vulture funds” and offer stronger rental regulations.
The churches have also urged voters to discover more about the housing crisis in their area and “the lived realities of those with whom they work” who are affected.
“Would I be prepared to face a degree of suffering so that these peoples’ suffering will reduce. For example, through an increase in taxes to pay for social housing or through a reduction in house prices?” the churches ask.
Besides the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Church, the others involved are the Methodist Church, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Indian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, Moravian Church, Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Rock of Ages Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Romanian Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church and Salvation Army.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Gardaí suspect botched murder attempt was bid to avenge Mulready-Woods death

Gardaí suspect a botched murder attempt last week was done to avenge the killing of Keane Mulready-Woods , even though the 17-year-old was not confirmed dead at the time and none of his remains had been found .
There were also concerns that because the Drogheda feud now involves a number of senior criminals from Dublin , feud attacks may occur in the city .
Some associates of the key figures involved in the feud are also currently imprisoned meaning feud attacks between rival factions in prison were now also feared .
Teenager Mulready-Woods was last seen alive in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at about 6pm .
Gardaí believe he was killed in the town and dismembered that evening .
However , the first of his remains was not found until the following day – Monday , January 13th – at about 10pm in Darndale , north Dublin .
About 3½ hours before his limbs were found in a bag , a gunman opened fire on a taxi being driven on the Bridge of Peace in Drogheda ; just before 6.30pm .
One of the feuding criminals was travelling in the taxi as a passenger with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the car .
However , while they escaped uninjured the taxi driver was wounded .
The driver has no links to crime .
One line of inquiry into that shooting is that associates of Mulready-Woods knew early on Monday he had been murdered .
Gardaí suspect in carrying out the shooting on the evening of Monday , January 13th , the dead teenager ’ s associates were trying to immediately avenge his murder , though he was still being treated as a missing person at the time .
It was not until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid on the taxi passenger on Drogheda ’ s Bridge of Peace that limbs were found in a bag in Darndale .
Those remains were not confirmed as those of Mulready-Woods for a further two days .
There are now serious concerns for the lives of a large number of men , some of them teenagers , as the feud continues to accelerate ; much of the hatred driven by those involved taunting each via social-media messaging apps .
The gang Mulready-Woods was aligned to believes the Drogheda man it tried to shoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present when the teenager was killed the previous day and there are now grave concerns for his life .
Another teenager , from Dublin , who knew Mulready-Woods well , is also regarded as being at risk of being targeted next in a feud attack .
The young Dubliner is suspected of previously leading a group assault on a gang leader from Dublin .
That gang leader is involved in the Drogheda feud .
He was close to Richard Carberry , the 39-year-old drug dealer originally from Dublin who was shot dead as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bettystown , Co Meath , last November .
The feud has now spread to a large group of criminals based not only in Drogheda but across the north east as well as in Dublin and in the prison system .
A number of the men involved have also been active in a separate feud in Coolock , north Dublin , which claimed the lives of five men last year .

Keane Mulready-Woods went missing on January 12th; his remains were found on January 13th
Gardaí suspect a botched murder attempt last week was done to avenge the killing of Keane Mulready-Woods, even though the 17-year-old was not confirmed dead at the time and none of his remains had been found.
There were also concerns that because the Drogheda feud now involves a number of senior criminals from Dublin, feud attacks may occur in the city.
Some associates of the key figures involved in the feud are also currently imprisoned meaning feud attacks between rival factions in prison were now also feared.
Teenager Mulready-Woods was last seen alive in his native Drogheda on Sunday, January 12th at about 6pm.
READ MORE
Gardaí believe he was killed in the town and dismembered that evening.
However, the first of his remains was not found until the following day – Monday, January 13th – at about 10pm in Darndale, north Dublin.
About 3½ hours before his limbs were found in a bag, a gunman opened fire on a taxi being driven on the Bridge of Peace in Drogheda; just before 6.30pm.
One of the feuding criminals was travelling in the taxi as a passenger with his girlfriend and both managed to flee from the car.
However, while they escaped uninjured the taxi driver was wounded. The driver has no links to crime.
One line of inquiry into that shooting is that associates of Mulready-Woods knew early on Monday he had been murdered.
The scene after a taxi was shot at on Drogheda’s peace bridge. Photograph: Ciara Wilkinson
Avenge
Gardaí suspect in carrying out the shooting on the evening of Monday, January 13th, the dead teenager’s associates were trying to immediately avenge his murder, though he was still being treated as a missing person at the time.
It was not until about 3½ hours after that botched murder bid on the taxi passenger on Drogheda’s Bridge of Peace that limbs were found in a bag in Darndale. Those remains were not confirmed as those of Mulready-Woods for a further two days.
There are now serious concerns for the lives of a large number of men, some of them teenagers, as the feud continues to accelerate; much of the hatred driven by those involved taunting each via social-media messaging apps.
The gang Mulready-Woods was aligned to believes the Drogheda man it tried to shoot on January 13th in the taxi was present when the teenager was killed the previous day and there are now grave concerns for his life.
Another teenager, from Dublin, who knew Mulready-Woods well, is also regarded as being at risk of being targeted next in a feud attack. The young Dubliner is suspected of previously leading a group assault on a gang leader from Dublin. That gang leader is involved in the Drogheda feud.
He was close to Richard Carberry, the 39-year-old drug dealer originally from Dublin who was shot dead as part of the feud outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, last November.
The feud has now spread to a large group of criminals based not only in Drogheda but across the north east as well as in Dublin and in the prison system. A number of the men involved have also been active in a separate feud in Coolock, north Dublin, which claimed the lives of five men last year.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Two men questioned about attack where man was set on fire

Gardai investigating an attack on a father of three , who was doused with petrol and set alight , have spoken to two men they wished to question in relation to the attack .
The two men , aged 27 and 24 , presented themselves at Mayfield Garda Station around midday on Tuesday .
They spoke to gardaí investigating the attack on Keith Greaney ( 23 ) at Dunard , Lotamore , Mayfield on January 20th .
Mr Greaney was at home with his girlfriend Nicole O ’ Leary when three men burst into the house just before 4am and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an exhaust pipe from a car before attacking him with a machete .
The gang then doused Mr Greaney in petrol and set him alight before smashing the windscreen of his car as they fled the scene in a black Ford Mondeo and a Citroen Berlingo van which gardai later located on the southside of Cork .
The two men , who are from the southside of the city , were not arrested by gardai but spoke voluntarily to them for several hours as they were questioned about events in Dunard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have described the men as “ helping them with their inquiries ” into the attack .
It is understood that their accounts may form part of a garda file into the attack on Mr Greaney who was rushed to Cork University Hospital .
It is understood that Mr Greaney was put in an induced coma by doctors at CUH to enable them to treat serious burns to his head and chest which doctors have described as “ life-changing injuries ” .
Meanwhile gardaí are continuing to look for a third person in connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are pursuing a definite line of inquiry in that regard as none of the intruders were masked .
Neighbours raised the alarm when they realised Mr Greaney ’ s house was on fire and several witnessed saw the intruders fleeing the scene before HSE paramedics arrived to treat Mr Greaney and take him to hospital .
Two units of Cork City Fire Brigade from Ballyvolane and Anglesea Street attended at the house in Dunard which had gone fire when Mr Greaney was doused in petrol and they quickly brought the blaze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping an open mind on a motive for the attack on Mr Greaney but they have suggested it may be linked to a dispute of a personal nature with another young man in his 20s .
They have appealed to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Lotamore area of Mayfield or has any information that might assist them in their investigation to contact Mayfield Garda station on 021-4558510 .

The house in the Dunard estate, Mayfield, Cork where a man was doused with petrol and set on fire. Photograph: Provision
Gardai investigating an attack on a father of three, who was doused with petrol and set alight, have spoken to two men they wished to question in relation to the attack.
The two men, aged 27 and 24, presented themselves at Mayfield Garda Station around midday on Tuesday. They spoke to gardaí investigating the attack on Keith Greaney (23) at Dunard, Lotamore, Mayfield on January 20th.
Mr Greaney was at home with his girlfriend Nicole O’Leary when three men burst into the house just before 4am and dragged from his bed and beat him with an exhaust pipe from a car before attacking him with a machete.
The gang then doused Mr Greaney in petrol and set him alight before smashing the windscreen of his car as they fled the scene in a black Ford Mondeo and a Citroen Berlingo van which gardai later located on the southside of Cork.
READ MORE
The two men, who are from the southside of the city, were not arrested by gardai but spoke voluntarily to them for several hours as they were questioned about events in Dunard in the early hours January 21st.
Gardaí have described the men as “helping them with their inquiries” into the attack . It is understood that their accounts may form part of a garda file into the attack on Mr Greaney who was rushed to Cork University Hospital.
It is understood that Mr Greaney was put in an induced coma by doctors at CUH to enable them to treat serious burns to his head and chest which doctors have described as “life-changing injuries”.
Meanwhile gardaí are continuing to look for a third person in connection with the attack and it is understood that they are pursuing a definite line of inquiry in that regard as none of the intruders were masked.
Neighbours raised the alarm when they realised Mr Greaney’s house was on fire and several witnessed saw the intruders fleeing the scene before HSE paramedics arrived to treat Mr Greaney and take him to hospital.
Two units of Cork City Fire Brigade from Ballyvolane and Anglesea Street attended at the house in Dunard which had gone fire when Mr Greaney was doused in petrol and they quickly brought the blaze under control.
Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on a motive for the attack on Mr Greaney but they have suggested it may be linked to a dispute of a personal nature with another young man in his 20s.
They have appealed to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Lotamore area of Mayfield or has any information that might assist them in their investigation to contact Mayfield Garda station on 021-4558510.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Drew Harris says Garda have necessary firearms capacity

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has rejected claims made by the Garda Representative Association ( GRA ) that the force ’ s armed response capability was at times not fit to deal with a serious firearms or terrorist incident .
In a memo to all Garda members on Tuesday , Mr Harris said : “ I want to assure you all , but especially our operational members , that An Garda Síochána has a specialist firearms response capability sufficient to meet any critical incidents that may occur in the State.
” The issue is very contentious as feuding between armed gangs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and parts of Dublin and Europe remains on alert of Islamist extremist terror attacks .
Furthermore , because uniformed gardaí patrolling across the country are unarmed , the availability of rapid armed back-up should they require it has always been a significant safety concern .
A 2,000-word letter was sent by GRA representative Ciarán O ’ Neill on Monday to Supt Alan McGovern of the Garda Special Tactics and Operations Command ( STOC ) who heads the elite armed unit .
The contents of the letter emerged on Tuesday morning , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main points made in it .
The commissioner said that , far from the Garda ’ s armed response capability being weakened and under-resourced , it had been expanded in recent years and that further expansion was planned .
There was now an armed support unit ( ASU ) in every Garda region , with two more planned that would be based in Cavan and Enniscorthy , Co Wexford .
While courses would soon commence to select more Garda members for ASUs , there were already 180 personnel in the units .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the separate emergency response unit ( ERU ) based in Dublin .
The GRA ’ s criticisms focused on what it said was inadequate resourcing of the ERU , where it said there were 21 vacancies and where overtime had been cut .
However , Mr Harris pointed out that changes made to how the Garda responded to serious incidents meant the ASUs were now the first layer of armed response to serious incidents , and not the ERU .
Furthermore , while the GRA stated ballistic vests used by Garda members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date and past warranty , Mr Harris said all ballistic protection kit used by the units was taken for testing each year .
He added new ballistic equipment was also being ordered .
The fact the letter was sent and emerged publicly during a general election campaign and after a series of violent attacks , including shootings , in Dublin , Louth and Cork has angered some in senior Garda management .
Mr O ’ Neill said on last Friday , “ a day that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on resources to deal with organised crime ” , there was no ERU to deal with “ any call ” .
He also said gardaí in Drogheda – where a gangland feud claimed the life of Keane Mulready Woods last Friday week – were last week left waiting for a number of hours for required assistance from the ERU .
The senior officer in charge of policing in the region , Chief Supt Christy Mangan , said he had never experienced issues in being supplied armed back-up when requested .
Association of Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the force needed the resources for all units to be at full capacity at all times .
Society was changing and becoming more violent and the Garda needed to be able to respond to that challenge , she said .

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has rejected claims made by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) that the force's armed response capability was at times not fit to deal with a serious firearms or terrorist incident.
In a memo to all Garda members on Tuesday, Mr Harris said:"I want to assure you all, but especially our operational members, that An Garda Síochána has a specialist firearms response capability sufficient to meet any critical incidents that may occur in the State."
The issue is very contentious as feuding between armed gangs has erupted in Drogheda, Co Louth, and parts of Dublin and Europe remains on alert of Islamist extremist terror attacks.
Furthermore, because uniformed gardaí patrolling across the country are unarmed, the availability of rapid armed back-up should they require it has always been a significant safety concern.
READ MORE
A 2,000-word letter was sent by GRA representative Ciarán O’ Neill on Monday to Supt Alan McGovern of the Garda Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC) who heads the elite armed unit.
The contents of the letter emerged on Tuesday morning, with Mr Harris later sending a memo countering the main points made in it. The commissioner said that, far from the Garda’s armed response capability being weakened and under-resourced, it had been expanded in recent years and that further expansion was planned.
There was now an armed support unit (ASU) in every Garda region, with two more planned that would be based in Cavan and Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. While courses would soon commence to select more Garda members for ASUs, there were already 180 personnel in the units.
These ASUs were in place as well as the separate emergency response unit (ERU) based in Dublin. The GRA’s criticisms focused on what it said was inadequate resourcing of the ERU, where it said there were 21 vacancies and where overtime had been cut.
Serious incidents
However, Mr Harris pointed out that changes made to how the Garda responded to serious incidents meant the ASUs were now the first layer of armed response to serious incidents, and not the ERU.
Furthermore, while the GRA stated ballistic vests used by Garda members in armed units were now out of date and past warranty, Mr Harris said all ballistic protection kit used by the units was taken for testing each year. He added new ballistic equipment was also being ordered.
The fact the letter was sent and emerged publicly during a general election campaign and after a series of violent attacks, including shootings, in Dublin, Louth and Cork has angered some in senior Garda management.
Mr O’Neill said on last Friday, “a day that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice openly stated that there would be no restriction on resources to deal with organised crime”, there was no ERU to deal with “any call”.
He also said gardaí in Drogheda – where a gangland feud claimed the life of Keane Mulready Woods last Friday week – were last week left waiting for a number of hours for required assistance from the ERU.
The senior officer in charge of policing in the region, Chief Supt Christy Mangan, said he had never experienced issues in being supplied armed back-up when requested.
Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors president Antoinette Cunningham said the force needed the resources for all units to be at full capacity at all times. Society was changing and becoming more violent and the Garda needed to be able to respond to that challenge, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--FG and FF back transition payment for persons retiring before to right to State pension

The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have both committed to introducing a transition payment equal to the value of the old age pension for those forced to retire before qualifying for the State payment .
Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin have both said they will introduce new policies which will not leave pensioners out of pocket and will also prevent them from signing on from the dole .
Pensions have become an unexpected general election issue , with politicians of all parties reporting anger on the doorstep from people who are being denied the State pension and forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are forced to retire .
At present the qualifying age for the public pension is 66 , having changed from 65 in 2014 .
This is set to increase again , via further seven-yearly updates , to 67 in 2021 , and 68 in 2028 .
However , many private sector companies continue to force people to retire at 65 .
Those who had to retire at 65 but wait until 66 before they are eligible for the State pension have had to sign on for the dole , and this has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said they want the State pension age to return to 65 .
Politicians have been scrambling to put in place measures to address what they have referred to as anomalies in the system – even though the issue was flagged as far back as 2016 in a inter-departmental report .
The State contributory pension is €248 per week , and the jobseeker ’ s allowance is €203 , meaning a new transition payment at the same level as the pension would cost an extra €45 per person per week .
A Fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move would be detailed in the party ’ s election manifesto , which will be published later this week .
“ We are working on the details of that now , ” Mr Varadkar said .
“ Certainly what people are saying on the doors and in the streets , what our candidates are saying back to us , is that there is an anomaly .
“ There are people who are required by their contracts to retire at 65 or 66 before the new retirement age and they don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We hear that , we get that , we accept that that is a problem , so we are working on a proposal to put in place a form of State transition pension that means that people in those circumstances will be able to get their pension early.
” In a statement on Tuesday evening , Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection , Regina Doherty confirmed the move , saying “ the new transition pension will be paid at a rate equivalent to the contributory State pension ” .
She said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people retiring at 66.
” Fianna Fáil has estimated that restoring the pension age to 65 would cost €620 million a year , based on the Government ’ s own figures .
Mr Martin said there was a “ lack of fairness there ” .
“ There is a lot of concern out there in relation to it , and I think the key point is that someone in the private sector doesn ’ t have to rely on social protection at the end of their working life to top up their income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gap , and make sure there is a transition pension payment equal to the State pension that covers it for them .
And I think that will level things up somewhat.
” Meanwhile , a pensions consultant has highlighted the inequity in the pensions system which sees public sector workers who retire before the State pension age paid a supplementary government pension while private sector employees are not .
Tony Gilhawley of Technical Guidance said no similar provision was in place for private sector workers legally obliged to retire at 65 but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a later date .
Measures in place since 1995 mean that retiring public servants are not affected by the pension gap .
Instead , where there is a shortfall in their State pension benefit they are covered by a supplementary pension .
“ So the State does not expect its own employees to ‘ go without ’ if they retire before their State pension age , but does currently expect the private sector to , ” said Mr Gilhawley .

The State contributory pension is €248 per week, and the jobseeker’s allowance is €203, meaning a new transition payment at the same level as the pension would cost an extra €45 per person per week. Photograph : iStock
The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have both committed to introducing a transition payment equal to the value of the old age pension for those forced to retire before qualifying for the State payment.
Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin have both said they will introduce new policies which will not leave pensioners out of pocket and will also prevent them from signing on from the dole.
Pensions have become an unexpected general election issue, with politicians of all parties reporting anger on the doorstep from people who are being denied the State pension and forced to sign on for lesser benefits after they are forced to retire.
At present the qualifying age for the public pension is 66, having changed from 65 in 2014. This is set to increase again, via further seven-yearly updates, to 67 in 2021, and 68 in 2028.
READ MORE
However, many private sector companies continue to force people to retire at 65. Those who had to retire at 65 but wait until 66 before they are eligible for the State pension have had to sign on for the dole, and this has caused controversy.
Sinn Féin and Labour have said they want the State pension age to return to 65. Politicians have been scrambling to put in place measures to address what they have referred to as anomalies in the system – even though the issue was flagged as far back as 2016 in a inter-departmental report.
Contributory pension
The State contributory pension is €248 per week, and the jobseeker’s allowance is €203, meaning a new transition payment at the same level as the pension would cost an extra €45 per person per week.
A Fine Gael spokesperson said the cost of the move would be detailed in the party’s election manifesto, which will be published later this week.
“We are working on the details of that now,” Mr Varadkar said. “Certainly what people are saying on the doors and in the streets, what our candidates are saying back to us, is that there is an anomaly.
“There are people who are required by their contracts to retire at 65 or 66 before the new retirement age and they don’t want to have to sign on.
“We hear that, we get that, we accept that that is a problem, so we are working on a proposal to put in place a form of State transition pension that means that people in those circumstances will be able to get their pension early.”
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty confirmed the move, saying “the new transition pension will be paid at a rate equivalent to the contributory State pension”.
She said: “This change provides financial certainty to people retiring at 66.”
Fianna Fáil has estimated that restoring the pension age to 65 would cost €620 million a year, based on the Government’s own figures.
Mr Martin said there was a "lack of fairness there".
“There is a lot of concern out there in relation to it, and I think the key point is that someone in the private sector doesn’t have to rely on social protection at the end of their working life to top up their income.
“We are going to plug that gap, and make sure there is a transition pension payment equal to the State pension that covers it for them. And I think that will level things up somewhat.”
Inequity
Meanwhile, a pensions consultant has highlighted the inequity in the pensions system which sees public sector workers who retire before the State pension age paid a supplementary government pension while private sector employees are not.
Tony Gilhawley of Technical Guidance said no similar provision was in place for private sector workers legally obliged to retire at 65 but unable to claim the State pension until a later date.
Measures in place since 1995 mean that retiring public servants are not affected by the pension gap. Instead, where there is a shortfall in their State pension benefit they are covered by a supplementary pension.
“So the State does not expect its own employees to ‘go without’ if they retire before their State pension age, but does currently expect the private sector to,” said Mr Gilhawley.


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Scientist says methane from farming should be treated differently to CO2

It does not make sense that Ireland is regarded as producing more greenhouse gases than Los Angeles , a city of 13 million people , a US scientist has told a conference on climate action in agriculture .
Prof Frank Mitloehner from the University of California , Davis , told the Irish Farmers ’ Association event in Dublin that the case for methane arising from farming being treated differently to long-lived greenhouse gases , such as CO2 , was undeniable .
He said that methane , the main greenhouse gas in livestock production , only lasts in the atmosphere for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 1,000 years , he said .
Methane was short-lived but carbon from fossil fuels was “ a one-way street ” to rising emissions .
If herd numbers were kept constant , there would be no additional carbon added to the atmosphere while recycled carbon from methane would be consumed in a “ biogenic cycle ” , he said .
If methane was reduced with the right incentives for farmers it could induce global cooling .
There was a reason why Ireland was green .
“ You have an enormous amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use for a place like Ireland is the use of ruminant livestock because a lot of the land is not arable.
” A lot of land could not be used for crops as it was marginal , “ it doesn ’ t have good enough soils for the most part and , therefore , it is used for grazing.
” This had a massive beneficial impact as carbon sink .
Prof Mitloehner said improving efficiency and adapting new technologies were “ the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of food production in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of his views on methane , notably by Johns Hopkins Centre of a Livable Future in the US .
Climate Change Advisory Council chairman Prof John FitzGerald , told the conference , Climate Action in Agriculture – A Balanced Approach , that all sectors must take climate action , as all sectors were to blame for failure to address the issue .
The agriculture sector had been set less demanding targets compared to other sectors , so farmers were not being scapegoated .
There was a need to cut national heard numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and reduce dependency on beef.If methane was to be accounted for in a different way , this had to scientifically proven and verifiable .
Teagasc research director Prof Frank O ’ Mara , said agriculture could reach its decarbonisation targets if key mitigation measures in Teagasc ’ s “ roadmap ” were adopted .
This could be done while maintaining the national herd .
Ground rules for reducing greenhouse gases up to 2030 were set ; the hope was after that methane would be treated differently and greater allowance made on ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Joe Healy said the agri-food sector was actively engaged in climate action .
“ The future must be about safeguarding Ireland ’ s climate-efficient model of food production , while providing innovative opportunities for farm families and rural Ireland to climate proof their futures .
Farming ’ s entrepreneurial spirit is ready to respond.
” But he warned : “ Farmers can not afford to be green if they are in the red.
” An Taisce environmental group has questioned the attempt to “ rebalance debate around climate action ” , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and misinform , rather than offer any scientifically-justified balance ” .
Dr Mitloehner views , it added , “ are highly contested by scientists and his comments are noted in published literature as textbook examples of efforts to create policy confusion with a view to further delaying or avoiding vital climate action.
” Scientists from Johns Hopkins University , it said , took the unusual step of issuing a rebuttal to Dr Mitloenher ’ s “ mis-statements ” , noting that cutting total emissions is the only meaningful measure of climate action and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact .
On scapegoating farmers , it added : “ In fact , critics , including An Taisce , are saying farmers have been misled by the IFA , which has worked hand-in-glove with the food processing industry , into supporting an agri-food strategy since 2010 that benefits processors.
” This had increased farmers ’ input costs , financial risks and exposure to climate change impacts without offering any coherent plan for transitioning to less polluting forms of agriculture – “ when total agricultural emissions continue to increase .
”

Prof John Fitzgerald, chairman, Climate Change Advisory Council and Prof Frank Mitloehner, University of California at the IFA’s Climate Action in Agriculture conference in Dublin . Photograph Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times
It does not make sense that Ireland is regarded as producing more greenhouse gases than Los Angeles, a city of 13 million people, a US scientist has told a conference on climate action in agriculture.
Prof Frank Mitloehner from the University of California, Davis, told the Irish Farmers' Association event in Dublin that the case for methane arising from farming being treated differently to long-lived greenhouse gases, such as CO2, was undeniable.
He said that methane, the main greenhouse gas in livestock production, only lasts in the atmosphere for 10 years, whereas CO2 persists for up to 1,000 years, he said. Methane was short-lived but carbon from fossil fuels was “a one-way street” to rising emissions.
If herd numbers were kept constant, there would be no additional carbon added to the atmosphere while recycled carbon from methane would be consumed in a “biogenic cycle”, he said. If methane was reduced with the right incentives for farmers it could induce global cooling.
READ MORE
There was a reason why Ireland was green. “You have an enormous amount of forage in Ireland. The natural land use for a place like Ireland is the use of ruminant livestock because a lot of the land is not arable.”
A lot of land could not be used for crops as it was marginal, “it doesn’t have good enough soils for the most part and, therefore, it is used for grazing.” This had a massive beneficial impact as carbon sink.
Prof Mitloehner said improving efficiency and adapting new technologies were “the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of food production in contributing to emissions”.
He rejected criticism of his views on methane, notably by Johns Hopkins Centre of a Livable Future in the US.
Climate Change Advisory Council chairman Prof John FitzGerald, told the conference, Climate Action in Agriculture – A Balanced Approach, that all sectors must take climate action, as all sectors were to blame for failure to address the issue.
The agriculture sector had been set less demanding targets compared to other sectors, so farmers were not being scapegoated. There was a need to cut national heard numbers by between 500,000 and 1.5 million cattle, and reduce dependency on beef.If methane was to be accounted for in a different way, this had to scientifically proven and verifiable.
Teagasc research director Prof Frank O'Mara, said agriculture could reach its decarbonisation targets if key mitigation measures in Teagasc's "roadmap" were adopted. This could be done while maintaining the national herd. Ground rules for reducing greenhouse gases up to 2030 were set; the hope was after that methane would be treated differently and greater allowance made on ability to land to capture carbon.
IFA president Joe Healy said the agri-food sector was actively engaged in climate action. "The future must be about safeguarding Ireland's climate-efficient model of food production, while providing innovative opportunities for farm families and rural Ireland to climate proof their futures. Farming's entrepreneurial spirit is ready to respond."
But he warned: “Farmers cannot afford to be green if they are in the red.”
An Taisce environmental group has questioned the attempt to “rebalance debate around climate action”, claiming it was “likely to further mislead and misinform, rather than offer any scientifically-justified balance”.
Dr Mitloehner views, it added, “are highly contested by scientists and his comments are noted in published literature as textbook examples of efforts to create policy confusion with a view to further delaying or avoiding vital climate action.”
Scientists from Johns Hopkins University, it said, took the unusual step of issuing a rebuttal to Dr Mitloenher's "mis-statements", noting that cutting total emissions is the only meaningful measure of climate action and that animal agriculture has an enormous environmental impact.
On scapegoating farmers, it added: “In fact, critics, including An Taisce, are saying farmers have been misled by the IFA, which has worked hand-in-glove with the food processing industry, into supporting an agri-food strategy since 2010 that benefits processors.”
This had increased farmers’ input costs, financial risks and exposure to climate change impacts without offering any coherent plan for transitioning to less polluting forms of agriculture – “when total agricultural emissions continue to increase.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-21--Animal welfare group raises concern over live exports

A leading animal welfare activist has challenged Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed over his refusal to ban live animal exports Caroline Rowley of Ethical Farming Ireland criticised the suggestion that Irish animal welfare standards are in line with international standards .
Mr Creed told The Irish Times last month he did not consider a call by Ireland South Green Party MEP Grace O ’ Sullivan for a total ban on live animal exports to be viable .
He said he believed Ireland met international welfare standards .
Ms O ’ Sullivan had called for a ban on live exports from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had drowned when their ship capsized in the Black Sea en route from Romania to Saudi Arabia .
But Mr Creed rejected the call , saying Bord Bía figures showed that live cattle exports from Ireland had risen from 243,000 in 2018 to 295,000 in 2019 with calves accounting for almost 200,000 of last year ’ s exports .
“ I absolutely reject Grace O ’ Sullivan ’ s call to stop live exports because our exports are based on the highest welfare standards and I believe it is possible to continue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart of it , ” he said .
“ Certainly Fine Gael in government has a clear commitment to live exports and in fact it has increased over the last number of years but only on the basis that it operates to the highest welfare statements and that ’ s critically important .
“ In the context of our European Union trade , we operate to the highest standards , not just EU standards but EU Plus standards and we do that because the importance of that sector to the Irish agri-food economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ethical Farming Ireland has challenged Mr Creed over his comments , saying there is evidence that Ireland is not operating to the highest animal welfare standards when it comes to live exports .
She raised concern over the use of old converted car transporters ships to export animals which she says should not have been authorised for use .
She claimed animals are sometimes on the ships for days before departure , feed is piled up and vessels have had to go on long detours because they have left in stormy conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has monitored live exports for several years , says reulations are being stretched to the limit

Claims that Ireland not operating to the highest animal welfare standards when it comes to live exports.
A leading animal welfare activist has challenged Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed over his refusal to ban live animal exports
Caroline Rowley of Ethical Farming Ireland criticised the suggestion that Irish animal welfare standards are in line with international standards.
Mr Creed told The Irish Times last month he did not consider a call by Ireland South Green Party MEP Grace O'Sullivan for a total ban on live animal exports to be viable. He said he believed Ireland met international welfare standards.
Ms O'Sullivan had called for a ban on live exports from Ireland after it emerged that 14,000 sheep had drowned when their ship capsized in the Black Sea en route from Romania to Saudi Arabia.
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But Mr Creed rejected the call, saying Bord Bía figures showed that live cattle exports from Ireland had risen from 243,000 in 2018 to 295,000 in 2019 with calves accounting for almost 200,000 of last year’s exports.
“I absolutely reject Grace O’Sullivan’s call to stop live exports because our exports are based on the highest welfare standards and I believe it is possible to continue that trade, having animal welfare at the heart of it,” he said.
"Certainly Fine Gael in government has a clear commitment to live exports and in fact it has increased over the last number of years but only on the basis that it operates to the highest welfare statements and that's critically important.
"In the context of our European Union trade, we operate to the highest standards, not just EU standards but EU Plus standards and we do that because the importance of that sector to the Irish agri-food economy is so significant."
However Caroline Rowley of Ethical Farming Ireland has challenged Mr Creed over his comments, saying there is evidence that Ireland is not operating to the highest animal welfare standards when it comes to live exports.
She raised concern over the use of old converted car transporters ships to export animals which she says should not have been authorised for use. She claimed animals are sometimes on the ships for days before departure, feed is piled up and vessels have had to go on long detours because they have left in stormy conditions. Ms Rowley, who says she has monitored live exports for several years, says regulations are being stretched to the limit