theirishtimes--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: Senior gardaí defer retirement to help tackle crisis

Two of the Garda ’ s most senior officers will now stay on in duty past their planned retirement dates to help deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
While the move to extend the tenure of Assistant Commissioner John O ’ Driscoll by two years , to June 2020 , is not unprecedented , it is unusual .
However , senior sources in the Garda said there was “ relief ” he was remaining on considering the challenges now faced during Covid-19 and his experience in leading the fight against organised crime .
Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was due to retire shortly , has also offered to remain on in the force until June due to the Covid-19 crisis .
Mr Leahy is a highly respected officer and retaining his experience , especially relating to the management of policing in Dublin , is seen as a major coup as the Garda force is braced for the worst of the coronavirus outbreak .
“ They are both very experienced people and they are the kind of members you want to keep in these senior positions considering all the uncertainty we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both assistant commissioners applied for the post of the Garda commissioner almost two years ago and made it into the final stages of the competition , the result of which was the appointment of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris .
The news that Mr O ’ Driscoll and Mr Leahy will remain on comes just days after three senior officers were told they had won a recent recruitment round to select the next officers due for promotion to assistant commissioner level .
Those three appointments will still take place as one assistant commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Leahy will still retire in June and Assistant Commissioner Michael O ’ Sullivan retired on Tuesday .
The current head of the Criminal Assets Bureau , Det Chief Supt Pat Clavin , will be promoted to one of those posts and Chief Supt Ann Marie Cagney who commands the Dublin East Division to another .
PSNI Det Chief Paula Hilman was the third successful candidate and will join the Garda from the PSNI .
When the Covid-19 crisis emerged Mr Harris opened up the possibility that senior officers due to retire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bolster the strength of the Garda and retain experience .
A large number of officers have agreed to remain on , with Mr O ’ Driscoll and Mr Leahy the most senior .
Mr O ’ Driscoll was due to retire on age grounds in June but Mr Harris asked Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to increase his retirement age , which can be done under the Garda retirement regulations .
Mr Flanagan has agreed to this and it means Mr O ’ Driscoll will now be permitted to work as a Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 2022 .
He leads Special Crime Operations which includes having overall responsibility for the Garda units that fight organised crime .
Mr O ’ Driscoll has in recent years been a key figure in the successful policing operation against the criminals involved in the Kinahan-Hutch feud and in large-scale drug trafficking .
He was also to the fore in charting the Garda ’ s response to increasing burglary rates .
The specialist operations put in place have targeted prolific burglars and organised burglary gangs .
The crime data for last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office , showed last year ’ s burglary rate had fallen to an all-time low in the period since 2003 when the CSO began compiling the Garda ’ s crime statistics .

Two of the Garda’s most senior officers will now stay on in duty past their planned retirement dates to help deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
While the move to extend the tenure of Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll by two years, to June 2020, is not unprecedented, it is unusual.
However, senior sources in the Garda said there was “relief” he was remaining on considering the challenges now faced during Covid-19 and his experience in leading the fight against organised crime.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy, who is in charge of policing in Dublin and was due to retire shortly, has also offered to remain on in the force until June due to the Covid-19 crisis.
READ MORE
Mr Leahy is a highly respected officer and retaining his experience, especially relating to the management of policing in Dublin, is seen as a major coup as the Garda force is braced for the worst of the coronavirus outbreak.
“They are both very experienced people and they are the kind of members you want to keep in these senior positions considering all the uncertainty we are facing,” said one source.
Recruitment
Both assistant commissioners applied for the post of the Garda commissioner almost two years ago and made it into the final stages of the competition, the result of which was the appointment of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
The news that Mr O’Driscoll and Mr Leahy will remain on comes just days after three senior officers were told they had won a recent recruitment round to select the next officers due for promotion to assistant commissioner level. Those three appointments will still take place as one assistant commissioner post has been vacant for some time, Mr Leahy will still retire in June and Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan retired on Tuesday.
The current head of the Criminal Assets Bureau, Det Chief Supt Pat Clavin, will be promoted to one of those posts and Chief Supt Ann Marie Cagney who commands the Dublin East Division to another.
PSNI Det Chief Paula Hilman was the third successful candidate and will join the Garda from the PSNI.
When the Covid-19 crisis emerged Mr Harris opened up the possibility that senior officers due to retire over coming months would remain on to bolster the strength of the Garda and retain experience.
A large number of officers have agreed to remain on, with Mr O’Driscoll and Mr Leahy the most senior.
Age grounds
Mr O'Driscoll was due to retire on age grounds in June but Mr Harris asked Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to increase his retirement age, which can be done under the Garda retirement regulations.
Mr Flanagan has agreed to this and it means Mr O’Driscoll will now be permitted to work as a Garda officer for two additional years, until June 2022.
He leads Special Crime Operations which includes having overall responsibility for the Garda units that fight organised crime.
Mr O’Driscoll has in recent years been a key figure in the successful policing operation against the criminals involved in the Kinahan-Hutch feud and in large-scale drug trafficking. He was also to the fore in charting the Garda’s response to increasing burglary rates.
The specialist operations put in place have targeted prolific burglars and organised burglary gangs.
The crime data for last year, which was released by the Central Statistics Office, showed last year's burglary rate had fallen to an all-time low in the period since 2003 when the CSO began compiling the Garda's crime statistics.


theirishtimes--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: Strategy introduced to protect Dublin’s most vulnerable

A strategy to ensure services for Dublin city ’ s most in need – including older people , children at risk , vulnerable families and homeless people – continue to operate during the Coronavirus , has been put in place by Dublin City Council .
An 18 member forum headed by deputy council chief executive Brendan Kenny and involving representatives of the Garda , GAA , Tulsa , community and older people ’ s groups , as well as Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon , will meet for the first time on Thursday .
The forum will lead the co-ordination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HSE , An Post , local groups and community welfare officers to identify vulnerable groups and individuals in Dublin city .
It aims to ensure the continuance of services through the delivery of “ targeted social care supports ” to those vulnerable groups and individuals , by identifying their particular issues and providing assistance where required .
It will also work to “ harness offers of support and assistance ” from local enterprises and businesses , as well as insuring existing community services are equipped to meet people ’ s needs by “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntary groups across the city to help direct requests for assistance and identify gaps in service ” .
A new helpline number - 012228555 - and email address - covidsupport @ dublincity.ie - have been established to enable people to seek help or alert the council to others in need .
These will operate 8am to 8pm seven days a week .
Typical services available will include : collection and delivery of food , essential household items , fuel , and medication where appropriate ; transport to community testing centres , clinical assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social isolation supports and engagement ; meals and their delivery ; Garda related services ; and other medical/health needs .
The Alone support line for older people 0818222024 will also feed into the new council system .
In relation to homelessness the Dublin Region Homeless Executive ( DRHE ) is co-ordinating all Covid 19 issues for the Homeless population .
The central placement service for singles and couples is at 01 - 222 6944 Monday to Friday : 10am - 4pm and homelesscps @ dublincity.ie .
The same service for families is 01 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10am - 4pm and family.support @ dublincity.ie .
The Homeless freephone number is 1800 707 707 ; for access to emergency accommodation out of hours .
The council ’ s Traveller Accommodation Unit is co-ordinating Covid 19 issues for the Traveller population in the city at 01 222 2283 traveller.accommodation @ dublincity.ie Sinn Féin councillor Daithi Doolan commended the council for stepping up in the crisis with a “ great level of intensity ” to meet the demands of vulnerable groups .
“ The demand for these services will naturally be higher in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council has stepped up to meet this demand with a great level of intensity.
” Mr Doolan said it was particularly heartening to see the interagency response that was being co-ordinated by the council .
“ The combination of work on the ground combined with the council ’ s infrastructure , will help to ensure that everyone ’ s basic needs are met .
It really shows the strength of the public sector coming into its own .
”

A strategy to ensure services for Dublin city's most in need – including older people, children at risk, vulnerable families and homeless people – continue to operate during the Coronavirus, has been put in place by Dublin City Council.
An 18 member forum headed by deputy council chief executive Brendan Kenny and involving representatives of the Garda, GAA, Tulsa, community and older people's groups, as well as Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon, will meet for the first time on Thursday.
The forum will lead the co-ordination of Covid-19 community supports by working with the HSE, An Post, local groups and community welfare officers to identify vulnerable groups and individuals in Dublin city.
It aims to ensure the continuance of services through the delivery of “targeted social care supports” to those vulnerable groups and individuals, by identifying their particular issues and providing assistance where required.
READ MORE
It will also work to “harness offers of support and assistance” from local enterprises and businesses, as well as insuring existing community services are equipped to meet people’s needs by “collecting and mapping information on services and voluntary groups across the city to help direct requests for assistance and identify gaps in service”.
Helpline
A new helpline number - 012228555 - and email address - covidsupport@dublincity.ie - have been established to enable people to seek help or alert the council to others in need. These will operate 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
Typical services available will include: collection and delivery of food, essential household items, fuel, and medication where appropriate; transport to community testing centres, clinical assessment Hubs, GP and hospital appointments; social isolation supports and engagement; meals and their delivery; Garda related services; and other medical/health needs.
The Alone support line for older people 0818222024 will also feed into the new council system.
In relation to homelessness the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is co-ordinating all Covid 19 issues for the Homeless population. The central placement service for singles and couples is at 01 - 222 6944 Monday to Friday: 10am - 4pm and homelesscps@dublincity.ie. The same service for families is 01 - 222 6977 Monday to Friday: 10am - 4pm and family.support@dublincity.ie.
The Homeless freephone number is 1800 707 707; for access to emergency accommodation out of hours.
The council’s Traveller Accommodation Unit is co-ordinating Covid 19 issues for the Traveller population in the city at 01 222 2283 traveller.accommodation@dublincity.ie
Sinn Féin councillor Daithi Doolan commended the council for stepping up in the crisis with a "great level of intensity" to meet the demands of vulnerable groups.
“The demand for these services will naturally be higher in the city and I really think the council has stepped up to meet this demand with a great level of intensity.”
Mr Doolan said it was particularly heartening to see the interagency response that was being co-ordinated by the council.
“The combination of work on the ground combined with the council’s infrastructure, will help to ensure that everyone’s basic needs are met. It really shows the strength of the public sector coming into its own.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-31--North gets additional £912m from British government to tackle Covid-19

The Northern Executive has received £912 million in special funding from the British government to address the Covid-19 crisis , the North ’ s Minister for Finance Conor Murphy disclosed in the Assembly on Tuesday when publishing his budget for the coming year .
In terms of the regular budget , Mr Murphy told Assembly members that £12.2 billion will be shared between the Executive departments in 2021 which is an increase of just over 8 per cent on last year ’ s allocation .
A further £278.6 million is to be allocated to the Department for Agriculture , Environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which replace the EU Common Agriculture Policy payments .
Mr Murphy said an additional £70 million of central British funding would be allocated to departments while on the capital side some £1.6 billion would be spent in the coming year .
Mr Murphy indicated that because of the crisis departments would have a degree of “ flexibility ” in terms of spending .
“ In difficult circumstances this budget delivers additional funding for our citizens , for our workers , and for our businesses , ” he said .
In relation to coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Equipment has been ordered , car parking fees have been removed and public transport has been made free for key health workers to help those leading the fight against Covid-19 .
“ Funding has been made available to ensure the 97,000 children who are entitled to free school meals do not experience hardship as a result of schools closing .
£370 million has been made available in grants to support some 30,000 businesses so they can continue to pay workers.
” He added : “ Development of this budget began before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the unprecedented public health crisis we face , a health crisis that impacts on every area of our lives .
Protecting lives and livelihoods from the pandemic is now our number one priority.
” The Sinn Féin Minister said that , in order “ to ensure no additional burden on households during this difficult and uncertain time ” , he was freezing domestic rates at current levels .
Domestic rates , unlike in the Republic , are paid by householders in Northern Ireland .
Mr Murphy said he was also reducing business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 18 per cent reduction on the figures for last year “ which will benefit all business ratepayers ” .
Under January ’ s New Decade , New Approach deal which restored the Northern Executive the British government pledged to provide a £2 billion financial package over five years to help the Executive and Assembly begin working on a “ sustainable footing ” .
At the time and ahead of the Covid-19 crisis which prompted emergency funding for businesses and workers Mr Murphy described the promised funding as “ woefully inadequate ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday Mr Murphy complained that “ in real terms our block grant remains some £360 million below pre-austerity levels when comparing like for like funding ” .
“ Over that time the pressure on vital public services has increased .
Public expectations were raised considerably by the New Decade New Approach document .
But the British Government did not provide the funding necessary to deliver these priorities , ” he added .
Mr Murphy said that nonetheless he was “ able to deliver a budget that , compared to last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
During questioning about the budget , the DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew referred to companies which were making items to save lives during the crisis .
He added that he was “ deeply worried ” to have been informed that some Sinn Féin “ party activists ” had been involved in “ intimidating and harassing ” a number of such firms to close down completely .
Mr Murphy said that it was a matter of regret that Mr Frew made such allegations “ without any substance ” .
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of accusations which are essentially criminal behaviour you have an obligation to report those to the police and I hope you have , rather than simply bring them here for publicity purposes.
” Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister asked that in light of the current crisis would the Minister agree that it would be “ unconscionable ” to spend money on Ulster Scots and the Irish language now , as promised in the New Decade , New Approach deal .
Mr Murphy said he was “ heartened ” by the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only concerns around budget spending should relate to these two matters .

The Northern Executive has received £912 million in special funding from the British government to address the Covid-19 crisis, the North's Minister for Finance Conor Murphy disclosed in the Assembly on Tuesday when publishing his budget for the coming year.
In terms of the regular budget, Mr Murphy told Assembly members that £12.2 billion will be shared between the Executive departments in 2021 which is an increase of just over 8 per cent on last year’s allocation.
A further £278.6 million is to be allocated to the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for farm support payments which replace the EU Common Agriculture Policy payments.
Mr Murphy said an additional £70 million of central British funding would be allocated to departments while on the capital side some £1.6 billion would be spent in the coming year.
READ MORE
Mr Murphy indicated that because of the crisis departments would have a degree of “flexibility” in terms of spending.
“In difficult circumstances this budget delivers additional funding for our citizens, for our workers, and for our businesses,” he said.
In relation to coronavirus, Mr Murphy said: “Personal Protection Equipment has been ordered, car parking fees have been removed and public transport has been made free for key health workers to help those leading the fight against Covid-19.
“Funding has been made available to ensure the 97,000 children who are entitled to free school meals do not experience hardship as a result of schools closing. £370 million has been made available in grants to support some 30,000 businesses so they can continue to pay workers.”
He added: “Development of this budget began before the onset of Covid-19 and has been overshadowed by the unprecedented public health crisis we face, a health crisis that impacts on every area of our lives. Protecting lives and livelihoods from the pandemic is now our number one priority.”
The Sinn Féin Minister said that, in order "to ensure no additional burden on households during this difficult and uncertain time", he was freezing domestic rates at current levels. Domestic rates, unlike in the Republic, are paid by householders in Northern Ireland.
Mr Murphy said he was also reducing business rates which, effectively, would mean an 18 per cent reduction on the figures for last year “which will benefit all business ratepayers”.
Under January’s New Decade, New Approach deal which restored the Northern Executive the British government pledged to provide a £2 billion financial package over five years to help the Executive and Assembly begin working on a “sustainable footing”.
At the time and ahead of the Covid-19 crisis which prompted emergency funding for businesses and workers Mr Murphy described the promised funding as “woefully inadequate”.
When delivering his budget in the Assembly on Tuesday Mr Murphy complained that “in real terms our block grant remains some £360 million below pre-austerity levels when comparing like for like funding”.
"Over that time the pressure on vital public services has increased. Public expectations were raised considerably by the New Decade New Approach document. But the British Government did not provide the funding necessary to deliver these priorities," he added.
Mr Murphy said that nonetheless he was “able to deliver a budget that, compared to last year, provides real term increases to all departments”.
During questioning about the budget, the DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew referred to companies which were making items to save lives during the crisis. He added that he was "deeply worried" to have been informed that some Sinn Féin "party activists" had been involved in "intimidating and harassing" a number of such firms to close down completely.
Mr Murphy said that it was a matter of regret that Mr Frew made such allegations “without any substance”.
He added: “Of course if you are aware of accusations which are essentially criminal behaviour you have an obligation to report those to the police and I hope you have, rather than simply bring them here for publicity purposes.”
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister asked that in light of the current crisis would the Minister agree that it would be "unconscionable" to spend money on Ulster Scots and the Irish language now, as promised in the New Decade, New Approach deal.
Mr Murphy said he was “heartened” by the fact that it seemed that Mr Allister’s only concerns around budget spending should relate to these two matters.


theirishtimes--2020-03-31--Drug crime back to Celtic Tiger record levels, CSO figures show

Drug crime in the Republic increased sharply last year and is now back to the record levels of the Celtic Tiger era , while the number of sex offences reported reached a new high .
There were significant increases in many crime types last year , with the notable exception homicide .
It dropped by more than one third to 50 cases , the lowest level in the modern era .
Senior Garda officers believe growing prosperity last year , and an increase in the size of the Garda force , contributed to the significant increase in detection of drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) on Tuesday shows the number of recorded drug crimes last year increased by just over 17 per cent on the previous 12 months to 21,475 offences .
This is higher than at any time in the history of the State apart from the peak of 2008 and 2009 when drug crime reached a record high of 23,354 and 21,865 recorded offences respectively .
Gardaí said drug crime decreased during the economic crash because recreational users , who account for most of the illicit drugs market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , with the Irish economy recovering strongly last year spending power was up , resulting in a rebound in crime drug crime .
“ There are also more ( Garda ) members now and when the size of the organisation increases you are going to discover more drugs offences , ” said one source .
“ There has also been more money for overtime so you can run operations specifically targeting drugs.
” Last year , some 3,307 sex crimes were reported to the Garda , a record high .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than double the number reported in 2003 when the CSO began compiling crime data .
Of the sex crimes reported last year , some 807 were rapes of females or males , 173 were defilements of girls or boys under the age of 17 years and 31 were sexual crimes that victimised mentally impaired people .
Eleven cases were aggravated sexual assaults , meaning a weapon on the threat of a weapon was used , and 1,779 were sexual assaults .
Garda sources said it was impossible to determine exactly why sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims were now more likely than ever to come forward and make an official complaint , it was also likely the number of sexual crimes being committed was increasing .
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that some crime types were increasing because the economy was stronger and people had higher disposable incomes .
He cited drug crime and crimes like disorder and assault , many of which are linked to excess alcohol consumption .
Mr Harris has pointed out in a period when crimes against the person , which include assaults , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also increasing in real terms .
The 50 homicides recorded last year included 35 murders , four manslaughters and 11 cases of dangerous driving leading to death .
By comparison , there were 80 homicides in 2018 , while in 2007 , there were 152 , the highest level in the period since the CSO has been compiling the crime statistics .
Attempts or threats to murder , assaults , harassments and related offences were up last year by eight per cent to 21,752 cases , with most of those assaults .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were both up by eight per cent to 4,912 and 13,874 cases respectively .
Driving a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit decreased by seven per cent to 6,628 cases .
Kidnapping and human trafficking crimes were down by three per cent to 123 cases .
Theft and related offences were up by two per cent to 68,414 crimes .
Fraud and deception crimes were up by 26 per cent to 7,944 , a new record high .
Weapons offences , including gun crime , was up by 10 per cent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by just over one per cent to 32,408 offences recorded .
Burglary was sown by just over one per cent , at 16,772 ; a record low in the modern era .
Robbery and extortion offences decreased by four per cent to 2,339 .

New data for 2019 released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday shows the number of recorded drug crimes last year increased by just over 17 per cent on the previous 12 months to 21,475 offences. Photograph: Garda Press Office
Drug crime in the Republic increased sharply last year and is now back to the record levels of the Celtic Tiger era, while the number of sex offences reported reached a new high.
There were significant increases in many crime types last year, with the notable exception homicide. It dropped by more than one third to 50 cases, the lowest level in the modern era.
Senior Garda officers believe growing prosperity last year, and an increase in the size of the Garda force, contributed to the significant increase in detection of drug crime.
New data for 2019 released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday shows the number of recorded drug crimes last year increased by just over 17 per cent on the previous 12 months to 21,475 offences.
READ MORE
This is higher than at any time in the history of the State apart from the peak of 2008 and 2009 when drug crime reached a record high of 23,354 and 21,865 recorded offences respectively.
Spending power
Gardaí said drug crime decreased during the economic crash because recreational users, who account for most of the illicit drugs market, saw their disposable incomes plummet. However, with the Irish economy recovering strongly last year spending power was up, resulting in a rebound in crime drug crime.
“There are also more (Garda) members now and when the size of the organisation increases you are going to discover more drugs offences,” said one source. “There has also been more money for overtime so you can run operations specifically targeting drugs.”
Last year, some 3,307 sex crimes were reported to the Garda, a record high. The number of sex crimes last year was slightly more than double the number reported in 2003 when the CSO began compiling crime data.
Of the sex crimes reported last year, some 807 were rapes of females or males, 173 were defilements of girls or boys under the age of 17 years and 31 were sexual crimes that victimised mentally impaired people. Eleven cases were aggravated sexual assaults, meaning a weapon on the threat of a weapon was used, and 1,779 were sexual assaults.
Garda sources said it was impossible to determine exactly why sexual crimes were increasing. They added while victims were now more likely than ever to come forward and make an official complaint, it was also likely the number of sexual crimes being committed was increasing.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that some crime types were increasing because the economy was stronger and people had higher disposable incomes. He cited drug crime and crimes like disorder and assault, many of which are linked to excess alcohol consumption.
Mr Harris has pointed out in a period when crimes against the person, which include assaults, were increasing it was likely sexual offending was also increasing in real terms.
Murders
The 50 homicides recorded last year included 35 murders, four manslaughters and 11 cases of dangerous driving leading to death.
By comparison, there were 80 homicides in 2018, while in 2007, there were 152, the highest level in the period since the CSO has been compiling the crime statistics.
Attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences were up last year by eight per cent to 21,752 cases, with most of those assaults.
Assaults causing harm and less serious assaults were both up by eight per cent to 4,912 and 13,874 cases respectively.
Driving a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit decreased by seven per cent to 6,628 cases. Kidnapping and human trafficking crimes were down by three per cent to 123 cases.
Theft and related offences were up by two per cent to 68,414 crimes.
Fraud and deception crimes were up by 26 per cent to 7,944, a new record high. Weapons offences, including gun crime, was up by 10 per cent to 2,686 crimes. Public order offending increased by just over one per cent to 32,408 offences recorded.
Burglary was sown by just over one per cent, at 16,772; a record low in the modern era. Robbery and extortion offences decreased by four per cent to 2,339.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Man charged with stabbing his son

Man charged with stabbing his son

A man ( 48 ) has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with a stabbing which left his son in a serious condition in hospital with multiple stab wounds .
Leon Frahill with a home address at Harbour View , Cobh , Co Cork , was brought before Macroom District Court today where he was charged with three offences arising out of an incident in Bandon on Tuesday morning .
Mr Frahill was charged with assault causing harm to his son , Gino Frahill – who is in his late 20s – at Glasslynn Road , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frahill was also charged with two further charges of producing a knife in the course of a fight and of producing a knife , thereby causing a breach of the peace , all on the same occasion .
Garda Ciaran Leahy gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution and told the court that Mr Frahill replied “ I accept ” to all three charges when they were put to him after caution .
Sgt Brian Harte said that gardaí were preparing a file for the DPP but that they had no objection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy said gardaí were seeking for Mr Frahill to reside at an address at Knockneenior , Grange , Ardmore , Co Waterford , and that he would sign on every Monday , Wednesday and Friday at Youghal Garda Station .
Gardaí were also seeking an undertaking from Mr Frahill that he would stay out of West Cork and would have no contact directly or indirectly with his son , Gino or other potential witnesses in the case , he said .
Gardaí were also seeking that he would provide them with a mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged , in credit and on his person and would be contactable at all times if gardaí wanted to speak to him .
Garda Leahy said gardaí were also seeking that Mr Frahill would surrender his passport and give an undertaking not to apply for any replacement passport or other travel documents .
Defence solicitor Don Ryan said his client was willing to abide by all the bail terms sought by gardaí and he applied for free legal aid on the basis that his client was not working and had no savings or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frahill on bail on his own bond of €300 to appear again at Bandon District Court on June 19th for the DPP ’ s directions and he excused his attendance on that day and also granted him free legal aid .

A man (48) has been remanded on bail after he was charged in connection with a stabbing which left his son in a serious condition in hospital with multiple stab wounds.
Leon Frahill with a home address at Harbour View, Cobh, Co Cork, was brought before Macroom District Court today where he was charged with three offences arising out of an incident in Bandon on Tuesday morning.
Mr Frahill was charged with assault causing harm to his son, Gino Frahill – who is in his late 20s – at Glasslynn Road, Bandon, on March 31st.
Mr Frahill was also charged with two further charges of producing a knife in the course of a fight and of producing a knife, thereby causing a breach of the peace, all on the same occasion.
READ MORE
Garda Ciaran Leahy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Mr Frahill replied "I accept" to all three charges when they were put to him after caution.
Sgt Brian Harte said that gardaí were preparing a file for the DPP but that they had no objection to bail for Mr Frahill.
Garda Leahy said gardaí were seeking for Mr Frahill to reside at an address at Knockneenior, Grange, Ardmore, Co Waterford, and that he would sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Youghal Garda Station.
Gardaí were also seeking an undertaking from Mr Frahill that he would stay out of West Cork and would have no contact directly or indirectly with his son, Gino or other potential witnesses in the case, he said.
Gardaí were also seeking that he would provide them with a mobile phone and that he would keep it charged, in credit and on his person and would be contactable at all times if gardaí wanted to speak to him.
Garda Leahy said gardaí were also seeking that Mr Frahill would surrender his passport and give an undertaking not to apply for any replacement passport or other travel documents.
Defence solicitor Don Ryan said his client was willing to abide by all the bail terms sought by gardaí and he applied for free legal aid on the basis that his client was not working and had no savings or assets.
Judge John King remanded Mr Frahill on bail on his own bond of €300 to appear again at Bandon District Court on June 19th for the DPP's directions and he excused his attendance on that day and also granted him free legal aid.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--‘On the bike I meet no one’: 78-year-old cyclist refuses to cocoon

Sé O ’ Hanlon ( 78 ) is not a happy man .
On these shiny , bright Spring days he does not take kindly to being told “ níl cead agat dul amach ” beyond his Dublin front door .
He “ totally , totally ” agrees with the Government cocooning restrictions , but .
.
.
well , “ on the bike I meet no one.
” He is no ordinary cyclist either .
One of the great amateur Irish cyclists in the 1960s and 1970s , he won the Rás Tailteann stage race in 1962 , 1965 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins , 24 stage wins and 37 yellow jerseys illustrated his stature as the most successful Ras rider ever .
He also won the Tour of Ulster in 1961 , 1962 , 1965 , 1966 , raced in France , and now he can ’ t get outside the house in Glasnevin .
“ Finglas/Glasnevin , as they say.
” Up to this he went climbing twice a week with a group of about 10 friends , most over 70 .
“ I never asked their ages.
” That was at the Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the M50 .
Now - after Friday ’ s latest Government restrictions - there is just the walls of his house .
And TV .
“ I never watch TV.
” But “ I do jobs around the house.
” People living in the same household can only take brief physical exercise together – once they stay within 2km of their home and always maintain two metres distance between themselves and other people .
He “ was coping grand until last Monday .
Here , living with my son two metres apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour and going out every Sunday for a walk in the hills , for an hour to an hour and a half.
” But now “ all that ’ s stopped.
” Not quite .
In a candid and unsolicited confession he admitted “ I ’ m on the bike every day , doing a few kilometres in the 2km circuit .
I ’ m not supposed to .
The lads said it ( regulation ) only applied to those who were biologically over 70 , not those who are chronologically over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one while on the bike , so where is the harm in that ?
However he is , he admits , “ an unrepentant sinner who knows he is a sinner.
” He has not been stopped by gardaí yet .
“ I wear sunglasses , ” and other sundry distractions .
He knows how hard it can be to keep up fitness levels through recovery from injury in the past , when he “ nearly chewed my arm off ” with boredom .
He did not want that to happen again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had open heart surgery .
“ What ’ s he supposed to do ?
He was told to walk 15 minutes a day and increase that by five minutes every week .
What does he do now ?
” Basically Mr O ’ Hanlon believes there should be exceptions to the ‘ stay at home and cocoon ’ rule for some over 70s .
Some , like him , and his hearty friend .
Although he admits he himself had “ a cardiac arrest four years ago , but that is well over.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ an abdominal operation last September ” and “ a stroke three weeks ago ” .
But , “ it had no effect.
” He is “ in great health ” and “ I ’ m not near anyone out on the bike .
”

Sé O’Hanlon (78) is not a happy man. On these shiny, bright Spring days he does not take kindly to being told “níl cead agat dul amach” beyond his Dublin front door.
He “totally, totally” agrees with the Government cocooning restrictions, but . . . well, “on the bike I meet no one.” He is no ordinary cyclist either. One of the great amateur Irish cyclists in the 1960s and 1970s, he won the Rás Tailteann stage race in 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967.
Four outright wins, 24 stage wins and 37 yellow jerseys illustrated his stature as the most successful Ras rider ever. He also won the Tour of Ulster in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, raced in France, and now he can't get outside the house in Glasnevin. "Finglas/Glasnevin, as they say."
Up to this he went climbing twice a week with a group of about 10 friends, most over 70. "I never asked their ages." That was at the Dublin Climbing Centre in Tallaght and Awesome Walls off the M50.
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Now - after Friday’s latest Government restrictions - there is just the walls of his house. And TV. “I never watch TV.” But “I do jobs around the house.”
People living in the same household can only take brief physical exercise together – once they stay within 2km of their home and always maintain two metres distance between themselves and other people.
He “was coping grand until last Monday. Here, living with my son two metres apart and out everyday on the bike for an hour and going out every Sunday for a walk in the hills, for an hour to an hour and a half.” But now “all that’s stopped.”
Not quite. In a candid and unsolicited confession he admitted “I’m on the bike every day, doing a few kilometres in the 2km circuit. I’m not supposed to. The lads said it (regulation) only applied to those who were biologically over 70, not those who are chronologically over 70.”
Besides, he touches no one while on the bike, so where is the harm in that? However he is, he admits, “an unrepentant sinner who knows he is a sinner.”
He has not been stopped by gardaí yet. “I wear sunglasses,” and other sundry distractions. He knows how hard it can be to keep up fitness levels through recovery from injury in the past, when he “nearly chewed my arm off” with boredom. He did not want that to happen again.
And there was his friend who recently had open heart surgery. “What’s he supposed to do? He was told to walk 15 minutes a day and increase that by five minutes every week. What does he do now?”
Basically Mr O’Hanlon believes there should be exceptions to the ‘stay at home and cocoon’ rule for some over 70s. Some, like him, and his hearty friend.
Although he admits he himself had “a cardiac arrest four years ago, but that is well over.” It was true too he had “an abdominal operation last September” and “a stroke three weeks ago”. But, “it had no effect.”
He is “in great health” and “I’m not near anyone out on the bike.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Urgent call-out for Irish scientists to help global coronavirus response

An urgent , call-out has been issued to Irish scientists to undertake critical research , development and innovation projects to support the national and global response to Covid-19 .
This is in response to a “ global research roadmap ” issued by the World Health Organisation , which outlined immediate priorities and knowledge gaps in addressing the pandemic .
Irish funders of research have mobilised forces to provide a range of opportunities for researchers and innovative companies in addressing this need .
Science Foundation Ireland ( SFI ) , Enterprise Ireland , and IDA Ireland have launched “ a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and innovation activities that will deliver significant and timely impact for Ireland within the context of the current emergency ” .
The initiative , aimed at both the public and private sector , is to support development of innovative solutions “ that can have rapid demonstrable impact ” .
Separately , the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council have announced the need to do research targeted at “ development of medical countermeasures ; health service readiness , and social and political countermeasures to Covid-19 ” .
SFI director general Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to “ share the latest knowledge , developments and innovations .
.
.
and develop shared solutions to the many challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic ” .
Involvement of relevant Government departments and/or other public sector bodies in drawing up proposals and the delivery of solutions is being strongly encouraged .
“ Any solution supported under this call must be operational and fully deployed within six months of project start , ” according to SFI which is helping to expedite allocation of supports for proposals .
In light of the Covid-19 crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland “ recognise the challenges facing researchers , industry and higher education institutions , and significant demands placed on key stakeholders working in clinical settings ” .
So funders would take a flexible and pragmatic approach to the management of these challenges in relation to awards .
“ Applications that propose the adaptation , blending or re-purposing of existing products , processes , technologies and infrastructures are also strongly encouraged , ” it added .
The main problem areas they have identified are in : • Frontline healthcare ( supply of ventilators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and infection prevention and control ) .
• Monitoring the impact and effectiveness of control and mitigation measures .
• Mitigation measures relating to the disruption the crisis is having on Irish society , including impact on essential services and supply chains .
• Epidemiological and serological studies including novel approaches to better understand transmission and virus spread ( relevant to humans and animals ) and to evaluate potential impact of control measures .
The research will also be applied to efforts to reduce the impact of any future epidemics .

The “global research roadmap” issued by the World Health Organisation outlines the immediate priorities and knowledge gaps in addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Photograph: Reuters
An urgent, call-out has been issued to Irish scientists to undertake critical research, development and innovation projects to support the national and global response to Covid-19.
This is in response to a "global research roadmap" issued by the World Health Organisation, which outlined immediate priorities and knowledge gaps in addressing the pandemic.
Irish funders of research have mobilised forces to provide a range of opportunities for researchers and innovative companies in addressing this need.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland have launched "a joint rapid-response call to fund research, development, and innovation activities that will deliver significant and timely impact for Ireland within the context of the current emergency".
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The initiative, aimed at both the public and private sector, is to support development of innovative solutions “that can have rapid demonstrable impact”.
Separately, the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council have announced the need to do research targeted at "development of medical countermeasures; health service readiness, and social and political countermeasures to Covid-19".
SFI director general Professor Mark Ferguson stressed the collaborative approach and commitment to "share the latest knowledge, developments and innovations . . . and develop shared solutions to the many challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic".
Involvement of relevant Government departments and/or other public sector bodies in drawing up proposals and the delivery of solutions is being strongly encouraged. “Any solution supported under this call must be operational and fully deployed within six months of project start,” according to SFI which is helping to expedite allocation of supports for proposals.
In light of the Covid-19 crisis, SFI, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland “recognise the challenges facing researchers, industry and higher education institutions, and significant demands placed on key stakeholders working in clinical settings”.
So funders would take a flexible and pragmatic approach to the management of these challenges in relation to awards. “Applications that propose the adaptation, blending or re-purposing of existing products, processes, technologies and infrastructures are also strongly encouraged,” it added.
The main problem areas they have identified are in:
Contact tracing of infection sources and data analytics.
Frontline healthcare (supply of ventilators, use and supply of personal protective equipment and infection prevention and control).
Monitoring the impact and effectiveness of control and mitigation measures.
Re-purposing existing technologies, products or processes.
Rapid, reliable, diagnostic testing and sampling optimisation.
Supporting essential behaviours of self-isolation and social-distancing.
Mitigation measures relating to the disruption the crisis is having on Irish society, including impact on essential services and supply chains.
Epidemiological and serological studies including novel approaches to better understand transmission and virus spread (relevant to humans and animals) and to evaluate potential impact of control measures.
The research will also be applied to efforts to reduce the impact of any future epidemics.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Vicky Phelan says doctors to face harsh calls with cancer patients

Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has said that doctors are going to be faced with harsh decisions during the Covid-19 crisis and that if a doctor had to make a decision between herself and another person with a better chance of survival , she hoped that they would save the person with the least complications .
People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of getting infections such as the common cold , flu and pneumonia as well as coronavirus .
That is why people with cancer are classified in the most at-risk group and subjected to severe restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my peace with that , ” she told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ I would hope that if a doctor had to make that decision and was presented with two patients .
Me and another person who was in around the same age and who had a better chance of survival .
I know this sounds very harsh , I ’ ve had to get my head around that — I would hope that the doctor would make the decision to save the person who would have least complications and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two was diagnosed with cancer three years after her 2011 smear test results were incorrectly reported as clear .
She now has terminal cancer .
In 2018 she settled her High Court action for €2.5 million against Clinical Pathology Laboratories Inc , Austin , Texas .
“ That ’ s something I ’ ve had to get my head around quite a long time ago .
I don ’ t think it ’ s fair that our doctors would be put in that position , I ’ ll be having that conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on somebody if it got to that point .
“ That ’ s exactly why I ’ ve been isolating myself since such an early stage because I don ’ t want to put the doctors in that position.
” Ms Phelan said that her life has changed drastically since the outbreak of Covid-19 .
“ I have been self isolating for some time , from a very early stage I made a decision around March 4th , when we had two cases at that stage , I decided to stop all social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few weeks coming up with International Women ’ s Day , it would have meant attending functions with more than 100 people .
My oncologist contacted me because he ’ s on Twitter as well , Professor John Crown .
He noticed I had a lot coming up and he recommended that I pull out at that stage even when we had small numbers because he could see that this was going to escalate .
“ For me some of my friends thought I was crazy , that I was starting at such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m glad now that I did for myself and other people .
Yes , I ’ m trying to keep myself alive here .
I want to make sure I don ’ t infect other people either .
I ’ m very glad I took that decision fairly early on.
” Ms Phelan also features in a three-minute Irish Cancer Society video titled My Life Matters , where cancer patients and survivors of all ages from around the country urge the public to follow guidelines on staying at home to control the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Averil Power said : “ these people have been through so much already and getting this virus could pose a very serious risk to their lives .
We know it ’ s difficult to avoid going out but these are the faces and names of the people we ’ re collectively saving by doing so .
Their lives matter.
” Evidence from China shows the risk to people with a weakened immune system is heightened if they become infected by coronavirus .
While those with cancer have a heightened risk of death in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the great majority survive .

Vicky Phelan has joined fellow cancer patients in appealing for people to continue to maintain social distancing and regular hand washing as part of the Irish Cancer Society's My Life Matters campaign. Video: Irish Cancer Society
Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has said that doctors are going to be faced with harsh decisions during the Covid-19 crisis and that if a doctor had to make a decision between herself and another person with a better chance of survival, she hoped that they would save the person with the least complications.
People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of getting infections such as the common cold, flu and pneumonia as well as coronavirus. That is why people with cancer are classified in the most at-risk group and subjected to severe restrictions.
“I’ve kind of made my peace with that,” she told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland. “I would hope that if a doctor had to make that decision and was presented with two patients. Me and another person who was in around the same age and who had a better chance of survival. I know this sounds very harsh, I’ve had to get my head around that — I would hope that the doctor would make the decision to save the person who would have least complications and better chance of survival.”
To the anonymous tweeter who accused me of hurling from the ditch-my hands after a day of approx 70x hand washes looking after approx 50 cancer patients an unknown number of whom have COVID. PS I’m 63- have a four year old. You-please stay at home now and be safe. pic.twitter.com/uv2fcmYy08 — ProfJohnCrown (@ProfJohnCrown) March 31, 2020
The mother of two was diagnosed with cancer three years after her 2011 smear test results were incorrectly reported as clear. She now has terminal cancer. In 2018 she settled her High Court action for €2.5 million against Clinical Pathology Laboratories Inc, Austin, Texas.
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“That’s something I’ve had to get my head around quite a long time ago. I don’t think it’s fair that our doctors would be put in that position, I’ll be having that conversation myself, maybe to make it easier on somebody if it got to that point.
“That’s exactly why I’ve been isolating myself since such an early stage because I don’t want to put the doctors in that position.”
Ms Phelan said that her life has changed drastically since the outbreak of Covid-19. “I have been self isolating for some time, from a very early stage I made a decision around March 4th, when we had two cases at that stage, I decided to stop all social interactions.
"I had a busy few weeks coming up with International Women's Day, it would have meant attending functions with more than 100 people. My oncologist contacted me because he's on Twitter as well, Professor John Crown. He noticed I had a lot coming up and he recommended that I pull out at that stage even when we had small numbers because he could see that this was going to escalate.
“For me some of my friends thought I was crazy, that I was starting at such an early stage, but I’m glad now that I did for myself and other people. Yes, I’m trying to keep myself alive here. I want to make sure I don’t infect other people either. I’m very glad I took that decision fairly early on.”
Ms Phelan also features in a three-minute Irish Cancer Society video titled My Life Matters, where cancer patients and survivors of all ages from around the country urge the public to follow guidelines on staying at home to control the spread of coronavirus.
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “these people have been through so much already and getting this virus could pose a very serious risk to their lives. We know it’s difficult to avoid going out but these are the faces and names of the people we’re collectively saving by doing so. Their lives matter.”
Evidence from China shows the risk to people with a weakened immune system is heightened if they become infected by coronavirus. While those with cancer have a heightened risk of death in such circumstances, it should be stressed the great majority survive.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--‘Everyone still thinks it’s a joke’ - parents of toddler with coronavirus speak out

The parents of a two-and-half-year-old boy who tested positive for COVID-19 , warned people to heed expert medical advice about the virus and “ stay indoors ” to stop it spreading .
Jayce Lyons received a positive result for coronavirus on Friday , six days after being tested for the disease .
“ When I heard ( he ’ d tested positive ) you ’ d actually swear that my child was after being found dead with the cries out of me , ” said Laura Lyons , Jayce ’ s mother .
“ He ’ s up and about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad now.
” She warned parents to be vigilant and if their children have symptoms , that they trust their gut instinct and seek a virus test if they felt it was required .
“ I would say take it seriously .
I wasn ’ t taking it serious until it came knocking at my own front door with my own child , ” she admitted .
Ms Lyons ( 21 ) also warned other young people to stop gathering in groups and to “ stay inside ” until the virus is gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a joke , but it ’ s not .
Just stay in until it ’ s all clear.
” “ It ’ s the elderly you have to worry about too , and who you are bringing it home to .
It ’ s worse for people that have ( medical ) problems , ” she added .
Jayce began feeling sick five weeks ago and developed a bad cough , and a runny nose .
He was diagnosed with a chest infection and given a prescription for an antibiotic by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished ( the antibiotic ) he was still choking with a bad cough ” , Ms Lyons said .
His mother said she felt like she “ had to fight to get a ( hospital ) appointment for my child ” .
His father Dylan Williams said they did all they could at home for their son , but in the end , he said , they felt they had not other choice but to bring him to hospital .
“ I ( knew ) something was wrong , ” Ms Lyons said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolating ” at home .
His mother advised others not to ignore the virus warning signs : “ I ’ m showing symptoms myself and I ’ m still waiting on a test for myself , we are all self isolating.
” She explained that she remains worried for her son and her close circle of family and friends .
“ It ’ s very worrying .
We have just one ( child ) , he ’ s my one and only .
Hopefully this is the end of it .
”

Jayce Lyons from Limerick who is recovering from Covid-19. Photograph supplied by family
The parents of a two-and-half-year-old boy who tested positive for COVID-19, warned people to heed expert medical advice about the virus and “stay indoors” to stop it spreading.
Jayce Lyons received a positive result for coronavirus on Friday, six days after being tested for the disease.
"When I heard (he'd tested positive) you'd actually swear that my child was after being found dead with the cries out of me," said Laura Lyons, Jayce's mother.
“He’s up and about, but he’s still coughing bad now.”
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She warned parents to be vigilant and if their children have symptoms, that they trust their gut instinct and seek a virus test if they felt it was required.
“I would say take it seriously. I wasn’t taking it serious until it came knocking at my own front door with my own child,” she admitted.
Jayce Lyons with his parents Laura Lyons and Dylan Williams
Ms Lyons (21) also warned other young people to stop gathering in groups and to “stay inside” until the virus is gone.
“Everyone still thinks it’s a joke, but it’s not. Just stay in until it’s all clear.”
“It’s the elderly you have to worry about too, and who you are bringing it home to. It’s worse for people that have (medical) problems,” she added.
Jayce began feeling sick five weeks ago and developed a bad cough, and a runny nose. He was diagnosed with a chest infection and given a prescription for an antibiotic by his general practitioner.
“After he was finished (the antibiotic) he was still choking with a bad cough”, Ms Lyons said.
His mother said she felt like she “had to fight to get a (hospital) appointment for my child”.
His father Dylan Williams said they did all they could at home for their son, but in the end, he said, they felt they had not other choice but to bring him to hospital.
“I (knew) something was wrong,” Ms Lyons said.
The boy is currently “self isolating” at home.
His mother advised others not to ignore the virus warning signs: “I’m showing symptoms myself and I’m still waiting on a test for myself, we are all self isolating.”
She explained that she remains worried for her son and her close circle of family and friends.
“It’s very worrying. We have just one (child), he’s my one and only. Hopefully this is the end of it.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Death rate from Covid-19 in Ireland rises to 2.4%

The death rate from Covid-19 in the State has risen to 2.4 per cent , a new report shows , as the disease takes a further toll on vulnerable groups .
Of the 2,677 laboratory confirmed cases of the virus , 64 had died by last Monday , giving a case fatality rate of 2.4 , according to the latest epidemiological report from the HSE .
As the report does not take account of Tuesday ’ s death toll of 17 patients , this rate is likely to rise in future reports .
However , the overall death rate from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , is likely to be lower when it is eventually calculated .
• Outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals to be tackled in new plans • Notion of rapid economic recovery for Ireland is wishful thinking A week ago , the death rate from the virus here stood at 0.6 per cent .
There have been 26 clusters identified in private households , 24 in nursing homes and 21 in hospitals , the report shows .
Workplaces accounted for five clusters and pubs for two .
More than two related cases amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest incidence of virus cases , followed by Co Westmeath .
The incidence rate in Dublin is over 15 times higher than in Co Carlow and 11 times higher than in Co Wexford , the two counties with the lowest number of cases relative to population .
Over-65s account for 45.7 per cent of those hospitalised , 38.1 per cent of people admitted to ICU and 89.1 per cent of deaths .
Among the 113 people admitted to intensive care was one child in the 5-14 year age category .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease , three-quarters of whom had no history of foreign travel in the preceding fortnight .
The report shows 78 cases were imported from the UK , 61 from Italy and 51 from Austria .
Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Wednesday morning it would probably take 10 days to fully ramp up lab services for coronavirus testing around the country .
Testing would not change medical advice and anyone with symptoms must stay at home , he told RTÉ Radio .
Mr Harris said the Government was encountering supply constraints that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he was satisfied that the health service was doing everything to increase testing .
Ireland was still testing more per head of population than most countries in the EU , he said .
Tuesday saw the highest daily figures yet for deaths and newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 , though the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) said the figures were in line with current trends .
A further 13 men and four women diagnosed with Covid-19 died , officials reported on Tuesday evening .
Eight of the deaths occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three in the south , three in the northwest , and three in the west .
In Northern Ireland , six additional deaths were recorded , bringing the number of fatalities in the North to 28 .
And total cases reached 586 .
The number of Covid-19 test results being produced at laboratories around the country is 1,500 a day as a significant shortfall in testing equipment hits Ireland .
The figure is just 10 per cent of the Government ’ s stated goal of 15,000 test results being produced per day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ night said the goal remained and it was hoped it could be achieved by mid-April .
“ Over the last week we have seen a significant fall-off in the number of tests provided because of the shortfall in global supplies , ” said the chair of the State ’ s Covid-19 expert advisory group Dr Cillian De Gascun .
Public health officials are to step up efforts to tackle coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals in response to a large increase of clusters of the disease in residential settings .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and health checks for nursing home staff .
Outbreak teams are to be set up to combat specific clusters of the disease , and the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Mental Health Commission are to risk assess residential institutions .
The regulations necessary to allow gardaí arrest people who are not complying with Government policy on social distancing are expected to be signed shortly , possibly as early as Wednesday .
Mr Harris is to sign the regulations which will give the gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce a cordon around a designated geographical area , or arrest anyone who impedes a Garda in implementing the provisions of the Covid-19 emergency measures .
The law allows that a person who refuses to comply with an instruction by a garda who is seeking to impose the social distancing rules , is guilty of an offence that can lead to a prison sentence of up to six months .
The new law also allows for the shutting down of gatherings or events , including religious gatherings , and for ordering groups in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or other places , if necessary .

Another 14 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, the National Public Health Emergency Team have reported, with 212 new cases recorded. Video: RTE News Now
Another 14 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, the National Public Health Emergency Team reported on Wednesday evening, with 212 new cases recorded.
Ten of those who died were located in the east and four were in the south. The deceased patients were seven women and seven men. Of the 14, eight were reported as having underlying health conditions.
There have now been 85 Covid-19-related deaths in Ireland. The median age of those who died was 82.
Meanwhile, the Health Protection Survelliance Centre has been informed of 212 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, as of 1pm on Wednesday.
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This brings the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 here to 3,447.
For the first time, the Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, who normally leads the media briefing for the National Public Health Emergency Team, was not present.
He was admitted to St James’s Hospital for tests having complained about feeling unwell on Tuesday night. It is understood the health complaint is unrelated to the Covid-19 outbreak, and thus social isolation protocols might not be necessary
Assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said he would be back at work on Thursday.
Main points from Wednesday:
According to an analysis of cases up to Monday, women outnumber men slightly among reported cases - 50 per cent to 48 per cent. The median age of confirmed cases is 48 years.
So far in this epidemic, 834 patients have been hospitalised and, of these, 126 have been admitted to ICU.
Community transmission now accounts for 60 per cent of cases, the highest level recorded to date. Close contacts account for 21 per cent and travel abroad for 18 per cent.
Some 134 clusters have been identified, each involving an average of under five cases.
Contact tracing
From this week, contact tracing for all confirmed cases is to cover the period of 48 hours before symptoms show; this reflects increasing evidence of asymptomatic transmission of the virus.
Contact tracing is also being expanded to embrace people with suspected Covid-19 who are waiting for tests, officials said.
Asked whether the number of cases being reported daily was lower because of reduced testing, Dr Glynn acknowledged “at present we’re not carrying out as many tests as we would like” due to equipment shortages. “If we were, we’d pick up more people, but that doesn’t mean the picture in terms of patients hospitalised would be any different. They’re the figures we’re most interested in.”
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the deaths of two further patients with coronavirus were recorded on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths there to 30. There were 103 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the North.
The total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland now stands at 689, with 200 of those in Belfast.
The North's Department of Health has warned that up to 3,000 people could die of coronavirus in Northern Ireland in 20 weeks.
Under “reasonable worst-case scenario” modelling, the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic in Northern Ireland is expected between April 6th and April 20th. During this peak it is expected that each week there would be 500 hospital admissions, and 180 patients with Covid-19 would require ventilation and critical care beds.
The North’s Minister for Health, Robin Swann, also warned that in the absence of a vaccine there would be a “second wave” of coronavirus cases once current restrictions on movement were reduced.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Paul Reid CEO of the HSE entre one of the Clinic rooms in the Citywest Hotel which will have the use of the 750-bedroom for self isolation. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Increase in beds
Earlier, the chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid said that the health service is moving towards its goal of having 10,000 beds available across the health service to accommodate sick patients.
He said there are 2,200 beds available currently plus the 2,000 beds that are coming on stream from the private hospital system. There will be a further 3,000 bed facilities coming on stream after this, he said on Wednesday morning.
He was visiting the new Citywest facility with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minster for Health Simon Harris where more than 1,000 beds are being made available for those who need to self-isolate. This will free up vital hospital beds by giving those not well enough to return home a step down facility.
Mr Varadkar warned that there will be further "bumps in the road" amid pressure on the testing system. Around 1,500 people are being tested per day for Covid-19, which is below target, and a shortage of reagent is slowing lab testing of the samples taken.
Testing delays
The Taoiseach cautioned that it could be next week before additional reagent is sourced.
“I fully appreciate the anxiety and worry it has caused to people who are waiting to have their test and who are then waiting for the result. We expect to have more reagents probably next week but then there may become a shortage of something else and we need to be frank with people.
“While we might overcome one problem, another will probably come along after that. The truth is this is a global pandemic, there was no handbook or road map for dealing with this. We are dealing with this from day to day.”
Mr Varadkar said the increased work in contact tracing will “in some way to make up for the fact that there are delays in getting the test results.”
Intensive care capacity
In terms of intensive care capacity, Mr Reid said no hospital has yet reached its limit while the Taoiseach said the latest figures showed there were 120 people being cared for in ICU.
“We have capacity in our intensive care units and we also have the ability to turn other parts of the hospital into intensive care units for example theatres, other wards, recovery areas so long as we have the ventilators, a lot of them arrived already, some more are coming.
“Even when our intensive care units are full, and they are not full yet, we will be able to use the ICU and high dependency units in private hospitals and we will also be able to turn wards, theatres into de facto intensive care units. But it is going to be a struggle,” Mr Varadkar said.
Clusters
Meanwhile, public health officials are to step up efforts to tackle coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals in response to a large increase of clusters of the disease in residential settings.
Among the measures expected to be introduced are increased availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and health checks for nursing home staff.
Outbreak teams are to be set up to combat specific clusters of the disease, and the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Mental Health Commission are to risk assess residential institutions.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Garda says domestic abuse reports will be dealt with quickly

Detective chief superintendent Declan Daly of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau has said that where people report domestic abuse or any other crime An Garda Síochána will respond “ very quickly and robustly ” .
“ We have the highest ever number of staff on the ground , so we ’ re anxious and eager to assist all of our victims , ” he told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ The current crisis brings many fears and anxieties for families throughout the country , we all understand that .
For victims of domestic violence those fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our community response to Covid-19 we ’ re implementing Operation Faoisimh which is an initiative to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected.
” Supt Daly said the force recognised that this cohort are particularly vulnerable at this time .
In recognition of this Victim Service Offices are contacting each victim to ensure their safety and protection .
“ If they look for or need assistance , An Garda Síochána will be there for them.
” Supt Daly said he would expect an increase in interim barring orders and pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The important message for everyone to hear is that there is no loss of service by An Garda Síochána , there is no loss of the Courts Service , if people need a barring order , if they need an urgent barring order , those services are there.
” There is a pro arrest intervention policy in place , he said .

Detective chief superintendent Declan Daly of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau has said that where people report domestic abuse or any other crime An Garda Síochána will respond "very quickly and robustly".
"We have the highest ever number of staff on the ground, so we're anxious and eager to assist all of our victims," he told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland.
“The current crisis brings many fears and anxieties for families throughout the country, we all understand that. For victims of domestic violence those fears are doubled.
“As part of our community response to Covid-19 we’re implementing Operation Faoisimh which is an initiative to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected.”
READ MORE
Supt Daly said the force recognised that this cohort are particularly vulnerable at this time. In recognition of this Victim Service Offices are contacting each victim to ensure their safety and protection.
“If they look for or need assistance, An Garda Síochána will be there for them.”
Supt Daly said he would expect an increase in interim barring orders and pointed out that the Courts Service remains available. “The important message for everyone to hear is that there is no loss of service by An Garda Síochána, there is no loss of the Courts Service, if people need a barring order, if they need an urgent barring order, those services are there.”
There is a pro arrest intervention policy in place, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Hotline needed for workers concerned over social distancing - O’Dea

The Government should establish a confidential hotline for workers who are concerned their employers aren ’ t adhering to physical distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
Limerick City TD Willie O ’ Dea , Fianna Fáil ’ s spokesman has said he has been contacted by workers of large employers who are concerned that physical distancing is not being followed in the workplace .
Mr O ’ Dea said that many workers are also unsure if they are essential workers , as their employers claim in order to encourage them to attend work during the severe restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only workers deemed essential by the Government are allowed work from their places of work and do not have to stay at home .
“ These are many big outfits where there is no social distancing , ” Mr O ’ Dea said of his constituency .
He said there is no clarity from either the HSE or Health and Safety Authority on what can be done and said that concerned workers should be able to contact a confidential hotline to convey their concerns .
The hotline could then lead to inspections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were concerned they could get Covid-19 in their workplace and bring it home to their families .

Willie O’Dea said any workers are also unsure if they are essential workers, as their employers claim in order to encourage them to attend work during the severe restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus crisis.Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The Government should establish a confidential hotline for workers who are concerned their employers aren’t adhering to physical distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Limerick City TD Willie O'Dea, Fianna Fáil's spokesman has said he has been contacted by workers of large employers who are concerned that physical distancing is not being followed in the workplace.
Mr O’Dea said that many workers are also unsure if they are essential workers, as their employers claim in order to encourage them to attend work during the severe restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus crisis.
Only workers deemed essential by the Government are allowed work from their places of work and do not have to stay at home.
READ MORE
"These are many big outfits where there is no social distancing," Mr O'Dea said of his constituency. He said there is no clarity from either the HSE or Health and Safety Authority on what can be done and said that concerned workers should be able to contact a confidential hotline to convey their concerns.
The hotline could then lead to inspections, he added, and said many workers were concerned they could get Covid-19 in their workplace and bring it home to their families.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Covid-19 cutting drug users and recovering addicts off from key supports

Derek ( 35 ) had been “ stable , off heroin ” for the past five months and was to start a residential detoxification programme next week .
“ I ’ d been working so hard to stay stable , stay clean , ” he says .
He had stayed away from friends “ who drink ” and was taking 30ml of methadone a day through a Health Service Executive programme .
Two weeks ago , however , he was told his detox place had been cancelled due the coronavirus outbreak .
“ I ’ m back using heroin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The [ Narcotics Anonymous ] meetings are all cancelled .
The project I was going to is closed .
.
.
It was the structure : having to get up in the morning and be somewhere distracts your mind from the addiction , ” he says .
“ When I was told I wasn ’ t getting into the treatment it was a kick .
It was like , ‘ What ’ s the point ?
’ .
” Asked what he thinks will happen to him if the closure of services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for long , he sighs : “ I ’ ll probably end up dead somewhere.
” Derek speaks for many drug users and recovering addicts cut off from key supports .
His situation exemplifies what many working in services fear , says Laurence Moloney , manager of the Merchants Quay Ireland ( MQI ) needle exchange in Dublin .
The worry is that there will be relapses and perhaps deaths among an “ already very vulnerable demographic ” if the shutdown drags on .
At Sunday morning ’ s needle exchange , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells staff he has not used drugs since 2011 .
MQI , the State ’ s largest voluntary drug treatment centre , has had to close its premises and halt many core services including counselling , medical assessments , safe-injecting workshops and family supports .
It now offers take-away meals instead of sit-down dinners .
Its needle exchange , providing clean injecting and smoking equipment , has been reduced to a take-away service operated from a hatch .
Staff stand two metres back , asking what the client needs and how they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a paper bag .
“ We are still doing in the region of 100 to 120 needle-exchange interventions every day , ” says Moloney .
“ So that ’ s not indicating any change in scoring their drugs , heroin or crack .
“ But they can ’ t come in .
It is a huge loss .
There are needs we can ’ t meet at the moment , but the basic needs – safe , clean equipment – are being met.
” This means clients are missing out on anything from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their needs – social , housing , emotional as well as drug-using equipment .
Anthony ( 47 ) , from Oliver Bond Street , also had his treatment cancelled due to Covid-19 closures .
“ I was supposed to go into the Lantern Centre last Thursday .
It was cancelled .
And Keltoi has shut as well to facilitate segregation.
” The Lantern is a residential detoxification programme run by the Peter McVerry Trust .
Keltoi is a residential rehabilitation programme for opiate users run by the HSE .
Gary Broderick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works with up to 150 women in addiction in north inner-city Dublin , is “ absolutely worried ” about women relapsing or “ going backwards ” during the crisis .
“ A lot of what we do is about building relationships , trust , connectedness , a safe place .
The regularity of coming here is gone , ” he says .
“ The only way we can stay connected at the moment is by phone or Zoom .
But some are in hostels with no wifi and phone credit is a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile credit for some and last week we were paying for electricity for a client.
” Anna Quigley , co-ordinator of the CityWide drug campaign , says maintaining connection is creating costs for projects that they would not have planned for .
“ There will have to be an appreciation by Government that projects will spend this money now because it ’ s an emergency , and they will have to be funded after all this .
People will relapse and recoveries will go back , and people will need additional supports after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addiction services remained open but were prioritising opioid substitution ( methadone and physeptone ) treatment to more than 10,500 people across the country .
“ The national addiction advisory governance group continues to meet on a biweekly basis to address any issues that may arise .
We understand this is a risk time for individuals in terms of overdose and are advising all services to prescribe Naloxone [ an antidote to opiates in event of overdose ] to the cohort of people opioid dependent .
”

Derek (35) had been “stable, off heroin” for the past five months and was to start a residential detoxification programme next week.
“I’d been working so hard to stay stable, stay clean,” he says.
He had stayed away from friends “who drink” and was taking 30ml of methadone a day through a Health Service Executive programme.
Two weeks ago, however, he was told his detox place had been cancelled due the coronavirus outbreak.
READ MORE
“I’m back using heroin. Everything that was helping me is gone. The [Narcotics Anonymous] meetings are all cancelled. The project I was going to is closed . . . It was the structure: having to get up in the morning and be somewhere distracts your mind from the addiction,” he says.
“When I was told I wasn’t getting into the treatment it was a kick. It was like, ‘What’s the point?’.”
Asked what he thinks will happen to him if the closure of services for people addicted to illicit drugs continues for long, he sighs: “I’ll probably end up dead somewhere.”
Derek speaks for many drug users and recovering addicts cut off from key supports. His situation exemplifies what many working in services fear, says Laurence Moloney, manager of the Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) needle exchange in Dublin. The worry is that there will be relapses and perhaps deaths among an "already very vulnerable demographic" if the shutdown drags on.
At Sunday morning’s needle exchange, one man who comes to get injecting equipment tells staff he has not used drugs since 2011.
Core services halted
MQI, the State’s largest voluntary drug treatment centre, has had to close its premises and halt many core services including counselling, medical assessments, safe-injecting workshops and family supports.
It now offers take-away meals instead of sit-down dinners. Its needle exchange, providing clean injecting and smoking equipment, has been reduced to a take-away service operated from a hatch. Staff stand two metres back, asking what the client needs and how they are, before handing them clean equipment in a paper bag.
“We are still doing in the region of 100 to 120 needle-exchange interventions every day,” says Moloney. “So that’s not indicating any change in scoring their drugs, heroin or crack.
“But they can’t come in. It is a huge loss. There are needs we can’t meet at the moment, but the basic needs – safe, clean equipment – are being met.”
This means clients are missing out on anything from “chats” to a full assessment of their needs – social, housing, emotional as well as drug-using equipment.
Anthony (47), from Oliver Bond Street, also had his treatment cancelled due to Covid-19 closures. "I was supposed to go into the Lantern Centre last Thursday. It was cancelled. And Keltoi has shut as well to facilitate segregation."
The Lantern is a residential detoxification programme run by the Peter McVerry Trust. Keltoi is a residential rehabilitation programme for opiate users run by the HSE.
Relapse
Gary Broderick, director of the Saol project, which works with up to 150 women in addiction in north inner-city Dublin, is "absolutely worried" about women relapsing or "going backwards" during the crisis.
“A lot of what we do is about building relationships, trust, connectedness, a safe place. The regularity of coming here is gone,” he says. “The only way we can stay connected at the moment is by phone or Zoom. But some are in hostels with no wifi and phone credit is a huge issue. We have had to buy mobile credit for some and last week we were paying for electricity for a client.”
Anna Quigley, co-ordinator of the CityWide drug campaign, says maintaining connection is creating costs for projects that they would not have planned for.
“There will have to be an appreciation by Government that projects will spend this money now because it’s an emergency, and they will have to be funded after all this. People will relapse and recoveries will go back, and people will need additional supports after this emergency.”
A HSE spokeswoman said addiction services remained open but were prioritising opioid substitution (methadone and physeptone) treatment to more than 10,500 people across the country.
“The national addiction advisory governance group continues to meet on a biweekly basis to address any issues that may arise. We understand this is a risk time for individuals in terms of overdose and are advising all services to prescribe Naloxone [an antidote to opiates in event of overdose] to the cohort of people opioid dependent.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus in Ireland: New powers of arrest for gardaí expected to come into force

The regulations necessary to allow An Garda Síochána arrest people who are not complying with Government policy on social distancing are expected to be signed shortly , possibly as early as Wednesday .
Minister for Health Simon Harris is to sign the regulations which will give the gardaí extensive new powers including the power to enforce a cordon around a designated geographical area , or arrest anyone who impedes a Garda in implementing the provisions of the Covid-19 emergency measures .
The regulations are required for the coming into effect of the new powers contained in the Emergency Measures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , which recently completed its passage through the Dáil and the Seanad .
The law allows that a person who refuses to comply with an instruction by a garda who is seeking to impose the social distancing rules , is guilty of an offence that can lead to a prison sentence of up to six months .
The new law also allows for the shutting down of gatherings or events , including religious gatherings , and for ordering groups in certain areas to stay in their homes , or other places , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate after a medical recommendation that they should do so can be convicted of an offence that will have a maximum penalty of three months in prison .
Gardaí may also , working at the request of health or other officials , take a person to a particular place , or break and enter a particular property .
Both the Department of Health and the Department of Justice have been working on the regulations , which may be ready for signing as early as Wednesday , according to sources .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Government last week , such as that people should not venture more than 2km from their home save in certain circumstances .
After Taoiseach , Leo Varadkar , announced the new , more restrictive public health advice on Friday , An Garda Síochána began stopping people to question them about their movements .
However , there is nothing in law as yet that would allow gardaí prevent a person , for instance , going for a cycle more than 2km from their home .
“ The gardaí had no additional powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not going to comply with your request , there was little that could have been done , ” according to Doireann Ansbro , senior research and policy officer with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) .
“ It ’ s a really crazy time from a civil liberties point of view , but the ICCL fully understands that this is a public health emergency and that some people are doing things they shouldn ’ t do.
” Ms Ansbro said that defining who is engaged in essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to travel to and from their homes , will be one of the challenges faced by those drafting the regulations .
Last week the legal section of An Garda Síochána issued advice to members about the powers that already exist and that might be of relevance to the pandemic .
One of the laws cited was the 1994 Criminal Justice ( Public Order ) Act , which can be applied where groups of individuals are congregating in a manner that offends social distancing rules , the note said .
A section of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is acting in a manner that creates a reasonable concern for the safety of others , a garda can ask that person to move on , and the person is guilty of an offence when he or she does not comply .
The Act “ creates an offence which members ought to consider in the context of the threat to the safety of persons arising from the Covid-19 pandemic ” , the note said .
“ Members should consider a graduated response to any incidents arising which offend social distancing rules .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more serious or threatening nature , members may wish to consider whether offences have been committed ” under other sections of the Act concerning threatening , abusive or disorderly behaviour .
The note referred to reports of people spitting at others in the context of the pandemic , and said this could constitute an offence under the 1997 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act , including under sections governing threats to kill or cause serious harm , or the endangerment of others .
“ These sections were not introduced with a scenario arising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease in mind .
However , in the absence of any other legislation , members may wish to consider whether an offence under either provision is made out , ” the note said .
The President of the Garda Representative Association , Jim Mulligan , has called for a specific Garda policy of always opposing bail in cases where someone is charged with offences connected to the “ weaponisation ” of Covid-19 .
He said there have been several incidents of gardaí being coughed at , spat at , and threatened by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the gardaí would prefer not to be telling people what they can ’ t do and to be inquiring into their business , but the social distancing rules had to be implemented in the national interest , he said .
“ At a time when the whole country is putting their shoulder to the wheel to save lives , it is essential that everyone pushes in the same direction .
Anything that undermines this national effort is nothing other than unpatriotic.
” In a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the association will be asking the Department of Justice about the supplying of personal protection equipment , including facemasks , to Garda members .

After the Taoiseach announced the more restrictive public health advice, An Garda Síochána began stopping people to question them about their movements but they had no additional powers. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
The regulations necessary to allow An Garda Síochána arrest people who are not complying with Government policy on social distancing are expected to be signed shortly, possibly as early as Wednesday.
Minister for Health Simon Harris is to sign the regulations which will give the gardaí extensive new powers including the power to enforce a cordon around a designated geographical area, or arrest anyone who impedes a Garda in implementing the provisions of the Covid-19 emergency measures.
The regulations are required for the coming into effect of the new powers contained in the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, which recently completed its passage through the Dáil and the Seanad.
The law allows that a person who refuses to comply with an instruction by a garda who is seeking to impose the social distancing rules, is guilty of an offence that can lead to a prison sentence of up to six months.
READ MORE
The new law also allows for the shutting down of gatherings or events, including religious gatherings, and for ordering groups in certain areas to stay in their homes, or other places, if necessary.
A person who refuses to self-isolate after a medical recommendation that they should do so can be convicted of an offence that will have a maximum penalty of three months in prison.
Gardaí may also, working at the request of health or other officials, take a person to a particular place, or break and enter a particular property.
Both the Department of Health and the Department of Justice have been working on the regulations, which may be ready for signing as early as Wednesday, according to sources.
It is expected they will reflect the advice issued by the Government last week, such as that people should not venture more than 2km from their home save in certain circumstances.
After Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced the new, more restrictive public health advice on Friday, An Garda Síochána began stopping people to question them about their movements.
However, there is nothing in law as yet that would allow gardaí prevent a person, for instance, going for a cycle more than 2km from their home.
"The gardaí had no additional powers, so if someone had said, I'm not going to comply with your request, there was little that could have been done," according to Doireann Ansbro, senior research and policy officer with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL).
“It’s a really crazy time from a civil liberties point of view, but the ICCL fully understands that this is a public health emergency and that some people are doing things they shouldn’t do.”
Ms Ansbro said that defining who is engaged in essential services and is, therefore, more free to travel to and from their homes, will be one of the challenges faced by those drafting the regulations.
Existing powers
Last week the legal section of An Garda Síochána issued advice to members about the powers that already exist and that might be of relevance to the pandemic.
One of the laws cited was the 1994 Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, which can be applied where groups of individuals are congregating in a manner that offends social distancing rules, the note said.
A section of the law says that where a person is acting in a manner that creates a reasonable concern for the safety of others, a garda can ask that person to move on, and the person is guilty of an offence when he or she does not comply.
The Act “creates an offence which members ought to consider in the context of the threat to the safety of persons arising from the Covid-19 pandemic”, the note said.
“Members should consider a graduated response to any incidents arising which offend social distancing rules. If a situation arises which is of a more serious or threatening nature, members may wish to consider whether offences have been committed” under other sections of the Act concerning threatening, abusive or disorderly behaviour.
The note referred to reports of people spitting at others in the context of the pandemic, and said this could constitute an offence under the 1997 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, including under sections governing threats to kill or cause serious harm, or the endangerment of others.
“These sections were not introduced with a scenario arising from the purposeful spread of an infectious disease in mind. However, in the absence of any other legislation, members may wish to consider whether an offence under either provision is made out,” the note said.
The President of the Garda Representative Association, Jim Mulligan, has called for a specific Garda policy of always opposing bail in cases where someone is charged with offences connected to the “weaponisation” of Covid-19.
He said there have been several incidents of gardaí being coughed at, spat at, and threatened by people claiming to be infected with the virus.
He said the gardaí would prefer not to be telling people what they can’t do and to be inquiring into their business, but the social distancing rules had to be implemented in the national interest, he said.
“At a time when the whole country is putting their shoulder to the wheel to save lives, it is essential that everyone pushes in the same direction. Anything that undermines this national effort is nothing other than unpatriotic.”
In a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the policing of the social distancing regime, the association will be asking the Department of Justice about the supplying of personal protection equipment, including facemasks, to Garda members.