theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Monday reopening to see public transport operate revised timetable as face coverings advised

Bus , train and tram services will continue to operate a revised timetable from next Monday with extra capacity to be added across public transport as required , the National Transport Agency ( NTA ) has said .
All passengers are advised to wear face coverings when using public transport from next week following Government advice that people use facemasks in crowded indoor locations and when on public transportation as Covid-19 restrictions begin to be lifted .
NTA chief executive Anne Graham urged people to only use public transport if their “ journey is essential ” and to otherwise considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feasible .
“ If public transport is their only option , they should follow public health guidance when travelling , ” Ms Graham said .
The NTA said any anticipated increase in passenger numbers would be “ closely monitored ” and that “ enhanced daily cleaning ” would continue to take place , including the daily sanitising of frequently touched surfaces on board all vehicles and at depots and terminal points across the country .
Almost all buses , trains and trams are now receiving at least one additional cycle of cleaning during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport authority said .
The NTA said it would publish proposals “ shortly ” around the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government ’ s roadmap for reopening society and that any decisions would be guided by the National Public Health Emergency Team and advice from the chief medical officers .
An NTA spokeswoman said on Friday that it was not expecting crowds on public transport from Monday but that it did anticipate a small rise in numbers .
Minister for Transport Shane Ross confirmed this week that additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport services continue despite the drop in fare income .
The deaths of a further 16 people from Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday night as well as an additional 129 cases .
Fears of shopping frenzy at hardware and garden centres The long-awaited easing of the Covid-19 lockdown will begin as scheduled on Monday , after the Government on Friday gave the go-ahead for the first stage in lifting the restrictions that have brought commercial and social life to a halt since March .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ descend on hardware stores and garden centres in large numbers ” once the rules are relaxed , resulting in a rise in rates of infection .
The announcement that the easing of the lockdown would go ahead was accompanied by warnings that it was the first step in a long process , and was contingent on the continued suppression of the disease .
At a press conference in Government Buildings on Friday , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar – flanked by Minister for Health Simon Harris , Minister for Business Heather Humphreys and chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a “ calculated evidence-based risk to ease the lockdown ” .
Mr Varadkar said the Government was now advising the wearing of face coverings on public transport and in crowded indoor locations .
But Dr Holohan warned that “ we can not regard face coverings as some sort of magic shield .
.
.
It ’ s a supplement to the other measures we are recommending.
” He said that the evidence “ isn ’ t very strong ” about their use , stressing that handwashing and social distancing were more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure , it ’ s not a magic bullet for this disease , and that has to be understood.
” The first phase of the reopening of the country will see construction and other outdoor work permitted , some retail outlets such as hardware – but not homeware – shops allowed to open their doors and groups of four people allowed to meet outdoors once they observe social distancing .
Retailers expressed disappointment at the late exclusion of homeware stores but Mr Harris said “ now is not the time to decide I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house ” .
The Taoiseach said he expected to get reports of rules being broken in shops and businesses when the restrictions are eased next week .
There will be an inspection regime , he said , managed in the first instance by a “ warden ” in each workplace and building site who will ensure that social distancing and other measures are in place .
The Health and Safety Authority will have the power to shut down businesses or building sites that are not complying with the rules .
Mr Varadkar admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the easing of the lockdown would prompt people to ignore the need for continued social distancing and other measures to combat the spread of the virus .

NTA said any anticipated increase in passenger numbers would be ‘closely monitored’ and ‘enhanced daily cleaning’ would continue to take place. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
People should continue to avoid visiting friends’ homes and only socialise in outdoor, public locations, the director of the national virus reference laboratory Dr Cillian de Gascun said on Saturday.
From Monday, the State will begin the first stage of lifting the Covid-19 restrictions which have brought commercial and social life to a halt since March.
Under this first phase of re-opening the country, groups of four people may meet outdoors once they observe social distancing, according to Government guidelines.
However, Dr de Gascun urged people not to become complacent about social distancing when meeting friends and warned that gathering in people’s gardens could lead to visitors using bathroom and kitchen facilities.
READ MORE
He also cautioned against using people’s glasses or cutlery when visiting friends.
“It’s just adding additional risk,” Dr De Gascún told RTÉ’s Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadra programme.
“If you’re handing me a beer that’s fine, it can go straight into the bin or you can leave it on the wall… but if you’re giving me utensils or delph from your house, I’m seeding the virus on it.”
People should avoid interactions over 15 minutes and not meet multiple groups of people in one day, he said. He also advised that people restrict their social interactions to a small circle of friends and family in the coming weeks.
Dr de Gascun said it was “likely” there would be an increase in cases following the lifting of restrictions due to people’s movement but that the full impact would not become clear for at least five days.
“It’s going to be week two by the time we see what effect lifting restrictions has had. That’s why we wanted a three week period so we can analyse the first two weeks.”
“The only way we can prevent people dying is by quenching virus activity in the community. So the community really is where everything starts and that’s where we want people to stay at home and minimize their interactions because any increase in cases in the community will have a knock on effect to hospitalisation.”
Prof Gerry Killeen from UCC’s school of biological earth and environmental sciences, who has worked on malaria transmission control and methods to combat the Zika virus, said it was “absolutely” too soon to be lifting restrictions and that they should remain in place until the end of the summer or early autumn.
International data indicates the death rate in Italy and New York is “still the tip of the iceberg of what would happen if we just let this epidemic rip”, he said.
Prof Killeen cautioned that while testing and treatment was a vital part of the response to the virus, it would not hold back the spread of the pandemic.
Public transport
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has said it will continue to operate a revised timetable for bus, train and tram transport services from next Monday with extra capacity to be added across public transport as required.
All passengers are advised to wear face coverings when using public transport from next week following Government advice that people use facemasks in crowded indoor locations and when on public transportation as restrictions are lifted.
Asked why the wearing of masks on public transport had not been made compulsory, Dr de Gascun said certain people may have problems wearing face coverings because of breathing difficulties or allergies while others may need to see people’s mouths for lip reading.
Dr Holohan warned on Friday that “we cannot regard face coverings as some sort of magic shield . . . It’s a supplement to the other measures we are recommending.”
“This is an additional hygiene measure, it’s not a magic bullet for this disease, and that has to be understood.”
NTA chief executive Anne Graham urged people to only use public transport if their “journey is essential” and to otherwise considering cycling or walking to their destination where feasible.
“If public transport is their only option, they should follow public health guidance when travelling,” Ms Graham said.
The NTA said any anticipated increase in passenger numbers would be “closely monitored” and that “enhanced daily cleaning” would continue to take place including the daily sanitising of frequently touched surfaces on board all vehicles and at depots and terminal points across the country.
Almost all buses, trains and trams are now receiving at least one additional cycle of cleaning during the day, a statement from the transport authority said.
The NTA said it would publish proposals “shortly” around the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government’s roadmap for reopening society and that any decisions would be guided by the National Public Health Emergency Team and advice from the chief medical officers.
The deaths of a further 16 people from Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday night as well as an additional 129 cases.
There has been anxiety in Government that people will “descend on hardware stores and garden centres in large numbers” once the rules are relaxed on Monday, resulting in a rise in rates of infection.
At a press conference in Government Buildings on Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar – flanked by Minister for Health Simon Harris, Minister for Business Heather Humphreys and chief medical officer Tony Holohan – said it was a “calculated evidence-based risk to ease the lockdown”.
The first phase of the reopening of the country will see construction and other outdoor work permitted, some retail outlets such as hardware – but not homeware – shops allowed to open their doors. Retailers expressed disappointment at the late exclusion of homeware stores but Mr Harris said “now is not the time to decide I’m going to dicky up the house”.
Dublin City Council has confirmed that from Monday, allotments, car parks associated with outdoor amenities, tennis courts and golf courses at Silloge and Tolka valley will re-open.
The causeway road to the Bull Island Nature Reserve will re-open to vehicles along with a new dedicate cycleway while the number of outdoor staff at work across all service areas will increase. Arrangements are also being made for people returning to work in construction, said the council.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Consultants want extra beds for patient backlog created by Covid-19

Senior doctors have called for an urgent increase in hospital beds to help clear the treatment backlog caused by coronavirus .
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association ( IHCA ) said plans set out two years ago to boost capacity needed to be implemented without further delay .
The 2018 National Development Plan ( NDP ) and Capacity Review proposed an additional 2,600 acute hospital beds and 4,500 community care beds across the health service .
The IHCA said almost 800,000 people were now on some form of National Treatment Purchase Fund ( NTPF ) waiting list - up almost 34,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The representative body said around 570,000 outpatients were waiting to be seen by a consultant - an increase of more than 15,000 on 2019 .
And it said more than 86,000 were waiting on inpatient/day case treatments — a number than has increased by almost 20,000 since the start of the year .
Dr Donal O ’ Hanlon , president of the IHCA , said the impact of the Covid-19 response had seen all non-urgent care postponed .
He said this was only beginning to restart for some health conditions .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now almost 800,000 people waiting for care across our public acute hospitals should prompt greater urgency from Government , the Department of Health and the HSE , ” he said .
“ These numbers will grow further over the coming months as the impact of current delays in providing care to non-Covid patients of private and public hospitals and the cancellation of surgeries during Covid-19 crisis takes effect .
“ The solutions to issues , such as waiting lists , which our health service continues to grapple with , have already been recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These include the 2018 National Development Plan and Capacity Review recommendations to put in place an additional 2,600 acute hospital beds and 4,500 community care beds .
“ Increased acute hospital beds are necessary to not only increase capacity but to facilitate patient isolation and to underpin physical distancing in our public hospitals .
“ Now more than ever , these beds need to be funded and put in place without delay .
Workable solutions , such as these , if prioritised , can save lives and deliver necessary timely care to patients.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive Paul Reid said private hospitals would be used to help clear some of the NTPF lists as part of coronavirus link-up between the public and private healthcare sectors .
Dr O ’ Hanlon also said the Government could no longer “ ignore ” the need to recruit more consultants to fill an rising number of vacated posts .
“ This stood at about 500 before the commencement of the Covid-19 crisis and will have increased further in the interim , ” he said .
“ As we continue to tackle the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service by Covid-19 , we need to urgently implement the recommendations in the 2018 Capacity Review and the NDP which have unfortunately been neglected by the Government over the past two years.
” - PA

The 2018 National Development Plan (NDP) and Capacity Review proposed an additional 2,600 acute hospital beds and 4,500 community care beds across the health service. Photograph: Getty
Senior doctors have called for an urgent increase in hospital beds to help clear the treatment backlog caused by coronavirus.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said plans set out two years ago to boost capacity needed to be implemented without further delay.
The 2018 National Development Plan (NDP) and Capacity Review proposed an additional 2,600 acute hospital beds and 4,500 community care beds across the health service.
The IHCA said almost 800,000 people were now on some form of National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) waiting list - up almost 34,000 on the same time last year.
READ MORE
The representative body said around 570,000 outpatients were waiting to be seen by a consultant - an increase of more than 15,000 on 2019.
And it said more than 86,000 were waiting on inpatient/day case treatments — a number than has increased by almost 20,000 since the start of the year.
Dr Donal O’Hanlon, president of the IHCA, said the impact of the Covid-19 response had seen all non-urgent care postponed. He said this was only beginning to restart for some health conditions.
“The confirmation from the NTPF that there are now almost 800,000 people waiting for care across our public acute hospitals should prompt greater urgency from Government, the Department of Health and the HSE,” he said.
“These numbers will grow further over the coming months as the impact of current delays in providing care to non-Covid patients of private and public hospitals and the cancellation of surgeries during Covid-19 crisis takes effect.
“The solutions to issues, such as waiting lists, which our health service continues to grapple with, have already been recommended but remain to be implemented.
“These include the 2018 National Development Plan and Capacity Review recommendations to put in place an additional 2,600 acute hospital beds and 4,500 community care beds.
“Increased acute hospital beds are necessary to not only increase capacity but to facilitate patient isolation and to underpin physical distancing in our public hospitals.
“Now more than ever, these beds need to be funded and put in place without delay. Workable solutions, such as these, if prioritised, can save lives and deliver necessary timely care to patients.”
Earlier this week, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said private hospitals would be used to help clear some of the NTPF lists as part of coronavirus link-up between the public and private healthcare sectors.
Dr O’Hanlon also said the Government could no longer “ignore” the need to recruit more consultants to fill an rising number of vacated posts.
“This stood at about 500 before the commencement of the Covid-19 crisis and will have increased further in the interim,” he said.
“As we continue to tackle the current challenges brought to our already strained health service by Covid-19, we need to urgently implement the recommendations in the 2018 Capacity Review and the NDP which have unfortunately been neglected by the Government over the past two years.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests to recommence on Monday

Roadworthiness tests for commercial vehicles will start again on Monday , the Government has announced .
The Minister for Transport Shane Ross has confirmed the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing ( CVRT ) network will open in the first phase .
There are 150 such testing centres in the State .
However , there is as yet no announcement as to when either driving tests or the National Car Tests ( NCT ) will recommence .
The CVRT is a roadworthiness test for all commercial vehicles , buses with more than eight passenger seats and ambulances , all over one year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfies basic safety standards on the day the test is carried out , but does not confer a warranty as regards the condition of the vehicle .
All Road Safety Authority ( RSA ) activity in relation to vehicle testing and driving tests was suspended on March 28th as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic .
All vehicles due to be tested in the intervening period were give an automatic three month extension .
Mr Ross said the resumption of CVRT tests “ reflects the importance of testing for the safe provision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road .
The resumption of CVRT testing is subject to robust protocols being put in place by each testing centre that meet public and occupational health requirements in order to protect staff and customers .
“ The Health and Safety Authority has new powers that allow it to close workplaces where there is very poor management of health and safety , but this will only be applied as a final resort ” .
The RSA will be communicating with each of the 150 CVRT centres from Saturday and have said any that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed .
Mr Ross said : “ In April I extended the period of validity of roadworthiness certificates , licences and other certificates that were due expire from 28th March 2020 and couldn ’ t be renewed because of the suspension of many RSA services .
“ While most customers of these services will not need to avail of them in the short term , because of these extensions , I do however want to see the phased reopening of the RSA ’ s services so we can contribute to the process of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr Ross said he has asked officials in his department and in the RSA to produce a road map for the phased resumption of other services including the National Driver Licence Service ( NDLS ) , Driver Theory Test ( DTT ) , National Car Test ( NCT ) and the Driving Test .

The CVRT is a roadworthiness test for all commercial vehicles, buses with more than eight passenger seats and ambulances, all over one year old.
Roadworthiness tests for commercial vehicles will start again on Monday, the Government has announced.
The Minister for Transport Shane Ross has confirmed the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) network will open in the first phase. There are 150 such testing centres in the State.
However, there is as yet no announcement as to when either driving tests or the National Car Tests (NCT) will recommence.
The CVRT is a roadworthiness test for all commercial vehicles, buses with more than eight passenger seats and ambulances, all over one year old.
READ MORE
It confirms that a vehicle satisfies basic safety standards on the day the test is carried out, but does not confer a warranty as regards the condition of the vehicle.
All Road Safety Authority (RSA) activity in relation to vehicle testing and driving tests was suspended on March 28th as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
All vehicles due to be tested in the intervening period were give an automatic three month extension.
Mr Ross said the resumption of CVRT tests “reflects the importance of testing for the safe provision of the transport of goods and people by road. The resumption of CVRT testing is subject to robust protocols being put in place by each testing centre that meet public and occupational health requirements in order to protect staff and customers.
“The Health and Safety Authority has new powers that allow it to close workplaces where there is very poor management of health and safety, but this will only be applied as a final resort”.
The RSA will be communicating with each of the 150 CVRT centres from Saturday and have said any that cannot comply with new restrictions should remain closed.
Mr Ross said: “In April I extended the period of validity of roadworthiness certificates, licences and other certificates that were due expire from 28th March 2020 and couldn’t be renewed because of the suspension of many RSA services.
“While most customers of these services will not need to avail of them in the short term, because of these extensions, I do however want to see the phased reopening of the RSA’s services so we can contribute to the process of reopening Ireland’s economy and society.”
Mr Ross said he has asked officials in his department and in the RSA to produce a road map for the phased resumption of other services including the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), Driver Theory Test (DTT), National Car Test (NCT) and the Driving Test.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Department of Education focused on September reopening of schools, says Holohan

The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said the Department of Education is focused on a September return for schools and he does “ not anticipate ” they will open before that date .
Dr Holohan said he was aware of the situation in Denmark where primary schools have been open for a month and the reproduction rate of the Covid-19 virus continues to decline and “ it will help us in our understanding of the disease ” .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has also been looking at the experiences of other countries where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include France , the Netherlands , Belgium and Germany where pupils returned to the classrooms this week .
Dr Holohan said other countries were at different stages of the disease to Ireland .
“ We are aware that many countries in mainland Europe have their experience of this infection commencing earlier , ” he said .
“ You can ’ t compare the timetable between different countries .
Infectious diseases are spread in waves across geographic regions .
We have to respond to when we have the infection .
“ We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions at a point where we think we have the infection controlled to the stage that we now do .
Different countries have arrived at that stage at different times , ” he said .
“ If you look at countries like Spain , they had a much bigger challenge that we did .
Measures that are similar will happen at different stages in different countries and appropriately so.
” Parents ’ representatives have called for primary schools to be reopened as soon as possible in line with public health advice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hoped public health advice would be kept under constant review over the coming weeks .
“ Our view is that schools should return as soon as possible for certain cohorts , such as children in transition , in line with public health advice , ” said Áine Lynch , the council ’ s chief executive .
“ If it is possible for those cohorts to return for a limited period of time in June , that would be great , but only following the advice.
” There have been growing calls this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for schools to reopen earlier than planned .
They were prompted in part by the reopening of schools across a number of European countries this week and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ’ s comments that resuming school was “ among the safest things ” the State could do over the coming months .
However , speaking at the press conference in Government Buildings on Friday announcing the beginning of the lifting of restrictions , Mr Varadkar said there were no plans to bring schools back before September .
Ms Lynch said the council was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported reopening schools earlier or were worried about the prospect of doing so .
“ There is a cohort who are very anxious about it .
.
.
we ’ re also hearing from many who are worried about their children ’ s social and emotional wellbeing .
Even with the same parents , some feel are feeling both of these things , ” she said .
There are 128 reported cases of Covid-19 in newborns to four years old in the State , 266 cases among five- to 14-year-olds and 1,688 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr Holohan said next week NPHET will look at how children can be helped through the pandemic .
The team is aware that “ the burden on them has been particularly challenging and difficult ” , he explained .
At the Cabinet meeting on Friday confirming that some restrictions will be lifted , the Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath raised the issue of school reopenings and asked that those playing golf - allowed during phase one - be allowed travel further than the current 5km limit do to so @

Pupils attend a class at Basisschool De Valke in Lichtervelde in Belgium on Friday as schools test the reopening and start again for a limited number of grades on Monday. Photograph: Kurt Desplenter/Belga/AFP
The chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said the Department of Education is focused on a September return for schools and he does "not anticipate" they will open before that date.
Dr Holohan said he was aware of the situation in Denmark where primary schools have been open for a month and the reproduction rate of the Covid-19 virus continues to decline and "it will help us in our understanding of the disease".
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has also been looking at the experiences of other countries where schools have started to reopen.
These include France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany where pupils returned to the classrooms this week.
READ MORE
Dr Holohan said other countries were at different stages of the disease to Ireland.
"We are aware that many countries in mainland Europe have their experience of this infection commencing earlier," he said.
“You can’t compare the timetable between different countries. Infectious diseases are spread in waves across geographic regions. We have to respond to when we have the infection.
“We have to respond in terms of the easing of restrictions at a point where we think we have the infection controlled to the stage that we now do. Different countries have arrived at that stage at different times,” he said.
"If you look at countries like Spain, they had a much bigger challenge that we did. Measures that are similar will happen at different stages in different countries and appropriately so."
Parents' representatives have called for primary schools to be reopened as soon as possible in line with public health advice.
The National Parents’ Council - Primary said it hoped public health advice would be kept under constant review over the coming weeks.
“Our view is that schools should return as soon as possible for certain cohorts, such as children in transition, in line with public health advice,” said Áine Lynch, the council’s chief executive.
“If it is possible for those cohorts to return for a limited period of time in June, that would be great, but only following the advice.”
There have been growing calls this week among parent groups on social media for schools to reopen earlier than planned.
They were prompted in part by the reopening of schools across a number of European countries this week and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s comments that resuming school was “among the safest things” the State could do over the coming months. However, speaking at the press conference in Government Buildings on Friday announcing the beginning of the lifting of restrictions, Mr Varadkar said there were no plans to bring schools back before September.
Ms Lynch said the council was receiving many calls from parents who either supported reopening schools earlier or were worried about the prospect of doing so.
“There is a cohort who are very anxious about it . . . we’re also hearing from many who are worried about their children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Even with the same parents, some feel are feeling both of these things,” she said.
There are 128 reported cases of Covid-19 in newborns to four years old in the State, 266 cases among five- to 14-year-olds and 1,688 cases in those aged between 15 and 24.
Dr Holohan said next week NPHET will look at how children can be helped through the pandemic.
The team is aware that “the burden on them has been particularly challenging and difficult”, he explained.
At the Cabinet meeting on Friday confirming that some restrictions will be lifted, the Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath raised the issue of school reopenings and asked that those playing golf - allowed during phase one - be allowed travel further than the current 5km limit do to so.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--UCD student gives famous painting Covid-19 twist to raise funds for charity

A first year student nurse is raising money for charity by reimagining some of the world ’ s most popular @ @ @ @ @ .
Chloe Slevin spent more than five hours painting Girl With A Surgical Mask while @ @ @ @ @ .
The painting is a nod to Johannes Vermeer ’ s Girl With A Pearl @ @ @ @ @ from around 1665 .
The UCD student is auctioning the painting and giving all the @ @ @ @ @ Heroes charity , a campaign that delivers food to hospital and emergency workers .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ ’ s and general nurse , is currently working on a Covid-19 ward at St @ @ @ @ @ Dublin as a healthcare assistant .
“ I made this when I was bored in @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people are , and I wanted to incorporate what is going on @ @ @ @ @ she said.–PA

Chloe Slevin with her painting Girl With A Surgical Mask which she is hoping to auction in aid of the Feed the Heroes charity. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A first year student nurse is raising money for charity by reimagining some of the world’s most popular paintings with a Covid-19 twist.
Chloe Slevin spent more than five hours painting Girl With A Surgical Mask while self-isolating at her Dublin home.
The painting is a nod to Johannes Vermeer’s Girl With A Pearl Earring, believed to date from around 1665.
The UCD student is auctioning the painting and giving all the funds to the Feed the Heroes charity, a campaign that delivers food to hospital and emergency workers.
READ MORE
Ms Slevin, a trainee children’s and general nurse, is currently working on a Covid-19 ward at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin as a healthcare assistant.
“I made this when I was bored in quarantine, like I think a lot of people are, and I wanted to incorporate what is going on at the moment,” she said.–PA


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--‘I’ll never forget the pain,’ says Christy Dignam of father’s Covid-19 death

Aslan ’ s lead singer Christy Dignam has said he will “ never forget the pain ” of his father ’ s death from Covid-19 .
Speaking on the Late Late Show on Friday night , the musician remembered his father Christopher Dignam snr as his “ awakening in music ” .
The singer said he felt a lack of closure in his father ’ s death because the family were unable to have a wake .
“ When I got the phone call that he passed away the first thing that came into my head was ‘ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I really understood about Irish funerals then .
The reason we have the wake is to give you some kind of closure .
And we didn ’ t have that , ” he said .
Mr Dignam snr had eight children , 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren .
“ It ’ s a huge family , but only 9 people were allowed at the funeral , ” Mr Dignam said .
Mr Dignam snr had suffered from dementia and was being cared for in a nursing home at the time of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed away , I got on the phone to him and he said , ‘ Why are you not coming to visit me ?
Nobody is coming up to see me ’ .
I tried to explain to him but he couldn ’ t grasp the concept .
That was really heartbreaking , ” the singer told host Ryan Tubridy .
Mr Dignam described the “ huge comfort ” of being able to stand outside the window of the nursing home before his father died to say goodbye .
“ He came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That moment was amazing .
The nurse told us that about two hours later he lay down and that was it .
It was like he said goodbye to us then.
” Earlier in the show , Mr Tubridy spoke with Kodaline band member Jason Boland whose uncle Matthew Seligman died from Covid-19 last month .
Mr Seligman was a bass guitarist who appeared on stage with David Bowie at the Live Aid concert in 1985 .
Mr Boland , also a bass guitarist , said his uncle had a “ really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a musician and that his first guitar was given to him by Mr Seligman .
Mr Seligman died aged 64 after spending two weeks on a ventilator at St George ’ s hospital in London .
His nephew was proud of him for his “ great career and great life ” , adding that he would be “ remembered by a lot of people ” including those friends of his whom Mr Boland got to meet over a “ lovely Zoom memorial ” for his uncle .

Christy Dignam: ‘The reason we have the wake is to give you some kind of closure. And we didn’t have that’. File photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Aslan's lead singer Christy Dignam has said he will "never forget the pain" of his father's death from Covid-19.
Speaking on the Late Late Show on Friday night, the musician remembered his father Christopher Dignam snr as his “awakening in music”. The singer said he felt a lack of closure in his father’s death because the family were unable to have a wake.
“When I got the phone call that he passed away the first thing that came into my head was ‘I’ll never see his face again’. I really understood about Irish funerals then. The reason we have the wake is to give you some kind of closure. And we didn’t have that,” he said.
Mr Dignam snr had eight children, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. “It’s a huge family, but only 9 people were allowed at the funeral,” Mr Dignam said.
READ MORE
Mr Dignam snr had suffered from dementia and was being cared for in a nursing home at the time of his death. "A week before he passed away, I got on the phone to him and he said, 'Why are you not coming to visit me? Nobody is coming up to see me'. I tried to explain to him but he couldn't grasp the concept. That was really heartbreaking," the singer told host Ryan Tubridy.
Mr Dignam described the “huge comfort” of being able to stand outside the window of the nursing home before his father died to say goodbye. “He came up to the window and waved to us. That moment was amazing. The nurse told us that about two hours later he lay down and that was it. It was like he said goodbye to us then.”
Earlier in the show, Mr Tubridy spoke with Kodaline band member Jason Boland whose uncle Matthew Seligman died from Covid-19 last month. Mr Seligman was a bass guitarist who appeared on stage with David Bowie at the Live Aid concert in 1985. Mr Boland, also a bass guitarist, said his uncle had a "really huge impact" on his life as a musician and that his first guitar was given to him by Mr Seligman.
Mr Seligman died aged 64 after spending two weeks on a ventilator at St George’s hospital in London. His nephew was proud of him for his “great career and great life”, adding that he would be “remembered by a lot of people” including those friends of his whom Mr Boland got to meet over a “lovely Zoom memorial” for his uncle.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--What is this moth with beautiful markings? Readers’ nature queries

I found this moth on our patio door .
It ’ s got beautiful markings .
– Frank Kennedy , Aughrim , Co Galway It ’ s the male emperor moth , which can detect a female up to 2km away .
There have been several reports of sightings .
This visiting pine marten actually put its nose to the window pane while I was having breakfast .
It wandered around and then disappeared up the field .
– Martin Nestor , Barefield , Co Clare I saw this butterfly in Leopardstown and I ’ ve never seen one like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stillorgan , Co Dublin It ’ s the male orange tip butterfly .
The female doesn ’ t have orange tips .
We found these little fellows on the window outside the house .
They looked like bits of yellow flowers but they spread out and there were hundreds of little yellow spiders .
– Catherine Mooney , Aughinish , Co Galway They are the offspring of the common garden spider , Araneus diadematus .
They ’ ll get eaten by birds .
I saw this beautiful large moth early in the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so handsome with tan-coloured feelers .
– Penelope Dickson , Kimmage , Dublin 6W It was the lime hawkmoth .
The base colour can vary from buff to green or orange brown .
Eoghan Daly from Clontarf also sent a photograph of the lime moth .
We were surprised to see this unusual daisy on our local green .
– Holly and Sam Burns , Co Wicklow My mother found this multi-headed rose bud in her garden recently .
– Deirdre Hannon , Thomastown , Co Wicklow These are what ’ s known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen for many different reasons : genetic change , bacterial or viral infection , damage to the plant ’ s growing point and several others .
The results are sometimes prized and encouraged by plant growers .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Include a postal address please .

I found this moth on our patio door. It's got beautiful markings. – Frank Kennedy, Aughrim, Co Galway
It's the male emperor moth, which can detect a female up to 2km away. There have been several reports of sightings.
Pine martin on the patio
This visiting pine marten actually put its nose to the window pane while I was having breakfast. It wandered around and then disappeared up the field. – Martin Nestor, Barefield, Co Clare
Male orange tip butterfly
I saw this butterfly in Leopardstown and I've never seen one like it before. – Peter Sheehan, Stillorgan, Co Dublin
It's the male orange tip butterfly. The female doesn't have orange tips.
Offspring of the common garden spider
We found these little fellows on the window outside the house. They looked like bits of yellow flowers but they spread out and there were hundreds of little yellow spiders. – Catherine Mooney, Aughinish, Co Galway
They are the offspring of the common garden spider, Araneus diadematus. They'll get eaten by birds.
READ MORE
Lime hawkmoth
I saw this beautiful large moth early in the morning on a lamp post. It was so handsome with tan-coloured feelers. – Penelope Dickson, Kimmage, Dublin 6W
It was the lime hawkmoth. The base colour can vary from buff to green or orange brown. Eoghan Daly from Clontarf also sent a photograph of the lime moth.
Unusual daisy in Co Wicklow
We were surprised to see this unusual daisy on our local green. – Holly and Sam Burns, Co Wicklow
My mother found this multi-headed rose bud in her garden recently. – Deirdre Hannon, Thomastown, Co Wicklow
These are what's known as fasciation, a condition that can happen for many different reasons: genetic change, bacterial or viral infection, damage to the plant's growing point and several others. The results are sometimes prized and encouraged by plant growers.
[ viney@anu.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Lonely lapwings and the secret world of non-breeders

Early to my desk , I found the hillside seriously somnolent : the ewes still pillowed , their lambs close and dozing .
The ocean gleamed with zig-zags of calm and the strand was as bare as the whole bank holiday Monday .
But then , at the far ditch , a bird rose sharply into the air .
Dark and floppy-winged , it flung itself aloft , climbing and circling house-high above the pasture , abruptly tumbling and plunging , then rising again – and again .
Even without its distant , creaky cries , the flashes of white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in territorial display , new and exciting to me as I watched across the hedge .
Wheatears and pipits in that rough meadow , yes , but breeding lapwings were new .
Soon , however , in an odd lurch of hops from one fencepost to the next , the bird vanished and did not reappear .
His solitary display , bereft of any female lapwing , had left him to wander on .
Ireland ’ s lapwing , like the curlew and other ground-nesting waders , seem doomed to a dismal decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halved and at the Shannon callows , once a stronghold , numbers are down by more than 80 per cent .
BirdWatch Ireland , with Government support , is seeking help from citizen scientists in a national survey of breeding pairs : follow Project Lapwing on Twitter or at Biodiversity Ireland .
Meanwhile , my lonely lapwing set me thinking of all the birds in springtime that never find a mate .
“ Floaters ” as ornithologists call them , have a largely unknown life .
But now , from eagles to sparrows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is under growing study .
Floaters themselves are scarcely new – Darwin was aware of non-breeding birds .
And one of Ireland ’ s finest field naturalists , Charles Moffat , was the first to hint at their significance .
In a paper in the Irish Naturalist in 1903 , on the spring rivalry of birds , Moffat offered “ some views on the limit to multiplication ” .
They challenged the widespread idea that , for bird population to remain stable , up to 90 per cent of new young birds must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he argued , “ results in such a parcelling out of land as must limit the number of breeding pairs to a fairly constant figure and prevent indefinite increase .
.
.
at the same time condemning the less powerful individuals to unproductiveness rather than death.
” In what ’ s sometimes known as “ Moffat ’ s Equilibrium ” , non-breeders are available to fill nesting vacancies , a buffer that can protect populations from decline or extinction .
Some floaters may hang around on the fringe of breeding territories , living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the odd “ extra-pair copulation ” as they wait for a vacant territory .
In birds such as crows , swans and waders , non-breeders occur separately in flocks , sometimes of nearly half the population .
Some may also act as “ helpers ” to active families .
In Greenland , with ornithologist David Cabot , I watched as pairs of barnacle geese , marshalling their chicks against marauding Arctic foxes , were joined by non-breeding geese in a fierce , deterrent beating of wings .
With May so much the month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Scholar as to the occurrence of male floaters : how many of them go on carolling in vain ?
But any such research eluded me .
Spare females , I learned , do exist and may be hunted out of the territories of breeding cuckoo pairs .
To describe them as pairs seems ill-fitting , given the notorious lifestyle in which the female lays her eggs in the nests of unwitting songbirds ( in Ireland , mainly the meadow pipit ) .
Indeed , the female is rarely seen , keeping well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorties , but also hunting the hairy caterpillars that most other birds reject .
Her sex life can be arduous , given the frequent , pressing attention of the male , which can sometimes yield up to 25 eggs in a season .
Females have been seen with two or more pursuers .
Such sexual harassment has even been linked to the colour of their plumage .
Most cuckoos of both sexes resemble some sort of hawk , with greyish back , barred underparts , long tail and direct , dashing flight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like their young .
Experiments with decoy females have found that males “ attempted to copulate more frequently and excessively with the grey morph ” , suggesting evolution of the brownies as a female-only force for selection .
As I write , early in May , no cuckoo has arrived on this side of the hill .
The Burren and Connemara usually have the greatest density of pairs , but the species is rapidly declining in both islands .
In the UK , the British Trust for Ornithology tracks the migration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the forests of the Congo .
It has a webpage that maps their routes , and on last inspection four of the birds had arrived in England in April .
In Ireland , records in the whole island are collected by Dr Damien McFerran at the Ulster Museum ( habitas.org.uk/records/submit-cuckoo-record ) .
Do be sure it wasn ’ t a collared dove .

Cuckoo at other bird’s nest: Most cuckoos of both sexes resemble some sort of hawk. Illustration: Michael Viney
Early to my desk, I found the hillside seriously somnolent: the ewes still pillowed, their lambs close and dozing. The ocean gleamed with zig-zags of calm and the strand was as bare as the whole bank holiday Monday.
But then, at the far ditch, a bird rose sharply into the air. Dark and floppy-winged, it flung itself aloft, climbing and circling house-high above the pasture, abruptly tumbling and plunging, then rising again – and again.
Even without its distant, creaky cries, the flashes of white beneath the wings declared a cock lapwing in territorial display, new and exciting to me as I watched across the hedge. Wheatears and pipits in that rough meadow, yes, but breeding lapwings were new.
Soon, however, in an odd lurch of hops from one fencepost to the next, the bird vanished and did not reappear. His solitary display, bereft of any female lapwing, had left him to wander on.
READ MORE
Ireland’s lapwing, like the curlew and other ground-nesting waders, seem doomed to a dismal decline. Their breeding range in Ireland has halved and at the Shannon callows, once a stronghold, numbers are down by more than 80 per cent.
BirdWatch Ireland, with Government support, is seeking help from citizen scientists in a national survey of breeding pairs: follow Project Lapwing on Twitter or at Biodiversity Ireland.
Meanwhile, my lonely lapwing set me thinking of all the birds in springtime that never find a mate. “Floaters” as ornithologists call them, have a largely unknown life. But now, from eagles to sparrows, their role in conserving bird populations is under growing study.
‘Limit to multiplication’
Floaters themselves are scarcely new – Darwin was aware of non-breeding birds. And one of Ireland's finest field naturalists, Charles Moffat, was the first to hint at their significance. In a paper in the Irish Naturalist in 1903, on the spring rivalry of birds, Moffat offered "some views on the limit to multiplication". They challenged the widespread idea that, for bird population to remain stable, up to 90 per cent of new young birds must die.
Spring rivalry for territory, he argued, “results in such a parcelling out of land as must limit the number of breeding pairs to a fairly constant figure and prevent indefinite increase. . . at the same time condemning the less powerful individuals to unproductiveness rather than death.”
In what’s sometimes known as “Moffat’s Equilibrium”, non-breeders are available to fill nesting vacancies, a buffer that can protect populations from decline or extinction.
Some floaters may hang around on the fringe of breeding territories, living secretive, unstudied lives or perhaps sneaking the odd “extra-pair copulation” as they wait for a vacant territory.
In birds such as crows, swans and waders, non-breeders occur separately in flocks, sometimes of nearly half the population. Some may also act as "helpers" to active families. In Greenland, with ornithologist David Cabot, I watched as pairs of barnacle geese, marshalling their chicks against marauding Arctic foxes, were joined by non-breeding geese in a fierce, deterrent beating of wings.
With May so much the month of the cuckoo, I inquired of Google Scholar as to the occurrence of male floaters: how many of them go on carolling in vain? But any such research eluded me. Spare females, I learned, do exist and may be hunted out of the territories of breeding cuckoo pairs.
Notorious lifestyle
To describe them as pairs seems ill-fitting, given the notorious lifestyle in which the female lays her eggs in the nests of unwitting songbirds (in Ireland, mainly the meadow pipit).
Indeed, the female is rarely seen, keeping well under cover between her swift and parasitic sorties, but also hunting the hairy caterpillars that most other birds reject. Her sex life can be arduous, given the frequent, pressing attention of the male, which can sometimes yield up to 25 eggs in a season. Females have been seen with two or more pursuers.
Such sexual harassment has even been linked to the colour of their plumage. Most cuckoos of both sexes resemble some sort of hawk, with greyish back, barred underparts, long tail and direct, dashing flight. But some females are quite rufously brown, like their young.
Experiments with decoy females have found that males “attempted to copulate more frequently and excessively with the grey morph”, suggesting evolution of the brownies as a female-only force for selection.
As I write, early in May, no cuckoo has arrived on this side of the hill. The Burren and Connemara usually have the greatest density of pairs, but the species is rapidly declining in both islands.
In the UK, the British Trust for Ornithology tracks the migration of five satellite-tagged cuckoos on their spring return from the forests of the Congo. It has a webpage that maps their routes, and on last inspection four of the birds had arrived in England in April.
In Ireland, records in the whole island are collected by Dr Damien McFerran at the Ulster Museum (habitas.org.uk/records/submit-cuckoo-record). Do be sure it wasn't a collared dove.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Irish children checked for rare illness potentially linked to Covid-19

Seven children in the State have been investigated for a “ very rare ” Kawasaki-like syndrome potentially linked to Covid-19 , Dr Tony Holohan has said .
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome ( Pims ) linked to Covid-19 , with two deaths reported .
Pims shares similar disease characteristics to Kawasaki syndrome .
The chief medical officer said there were seven children who had exhibited similar symptoms in the State , and the HSE will be raising awareness of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were over a period of time and to call them suspect would be “ stretching things ” , they were rather instances where medics considered it as a possible diagnosis .
Dr Holohan said it was a “ very rare ” condition , with an incidence rate of about 15 for every 100,000 children .
He said said his advice was directed principally at clinicians , not parents .
“ This is about considering when other conditions that might explain these symptoms have been ruled out to consider this possibility .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this could be , in an unusual set of circumstances with a sick child , a possible explanation.
” He stressed that the condition is “ rare , unusual and there is no certainty at this point in time that there is direct link with Covid-19 ” .
Dr Holohan raised the issue at a briefing by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Friday night which confirmed the deaths of a further 16 people from Covid-19 in the State , bringing the total to 1,518 .
The total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the announcement of another 129 cases .
There have been a further five deaths of patients with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland .
HSE national clinical advisor Dr Siobhán Kennelly said parents should look out for something that is “ atypical and unexplained ” .
She said Kawasaki syndrome is part of the range of diagnostic possibilities being examined in the seven children under observation at present .
She listed the symptoms as being a high temperature and being off-colour , and the illness can be treated with anti-inflammatories .
Dr Holohan told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 in newborns to four years old in the State , 266 cases among five- to 14-year-olds and 1,688 cases in those aged between 15 and 24 .
Dr Holohan said the NPHET will next week look at ways of helping children because “ the burden on them has been particularly challenging and difficult ” .
However , he envisaged that schools will not return before the start of the new school year in September .
At the Cabinet meeting , Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath raised the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf – allowed during phase one – be allowed travel further than the current 5km limit do to so .
Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan argued for museums and galleries to reopen earlier than the original July 20th date – phase four of the Government ’ s roadmap .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to have indicated this may be possible , if requirements such as social distancing could be met .
Ms Madigan also asked for hairdressers to open earlier than July 20th .

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome linked to Covid-19. Photograph: iStock
Seven children in the State have been investigated for a "very rare" Kawasaki-like syndrome potentially linked to Covid-19, Dr Tony Holohan has said.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (Pims) linked to Covid-19, with two deaths reported. Pims shares similar disease characteristics to Kawasaki syndrome.
The chief medical officer said there were seven children who had exhibited similar symptoms in the State, and the HSE will be raising awareness of it in the community.
He said the cases were over a period of time and to call them suspect would be “stretching things”, they were rather instances where medics considered it as a possible diagnosis.
READ MORE
Dr Holohan said it was a “very rare” condition, with an incidence rate of about 15 for every 100,000 children. He said said his advice was directed principally at clinicians, not parents.
“This is about considering when other conditions that might explain these symptoms have been ruled out to consider this possibility.
“We want clinicians to be more suspicious that this could be, in an unusual set of circumstances with a sick child, a possible explanation.”
He stressed that the condition is “rare, unusual and there is no certainty at this point in time that there is direct link with Covid-19”.
Dr Holohan raised the issue at a briefing by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Friday night which confirmed the deaths of a further 16 people from Covid-19 in the State, bringing the total to 1,518.
The total number of confirmed cases is 23,956 following the announcement of another 129 cases.
There have been a further five deaths of patients with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.
HSE national clinical advisor Dr Siobhán Kennelly said parents should look out for something that is “atypical and unexplained”.
She said Kawasaki syndrome is part of the range of diagnostic possibilities being examined in the seven children under observation at present. She listed the symptoms as being a high temperature and being off-colour, and the illness can be treated with anti-inflammatories.
Newborns
Dr Holohan told the briefing there are 128 reported cases of Covid-19 in newborns to four years old in the State, 266 cases among five- to 14-year-olds and 1,688 cases in those aged between 15 and 24.
Dr Holohan said the NPHET will next week look at ways of helping children because “the burden on them has been particularly challenging and difficult”.
However, he envisaged that schools will not return before the start of the new school year in September.
At the Cabinet meeting, Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath raised the issue of school reopenings and asked that those playing golf – allowed during phase one – be allowed travel further than the current 5km limit do to so.
Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan argued for museums and galleries to reopen earlier than the original July 20th date – phase four of the Government’s roadmap.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is said to have indicated this may be possible, if requirements such as social distancing could be met. Ms Madigan also asked for hairdressers to open earlier than July 20th.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Ceremony remembers 88 gardaí killed in line of duty

A ceremony commemorating members of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty took place in Dublin on Saturday afternoon .
Eighty-eight members of the force who lost their lives were remembered at the ceremony at Dublin Castle .
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris were in attendance .
Speaking at the event , Mr Flanagan said : “ From Garda ( Henry ) Phelan in 1922 right through to our most recent tragic loss almost five years ago of another young man Garda Tony Golden , shot while protecting a victim of domestic abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of these men and that ’ s the courage and heroism they show , the memory and legacy they leave behind.
” Garda Phelan was the first and one of the youngest gardaí to be killed in the service of the State , when he was shot dead at the age of 21 in Tipperary in 1922 , he said .
“ These eighty-eight men died in the service of the State and in the service of the people of Ireland .
That ’ s a debt we can never fully repay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
Commissioner Harris described policing as a “ calling ” , saying police are “ drawn to help others , to protect those who can not protect themselves , to keep our community safe and to bring to justice those who would seek to harm others .
That is what our 88 fallen gardaí exemplify.
” “ While today is a special day for remembering them , they are never far from our minds on any day , ” he said .
The ceremony was not open to members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was instead live-streamed on Facebook .
More than 28,000 people watched the live-stream .

The ceremony took place at Dublin Castle and was live-streamed on Facebook.
A ceremony commemorating members of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty took place in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
Eighty-eight members of the force who lost their lives were remembered at the ceremony at Dublin Castle. Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris were in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Mr Flanagan said: "From Garda (Henry) Phelan in 1922 right through to our most recent tragic loss almost five years ago of another young man Garda Tony Golden, shot while protecting a victim of domestic abuse - there is a thread that connects all of these men and that's the courage and heroism they show, the memory and legacy they leave behind."
Garda Phelan was the first and one of the youngest gardaí to be killed in the service of the State, when he was shot dead at the age of 21 in Tipperary in 1922, he said.
READ MORE
"These eighty-eight men died in the service of the State and in the service of the people of Ireland. That's a debt we can never fully repay but one we must always remember," he added.
Commissioner Harris described policing as a “calling”, saying police are “drawn to help others, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to keep our community safe and to bring to justice those who would seek to harm others. That is what our 88 fallen gardaí exemplify.”
“While today is a special day for remembering them, they are never far from our minds on any day,” he said.
The ceremony was not open to members of the public due to social distancing concerns but was instead live-streamed on Facebook. More than 28,000 people watched the live-stream.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Former Fianna Fáil minister Gerard Brady dies at the age of 82

Former Fianna Fáil minister Gerard Brady has died at the age of 82 .
Brady , who was first elected to the Dáil in 1977 , died at home in Donnybrook , Dublin , on Saturday .
He was appointed minister for education under taoiseach Charles Haughey in 1982 .
He also served as minister of state in the department of the environment .
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin paid tribute to Mr Brady following his death , describing him as a “ dedicated public servant and a true gentleman ” who had had “ a long and distinguished career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put environmental issues to the fore .
He was ahead of his time in this regard , ” Mr Martin said .
“ As an optician by trade he would dedicate a month of his year travelling to Africa for humanitarian work .
Over his lifetime he gave over many months volunteering in Sierra Leone , Uganda , and many other African countries using his skills as an optician to help those less fortunate.
” Mr Brady is survived by his wife Antoinette and his children Natalie , Cormac , Kieran , and @ @

Former Fianna Fáil minister Gerard Brady has died at the age of 82.
First elected to the Dáil in 1977, he died at home in Donnybrook, Dublin, on Saturday.
He was appointed minister for education under taoiseach Charles Haughey in 1982. He also served as minister of state in the department of the environment.
President Michael D Higgins said he learned of his death with great sadness. “Those who served with him as a TD, member of committees, Minister of State or Minister, will remember Gerard Brady as one of the most courteous members ever to serve in the Dáil.
READ MORE
"Having served with him in Dáil Éireann, I recall his interest in the environment, arts, culture, particularly poetry, and global issues of poverty and deprivation in Africa, to which he dedicated his professional skills year after year.
“He will be missed by the people of Dublin South-East that he served, by his colleagues in politics, a wide circle of friends, but of course above all by his family, his wife Antoinette and his children Natalie, Cormac, Kieran and Brian, and his extended family to whom Sabina and I offer our deepest condolences,” he said.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described him as a “dedicated public servant and a true gentleman” who had had “a long and distinguished career in national politics”.
“Gerard put environmental issues to the fore. He was ahead of his time in this regard,” Mr Martin said.
"As an optician by trade he would dedicate a month of his year travelling to Africa for humanitarian work. Over his lifetime he gave over many months volunteering in Sierra Leone, Uganda, and many other African countries using his skills as an optician to help those less fortunate."
He is survived by his wife Antoinette and his children Natalie, Cormac, Kieran, and Brian.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Minister warns of action if businesses reopen illegally

Updated regulations which will list those business that can and can not reopen from Monday will be signed over the weekend , Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Saturday .
The Minister said the regulations meant it would be illegal for businesses to open unless they have permission to do so .
“ We do have a list of who can and who can ’ t open .
People have been really compliant , but technically there will be legal mechanism if businesses open when they should be closed , ” he said on Saturday .
Hardware shops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repair shops are among the premises reopening from Monday in the first phase of easing restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Mr Harris acknowledged that there will be always be “ grey areas ” in some locations , such as hardware shops that sell homeware even though homeware stores are not among the outlets allowed reopen .
He advised shop owners not to open up unless they are able to comply with new regulations .
“ It is worth taking your time to make sure your business is ready .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is worth taking those days , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t want a situation where businesses open and then have to close because they don ’ t comply with public health guidance.
” He said it was important that people “ do not get ahead of the plan .
If we get into that mindset , we will end up in a very dangerous place.
” He advised the public , in phase one , to keep to meeting people who are not from their households outdoors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is our biggest national test so far as we have to find a way to live with this virus .
There is no vaccine , there is no effective treatment .
It has not gone away , ” he said .
“ If we get this right , it means that every three weeks we can do a little bit more .
If we get it wrong , our plans will stall and perhaps reverse .
Crucially , [ if this happens ] it means that many people will die or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our public health behaviour now becomes more important than ever.
” Mr Harris said face coverings when out in public were advisory , not mandatory , and there should be no stigma for those who do not choose to wear one .
Children under the age of 13 do not have to wear them and neither will people with allergies and asthma .
“ It is not mandatory .
It is guidance as an extra hygiene measure , ” he explained .
Mr Harris said he was encouraged with the way that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going down .
The number of those in hospital from the virus dropped overnight from 419 to 390 , and the numbers in ICU have dropped from 71 to 56 in the last week .
He also said that the public should not be alarmed about instances of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome ( Pims ) or Kawasaki syndrome in children .
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new Pims linked to Covid-19 , with two deaths reported .
Pims shares similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected cases have been recorded in Ireland .
The disease is thought to be linked to Covid-19 , but more research is being done on it .
Mr Harris said there is now a “ watching brief ” in Ireland on the disease for monitoring purposes .
In a later interview on Spin 1038 , Mr Harris said he expected some weddings to start to take place during the summer and larger weddings after that date .
“ At the moment I can ’ t give you the certainty about how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , but we are going to do a bit of work on this , ” he said .
“ We need to work out how we can live alongside the virus .
”

Minister for Health Simon Harris during a media briefing on coronavirus, in Government Buildings, Dublin, on Friday. File photograph: Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
Updated regulations which will list those business that can and cannot reopen from Monday will be signed over the weekend, Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Saturday.
The Minister said the regulations meant it would be illegal for businesses to open unless they have permission to do so.
“We do have a list of who can and who can’t open. People have been really compliant, but technically there will be legal mechanism if businesses open when they should be closed,” he said on Saturday.
Saturday evening update #Covid19 - keep well everyone https://t.co/KjOqershBH — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 16, 2020
Hardware shops, garden centres, garage forecourts and bicycle repair shops are among the premises reopening from Monday in the first phase of easing restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE
Mr Harris acknowledged that there will be always be “grey areas” in some locations, such as hardware shops that sell homeware even though homeware stores are not among the outlets allowed reopen.
He advised shop owners not to open up unless they are able to comply with new regulations.
“It is worth taking your time to make sure your business is ready. If it takes a couple of days, it is worth taking those days,” he said.
“We don’t want a situation where businesses open and then have to close because they don’t comply with public health guidance.”
He said it was important that people “do not get ahead of the plan. If we get into that mindset, we will end up in a very dangerous place.”
He advised the public, in phase one, to keep to meeting people who are not from their households outdoors and to continue to observe social distancing.
“It is our biggest national test so far as we have to find a way to live with this virus. There is no vaccine, there is no effective treatment. It has not gone away,” he said.
“If we get this right, it means that every three weeks we can do a little bit more. If we get it wrong, our plans will stall and perhaps reverse. Crucially, [if this happens] it means that many people will die or get seriously ill in our country. Our public health behaviour now becomes more important than ever.”
Face coverings
Mr Harris said face coverings when out in public were advisory, not mandatory, and there should be no stigma for those who do not choose to wear one.
Children under the age of 13 do not have to wear them and neither will people with allergies and asthma.
“It is not mandatory. It is guidance as an extra hygiene measure,” he explained.
Mr Harris said he was encouraged with the way that the numbers of those infected by Covid-19 are going down. The number of those in hospital from the virus dropped overnight from 419 to 390, and the numbers in ICU have dropped from 71 to 56 in the last week.
He also said that the public should not be alarmed about instances of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (Pims) or Kawasaki syndrome in children.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has issued an alert about 230 suspected cases of a new Pims linked to Covid-19, with two deaths reported. Pims shares similar disease characteristics to Kawasaki syndrome.
Seven suspected cases have been recorded in Ireland. The disease is thought to be linked to Covid-19, but more research is being done on it.
Mr Harris said there is now a “watching brief” in Ireland on the disease for monitoring purposes.
In a later interview on Spin 1038, Mr Harris said he expected some weddings to start to take place during the summer and larger weddings after that date.
“At the moment I can’t give you the certainty about how many people you can have at a wedding in August, but we are going to do a bit of work on this,” he said.
“We need to work out how we can live alongside the virus.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Inventor James Dyson tops 2020 Sunday Times Rich List

Inventor James Dyson is the richest person in the UK for the first time , according to the Sunday Times Rich List .
The Brexit-backing entrepreneur saw his wealth grow by £3.6 billion ( €4.2bn ) over the past year , climbing to £16.2 billion ( €18.85bn ) .
In February , it was expected the number of billionaires would rise to nearly 160 , but it fell by four to 147 as the coronavirus pandemic took hold , the Sunday Times said .
A record 25 female billionaires make the list , which also shows the overall wealth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is down by £29 billion ( €33.7bn ) on last year .
The top 10 for 2020 are : - Sri and Gopi Hinduja and family , industry and finance , £16 billion ( €18.6bn ) .
- The Duke of Westminster and the Grosvenor family , property , £10.29 billion ( €11.98bn ) .
List compiler Robert Watts said : “ Ever since the financial crisis of 2008-9 , Britain ’ s wealthiest people have become richer and richer .
“ Covid-19 has called time on their golden period .
This year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Britain on the brink of calamity — two months after lockdown and already billions of pounds have been wiped out .
“ You may not like the super-rich , but it is hard to deny that our economy will need the jobs they create and the taxes they and their companies pay if we are to escape a prolonged recession that causes further misery to millions.
” The full list covering the wealthiest 1,000 people in the UK will be published on Sunday in a 136-page edition of The Sunday Times Magazine @

Inventor James Dyson is the richest person in the UK for the first time, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
The Brexit-backing entrepreneur saw his wealth grow by £3.6 billion (€4.2bn) over the past year, climbing to £16.2 billion (€18.85bn).
In February, it was expected the number of billionaires would rise to nearly 160, but it fell by four to 147 as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, the Sunday Times said.
A record 25 female billionaires make the list, which also shows the overall wealth of the 1,000 richest people in the UK is down by £29 billion (€33.7bn) on last year.
READ MORE
The top 10 for 2020 are:
- James Dyson and family, household goods and technology, £16.2 billion (€18.9bn).
- Sri and Gopi Hinduja and family, industry and finance, £16 billion (€18.6bn).
- David and Simon Reuben, property and internet, £16 billion (€18.6bn).
- Leonard Blavatnik, investment, music and media, £15.78 billion (€18.3bn).
- Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos chemical giant, £12.15 billion (€14.1bn).
- Kirsten and Jorn Rausing, inheritance and investment, £12.1 billion (€14bn).
- Alisher Usmanov, mining and investment, £11.68 billion (€13.6bn).
- Guy, George and Galen Jr Weston and family, retail, £10.53 billion (€12.2bn).
- Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken and Michel de Carvalho, inheritance, brewing and banking, £10.3 billion (€12bn).
- The Duke of Westminster and the Grosvenor family, property, £10.29 billion (€11.98bn).
List compiler Robert Watts said: “Ever since the financial crisis of 2008-9, Britain’s wealthiest people have become richer and richer.
“Covid-19 has called time on their golden period. This year’s rich list paints a picture of Britain on the brink of calamity — two months after lockdown and already billions of pounds have been wiped out.
“You may not like the super-rich, but it is hard to deny that our economy will need the jobs they create and the taxes they and their companies pay if we are to escape a prolonged recession that causes further misery to millions.”
The full list covering the wealthiest 1,000 people in the UK will be published on Sunday in a 136-page edition of The Sunday Times Magazine.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Coronavirus Q&A: Can I have a drink in my friend’s garden from Monday?

The Government has given the go-ahead for the first stage of lifting Covid-19 restrictions from Monday , May 18th .
Under this initial phase of reopening the country , construction and other outdoor work will be permitted , some retail outlets such as hardware – but not homeware – shops will be allowed to open and groups of four people will be allowed to meet outdoors , once they observe social distancing .
On Saturday the director of the national virus reference laboratory Dr Cillian de Gascun gave additional information about how the easing would operate .
He also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends and family under phase one .
So what is allowed from Monday ?
Can I pop over to my friend ’ s garden for a drink ?
According to official guidelines , yes , you can as long as no more than four people gather together .
However , Dr de Gascun warned that meeting up in a back garden could result in visitors using bathroom or kitchen facilities which could lead to a further spread of the virus .
“ It ’ s just adding additional risk , ” he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hEadra programme .
“ If you ’ re handing me a beer that ’ s fine , it can go straight into the bin or you can leave it on the wall… but if you ’ re giving me utensils or delph from your house , I ’ m seeding the virus onto it.
” How long can I hang out with friends and do we have to meet outdoors ?
The advice is not to spend longer than 15 minutes in close contact with people and to always leave two metres distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Gascun acknowledged that people would probably spend longer together so just to be careful to stay away from one another .
Any meetings should take place outdoors unless you have a very large room/hall which enables social distancing .
Can I visit one friend in the morning and another in the evening ?
Dr de Gascun advised people not to meet more than one social group in a day and to restrict interactions to a small number of friends and family for at least the next three weeks .
When will we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the spread of the virus ?
It will take between 5-7 days before the impact becomes clear , said Dr De Gascun .
“ It ’ s going to be week two by the time we see what effect lifting restrictions has had .
That ’ s why we wanted a three week period so we can analyse the first two weeks.
” “ The only way we can prevent people dying is by quenching virus activity in the community .
So the community really is where everything starts and that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home and minimise their interactions because any increase in cases in the community will have a knock on effect to hospitalization.
” Dr de Gascun said it was “ likely ” there would be an increase in cases following the lifting of restrictions due to people ’ s increased movement and social interactions .
Why is the wearing of masks on public transport and in supermarkets only being advised and not compulsory ?
Dr de Gascun said the Government was reluctant to make mask wearing mandatory as certain people may have problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or allergies .
Others may need to see people ’ s mouths for lip reading , he added .
Dr Holohan warned on Friday that “ we can not regard face coverings as some sort of magic shield .
.
.
It ’ s a supplement to the other measures we are recommending.
” “ This is an additional hygiene measure , it ’ s not a magic bullet for this disease , and that has to be understood.
” However , the National Transport Authority has urged people to wear masks when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the contact tracing app the Government was talking about a few weeks ago ?
When asked about this on Saturday , Dr de Gascun initially said he understood that plans for the app had “ drifted ” before correcting himself and saying he wasn ’ t involved in its development but he believed it would be ready but the end of May .

A mural in Dublin city centre inspired by the new HSE ‘Hold Firm’ campaign. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
The Government has given the go-ahead for the first stage of lifting Covid-19 restrictions from Monday, May 18th.
Under this initial phase of reopening the country, construction and other outdoor work will be permitted, some retail outlets such as hardware – but not homeware – shops will be allowed to open and groups of four people will be allowed to meet outdoors, once they observe social distancing.
On Saturday the director of the national virus reference laboratory Dr Cillian de Gascun gave additional information about how the easing would operate. He also said people should still try and avoid visiting friends and family under phase one.
So what is allowed from Monday?
READ MORE
Can I pop over to my friend’s garden for a drink?
According to official guidelines, yes, you can as long as no more than four people gather together.
However, Dr de Gascun warned that meeting up in a back garden could result in visitors using bathroom or kitchen facilities which could lead to a further spread of the virus.
“It’s just adding additional risk,” he told RTÉ’s Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadra programme. “If you’re handing me a beer that’s fine, it can go straight into the bin or you can leave it on the wall… but if you’re giving me utensils or delph from your house, I’m seeding the virus onto it.”
How long can I hang out with friends and do we have to meet outdoors?
The advice is not to spend longer than 15 minutes in close contact with people and to always leave two metres distance between once another.
However, Dr de Gascun acknowledged that people would probably spend longer together so just to be careful to stay away from one another. Any meetings should take place outdoors unless you have a very large room/hall which enables social distancing.
Can I visit one friend in the morning and another in the evening?
Dr de Gascun advised people not to meet more than one social group in a day and to restrict interactions to a small number of friends and family for at least the next three weeks.
When will we know whether lifting the restrictions has impacted on the spread of the virus?
It will take between 5-7 days before the impact becomes clear, said Dr De Gascun. “It’s going to be week two by the time we see what effect lifting restrictions has had. That’s why we wanted a three week period so we can analyse the first two weeks.”
“The only way we can prevent people dying is by quenching virus activity in the community. So the community really is where everything starts and that’s where we want people to stay at home and minimise their interactions because any increase in cases in the community will have a knock on effect to hospitalization.”
Dr de Gascun said it was “likely” there would be an increase in cases following the lifting of restrictions due to people’s increased movement and social interactions.
Why is the wearing of masks on public transport and in supermarkets only being advised and not compulsory?
Dr de Gascun said the Government was reluctant to make mask wearing mandatory as certain people may have problems wearing face coverings because of breathing difficulties or allergies. Others may need to see people’s mouths for lip reading, he added.
Dr Holohan warned on Friday that “we cannot regard face coverings as some sort of magic shield . . . It’s a supplement to the other measures we are recommending.”
“This is an additional hygiene measure, it’s not a magic bullet for this disease, and that has to be understood.”
However, the National Transport Authority has urged people to wear masks when using public transport.
What ever happened to the contact tracing app the Government was talking about a few weeks ago?
When asked about this on Saturday, Dr de Gascun initially said he understood that plans for the app had “drifted” before correcting himself and saying he wasn’t involved in its development but he believed it would be ready but the end of May.


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Tests to begin to see if dogs can detect Covid-19 before symptoms appear

Special “ Covid dogs ” are to begin trials in the UK to see if they are able to detect symptoms of coronavirus before they appear .
The trials will form part of research into potential non-invasive , early-warning methods of detecting the Covid-19 virus , and are being backed by £500,000 of government funding , The dogs , which are already used to sniff out diseases such as cancer , malaria and Parkinson ’ s disease , will be given intensive training to spot Covid-19 before symptoms appear .
The first phase of the trials will be conducted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tropical Medicine ( LSHTM ) , in collaboration with the charity Medical Detection Dogs ( MDD ) and Durham University .
It will determine whether the six dogs , a mixture of labradors and cocker spaniels , are able to detect coronavirus in humans from odour samples .
They will be trained using samples from people who are infected with coronavirus and those who are uninfected , as some respiratory diseases are known to change body odour .
UK under-secretary for innovation Lord James Bethell said : “ Bio-detection dogs already detect specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide speedy results as part of our wider testing strategy .
“ Accuracy is essential so this trial will tell us whether ‘ Covid dogs ’ can reliably detect the virus and stop it spreading.
” Research gathered by MDD has shown that the dogs can be trained to detect the odour of disease at the equivalent dilution of one teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water .
The charity estimates that each animal could screen up to 250 people per hour once trained .
Prof James Logan , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LSHTM , said he was “ hopeful ” of success .
“ Our previous work has shown that malaria has a distinctive odour , and with Medical Detection Dogs , we successfully trained dogs to accurately detect malaria , ” he said .
“ This , combined with the knowledge that respiratory disease can change body odour , makes us hopeful that the dogs can also detect Covid-19 .
“ If successful , this approach could revolutionise how we detect the virus , with the potential to screen high numbers of people.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive of Medical Detection Dogs , said : “ We are sure our dogs will be able to find the odour of Covid-19 and we will then move into a second phase to test them in live situations , following which we hope to work with other agencies to train more dogs for deployment .
“ We are incredibly proud that a dog ’ s nose could once again save many lives.
” – PA

Labradors are among the dogs taking part in the trials. File photograph: Getty Images
Special “Covid dogs” are to begin trials in the UK to see if they are able to detect symptoms of coronavirus before they appear.
The trials will form part of research into potential non-invasive, early-warning methods of detecting the Covid-19 virus, and are being backed by £500,000 of government funding,
The dogs, which are already used to sniff out diseases such as cancer, malaria and Parkinson’s disease, will be given intensive training to spot Covid-19 before symptoms appear.
The first phase of the trials will be conducted by researchers at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with the charity Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) and Durham University.
READ MORE
It will determine whether the six dogs, a mixture of labradors and cocker spaniels, are able to detect coronavirus in humans from odour samples.
They will be trained using samples from people who are infected with coronavirus and those who are uninfected, as some respiratory diseases are known to change body odour.
UK under-secretary for innovation Lord James Bethell said: "Bio-detection dogs already detect specific cancers and we believe this innovation might provide speedy results as part of our wider testing strategy.
“Accuracy is essential so this trial will tell us whether ‘Covid dogs’ can reliably detect the virus and stop it spreading.”
Research gathered by MDD has shown that the dogs can be trained to detect the odour of disease at the equivalent dilution of one teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water.
The charity estimates that each animal could screen up to 250 people per hour once trained.
‘Hopeful’
Prof James Logan, head of the department of disease control at the LSHTM, said he was "hopeful" of success.
“Our previous work has shown that malaria has a distinctive odour, and with Medical Detection Dogs, we successfully trained dogs to accurately detect malaria,” he said.
“This, combined with the knowledge that respiratory disease can change body odour, makes us hopeful that the dogs can also detect Covid-19.
“If successful, this approach could revolutionise how we detect the virus, with the potential to screen high numbers of people.”
Dr Claire Guest, co-founder and chief executive of Medical Detection Dogs, said: "We are sure our dogs will be able to find the odour of Covid-19 and we will then move into a second phase to test them in live situations, following which we hope to work with other agencies to train more dogs for deployment.
“We are incredibly proud that a dog’s nose could once again save many lives.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-05-16--Thirteen gardaí recorded as having died by suicide in last three years

Thirteen serving gardaí have taken their lives over the last three years , according to figures released to The Irish Times through the Freedom of Information Act .
Five officers took their lives in 2019 and four each in 2017 and 2018 .
An additional 15 were granted early retirement on the grounds of mental ill-health ; five in 2017 , four in 2018 and seven in 2019 .
During 2018 and 2019 , 401 gardaí were referred for psychiatric , psychological assessment or related primary mental health services while 51 were referred for cognitive behavioural therapy over that two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of gardaí referred to for such treatments are held for the year 2017 .
A total of 16,116 days were lost between 2017 and 2019 due to mental illness ; 6,414 in 2017 , 4,093 in 2018 and 5,609 in 2019 .
Between 2017 and 2019 , 206 gardaí were recorded as taking sickness absence because of mental illness with a notable spike in 2019 when 80 were absent in comparison with 68 in 2017 , and 58 in 2018 .
In addition , 1,436 gardaí had reduced hours as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 ; 424 in 2016 , 466 in 2017 and 546 in 2018 .
The figures for 2019 are not available .
An Garda Síochána freedom of information officer Maria Brodigan outlined that absences due to sickness are listed under three categories ; ordinary illness which includes mental health , occupational injuries arising from duty , and critical illnesses .
She said there was no specific sub-category on the Garda ’ s sickness absence management system for absences due to stress , anxiety or depression .
She said in some cases “ this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in the comments filed against another sub-category .
It is not possible to show the comment on a sickness absence report.
” The FOI officer also said no records existed as to the number of serving members known to have attempted suicide , the numbers denied early retirement after presenting with mental health issues , the numbers receiving psychiatric/psychological treatment funded by An Garda Síochána or the numbers of gardaí referred for addiction treatment .
The response followed request for details on the the number of members of the force taking sickness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work-related stress , anxiety , depression , occupational stress , stress and any other mental health disorder/illness , and the total number of days taken/lost because of the above .

An Garda said 1,436 gardaí had reduced hours as a result of mental health issues between 2016 and 2018. Photograph: Photo Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
The rate of suicides among gardaí is over four times higher than in the general population, new figures show.
Thirteen serving gardaí have taken their lives over the last three years, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Five officers took their lives in 2019 and four each in 2017 and 2018. This translates into a per capita figure of 35 per 100,000 last year and 28.5 per 100,000 in the two previous years.
The per capita suicide rate for the general population was 7.2 per 100,000 in 2018 and 8.2 in 2017.
READ MORE
According to the figures, an additional 15 gardaí were granted early retirement on the grounds of mental ill-health; five in 2017, four in 2018 and seven in 2019.7
During 2018 and 2019, 401 gardaí were referred for psychiatric, psychological assessment or related primary mental health services while 51 were referred for cognitive behavioural therapy over that two year period.
No records for the number of gardaí referred to for such treatments are held for the year 2017.
A total of 16,116 days were lost between 2017 and 2019 due to mental illness; 6,414 in 2017, 4,093 in 2018 and 5,609 in 2019.
Between 2017 and 2019, 206 gardaí were recorded as taking sickness absence because of mental illness with a notable spike in 2019 when 80 were absent in comparison with 68 in 2017, and 58 in 2018.
In addition, 1,436 gardaí had reduced hours as a result of mental health issues between 2016 and 2018; 424 in 2016, 466 in 2017 and 546 in 2018.
The figures for 2019 are not available.
The Garda FoI officer outlined that absences due to sickness are listed under three categories; ordinary illness which includes mental health, occupational injuries arising from duty, and critical illnesses.
The officer said there was no specific sub-category on the Garda’s sickness absence management system for absences due to stress, anxiety or depression.
The officer said in some cases “this is recorded under the mental health sub-category or in the comments filed against another sub-category. It is not possible to show the comment on a sickness absence report.”
The FOI officer also said no records existed as to the number of serving members known to have attempted suicide, the numbers denied early retirement after presenting with mental health issues, the numbers receiving psychiatric/psychological treatment funded by An Garda Síochána or the numbers of gardaí referred for addiction treatment.
The response followed request for details on the the number of members of the force taking sickness absence because of post-traumatic stress disorder, work-related stress, anxiety, depression, occupational stress, stress and any other mental health disorder/illness, and the total number of days taken/lost because of the above.
Responding to the data, Pat Ennis, GRA General Secretary said there were inadequacies in the capture of mental health and injury absences in the force.
“The GRA believes the system for collating this data should be updated to reflect more accurately the circumstances of all absences including mental health and injury on duty due to assaults on gardaí.”
Mr Ennis said he was aware of gardaí not seeking absences for mental health issues for fear it could impact on their career.
Samaritans Free Call 116 123