theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Couple challenge revocation of rates exemption for D4 property

A couple who last year fought an attempt to repossess their bed and breakfast in Sandymount , Dublin , have brought a High Court challenge to a decision to impose commercial rates on the property which they say is primarily their family home .
Ann Keane and Patrick Halpin came to public attention last year when a receiver got a possession order over the 16-bedroom Aberdeen Lodge at Park Lane over default on a €25 million debt which had been acquired by Kenmare Property Finance .
It followed seven years of litigation , ending up in the Supreme Court which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resisted the repossession and engaged in what receiver Paul McCann ’ s lawyer called a high-profile media campaign to seriously and wrongly distort what had happened in the courts over the years .
An application to jail them for contempt over the refusal to hand over possession is still pending before the courts .
In the meantime , in May last year , the couple were told their property was liable for commercial rates .
They say it should be exempt as it is mainly their family home for them and their two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate case against them by a Dublin City Council rate collector , the High Court found the couple were liable for a €75,000 rates bill for 2013-17 despite their contention the property was not rateable .
The court noted a turnover of €537,000 for 2016 from the B & B .
The couple had separately brought judicial review proceedings seeking to quash the decision to revoke a previous decision making the premises exempt .
On Thursday , Mr Justice Charles Meenan began hearing the challenge to the decision by the Valuation Commissioner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision was arbitrary , outside the commissioner ’ s powers and in breach of their European Convention rights .
The commissioner denies the claims .
Owen Hickey SC , with Proinsian Ó ’ Maolchalain , for the couple , said that until 2012 Aberdeen Lodge had been operated in the name of a company , Elektron Holdings , which went into liquidation .
The premises had been registered under the company name with the tourism authority and had paid rates .
Following liquidation and closure of the premises , that registration lapsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as a B & B and a request was made in 2017 to have it revalued on the grounds it was primarily a “ domestic premises ” and therefore ought not to be rated under the 2001 Valuation Act .
A Valuations Office revision officer , who inspected the lodge , recommended it not be rated .
The office ’ s revision manager confirmed that recommendation and in March 2019 decided it should be excluded .
In May 2019 , the same manager decided to revoke that decision and make it rateable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exempt the property was made in error .
Mr Hickey said it was argued by the Valuation Commissioner ’ s head of valuation services , Declan Lavelle , the error occurred as a result of a misunderstanding that its deregistration with the tourist authority automatically made it exempt .
Counsel said the Valuation Commissioner had said the new revision took place to ensure equity and uniformity in the valuation system .
Counsel said the moves to revise the March decision and to make it rateable all took place on the same day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , he said .
It was “ crystal clear ” in March to the revision manager it was primarily a family home and remained crystal clear in May , he said .
There was no basis under the law for the May revision because there was no material change of circumstances as required by the Valuation Act for such a revision , he said .
Where the property is used as a family home , even where part of it is used as a B & B , the law provides that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Ann Keane and Patrick Halpin at their home Aberdeen Lodge which is also a guest house in Sandymount, Dublin. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien
A couple who last year fought an attempt to repossess their bed and breakfast in Sandymount, Dublin, have brought a High Court challenge to a decision to impose commercial rates on the property which they say is primarily their family home.
Ann Keane and Patrick Halpin came to public attention last year when a receiver got a possession order over the 16-bedroom Aberdeen Lodge at Park Lane over default on a €25 million debt which had been acquired by Kenmare Property Finance. It followed seven years of litigation, ending up in the Supreme Court which found against the couple.
The couple resisted the repossession and engaged in what receiver Paul McCann’s lawyer called a high-profile media campaign to seriously and wrongly distort what had happened in the courts over the years.
An application to jail them for contempt over the refusal to hand over possession is still pending before the courts.
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In the meantime, in May last year, the couple were told their property was liable for commercial rates. They say it should be exempt as it is mainly their family home for them and their two children.
Last month, in a separate case against them by a Dublin City Council rate collector, the High Court found the couple were liable for a €75,000 rates bill for 2013-17 despite their contention the property was not rateable. The court noted a turnover of €537,000 for 2016 from the B&B.
The couple had separately brought judicial review proceedings seeking to quash the decision to revoke a previous decision making the premises exempt.
On Thursday, Mr Justice Charles Meenan began hearing the challenge to the decision by the Valuation Commissioner.
They claimed, among other things, the decision was arbitrary, outside the commissioner’s powers and in breach of their European Convention rights. The commissioner denies the claims.
Owen Hickey SC, with Proinsian Ó'Maolchalain, for the couple, said that until 2012 Aberdeen Lodge had been operated in the name of a company, Elektron Holdings, which went into liquidation. The premises had been registered under the company name with the tourism authority and had paid rates. Following liquidation and closure of the premises, that registration lapsed.
Subsequently, Ms Keane began operating it as a B&B and a request was made in 2017 to have it revalued on the grounds it was primarily a “domestic premises” and therefore ought not to be rated under the 2001 Valuation Act.
A Valuations Office revision officer, who inspected the lodge, recommended it not be rated. The office’s revision manager confirmed that recommendation and in March 2019 decided it should be excluded.
In May 2019, the same manager decided to revoke that decision and make it rateable. It was claimed the earlier decision to exempt the property was made in error.
New revision
Mr Hickey said it was argued by the Valuation Commissioner's head of valuation services, Declan Lavelle, the error occurred as a result of a misunderstanding that its deregistration with the tourist authority automatically made it exempt.
Counsel said the Valuation Commissioner had said the new revision took place to ensure equity and uniformity in the valuation system.
Counsel said the moves to revise the March decision and to make it rateable all took place on the same day. There had been no error in March, he said.
It was “crystal clear” in March to the revision manager it was primarily a family home and remained crystal clear in May, he said.
There was no basis under the law for the May revision because there was no material change of circumstances as required by the Valuation Act for such a revision, he said.
Where the property is used as a family home, even where part of it is used as a B&B, the law provides that it is not rateable, he said.
The case continues.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre wins international award

Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre has won an international prize in recognition of its work in helping two communities in Ireland with “ a long history of multiple and intersectional discrimination ” .
The €50,000 Max van der Stoel Award is named after the distinguished Dutch statesman and first high commissioner on national minorities at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) .
The biennial award was established by the Netherlands ’ ministry of foreign affairs in 2001 .
It is bestowed on an individual , group or institution in recognition of “ extraordinary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social cohesion .
The jury noted in particular that while Covid-19 has exposed how “ persistent societal inequalities have left many vulnerable communities in an even more precarious situation ” , Pavee Point has worked to mitigate the negative implications of the pandemic for the Roma and Traveller communities in Ireland .
Pavee Point said the award acknowledges its contribution during the current health crisis .
“ The ongoing pandemic has demonstrated the value of a strong Traveller health infrastructure underpinned by community development as Traveller organisations , Traveller primary healthcare projects and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , working collectively to ensure that Travellers and Roma , especially those who are most vulnerable , are protected , ” said co-director Ronnie Fay .
In its announcement on Thursday , the OSCE said the Roma and Traveller communities in Ireland had experienced poverty , unemployment , lack of educational opportunity , decreased life expectancy , cultural bias and social stereotyping .
Pavee Point “ courageously and continuously seeks to celebrate the cultures and traditions of both communities in an inclusive manner by advocating for participation , social justice and genuine equality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national minorities Lamberto Zannier .
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee offered her own congratulations , saying the organisation “ works tirelessly in addressing inequality in Irish society ” .
While announced on Thursday , an official award ceremony is scheduled to take place in The Hague in November .

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee: Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre “works tirelessly in addressing inequality in Irish society”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre has won an international prize in recognition of its work in helping two communities in Ireland with "a long history of multiple and intersectional discrimination".
The €50,000 Max van der Stoel Award is named after the distinguished Dutch statesman and first high commissioner on national minorities at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The biennial award was established by the Netherlands' ministry of foreign affairs in 2001.
It is bestowed on an individual, group or institution in recognition of “extraordinary and outstanding achievements” in promoting integration and social cohesion.
‘Vulnerable communities’
The jury noted in particular that while Covid-19 has exposed how “persistent societal inequalities have left many vulnerable communities in an even more precarious situation”, Pavee Point has worked to mitigate the negative implications of the pandemic for the Roma and Traveller communities in Ireland.
READ MORE
Pavee Point said the award acknowledges its contribution during the current health crisis.
"The ongoing pandemic has demonstrated the value of a strong Traveller health infrastructure underpinned by community development as Traveller organisations, Traveller primary healthcare projects and Traveller health units mobilised across the country, working collectively to ensure that Travellers and Roma, especially those who are most vulnerable, are protected," said co-director Ronnie Fay.
Cultural bias
In its announcement on Thursday, the OSCE said the Roma and Traveller communities in Ireland had experienced poverty, unemployment, lack of educational opportunity, decreased life expectancy, cultural bias and social stereotyping.
Pavee Point "courageously and continuously seeks to celebrate the cultures and traditions of both communities in an inclusive manner by advocating for participation, social justice and genuine equality," said OSCE high commissioner on national minorities Lamberto Zannier.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee offered her own congratulations, saying the organisation “works tirelessly in addressing inequality in Irish society”.
While announced on Thursday, an official award ceremony is scheduled to take place in The Hague in November.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Abuse victim of former school principal had no idea other boys were being attacked

A child sex abuse victim of a former school principal has said he had no idea his abuser was attacking other boys in the school .
After a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last March , Patrick Harte ( 78 ) was convicted of 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven pupils at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street , Dublin between September 1968 and September 1970 .
At his sentence hearing on Thursday the court heard that when gardaí put the victims ’ allegations to Harte in 2015 , the former teacher claimed they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anne Rowland SC , prosecuting , told the court that there is no evidence that any of the victims were ever in contact with each other since the offending took place .
Detective Garda Garvan Ware said “ as far as I ’ m concerned , they are all independent ” .
Harte , of Glendown Park , Templeogue , Dublin had denied the charges and in a speech to the court he claimed that the State had “ validated ” his teaching at the time and could not now “ invalidate it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all forms of child abuse , discrimination and social injustice ” and told Judge Martin Nolan that he would go to “ the High Court ” if his sentence reflected a “ sectarian ” motivated prosecution .
The court heard that Harte repeatedly and continuously molested the children amidst an atmosphere in his class of severe corporal punishment and verbal abuse .
Victims testified at the trial that he would find reasons to call them up to his desk , sometimes for praise and other times for correction of minor misbehaviours .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at their books and not raise their heads before proceeding to fondle the boys ’ genital areas .
Ms Rowland told the court that three of the victims wished to waive their anonymity .
Asked about this , Dermot Hallion confirmed this was the case , saying “ Yes , I didn ’ t commit any crime ” .
He told the court that the abuse continued to affect him into adulthood , causing him to feel worthless and low in confidence .
Fr Tony Conlon , now a Catholic priest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paralysing effect ” on his life and prevented him from achieving so many things in life .
“ Throughout my life I always believed I was the only one , I had no idea there were others who suffered .
I felt I had done something wrong and afraid I would be found out ” he said .
He said he was terrified someone would find out he was the victim of child abuse and that this might cause them to think he would be an abuser himself .
Kevin Byrne told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and tried to do something saved him from experiencing worse events later in life .
He said his statement is not about vengeance and he is not seeking to inflict hurt .
In his statement a fourth victim told the defendant : “ we trusted you , but you let us down , this has been with me all my life and always will be ” .
Another victim said that “ as an adult and teacher he was to nurture me .
Instead his actions demolished all goodness ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ good teacher , bad teacher ” , and this was a ploy .
He said Harte abused his “ very privileged teaching position ” and betrayed his parents , the Christian Brothers “ and the darkest betrayal was trust ” .
Ms Rowland outlined to the court evidence that Harte would regularly beat pupils with a leather strap which he constantly had to hand .
She said victims described being afraid of him and being punished for the slightest thing .
Fr Conlon told gardaí that Harte once smashed a pupil ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other victims described “ constant beatings ” with the leather .
One victim ’ s mother confronted Harte in the staff room and Harte denied he had done anything wrong .
Dt Gda Ware agreed with Patrick Gageby SC , defending , that the prosecution had not brought any charges of child cruelty or physical abuse against his client .
Harte was due to be sentenced on two occasions earlier this week .
On Monday Judge Nolan denied a defence application to adjourn the case for two months because of Harte ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harte failed to show up again and his lawyers told the court he had gone into hospital with cardiac issues .
After hearing a short plea of mitigation Judge Nolan remanded Harte in custody and adjourned sentencing to 1:15pm on Friday .
He said that based on the testimony of Fr Conlon that he was abused once or twice a week , he was going to take it that the total number of instances of assault against all of the victims was between about 35 to 40 .
Harte had pleaded not guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he strenuously denied the allegations .
Reading from his own victim impact statement Fr Conlon said that he brought his allegations in order to give himself a voice .
He said : “ I have sought justice , not revenge , restorative justice , the truth , the purpose of which is to give me a voice .
“ I leave here a new man , head held high I can finally start to heal , my eyes are fixed on the future.
” He thanked Judge Nolan , saying “ you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shackles of the past.
” In his victim impact statement , which was read out before the court , Kevin Byrne said that an insignificant event can have a profound effect and that “ this was not an insignificant event ” .
Mr Byrne said he was shocked when the defence counsel thanked him for giving evidence and then said that Harte denies any offences ever took place .
He said that statement “ rocked me to my core ” .
Mr Byrne said that the fact that his mother believed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from experiencing worse events later in life .
He said this statement is not about vengeance and he is not seeking to inflict hurt .
In his victim impact statement , which he read out before the court , another man said that the sexual assault on him destroyed his youth .
He said that the shock of the sexual assault “ lived with me ” .
Following the victim impact statements being read , Mr Gageby said that his client wished to address the court himself .
Addressing the court directly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ validated ” his work and the state can not “ invalidate ” it “ with a campaign against me ” .
He said that he rejected and repudiated “ the sectarian attitude of the prosecution service ” .
Harte said that he reserved his right to seek immediate redress in the High Court and has instructed his solicitor to appeal .
Mr Gageby said that his client has always engaged in the process , even though he is disappointed with the result .
He said his client continued to work at Synge Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate age .
Counsel said this was “ a very poor end ” to a career and to a life lived until this year “ free of stain ” .
He said that the events occurred 50 to 52 years in the past and that no conviction has been recorded against his client in that time .
Mr Gageby said the court was dealing with a 78-year-old man who does not enjoy good health .
He said that the acts are all of fondling genitals of young boys and not at the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested the court might engage at least partially in the question of what would have happened if the case was prosecuted in the 1960s .

Patrick Harte, of Glendown Park, Templeogue, Dublin had denied the charges and in a speech to the court he claimed that the State had “validated” his teaching at the time and could not now “invalidate it”. Photograph: Collins Courts
A child sex abuse victim of a former school principal has said he had no idea his abuser was attacking other boys in the school.
After a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last March, Patrick Harte (78) was convicted of 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven pupils at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street, Dublin between September 1968 and September 1970.
At his sentence hearing on Thursday the court heard that when gardaí put the victims’ allegations to Harte in 2015, the former teacher claimed they had “a vendetta against him”.
Anne Rowland SC, prosecuting, told the court that there is no evidence that any of the victims were ever in contact with each other since the offending took place. Detective Garda Garvan Ware said “as far as I’m concerned, they are all independent”.
READ MORE
Harte, of Glendown Park, Templeogue, Dublin had denied the charges and in a speech to the court he claimed that the State had "validated" his teaching at the time and could not now "invalidate it".
He said "I abhor all forms of child abuse, discrimination and social injustice" and told Judge Martin Nolan that he would go to "the High Court" if his sentence reflected a "sectarian" motivated prosecution.
The court heard that Harte repeatedly and continuously molested the children amidst an atmosphere in his class of severe corporal punishment and verbal abuse.
Victims testified at the trial that he would find reasons to call them up to his desk, sometimes for praise and other times for correction of minor misbehaviours. He would warn the rest of the class to look at their books and not raise their heads before proceeding to fondle the boys’ genital areas.
Waive
Ms Rowland told the court that three of the victims wished to waive their anonymity. Asked about this, Dermot Hallion confirmed this was the case, saying "Yes, I didn't commit any crime".
He told the court that the abuse continued to affect him into adulthood, causing him to feel worthless and low in confidence.
Fr Tony Conlon, now a Catholic priest, said the abuse had "a paralysing effect" on his life and prevented him from achieving so many things in life.
“Throughout my life I always believed I was the only one, I had no idea there were others who suffered. I felt I had done something wrong and afraid I would be found out” he said.
He said he was terrified someone would find out he was the victim of child abuse and that this might cause them to think he would be an abuser himself.
Kevin Byrne told the court the fact that his mother believed him and tried to do something saved him from experiencing worse events later in life. He said his statement is not about vengeance and he is not seeking to inflict hurt.
In his statement a fourth victim told the defendant: “we trusted you, but you let us down , this has been with me all my life and always will be”.
Another victim said that “as an adult and teacher he was to nurture me. Instead his actions demolished all goodness”. He said that Harte played the role of “good teacher, bad teacher”, and this was a ploy.
He said Harte abused his “very privileged teaching position” and betrayed his parents, the Christian Brothers “and the darkest betrayal was trust”.
Smashed
Ms Rowland outlined to the court evidence that Harte would regularly beat pupils with a leather strap which he constantly had to hand. She said victims described being afraid of him and being punished for the slightest thing.
Fr Conlon told gardaí that Harte once smashed a pupil’s head up against a wall and other victims described “constant beatings” with the leather.
One victim’s mother confronted Harte in the staff room and Harte denied he had done anything wrong.
Dt Gda Ware agreed with Patrick Gageby SC, defending, that the prosecution had not brought any charges of child cruelty or physical abuse against his client.
Harte was due to be sentenced on two occasions earlier this week. On Monday Judge Nolan denied a defence application to adjourn the case for two months because of Harte's risk of getting Covid-19.
On Tuesday Harte failed to show up again and his lawyers told the court he had gone into hospital with cardiac issues.
After hearing a short plea of mitigation Judge Nolan remanded Harte in custody and adjourned sentencing to 1:15pm on Friday.
He said that based on the testimony of Fr Conlon that he was abused once or twice a week, he was going to take it that the total number of instances of assault against all of the victims was between about 35 to 40.
Harte had pleaded not guilty and gave evidence during the trial in which he strenuously denied the allegations.
A voice
Reading from his own victim impact statement Fr Conlon said that he brought his allegations in order to give himself a voice.
He said: “I have sought justice, not revenge, restorative justice, the truth, the purpose of which is to give me a voice.
“I leave here a new man, head held high I can finally start to heal, my eyes are fixed on the future.”
He thanked Judge Nolan, saying “you and the jury have liberated us from the shackles of the past.”
In his victim impact statement, which was read out before the court, Kevin Byrne said that an insignificant event can have a profound effect and that “this was not an insignificant event”.
Mr Byrne said he was shocked when the defence counsel thanked him for giving evidence and then said that Harte denies any offences ever took place. He said that statement “rocked me to my core”.
Mr Byrne said that the fact that his mother believed him and tried to do something saved him from experiencing worse events later in life. He said this statement is not about vengeance and he is not seeking to inflict hurt.
In his victim impact statement, which he read out before the court, another man said that the sexual assault on him destroyed his youth. He said that the shock of the sexual assault “lived with me”.
Following the victim impact statements being read, Mr Gageby said that his client wished to address the court himself.
Appeal
Addressing the court directly, Harte said that the state had “validated” his work and the state cannot “invalidate” it “with a campaign against me”.
He said that he rejected and repudiated "the sectarian attitude of the prosecution service". Harte said that he reserved his right to seek immediate redress in the High Court and has instructed his solicitor to appeal.
Mr Gageby said that his client has always engaged in the process, even though he is disappointed with the result. He said his client continued to work at Synge Street and became principal before retiring at an appropriate age.
Counsel said this was “a very poor end” to a career and to a life lived until this year “free of stain”. He said that the events occurred 50 to 52 years in the past and that no conviction has been recorded against his client in that time.
Mr Gageby said the court was dealing with a 78-year-old man who does not enjoy good health. He said that the acts are all of fondling genitals of young boys and not at the worst end of spectrum of offending.
Counsel suggested the court might engage at least partially in the question of what would have happened if the case was prosecuted in the 1960s.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Warning of big rise in use of crack cocaine in Limerick

Crack cocaine use in Limerick has grown significantly over the last year , and a local addiction treatment centre is now distributing “ crack pipes ” in a bid to stop addicts using unhygienic tools .
“ People can buy a rock of ‘ crack ’ [ here ] for €15 , and a bag of heroin for €15 , which is certainly less than what it was in previous years , ” Ana Liffey drug project chief executive Tony Duffin told The Irish Times .
The warning came in the wake of the publication of a national report that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help for cocaine addiction than cannabis .
The dramatic increase in the sale and use of cocaine and crack cocaine is partly down to the considerable success that the Garda has had in the last year in seizing supplies of cannabis .
Julie McKenna , a senior drug detox worker with voluntary organisation Novas , said “ people would have had difficulties accessing hash and cannabis because of a lot of raids , so there was a bit of a drought in it ” .
“ Cocaine-use across all sectors of society is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to trends pre-economic downturn of 2008 , where it was as common to have a bag of coke in your handbag as it was to have 20 cigarettes , ” she said .
Ana Liffey ’ s care workers are now in touch with greater numbers than ever before since the Covid-19 pandemic began , and they are sharing information about the risks posed by Covid , HIV and hepatitis .
Mr Duffin said addict experts , gardaí and local politicians feared that “ some people will buy crack cocaine and heroin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as what is known as a ‘ speedball ’ – and they ’ ll inject that ” .
He said mixing alcohol with cocaine powder was creating additional risks because it “ metabolises in the body to create a drug called cocaethylene , which is more harmful than either of the two other drugs ” .
“ It ’ s more damaging to your heart , and the individual is disinhibited , and behaviour changes accordingly , ” said Mr Duffin .
He added that polydrug addiction – where a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major problem ” .
Ms McKenna said people who used cocaine at the weekend – they often refuse to accept that they have an addiction – were now also becoming addicted to benzodiazepines .
Benzodiazepines were used “ to straighten themselves up to go back to work and function in society on a Monday morning after a weekend party of cocaine and alcohol ” .
Ms McKenna added : “ People going to their debs years ago , you ’ d be thinking of the hair and the dress , the nails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now they are factoring in the price of cocaine , that they need a couple of bags of cocaine for the night.
” Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan , who is director of the Mid-West Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce , said “ cocaine supermarkets ” were being run out of homes across parts of Limerick city .
“ Cocaine is all over the place , it ’ s everywhere .
We have never seen anything like it .
Gardaí are doing the best job they can do with the resources they have @ @

“We are back to trends pre-economic downturn of 2008 where it was as common to have a bag of coke in your handbag as it was to have 20 cigarettes.” Photograph: Getty Images
Crack cocaine use in Limerick has grown significantly over the last year, and a local addiction treatment centre is now distributing "crack pipes" in a bid to stop addicts using unhygienic tools.
"People can buy a rock of 'crack' [here] for €15, and a bag of heroin for €15, which is certainly less than what it was in previous years," Ana Liffey drug project chief executive Tony Duffin told The Irish Times.
The warning came in the wake of the publication of a national report that showed that more people are now seeking help for cocaine addiction than cannabis.
The dramatic increase in the sale and use of cocaine and crack cocaine is partly down to the considerable success that the Garda has had in the last year in seizing supplies of cannabis.
READ MORE
Julie McKenna, a senior drug detox worker with voluntary organisation Novas, said “people would have had difficulties accessing hash and cannabis because of a lot of raids, so there was a bit of a drought in it”.
“Cocaine-use across all sectors of society is on the increase, and we are back to trends pre-economic downturn of 2008, where it was as common to have a bag of coke in your handbag as it was to have 20 cigarettes,” she said.
Ana Liffey’s care workers are now in touch with greater numbers than ever before since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and they are sharing information about the risks posed by Covid, HIV and hepatitis.
Mr Duffin said addict experts, gardaí and local politicians feared that “some people will buy crack cocaine and heroin together, and they’ll use that as what is known as a ‘speedball’ – and they’ll inject that”.
He said mixing alcohol with cocaine powder was creating additional risks because it “metabolises in the body to create a drug called cocaethylene, which is more harmful than either of the two other drugs”.
“It’s more damaging to your heart, and the individual is disinhibited, and behaviour changes accordingly,” said Mr Duffin.
He added that polydrug addiction – where a number of drugs are taken together – was “a major problem”.
Addiction
Ms McKenna said people who used cocaine at the weekend – they often refuse to accept that they have an addiction – were now also becoming addicted to benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines were used “to straighten themselves up to go back to work and function in society on a Monday morning after a weekend party of cocaine and alcohol”.
Ms McKenna added: “People going to their debs years ago, you’d be thinking of the hair and the dress, the nails, the tan and the handbag. Now they are factoring in the price of cocaine, that they need a couple of bags of cocaine for the night.”
Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, who is director of the Mid-West Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce, said "cocaine supermarkets" were being run out of homes across parts of Limerick city.
“Cocaine is all over the place, it’s everywhere. We have never seen anything like it. Gardaí are doing the best job they can do with the resources they have.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Two arrested as part of investigation into bogus personal injury claim

Gardaí carrying out a criminal investigation into a bogus personal injury claim are seeking to charge the failed claimant with swearing false affidavit evidence with a view to prosecuting others in the same way for making bogus claims .
The man at the centre of the claim , who was arrested in north Co Dublin on Thursday , used a wheelchair when attending appointments related to his personal injury claim .
However , when he was secretly filmed in his day to day life he did not need the wheelchair and was also able to lift the chair in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gardaí now believe the video evidence is so strong it could be used to bring a prosecution for swearing a false affidavit .
The crime is punishable on conviction by up to 10 years imprisonment and with a fine of up to €100,000 .
Senior officers believe if the State began prosecuting those swearing false evidence as part of bogus personal injury claims it would act as a clear deterrent to others .
Garda sources were only aware of one such prosecution since providing false evidence in a personal injury claim became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Courts Act 2004 .
The programme for Government promised “ fraudulent claims ” would be “ forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions ” and that it would be made easier to prosecute fraudsters for giving false evidence .
On Thursday members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau arrested two suspects for conspiracy to defraud the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland ( MIBI ) , which compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers .
Their arrests arose from the bogus insurance claim made by the man secretly filmed by the MIBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his car despite claiming serious injury from a crash involving a supposed uninsured and untraceable driver .
The suspects , a married couple in their early 40s , were arrested at their home and taken to Ballymun Garda station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act .
The DPP has proven reluctant to pursue criminal charges against suspects for swearing false affidavits in failed person injury claims despite gardaí repeatedly recommending such charges .
At Dublin Circuit Court last month in a separate case Judge Jacqueline Linnane dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries during a minor car crash , after the court heard the complainant had “ lied though his teeth ” and swore false evidence .
Judge Linnane suggested the case may be referred to the criminal justice system though she saw “ little point ” sending the matter to the DPP because “ none of these referrals are pursued ” , though she acknowledged the DPP was busy .

On Thursday members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau arrested two suspects for conspiracy to defraud the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), which compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. File photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Gardaí carrying out a criminal investigation into a bogus personal injury claim are seeking to charge the failed claimant with swearing false affidavit evidence with a view to prosecuting others in the same way for making bogus claims.
The man at the centre of the claim, who was arrested in north Co Dublin on Thursday, used a wheelchair when attending appointments related to his personal injury claim. However, when he was secretly filmed in his day to day life he did not need the wheelchair and was also able to lift the chair in and out of the boot of his car.
Gardaí now believe the video evidence is so strong it could be used to bring a prosecution for swearing a false affidavit. The crime is punishable on conviction by up to 10 years imprisonment and with a fine of up to €100,000.
Senior officers believe if the State began prosecuting those swearing false evidence as part of bogus personal injury claims it would act as a clear deterrent to others. Garda sources were only aware of one such prosecution since providing false evidence in a personal injury claim became a specific offence under the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004.
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The programme for Government promised “fraudulent claims” would be “forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions” and that it would be made easier to prosecute fraudsters for giving false evidence.
On Thursday members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau arrested two suspects for conspiracy to defraud the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), which compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.
Their arrests arose from the bogus insurance claim made by the man secretly filmed by the MIBI lifting a wheelchair in and out of his car despite claiming serious injury from a crash involving a supposed uninsured and untraceable driver.
The suspects, a married couple in their early 40s, were arrested at their home and taken to Ballymun Garda station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The DPP has proven reluctant to pursue criminal charges against suspects for swearing false affidavits in failed person injury claims despite gardaí repeatedly recommending such charges.
At Dublin Circuit Court last month in a separate case Judge Jacqueline Linnane dismissed a personal injury claim, for spinal injuries during a minor car crash, after the court heard the complainant had "lied though his teeth" and swore false evidence.
Judge Linnane suggested the case may be referred to the criminal justice system though she saw “little point” sending the matter to the DPP because “none of these referrals are pursued”, though she acknowledged the DPP was busy.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Dundrum to bring in one-way system to allow greater distancing

A one-way traffic system to allow more space for cyclists and pedestrians is to be introduced in Dundrum village in south Dublin .
The space freed up from the removal of one traffic lane will allow for the widening of footpaths for pedestrians and a new contra-flow cycling lane .
The works will begin at the end of this month and take five weeks to complete , Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has announced .
The changes are to be temporary to allow for better social distancing on footpaths during the coronavirus pandemic , and to open up more on-street space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs .
The one-way traffic lane will run from Sandyford Road northwards onto Main Street , as far as the entrance to the Lidl car park .
The local authority said on-street parking would be “ repositioned ” from the east to the west side of Main Street , retaining the “ majority ” of parking spots .
“ There is no net loss of car parking , with a better distribution through the village , ” the council said .
The council also intends to add flower planters , seating , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter O ’ Brien , Labour Party councillor for Dundrum , said the plans would give the village main street a “ facelift ” following years of neglect .
Several shop fronts on the street were boarded up , with businesses in the area suffering from a lack of footfall , he said .
There were a few people who were “ cautious ” over the plans , with some concern over bus routes being diverted , he noted .
“ It ’ s very ambitious , ” he added .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Green Party councillor Una Power , mayor of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown , said Ireland had seen a “ bike boom ” during the pandemic and the changes would facilitate more families cycling into the village .
“ This is something that we needed to do as a council – to reopen our villages and towns in a time of Covid , ” she said .
Darren Chambers , manager of Lisney estate agents on Dundrum main street , said overall the proposed changes appeared to be positive .
“ The majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Mr Chambers , who is also chairman of Ballinteer St Johns GAA club , said providing safe spaces for people and families to cycle into the village was welcome .
However , he noted there were concerns from some businesses over the impact of the removal of parking on their trade .
“ I do have massive respect for my neighbours in business , who feel it is something they did not get to contribute their opinion on , ” he said .
Frank Mulvey , of Mulvey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes , saying there had been “ absolutely no ” consultation with local businesses .
The one-way system would make it harder for elderly people to travel into the village centre , he said .
“ I ’ m not someone who objects to everything , but this has to affect our business.
” The changes are similar to a new one-way traffic system introduced in Blackrock village , also to allow for extra space for cyclists and pedestrians .

A one-way traffic system to allow more space for cyclists and pedestrians is to be introduced in Dundrum village in south Dublin.
The space freed up from the removal of one traffic lane will allow for the widening of footpaths for pedestrians and a new contra-flow cycling lane. The works will begin at the end of this month and take five weeks to complete, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has announced.
The changes are to be temporary to allow for better social distancing on footpaths during the coronavirus pandemic, and to open up more on-street space for businesses to put out tables and chairs.
The one-way traffic lane will run from Sandyford Road northwards onto Main Street, as far as the entrance to the Lidl car park.
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The local authority said on-street parking would be “repositioned” from the east to the west side of Main Street, retaining the “majority” of parking spots.
“There is no net loss of car parking, with a better distribution through the village,” the council said. The council also intends to add flower planters, seating, and additional bicycle parking to the street.
Peter O’Brien, Labour Party councillor for Dundrum, said the plans would give the village main street a “facelift” following years of neglect.
Several shop fronts on the street were boarded up, with businesses in the area suffering from a lack of footfall, he said.
There were a few people who were “cautious” over the plans, with some concern over bus routes being diverted, he noted. “It’s very ambitious,” he added. “There will be some issues to iron out.”
Green Party councillor Una Power, mayor of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, said Ireland had seen a "bike boom" during the pandemic and the changes would facilitate more families cycling into the village.
“This is something that we needed to do as a council – to reopen our villages and towns in a time of Covid,” she said.
Darren Chambers, manager of Lisney estate agents on Dundrum main street, said overall the proposed changes appeared to be positive. “The majority of people that I speak to welcome it,” he said.
Mr Chambers, who is also chairman of Ballinteer St Johns GAA club, said providing safe spaces for people and families to cycle into the village was welcome.
However, he noted there were concerns from some businesses over the impact of the removal of parking on their trade. “I do have massive respect for my neighbours in business, who feel it is something they did not get to contribute their opinion on,” he said.
Frank Mulvey, of Mulvey’s Pharmacy, is staunchly opposed to the changes, saying there had been “absolutely no” consultation with local businesses.
The one-way system would make it harder for elderly people to travel into the village centre, he said. “I’m not someone who objects to everything, but this has to affect our business.”
The changes are similar to a new one-way traffic system introduced in Blackrock village, also to allow for extra space for cyclists and pedestrians.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Dublin man caught with child porn by undercover FBI agent is jailed

A man who was caught in possession of hundreds of images of child pornography after sending illicit material to an undercover FBI agent has been jailed for 18 months .
Dermot Whelan ( 67 ) of The Crescent , Belgard Heights , Tallaght , Dublin , pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography on two computer devices at his address on July 21st , 2014 .
Whelan also pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing child pornography at his address on an unknown date between October 20th , 2012 and July 21st , 2014 .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Judge Elma Sheahan said the offences were very serious because they involved “ the creation of a market for the abuse of children ” .
The judge said that as this type of offending is hidden in nature , deterrence is an important factor alongside rehabilitation .
She said the court must keep on notice “ the unspeakable degradation committed on young children so that someone such as the accused can seek sexual gratification ” .
She accepted that Whelan has been a carer for his wife and son in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggled to understand how a man in his 60s could engage in offending that has at its origin the abuse of children .
She sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment , but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for two years post release .
At an earlier sentencing hearing , Detective Garda Trevor Scanlon told Pieter Le Vert BL , prosecuting , that the case originated with a member of the FBI working undercover and monitoring certain internet chat rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possessors of child pornography congregated .
Det Garda Scanlon said that in 2012 , the FBI agent placed an advertisement designed to appeal to people interested in child pornography .
The agent received a response from an email address which sent them 25 images of child pornography .
The FBI agent contacted Yahoo which determined that the email address was located in Ireland .
Gardaí obtained a search warrant for the accused ’ s address and seized a number of electronic devices .
A laptop seized was found to have accessed a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicit child pornography videos were discovered on the laptop .
Also found on the laptop were 53 explicit images of child pornography and 182 child exposure images .
Further images of child pornography were discovered on a desktop computer .
In interview with gardaí , Whelan said he thought child pornography was disgusting and that under no circumstances would he harm a child .
He offered as an excuse for the material being found on the computers the fact that he had bought them second hand .
In a subsequent interview , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent it on to others via email .
He said that at the time he thought it was okay because he was not buying it or contributing to it .
Whelan said he was sexually aroused by the images .
He said this was something he deeply regretted and that he has not viewed pornography of any kind since the offences .
James Dwyer SC , defending , said his client has removed wifi from his home and has undergone therapy .
He said that without admissions made by Whelan , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with distributing child pornography .
Counsel , who said his his client has worked for over a year in a charity shop , submitted that this was less serious offending than was often seen in cases like this , particularly with regard to the volume of material involved .
He said this may be a case that did not require his client ’ s immediate incarceration .

A man who was caught in possession of hundreds of images of child pornography after sending illicit material to an undercover FBI agent has been jailed for 18 months.
Dermot Whelan (67) of The Crescent, Belgard Heights, Tallaght, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography on two computer devices at his address on July 21st, 2014.
Whelan also pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing child pornography at his address on an unknown date between October 20th, 2012 and July 21st, 2014. He has no previous convictions.
Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Elma Sheahan said the offences were very serious because they involved "the creation of a market for the abuse of children".
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The judge said that as this type of offending is hidden in nature, deterrence is an important factor alongside rehabilitation. She said the court must keep on notice “the unspeakable degradation committed on young children so that someone such as the accused can seek sexual gratification”.
She accepted that Whelan has been a carer for his wife and son in recent years. She said that the court struggled to understand how a man in his 60s could engage in offending that has at its origin the abuse of children.
She sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for two years post release.
At an earlier sentencing hearing, Detective Garda Trevor Scanlon told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that the case originated with a member of the FBI working undercover and monitoring certain internet chat rooms which were suspected of being places where possessors of child pornography congregated.
Det Garda Scanlon said that in 2012, the FBI agent placed an advertisement designed to appeal to people interested in child pornography. The agent received a response from an email address which sent them 25 images of child pornography.
The FBI agent contacted Yahoo which determined that the email address was located in Ireland. Gardaí obtained a search warrant for the accused's address and seized a number of electronic devices.
A laptop seized was found to have accessed a number of websites containing child pornography. Three explicit child pornography videos were discovered on the laptop.
Also found on the laptop were 53 explicit images of child pornography and 182 child exposure images. Further images of child pornography were discovered on a desktop computer.
In interview with gardaí, Whelan said he thought child pornography was disgusting and that under no circumstances would he harm a child. He offered as an excuse for the material being found on the computers the fact that he had bought them second hand.
In a subsequent interview, he admitted he had viewed child pornography and sent it on to others via email. He said that at the time he thought it was okay because he was not buying it or contributing to it.
Whelan said he was sexually aroused by the images. He said this was something he deeply regretted and that he has not viewed pornography of any kind since the offences.
James Dwyer SC, defending, said his client has removed wifi from his home and has undergone therapy. He said that without admissions made by Whelan, it was likely his client would not have been charged with distributing child pornography.
Counsel, who said his his client has worked for over a year in a charity shop, submitted that this was less serious offending than was often seen in cases like this, particularly with regard to the volume of material involved. He said this may be a case that did not require his client’s immediate incarceration.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--MacGill Summer School to be held online due to Covid-19

The MacGill Summer School which is held annually in Co Donegal to discuss topical issues of the day , is to take place in a digital format this year , due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Appropriately , the major topic for discussion will centre on the world ’ s response to the pandemic , “ the long-term consequences of which may persist for some considerable time to come ” , according to the organisers .
The 40th MacGill School will examine what progress has been made in the struggle against the virus and how people everywhere live under its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government intends to lead the task of rebuilding the economy , while at the same time meeting urgent obligations to reduce high levels of carbon emissions and providing high quality public services .
Sessions will examine how the lessons from life under Covid-19 can be used “ to build a better and fairer society and a world based on justice , equality and sustainability ” .
The event , which was founded in Glenties in 1981 to celebrate the life and work of the author , Patrick MacGill , will keep its links @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county ’ s rich cultural life , the organisers said .
The school takes place from October 23rd to 26th .
Further details on macgillsummerschool.com and on social media .

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal in 2012. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
The MacGill Summer School which is held annually in Co Donegal to discuss topical issues of the day, is to take place in a digital format this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Appropriately, the major topic for discussion will centre on the world’s response to the pandemic, “the long-term consequences of which may persist for some considerable time to come”, according to the organisers.
The 40th MacGill School will examine what progress has been made in the struggle against the virus and how people everywhere live under its shadow.
Discussions will examine how the Government intends to lead the task of rebuilding the economy, while at the same time meeting urgent obligations to reduce high levels of carbon emissions and providing high quality public services.
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Sessions will examine how the lessons from life under Covid-19 can be used “ to build a better and fairer society and a world based on justice, equality and sustainability”.
The event, which was founded in Glenties in 1981 to celebrate the life and work of the author, Patrick MacGill, will keep its links with Co Donegal by including snapshots of the county’s rich cultural life, the organisers said.
The school takes place from October 23rd to 26th. Further details on macgillsummerschool.com and on social media.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Travellers to NI from ‘low to medium risk countries’ won’t have to self-isolate

People arriving in Northern Ireland from “ low to medium risk ” countries will no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days .
The amendment to the international travel regulations was agreed at a meeting of the Northern Executive on Thursday , and could come into force as early as Friday .
The North ’ s first minister , Arlene Foster , said the list of countries included in the exemption would be the same as those in England and Wales , which applies from July 10th .
“ That includes countries like Spain , like France , so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have to quarantine when they come back to Northern Ireland , ” Ms Foster said .
More than 50 countries are on the exemption list , including other European destinations such as Germany and Italy , but not the United States or China .
The Common Travel Area has always been exempt from the self-isolation requirement , and there is no restriction on travel within the island of Ireland .
Face coverings on public transport will be mandatory from July 10th , except where an exemption applies .
The head of Belfast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it helped to “ bring clarity ” to the industry .
“ Air connectivity is essential for business and tourism and we thank the Executive for moving swiftly to bring us into line with England , ” he said .
There have been no coronavirus-related deaths recorded in Northern Ireland for the past six days , and the number of fatalities related to Covid-19 remains at 554 .
The Department of Health ( DoH ) said on Thursday that three new cases of the virus had been identified in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the North to 5,768 .
The DoH said on Thursday that the Reproductive - or R - number of the virus in Northern Ireland had risen slightly in the past week , and was now between 0.5 and one .
However it noted that “ as the number of new cases is low and in the presence of a robust testing programme and test/trace/protect strategy , R is no longer regarded as the most important indicator for the purposes of policy decisions.
” The department said that the number of positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important for planning , as at present it will “ show a high degree of volatility and may be heavily influenced by small changes in numbers , and therefore may give a misleading impression of the state of the epidemic.
” On Thursday ministers also confirmed further easing of the coronavirus restrictions in the North .
Indoor fitness studios and gyms , bingo halls and amusement arcades , outdoor leisure playgrounds and courts and cinemas can reopen from July 10th .
Outdoor horse racing and equestrian competitions can resume from July 11th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sporting events .
However no spectators will be allowed .
Indoor weddings and baptisms will resume in Northern Ireland from July 10th , as will marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in local government offices and other indoor locations .
Numbers attending will be determined by each venue .
Libraries can reopen from July 16th , with social distancing protocols put in place , and the date for repening indoor sport and leisure facilities - excluding swimming pools - has been brought forward to July 17th .

More than 50 countries are on the exemption list, including other European destinations such as Germany and Italy, but not the United States or China. Photograph: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty
People arriving in Northern Ireland from "low to medium risk" countries will no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days.
The amendment to the international travel regulations was agreed at a meeting of the Northern Executive on Thursday, and could come into force as early as Friday.
The North's first minister, Arlene Foster, said the list of countries included in the exemption would be the same as those in England and Wales, which applies from July 10th.
"That includes countries like Spain, like France, so that people can go on their holidays and not have to quarantine when they come back to Northern Ireland, " Ms Foster said.
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More than 50 countries are on the exemption list, including other European destinations such as Germany and Italy, but not the United States or China.
The Common Travel Area has always been exempt from the self-isolation requirement, and there is no restriction on travel within the island of Ireland.
Face coverings on public transport will be mandatory from July 10th, except where an exemption applies.
The head of Belfast International Airport, Graham Keddie, said it helped to "bring clarity" to the industry.
“Air connectivity is essential for business and tourism and we thank the Executive for moving swiftly to bring us into line with England,” he said.
There have been no coronavirus-related deaths recorded in Northern Ireland for the past six days, and the number of fatalities related to Covid-19 remains at 554.
The Department of Health (DoH) said on Thursday that three new cases of the virus had been identified in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the North to 5,768.
R-number
The DoH said on Thursday that the Reproductive - or R - number of the virus in Northern Ireland had risen slightly in the past week, and was now between 0.5 and one.
However it noted that “as the number of new cases is low and in the presence of a robust testing programme and test/trace/protect strategy, R is no longer regarded as the most important indicator for the purposes of policy decisions.”
The department said that the number of positive tests per day was likely to be more important for planning, as at present it will “show a high degree of volatility and may be heavily influenced by small changes in numbers, and therefore may give a misleading impression of the state of the epidemic.”
On Thursday ministers also confirmed further easing of the coronavirus restrictions in the North.
Indoor fitness studios and gyms, bingo halls and amusement arcades, outdoor leisure playgrounds and courts and cinemas can reopen from July 10th.
Outdoor horse racing and equestrian competitions can resume from July 11th, as can outdoor competitive games and sporting events. However no spectators will be allowed.
Indoor weddings and baptisms will resume in Northern Ireland from July 10th, as will marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in local government offices and other indoor locations. Numbers attending will be determined by each venue.
Libraries can reopen from July 16th, with social distancing protocols put in place, and the date for repening indoor sport and leisure facilities - excluding swimming pools - has been brought forward to July 17th.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Prosecution case concludes in Garda murder trial

The prosecution has finished its evidence in the trial of Aaron Brady who denies murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during an armed raid on a credit union .
The trial , at the Central Criminal Court , began in January but the jury did not sit for several weeks after the Covid-19 lockdown began .
Trial judge Mr Justice Michael White opted to continue and when the jury returned in May the courtroom had been set up to allow for social distancing and restrictions were placed on the number of people who could be in court at any time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 members as it was anticipated that the trial would take some months and Mr Justice White wanted extra jurors in case some had to bow out .
Two have bowed out , one because of concerns related to Covid-19 .
On Thursday , Mr Justice White told the remaining 13 that he must deal with issues in their absence and does not require them again until Monday morning .
Aaron Brady ( 28 ) from New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25 , 2013 at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth .
Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location .
On the final day of evidence , Detective Inspector Mark Phillips of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation ( NBCI ) told his barrister , Michael O ’ Higgins SC , that last September he received a report from Yonkers Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the detention of one of the witnesses in the trial , Daniel Cahill , who spoke to gardaí at Yonkers precinct on July 25th last year after being detained by Homeland Security .
Mr Cahill has given evidence that the accused told him on three occasions that he shot a garda .
Det Insp Phillips agreed that the report mentions that steroids were found at Mr Cahill ’ s home when Homeland Security went there to speak to him on July 25th last year .
He further agreed that the first time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Special Agent Mary Ann Wade of Homeland Security mentioned it during her second day of cross-examination last week .
He said that when he heard the special agent ’ s evidence it “ rang a bell ” and so he sought out the report .
He also agreed that the prosecution accepts that this report should have been disclosed to the defence .
The report states that officers from Homeland Security called to Mr Cahill ’ s home because they wished to speak to him .
When they arrived Mr Cahill ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allowed officers to search the premises to find out if she was telling the truth .
During the search they found what they suspected to be a small cannabis growing operation and later found Mr Cahill in the attic .
An unstated quantity of steroids was also found .
According to the report Mr Cahill agreed to speak to Homeland Security and therefore went to Yonkers precinct where , the trial has previously heard , he gave a statement to gardaí .
Mr O ’ Higgins said this was contrary to Special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was brought to the precinct in handcuffs because of the suspected presence of steroids in the apartment .
The report concludes that the district attorney decided not to file charges in relation to the suspected cannabis or the steroids .
Following cross examination of Det Insp Phillips Brendan Grehan SC , for the prosecution , told the jury : “ That is the end of the prosecution case.
” Mr Justice White asked the jury to return on Monday for the next stage of the trial .

The prosecution has finished its evidence in the trial of Aaron Brady who denies murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during an armed raid on a credit union.
The trial, at the Central Criminal Court, began in January but the jury did not sit for several weeks after the Covid-19 lockdown began. Trial judge Mr Justice Michael White opted to continue and when the jury returned in May the courtroom had been set up to allow for social distancing and restrictions were placed on the number of people who could be in court at any time.
When the jury was sworn it had 15 members as it was anticipated that the trial would take some months and Mr Justice White wanted extra jurors in case some had to bow out. Two have bowed out, one because of concerns related to Covid-19.
On Thursday, Mr Justice White told the remaining 13 that he must deal with issues in their absence and does not require them again until Monday morning.
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Aaron Brady (28) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location.
On the final day of evidence, Detective Inspector Mark Phillips of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) told his barrister, Michael O'Higgins SC, that last September he received a report from Yonkers Police Department in New York. It related to the detention of one of the witnesses in the trial, Daniel Cahill, who spoke to gardaí at Yonkers precinct on July 25th last year after being detained by Homeland Security. Mr Cahill has given evidence that the accused told him on three occasions that he shot a garda.
Det Insp Phillips agreed that the report mentions that steroids were found at Mr Cahill's home when Homeland Security went there to speak to him on July 25th last year. He further agreed that the first time the defence became aware of this was when Special Agent Mary Ann Wade of Homeland Security mentioned it during her second day of cross-examination last week. He said that when he heard the special agent's evidence it "rang a bell" and so he sought out the report. He also agreed that the prosecution accepts that this report should have been disclosed to the defence.
The report states that officers from Homeland Security called to Mr Cahill’s home because they wished to speak to him. When they arrived Mr Cahill’s wife told them he was not there and allowed officers to search the premises to find out if she was telling the truth. During the search they found what they suspected to be a small cannabis growing operation and later found Mr Cahill in the attic. An unstated quantity of steroids was also found.
According to the report Mr Cahill agreed to speak to Homeland Security and therefore went to Yonkers precinct where, the trial has previously heard, he gave a statement to gardaí. Mr O’Higgins said this was contrary to Special Agent Wade’s evidence that he was brought to the precinct in handcuffs because of the suspected presence of steroids in the apartment. The report concludes that the district attorney decided not to file charges in relation to the suspected cannabis or the steroids.
Following cross examination of Det Insp Phillips Brendan Grehan SC, for the prosecution, told the jury: “That is the end of the prosecution case.”
Mr Justice White asked the jury to return on Monday for the next stage of the trial.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--Covid wage subsidy recipients cannot draw down funds from State mortgage scheme

People using a State-backed mortgage scheme will not be able to draw down funds if they are in receipt of Covid-era wage subsidies , the Department of Housing has confirmed .
In response to a parliamentary question asked by Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin , Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien confirmed his department had sent a circular to local authorities , which administer the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme , on Monday .
While people on the temporary wage subsidy scheme ( TWSS ) can apply for a loan , when they are approved “ draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ unsupported income post TWSS has returned to the level specified in the original application for a period of time , usually up to three months ” .
He said that local authorities can “ use their judgment and knowledge of local employers to advance loans ” in advance of this three-month period , when appropriate .
Applicants can also draw down a loan if a joint application is being made , and one party is not on the state subsidy and can also show repayment capacity based on their income alone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the subsidy is withdrawn , their application will be re-assessed “ to determine the most appropriate borrowing amount for them ” , Mr O ’ Brien said .
“ This approach is in line with the need to lend on a prudent basis , as a mortgage is a long-term commitment and it would not be appropriate to lend when there is a risk that the person ’ s income and ability to pay might not return to the level required to support the borrowing requested , ” the Dublin Fingal TD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place did not amount to a “ blanket ban ” , and said “ there is no one size fits all approach , it depends on the individual circumstances ” .
However , Mr Ó Broin insisted that the circular , which was sent to local authorities on Monday , amounted to a blanket ban for those in receipt of subsidies .
“ When you read the thing it ’ s very clear that anyone who has approval in principle can not draw down until they ’ re three months off ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr O ’ Brien , who said in the Dáil on Wednesday that no blanket ban was in place .
“ This is exactly the same type of blanket ban that AIB introduced and were hauled over the coals for , ” he said .
“ The parliamentary question is crystal clear .
The Minister needs to formally correct the record of the Dáil.
” The Sinn Féin deputy said he would be writing to the Ceann Comhairle requesting the record be corrected .
A spokesman for the Department of Housing said local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans ahead of the three month period .
“ The approach outlined in the circular is in line with the need to lend on a prudent basis.
” Meanwhile , the Government has reported the highest number of people returning to work in a single week since the coronavirus pandemic began with 63,000 coming off the State Covid-19 jobless payments .
Liz Canavan , assistant secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach , said at a briefing on that 412,900 people received a Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment , down from 439,000 last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received this payment .
Revenue made payments of almost €24.5 million this week under the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme to employers , bringing total payment sunders his scheme to €1.97 billion , she said .
Some 410,000 employees have been supported by the scheme through 66,500 employers .

While people on the temporary wage subsidy scheme can apply for a loan, when they are approved draw down would not commence until the applicants’ unsupported income post TWSS has returned.
People using a State-backed mortgage scheme will not be able to draw down funds if they are in receipt of Covid-era wage subsidies, the Department of Housing has confirmed.
In response to a parliamentary question asked by Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien confirmed his department had sent a circular to local authorities, which administer the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme, on Monday.
While people on the temporary wage subsidy scheme (TWSS) can apply for a loan, when they are approved “draw down would not commence until the applicants’ unsupported income post TWSS has returned to the level specified in the original application for a period of time, usually up to three months”.
He said that local authorities can “use their judgment and knowledge of local employers to advance loans” in advance of this three-month period, when appropriate. Applicants can also draw down a loan if a joint application is being made, and one party is not on the state subsidy and can also show repayment capacity based on their income alone.
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When someone’s wages are cut after the subsidy is withdrawn, their application will be re-assessed “to determine the most appropriate borrowing amount for them”, Mr O’Brien said.
Prudence
“This approach is in line with the need to lend on a prudent basis, as a mortgage is a long-term commitment and it would not be appropriate to lend when there is a risk that the person’s income and ability to pay might not return to the level required to support the borrowing requested,” the Dublin Fingal TD said. He said what was in place did not amount to a “blanket ban”, and said “there is no one size fits all approach, it depends on the individual circumstances”.
However, Mr Ó Broin insisted that the circular, which was sent to local authorities on Monday, amounted to a blanket ban for those in receipt of subsidies.
“When you read the thing it’s very clear that anyone who has approval in principle cannot draw down until they’re three months off (the subsidy scheme).” He criticised Mr O’Brien, who said in the Dáil on Wednesday that no blanket ban was in place.
"This is exactly the same type of blanket ban that AIB introduced and were hauled over the coals for," he said. "The parliamentary question is crystal clear. The Minister needs to formally correct the record of the Dáil."
The Sinn Féin deputy said he would be writing to the Ceann Comhairle requesting the record be corrected.
A spokesman for the Department of Housing said local authorities can use their judgment to advance loans ahead of the three month period.
“The approach outlined in the circular is in line with the need to lend on a prudent basis.”
Return to work
Meanwhile, the Government has reported the highest number of people returning to work in a single week since the coronavirus pandemic began with 63,000 coming off the State Covid-19 jobless payments.
Liz Canavan, assistant secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach, said at a briefing on that 412,900 people received a Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment, down from 439,000 last week and a high of 598,000 who had received this payment.
Revenue made payments of almost €24.5 million this week under the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme to employers, bringing total payment sunders his scheme to €1.97 billion, she said. Some 410,000 employees have been supported by the scheme through 66,500 employers.


theirishtimes--2020-07-09--‘Wetsuit mums’ help save dozens of orphaned seal pups

Dozens of orphaned seal pups who were swept away from their mothers during storms are being saved by “ wetsuit mums ” .
Seal Rescue Ireland in Co Wexford has seen a recent surge in orphaned seals , with many just days and weeks old .
The injured or orphaned pups are comforted by the “ fake mums ” which are made from old wetsuits .
The charity organisation which rescues , rehabilitates and releases native seals from across the coast , said it used wetsuits that would have ended up in landfill .
Each of the pups needs months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mothers and would not survive if left alone in the wild .
The “ wetsuit mums ” are made to look and feel like an adult seal and are placed beside the pups in the centre ’ s intensive care unit .
Executive director of Seal Rescue Ireland Melanie Croce said orphaned seals could become distressed when brought into the centre .
“ When they become separate from their mother very young , they have virtually no chance of survival and that ’ s when we have to step in , help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight , and get them big and strong enough to be released into the wild , ” she said .
“ They can be very stressed and we look for ways to keep them calm .
“ The idea kind of evolved and we tried it out and it was a hit .
It ’ s a practical way to help them along .
It ’ s very heart-warming and this is the closest thing they will have to a mother .
“ We have 17 pups and they all get a fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an ICU container with a heat lamp ; it ’ s a quiet place for them to rest .
“ After storms we always get a huge amount of calls about abandoned pups so this is how climate change is impacting , ” said Ms Croce .
“ They also become orphaned through human disturbance .
People don ’ t realise that seals need to rest and they raise their young on the beach and if you approach a seal , the mother might leave and not come back for their young.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mum ” , Lynn Haughton , said she wanted it to resemble an adult seal .
Ms Haughton , who is founder and designer of the Upcycle Movement , had been volunteering at the centre when she was asked to make the wetsuits .
“ I repurpose recyclable textiles and I have my own design collection focusing on wetsuits so we tried out this new creation and it worked , ” she said .
“ It has a recycled waterproof lining filled with off-cuts from old wetsuits so it ’ s great to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seals responded really well – most have gone straight to it but some aren ’ t bothered .
“ It ’ s definitely effective .
They are really happy with it and other rescue centres in the UK have contacted me about how they can do it.
” – PA

Dozens of orphaned seal pups who were swept away from their mothers during storms are being saved by “wetsuit mums”.
Seal Rescue Ireland in Co Wexford has seen a recent surge in orphaned seals, with many just days and weeks old.
The injured or orphaned pups are comforted by the “fake mums” which are made from old wetsuits.
Melanie Croce, executive director at Seal Rescue Ireland, with some of their rescued common seal pups at their premises in Courtown, Co Wexford. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The charity organisation which rescues, rehabilitates and releases native seals from across the coast, said it used wetsuits that would have ended up in landfill.
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Each of the pups needs months of care after being separated from their mothers and would not survive if left alone in the wild.
The “wetsuit mums” are made to look and feel like an adult seal and are placed beside the pups in the centre’s intensive care unit.
Executive director of Seal Rescue Ireland Melanie Croce said orphaned seals could become distressed when brought into the centre.
“When they become separate from their mother very young, they have virtually no chance of survival and that’s when we have to step in, help them and bring them back to a healthy weight, and get them big and strong enough to be released into the wild,” she said.
“They can be very stressed and we look for ways to keep them calm.
“The idea kind of evolved and we tried it out and it was a hit. It’s a practical way to help them along. It’s very heart-warming and this is the closest thing they will have to a mother.
“We have 17 pups and they all get a fake mum with them. We put them into an ICU container with a heat lamp; it’s a quiet place for them to rest.
“After storms we always get a huge amount of calls about abandoned pups so this is how climate change is impacting,” said Ms Croce.
“They also become orphaned through human disturbance. People don’t realise that seals need to rest and they raise their young on the beach and if you approach a seal, the mother might leave and not come back for their young.”
The designer behind the “wetsuit mum”, Lynn Haughton, said she wanted it to resemble an adult seal.
Recycling
Ms Haughton, who is founder and designer of the Upcycle Movement, had been volunteering at the centre when she was asked to make the wetsuits.
“I repurpose recyclable textiles and I have my own design collection focusing on wetsuits so we tried out this new creation and it worked,” she said.
“It has a recycled waterproof lining filled with off-cuts from old wetsuits so it’s great to get those used too.
“The seals responded really well – most have gone straight to it but some aren’t bothered.
“It’s definitely effective. They are really happy with it and other rescue centres in the UK have contacted me about how they can do it.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Man charged with murder of garda remains in Central Mental Hospital

A 43-year-old man charged with the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan is medically unwell and unable to attend court for a period of two weeks , a court has heard .
Harristown District Court was told Stephen Silver , a mechanic with an address at Aughaward , Foxford , Co Mayo , is currently being detained in the Central Mental Hospital ( CMH ) in Dublin , where he is receiving ongoing psychiatric treatment .
He was first remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison on June 19th , before being transferred to the Midlands Prison and then on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 ) , who was based in Castlerea Garda station , died on June 17th at the junction of Main Street and St Patrick Street in the town after he was shot while responding to an incident .
Mr Silver ’ s solicitor , Gearoid Geraghty , told the court on Friday his client is “ medically unwell ” and needs to receive ongoing psychiatric treatment as an inpatient .
Mr Geraghty said he is unsure on what basis his client is currently detained .
A forensic psychiatric report is being undertaken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Sergeant Mark Mahon told the court that a number of detectives and officers have been assigned to the case and the matter is being “ investigated speedily ” .
Judge Alan Mitchell requested that the reason for Mr Silver ’ s detention at the hospital be set out before his next hearing .
He remanded the accused in custody to appear before Harristown Court via video link on July 24th for service of the book of evidence .

A 43-year-old man charged with the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan is medically unwell and unable to attend court for a period of two weeks, a court has heard.
Harristown District Court was told Stephen Silver, a mechanic with an address at Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, is currently being detained in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dublin, where he is receiving ongoing psychiatric treatment.
He was first remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison on June 19th, before being transferred to the Midlands Prison and then on to the CMH.
Det Garda Horkan (49), who was based in Castlerea Garda station, died on June 17th at the junction of Main Street and St Patrick Street in the town after he was shot while responding to an incident.
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Mr Silver’s solicitor, Gearoid Geraghty, told the court on Friday his client is “medically unwell” and needs to receive ongoing psychiatric treatment as an inpatient.
Mr Geraghty said he is unsure on what basis his client is currently detained. A forensic psychiatric report is being undertaken by a professional at the CMH, he said.
Sergeant Mark Mahon told the court that a number of detectives and officers have been assigned to the case and the matter is being "investigated speedily".
Judge Alan Mitchell requested that the reason for Mr Silver’s detention at the hospital be set out before his next hearing.
He remanded the accused in custody to appear before Harristown Court via video link on July 24th for service of the book of evidence.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Over 40% of Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland occurred in care homes

More than 40 per cent of deaths in Northern Ireland from coronavirus are occurring in care homes , according to the latest weekly bulletin .
Figures compiled by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) indicate there were 10 deaths involving Covid-19 in the week from June 27th to July 3rd , bringing the total in the region to that date to 839 .
Of this total , 437 deaths ( 52.1 per cent ) took place in hospital , 345 ( 41.1 per cent ) in care homes , 49 ( 5.8 per cent ) at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 1.0 per cent ) in hospices .
The deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 80 separate establishments .
Comparatively the total number of deaths reported by the Department of Health to July 3rd was 554 .
The department figures report deaths of patients who had tested positive for the virus whereas the NISRA figures are based on information entered on death certificates .
Those aged 75 and over accounted for 80 per cent of Covid-19 related deaths registered up to July 3rd .
Meanwhile , a survey carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people said they were very worried or somewhat worried about the effect the pandemic was having on their lives .
Just under a third of people ( 31 per cent ) thought it would be more than a year before life returns to normal while a further six per cent said they thought that life would never return to normal .
And a third of people ( 34 per cent ) expected the financial position of their household to get worse in the next 12 months .
An overwhelming majority of those surveyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown measures put in place by the Government .
The survey involved 925 interviews with members of the public carried out between April 21st and June 22nd .

The deaths which occurred in Northern Ireland care homes and hospices involved 80 separate establishments. Photograph: RollingNews.ie
More than 40 per cent of deaths in Northern Ireland from coronavirus are occurring in care homes, according to the latest weekly bulletin.
Figures compiled by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) indicate there were 10 deaths involving Covid-19 in the week from June 27th to July 3rd, bringing the total in the region to that date to 839.
Of this total, 437 deaths (52.1 per cent) took place in hospital, 345 (41.1 per cent) in care homes, 49 (5.8 per cent) at residential addresses or other locations and eight (1.0 per cent) in hospices.
The deaths which occurred in care homes and hospices involved 80 separate establishments.
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Comparatively the total number of deaths reported by the Department of Health to July 3rd was 554.
The department figures report deaths of patients who had tested positive for the virus whereas the NISRA figures are based on information entered on death certificates.
Those aged 75 and over accounted for 80 per cent of Covid-19 related deaths registered up to July 3rd.
Meanwhile, a survey carried out by NISRA found that three quarters of people said they were very worried or somewhat worried about the effect the pandemic was having on their lives.
Just under a third of people (31 per cent) thought it would be more than a year before life returns to normal while a further six per cent said they thought that life would never return to normal.
And a third of people (34 per cent) expected the financial position of their household to get worse in the next 12 months.
An overwhelming majority of those surveyed (94 per cent) supported the lockdown measures put in place by the Government.
The survey involved 925 interviews with members of the public carried out between April 21st and June 22nd.


theirishtimes--2020-07-10--Lucky escape: Puppies found dangling in bag above Co Donegal river

Three new-born puppies had a lucky escape in Co Donegal this week after being stuffed into a plastic bag and thrown towards a river , only for the bag to become caught on barbed wire .
The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ISPCA ) was called to the scene near Drumkeen just before 9pm on Wednesday by a concerned member of the public .
Alexander Smyth , ISPCA director of veterinary service , retrieved the puppies from the plastic bag , which was dangling from the top of a barbed wire fence .
The animal rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the rescue attempt the three puppies would have fallen into the fast moving water below , and “ almost certainly ” have drowned .
The three new-born collie puppies had been “ deliberately dumped ” by their owner , the ISPCA said .
The puppies were taken to be treated for hypothermia , hypoglycaemia and hunger by a veterinary team .
The group estimated the dogs were between seven and 10 days old , but it was not known when they were abandoned .
Kevin McGinley , a senior ISPCA inspector , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be so cruel and heartless , to put three vulnerable little puppies in a plastic bag leaving them to dangle over a river to an inevitable death ” .
The situation could have been avoided if the owner had spayed the puppies mother , or contacted the ISPCA about the unwanted animals , he said .
Mr Smyth , who rescued the animals , said the puppies “ are doing well but will require intensive support as they are very young and now orphans.
” “ The abuse and needless suffering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that anyone with knowledge of the incident or similar cases of neglect to contact authorities .

Three puppies were taken to be treated for hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and hunger by the ISPCA after being found in Co Donegal. Photograph: ISPCA.
Three new-born puppies had a lucky escape in Co Donegal this week after being stuffed into a plastic bag and thrown towards a river, only for the bag to become caught on barbed wire.
The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) was called to the scene near Drumkeen just before 9pm on Wednesday by a concerned member of the public.
Alexander Smyth, ISPCA director of veterinary service, retrieved the puppies from the plastic bag, which was dangling from the top of a barbed wire fence.
Three new-born puppies had a lucky escape in Co Donegal this week after being stuffed into a plastic bag and thrown towards a river, only for the bag to become caught on barbed wire. Photograph: ISPCA.
The animal rights group said if the bag had ripped during the rescue attempt the three puppies would have fallen into the fast moving water below, and “almost certainly” have drowned.
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Deliberately dumped
The three new-born collie puppies had been “deliberately dumped” by their owner, the ISPCA said.
The puppies were taken to be treated for hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and hunger by a veterinary team. The group estimated the dogs were between seven and 10 days old, but it was not known when they were abandoned.
Kevin McGinley, a senior ISPCA inspector, said it was “disturbing how anyone could be so cruel and heartless, to put three vulnerable little puppies in a plastic bag leaving them to dangle over a river to an inevitable death”.
The situation could have been avoided if the owner had spayed the puppies mother, or contacted the ISPCA about the unwanted animals, he said.
Mr Smyth, who rescued the animals, said the puppies “are doing well but will require intensive support as they are very young and now orphans.”
“The abuse and needless suffering of animals is unacceptable,” he said, adding that anyone with knowledge of the incident or similar cases of neglect to contact authorities.