theirishtimes--2020-06-13--Shifting sands within Green Party signal a clash of culture as well as personalities

Below the current , monumental debates taking place within the Greens , the party ’ s internal shifting sands are also exercising the minds of many in its expanded ranks .
The spectacle of the Greens playing out their differences in public since their most successful general election ever – whether it is Catherine Martin ’ s decision to challenge Eamon Ryan for the leadership , or the criticism of Ryan by party colleagues for ill-advised comments made during a well-intentioned Dáil speech on racism – have led other parties to tut that the Greens , for all their wholesomeness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But one of the main problems , say many inside the Greens , is as much about structure and culture as it is about personality .
Party membership has swollen from just 700 two years ago to almost 3,000 now and for some older members , the recent recruits are much more assertive than anything they are used to .
Comparisons are made to Momentum , the hard left group which supported Jeremy Corbyn in the UK Labour Party , and the Sunrise group of left climate activists in the US Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the new intake are lining up to oppose coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and Ryan ’ s leadership .
One party veteran said it is “ not just the typical internal party strife ” , adding : “ For some of us , what we ’ re witnessing is a coup .
“ The party that I knew in the late 1980s and 1990s is being overturned , decision by decision , vote by vote , by a bunch of keyboard warriors .
They want to be in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soc Dems .
No one else.
” For other Green veterans , such talk of a Corbyn-style takeover is exaggerated but there is nevertheless concern about the changing tone of debate within the party , with claims some aggressive and demeaning posts in WhatsApp groups are replacing civil and detailed policy debate .
Another said : “ I don ’ t think it would be fair or accurate to say it is a large part of the Young Greens .
There is a certain small cabal who have operated together and they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works and operates and seemingly they know better .
Difference is good – what I don ’ t want is intolerance and narrow mindedness.
” Others also remarked that younger members being more aggressive is not a phenomenon exclusive to the Greens , nor is a coarsening of debate caused on social media .
Ordinarily , debates such as those now facing the Greens are held in rooms and halls across various constituencies .
Emotional arguments made from a podium or the body of a meeting can sway a room ; differences can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heated meeting .
Coronavirus restrictions have forced those debates online .
“ It is a high-tension time , we have two big decisions , along with the Covid thing , ” said one experienced party source .
“ You don ’ t have the safety valve or a pint or a chat.
” The source said social media had amplified what was always the “ crotchety element ” within the party , and that any divide is not necessarily generational .
Younger members being active across the party ’ s structures is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That has happened before .
Maybe it is a function of a tediously democratic party.
” A figure in the Young Greens says the party is “ unrecognisable from what it was two years ago , never mind 10 years ago ” .
“ Nobody was complaining about the craic and enthusiasm when the Young Greens were out knocking on doors .
“ There were an awful lot of people in the party who have never had anybody tell them who were wrong .
I don ’ t want to say ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Concern that the structures of the party , more suited to a smaller operation used to decision-making by consensus , are no longer suitable for a much larger Green Party is widespread .
“ How can you complain that there are different factions in the party but you could put your arm around them ?
” argues the Young Green .
“ It is impossible to get a consensus when you have 3,000 members.
” Older Greens argue for more party discipline , and claim there must be consequences when someone – such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayo Green – speaks out against party policy .
Younger Greens want structural and cultural reform to better manage disagreements .
Even those fond of Ryan have been privately critical of his approach to party management since the election .
Significant reform of the party faces Ryan or Martin , whether the Greens enter government or not .

Below the current, monumental debates taking place within the Greens, the party's internal shifting sands are also exercising the minds of many in its expanded ranks.
The spectacle of the Greens playing out their differences in public since their most successful general election ever – whether it is Catherine Martin's decision to challenge Eamon Ryan for the leadership, or the criticism of Ryan by party colleagues for ill-advised comments made during a well-intentioned Dáil speech on racism – have led other parties to tut that the Greens, for all their wholesomeness, are as vicious as other politicians.
But one of the main problems, say many inside the Greens, is as much about structure and culture as it is about personality.
Party membership has swollen from just 700 two years ago to almost 3,000 now and for some older members, the recent recruits are much more assertive than anything they are used to. Comparisons are made to Momentum, the hard left group which supported Jeremy Corbyn in the UK Labour Party, and the Sunrise group of left climate activists in the US Democratic Party, and there is a belief many of the new intake are lining up to oppose coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and Ryan's leadership.
READ MORE
Party strife
One party veteran said it is “not just the typical internal party strife”, adding: “For some of us, what we’re witnessing is a coup.
“The party that I knew in the late 1980s and 1990s is being overturned, decision by decision, vote by vote, by a bunch of keyboard warriors. They want to be in government with Sinn Féin and Labour and the Soc Dems. No one else.”
For other Green veterans, such talk of a Corbyn-style takeover is exaggerated but there is nevertheless concern about the changing tone of debate within the party, with claims some aggressive and demeaning posts in WhatsApp groups are replacing civil and detailed policy debate.
Another said: “I don’t think it would be fair or accurate to say it is a large part of the Young Greens. There is a certain small cabal who have operated together and they have a real handle now on how politics works and operates and seemingly they know better. Difference is good – what I don’t want is intolerance and narrow mindedness.”
Others also remarked that younger members being more aggressive is not a phenomenon exclusive to the Greens, nor is a coarsening of debate caused on social media.
Ordinarily, debates such as those now facing the Greens are held in rooms and halls across various constituencies. Emotional arguments made from a podium or the body of a meeting can sway a room; differences can be settled over a drink after a heated meeting. Coronavirus restrictions have forced those debates online.
“It is a high-tension time, we have two big decisions, along with the Covid thing,” said one experienced party source. “You don’t have the safety valve or a pint or a chat.”
The source said social media had amplified what was always the “crotchety element” within the party, and that any divide is not necessarily generational.
Younger members being active across the party’s structures is also nothing new, argues this person. “That has happened before. Maybe it is a function of a tediously democratic party.”
A figure in the Young Greens says the party is “unrecognisable from what it was two years ago, never mind 10 years ago”.
Craic
“Nobody was complaining about the craic and enthusiasm when the Young Greens were out knocking on doors.
“There were an awful lot of people in the party who have never had anybody tell them who were wrong. I don’t want to say ‘the middle class bubble’.”
Concern that the structures of the party, more suited to a smaller operation used to decision-making by consensus, are no longer suitable for a much larger Green Party is widespread.
“How can you complain that there are different factions in the party but you could put your arm around them?” argues the Young Green. “It is impossible to get a consensus when you have 3,000 members.”
Older Greens argue for more party discipline, and claim there must be consequences when someone – such as Saoirse McHugh, the prominent young Mayo Green – speaks out against party policy. Younger Greens want structural and cultural reform to better manage disagreements. Even those fond of Ryan have been privately critical of his approach to party management since the election.
Significant reform of the party faces Ryan or Martin, whether the Greens enter government or not.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Nearly 100 Covid-19 cases in nursing homes in two-week period

There have been nearly 100 coronavirus cases in nursing homes reported in a two-week period across 25 different facilities , according to new figures provided by the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) .
The nursing home sector plans to reopen to visitors from Monday , having been closed since mid-March in an attempt to prevent the virus , also known as Covid-19 , entering nursing homes .
Tadhg Daly , chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) , who represent private and voluntary homes , said providers would “ be very vigilant ” to the disease returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited to two named visitors , who must undergo temperature checks beforehand , under the latest guidelines .
The sector has been severely hit by Covid-19 , accounting for around half of the 1,703 total deaths from the virus in the State .
As of midnight on Tuesday , June 9th , 497 new cases of Covid-19 had been notified to the HSE in the previous 14 days , and of those 94 cases related to nursing homes .
The cases related to both residents and staff and were spread across 25 different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the State deputy chief medical officer , said on Thursday that cases diagnosed in the last 14 days were regarded as “ active ” cases .
A Department of Health spokeswoman added that some cases “ may be notified or identified as linked to a nursing home cluster at a later date.
” “ It is important to note that this should not be interpreted as 25 new clusters .
Over the same 14-day period just two new clusters were identified in nursing homes ” , she said .
Under the visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confirm they have no Covid-19 symptoms before entering a nursing home .
Visitors should be staggered and limited to less than 30 minutes , with each visitor only allowed a maximum of one visit per week .
Children under 16 will not be permitted to visit residents .
There will be weekly testing of staff and residents starting next week , in order to quickly identify any new cases in the facilities .
Mr Daly said the resumption of visits was “ not a new dawn ” that signalled the sector was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have “ rigorous ” processes to ensure the disease did not re-enter facilities .
“ If individual homes don ’ t feel they can open on Monday I have been saying to them to err on the side of caution .
.
.
I know some members won ’ t be open on Monday , it might be Tuesday , or Wednesday , or Monday next week , ” he said .
“ The primary function is to protect the residents , it isn ’ t the case that on Monday we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-Covid ] ways.
” Mr Daly said he would favour “ regional ” restrictions on visitors to homes if certain regions or counties saw outbreaks of the virus in the coming weeks , rather than a return to the blanket nationwide ban introduced in March .

Tadhg Daly, chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, who represent private and voluntary homes, said providers would ‘be very vigilant’ to the disease returning as visits resumed. Photograph: Bryan James Brophy
There have been nearly 100 coronavirus cases in nursing homes reported in a two-week period across 25 different facilities, according to new figures provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The nursing home sector plans to reopen to visitors from Monday, having been closed since mid-March in an attempt to prevent the virus, also known as Covid-19, entering nursing homes.
Tadhg Daly, chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), who represent private and voluntary homes, said providers would "be very vigilant" to the disease returning as visits resumed.
Residents will be limited to two named visitors, who must undergo temperature checks beforehand, under the latest guidelines.
READ MORE
The sector has been severely hit by Covid-19, accounting for around half of the 1,703 total deaths from the virus in the State.
As of midnight on Tuesday, June 9th, 497 new cases of Covid-19 had been notified to the HSE in the previous 14 days, and of those 94 cases related to nursing homes.
The cases related to both residents and staff and were spread across 25 different nursing home clusters.
Dr Ronan Glynn, the State deputy chief medical officer, said on Thursday that cases diagnosed in the last 14 days were regarded as "active" cases.
A Department of Health spokeswoman added that some cases “may be notified or identified as linked to a nursing home cluster at a later date.”
“It is important to note that this should not be interpreted as 25 new clusters. Over the same 14-day period just two new clusters were identified in nursing homes”, she said.
Guidelines
Under the visiting guidelines, family members will be required to confirm they have no Covid-19 symptoms before entering a nursing home.
Visitors should be staggered and limited to less than 30 minutes, with each visitor only allowed a maximum of one visit per week. Children under 16 will not be permitted to visit residents.
There will be weekly testing of staff and residents starting next week, in order to quickly identify any new cases in the facilities.
Mr Daly said the resumption of visits was “not a new dawn” that signalled the sector was in the clear, and nursing homes would have “rigorous” processes to ensure the disease did not re-enter facilities.
“If individual homes don’t feel they can open on Monday I have been saying to them to err on the side of caution . . . I know some members won’t be open on Monday, it might be Tuesday, or Wednesday, or Monday next week,” he said.
“The primary function is to protect the residents, it isn’t the case that on Monday we are going back to the old [pre-Covid] ways.”
Mr Daly said he would favour “regional” restrictions on visitors to homes if certain regions or counties saw outbreaks of the virus in the coming weeks, rather than a return to the blanket nationwide ban introduced in March.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Thinking Anew – A time for healing

Thinking Anew – A time for healing

It was rush hour on the Dart .
Standing room only .
Close by a woman sitting with her two boys aged eight and 10 asked them to share so that I could have a seat .
As we chatted , I asked the boys about the crest on their tops .
They said it was their school crest , a Gaelscoil or Irish-language school , and that is significant because this was an immigrant family – from the Philippines .
The mother explained that she wanted her boys to be familiar with the culture and show respect for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different race and colour and possibly religion , showed me that people who are different have so much to contribute .
One of tomorrow ’ s readings from Genesis chapter 18 describes how Abraham dealt with three strangers that came his way : “ Let a little water be brought , and wash your feet , and rest yourselves under the tree .
Let me bring a little bread , that you may refresh yourselves .
.
.
” It did not end there because Abraham then ordered his servants to prepare a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is remembered in Judeo-Christian tradition for his hospitality to strangers .
In the gospel reading , Jesus sends his disciples out telling them to expect to be offered hospitality ; anyone refusing them were to be condemned .
Recent events in America remind us that people can be treated as strangers within their own country , something not unknown on this island even today , so we need to be careful when judging others .
But the brutal killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis led to an explosion of anger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
While violence and looting have to be condemned , it is worth remembering and accepting that the violence started four centuries ago when white Europeans kidnapped African men women and children and enslaved them for generations .
Many of their descendants feel that they are being treated today as non-citizens .
America needs racial healing , which is precisely what President Trump ’ s administration seems incapable of providing .
A warlike speech condemning protesters followed by a photo-op in front of St John ’ s Episcopal ( Anglican ) Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stinging rebuke from the bishop of the diocese , the Right Rev Mariann Budde : “ He took the symbols sacred to our tradition and stood in front of a house of prayer in full expectation that would be a celebratory moment .
.
.
In no way do we support the President ’ s incendiary response to a wounded , grieving nation .
In faithfulness to our Saviour who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love , we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was widely condemned for making use of the Bible for what the American Primate Michael Curry described as partisan political purposes .
Trump would do well to consider what Abraham Lincoln thought of the good book : “ I believe that the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given to man .
All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book .
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , as the Taoiseach pointed out recently , and wherever it is found in the West it is often an expression of what is called white supremacy , a view that is clearly anti-Christian .
Fr Richard Rohr explains why : “ Our inherent dignity has nothing to do with our race , or religion or class .
Hindus have it , Buddhists have it , and so-called pagans in Africa have it .
They are just as much children of God as we are .
Objectively .
Theologically .
Eternally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from ?
Did some other god create them , except the God ?
Their divine DNA is identical to ours .
We deny our supposed monotheism ( there is one God ) if we believe anything else .
Far too many Jews , Christians and Muslims have been anything but believers in one God who created all things .
”

It was rush hour on the Dart. Standing room only. Close by a woman sitting with her two boys aged eight and 10 asked them to share so that I could have a seat. As we chatted, I asked the boys about the crest on their tops. They said it was their school crest, a Gaelscoil or Irish-language school, and that is significant because this was an immigrant family – from the Philippines. The mother explained that she wanted her boys to be familiar with the culture and show respect for their adopted country. These strangers, of different race and colour and possibly religion, showed me that people who are different have so much to contribute.
One of tomorrow’s readings from Genesis chapter 18 describes how Abraham dealt with three strangers that came his way: “Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves . . .” It did not end there because Abraham then ordered his servants to prepare a feast which he himself served. Abraham is remembered in Judeo-Christian tradition for his hospitality to strangers.
In the gospel reading, Jesus sends his disciples out telling them to expect to be offered hospitality; anyone refusing them were to be condemned.
Recent events in America remind us that people can be treated as strangers within their own country, something not unknown on this island even today, so we need to be careful when judging others. But the brutal killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis led to an explosion of anger and outrage by African-Americans and sympathisers around the world. While violence and looting have to be condemned, it is worth remembering and accepting that the violence started four centuries ago when white Europeans kidnapped African men women and children and enslaved them for generations.
READ MORE
Many of their descendants feel that they are being treated today as non-citizens. America needs racial healing, which is precisely what President Trump’s administration seems incapable of providing. A warlike speech condemning protesters followed by a photo-op in front of St John’s Episcopal (Anglican) Church with a Bible in his hands drew a stinging rebuke from the bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev Mariann Budde: “He took the symbols sacred to our tradition and stood in front of a house of prayer in full expectation that would be a celebratory moment . . . In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Saviour who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd.” Prophetic and courageous words.
Donald Trump was widely condemned for making use of the Bible for what the American Primate Michael Curry described as partisan political purposes.
Trump would do well to consider what Abraham Lincoln thought of the good book: “I believe that the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book. I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”
Racial discrimination is not confined to America, as the Taoiseach pointed out recently, and wherever it is found in the West it is often an expression of what is called white supremacy, a view that is clearly anti-Christian. Fr Richard Rohr explains why: “Our inherent dignity has nothing to do with our race, or religion or class. Hindus have it, Buddhists have it, and so-called pagans in Africa have it. They are just as much children of God as we are. Objectively. Theologically. Eternally. Where else do you think they came from? Did some other god create them, except the God? Their divine DNA is identical to ours. We deny our supposed monotheism (there is one God) if we believe anything else. Far too many Jews, Christians and Muslims have been anything but believers in one God who created all things.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Almost 700,000 people waiting on a hospital appointment at end of May, new figures show

Nearly 700,000 people were waiting on a hospital appointment at the end of May according to new figures from the @ @ @ @ @ NTPF ) .
The total figure includes 575,863 patients waiting for their first hospital out-patient @ @ @ @ @ a consultant .
This number is slightly up on April ’ s figure .
It @ @ @ @ @ on an in-patient appointment or day case treatment and 35,307 waiting on an endoscopy appointment @ @ @ @ @ on April ’ s figures .
Just under 16,000 patients on the waiting lists have @ @ @ @ @ ” , as a result of not being able to avail of an appointment .
@ @ @ @ @ result of appointments and clinics being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Before the @ @ @ @ @ been ticking downwards .
In March the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) @ @ @ @ @ non-essential health services leading to up to 2,000 vacant beds at any one time .
@ @ @ @ @ it would begin using private hospitals to ease the waiting list numbers .

The total figure includes almost 575,900 patients waiting for their first hospital out-patient appointment. Photograph: Getty Images
Nearly 700,000 people were waiting on a hospital appointment at the end of May according to new figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
The total figure includes 575,863 patients waiting for their first hospital out-patient appointment for an assessment by a consultant. This number is slightly up on April’s figure.
It also includes 86,946 patients waiting on an in-patient appointment or day case treatment and 35,307 waiting on an endoscopy appointment, both also slightly up on April’s figures.
Just under 16,000 patients on the waiting lists have been classified as “suspended”, as a result of not being able to avail of an appointment.
READ MORE
The increases are mainly the result of appointments and clinics being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. Before the pandemic waiting list numbers had been ticking downwards.
In March the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommended a pause in all non-essential health services leading to up to 2,000 vacant beds at any one time.
Last month the HSE announced it would begin using private hospitals to ease the waiting list numbers.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Irish man ‘stranded’ in Russia with baby appeals for help to bring her home

An Irish citizen who is “ stranded ” in Russia with his two-month-old daughter and at risk of running out of money and becoming homeless has appealed to the authorities here for help to bring his baby home .
Oliver James lives in London but is an Irish citizen .
He had a baby via surrogacy eight weeks ago in St Petersburg and has been trying to arrange travel documents to bring his daughter home since her birth on April 11th .
“ To date no one has looked at any of my papers or my baby ’ s papers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
“ I was advised this can normally take six to eight weeks to get sorted .
However , I fear that my six to eight weeks have not been started yet as no one from the Department of Foreign Affairs or embassy has seen my paperwork.
” He said he had been attempting to contact the relevant people “ but it seems my emails and pleading for help have all but been ignored ” .
He described his situation as “ desperate ” .
“ I ’ m running out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month I will struggle to pay for flights home.
” The rental agreement for the accommodation he has been living in since before the birth of his child “ is about to run at the end of this month , so I don ’ t know where we would live ” .
He arrived in St Petersburg with £20,000 to cover all his expenses and has so far spent £15,000 on legal fees .
“ Yet I still have no sign of travel documents or even a meeting with embassy staff to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s documents .
The rest of the money was used for living expenses and medical costs.
” Describing his situation as “ quite dire ” he stressed that he was not looking for money or financial help .
“ I just really really need help getting home.
” He said his child ’ s Russian birth certificate shows her as “ having only one parent which is me .
I have been her main caregiver since birth and [ the birth cert ] does not entitle her to any rights or protection as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she can be given a nationality is via myself.
” Speaking on Friday night , Mr James described his daughter Vivien as “ amazing ” but said trying to arrange to bring her home had been “ incredibly stressful ” .
“ I feel like I am going around in circles.
” He said Friday nights had become his lowest point .
“ On Mondays I am hopeful but on every Friday for weeks I have found myself in the same position I was in at the start of the week.
” Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paternity and that has to be taken in the presence of an official from the Irish Embassy in Moscow .
“ It would take half an hour and has to be done via an Irish company called OQPS [ Ormond Quay Paternity Services ] which I am dealing with all the time and they have been amazing , ” he said .
“ The woman I am dealing with there has just texted me at 8pm on a Friday evening trying to help me do the DNA test without the embassy on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything she can.
” He said he had pleaded with the embassy to send an official to the Moscow clinic where the test can happen and he has offered to bring a doctor to the embassy to have the test done there .
“ Vivien has no one else according to the Russian courts , ” he said .
“ She is not a Russian citizen .
She has to inherit her nationality from me.
” Mr James also contacted Liveline on RTÉ Radio One on Friday afternoon and the Department of Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which it said it was “ aware of the case and is offering consular assistance ” .
The statement added that it was “ important to note that issues around surrogacy are complex and fact specific , involving issues such as citizenship , parentage and guardianship ” .
It said Irish authorities were required “ to act in compliance with Irish law and so it is the responsibility of the genetic father to ensure that the requirements of local law have been complied with ” .
Mr James responded angrily to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but hours later he had softened his tone .
“ I called them liars on the radio and on reflection I should not have said that but when they say there are helping me , they are not .
”

An Irish citizen who is "stranded" in Russia with his two-month-old daughter and at risk of running out of money and becoming homeless has appealed to the authorities here for help to bring his baby home.
Oliver James lives in London but is an Irish citizen. He had a baby via surrogacy eight weeks ago in St Petersburg and has been trying to arrange travel documents to bring his daughter home since her birth on April 11th.
"To date no one has looked at any of my papers or my baby's papers," Mr James told The Irish Times.
“I was advised this can normally take six to eight weeks to get sorted. However, I fear that my six to eight weeks have not been started yet as no one from the Department of Foreign Affairs or embassy has seen my paperwork.”
READ MORE
He said he had been attempting to contact the relevant people “but it seems my emails and pleading for help have all but been ignored”.
Oliver James with his daughter Vivien in St Petersburg.
He described his situation as “desperate”.
“I’m running out of money and anticipate by the end of this month I will struggle to pay for flights home.”
The rental agreement for the accommodation he has been living in since before the birth of his child “is about to run at the end of this month, so I don’t know where we would live”.
He arrived in St Petersburg with £20,000 to cover all his expenses and has so far spent £15,000 on legal fees.
“Yet I still have no sign of travel documents or even a meeting with embassy staff to show mine or my infant daughter’s documents. The rest of the money was used for living expenses and medical costs.”
Describing his situation as “quite dire” he stressed that he was not looking for money or financial help. “I just really really need help getting home.”
He said his child’s Russian birth certificate shows her as “having only one parent which is me. I have been her main caregiver since birth and [the birth cert] does not entitle her to any rights or protection as a Russian citizen. The only way she can be given a nationality is via myself.”
Speaking on Friday night, Mr James described his daughter Vivien as “amazing” but said trying to arrange to bring her home had been “incredibly stressful”.
“I feel like I am going around in circles.”
He said Friday nights had become his lowest point.
“On Mondays I am hopeful but on every Friday for weeks I have found myself in the same position I was in at the start of the week.”
Mr James needs a DNA test to prove paternity and that has to be taken in the presence of an official from the Irish Embassy in Moscow.
“It would take half an hour and has to be done via an Irish company called OQPS [Ormond Quay Paternity Services] which I am dealing with all the time and they have been amazing,” he said.
“The woman I am dealing with there has just texted me at 8pm on a Friday evening trying to help me do the DNA test without the embassy on Monday. She is great and has done everything she can.”
He said he had pleaded with the embassy to send an official to the Moscow clinic where the test can happen and he has offered to bring a doctor to the embassy to have the test done there.
“Vivien has no one else according to the Russian courts,” he said. “She is not a Russian citizen. She has to inherit her nationality from me.”
Mr James also contacted Liveline on RTÉ Radio One on Friday afternoon and the Department of Foreign Affairs supplied the programme with a statement in which it said it was "aware of the case and is offering consular assistance".
The statement added that it was “important to note that issues around surrogacy are complex and fact specific, involving issues such as citizenship, parentage and guardianship”.
It said Irish authorities were required “to act in compliance with Irish law and so it is the responsibility of the genetic father to ensure that the requirements of local law have been complied with”.
Mr James responded angrily to the statement when it was read on air but hours later he had softened his tone .
“I called them liars on the radio and on reflection I should not have said that but when they say there are helping me, they are not.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Seaside Dublin village to be partly pedestrianised

New Street in Malahide , Co Dublin is to become pedestrianised as part of a scheme aimed at making social distancing easier in the seaside town while giving it an “ open air , European-style feel ” .
Walk Bike Fingal is a 10-week pilot initiative which hopes to encourage and facilitate social distancing while allowing retailers , café and restaurant owners to expand their business onto the street .
Additional spaces for cars are being provided at Bridgefield Car Park at the entrance to Malahide Demesne where parking will be free for a two-hour period .
The Council has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendly ” parking spots in the town centre .
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a significant drop in traffic in the north county Dublin town and a resurgence in walking and cycling across Fingal which has prompted the pedestrianisation scheme .
It has been backed by Malahide Chamber of Commerce , Malahide Community Forum and Malahide Tidy Towns .
Fingal County Council is also launching a street furniture initiative to facilitate the temporary placement of chairs and tables on footpaths in the area to allow for al fresco dining .
Mayor of Fingal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan would “ transform many of our streets ” while ensuring “ people can adhere to social distancing guidelines while going about their lives in as safest a way possible ” .
He stressed that the local community would “ have to change the way we do things ” in order to “ ensure that Covid remains suppressed ” .
Malahide Chamber of Commerce president Derek Fowler expressed the hope that the pedestrianisation of New Street would “ ensure it becomes a destination point for residents and visitors to Malahide , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result , bring business to the street and the area in general ” .
Chief executive of Fingal County Council Ann Marie Farrelly said the “ temporary changes to the public realm will create better outdoor space for the enjoyment of citizens and will also assist some of our local business to re-open in a safe way .
”

Malahide village in Co Dublin is to be partially pedestrianised. File photograph: Eric Luke /The Irish Times
New Street in Malahide, Co Dublin is to become pedestrianised as part of a scheme aimed at making social distancing easier in the seaside town while giving it an "open air, European-style feel".
Walk Bike Fingal is a 10-week pilot initiative which hopes to encourage and facilitate social distancing while allowing retailers, café and restaurant owners to expand their business onto the street.
Additional spaces for cars are being provided at Bridgefield Car Park at the entrance to Malahide Demesne where parking will be free for a two-hour period. The Council has also installed a number of "age friendly" parking spots in the town centre.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a significant drop in traffic in the north county Dublin town and a resurgence in walking and cycling across Fingal which has prompted the pedestrianisation scheme.
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It has been backed by Malahide Chamber of Commerce, Malahide Community Forum and Malahide Tidy Towns.
Fingal County Council is also launching a street furniture initiative to facilitate the temporary placement of chairs and tables on footpaths in the area to allow for al fresco dining.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said the plan would “transform many of our streets” while ensuring “people can adhere to social distancing guidelines while going about their lives in as safest a way possible”.
He stressed that the local community would “have to change the way we do things” in order to “ensure that Covid remains suppressed”.
Malahide Chamber of Commerce president Derek Fowler expressed the hope that the pedestrianisation of New Street would "ensure it becomes a destination point for residents and visitors to Malahide, and is anticipated that it will, as a result, bring business to the street and the area in general".
Chief executive of Fingal County Council Ann Marie Farrelly said the "temporary changes to the public realm will create better outdoor space for the enjoyment of citizens and will also assist some of our local business to re-open in a safe way."


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Final mother-and-baby homes report delayed for four months

The release of the final report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother-and-Baby Homes has been delayed for another four months due to coronavirus .
The commission was scheduled to deliver its report in February but this was delayed to June 26th due to what it said were “ complex issues ” which had arisen in the course of its investigations .
It has now requested and received a further extension .
The final report , which the commission said was “ very close to completion ” , is due to be delivered on October 30th .
The extension was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
The commission was established to inquire into the treatment of , and dealings with , women and children in 14 mother-and-baby homes as well as four county homes between 1922 and 1998 .
It was due to report within three years of its establishment in 2015 .
It was set up following claims that up to 800 babies may have been interred in an unmarked mass grave in the Bon Secours mother-and-baby home in Tuam , Co Galway .
Members of the commission have been working remotely during the pandemic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” resulted in the need for an extension , the Department of Children and Youth Affairs said in a statement .
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said the delay would be deeply disappointing for former residents of the mother-and-baby homes , many of whom have been impacted by coronavirus .
“ Covid-19 has impacted and restricted all of our lives in many ways .
Our older citizens , which include many of the former residents of the institutions , have been deeply affected by this public health crisis .
“ Even though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , they have been hampered in completing their report and are not in a position to deliver it as previously agreed on June 26th .
“ I know former residents will be deeply disappointed with this delay .
However , I also know that they will understand the effects and restrictions of coronavirus on everyday life.
” The Minister said former residents and their families would be alerted about the new timeline .

The site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother-and-baby home, Co Galway. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The release of the final report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother-and-Baby Homes has been delayed for another four months due to coronavirus.
The commission was scheduled to deliver its report in February but this was delayed to June 26th due to what it said were “complex issues” which had arisen in the course of its investigations.
It has now requested and received a further extension. The final report, which the commission said was “very close to completion”, is due to be delivered on October 30th. The extension was agreed in a meeting with Government on Friday.
The commission was established to inquire into the treatment of, and dealings with, women and children in 14 mother-and-baby homes as well as four county homes between 1922 and 1998. It was due to report within three years of its establishment in 2015. It was set up following claims that up to 800 babies may have been interred in an unmarked mass grave in the Bon Secours mother-and-baby home in Tuam, Co Galway.
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Members of the commission have been working remotely during the pandemic to complete the report but "logistical difficulties" resulted in the need for an extension, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs said in a statement.
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said the delay would be deeply disappointing for former residents of the mother-and-baby homes, many of whom have been impacted by coronavirus.
“Covid-19 has impacted and restricted all of our lives in many ways. Our older citizens, which include many of the former residents of the institutions, have been deeply affected by this public health crisis.
“Even though the commission has been working diligently during this time, they have been hampered in completing their report and are not in a position to deliver it as previously agreed on June 26th.
“I know former residents will be deeply disappointed with this delay. However, I also know that they will understand the effects and restrictions of coronavirus on everyday life.”
The Minister said former residents and their families would be alerted about the new timeline.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Unseen man interrupts video link evidence in Garda murder trial at the CCJ

Evidence being given by a witness via videolink in the trial of a man charged with murdering a garda was interrupted at the Central Criminal Court on Friday by an unseen man .
As the judge and jury looked on , the unseen man could be heard telling the witness : “ Put a stop to it .
You can stop it right now .
No more testimony.
” Molly Staunton ( 24 ) was giving her second day of evidence from her New York home , in the trial of Aaron Brady who denies murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being questioned by prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC about what Mr Brady said in her presence at a house in June or July 2016 , Ms Staunton was about to reply when she turned to someone behind her camera and said : “ can you leave ?
” A male voice could be heard saying , “ You f**k off ” and then “ put a stop to it , you can stop it right now , no more testimony ” .
The camera went down and the feed appeared to be cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jury of six men and seven women to leave the court .
When the jury returned Ms Staunton told Mr Grehan that she had been interrupted but her apartment is now empty and she was happy to proceed .
Mr Grehan again asked her what she remembered Mr Brady saying one evening at an apartment in June or July 2016 .
She told him that Mr Brady said he wanted to be a good father to his son , that there were “ cops looking for him and possibly raiding the apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as him killing a cop , I can ’ t say he admitted to it.
” She said she was sorry and she knows she said it in her statement but added : “ I can ’ t remember ” and that she couldn ’ t say if he “ outwardly admitted that ” .
She continued that she understands she told gardaí Mr Brady said he killed a garda and that her memory may have been fresher when she made her statement in 2017 but she added : “ I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not , I can ’ t remember it ” .
Mr Grehan then played a video of Ms Staunton giving her statement to gardaí at a precinct in New York on August 29th , 2017 .
In the video Ms Staunton could be heard saying : “ He definitely said it himself that he murdered the cop or the detective.
” Having watched the video Ms Staunton said : “ Now that I have seen the video I stand by my statement of what I said .
He did say he killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the defence , asked Ms Staunton who was it that was in her apartment .
She said it was a friend that she is currently staying with .
She said that she had closed down her computer herself because she wanted privacy .
She added : “ I didn ’ t want them in the same room.
” Ms Murphy asked the witness if when she spoke to Mr Grehan she meant that she remembers hearing what Mr Brady said or if she remembers telling the gardaí about what Aaron Brady said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it happening and I remember telling the guards.
” Aaron Brady ( 28 ) from New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25th , 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 .
Mr Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday afternoon .

Evidence being given by a witness via videolink in the trial of a man charged with murdering a garda was interrupted at the Central Criminal Court on Friday by an unseen man.
As the judge and jury looked on, the unseen man could be heard telling the witness: “Put a stop to it. You can stop it right now. No more testimony.”
Molly Staunton (24) was giving her second day of evidence from her New York home, in the trial of Aaron Brady who denies murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in 2013.
When Ms Staunton was being questioned by prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC about what Mr Brady said in her presence at a house in June or July 2016, Ms Staunton was about to reply when she turned to someone behind her camera and said: “can you leave?”
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A male voice could be heard saying, “You f**k off” and then “put a stop to it, you can stop it right now, no more testimony”.
The camera went down and the feed appeared to be cut off before Mr Justice Michael White asked the jury of six men and seven women to leave the court.
Happy to proceed
When the jury returned Ms Staunton told Mr Grehan that she had been interrupted but her apartment is now empty and she was happy to proceed.
Mr Grehan again asked her what she remembered Mr Brady saying one evening at an apartment in June or July 2016. She told him that Mr Brady said he wanted to be a good father to his son, that there were “cops looking for him and possibly raiding the apartment”.
She added: “As far as him killing a cop, I can’t say he admitted to it.” She said she was sorry and she knows she said it in her statement but added: “I can’t remember” and that she couldn’t say if he “outwardly admitted that”.
She continued that she understands she told gardaí Mr Brady said he killed a garda and that her memory may have been fresher when she made her statement in 2017 but she added: “I can’t recall if that was true or not, I can’t remember it”.
Mr Grehan then played a video of Ms Staunton giving her statement to gardaí at a precinct in New York on August 29th, 2017. In the video Ms Staunton could be heard saying: “He definitely said it himself that he murdered the cop or the detective.”
Having watched the video Ms Staunton said: “Now that I have seen the video I stand by my statement of what I said. He did say he killed a cop.”
Fiona Murphy SC, for the defence, asked Ms Staunton who was it that was in her apartment. She said it was a friend that she is currently staying with. She said that she had closed down her computer herself because she wanted privacy. She added: “I didn’t want them in the same room.”
Ms Murphy asked the witness if when she spoke to Mr Grehan she meant that she remembers hearing what Mr Brady said or if she remembers telling the gardaí about what Aaron Brady said.
She responded: “I remember it happening and I remember telling the guards.”
Aaron Brady (28) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Síochána on active duty on January 25th, 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.
Mr Justice White told the jury to return on Tuesday afternoon.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Northern Irish man loses latest challenge aimed at preventing extradition to UK

A man alleged to have delivered a trailer in which 39 migrants were found dead in Essex last year , has lost his latest challenge aimed at preventing his extradition to the United Kingdom .
Eamon Ronald Harrison ( 23 ) of Mayobridge , Co Down , is wanted by Essex police to face 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration .
It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer , in which the bodies of 39 Vietnamese nationals were found in an industrial park in Grays , Essex on October 23rd last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onward journey to Britain .
The cargo was recorded as “ biscuits ” and the migrants died from a lack of oxygen between 8pm and 10pm after they had entered UK territorial waters .
The temperature inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it “ steadily reduced ” , and police discovered “ bloody hand prints ” inside .
The eight women and 31 men had arrived in England last October on a ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium .
The youngest victims were two boys aged 15 .
The High Court in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision on Friday .
Last May , lawyers for Mr Harrison told the Court of Appeal that the warrant seeking the arrest and surrender of the Northern Irish man was “ wholly unsatisfactory ” .
In a judgment delivered electronically on Friday , Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said the details in the European Arrest Warrant ( EAW ) , when read as a whole , gave sufficient information of the acts for which the appellant was sought , to permit the court to conclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Justice Donnelly said the High Court had conducted an appropriate assessment of the information and correctly concluded that all the conditions for surrender to the issuing State had been met .
President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards said they agreed with their colleague ’ s decision .
Dismissing the appeal , Ms Justice Donnelly said the order should not be perfected until 10 days have elapsed since the delivery of the judgment .
The judge pointed out that should Mr Harrison want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the purpose of seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court , then he should bring notice of his intention to do so within five days of the delivery of the judgment .
Ordering Mr Harrison ’ s extradition to the UK in January , Mr Justice Donald Binchy said the British-Irish citizen was alleged to have been involved in transporting illegal migrants on two previous occasions , and that the trailer at the centre of the Essex discovery was used on one of those occasions .

A man alleged to have delivered a trailer in which 39 migrants were found dead in Essex last year, has lost his latest challenge aimed at preventing his extradition to the United Kingdom.
Eamon Ronald Harrison (23) of Mayobridge, Co Down, is wanted by Essex police to face 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
It is alleged that Mr Harrison delivered the trailer, in which the bodies of 39 Vietnamese nationals were found in an industrial park in Grays, Essex on October 23rd last, to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain. The cargo was recorded as “biscuits” and the migrants died from a lack of oxygen between 8pm and 10pm after they had entered UK territorial waters. The temperature inside the unit rose to 38.5 degrees before it “steadily reduced”, and police discovered “bloody hand prints” inside.
The eight women and 31 men had arrived in England last October on a ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium. The youngest victims were two boys aged 15.
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The High Court in Dublin ordered Mr Harrison’s extradition in January and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision on Friday.
Last May, lawyers for Mr Harrison told the Court of Appeal that the warrant seeking the arrest and surrender of the Northern Irish man was “wholly unsatisfactory”.
In a judgment delivered electronically on Friday, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said the details in the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), when read as a whole, gave sufficient information of the acts for which the appellant was sought, to permit the court to conclude that correspondence between offences could be established.
Ms Justice Donnelly said the High Court had conducted an appropriate assessment of the information and correctly concluded that all the conditions for surrender to the issuing State had been met. President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards said they agreed with their colleague’s decision.
Dismissing the appeal, Ms Justice Donnelly said the order should not be perfected until 10 days have elapsed since the delivery of the judgment. The judge pointed out that should Mr Harrison want a stay on the order of surrender for the purpose of seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, then he should bring notice of his intention to do so within five days of the delivery of the judgment.
Ordering Mr Harrison’s extradition to the UK in January, Mr Justice Donald Binchy said the British-Irish citizen was alleged to have been involved in transporting illegal migrants on two previous occasions, and that the trailer at the centre of the Essex discovery was used on one of those occasions.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Beaumont Hospital extends deadline for opt-outs to genomics research

Researchers at Beaumont Hospital have extended the deadline to opt-out of a project to harvest information on brain tumours from 9,000 Irish patients , many of whom are dead .
The research is being run in conjunction with State-backed company Genomics Medicine Ireland ( GMI ) , which is owned by a subsidiary of a multinational genomics data company .
GMI is aiming to gather the genomic information of hundreds of thousands of Irish people .
The extension follows a call by the Minister for Health , Simon Harris , in the Dáil on Thursday to extend the deadline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
A spokesman for the hospital confirmed it would extend the deadline for three months , to September 14th .
The study was previously rejected by the State ’ s Health Research Consent Declaration Committee ( HRCDC ) , which examines applications for research projects where patient consent can not be obtained .
That decision was overturned on appeal .
The HRCDC had highlighted concerns about the potential for project data to be shared with “ unknown international third parties ” .
It found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal data introduces a higher risk that data subjects may have a deeper concern for their privacy rights ” .
The involvement of GMI in the project , the company said , was “ to support Beaumont by generating whole genome sequence data which will be returned to Beaumont for their research purposes ” .
Beaumont has said the project will improve overall clinical understanding of brain tumours and lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses .
The project is based on an archive of brain tumour tissue from 9,000 patients , extending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 per cent of the subjects are alive .
When the decision was overturned , one of the conditions attached was that Beaumont and GMI had to conduct a publicity campaign to raise awareness about the capacity to opt out .
However , in recent weeks there have been calls to delay the deadline , due to the impact of the virus .
Róisín Shortall , the Social Democrats co-leader , on Thursday called in the Dáil for research in the area to be “ carried out under the auspices of a State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said the project “ raises huge ethical , privacy and public interest issues ” .
In response , Mr Harris said while he had no power to delay the deadline , he believed it should be , and had instructed the HSE and his office to contact Beaumont over the matter .
He said “ where there is an opt-out rather than an opt-in ” , there is a “ greater burden ” on researchers to ensure the opportunity to opt-out exists .
Ms Shortall welcomed the decision to extend the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hope this extension will now allow for a fuller public debate on the ethical , privacy and data protection issues involved in this project .
”

Beaumont Hospital has extended the deadline to opt-out of a project to harvest information on brain tumours from 9,000 Irish patients. The new deadline is September 14th. Photograph: Eric Luke
Researchers at Beaumont Hospital have extended the deadline to opt-out of a project to harvest information on brain tumours from 9,000 Irish patients, many of whom are dead.
The research is being run in conjunction with State-backed company Genomics Medicine Ireland (GMI), which is owned by a subsidiary of a multinational genomics data company. GMI is aiming to gather the genomic information of hundreds of thousands of Irish people.
The extension follows a call by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, in the Dáil on Thursday to extend the deadline, which had been set for Friday, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesman for the hospital confirmed it would extend the deadline for three months, to September 14th.
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Concerns
The study was previously rejected by the State's Health Research Consent Declaration Committee (HRCDC), which examines applications for research projects where patient consent cannot be obtained. That decision was overturned on appeal.
The HRCDC had highlighted concerns about the potential for project data to be shared with “unknown international third parties”. It found the “involvement of a for-profit organisation processing personal data introduces a higher risk that data subjects may have a deeper concern for their privacy rights”.
The involvement of GMI in the project, the company said, was “to support Beaumont by generating whole genome sequence data which will be returned to Beaumont for their research purposes”. Beaumont has said the project will improve overall clinical understanding of brain tumours and lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses. The project is based on an archive of brain tumour tissue from 9,000 patients, extending over a 30-year period. Only about 15 per cent of the subjects are alive.
When the decision was overturned, one of the conditions attached was that Beaumont and GMI had to conduct a publicity campaign to raise awareness about the capacity to opt out.
Ethical issues
However, in recent weeks there have been calls to delay the deadline, due to the impact of the virus. Róisín Shortall, the Social Democrats co-leader, on Thursday called in the Dáil for research in the area to be “carried out under the auspices of a State body”, rather than GMI. She said the project “raises huge ethical, privacy and public interest issues”.
In response, Mr Harris said while he had no power to delay the deadline, he believed it should be, and had instructed the HSE and his office to contact Beaumont over the matter. He said “where there is an opt-out rather than an opt-in”, there is a “greater burden” on researchers to ensure the opportunity to opt-out exists.
Ms Shortall welcomed the decision to extend the deadline for the study. “Let’s hope this extension will now allow for a fuller public debate on the ethical, privacy and data protection issues involved in this project.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Teenager pleads guilty to using garda’s PPS number to obtain Covid-19 payment

A Co Westmeath teenager has pleaded guilty to using a garda ’ s PPS number to fraudulently obtain Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payments totalling €1,050 .
Daniel Lacatus ( 19 ) appeared before Mullingar District Court on Friday on charges of having three payments of the €350 weekly unemployment support lodged to his account in the Bank of Ireland in Drogheda .
Lacatus , of Abbeylands , Mullingar , Co Westmeath , pleaded guilty to three offences under section 18 of the Criminal Justice ( Theft and Fraud Offences ) Act 2001 of possession of stolen property on April 21st , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin O ’ Brien told the court that the defendant had obtained the money by making an online application to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection using the PPS number of a serving garda .
The court heard that Lacatus , who had no previous convictions , made no reply when arrested and charged .
Sgt O ’ Brien said the defendant had co-operated fully with gardaí and he believed Lacatus had been “ used himself ” in relation to the offences .
Solicitor for Lacatus , Dermot Monahan , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of €1,050 to court to repay the stolen money after borrowing it from friends and family .
The court heard that Lacatus , an Irish citizen of Romanian background , worked as a car-wash attendant but was currently unemployed .
Mr Monahan said he was not seeking to minimise Lacatus ’ s role in the offences but stressed he had played “ a very , very minor ” part in what had happened .
Judge Deirdre Gearty said Lacatus was guilty of “ a despicable crime ” given the Government had put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to tide them over the Covid-19 pandemic .
The judge said she was “ bemused ” at how Lacatus had accessed the PPS number of a garda to obtain the fraudulent payments .
“ I want to ask the question but I ’ m not sure I want to know the answer , ” she remarked .
Judge Gearty adjourned sentencing in the case to October 1st to allow for a probation report to assess Lacatus ’ suitability to carry out community service in lieu of a prison term .

A Co Westmeath teenager has pleaded guilty to using a garda’s PPS number to fraudulently obtain Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payments totalling €1,050.
Daniel Lacatus (19) appeared before Mullingar District Court on Friday on charges of having three payments of the €350 weekly unemployment support lodged to his account in the Bank of Ireland in Drogheda.
Lacatus, of Abbeylands, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty to three offences under section 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 of possession of stolen property on April 21st, April 28th and May 5th.
Sgt Kevin O’Brien told the court that the defendant had obtained the money by making an online application to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection using the PPS number of a serving garda.
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The court heard that Lacatus, who had no previous convictions, made no reply when arrested and charged.
Sgt O’Brien said the defendant had co-operated fully with gardaí and he believed Lacatus had been “used himself” in relation to the offences.
Solicitor for Lacatus, Dermot Monahan, said his client had brought the full amount of €1,050 to court to repay the stolen money after borrowing it from friends and family.
The court heard that Lacatus, an Irish citizen of Romanian background, worked as a car-wash attendant but was currently unemployed.
Mr Monahan said he was not seeking to minimise Lacatus’s role in the offences but stressed he had played “a very, very minor” part in what had happened.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said Lacatus was guilty of “a despicable crime” given the Government had put in place a system to provide people with money to tide them over the Covid-19 pandemic.
The judge said she was “bemused” at how Lacatus had accessed the PPS number of a garda to obtain the fraudulent payments.
“I want to ask the question but I’m not sure I want to know the answer,” she remarked.
Judge Gearty adjourned sentencing in the case to October 1st to allow for a probation report to assess Lacatus’ suitability to carry out community service in lieu of a prison term.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--More than 160,000 people a day visit Dublin city centre since Covid-19 restrictions eased

More than 160,000 people came into Dublin city centre each day this week following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions with the numbers climbing steadily between Monday and Friday as more retail outlets opened for business .
According to figures released by business umbrella group Dublin Town and Dublin City Council the busiest time for shoppers was between 11am and 3pm each day while the newly installed public toilets across the city were used 1,400 times each day .
At the start of the week just 26 per cent of the shops in the city centre were open with the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning when Penneys became the latest of the big retailers to resume trading .
‘ Over the course of the week it ’ s been great to see people come back to the city centre , ” said Richard Guiney , chief executive of Dublin Town .
“ There has been a nice , steady , and leisurely pace.
” He said footfall over the course of the day had been “ remarkably consistent ” and shoppers had cooperated and worked well with store staff .
Public transport was operating at just 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of social distancing measures but chief executive of the National Transport Authority Anne Graham said it had operated “ very smoothly ” this week .
She expressed the hope that the public would “ continue to only use transport for necessary journeys ” .
She also repeated the NTA ’ s call for people to wear face coverings or masks while on public transport .
Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy also called on the public to continue to be “ conscious of the guidelines ” in place ahead of the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the request to ease the city open , plan visits and to be mindful of others .
Unnecessary journeys are to be avoided and people are being encouraged to walk or cycle where at all possible while always observing social distancing .

More than 160,000 people came into Dublin city centre each day this week following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions with the numbers climbing steadily between Monday and Friday as more retail outlets opened for business.
According to figures released by business umbrella group Dublin Town and Dublin City Council the busiest time for shoppers was between 11am and 3pm each day while the newly installed public toilets across the city were used 1,400 times each day.
At the start of the week just 26 per cent of the shops in the city centre were open with the number doubling to 52 per cent by Friday morning when Penneys became the latest of the big retailers to resume trading.
'Over the course of the week it's been great to see people come back to the city centre," said Richard Guiney, chief executive of Dublin Town. "There has been a nice, steady, and leisurely pace."
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He said footfall over the course of the day had been “remarkably consistent” and shoppers had cooperated and worked well with store staff.
Public transport was operating at just 20 per cent of its normal capacity as a result of social distancing measures but chief executive of the National Transport Authority Anne Graham said it had operated "very smoothly" this week.
She expressed the hope that the public would “continue to only use transport for necessary journeys”. She also repeated the NTA’s call for people to wear face coverings or masks while on public transport.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy also called on the public to continue to be "conscious of the guidelines" in place ahead of the weekend.
People are being asked to observe the request to ease the city open, plan visits and to be mindful of others. Unnecessary journeys are to be avoided and people are being encouraged to walk or cycle where at all possible while always observing social distancing.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Doubts over whether enough school staff will sign up for summer programme

Opposition political parties have questioned whether sufficient numbers of schools and teachers will participate in an “ opt-in ” summer programme aimed at supporting thousands of vulnerable children .
The Government published details of the summer programme on Friday , which will offer up to four weeks of in-school or home support for children with a range of special and additional needs .
In addition , all disadvantaged - or Deis - schools have been invited to apply to run numeracy , literacy and wellbeing programmes for at-risk students in advance of the new school year beginning in late August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of schools , teachers and special needs assistants signing up to deliver it in July and August .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he hoped schools , teachers and SNAs feel they can get involved in scheme which was a “ significant expansion ” of support for children and families who are most in need .
However , Labour Party education spokesman Aodhán Ó Riordáin said many schools who have previously participated have indicated they will not be able to do so because the announcement is “ so late ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ó Laoghaire TD also said many schools do not feel safe signing up due to a lack of protocols and clarity on support .
The plan has been launched amid rising concern over the impact of school closures on vulnerable children .
Disability support groups says many children have regressed and lost critical skills , while some disadvantaged schools report that they have had little or no contact with many at-risk students .
Mr McHugh acknowledged the difficulties facing students and said the programme was designed to help re-engage students with school or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three main strands : - In-school or home-based supports provided by teachers and special needs assistants to help prevent regression among children with special needs .
- Summer camps in disadvantaged schools , including a numeracy and literacy programme for primary pupils and a programme of re-engagement for post-primary students .
- A Health Service Executive-led summer camp to support to up to 1,200 children with complex needs .
Special needs pupils who will be eligible for the summer provision include those with autism or severe and profound learning difficulties ; children in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transitioning from early years into a special class or special school ; and primary pupils in mainstream classes .
In addition , children with Down syndrome , sensory disabilities or those with moderate general learning disability or severe emotional behavioural disorder will also be eligible .
If possible , the Government says school transport will be provided to support the programme .
The programme has been welcomed by groups such as autism charity AsIAm , which said it would provide an essential bridge of summer support .
“ We now all need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child who is eligible can benefit from the scheme , ” said Adam Harris , AsIAm ’ s chief executive .
He said teachers and SNAs were passionate champions of autistic young people and will no doubt play a very positive role and help to increase capacity .
“ AsIAm is calling on all those who can provide the service to do so - your support could be the difference between a child being able to return to school in September or not managing that transition , ” he said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be the difference between a child and family having a really positive summer or not being able to manage .
* A dedicated online registration system for families of children with special needs to access Summer Provision is available at : gov.ie/summerprovision

Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he hoped schools, teachers and SNAs feel they can get involved in the sunmner programme. Photograph: Leon Farrell/PA Wire
Opposition political parties have questioned whether sufficient numbers of schools and teachers will participate in an “opt-in” summer programme aimed at supporting thousands of vulnerable children.
The Government published details of the summer programme on Friday, which will offer up to four weeks of in-school or home support for children with a range of special and additional needs.
In addition, all disadvantaged - or Deis - schools have been invited to apply to run numeracy, literacy and wellbeing programmes for at-risk students in advance of the new school year beginning in late August.
The programme will rely on sufficient numbers of schools, teachers and special needs assistants signing up to deliver it in July and August.
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Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he hoped schools, teachers and SNAs feel they can get involved in scheme which was a “ significant expansion” of support for children and families who are most in need.
However, Labour Party education spokesman Aodhán Ó Riordáin said many schools who have previously participated have indicated they will not be able to do so because the announcement is “so late”.
Sinn Féin’s education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD also said many schools do not feel safe signing up due to a lack of protocols and clarity on support.
The plan has been launched amid rising concern over the impact of school closures on vulnerable children.
Disability support groups says many children have regressed and lost critical skills, while some disadvantaged schools report that they have had little or no contact with many at-risk students.
Difficulties
Mr McHugh acknowledged the difficulties facing students and said the programme was designed to help re-engage students with school or vital support.
The programme will have three main strands:
- In-school or home-based supports provided by teachers and special needs assistants to help prevent regression among children with special needs.
- Summer camps in disadvantaged schools, including a numeracy and literacy programme for primary pupils and a programme of re-engagement for post-primary students.
- A Health Service Executive-led summer camp to support to up to 1,200 children with complex needs.
Special needs pupils who will be eligible for the summer provision include those with autism or severe and profound learning difficulties; children in special classes and special schools; children transitioning from early years into a special class or special school; and primary pupils in mainstream classes.
In addition, children with Down syndrome, sensory disabilities or those with moderate general learning disability or severe emotional behavioural disorder will also be eligible.
If possible, the Government says school transport will be provided to support the programme.
The programme has been welcomed by groups such as autism charity AsIAm, which said it would provide an essential bridge of summer support.
“We now all need to work together to make sure that every child who is eligible can benefit from the scheme,” said Adam Harris, AsIAm’s chief executive.
He said teachers and SNAs were passionate champions of autistic young people and will no doubt play a very positive role and help to increase capacity.
“AsIAm is calling on all those who can provide the service to do so - your support could be the difference between a child being able to return to school in September or not managing that transition,” he said.
He said the support of teachers and SNAs could could be the difference between a child and family having a really positive summer or not being able to manage.
* A dedicated online registration system for families of children with special needs to access Summer Provision is available at: gov.ie/summerprovision


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Protesters call for St Mary’s to be taken over by HSE to avoid closure

Elderly residents of a south Dublin nursing home due to close by the end of the year , have been “ in tears ” , according to staff who took part in a protest on Friday against the closure .
Some of the residents have been living at St Mary ’ s ( Telford ) on Merrion Road for more than 60 years , since they were children at a school located there for the visually impaired , relatives say .
Family members , volunteers and some staff at the 152-year old home took part in a socially-distant protest calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home over .
They say with new management and investment it could be saved .
Originally St Mary ’ s Asylum for Female Blind , it was founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1868 as a school and home for visually-impaired girls and women .
The nuns own the land and the home is run according to their ethos but they have not managed it since 1996 .
A member of the congregation sits on the board .
The home can accommodate up to 58 residents though it is currently home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced last week the home would close as it could not meet statutory and regulatory requirements to run the facility at full capacity , and could not afford to meet them .
The two most recent Hiqa reports , published in 2017 and 2019 , were critical of governance and management at the facility and the lack of space and privacy in one unit .
The 2019 report notes : “ Inspectors were told by the person in charge that there were resources ringfenced for improvements to the centre ’ s premises as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the centre ’ s previous reports.
” It says : “ The centre ’ s financial resources had not been used to enhance the environment and improve the quality of life of residents.
” About 10 staff , who did not want to be named , stood apart from the protest , some explaining they were “ scared ” to be part of it and were waiting for their union , Siptu , to meet management on Monday before becoming publicly involved in the “ Save St Mary ’ s ” campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ winding down the home for several years ” with the intention of closing it .
Shay Ryan , communities co-ordinator in the home , had spent much of the morning trying to reassure distressed residents .
“ I took one lady for a walk this morning who has been living in St Mary ’ s for 60 years .
She is blind , in a wheelchair and she ’ s scared .
She ’ s angry as well .
It ’ s hard to reassure them though because the only information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to close.
” In a statement St Mary ’ s ( Telford ) said : “ We want to reassure our staff , residents and their families that the closure will take place on a planned and organised basis over the necessary period of time in consultation with the HSE.
” The HSE , which provides €34 million a year to St Mary ’ s , is seeking a meeting with the board .

Protesters outside St Mary’s care home on Dublin’s Merrion Road protesting against the possible sale and closure of the facility. Photograph: Alan Betson
Elderly residents of a south Dublin nursing home due to close by the end of the year, have been “in tears”, according to staff who took part in a protest on Friday against the closure.
Some of the residents have been living at St Mary’s (Telford) on Merrion Road for more than 60 years, since they were children at a school located there for the visually impaired, relatives say.
Family members, volunteers and some staff at the 152-year old home took part in a socially-distant protest calling on the Health Service Executive to take the home over. They say with new management and investment it could be saved.
Originally St Mary’s Asylum for Female Blind, it was founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1868 as a school and home for visually-impaired girls and women. The nuns own the land and the home is run according to their ethos but they have not managed it since 1996. A member of the congregation sits on the board.
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The home can accommodate up to 58 residents though it is currently home to 35 elderly women.
The board announced last week the home would close as it could not meet statutory and regulatory requirements to run the facility at full capacity, and could not afford to meet them.
Inspection
The two most recent Hiqa reports, published in 2017 and 2019, were critical of governance and management at the facility and the lack of space and privacy in one unit.
The 2019 report notes: “Inspectors were told by the person in charge that there were resources ringfenced for improvements to the centre’s premises as required to meet regulatory breaches identified in the centre’s previous reports.”
It says: “The centre’s financial resources had not been used to enhance the environment and improve the quality of life of residents.”
About 10 staff, who did not want to be named, stood apart from the protest, some explaining they were “scared” to be part of it and were waiting for their union, Siptu, to meet management on Monday before becoming publicly involved in the “Save St Mary’s” campaign.
A number said they believed management had been “winding down the home for several years” with the intention of closing it.
Shay Ryan, communities co-ordinator in the home, had spent much of the morning trying to reassure distressed residents.
“I took one lady for a walk this morning who has been living in St Mary’s for 60 years. She is blind, in a wheelchair and she’s scared. She’s angry as well. It’s hard to reassure them though because the only information we’re getting is that it is going to close.”
In a statement St Mary’s (Telford) said: “We want to reassure our staff, residents and their families that the closure will take place on a planned and organised basis over the necessary period of time in consultation with the HSE.”
The HSE, which provides €34 million a year to St Mary’s, is seeking a meeting with the board.


theirishtimes--2020-06-12--Class bubbles and staggered drop-offs: What school may look like in September

The Department of Education planning document for reopening schools gives the first detailed glimpse of what classrooms may look like in September .
It makes clear that physical distancing of two or even one metre will have an “ extreme ” impact on students ’ education and limit children ’ s attendance at school .
Instead , it makes a case for a different approach to physical distancing in schools than in the rest of society through the creation of “ class bubbles ” where no social distancing would be required .
Under this “ optimum ” scenario , class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical distancing requirements would only apply in other parts of the school such as the school yard , or between staff .
There would also be staggered drop-off/pick-up times , increased hand washing/sanitising and enhanced cleaning regimes .
In addition , there would be “ if unwell stay at home ” regimes , along with contact-tracing regimes that can be applied in schools if a coronavirus outbreak occurs .
Immediate identification and isolation procedures would also need to be developed for schools .
It says similar regimes apply in Belgium and New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organisation ( WHO ) guidance which questions whether the physical distance between students can be maintained throughout the school day , given normal student behaviour .
It also cites data which suggests children are less often reported as cases than adults , and that the infection generally causes mild disease .
However , it acknowledges WHO guidance also states that the role of children in transmission remains unclear and additional data is needed .
The department says it is engaging with the Department of Health to develop guidance on infection prevention and control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the end of June .
The planning document also examines what impact social distancing rules of one metre would have on schools .
Under this , almost all primary pupils would be attending school 2½ days a week .
At second level , it would result in some year groups attending school 50 per cent of the time and other year groups attending school at or near a full-time basis .
The planning document says this would have a “ very serious impact ” on the delivery of “ meaningful education ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each week and expected to engage in “ blended ” learning , it states .
“ The requirement to observe physical distancing imposes a direct constraint on plans to reopen schools .
The physical size of our schools , and the number of individual classrooms within them , represents the most significant constraint to achieve a physical distance between students in the classroom .
Teacher supply will also be a significant consideration , ” the document states .
Under physical distancing of two metres , the document says almost all primary pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
At second level , most pupils would attend two days a week .
On other school days , students would need to be taught remotely .
The planning document says the impact of such a requirement on student ’ s education and wellbeing would be “ most extreme ” .
“ Engagement in face-to-face in-school provision of one day per week is detrimental to the delivery of meaningful education , ” it states .
“ Students will be at home four out of five days and expected to engage in blended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes that any physical distancing requirements will impose a direct constraint on plans to reopen schools given the “ unique ” circumstances , such as physical layout of Irish schools , class sizes and teacher supply problems .
“ The physical size of our schools , and the number of individual classrooms within them , represents the primary constraint to achieve physical distance of one to two metres between students in the classroom and to continue to accommodate all the students within the school at the same time , ” it states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most other EU countries given its peak enrolment numbers in primary schools which are just now moving into post primary.
” Overall , it says it is “ not feasible , from a cost , sustainability or delivery perspective ” to create additional classroom capacity ( through pre-fabricated units , construction work ) across each school .
While some schools could be in a position to repurpose PE halls to make some additional capacity or access local and community resources , this will “ not be a panacea for the physical distancing constraints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ marginal improvements ” .
“ It is also not feasible to consider the wholesale splitting of classes and recruiting extra teachers – given that there are significant teacher supply issues currently , ” it adds .

A sign at a school in the UK ask parents and carers of schoolchildren to adhere to the British government’s social distancing guidelines. Photograph: Oli Scarff/ AFP
The Department of Education planning document for reopening schools gives the first detailed glimpse of what classrooms may look like in September.
It makes clear that physical distancing of two or even one metre will have an “extreme” impact on students’ education and limit children’s attendance at school.
Instead, it makes a case for a different approach to physical distancing in schools than in the rest of society through the creation of “class bubbles” where no social distancing would be required.
No social distancing
Under this “optimum” scenario, class bubbles would not mix with others and physical distancing requirements would only apply in other parts of the school such as the school yard, or between staff.
READ MORE
There would also be staggered drop-off/pick-up times, increased hand washing/sanitising and enhanced cleaning regimes.
In addition, there would be “if unwell stay at home” regimes, along with contact-tracing regimes that can be applied in schools if a coronavirus outbreak occurs.
Immediate identification and isolation procedures would also need to be developed for schools.
It says similar regimes apply in Belgium and New Zealand, while it points to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance which questions whether the physical distance between students can be maintained throughout the school day, given normal student behaviour.
It also cites data which suggests children are less often reported as cases than adults, and that the infection generally causes mild disease.
However, it acknowledges WHO guidance also states that the role of children in transmission remains unclear and additional data is needed.
The department says it is engaging with the Department of Health to develop guidance on infection prevention and control for school settings, which is due before the end of June.
One-metre social distancing
The planning document also examines what impact social distancing rules of one metre would have on schools.
Under this, almost all primary pupils would be attending school 2½ days a week.
At second level, it would result in some year groups attending school 50 per cent of the time and other year groups attending school at or near a full-time basis.
The planning document says this would have a “ very serious impact” on the delivery of “meaningful education”.
Students will be at home half of each week and expected to engage in “blended” learning, it states.
“The requirement to observe physical distancing imposes a direct constraint on plans to reopen schools. The physical size of our schools, and the number of individual classrooms within them, represents the most significant constraint to achieve a physical distance between students in the classroom. Teacher supply will also be a significant consideration,” the document states.
Two-metre social distancing
Under physical distancing of two metres, the document says almost all primary pupils would attend school just one day a week. At second level, most pupils would attend two days a week.
On other school days, students would need to be taught remotely.
The planning document says the impact of such a requirement on student’s education and wellbeing would be “ most extreme”.
“Engagement in face-to-face in-school provision of one day per week is detrimental to the delivery of meaningful education,” it states.
“Students will be at home four out of five days and expected to engage in blended learning.”
Challenges
Overall, the planning document notes that any physical distancing requirements will impose a direct constraint on plans to reopen schools given the “unique” circumstances, such as physical layout of Irish schools, class sizes and teacher supply problems.
“The physical size of our schools, and the number of individual classrooms within them, represents the primary constraint to achieve physical distance of one to two metres between students in the classroom and to continue to accommodate all the students within the school at the same time,” it states.
"Ireland is unique in terms of most other EU countries given its peak enrolment numbers in primary schools which are just now moving into post primary."
Overall, it says it is “not feasible, from a cost, sustainability or delivery perspective” to create additional classroom capacity (through pre-fabricated units, construction work) across each school.
While some schools could be in a position to repurpose PE halls to make some additional capacity or access local and community resources, this will “not be a panacea for the physical distancing constraints” and will at best make some “marginal improvements”.
“It is also not feasible to consider the wholesale splitting of classes and recruiting extra teachers – given that there are significant teacher supply issues currently,” it adds.


theirishtimes--2020-06-13--Man in his 20s dies after car falls on him in Westmeath

A man in his twenties has died after what gardaí described as a tragic accident in the midlands .
It @ @ @ @ @ working on a car in a friend ’ s field at Correllstown , Kinnegad , @ @ @ @ @ fell on him .
The incident happened at around 8pm on Friday .
The man @ @ @ @ @ taken to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore , where he was later pronounced dead .
@ @ @ @ @ man died .
A Garda spokesman said a file on the incident is being prepared @ @ @ @ @ s office .
“ It appears to have been a tragic accident , ” the @ @ @

A man in his twenties has died after what gardaí described as a tragic accident in the midlands.
It is believed the victim was working on a car in a friend's field at Correllstown, Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, when it fell on him.
The incident happened at around 8pm on Friday.
The man suffered serious injuries and was taken to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, where he was later pronounced dead.
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Gardai were notified after the man died.
A Garda spokesman said a file on the incident is being prepared for the local coroner’s office.
“It appears to have been a tragic accident,” the spokesman said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-13--Two stabbed in ‘serious assault’ at house in Darndale

A man in his 20s has been arrested after two people were stabbed at a house in Dublin on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ “ serious assault ” occurred at a house in the Darndale area of Dublin 17 @ @ @ @ @ man and a woman , aged in their 40s and 50s respectively , both received @ @ @ @ @ to Beaumont Hospital .
Gardaí said the man ’ s condition is described as critical @ @ @ @ @ injuries are understood to be serious but not life-threatening .
A man in his 20s @ @ @ @ @ and is being held at Coolock Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice @ @ @ @ @ has been preserved for technical examination .
The Garda is not seeking any other persons @ @ @ @ @ and investigations are ongoing .

Gardaí said investigations into the incident are ongoing. Photograph: Frank Miller/File
A man in his 20s arrested following a stabbing incident in Dublin is due to appear in court on Monday.
Gardaí said the incident occurred at a house in the Darndale area of Dublin 17 at about 7.30am on Saturday.
A man and a woman, aged in their 40s and 50s respectively, both received stab wounds and were taken to Beaumont Hospital. The man’s condition is described as stable and the woman’s injuries are understood to be not life-threatening.
A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and was being held Coolock Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
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Gardaí said the man remained in custody on Sunday. He is expected to appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court at 10.30am on Monday to face charges in connection with the investigation.


theirishtimes--2020-06-13--Teenager arrested in connection with suspected arson attack on garda’s home

A teenage boy has been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack on a garda ’ s home in Dundalk last week .
The male youth , who was arrested as part of the investigation into the attack on a home in Hawthorn Crescent , Bay Estate in Dundalk on June 7th , is currently being detained at Dundalk Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 .
The garda , who is based in the Cavan/Monaghan division , was at his home with his heavily pregnant wife and two young children when what is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown at the outside of the house last Sunday night .
The bomb ignited the outside of the house and nearby trees with the heat of the flames cracking the upstairs windows .
The family escaped after being alerted of the flames by a neighbour .
They are uninjured but “ very shaken ” , a source said .
Fire services arrived at the scene in the Bay Estate shortly after 11pm and doused the flames .
The fire station is located a four minutes ’ drive from the house .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be gone , no question , ” a source said .
It is the third attack on a garda ’ s home in the Dundalk area since 2018 .
Local gardaí have carried out a technical and forensic examination of the scene and are appealing for witnesses to come forward , particularly “ anyone who was in the Bay Estate area between 10.30pm and 11.30pm .
” They are also appealing for information on a white van which was seen in the Bay Estate area at approximately 3pm on Sunday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact the incident room at Dundalk Garda station on ( 042 ) 938 8400 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 , ” the garda said .
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he was shocked to learn of the “ callous attack ” on the home of a member of An Garda Síochána .
“ This despicable act demonstrates a reckless disregard for human life and the laws of the land which seek to protect us all .
The fact that the attack was against the private family home of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asleep inside , is both sinister and disgusting , ” he said .
“ Members of An Garda Síochána perform vital work , strongly supported by the communities they serve .
An attack on a garda is an attack on the entire community .
”

The garda was at his home with his heavily pregnant wife and two young children. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
A teenage boy who was arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack on a garda's home in Dundalk last week has been released without charge.
The male youth was arrested as part of the investigation into the attack on a home in Hawthorn Crescent, Bay Estate in Dundalk on June 7th.
A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and investigations into the incident continue.
The garda, who is based in the Cavan/Monaghan division, was at his home with his heavily pregnant wife and two young children when what is believed to have been a petrol bomb was thrown at the outside of the house last Sunday night.
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The bomb ignited the outside of the house and nearby trees with the heat of the flames cracking the upstairs windows.
The family escaped after being alerted of the flames by a neighbour. They are uninjured but “very shaken”, a source said.
Fire services arrived at the scene in the Bay Estate shortly after 11pm and doused the flames.
The fire station is located a four minutes’ drive from the house. “If it was across town, the house would be gone, no question,” a source said.
It is the third attack on a garda’s home in the Dundalk area since 2018.
Appeal for witnesses
Local gardaí have carried out a technical and forensic examination of the scene and are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly “anyone who was in the Bay Estate area between 10.30pm and 11.30pm.
They are also appealing for information on a white van which was seen in the Bay Estate area at approximately 3pm on Sunday.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room at Dundalk Garda station on (042) 938 8400 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111,” the garda said.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he was shocked to learn of the "callous attack" on the home of a member of An Garda Síochána.
“This despicable act demonstrates a reckless disregard for human life and the laws of the land which seek to protect us all. The fact that the attack was against the private family home of a garda member, with his young family asleep inside, is both sinister and disgusting,” he said.
“Members of An Garda Síochána perform vital work, strongly supported by the communities they serve. An attack on a garda is an attack on the entire community.”