theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Local authorities identify key ways to help reduce carbon emissions

All 31 local authorities in Ireland are gearing up to play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions and helping the country adapt for the inevitable consequences of climate disruption , especially extreme weather events , according to Sligo County Council chief executive Ciarán Hayes .
Commenting on a report issued on Tuesday outlining how local authorities have increased climate actions since 2011 , Mr Hayes said the bigger issue was what actions would be taken to address the emerging climate crisis .
He outlined a wide range of new measures that would be driven by local authorities working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest energy cost for authorities , so €200 million was being spent to switch 280,000 lights to energy-efficient LED public lighting .
This would bring a saving of €400 million and secure a carbon saving of national significance – second only to the benefit of closing fossil fuel power stations .
Local authorities were critical to acceptance of renewable energy , notably wind , with implementation of appropriate planning guidelines balanced by tangible “ community gain ” from projects .
This would transform communities , sports clubs and schools , and fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be upskilling their 28,000 staff on climate mitigation and adaptation to build momentum in communities .
The report outlines how the local government sector has embraced sustainable transport development ; flood risk management , water conservation , waste management and public engagement .
This was ahead of the sector being named as a key driver of change under the Government ’ s national climate action plan .
The research by the Local Government Management Agency ( LGMA ) on behalf of the County and City Management Association ( CCMA ) , found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve energy savings beyond their 2030 targets having invested more than €120 million in energy-efficiency projects .
CCMA chairman Michael Walsh , chief executive of Waterford City and County Council , said local authorities were critical to effective national action because of their closeness to communities and underlined the scale of the challenge .
Local authorities ’ action had to be concentrated on both reducing emissions and on adapting for the inevitable impacts , such as extreme weather , said David Dodd , regional co-ordinator of the Dublin Metropolitan Climate Action Regional Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Donoghue Hynes , said the report with numerous case studies allows for local authorities to learn from each other and to recognise where additional action might be taken .
The report confirms 20 local authorities have piloted or are in the process of piloting “ nearly zero energy buildings in their social housing , while 15 local authorities have electric or hybrid vehicles in their fleets .
Cycling infrastructure has expanded with more than 1,500km of segregated cycle lanes and 1,600km of integrated cycle lanes across local authorities in place at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2018 , 21 local authorities activated flood emergency response plans on 82 occasions and were required to spend €101 million on clean-up , road repair and disaster recovery .
Local authorities collaborated with the Office of Public Works on 21 major flood defence schemes .
Water conservation initiatives have been extended because of the increased risk of climate-related droughts .
Local authorities intervened on more than 300 occasions to provide drinking water supplies to residents following extreme weather events because of poor water quality or damaged water infrastructure .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while many are implementing programmes on invasive alien species ; managing trees and urban woodlands , developing green infrastructure , and reducing pesticide usage .
Eight local authorities have incorporated , and four are in the process of incorporating , green roofs in council buildings as part of new buildings or building upgrades .

Ciarán Hayes, Sligo County Council, chief executive outlined a wide range of new measures that would be driven by local authorities working with other State agencies. Photograph: Maxwell photography
All 31 local authorities in Ireland are gearing up to play a leading role in reducing carbon emissions and helping the country adapt for the inevitable consequences of climate disruption, especially extreme weather events, according to Sligo County Council chief executive Ciarán Hayes.
Commenting on a report issued on Tuesday outlining how local authorities have increased climate actions since 2011, Mr Hayes said the bigger issue was what actions would be taken to address the emerging climate crisis.
He outlined a wide range of new measures that would be driven by local authorities working with other State agencies. Public lighting was the biggest energy cost for authorities, so €200 million was being spent to switch 280,000 lights to energy-efficient LED public lighting. This would bring a saving of €400 million and secure a carbon saving of national significance – second only to the benefit of closing fossil fuel power stations.
Local authorities were critical to acceptance of renewable energy, notably wind, with implementation of appropriate planning guidelines balanced by tangible “community gain” from projects. This would transform communities, sports clubs and schools, and fund other local climate actions.
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Local authorities would be upskilling their 28,000 staff on climate mitigation and adaptation to build momentum in communities.
The report outlines how the local government sector has embraced sustainable transport development; flood risk management, water conservation, waste management and public engagement. This was ahead of the sector being named as a key driver of change under the Government’s national climate action plan.
The research by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of the County and City Management Association (CCMA), found half of the 31 local authorities will achieve energy savings beyond their 2030 targets having invested more than €120 million in energy-efficiency projects.
CCMA chairman Michael Walsh, chief executive of Waterford City and County Council, said local authorities were critical to effective national action because of their closeness to communities and underlined the scale of the challenge.
Local authorities' action had to be concentrated on both reducing emissions and on adapting for the inevitable impacts, such as extreme weather, said David Dodd, regional co-ordinator of the Dublin Metropolitan Climate Action Regional Office.
LGMA head of research Dr Bernie O’Donoghue Hynes, said the report with numerous case studies allows for local authorities to learn from each other and to recognise where additional action might be taken.
The report confirms 20 local authorities have piloted or are in the process of piloting “nearly zero energy buildings in their social housing, while 15 local authorities have electric or hybrid vehicles in their fleets. Cycling infrastructure has expanded with more than 1,500km of segregated cycle lanes and 1,600km of integrated cycle lanes across local authorities in place at the end of 2018.
Between 2014 and 2018, 21 local authorities activated flood emergency response plans on 82 occasions and were required to spend €101 million on clean-up, road repair and disaster recovery. Local authorities collaborated with the Office of Public Works on 21 major flood defence schemes.
Water conservation initiatives have been extended because of the increased risk of climate-related droughts. Local authorities intervened on more than 300 occasions to provide drinking water supplies to residents following extreme weather events because of poor water quality or damaged water infrastructure.
In addition, local authorities planted 74,000 trees in 2017-2018, while many are implementing programmes on invasive alien species; managing trees and urban woodlands, developing green infrastructure, and reducing pesticide usage. Eight local authorities have incorporated, and four are in the process of incorporating, green roofs in council buildings as part of new buildings or building upgrades.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Man (84) who married long-time friend for tax purposes dies

A man who married his long-time friend for tax purposes two years ago , has died aged 84 .
The unorthodox union of Matt Murphy and Michael O ’ Sullivan ( 60 ) made headlines after Mr Murphy told RTÉ Radio ’ s Liveline that he planned to marry his heterosexual friend of 30 years to help him avoid paying inheritance tax on his home .
Mr O ’ Sullivan moved in with Mr Murphy during the recession after his apartment was repossessed and he acted as his carer in recent years .
The two married in the Dublin registry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived in Mr Murphy ’ s home in Stoneybatter .
Mr O ’ Sullivan , a father of three , was divorced but it was Mr Murphy ’ s first marriage .
Mr Murphy was admitted to the Mater Hospital in the middle of last week following a fall , in which he hit his head , Mr O ’ Sullivan said .
He died at around 4am on Tuesday with his husband by his side .
Mr O ’ Sullivan described Mr Murphy as an “ utter gentleman ” and a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was comfortable enough , he never woke up in the last two days .
He let out a few light breaths and then he passed .
I was there when he passed , ” Mr O ’ Sullivan said .
“ We are going to wake him in the house so people can say cheerio.
” His funeral Mass will be held in Cashel , Co Tipperary , where Mr Murphy was born .
He will be cremated and Mr O ’ Sullivan will then spread his ashes near Cashel , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mother and relatives are buried .
“ I ’ m grand , I ’ m quite practical about things like this…It ’ s silly , I cry at sad things on the telly but I get through things like this , ” Mr O ’ Sullivan said .
Speaking about the response to the story of their marriage , Mr O ’ Sullivan said Mr Murphy had “ loved it ” .
He said that when Mr Murphy was born in 1935 his mother was a single woman and , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ under a cloud ” given attitudes at the time .
“ But he went out with a bang , ” Mr O ’ Sullivan said .
RTÉ ’ s Liveline presenter Joe Duffy paid tribute to Mr Murphy and extended his condolences to Mr O ’ Sullivan .
“ From the day Matt contacted Liveline over two years ago to praise the Mater Hospital and then let us in on what he called his ‘ secret ’ - that he was getting married to his carer - his grace , generosity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

On their first anniversary of their marriage to avoid inheritance tax, friends Matt Murphy and Michael O'Sullivan discuss what they believe makes a successful marriage.
A man who married his long-time friend for tax purposes two years ago, has died aged 84.
The unorthodox union of Matt Murphy and Michael O'Sullivan (60) made headlines after Mr Murphy told RTÉ Radio's Liveline that he planned to marry his heterosexual friend of 30 years to help him avoid paying inheritance tax on his home.
Mr O’Sullivan moved in with Mr Murphy during the recession after his apartment was repossessed and he acted as his carer in recent years.
The two married in the Dublin registry office on December 22nd, 2017 and lived in Mr Murphy's home in Stoneybatter.
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Mr O’Sullivan, a father of three, was divorced but it was Mr Murphy’s first marriage.
Mr Murphy was admitted to the Mater Hospital in the middle of last week following a fall, in which he hit his head, Mr O'Sullivan said. He died at around 4am on Tuesday with his husband by his side.
Mr O’Sullivan described Mr Murphy as an “utter gentleman” and a “lovely, fantastic human”.
“He was comfortable enough, he never woke up in the last two days. He let out a few light breaths and then he passed. I was there when he passed,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “We are going to wake him in the house so people can say cheerio.”
His funeral Mass will be held in Cashel, Co Tipperary, where Mr Murphy was born. He will be cremated and Mr O'Sullivan will then spread his ashes near Cashel, and at a small graveyard where Mr Murphy's mother and relatives are buried.
‘Quite practical’
“I’m grand, I’m quite practical about things like this…It’s silly, I cry at sad things on the telly but I get through things like this,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
Speaking about the response to the story of their marriage, Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Murphy had “loved it”.
He said that when Mr Murphy was born in 1935 his mother was a single woman and, as such, he came into the world “under a cloud” given attitudes at the time.
“But he went out with a bang,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
RTÉ's Liveline presenter Joe Duffy paid tribute to Mr Murphy and extended his condolences to Mr O'Sullivan.
“From the day Matt contacted Liveline over two years ago to praise the Mater Hospital and then let us in on what he called his ‘secret’ - that he was getting married to his carer - his grace, generosity and good humour captured the nation,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Cataract procedure allows non-verbal woman to communicate with her eyes

An elderly disabled non-verbal woman who uses her eyes to communicate now has a “ good life ” following a successful court-sanctioned cataract procedure , her sister has told the High Court .
Mr Justice Peter Kelly , who was also was told on Tuesday the sister considers the woman is receiving excellent care at a HSE residential unit previously subject of investigation and controversy , said it was a rare “ good news story ” .
The sister had strongly supported the HSE ’ s application for the eye surgery , saying she did not want her sibling “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The woman was waiting three years for the surgery but , while offered it twice previously , could not take it up for health reasons .
A further appointment was scheduled after her physical condition improved and she had the surgery last month after the court sanctioned it in November .
The case was before the judge on Tuesday for a follow-up report .
The woman has been in the care of the HSE since she was aged 10 , has a range of disabilities and mainly uses her hands and eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application for orders permitting the surgery was made in the context of intended wardship proceedings , taken with a view to vindicating the woman ’ s rights arising from alleged earlier mistreatment of her in the residential unit .
A decision on whether the woman should be taken into wardship will be made on a later date .
The woman ’ s sister attended the November hearing to strongly support the surgery .
Although the sister could not attend Tuesday ’ s hearing because of a long-awaited hospital appointment , Katherine Kelleher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had sent an email thanking all involved .
Mr Justice Kelly said the email was “ very generous ” , extending plaudits to all involved in the woman ’ s care , and describing the surgery as having made an enormous difference to the woman ’ s life .
“ It ’ s a good news story , we don ’ t have many of them here , ” he remarked .
The sister said the cataract procedure had been a huge success and the woman ’ s quality of life had improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members and used her eyes to communicate needs , including for food , choice of clothing and Christmas decorations .
The sister said the woman now has a “ good life ” because of the improvement in her sight and described the woman ’ s care as excellent , attributing that to the good care being provided by staff in the residential unit .
Counsel representing an advocate for the woman said she had engaged well with the advocate and , when asked how her eyes were , had “ smiled and nodded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistreatment , the advocate is considering how her rights should best be vindicated , counsel said .
Consideration was being given to briefing senior counsel and the advocate wanted disclosure of the woman ’ s records .
Mr Justice Kelly said there was no issue about disclosure being permitted but he would defer that pending finalisation of the wardship application .

An elderly disabled non-verbal woman who uses her eyes to communicate now has a “good life” following a successful court-sanctioned cataract procedure, her sister has told the High Court.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly, who was also was told on Tuesday the sister considers the woman is receiving excellent care at a HSE residential unit previously subject of investigation and controversy, said it was a rare “good news story”.
The sister had strongly supported the HSE’s application for the eye surgery, saying she did not want her sibling “to live in a dark world”. The woman was waiting three years for the surgery but, while offered it twice previously, could not take it up for health reasons. A further appointment was scheduled after her physical condition improved and she had the surgery last month after the court sanctioned it in November.
The case was before the judge on Tuesday for a follow-up report.
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The woman has been in the care of the HSE since she was aged 10, has a range of disabilities and mainly uses her hands and eyes to communicate. The HSE’s application for orders permitting the surgery was made in the context of intended wardship proceedings, taken with a view to vindicating the woman’s rights arising from alleged earlier mistreatment of her in the residential unit. A decision on whether the woman should be taken into wardship will be made on a later date. The woman’s sister attended the November hearing to strongly support the surgery.
Although the sister could not attend Tuesday’s hearing because of a long-awaited hospital appointment, Katherine Kelleher, solicitor for the HSE, said she had sent an email thanking all involved.
Mr Justice Kelly said the email was “very generous”, extending plaudits to all involved in the woman’s care, and describing the surgery as having made an enormous difference to the woman’s life. “It’s a good news story, we don’t have many of them here,” he remarked. The sister said the cataract procedure had been a huge success and the woman’s quality of life had improved immeasurably because she can see her family members and used her eyes to communicate needs, including for food, choice of clothing and Christmas decorations.
The sister said the woman now has a “good life” because of the improvement in her sight and described the woman’s care as excellent, attributing that to the good care being provided by staff in the residential unit.
Counsel representing an advocate for the woman said she had engaged well with the advocate and, when asked how her eyes were, had “smiled and nodded”.
Arising from the alleged earlier mistreatment, the advocate is considering how her rights should best be vindicated, counsel said.
Consideration was being given to briefing senior counsel and the advocate wanted disclosure of the woman’s records. Mr Justice Kelly said there was no issue about disclosure being permitted but he would defer that pending finalisation of the wardship application.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Homeless man in serious condition after industrial vehicle lifts tent in canal 'tidy up'

A homeless man is in serious condition in hospital following an incident with an industrial vehicle near the Grand canal in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon .
The man was in a tent that was removed by a utility vehicle during works being carried out by Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland at Wilton Terrace , Dublin 2 .
The incident happened between 12pm and 1pm on Tuesday afternoon .
A statement by the gardaí said : “ A man ( age unknown ) was sleeping in his tent when it was being removed in an attempt to tidy the canal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this incident.
” The man was admitted to St Vincent ’ s University Hospital where it is understood he underwent surgery .
A Garda spokesman said he is in serious but stable condition .
A spokeswoman for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive said : “ Waterways Ireland were conducting work on the canals yesterday .
Dublin Region Homeless Executive staff were on hand to assist any people sleeping rough in the area and place them in emergency accommodation.
” “ The gardaí are investigating an incident that occurred at the time and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she added .
Aengus Ó Snodaigh , Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South-Central , described the incident as “ scary ” .
“ We see tents all over the city in recent years .
It ’ s scandalous in itself .
But for a man to be injured while he ’ s sleeping in his tent just because people want to clear the streets , ” Mr Ó Snodaigh said .
“ Somebody has to answer for this.
” “ I ’ m aware of others who have their tents removed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothes and then when they come back and there ’ s nothing there .
We need to change the attitude of our society .
People don ’ t think about those who are less fortunate , ” he added .
“ An incident occurred yesterday , 14th January , 2020 , involving a homeless man on the Grand Canal during a process where Waterways Ireland were removing tents that were placed in a precarious and dangerous location .
“ An individual was injured during the process and was taken to hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the hospital and every support is being provided .
“ Our thoughts are with the man at this time .
“ The Executive has been engaging with the individual for some time and accommodation remains available to him .
“ Every action that is taken by state services is taken in the interest of health and safety of those individuals experiencing homelessness .
“ The matter is currently being investigated by the gardaí and there will be no further comment.
” Joan Collins , Independent TD for the area , said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This situation is horrendous .
I think there needs to be serious questions asked about this .
It is reprehensible that it wasn ’ t checked first , ” Ms Collins said .
“ We need to look at what Dublin City Council workers were instructed to do , how were they instructed to do it , and was [ SIC ] there checks on the tents beforehand or why wasn ’ t there.
” Inner City Helping Homeless said this is not the first time that homeless people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of knowledge .
“ While we are glad to hear that no one died last night , the fact that someone was seriously injured when their tent was removed as they slept in it is beyond disgusting , ” a statement said .
“ Where is the humanity for other human beings ?
We hope the man makes a full recovery but answers are needed .
”

An investigation is underway after a homeless man was left in a critical condition when a utility vehicle removed his tent while he was sleeping it during a "tidy up" of the Grand Canal walkway at Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2. Video: Collins
A homeless man is in serious condition in hospital following an incident with an industrial vehicle near the Grand canal in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon.
The man was in a tent that was removed by a utility vehicle during works being carried out by Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland at Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2.
The incident happened between 12pm and 1pm on Tuesday afternoon, and the tent was located at the Leeson Street Bridge end of the canal.
I was saddened to hear of the incident by the canal yesterday. My thoughts are with this poor man as he recovers in hospital. I’ve demanded a full report in to the incident which is under Garda investigation. My campaign poster which was located at the scene has been removed. — Eoghan Murphy TD (@MurphyEoghan) January 15, 2020
It is understood that a vehicle with a mechanical arm and claw was used to remove the tents that were along the area, before lifting them and placing them into a truck for disposal.
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Waterways Ireland were removing the tents while staff from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) were present to assist roughsleepers in the area and placing them in emergency accommodation.
A statement by the gardaí said: “A man (age unknown) was sleeping in his tent when it was being removed in an attempt to tidy the canal walkway. The man received injuries during this incident.”
The man was admitted to St Vincent’s University Hospital where it is understood he underwent surgery. A Garda spokesman said he is in serious but stable condition.
Assistance
A spokeswoman for the DRHE said they are assisting the gardaí with their enquiries.
“An incident occurred yesterday involving a homeless man on the Grand Canal during a process where Waterways Ireland were removing tents that were placed in a precarious and dangerous location,” the spokeswoman said.
“An individual was injured during the process and was taken to hospital. The [DRHE]have been engaging with the individual for some time and accommodation remains available to the individual.”
The spokeswoman added that the executive is currently liaising with the hospital and “every support is being provided”.
“Our thoughts are with the man. It should be noted that every action that is taken by State services is taken in the interest of health and safety of those individuals experiencing homelessness,” she said.
In a statement, Waterways Ireland said: “Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council/Dublin Regional Homeless Executive work in co-operation to remove tents along the canals in Dublin where they have become a public safety hazard.
“ On the 14th January an incident occurred at Leeson Street, on the Grand Canal. Our thoughts are very much with the individual who was injured.”
The statement added that the company is “co-operating fully” with the garda investigation, and that it is “obliged to not comment further” while that investigation is ongoing.
‘Horrendous’
The scene remained closed on Wednesday morning as gardaí carried out a technical examination. Belongings and debris from the scene were collected and bagged for additional examination.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which investigates workplace accidents, said it was also investigating the incident.
Eoghan Murphy, the housing minister, said he was “saddened to hear of the incident by the canal”.
“My thoughts are with this poor man as he recovers in hospital. I’ve demanded a full report in to the incident which is under Garda investigation,” he posted on Twitter.
He added that his campaign poster, which was located on a lamp post at the scene, has since been removed.
Speaking after Fine Gael’s election launch in Monaghan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “concerned” about the incident and called on Paul McAuliffe, the Dublin Lord Mayor, to make a statement.
Mr McAuliffe is a Fianna Fáil candidate in Dublin North West in the general election but Mr Varadkar denied that he was attempting to make the incident political.
“No, I didn’t mention blame at all,” Mr Varadkar told reporters. “I think it is reasonable that the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who is politically accountable for Dublin City Council, should also make a statement. I am sure he would be willing to do that.”
In response, Mr McAuliffe said later he was “disappointed that the Taoiseach went down this road today.
“A man was seriously injured and yet An Taoiseach appeared to be more interested in apportioning blame to someone else.
“Waterways Ireland carried out the works this morning. Officials from the Dublin Regional Housing Executive (DRHE) were on the scene to support any homeless people with accessing accommodation.
“I understand due to the precarious location of the tent, Waterways Ireland decided to make use of a mechanical vehicle. All of these details will now be the subject of a Garda investigation. There may be an election ongoing at the present but a human being has been seriously injured this morning.
“That was my first concern when I heard about it, and I wanted to find out the details and so I have asked for a full report. It seems that the Taoiseach’s first thought was to play a political game.”
Mr Varadkar said he had heard what had happened on Wednesday morning, “and needless to say I am very concerned about it”. However, he said he was always loathe to comment on any individual cases until the full facts were known.
“We know from experience that the initial reporting can often be different from the later reporting, but what I have been told so far is that a man was injured while Dublin City Council and Waterways Ireland were trying to remove some tents.
“He is in a serious condition but is stable. He is well known to homeless services and has been offered emergency accommodation in the past and accommodation in the past and will be offered it again in the future.
“Our thoughts are with him, we hope we makes a speedy recovery and we will do everything we can to make sure that he is accommodated.
“My understanding is that the City Council and Waterways Ireland did check the tents before removing them but obviously something went wrong here, so I think it is important that the City Council and the Lord Mayor, who is politically responsible for the City Council, should make a statement and Waterways Ireland too.
“We will do everything we can to reduce rough sleeping. I remember when we took over the housing department over three and half years ago, there were over 160 people sleeping rough on streets in Dublin. That is now down to 92. There is more work to be done but we have made more progress.”
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South-Central, described the incident as “scary”.
“We see tents all over the city in recent years. It’s scandalous in itself. But for a man to be injured while he’s sleeping in his tent just because people want to clear the streets,” Mr Ó Snodaigh said. “Somebody has to answer for this.”
“I’m aware of others who have their tents removed. People go to get food, or clothes and then when they come back and there’s nothing there. We need to change the attitude of our society. People don’t think about those who are less fortunate,” he added.
Joan Collins, Independent TD for the area, said "serious questions need to be asked".
“This situation is horrendous. I think there needs to be serious questions asked about this. It is reprehensible that it wasn’t checked first,” Ms Collins said.
“We need to look at what Dublin City Council workers were instructed to do, how were they instructed to do it, and was [SIC]there checks on the tents beforehand or why wasn’t there.”
Inner City Helping Homeless said this is not the first time that homeless people’s tents were disposed of without their consent or knowledge.
“While we are glad to hear that no one died last night, the fact that someone was seriously injured when their tent was removed as they slept in it is beyond disgusting,” a statement said.
“Where is the humanity for other human beings? We hope the man makes a full recovery but answers are needed.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Human body parts found in two locations are those of missing teenager, gardaí suspect

Gardaí suspect body parts found in a burning car in Drumcondra , north Dublin and further remains previously discovered in Darndale , also north Dublin , can be linked to a missing teenager .
The last confirmed sighting of the 17-year-old missing from Drogheda , Co Louth was on Sunday .
When family and friends unable to contact him over the following 24 hours they became very concerned .
Human remains were discovered in a vehicle in Drumcondra , north Dublin on Wednesday morning .
The remains were found after a fire was extinguished in the car in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called to a location at Trinity Terrace off Clonliffe Road , near Croke Park , where a car was alight .
Gardaí suspected the find may be linked to the discovery of limbs in a bag in Darndale on Monday night .
A forensic examination of the Drumcondra location is to take place , gardaí said , and the scene has been sealed off and preserved .
The remains will be tested for DNA matches to the limbs , which were found in a plastic bag on the side of a road in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí were searching for the rest of the body on Monday and one line of inquiry was that the remains are those of a 17-year-old junior member of a Drogheda drugs gang .
Gardaí suspect the remains found in the vehicle in Drumcondra could be the rest of the body .
The state pathologist and the Garda technical bureau will attend the scene this morning .
A member of the teenager ’ s family began posting on social media on Monday afternoon seeking information on his whereabouts .
Within hours , limbs had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The missing teenager had links to one of two gangs that have been involved in a gun feud in Drogheda for just over 18 months .
A threat had been made against the teenager by a criminal gang led by a man who has been in dispute with one of the Drogheda gangs and also a gang from north Dublin .
Gardaí now suspect that the threat - to abduct , murder and dismember the teenager - has now effectively been carried out .
Speaking on RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituency the burning car was discovered in - defended the Government ’ s record on policing .
He said he had experience in his constituency of “ the cycle of terror and the cycle of fear organised crime can bring ” .
The Garda budget had been increased to an all-time high , he added .
Speaking on the same programme , Fianna Fáil ’ s director of elections Dara Calleary criticised the Government for reducing investment in urban renewal projects , and said gardaí fighting organised crime and gang feuds around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked about Fianna Fáil ’ s role in bringing about austerity which led to programme cuts , he said “ cuts were made but choices were also made as to the direction of those cuts ” , and claimed his party ’ s participation in confidence and supply had led to increased money for services .
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast , Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Jim O ’ Callaghan said the areas most affected by violent crime are also the most deprived areas , and there was a need to concentrate resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the heart of this problem .
People need to disown drugs and say that they are not prepared to accept that level of depravity in society .
”

The murder of Keane Mulready-Woods (17) and the dismembering of his body was a "brutal and savage" act and the gangs involved in feuding in Drogheda, Co Louth, would be dealt with "robustly", the senior officer in charge of policing the area has said.
Chief Supt Christy Mangan added that gardaí had on Wednesday evening confirmed to the Mulready-Woods family their "son and brother" was dead and that limbs found in Darndale, north Dublin, on Monday night were those of the teenager.
“This is a brutal and savage attack on a child and is completely unacceptable in any normal democratic society,” Chief Supt Mangan said.
Gardaí investigating the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods are appealing to the public for information to contact Drogheda Garda Station 041 987 4200. For more information: https://t.co/4EOFnfP4zR pic.twitter.com/T3Y4hOFYDU — Garda Info (@gardainfo) January 15, 2020
“The level of violence is shocking and the investigation into the murder of Keane is being co-ordinated from Drogheda Garda station,” he added, of the murder that is believed to have happened in the town on Sunday.
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“It is important to remember that Keane was a child, a young boy, trying to find his way in life. He has now lost his life and his family have lost their loved son and brother.”
The killing is believed to be the third murder in the worsening Drogheda drugs turf war. One line of inquiry is that it was direct retaliation for the shooting dead in Bettystown last November of drug dealer Richard Carberry (39).
Though aged just 17 years, Keane was suspected of threatening other people on behalf of one of the gangs as well as damaging properties in petrol bombings in feud attacks.
Speaking to reporters in Drogheda Garda station last night, Chief Supt Mangan said an extensive investigation was now underway into the “absolutely horrific” murder.
A house in Drogheda has been under examination, he said, as well as an area close to it.
Asked why somebody would murder a 17-year-old in Drogheda and then dismember him and take the remains for dumping in public in Dublin, he said that was as yet unclear.
The Irish Times understands gardaí have uncovered evidence of a violent attack at a property sealed off in Drogheda since Tuesday, including blood and signs the property had been cleaned.
A fire that had been burning on a green area close to the house was also being examined in the event efforts were made to destroy evidence there.
Chief Supt Mangan accepted there had been very significant gang violence in Drogheda between “warring factions” for well over a year. However, while the Garda had charged suspects with crimes and seized drugs and guns, the criminals involved were “intent on inflicting maximum damage on each other”.
These criminals, he said, wanted to “control parts of society through cocaine” and wanted to “enhance their own lifestyles through drugs and intimidation”.
“We’re not going to allow that happen. We’re there to protect people in Drogheda, across society, and we certainly will do so in a very robust fashion, I can tell you that,” he added.
Further human remains, including a head, were found in a stolen car that was discovered ablaze in a laneway in Dublin’s north inner city off Clonliffe Avenue and Trinity Terrace at about 1.30am yesterday morning.
DNA testing was expected to show they were also Keane’s remains.
The vehicle they were found in, a Volvo S40, had been stolen in Sandymount, south Dublin, on December 15th and fitted with false registration places.
Gardaí at the scene in Coolock on Tuesday morning where a bag containing human limbs was found. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
When stolen, the Volvo’s registration number was 161 D 48646 though it had been fitted with false plates, 141 MO 1925, by the time it was discovered on fire.
Gardaí are trying to piece together the movements of that vehicle since it was stolen one month ago.
Anyone with information about any part of Keane’s abduction, murder and dismembering is asked to contact any one of the three incident rooms operating in Coolock, Mountjoy and Drogheda Garda stations.
Keane was last seen in Drogheda by his family at about 6pm on Sunday.
Just under 24 hours later, family members were so concerned they had not heard from him that they began posting appeals on social media as to his whereabouts.
Just before 10pm on Monday gardaí received a call stating human remains had been found in a black bag on Moatview Drive, Darndale, north Dublin.
As a threat had been made by one of the feuding gangs in Drogheda to abduct, murder and dismember Keane, gardaí immediately feared the partial remains were those of the 17-year-old.
This has now proven to be the case and the further remains found in the burning Volvo in Dublin about 27½ hours later were also believed to be some of the remainder of his body, though not all of it.
When he was last seen alive in the vicinity of Dominic’s Bridge, Drogheda, Keane was wearing a navy Hugo Boss tracksuit, black Hugo Boss runners with brown sole and black laces, a red or orange Canada Goose jacket and a Gucci baseball cap.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Attempted ATM robbery in Co Louth intercepted by armed gardaí

An investigation is under way into an attempted ATM robbery in Co Louth this morning .
A digger remains at @ @ @ @ @ of Ireland branch on Dunleer mainstreet .
The robbery was intercepted by a patrol of @ @ @ @ @ sealed off the area and the street was closed to traffic on Wednesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ the ATM was targeted in recent months .
In November , raiders made a similar @ @ @ @ @ from Mainstreet in Dunleer , Co Louth but were unsuccessful .
However , a large @ @ @ @ @ from the machine .
The remains of the ATM structure were crushed and appeared to @ @ @ @ @ rubble .
The incident on Wednesday is the latest in a spate of ATM robberies @ @ @ @ @ border over the past year - 16 ATMs in Northern Ireland and 15 ATMs in @ @ @ @ @

A digger remains at the scene outside the Bank of Ireland branch on Dunleer mainstreet. Photograph: An Garda Síochána/Twitter
An investigation is under way into an attempted ATM robbery in Co Louth this morning.
A digger remains at the scene outside the Bank of Ireland branch on Dunleer mainstreet. The robbery was intercepted by a patrol of armed gardaí.
Gardaí have sealed off the area and the street was closed to traffic on Wednesday morning.
This is the second time the ATM was targeted in recent months.
READ MORE
In November, raiders made a similar attempt to steal the ATM from Mainstreet in Dunleer, Co Louth but were unsuccessful. However, a large sum of money was stolen from the machine.
The remains of the ATM structure were crushed and appeared to be just visible among the rubble.
The incident on Wednesday is the latest in a spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the border over the past year - 16 ATMs in Northern Ireland and 15 ATMs in the Republic of Ireland.
Investigations are ongoing, a Garda spokesman said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Hospital staff to be investigated over alleged ‘derogatory’ online posts

University Hospital Limerick says it plans to investigate staff over the alleged leaking of confidential patient information as well as “ derogatory ” Facebook posts .
Staff have been told they may face disciplinary action for remarks on social media “ made in the name of the HSE ” which are offensive or derogatory .
The warning comes from Colette Cowan , chief executive of University of Limerick Hospitals Group , who has told employees in an email she is gravely concerned at breaches of confidential information related to the business of the health service and in particular concerning patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department overcrowding of any hospital in the State .
Last week , the Limerick Leader reported that a male patient had been found dead next to his trolley in mid-December with a broken neck .
The exact circumstances of the man ’ s death remain unclear .
In her letter , sent to staff last Friday , Ms Cowan warns they are bound by HSE codes of conduct , breaches of which may constitute a breach of their terms of employment and lead to disciplinary action .
“ Equally of concern is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a breach of confidentiality.
” Ms Cowan says her communications and senior managers regularly review social media content for accuracy and context .
She describes “ derogatory ” staff Facebook posts as “ concerning ” .
“ There is also evidence of media attending UHL and photographing in corridors , taking sound bites ( sic ) from staff without prior consent to enter patient areas ... these will all be investigated and actions taken .
“ This has been compounded in the last 48 hours by headlines that have created serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distress to the consultant and their team providing care .
There was an unauthorised disclosure of confidential patient information.
” As a result , she says , the hospital group is unable to ensure compliance with data protection regulation and will have to report this as a data breach .
“ Alongside this , I have sought an investigation of the issues listed to identify persons who have breached their contract and the code of Standards and Behaviour.
” “ Unfortunately any slip of standards by a small number of employees does reputational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hurts the people we serve , our patients and our colleagues.
” There were 51 patients waiting for admission to UHL on Tuesday morning , the highest of any hospital , according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation .

Minister for Health Simon Harris with Colette Cowan, chief executive of University of Limerick Hospital, who has told employees in an email she is gravely concerned at breaches of confidential information. Photograph: Brian Arthur
University Hospital Limerick says it plans to investigate staff over the alleged leaking of confidential patient information as well as "derogatory" Facebook posts.
Staff have been told they may face disciplinary action for remarks on social media “made in the name of the HSE” which are offensive or derogatory.
The warning comes from Colette Cowan, chief executive of University of Limerick Hospitals Group, who has told employees in an email she is gravely concerned at breaches of confidential information related to the business of the health service and in particular concerning patient records.
UHL suffers the worst emergency department overcrowding of any hospital in the State. Last week, the Limerick Leader reported that a male patient had been found dead next to his trolley in mid-December with a broken neck. The exact circumstances of the man’s death remain unclear.
READ MORE
In her letter, sent to staff last Friday, Ms Cowan warns they are bound by HSE codes of conduct, breaches of which may constitute a breach of their terms of employment and lead to disciplinary action.
“Equally of concern is the misuse of social media that may inadvertently lead to a breach of confidentiality.”
Ms Cowan says her communications and senior managers regularly review social media content for accuracy and context. She describes “derogatory” staff Facebook posts as “concerning”.
‘Ignoring restrictions’
“There is also evidence of media attending UHL and photographing in corridors, taking sound bites (sic) from staff without prior consent to enter patient areas ... these will all be investigated and actions taken.
Any slip of standards by a small number of employees does reputational damage to UL Hospitals but most importantly it hurts the people we serve, our patients and our colleagues
“This has been compounded in the last 48 hours by headlines that have created serious distress to a bereaved family and equally distress to the consultant and their team providing care. There was an unauthorised disclosure of confidential patient information.”
As a result, she says, the hospital group is unable to ensure compliance with data protection regulation and will have to report this as a data breach.
“Alongside this, I have sought an investigation of the issues listed to identify persons who have breached their contract and the code of Standards and Behaviour.”
“Unfortunately any slip of standards by a small number of employees does reputational damage to UL Hospitals but most importantly it hurts the people we serve, our patients and our colleagues.”
There were 51 patients waiting for admission to UHL on Tuesday morning, the highest of any hospital, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--One in 15 cars taking NCT unsafe to drive on public roads

One in every 15 cars submitted for the national car test last year were found to be dangerously defective and unsafe to be driven on public roads .
Figures published by the Road Safety Authority ( RSA ) show more than 92,000 vehicles examined at NCT test centres during 2019 were found to be in an unroadworthy condition .
A total of 92,523 cars were classified as “ fail dangerous ” .
They represent 6.6 per cent of almost 1.4 million cars tested at 47 test centres nationwide last year .
Although the vast majority subsequently obtained a NCT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found to be dangerously defective following a retest .
According to the RSA , tyres in poor condition and problems with brakes are the main reason why cars are deemed dangerous to drive on public roads .
An authority spokesperson said the large number of cars being classified as “ fail dangerous ” was not surprising .
As a result of the implementation of an EU directive on roadworthiness tests on motor vehicles since 2018 , all defects are now classified as either minor , major or dangerous .
“ Many motorists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there is a need to educate car owners that there are some problems which will have their vehicle deemed unsafe to drive on public roads and that they need to take the issue seriously , ” the spokesperson said .
A recent survey by the RSA indicated that 40 per cent of all car owners used the NCT as a diagnostic tool for problems with their vehicles , which the RSA claims explains the higher failure rate for the initial test .
“ People need to stop using the NCT to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be getting it serviced regularly by a mechanic as it is a much more detailed examination .
The NCT can never be a substitute for a full service , ” said the RSA spokesperson .
Neither the RSA nor Applus , the operator of the NCT , collect information on the number of people who still drive away from NCT centres in an unroadworthy vehicle or who arrange to have their car towed away .
The RSA spokesperson said anyone who continued to drive a vehicle after it was deemed dangerously defective was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle is classified as “ fail dangerous ” is advised that it is unsafe to be used on the road “ under any circumstances ” .
A sticker stating “ failed dangerous ” is placed on such vehicles by NCT inspectors at the end of a test .
“ It is illegal for a vehicle to be driven on a public road with dangerous defects which means the driver may incur penalty points and a court appearance if caught by An Garda Síochána , ” the RSA spokesperson said .
Any motorist detected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fine of up to €2,000 and five penalty points and/or a three-month jail term .
The RSA said gardaí were automatically notified via the National Vehicle and Driver File of any vehicle that was overdue its test by three months .
Such information is also now available to gardaí at roadside checkpoints .
They are equipped with hand-held devices for checking on the licensing status of drivers and vehicles stopped .
RSA figures show 50 per cent of all cars which underwent a NCT last year passed the full test – up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the “ fail dangerous ” vehicles , more than 603,000 other cars also failed the test .
The figures indicate that more than 41,500 vehicles that did not pass the full test were not submitted for a retest .
Cars first registered in 2015 , 2013 , 2011 , 2009 and any older vehicles were due for testing last year .
The RSA confirmed recently it had required Applus to pilot changes to the testing of a vehicle ’ s suspension .
It follows a €31,000 award by Cork Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot a faulty suspension in a vehicle , which was subsequently involved in a fatal traffic collision .
A post-collision report found the vehicle to be unroadworthy both at the time of its involvement in a fatal crash near Fota , Co Cork , in December 2012 and when it passed the NCT seven months earlier .
The driver of the vehicle , Cork woman Amanda O ’ Flaherty ( 26 ) , was killed after the car veered suddenly into the path of an oncoming vehicle .

As a result of the implementation of an EU directive on roadworthiness tests on motor vehicles since 2018, all defects are now classified as either minor, major or dangerous. Photograph: Getty Images
One in every 15 cars submitted for the national car test last year were found to be dangerously defective and unsafe to be driven on public roads.
Figures published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show more than 92,000 vehicles examined at NCT test centres during 2019 were found to be in an unroadworthy condition.
A total of 92,523 cars were classified as “fail dangerous”.
They represent 6.6 per cent of almost 1.4 million cars tested at 47 test centres nationwide last year.
READ MORE
Although the vast majority subsequently obtained a NCT, a total of 2,791 vehicles were still found to be dangerously defective following a retest.
According to the RSA, tyres in poor condition and problems with brakes are the main reason why cars are deemed dangerous to drive on public roads.
An authority spokesperson said the large number of cars being classified as “fail dangerous” was not surprising.
As a result of the implementation of an EU directive on roadworthiness tests on motor vehicles since 2018, all defects are now classified as either minor, major or dangerous.
‘Still unaware’
“Many motorists are still unaware about the change in classification and there is a need to educate car owners that there are some problems which will have their vehicle deemed unsafe to drive on public roads and that they need to take the issue seriously,” the spokesperson said.
A recent survey by the RSA indicated that 40 per cent of all car owners used the NCT as a diagnostic tool for problems with their vehicles, which the RSA claims explains the higher failure rate for the initial test.
“People need to stop using the NCT to identify problems with their car. They should be getting it serviced regularly by a mechanic as it is a much more detailed examination. The NCT can never be a substitute for a full service,” said the RSA spokesperson.
Any motorist detected driving an unroadworthy vehicle is liable for a fine of up to €2,000 and five penalty points and/or a three-month jail term
Neither the RSA nor Applus, the operator of the NCT, collect information on the number of people who still drive away from NCT centres in an unroadworthy vehicle or who arrange to have their car towed away.
The RSA spokesperson said anyone who continued to drive a vehicle after it was deemed dangerously defective was “irresponsible”.
Any motorist whose vehicle is classified as “fail dangerous” is advised that it is unsafe to be used on the road “under any circumstances”.
A sticker stating “failed dangerous” is placed on such vehicles by NCT inspectors at the end of a test.
‘Illegal’
“It is illegal for a vehicle to be driven on a public road with dangerous defects which means the driver may incur penalty points and a court appearance if caught by An Garda Síochána,” the RSA spokesperson said.
Any motorist detected driving an unroadworthy vehicle is liable for a fine of up to €2,000 and five penalty points and/or a three-month jail term.
The RSA said gardaí were automatically notified via the National Vehicle and Driver File of any vehicle that was overdue its test by three months.
Such information is also now available to gardaí at roadside checkpoints. They are equipped with hand-held devices for checking on the licensing status of drivers and vehicles stopped.
RSA figures show 50 per cent of all cars which underwent a NCT last year passed the full test – up from 49.1 per cent in 2018.
In addition to the “fail dangerous” vehicles, more than 603,000 other cars also failed the test.
The figures indicate that more than 41,500 vehicles that did not pass the full test were not submitted for a retest.
Cars first registered in 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009 and any older vehicles were due for testing last year.
The RSA confirmed recently it had required Applus to pilot changes to the testing of a vehicle’s suspension.
Fatal traffic collision
It follows a €31,000 award by Cork Circuit Civil Court against Applus for failing to spot a faulty suspension in a vehicle, which was subsequently involved in a fatal traffic collision.
A post-collision report found the vehicle to be unroadworthy both at the time of its involvement in a fatal crash near Fota, Co Cork, in December 2012 and when it passed the NCT seven months earlier.
The driver of the vehicle, Cork woman Amanda O’Flaherty (26), was killed after the car veered suddenly into the path of an oncoming vehicle.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--How foundations of minority FG-led Government were eroded

The foundations underpinning the Fine Gael-led minority government of the 32nd Dáil were weak to begin with but have steadily been eroded in the four years since the last general election .
Initially led by Enda Kenny , with Leo Varadkar assuming the leadership of Fine Gael and the taoiseach ’ s office in mid-2017 , the Fine Gael-led minority Government was allowed function thanks to the acquiescence of Fianna Fáil .
Micheál Martin turned down Fine Gael ’ s offer of a full-blown coalition in 2016 and instead entered into a confidence-and-supply agreement , which saw his party abstain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dáil .
But by last month , it had become obvious the Government could no longer continue even with the confidence-and-supply deal .
Over the weekend , as he prepared the ground for Tuesday ’ s announcement , Varadkar said the tightening Dáil numbers meant the circumstances had changed since he had previously maintained he wanted the election to be held in May 2020 .
Last month ’ s Dáil motion of no confidence in Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy was defeated by the Government by 56 votes to 53 , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to avoid a pre-Christmas election : Michael Lowry , Denis Naughten and Noel Grealish .
Yet , even though the Government survived , the Murphy vote will be seen as the clarifying point that signalled the Varadkar administration had come to an end .
Former Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy , who was embroiled in controversy over his Dáil attendance and expenses , resigned after the vote .
It reduced the Government ’ s total strength to 53 out of a total of 158 TDs .
In contrast , 59 TDs voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third attempt on May 6th , 2016 .
Fine Gael then had 50 seats , but lost Frances Fitzgerald , who was elected to the European Parliament ; Peter Fitzpatrick , who resigned the party whip ; then Dara Murphy in the intervening period .
Naughten was Minister for Communications but resigned from Government in October 2018 and Clare Independent TD Michael Harty , who voted for Kenny as taoiseach and supported the Government at times in its early stages , increasingly voted with the Opposition .
Along with Fitzgerald , three other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last May , and the resulting byelections returned two Fianna Fáil TDs as well as one each for Sinn Féin and the Green Party .
The byelections in themselves did not weaken the Government ’ s Dáil position , given Fianna Fáil ’ s policy of abstention .
Thomas Pringle , the Donegal TD who was absent for the Murphy no-confidence vote , was unlikely to miss another motion against Minister for Health Simon Harris .
Fianna Fáil ’ s John McGuinness said he would no longer abstain on such motions , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ultimately failed efforts to agree an election date .
The past week saw the rural Independent group of deputies confirm they intended to table a no-confidence motion in Harris in early February , and the numbers were certain to be , in Varadkar ’ s words , “ precarious ” .
It became obvious he had to call an election on his own terms or be brought down in a confidence vote .
The Taoiseach began preparing the ground for the February 8th election after the Murphy vote .
He began saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ right time for the country ” , instead of his previous position that he wanted a May 2020 poll , and asked Martin to nominate some Fianna Fáil TDs to support the Government to make up for McGuinness breaking with the confidence-and-supply deal , a politically impossible ask .
Senior Fine Gael figures have always insisted they wanted a summer election to allow Varadkar campaign in the sun , yet the Taoiseach yesterday made the most of the hand available to him .
With Britain leaving the EU a week before polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign around what he has called his Government ’ s “ magnum opus ” .
Having resisted pressure from within his party on a number of occasions to go to the country during previous gaps in the tortured Brexit process , Varadkar said a “ window of opportunity ” had opened to “ have a new government in place before the next European Council meeting in March with a strong mandate ” for the negotiations on the future trade agreement between the EU and UK .

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy. Last month’s Dáil motion of no confidence in the Minister was defeated by the Government by 56 votes to 53. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The foundations underpinning the Fine Gael-led minority government of the 32nd Dáil were weak to begin with but have steadily been eroded in the four years since the last general election.
Initially led by Enda Kenny, with Leo Varadkar assuming the leadership of Fine Gael and the taoiseach's office in mid-2017, the Fine Gael-led minority Government was allowed function thanks to the acquiescence of Fianna Fáil.
Micheál Martin turned down Fine Gael’s offer of a full-blown coalition in 2016 and instead entered into a confidence-and-supply agreement, which saw his party abstain in budget and confidence motions in the Dáil.
But by last month, it had become obvious the Government could no longer continue even with the confidence-and-supply deal.
READ MORE
Over the weekend, as he prepared the ground for Tuesday’s announcement, Varadkar said the tightening Dáil numbers meant the circumstances had changed since he had previously maintained he wanted the election to be held in May 2020.
Last month's Dáil motion of no confidence in Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy was defeated by the Government by 56 votes to 53, thanks to the support of three Opposition Independents who wanted to avoid a pre-Christmas election: Michael Lowry, Denis Naughten and Noel Grealish.
Yet, even though the Government survived, the Murphy vote will be seen as the clarifying point that signalled the Varadkar administration had come to an end.
Former Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy, who was embroiled in controversy over his Dáil attendance and expenses, resigned after the vote.
It reduced the Government's total strength to 53 out of a total of 158 TDs. In contrast, 59 TDs voted for Kenny as taoiseach at the successful third attempt on May 6th, 2016. Fine Gael then had 50 seats, but lost Frances Fitzgerald, who was elected to the European Parliament; Peter Fitzpatrick, who resigned the party whip; then Dara Murphy in the intervening period.
Resigned
Naughten was Minister for Communications but resigned from Government in October 2018 and Clare Independent TD Michael Harty, who voted for Kenny as taoiseach and supported the Government at times in its early stages, increasingly voted with the Opposition.
Along with Fitzgerald, three other ex-TDs were elected to the European Parliament last May, and the resulting byelections returned two Fianna Fáil TDs as well as one each for Sinn Féin and the Green Party. The byelections in themselves did not weaken the Government’s Dáil position, given Fianna Fáil’s policy of abstention.
Thomas Pringle, the Donegal TD who was absent for the Murphy no-confidence vote, was unlikely to miss another motion against Minister for Health Simon Harris. Fianna Fáil's John McGuinness said he would no longer abstain on such motions, a point Varadkar made to Micheál Martin in their ultimately failed efforts to agree an election date.
‘Precarious’
The past week saw the rural Independent group of deputies confirm they intended to table a no-confidence motion in Harris in early February, and the numbers were certain to be, in Varadkar’s words, “precarious”.
It became obvious he had to call an election on his own terms or be brought down in a confidence vote.
The Taoiseach began preparing the ground for the February 8th election after the Murphy vote.
He began saying the election would be held at the “right time for the country”, instead of his previous position that he wanted a May 2020 poll, and asked Martin to nominate some Fianna Fáil TDs to support the Government to make up for McGuinness breaking with the confidence-and-supply deal, a politically impossible ask.
Senior Fine Gael figures have always insisted they wanted a summer election to allow Varadkar campaign in the sun, yet the Taoiseach yesterday made the most of the hand available to him.
With Britain leaving the EU a week before polling day, he sought to frame the campaign around what he has called his Government’s “magnum opus”.
Having resisted pressure from within his party on a number of occasions to go to the country during previous gaps in the tortured Brexit process, Varadkar said a "window of opportunity" had opened to "have a new government in place before the next European Council meeting in March with a strong mandate" for the negotiations on the future trade agreement between the EU and UK.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Tractor protest: Major traffic disruption expected in Dublin today

Gardaí have warned the public to expect major disruption to traffic in Dublin city centre on Wednesday due to a large protest by farmers over beef prices .
Over 400 tractors are expected to take part in what organisers are hoping will be the biggest turnout to date in a series of demonstrations to highlight low prices for beef farmers .
The Individual Farmers of Ireland , which is staging the demonstration , has claimed it will be “ significantly larger ” than previous protests in November and December .
Hundreds of farmers from all over Ireland are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Agriculture and the Dáil .
Farmers remain concerned about the lack of progress by the Beef Task Force in meeting their demands for beef processors to pay higher prices to farmers in the sector .
It following the resumption of talks by the task force when representatives of the main supermarket groups attending their first face-to-face meeting with representatives of various farming bodies including the Irish Farmers ’ Association , the Beef Plan movement and Maicre na Feirme .
The Individual Farmers of Ireland has claimed the task force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ fast becoming a talking shop designed to pacify farmers ’ concerns without any intention from the Government or the meat industry to resolve the impasse ” .
Although the protest is not due to begin until 2pm , gardaí said traffic would be impacted from 10am onwards due to a number of road closures in the city centre .
Streets around Leinster House including Kildare Street , Molesworth Street , St Stephen ’ s Green South , Merrion Square West/South/East and Merrion Street Upper will be closed to all traffic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street will be diverted up New Bride Street , while only public transport services will be allowed on St Stephen ’ s Green North and East from 2pm .
Gardaí said motorists should also expect some delays on the main routes into Dublin from midday as tractors start to converge on the city centre .
The authorities said bus lanes will not be affected and commuters are advised to avail of public transport where possible .

Gardaí have warned the public to expect major disruption to traffic in Dublin city centre on Wednesday due to a large protest by farmers over beef prices.
Over 400 tractors are expected to take part in what organisers are hoping will be the biggest turnout to date in a series of demonstrations to highlight low prices for beef farmers.
The Individual Farmers of Ireland, which is staging the demonstration, has claimed it will be “significantly larger” than previous protests in November and December.
Hundreds of farmers from all over Ireland are expected to converge on Kildare Street to protest outside the Department of Agriculture and the Dáil.
READ MORE
Farmers remain concerned about the lack of progress by the Beef Task Force in meeting their demands for beef processors to pay higher prices to farmers in the sector.
It following the resumption of talks by the task force when representatives of the main supermarket groups attending their first face-to-face meeting with representatives of various farming bodies including the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Beef Plan movement and Maicre na Feirme.
The Individual Farmers of Ireland has claimed the task force, which includes representatives of all stakeholders, was “fast becoming a talking shop designed to pacify farmers’ concerns without any intention from the Government or the meat industry to resolve the impasse”.
Although the protest is not due to begin until 2pm, gardaí said traffic would be impacted from 10am onwards due to a number of road closures in the city centre.
Streets around Leinster House including Kildare Street, Molesworth Street, St Stephen’s Green South, Merrion Square West/South/East and Merrion Street Upper will be closed to all traffic.
In addition, eastbound traffic on Kevin Street will be diverted up New Bride Street, while only public transport services will be allowed on St Stephen’s Green North and East from 2pm.
Gardaí said motorists should also expect some delays on the main routes into Dublin from midday as tractors start to converge on the city centre.
The authorities said bus lanes will not be affected and commuters are advised to avail of public transport where possible.


theirishtimes--2020-01-16--Hundreds of State exam students awarded ‘estimated grades’

Hundreds of Junior and Leaving Cert students have been awarded grades based on estimates by their schools due to errors such as scripts being lost or candidates being given the wrong exam papers .
A detailed breakdown of these awards show that in one case a student was given an estimated grade after complaining of being distracted by ants on their desk while sitting a Leaving Cert exam .
In other cases , students complained of noise outside exam centres , a stopped clock in exam halls or being distracted by other candidates .
The State Examinations Commission ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated grades has not been publicly acknowledged and does not appear to be referred to in published documents .
However , the existence of this parallel Leaving Cert certification process based on estimated grades may raise fresh concerns over the transparency of the system and whether these grades are being awarded fairly .
SEC records indicate that last year a total of 148 students were awarded these estimated grades .
The equivalent figures for 2018 was 116 students ; 116 in 2017 ; and 159 in 2016 .
In a statement , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in relation to the practice which was aimed at ensuring candidates are not disadvantaged by circumstances outside of their control .
“ In its dealings with schools and candidates on such matters , the SEC is completely open about the process and the circumstances in which it has arisen.
” The process of awarding these grades involves requesting an estimate from the student ’ s school on the likely result the student would have received .
The treatment of these students contrasts with that of bereaved students who , until last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within hours of the funeral of a close family member or re-sit their exams a year later .
These students can now sit exams they missed a month later .
Internal SEC records show it considered providing estimated grades – or “ assessed results ” – for bereaved students , but ruled it out over fears it could undermine confidence in the Leaving Cert .
“ The commission would be very concerned that .
.
.
the assessed result proposition would see the creation of a parallel Leaving Certificate certification process in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the record states .
“ Such a scheme would require significant buy-in from all stakeholders and be subject to significant challenge , both legal and in terms of maintaining public confidence in the Leaving Certificate examination system .
”

Records indicate that last year a total of 148 students were awarded estimated grades. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Hundreds of Junior and Leaving Cert students have been awarded grades based on estimates by their schools due to errors such as scripts being lost or candidates being given the wrong exam papers.
A detailed breakdown of these awards show that in one case a student was given an estimated grade after complaining of being distracted by ants on their desk while sitting a Leaving Cert exam. In other cases, students complained of noise outside exam centres, a stopped clock in exam halls or being distracted by other candidates.
The State Examinations Commission’s (SEC) practice of awarding these estimated grades has not been publicly acknowledged and does not appear to be referred to in published documents.
However, the existence of this parallel Leaving Cert certification process based on estimated grades may raise fresh concerns over the transparency of the system and whether these grades are being awarded fairly.
READ MORE
SEC records indicate that last year a total of 148 students were awarded these estimated grades. The equivalent figures for 2018 was 116 students; 116 in 2017; and 159 in 2016.
‘No concerns’
In a statement, the SEC said it has “no concerns” in relation to the practice which was aimed at ensuring candidates are not disadvantaged by circumstances outside of their control.
“In its dealings with schools and candidates on such matters, the SEC is completely open about the process and the circumstances in which it has arisen.”
The process of awarding these grades involves requesting an estimate from the student’s school on the likely result the student would have received.
The treatment of these students contrasts with that of bereaved students who, until last year, had to sit Leaving Cert exams within hours of the funeral of a close family member or re-sit their exams a year later. These students can now sit exams they missed a month later.
Internal SEC records show it considered providing estimated grades – or “assessed results” – for bereaved students, but ruled it out over fears it could undermine confidence in the Leaving Cert.
“The commission would be very concerned that . . . the assessed result proposition would see the creation of a parallel Leaving Certificate certification process in which results are generated through other means,” the record states.
“Such a scheme would require significant buy-in from all stakeholders and be subject to significant challenge, both legal and in terms of maintaining public confidence in the Leaving Certificate examination system.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Tributes paid to Kilkenny man who ran New York’s oldest Irish pub

McSorley ’ s Old Ale House , opened by Irish immigrant John McSorley in 1854 , is the oldest Irish pub in New York , where sawdust on the floor provides a comforting crunch underfoot and walls are decked with mementos of yesteryear .
The chair Abraham Lincoln is alleged to have sat on looks down over the bar , along with dusty fire helmets and the turkey wishbones eaten by men who never returned from war .
This week , however , the mood in the popular East Village haunt in Manhattan is sombre , following the passing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maher , who was buried on Wednesday .
His funeral on a bright , crisp morning on Wednesday was attended by hundreds of family and friends .
His casket was escorted by two pipers from the New York fire department , and carried under an arch of hurleys .
Mr Maher ’ s daughter , Andrea spoke of a man who loved “ laughter , stories and song ” .
“ Nothing ever held him down .
He saw good in any situation , ” she said .
Paying tribute , Fr Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the deceased ’ s dates of birth and death : “ Matty ’ s hyphen should be very long ; not because of the years he lived , but because of the things he accomplished in those years.
” Mr Maher ’ s move to New York and eventual ownership of the bar was serendipitous , following a chance meeting in 1964 when he was just 25 with its then-owner , Harry Kirwan after Kirwan ’ s car broke down during a holiday in Ireland .
The young Maher came to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young Kilkenny man a job should he ever find himself in New York .
Mr Kirwan was true to his word .
Stepping into those shoes years later , one of Mr Maher ’ s greatest gifts was in knowing “ all the regulars ” , who included second World War veterans , but also in remembering people he ’ d only met once .
Recalling his employer , the pub ’ s longest-serving barman , Jeff Bartholomew , hired by Mr Maher in 1972 when the latter was the manager , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was the nexus for the whole place .
“ He was one of those guys you ’ d really want to be in a foxhole with .
He could see what was going on and he knew what was going on , ” Mr Bartholomew , said on Tuesday before leaving for his old boss ’ s wake .
Remembering one of Mr Maher ’ s final visits to the pub , fellow bartender and family relative , Shane Buggy said he had been “ a true , traditional Irish publican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group he had not seen for 15 years , the elderly landlord “ walked over to the bar , got a fistful of ale and just dropped it down and said , ‘ Welcome back , lads.
’ He was always like that .
His generosity knew no bounds.
” His passing shocked family and friends , said Buggy , remembering his last meeting with him a week ago , where his boss left him parting advice .
“ Ah you ’ re doing a great job down there , lads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had said .
“ Keep those doors open and keep the fire lit and you ’ ll have a crowd there this afternoon.
” In its own message on Facebook , McSorley ’ s said : “ When he started working at the bar , McSorley ’ s was still a men-only establishment with dozens of flophouses within blocks from 15 East 7th Street .
When they had to let women in by court order on August 11th , 1970 , the bar ’ s future was uncertain .
“ And when Matty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city was near bankrupt and the neighbourhood ’ s future uncertain .
Landlords were just walking away from their buildings , heroin was rampant , cars had to wait in lines that extended for blocks just to get gas , crime , and grime everywhere .
“ But Matty left poverty back in Ireland and he was determined to leave it behind for good .
He saw an opportunity and believed in the American Dream .
And he loved history and all things Irish and knew McSorley ’ s and the city could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was absolutely nuts .
”

McSorley’s Old Ale House, opened by Irish immigrant John McSorley in 1854, is the oldest Irish pub in New York, where sawdust on the floor provides a comforting crunch underfoot and walls are decked with mementos of yesteryear.
The chair Abraham Lincoln is alleged to have sat on looks down over the bar, along with dusty fire helmets and the turkey wishbones eaten by men who never returned from war.
This week, however, the mood in the popular East Village haunt in Manhattan is sombre, following the passing of its beloved long-time owner, Kilkenny-born Matty Maher, who was buried on Wednesday.
His funeral on a bright, crisp morning on Wednesday was attended by hundreds of family and friends. His casket was escorted by two pipers from the New York fire department, and carried under an arch of hurleys.
READ MORE
The funeral of Matty Maher at the Holy Trinity Church in Whitestone, New York. Photograph: Lauren Crothers
Mr Maher’s daughter, Andrea spoke of a man who loved “laughter, stories and song”.
“Nothing ever held him down. He saw good in any situation,” she said.
Paying tribute, Fr Tom Brosnan said tombstones usually have a hyphen between the deceased's dates of birth and death: "Matty's hyphen should be very long; not because of the years he lived, but because of the things he accomplished in those years."
Mattie Maher and his daughter Teresa Maher de la Haba at McSorley’s Old Ale House in New York in May 2013. Photograph: Michael Nagle
Mr Maher's move to New York and eventual ownership of the bar was serendipitous, following a chance meeting in 1964 when he was just 25 with its then-owner, Harry Kirwan after Kirwan's car broke down during a holiday in Ireland.
The young Maher came to his aid, and the older publican promised the young Kilkenny man a job should he ever find himself in New York. Mr Kirwan was true to his word.
Stepping into those shoes years later, one of Mr Maher’s greatest gifts was in knowing “all the regulars”, who included second World War veterans, but also in remembering people he’d only met once.
He was one of those guys you'd really want to be in a foxhole with
Recalling his employer, the pub's longest-serving barman, Jeff Bartholomew, hired by Mr Maher in 1972 when the latter was the manager, said: "He ran the taps. He was the nexus for the whole place.
“He was one of those guys you’d really want to be in a foxhole with. He could see what was going on and he knew what was going on,” Mr Bartholomew, said on Tuesday before leaving for his old boss’s wake.
‘Traditional Irish publican’
Remembering one of Mr Maher's final visits to the pub, fellow bartender and family relative, Shane Buggy said he had been "a true, traditional Irish publican" right to the end.
Encountering a group he had not seen for 15 years, the elderly landlord “walked over to the bar, got a fistful of ale and just dropped it down and said, ‘Welcome back, lads.’ He was always like that. His generosity knew no bounds.”
His passing shocked family and friends, said Buggy, remembering his last meeting with him a week ago, where his boss left him parting advice.
“Ah you’re doing a great job down there, lads, keep it going,” Mr Maher had said. “Keep those doors open and keep the fire lit and you’ll have a crowd there this afternoon.”
In its own message on Facebook, McSorley's said: "When he started working at the bar, McSorley's was still a men-only establishment with dozens of flophouses within blocks from 15 East 7th Street. When they had to let women in by court order on August 11th, 1970, the bar's future was uncertain.
“And when Matty purchased the place in 1977, the city was near bankrupt and the neighbourhood’s future uncertain. Landlords were just walking away from their buildings, heroin was rampant, cars had to wait in lines that extended for blocks just to get gas, crime, and grime everywhere.
“But Matty left poverty back in Ireland and he was determined to leave it behind for good. He saw an opportunity and believed in the American Dream. And he loved history and all things Irish and knew McSorley’s and the city could survive when so many others told him he was absolutely nuts.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Boy (17) charged after joyriding in Cork shopping park

A teenager has appeared in court after joyriding in Cork , crashing into two vans and an elderly female motorist , who was injured in the process .
The 17 year old , who can not be named because he is a juvenile , was brought before Cork District Court on Wednesday and charged with seven offences relating to the joyriding on Cork ’ s north side on Tuesday morning .
Garda Eric Stafford of Watercourse Road Garda Station gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution and told how he charged the juvenile with the seven offences at various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The juvenile was charged with stealing €150 ; the unlawful taking of a car ; and criminal damage to a car , all at Popes Quay Court on Shandon Street ; and with two counts of dangerous driving at Blackpool Retail Park .
The juvenile was also charged with failing to report an incident at Shean Lower , Blarney , Co Cork and with failing to remain at the scene of an incident at Shean Lower , Blarney , Co Cork , also on January 14th , the court heard .
Sgt John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail and seeking a remand in detention but defence solicitor , Eddie Burke said that his client would not be seeking bail on the charges at this point .
He suggested his client be remanded in detention to Oberstown Children ’ s Detention Campus in Co Dublin to appear again at the juvenile sitting of Cork District Court at the Washington Street Courthouse on Friday .
Garda Stafford confirmed there was a space currently available at Oberstown and Judge Mary Cashin remanded the juvenile in detention at Oberstown to appear again at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 17th .
Mr Burke said there was a background to his client ’ s behaviour , which resulted in the charges but he pointed out his client had never been in detention before so Oberstown would be a new experience for him .
Mr Burke said that , as a consequence , he was requesting his client receive whatever medical assistance he might require in Oberstown and Judge Cashin agreed and made an order to that effect when remanding him in detention .

The 17 year old was brought before Cork District Court and charged with seven offences relating to the joyriding on Cork’s north side. File photograph: Collins Courts
A teenager has appeared in court after joyriding in Cork, crashing into two vans and an elderly female motorist, who was injured in the process.
The 17 year old, who can not be named because he is a juvenile, was brought before Cork District Court on Wednesday and charged with seven offences relating to the joyriding on Cork’s north side on Tuesday morning.
Garda Eric Stafford of Watercourse Road Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told how he charged the juvenile with the seven offences at various locations in Cork on January 14th.
The juvenile was charged with stealing €150; the unlawful taking of a car; and criminal damage to a car, all at Popes Quay Court on Shandon Street; and with two counts of dangerous driving at Blackpool Retail Park.
READ MORE
The juvenile was also charged with failing to report an incident at Shean Lower, Blarney, Co Cork and with failing to remain at the scene of an incident at Shean Lower, Blarney, Co Cork, also on January 14th, the court heard.
Sgt John Kelleher said that gardaí were objecting to bail and seeking a remand in detention but defence solicitor, Eddie Burke said that his client would not be seeking bail on the charges at this point.
He suggested his client be remanded in detention to Oberstown Children's Detention Campus in Co Dublin to appear again at the juvenile sitting of Cork District Court at the Washington Street Courthouse on Friday.
Garda Stafford confirmed there was a space currently available at Oberstown and Judge Mary Cashin remanded the juvenile in detention at Oberstown to appear again at the juvenile sitting of Cork District Court on January 17th.
Mr Burke said there was a background to his client’s behaviour, which resulted in the charges but he pointed out his client had never been in detention before so Oberstown would be a new experience for him.
Mr Burke said that, as a consequence, he was requesting his client receive whatever medical assistance he might require in Oberstown and Judge Cashin agreed and made an order to that effect when remanding him in detention.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Siblings facing deportation handed late reprieve

Five siblings who have been living in the State ’ s direct provision system have had their deportation cancelled following a last-minute intervention by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan .
Cork-based students Hamza , Zubair , Umair and Mutjuba Khan faced being removed from the country as early as Thursday afternoon along with their sister , Shazadi , and parents Mubeen and Hina .
The asylum seekers were told of plans to deport them last Friday after being refused international protection after arriving from Saudi Arabia two years ago .
Mubeen fled to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan to escape persecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan , but their daughter Shazadi and sons were born in Saudi Arabia .
The family lived happily in Saudi Arabia but said their lives changed after the death of King Abdullah in 2015 .
They say his successor King Salman and his son Prince Muhammad Bin Salman introduced new laws that favoured Saudi citizens .
Under these , each family member had to pay a tax that increased by 100 per cent each year and they said that in order to pay this the children would have to drop out of school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 resulted in Mubeen losing his job in a drapers ’ , and if unable to pay their taxes the family faced deportation to Pakistan .
The family left Saudi Arabia and arrived in Ireland via England .
Aaron Wolfe , principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís , where the three youngest boys attend secondary school , said Tánaiste Simon Coveney contacted him on Wednesday evening to say Mr Flanagan plans to review the case .
“ The Khan family are obviously overjoyed at today ’ s news and thank the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their time of need , ” he said .
“ A planned demonstration to support the Khan family is cancelled .
Instead we shall celebrate this news in school.
” Hamza ( 20 ) , the eldest of the children , is studying computer science in UCC having completed his Leaving Certificate last year .
Umair ( 16 ) says his dream is to study medicine .
“ If I lose this opportunity I won ’ t get any opportunity to go to college .
I liked work experience .
I was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] and I did shelving .
Transition year is very exciting.
” Zubair ( 17 ) , a fifth-year student and talented cricketer , said his parents had been sick with worry since the news of the planned deportation emerged .
Mutjuba , who is in second year , has become a true Corkonian in his two years in Ireland peppering his sentences with the word “ like ” .
The boys received the backing of UCC , the Edmund Rice Trust , and their school as they campaigned to stay in Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered in the school on Wednesday to offer them their support .
Maksim Maksimmrdanoe , who moved to Ireland from Serbia last year , said he was warmly welcomed by the Khans after starting at the school .
“ They are all really nice .
Right away Zubair helped me to settle in .
Then I met the rest of the guys and they were really nice , ” he said .
Hamza Khan ( 20 ) is a first-year sanctuary scholar studying at UCC .
In a statement UCC say that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half years , Hamza ’ s academic trajectory has been very impressive .
“ He made a huge impact on his school , Deerpark CBS .
Not only did he achieve a strong Leaving Certificate , he won the Most Improved Student award 2018 and Student of the Year award in 2019 .
“ UCC was designated University of Sanctuary status in 2018 and offers Sanctuary Scholarships to refugees and asylum seekers seeking to study in higher education .
Fourteen scholarships have been awarded since the undergraduate scholarship scheme began in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were launched this year .

Five siblings who have been living in the State’s direct provision system have had their deportation cancelled following a last-minute intervention by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan.
Cork-based students Hamza, Zubair, Umair and Mutjuba Khan faced being removed from the country as early as Thursday afternoon along with their sister, Shazadi, and parents Mubeen and Hina.
The asylum seekers were told of plans to deport them last Friday after being refused international protection after arriving from Saudi Arabia two years ago.
Mubeen fled to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan to escape persecution in 1982. Hina is also from Pakistan, but their daughter Shazadi and sons were born in Saudi Arabia. The family lived happily in Saudi Arabia but said their lives changed after the death of King Abdullah in 2015.
READ MORE
They say his successor King Salman and his son Prince Muhammad Bin Salman introduced new laws that favoured Saudi citizens. Under these, each family member had to pay a tax that increased by 100 per cent each year and they said that in order to pay this the children would have to drop out of school and get jobs.
Another law introduced in 2017 resulted in Mubeen losing his job in a drapers’, and if unable to pay their taxes the family faced deportation to Pakistan. The family left Saudi Arabia and arrived in Ireland via England.
Aaron Wolfe, principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís, where the three youngest boys attend secondary school, said Tánaiste Simon Coveney contacted him on Wednesday evening to say Mr Flanagan plans to review the case.
“The Khan family are obviously overjoyed at today’s news and thank the people of Ireland for coming to their aid in their time of need,” he said. “A planned demonstration to support the Khan family is cancelled. Instead we shall celebrate this news in school.”
Sick with worry
Hamza (20), the eldest of the children, is studying computer science in UCC having completed his Leaving Certificate last year. Umair (16) says his dream is to study medicine. “If I lose this opportunity I won’t get any opportunity to go to college. I liked work experience. I was in Tesco in Paul Street [in Cork] and I did shelving. Transition year is very exciting.”
Zubair (17), a fifth-year student and talented cricketer, said his parents had been sick with worry since the news of the planned deportation emerged.
Mutjuba, who is in second year, has become a true Corkonian in his two years in Ireland peppering his sentences with the word “like”.
The boys received the backing of UCC, the Edmund Rice Trust, and their school as they campaigned to stay in Ireland.
A group of their fifth-year classmates gathered in the school on Wednesday to offer them their support.
‘Huge impact’
Maksim Maksimmrdanoe, who moved to Ireland from Serbia last year, said he was warmly welcomed by the Khans after starting at the school.
“They are all really nice. Right away Zubair helped me to settle in. Then I met the rest of the guys and they were really nice,” he said.
Hamza Khan (20) is a first-year sanctuary scholar studying at UCC. In a statement UCC say that in the space of just two and a half years, Hamza’s academic trajectory has been very impressive.
“He made a huge impact on his school, Deerpark CBS. Not only did he achieve a strong Leaving Certificate, he won the Most Improved Student award 2018 and Student of the Year award in 2019. “
UCC was designated University of Sanctuary status in 2018 and offers Sanctuary Scholarships to refugees and asylum seekers seeking to study in higher education.
Fourteen scholarships have been awarded since the undergraduate scholarship scheme began in 2018, and several Adult and Continuing Education scholarships were launched this year.


theirishtimes--2020-01-15--Schools have five years to phase out waiting lists under new rules

Schools will have five years to phase out waiting lists for children under new admissions legislation which comes into force from September 2021 .
Parents may only apply for a place in a school in the year prior to admission .
The move means parents who have put down their children ’ s names years in advance for highly-popular secondary schools will no longer be guaranteed a place .
While the phasing out of waiting lists affects all schools , it will be much less of an issue at primary level due to the five-year lead-in time .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prohibited by law from asking parents during enrolment about whether their children have disabilities from 2021 onwards .
Instead , schools will be required by law to accept all applicants where they have spare places .
To give effect to these changes , Minister for Education Joe McHugh has signed a commencement order providing for the new laws to come into effect for the 2021/2022 school year .
He said this will provide time for schools to start putting in place their arrangements for the new framework , including new admissions policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 1st , 2020 , boards of management will have three months to prepare a draft admission policy having first consulted with the patron , parents of students attending the school and staff of the school , ” he said .
While there are plans to limit schools from setting aside no more than 25 per cent of places for children of past pupils , Mr McHugh ’ s statement did not refer to this measure .
A spokesman for the Minister was not in a position to confirm the status of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The reforms are part of series of changes aimed at making admissions fairer and more transparent for children and parents .
However , the measure prohibiting schools from asking about pupils ’ special needs has drawn criticism from schools and teachers who argue that this information is crucial in determining whether they have the expertise or capacity to cater to the needs of children .
Among the other key changes in the revised school admission polices are that : – All schools must consult with and inform parents where changes are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A prohibition on interviews , consideration of a student ’ s academic ability , skills or aptitude , consideration of a parent ’ s occupation , financial status , academic ability , skills or aptitude as a consideration for the offer of a place .
– School ’ s must provide information on arrangements in respect of students where the parent , or the student if they are 18 or over , has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction .

Minister for Education Joe McHugh: under new regulations parents may only apply for a place in a school in the year prior to admission. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins.
Schools will have five years to phase out waiting lists for children under new admissions legislation which comes into force from September 2021.
Parents may only apply for a place in a school in the year prior to admission.
The move means parents who have put down their children’s names years in advance for highly-popular secondary schools will no longer be guaranteed a place.
While the phasing out of waiting lists affects all schools, it will be much less of an issue at primary level due to the five-year lead-in time.
READ MORE
In addition, under new measures, schools will be prohibited by law from asking parents during enrolment about whether their children have disabilities from 2021 onwards.
Instead, schools will be required by law to accept all applicants where they have spare places.
To give effect to these changes, Minister for Education Joe McHugh has signed a commencement order providing for the new laws to come into effect for the 2021/2022 school year.
He said this will provide time for schools to start putting in place their arrangements for the new framework, including new admissions policies.
“This means that, from February 1st, 2020, boards of management will have three months to prepare a draft admission policy having first consulted with the patron, parents of students attending the school and staff of the school,” he said.
While there are plans to limit schools from setting aside no more than 25 per cent of places for children of past pupils, Mr McHugh’s statement did not refer to this measure. A spokesman for the Minister was not in a position to confirm the status of this planned measure at the time of writing.
The reforms are part of series of changes aimed at making admissions fairer and more transparent for children and parents.
However, the measure prohibiting schools from asking about pupils’ special needs has drawn criticism from schools and teachers who argue that this information is crucial in determining whether they have the expertise or capacity to cater to the needs of children.
Among the other key changes in the revised school admission polices are that: – All schools must consult with and inform parents where changes are being made to their admissions policies.
– A prohibition on interviews, consideration of a student’s academic ability, skills or aptitude, consideration of a parent’s occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude as a consideration for the offer of a place.
– School’s must provide information on arrangements in respect of students where the parent, or the student if they are 18 or over, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction.