theirishtimes--2020-11-09--Chief Justice tells Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe he should resign

The Supreme Court is facing an unprecedented crisis after the Chief Justice said Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe should resign over his handling of the controversy following his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner .
The judge has told the Chief Justice he will not resign over the controversy , which saw 80 people attend a dinner at an event at a hotel in Clifden , Co Galway on August 19th , a day after the Government tightened Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings .
In a brief statement , the Government said : “ The Attorney General has been asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter .
It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.
” Mr Justice Frank Clarke told the judge at a meeting last Thursday he should resign and reiterated that view in letters last week and yesterday .
In a letter last Thursday , the Chief Justice also said the “ unanimous view ” of all members of the Supreme Court , including ex officio members , is that Mr Justice Woulfe has caused “ significant and irreparable ” damage to the court by how he has handled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that he would not resign but would be willing to donate three months of his salary to charity , not sit as a Supreme Court judge until February 2021 and to sit as a High Court judge to help out that court .
He said he did not think any of the reasons proffered for his resignation “ remotely constitute substantial reasons or grounds for my resignation , let alone amount to judicial misconduct.
” In his nine page reply , he said , despite former Chief Justice Susan Denham ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his attendance at the August 19th dinner at an hotel in Clifden , he and the Chief Justice “ have never met , formally or informally , to discuss the issues ” .
The Chief Justice had “ formed your personal view that I should resign without even discussing with me the shift in the goal posts when , faced with Ms Justice Denham ’ s unequivocal view that my attendance at the dinner did not warrant my resignation , you grounded your call for my resignation on how I had defended myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Chief Justice said he “ regrettably ” remains of the view Judge Woulfe should resign .
The Supreme Court on Monday night published letters exchanged between the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Woulfe following a meeting last week to address the controversy .
Mr Justice Woulfe had opposed publication .
Last week ’ s meeting followed the publication on October 1st of a non-statutory review by Ms Justice Susan Denham which expressed the view Mr Justice Woulfe had not broken any law or knowingly breached any public health regulations by attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denham expressed the opinion he should not have attended at the dinner and was not vigilant about how it appeared for a Supreme Court judge to attend a celebratory dinner in a public place in the middle of a pandemic .
She was of opinion calls for his resignation over the matter would be unjust and disproportionate and the Chief Justice should resolve the matter informally .
The review was perceived as not unkind to the judge but the publication of transcripts of his interview with Ms Justice Denham compounded the controversy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chief Justice concluded Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s approach to handling the problem overall “ has , in my view , added very substantially to the damage caused to the Court , the judiciary generally and thus to the administration of justice ” .
He referred to a phone conversation between the two on August 21st , when he expressed “ my considerable concern that damage was being caused to the judiciary and that the public view was being formed by reasonable people and not by a media frenzy ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than recognising the serious public concern and the consequent damage to the Court has only added to the seriousness of the situation ” , he said .
He said further serious issues arise out of aspects of the transcripts of the judge ’ s interview with Ms Justice Denham and elements of the correspondence between the two men since delivery of her report .
That account appeared to show the judge “ did not appreciate the genuine public concern about the event and your attendance at it , but rather continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frenzy ” .
“ Indeed , your statement that you did not understand what you were apologising for at the time when you issued your limited apology would now significantly devalue any further apology .
There would be legitimate public scepticism about the genuineness of any such apology ” .
The Chief Justice noted the judge had commented adversely on the government ’ s management of the public health crisis and made remarks critical of the Taoiseach and many other office holders which “ created further genuine controversy ” .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reciprocal respect due by the institutions of the State to each other that judges do not engage in or give rise to matters of controversy most particularly involving the other branches , ” he said .
He was also critical of what he said was the judge ’ s implication that some of his colleagues may have prejudged him .
The “ reasonable response ” of a great number of people to the transcripts of the judge ’ s interview by Ms Justice Denham has “ caused even greater damage to the judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event ” , he said .
His view , and the unanimous view of all of the members of the Court , including the ex-officio members , that the cumulative effect of all of these matters “ has been to cause a very significant and irreparable damage ” to the court and to the relationship within it “ essential to the proper functioning of a collegiate court .
“ It is not part of my role to ask , let alone tell , you to resign .
Resignation is and can only be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regrettably , however , I believe that I should make clear my personal opinion that , to avoid continuing serious damage to the judiciary , you should resign.
” He noted the judge has said he would not resign and also noted he had offered to donate a month ’ s salary to charity .
The Chief Justice said his own view had been , if matters had not worsened following the Denham review , that the judge should not sit until February 2021 and should waive or repay his salary until then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Chief Justice , while welcoming some aspects of the judge ’ s reply , said he “ regrettably ” remained of the view “ that you should resign ” in order to maintain public confidence in the Supreme Court , the judiciary generally and the administration of justice .
He also noted the judge had reaffirmed his view “ to the effect that you will not resign ” .
The Government on Monday night adopted a holding position on the controversy surrounding Mr Justice Woulfe , following the publication of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chief Justice .
In a brief statement , the Government said : “ The Attorney General has been asked to advise the Taoiseach and Government on the matter .
It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.
” But the leaders of the coalition parties and senior officials were understood to be engaged in intense discussions on the controversy , and the Cabinet is likely to discuss the issue when it meets on Tuesday morning .
Government ministers have shied away from making any comment on the controversy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the release of the letters is likely to mean the issue returns to the political agenda , with the Government facing a decision on whether it should put resolutions mandating Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s removal before the Dáil and Seanad .
The only way a judge can be removed from office is by a resolution in both Houses of the Oireachtas .
The Government must now decide whether to put forward resolutions or to decline to act - in effect deciding to ignore the clearly expressed views of the Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There has been a marked reluctance in Government circles to be drawn into the controversy over Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the dinner .
Ministers are traditionally wary of commenting on matter affecting the judiciary , citing the doctrine of the separation of powers .
In this instance , Government politicians were also fearful of the widespread public anger over the Oireachtas golf dinner which prompted the resignations of Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary and European Commissioner Phil Hogan .
Some opposition politicians , however , have not felt constrained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of Mr Justice Woulfe .
Rise TD Paul Murphy has repeatedly called for him to resign .
On Monday night Mr Murphy tweeted : “ Seamus Woulfe hanging on to his Supreme Court position despite everything really sums up the attitude of a large section of the ruling class in this country ... they can and will do what they like with no consequences.
” The Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly said the legislative arm of the state will have to act if this impasse continues , RTÉ reported .
Sinn Féin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived at a situation where the Chief Justice has had to set out a personal view that Mr Séamus Woulfe should resign his position and that he has refused to do so.
” The party ’ s justice spokesman Martin Kenny said the “ debacle ” showed the need for “ the full and proper implementation of the Judicial Council Act ” .
However , the party , which was criticised when senior figures attended the funeral of Republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in contravention of restrictions , stopped short of calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only that “ this matter must be addressed .
”

In his letter of November 5th, the Chief Justice said Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe’s approach to handling the problem overall had added very substantially to the damage caused to the Court, the judiciary generally and thus to the administration of justice. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The Supreme Court is facing an unprecedented crisis after the Chief Justice said Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe should resign over his handling of the controversy following his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner.
The judge has told the Chief Justice he will not resign over the controversy, which saw 80 people attend a dinner at an event at a hotel in Clifden, Co Galway on August 19th, a day after the Government tightened Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings.
In a brief statement, the Government said: “The Attorney General has been asked to advise the Taoiseach and Government on the matter. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”
Mr Justice Frank Clarke told the judge at a meeting last Thursday he should resign and reiterated that view in letters last week and yesterday.
READ MORE
In a letter last Thursday, the Chief Justice also said the “unanimous view” of all members of the Supreme Court, including ex officio members, is that Mr Justice Woulfe has caused “significant and irreparable” damage to the court by how he has handled the matter.
Mr Justice Woulfe replied on Monday that he would not resign but would be willing to donate three months of his salary to charity, not sit as a Supreme Court judge until February 2021 and to sit as a High Court judge to help out that court.
He said he did not think any of the reasons proffered for his resignation “remotely constitute substantial reasons or grounds for my resignation, let alone amount to judicial misconduct.”
Letters
In his nine page reply, he said, despite former Chief Justice Susan Denham’s recommendation of an informal resolution process over his attendance at the August 19th dinner at an hotel in Clifden, he and the Chief Justice “have never met, formally or informally, to discuss the issues”.
The Chief Justice had “formed your personal view that I should resign without even discussing with me the shift in the goal posts when, faced with Ms Justice Denham’s unequivocal view that my attendance at the dinner did not warrant my resignation, you grounded your call for my resignation on how I had defended myself”.
In his reply on Monday, the Chief Justice said he “regrettably” remains of the view Judge Woulfe should resign.
The Supreme Court on Monday night published letters exchanged between the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Woulfe following a meeting last week to address the controversy. Mr Justice Woulfe had opposed publication.
Last week’s meeting followed the publication on October 1st of a non-statutory review by Ms Justice Susan Denham which expressed the view Mr Justice Woulfe had not broken any law or knowingly breached any public health regulations by attending the dinner.
However, Ms Justice Denham expressed the opinion he should not have attended at the dinner and was not vigilant about how it appeared for a Supreme Court judge to attend a celebratory dinner in a public place in the middle of a pandemic. She was of opinion calls for his resignation over the matter would be unjust and disproportionate and the Chief Justice should resolve the matter informally. The review was perceived as not unkind to the judge but the publication of transcripts of his interview with Ms Justice Denham compounded the controversy.
‘Damaged the court’
In his letter of November 5th, the Chief Justice concluded Mr Justice Woulfe’s approach to handling the problem overall “has, in my view, added very substantially to the damage caused to the Court, the judiciary generally and thus to the administration of justice”.
He referred to a phone conversation between the two on August 21st, when he expressed “my considerable concern that damage was being caused to the judiciary and that the public view was being formed by reasonable people and not by a media frenzy”. The concentration on “narrow and technical issues rather than recognising the serious public concern and the consequent damage to the Court has only added to the seriousness of the situation”, he said.
He said further serious issues arise out of aspects of the transcripts of the judge’s interview with Ms Justice Denham and elements of the correspondence between the two men since delivery of her report.
That account appeared to show the judge “did not appreciate the genuine public concern about the event and your attendance at it, but rather continued to put the controversy down to a media frenzy”.
“Indeed, your statement that you did not understand what you were apologising for at the time when you issued your limited apology would now significantly devalue any further apology. There would be legitimate public scepticism about the genuineness of any such apology”.
The Chief Justice noted the judge had commented adversely on the government’s management of the public health crisis and made remarks critical of the Taoiseach and many other office holders which “created further genuine controversy”.
“It is a longstanding and important aspect of the reciprocal respect due by the institutions of the State to each other that judges do not engage in or give rise to matters of controversy most particularly involving the other branches,” he said.
He was also critical of what he said was the judge’s implication that some of his colleagues may have prejudged him.
Transcripts
The “reasonable response” of a great number of people to the transcripts of the judge’s interview by Ms Justice Denham has “caused even greater damage to the judiciary than did your attendance at the Clifden event”, he said.
His view, and the unanimous view of all of the members of the Court, including the ex-officio members, that the cumulative effect of all of these matters “has been to cause a very significant and irreparable damage” to the court and to the relationship within it “essential to the proper functioning of a collegiate court.
“It is not part of my role to ask, let alone tell, you to resign. Resignation is and can only be for the judge him or herself. Regrettably, however, I believe that I should make clear my personal opinion that, to avoid continuing serious damage to the judiciary, you should resign.”
He noted the judge has said he would not resign and also noted he had offered to donate a month’s salary to charity.
The Chief Justice said his own view had been, if matters had not worsened following the Denham review, that the judge should not sit until February 2021 and should waive or repay his salary until then.
In his letter of November 9th, the Chief Justice, while welcoming some aspects of the judge’s reply, said he “regrettably” remained of the view “that you should resign” in order to maintain public confidence in the Supreme Court, the judiciary generally and the administration of justice.
He also noted the judge had reaffirmed his view “to the effect that you will not resign”.
Intense discussions
The Government on Monday night adopted a holding position on the controversy surrounding Mr Justice Woulfe, following the publication of the correspondence between the Supreme Court judge and the Chief Justice.
In a brief statement, the Government said: “The Attorney General has been asked to advise the Taoiseach and Government on the matter. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”
But the leaders of the coalition parties and senior officials were understood to be engaged in intense discussions on the controversy, and the Cabinet is likely to discuss the issue when it meets on Tuesday morning.
Government ministers have shied away from making any comment on the controversy surrounding Mr Justice Woulfe in recent weeks, but the release of the letters is likely to mean the issue returns to the political agenda, with the Government facing a decision on whether it should put resolutions mandating Mr Justice Woulfe’s removal before the Dáil and Seanad.
The only way a judge can be removed from office is by a resolution in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government must now decide whether to put forward resolutions or to decline to act - in effect deciding to ignore the clearly expressed views of the Chief Justice that Mr Justice Woulfe should resign.
There has been a marked reluctance in Government circles to be drawn into the controversy over Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance at the dinner. Ministers are traditionally wary of commenting on matter affecting the judiciary, citing the doctrine of the separation of powers. In this instance, Government politicians were also fearful of the widespread public anger over the Oireachtas golf dinner which prompted the resignations of Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary and European Commissioner Phil Hogan.
Some opposition politicians, however, have not felt constrained by such concerns and have been highly critical of Mr Justice Woulfe.
Rise TD Paul Murphy has repeatedly called for him to resign. On Monday night Mr Murphy tweeted: “Seamus Woulfe hanging on to his Supreme Court position despite everything really sums up the attitude of a large section of the ruling class in this country ... they can and will do what they like with no consequences.”
The Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly said the legislative arm of the state will have to act if this impasse continues, RTÉ reported.
Sinn Féin expressed “considerable disbelief that we have arrived at a situation where the Chief Justice has had to set out a personal view that Mr Séamus Woulfe should resign his position and that he has refused to do so.”
The party’s justice spokesman Martin Kenny said the “debacle” showed the need for “the full and proper implementation of the Judicial Council Act”.
However, the party, which was criticised when senior figures attended the funeral of Republican Bobby Storey in Belfast in contravention of restrictions, stopped short of calling for Mr Justice Woulfe to resign, saying only that “this matter must be addressed.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-09--Taoiseach hails Cork docklands development initiative

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hailed the establishment of a new office to oversee the development of the Cork docklands .
Mr Martin said the move is a significant step in creating a magnet for investment in Cork in the same way that the Irish Financial Services Centre ( IFSC ) helped grow Dublin ’ s docklands .
Mr Martin said the decision by Cork City Council and the Land Development Agency ( LDA ) to set up the Cork City Docklands Delivery Office is an important step towards developing almost 146 hectares of land along the quays in a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 25,000 people .
“ The redevelopment of the Cork City Docklands will be a project of international significance , ” said Mr Martin .
And he noted that the IFSC had driven development of the Dublin docklands while similar developments had proven successful in Stockholm , Sweden and Aarhus in Denmark .
“ This delivery office offers an opportunity to create a magnet for investment into Cork city .
It .
.
.
underlines this Government ’ s commitment to balanced regional development , ” added Mr Martin .
Lord Mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office will be tasked with creating partnerships and removing obstacles to development along the north and south quays and in Tivoli .
Cllr Kavanagh said that Cork City Council and the LDA will seek substantial funding from Government under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund with the aim of building an internationally recognised brand for Cork docklands .
“ This new partnership .
.
.
will be a nationally and internationally renowned project , ” he said .
Cllr Kavanagh said Cork city is poised to be a key driver of Ireland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city targeted to grow by 50 per cent to more than 300,000 by 2040 .
“ This will strengthen Cork as a city of scale.
” Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty said that among the projects which are being examined by the partnership are developments at Marina Park , further embracing the river Lee as an amenity and the improvement of transport with the development of a hub at Kent station .
She said the developments will include homes , schools , medical and social services , sports and recreation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars , restaurants , hotels retail and two new bridges for the city .
Ms Doherty said Cork docklands , comprising the north and south quays , are already undergoing extensive development with some 82,475sq m of office space in construction or completed and another 12,000sq m of office space in the planning process .
More than 1,600 residential units are in the planning process in the area with 136 hotel rooms built or in construction with 265 rooms seeking planning , said Ms Doherty .
LDA chief executive John Coleman said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with local authorities to unlock the potential of State-owned lands and other strategic sites to increase the supply of affordable housing and various urban regeneration projects .

The developments will include among other amenities, homes, schools and medical and social services, according to Cork City Council. File photograph: The Irish Times
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hailed the establishment of a new office to oversee the development of the Cork docklands.
Mr Martin said the move is a significant step in creating a magnet for investment in Cork in the same way that the Irish Financial Services Centre (IFSC) helped grow Dublin's docklands.
Mr Martin said the decision by Cork City Council and the Land Development Agency (LDA) to set up the Cork City Docklands Delivery Office is an important step towards developing almost 146 hectares of land along the quays in a plan aimed at creating 29,000 jobs and homes for 25,000 people.
"The redevelopment of the Cork City Docklands will be a project of international significance," said Mr Martin. And he noted that the IFSC had driven development of the Dublin docklands while similar developments had proven successful in Stockholm, Sweden and Aarhus in Denmark.
READ MORE
“This delivery office offers an opportunity to create a magnet for investment into Cork city. It . . . underlines this Government’s commitment to balanced regional development,” added Mr Martin.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh said the delivery office will be tasked with creating partnerships and removing obstacles to development along the north and south quays and in Tivoli.
Cllr Kavanagh said that Cork City Council and the LDA will seek substantial funding from Government under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund with the aim of building an internationally recognised brand for Cork docklands.
“This new partnership . . . will be a nationally and internationally renowned project,” he said.
Cllr Kavanagh said Cork city is poised to be a key driver of Ireland’s economic growth with the population of the city targeted to grow by 50 per cent to more than 300,000 by 2040. “This will strengthen Cork as a city of scale.”
Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty said that among the projects which are being examined by the partnership are developments at Marina Park, further embracing the river Lee as an amenity and the improvement of transport with the development of a hub at Kent station.
Two new bridges
She said the developments will include homes, schools, medical and social services, sports and recreation facilities, office space, pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels retail and two new bridges for the city.
Ms Doherty said Cork docklands, comprising the north and south quays, are already undergoing extensive development with some 82,475sq m of office space in construction or completed and another 12,000sq m of office space in the planning process.
More than 1,600 residential units are in the planning process in the area with 136 hotel rooms built or in construction with 265 rooms seeking planning, said Ms Doherty.
LDA chief executive John Coleman said the agency's mission was to work with local authorities to unlock the potential of State-owned lands and other strategic sites to increase the supply of affordable housing and various urban regeneration projects.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Woulfe vs Clarke: What are the key points of disagreement?

The content of Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe ’ s interview on September 8th by retired chief justice Susan Denham , has emerged as the key issue in the crisis that has engulfed the Supreme Court .
In explaining why he believed that Mr Justice Woulfe should resign , Chief Justice Frank Clarke , in the correspondence he released on Monday , made it clear that the major issue now was not the Golfgate dinner .
“ I should say that the reasonable response of a great number of people to the transcripts has , in my judgment , caused even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your attendance at the Clifden event , ” the Chief Justice said in a letter to Mr Justice Woulfe on November 5th .
“ It is my view , and the unanimous view of all of the members of the Court ( including the ex-officio members ) , that the cumulative effect of all of these matters has been to cause a very significant and irreparable damage both to the Court and to the relationship within the Court which is essential to the proper functioning of a collegiate court.
” A transcript of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woulfe criticised members of the Government , and made other comments which caused controversy , was appended by Ms Justice Denham to her report , and published by the board of the Judicial Council on October 3rd , the day after it had published the actual report .
In his response to the letter from the Chief Justice of November 5th , Mr Justice Woulfe said that he would not have made some of the comments he did make , if he had known the transcript was going to be published .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her review would be conducted , Ms Justice Denham confirmed to me in her letter of 28th August 2020 that the meeting would be held in private ” .
“ That was the basis upon which I spoke with Ms Justice Denham and I believed that our discussion would remain private , other than the possibility , of which I was aware , that in sending her report to you , she might ( as she did ) attach the transcripts of our meetings.
” “ Insofar as any concern arose publicly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversy arose from the fact that you , in your role as Chairman of the Judicial Council along with your judicial colleagues on the Council , decided to publish the transcript ” .
The decision to publish the transcript was made by the board of the Judicial Council , which includes Mr Justice Clarke and the heads of the other courts , including the President of the Court of Appeal , George Birmingham , and the President of the High Court , Mary Irvine , both of whom are ex-officio members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the three judges who met with Mr Justice Woulfe in the Four Courts on the day the transcript was published .
In a short response to Mr Justice Woulfe on Monday , sent in the hours prior to the publication of the correspondence , the Chief Justice said the meeting with Ms Justice Denham was to allow Mr Justice Woulfe to give his account of his attendance at the Golfgate dinner , for the purposes of her preparing her report for the Supreme Court .
“ The report itself included extracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other documents as appendices which meant that they would be published with the report .
“ Nevertheless , you were asked in advance of publication , and expressly and specifically agreed to the publication of the report and the appendices.
” Mr Justice Clarke said he could not accept that it was the publication by the Judicial Council of the report and appendices which caused any public controversy .
“ Furthermore , the transcript recorded your views , even if you thought they were being expressed in private , and it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been expressed.
” In his letter to Mr Justice Clarke , Mr Justice Woulfe said he did not believe it would be helpful to the court for the correspondence between the two men to be published , but the Chief Justice did not agree .
He said he considered publication “ necessary in the public interest.
” In his letter Mr Justice Woulfe argued that particular grounds cited by the Chief Justice were not such that would justify his resignation .
“ I have to consider the circumstances under which a judge should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or judges , and the implications of a resignation in such circumstances for the independence of individual Judges , ” he said .
The Chief Justice , in his response , said he did not believe that his expressing his personal opinion that Mr Justice Woulfe should resign , “ can properly be characterised as “ judges pressurising another judge to resign ” and/or somehow inconsistent with the principle of judicial independence.
” The principle of judicial independence was to ensure the independence of judges when deciding cases , he said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Justice Woulfe on October 3rd , had neither suggested he resign , nor said other judges would not sit with him .

The content of Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe's interview on September 8th by retired chief justice Susan Denham, has emerged as the key issue in the crisis that has engulfed the Supreme Court.
In explaining why he believed that Mr Justice Woulfe should resign, Chief Justice Frank Clarke, in the correspondence he released on Monday, made it clear that the major issue now was not the Golfgate dinner.
“I should say that the reasonable response of a great number of people to the transcripts has, in my judgment, caused even greater damage to the judiciary than did your attendance at the Clifden event,” the Chief Justice said in a letter to Mr Justice Woulfe on November 5th.
“It is my view, and the unanimous view of all of the members of the Court (including the ex-officio members), that the cumulative effect of all of these matters has been to cause a very significant and irreparable damage both to the Court and to the relationship within the Court which is essential to the proper functioning of a collegiate court.”
READ MORE
A transcript of the interview, in which Mr Justice Woulfe criticised members of the Government, and made other comments which caused controversy, was appended by Ms Justice Denham to her report, and published by the board of the Judicial Council on October 3rd, the day after it had published the actual report.
In his response to the letter from the Chief Justice of November 5th, Mr Justice Woulfe said that he would not have made some of the comments he did make, if he had known the transcript was going to be published.
“When setting out the basis upon which her review would be conducted, Ms Justice Denham confirmed to me in her letter of 28th August 2020 that the meeting would be held in private”.
“That was the basis upon which I spoke with Ms Justice Denham and I believed that our discussion would remain private, other than the possibility, of which I was aware, that in sending her report to you, she might (as she did) attach the transcripts of our meetings.”
“Insofar as any concern arose publicly about the remarks I made, such public controversy arose from the fact that you, in your role as Chairman of the Judicial Council along with your judicial colleagues on the Council, decided to publish the transcript”.
Decision to publish
The decision to publish the transcript was made by the board of the Judicial Council, which includes Mr Justice Clarke and the heads of the other courts, including the President of the Court of Appeal, George Birmingham, and the President of the High Court, Mary Irvine, both of whom are ex-officio members of the Supreme Court.
Mr Justice Birmingham is one of the three judges who met with Mr Justice Woulfe in the Four Courts on the day the transcript was published.
In a short response to Mr Justice Woulfe on Monday, sent in the hours prior to the publication of the correspondence, the Chief Justice said the meeting with Ms Justice Denham was to allow Mr Justice Woulfe to give his account of his attendance at the Golfgate dinner, for the purposes of her preparing her report for the Supreme Court.
“The report itself included extracts from the transcripts and attached them and other documents as appendices which meant that they would be published with the report.
“Nevertheless, you were asked in advance of publication, and expressly and specifically agreed to the publication of the report and the appendices.”
Mr Justice Clarke said he could not accept that it was the publication by the Judicial Council of the report and appendices which caused any public controversy.
“Furthermore, the transcript recorded your views, even if you thought they were being expressed in private, and it is not possible to treat them as not having been expressed.”
In his letter to Mr Justice Clarke, Mr Justice Woulfe said he did not believe it would be helpful to the court for the correspondence between the two men to be published, but the Chief Justice did not agree. He said he considered publication “necessary in the public interest.”
Judicial independence
In his letter Mr Justice Woulfe argued that particular grounds cited by the Chief Justice were not such that would justify his resignation.
“I have to consider the circumstances under which a judge should resign under pressure from a fellow judge or judges, and the implications of a resignation in such circumstances for the independence of individual Judges,” he said.
The Chief Justice, in his response, said he did not believe that his expressing his personal opinion that Mr Justice Woulfe should resign, “can properly be characterised as “judges pressurising another judge to resign” and/or somehow inconsistent with the principle of judicial independence.”
The principle of judicial independence was to ensure the independence of judges when deciding cases, he said.
He emphasised that the judges who met with Mr Justice Woulfe on October 3rd, had neither suggested he resign, nor said other judges would not sit with him.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Family of woman who died from clot settles case aganst HSE for €325,000

The family of a 54-year-old mother of three who presented at a hospital twice with intense leg pain and later died from a blood clot has settled their High Court action for €325,000 .
Doireann O ’ Mahony BL told the High Court on Tuesday that Bridie Kelly ’ s family are very aggrieved at the way she was “ neglected and deprived of simple life saving treatment ” in the form of anticoagulation .
Counsel said it was a very tragic case arising from the death of Mrs Kelly at Letterkenny University Hospital in April 2018 .
Their case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inexcusable delay in the diagnosis and treatment of Mrs Kelly ’ s deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ) The HSE has admitted a breach of duty in the case but disputed causation .
The hospital later apologised for the deficits in clinical care and the events that occurred in the lead up to Mrs Kelly ’ s death .
A serious incident review was also carried out into her death .
John Kelly , Drumbeigh , Mountcharles , Co Donegal , had sued the HSE over the death of his wife Bridie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to the emergency department of Letterkenny University Hospital on February 27th , 2018 because of swelling and intense pain in the calf of her left leg .
It was claimed she should have been sent for an ultrasound scan of her leg veins as her D dimer levels , it was claimed , were grossly elevated and strongly suggestive of the presence of a blood clot in the veins .
Instead she was advised her symptoms were due to muscle pain and she was discharged home .
It was claimed had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrombosis would have been discovered and a full dose of anticoagulant treatment would have been started and the blood clot would have resolved without complication over period of between three to six months .
Mrs Kelly went back to the hospital on April 22nd , 2018 with more pain and swelling in her left leg .
Her D dimer level , it was claimed , was nearly ten times the upper limit of normal and could only have been caused by deep vein thrombosis .
It was claimed the ultrasound was not carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24th , 2018 .
DVT was diagnosed and Mrs Kelly was given a prescription .
The prescription , it was claimed , was written in an allegedly substandard way leading to an error in the dose of drug given .
Only a tiny fraction of the intended doses was given meaning that for two days Mrs Kelly was untreated .
The correct prescription was written a day later but Mrs Kelly died on April 30th 2018 after suffering a massive pulmonary embolism .
There was , it was claimed , a failure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and about the management , care and treatment of Mrs Kelly and that she had been discharged with an alleged likely DVT .
It was further claimed that her anti-coagulant drug prescription had been written in an allegedly substandard way leading to an error in the dose given meaning Mrs Kelly remained untreated between April 24th - 26th 2018 .
Approving the settlement Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a sad death and nothing anyone can do can bring Mrs Kelly back but it was a good settlement .
He sympathised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss.
” Outside court the family solicitor Ciaran Tansey said the Kellys have had a very difficult two and a half years .
He said a HSE report in to the incident had made a number of recommendations “ so this does not happen again ” and the Kelly family he said are determined the HSE will implement “ to the fullest extent all of those recommendations and hopefully this will be the last day we will be outside the Four Courts ” .

Outside court the family solicitor Ciaran Tansey said a HSE report in to the incident had made a number of recommendations so this does not happen again. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins
The family of a 54-year-old mother of three who presented at a hospital twice with intense leg pain and later died from a blood clot has settled their High Court action for €325,000.
Doireann O’Mahony BL told the High Court on Tuesday that Bridie Kelly’s family are very aggrieved at the way she was “neglected and deprived of simple life saving treatment” in the form of anticoagulation.
Counsel said it was a very tragic case arising from the death of Mrs Kelly at Letterkenny University Hospital in April 2018.
Their case was there had been an alleged avoidable and inexcusable delay in the diagnosis and treatment of Mrs Kelly’s deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
READ MORE
The HSE has admitted a breach of duty in the case but disputed causation.
The hospital later apologised for the deficits in clinical care and the events that occurred in the lead up to Mrs Kelly’s death. A serious incident review was also carried out into her death.
John Kelly, Drumbeigh, Mountcharles, Co Donegal, had sued the HSE over the death of his wife Bridie two years ago.
Mrs Kelly first went to the emergency department of Letterkenny University Hospital on February 27th, 2018 because of swelling and intense pain in the calf of her left leg.
It was claimed she should have been sent for an ultrasound scan of her leg veins as her D dimer levels, it was claimed, were grossly elevated and strongly suggestive of the presence of a blood clot in the veins.
Instead she was advised her symptoms were due to muscle pain and she was discharged home.
It was claimed had the appropriate imaging been undertaken the deep vein thrombosis would have been discovered and a full dose of anticoagulant treatment would have been started and the blood clot would have resolved without complication over period of between three to six months.
Mrs Kelly went back to the hospital on April 22nd, 2018 with more pain and swelling in her left leg. Her D dimer level, it was claimed, was nearly ten times the upper limit of normal and could only have been caused by deep vein thrombosis. It was claimed the ultrasound was not carried out until two days later on April 24th, 2018 . DVT was diagnosed and Mrs Kelly was given a prescription.
The prescription, it was claimed, was written in an allegedly substandard way leading to an error in the dose of drug given . Only a tiny fraction of the intended doses was given meaning that for two days Mrs Kelly was untreated. The correct prescription was written a day later but Mrs Kelly died on April 30th 2018 after suffering a massive pulmonary embolism.
There was, it was claimed, a failure to exercise reasonable and ordinary care and skill in and about the management, care and treatment of Mrs Kelly and that she had been discharged with an alleged likely DVT.
It was further claimed that her anti-coagulant drug prescription had been written in an allegedly substandard way leading to an error in the dose given meaning Mrs Kelly remained untreated between April 24th - 26th 2018.
Approving the settlement Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a sad death and nothing anyone can do can bring Mrs Kelly back but it was a good settlement.
He sympathised with the family on “this sad loss.”
Outside court the family solicitor Ciaran Tansey said the Kellys have had a very difficult two and a half years . He said a HSE report in to the incident had made a number of recommendations “so this does not happen again” and the Kelly family he said are determined the HSE will implement “to the fullest extent all of those recommendations and hopefully this will be the last day we will be outside the Four Courts”.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Romanian man on the run for human trafficking arrested in Dublin

A man who has been on the run from the authorities on Romania for more than a decade after being convicted of human trafficking has been arrested in Dublin .
The Romanian man ( 55 ) was arrested in an operation coordinated by detectives attached to the Garda ’ s Organised and Series Crime section on Monday afternoon .
While a European Arrest Warrant was issued for him in 2016 he had been convicted in Romania in 2008 and has been at large since then .
A major investigation in Romania began in 2004 into allegations that a group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being held in Dublin , were involved in trafficking people , including minors , to the Netherlands .
The man now arrested in Dublin being convicted in 2008 for his role in the criminal enterprise and being sentenced to five years imprisonment but he went on the run and left Romania .
An alert seeking information on his whereabouts has been on issue by the Romanian police for several years .
His arrest in Dublin on Tuesday in north Dublin was set to be followed by an appearance before the High Court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Romania to serve his sentence .
Garda Headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin , on Tuesday issued a statement confirming the arrest of a Romanian man , though it did not disclose the detail of the case .
“ Gardaí attached to the Garda Extradition Unit and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation have today , November 10th , arrested a 55 year-old man at a location in north Dublin on foot of a European Arrest Warrant , ” the statement said .
“ The warrant was issued in 2016 by Romanian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for offences of Human Trafficking of adults and children.
” Detective Supt Michael Mullen of the Garda Extradition Unit said : “ This significant arrest coordinated by detectives attached to Organised and Serious Crime represents our ongoing commitment to ensuring persons wanted on foot of International arrest warrants are brought to justice .
”

The man was arrested in an operation coordinated by detectives attached to the Garda’s Organised and Series Crime section. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A man who has been on the run from the authorities in Romania for more than a decade after being convicted of human trafficking has been arrested in Dublin.
The Romanian man (55) was arrested in an operation coordinated by detectives attached to the Garda’s Organised and Series Crime section on Monday afternoon. While a European Arrest Warrant was issued for him in 2016 he had been convicted in Romania in 2008 and has been at large since then.
A major investigation in Romania began in 2004 into allegations that a group of people there, including the man now being held in Dublin, were involved in trafficking people, including minors, to the Netherlands.
The man now arrested in Dublin being convicted in 2008 for his role in the criminal enterprise and being sentenced to five years imprisonment but he went on the run and left Romania.
READ MORE
An alert seeking information on his whereabouts has been on issue by the Romanian police for several years.
His arrest in Dublin on Tuesday in north Dublin was set to be followed by an appearance before the High Court to commence the process of extraditing him back to Romania to serve his sentence.
Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, on Tuesday issued a statement confirming the arrest of a Romanian man, though it did not disclose the detail of the case.
“Gardaí attached to the Garda Extradition Unit and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation have today, November 10th, arrested a 55 year-old man at a location in north Dublin on foot of a European Arrest Warrant,” the statement said.
“The warrant was issued in 2016 by Romanian authorities following the man’s conviction for offences of Human Trafficking of adults and children.”
Detective Supt Michael Mullen of the Garda Extradition Unit said: “This significant arrest coordinated by detectives attached to Organised and Serious Crime represents our ongoing commitment to ensuring persons wanted on foot of International arrest warrants are brought to justice.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Garda dog ‘Rex’ sniffs out handgun seized in Limerick

A Garda sniffer dog has assisted in the discovery of firearms hidden near a riverbank in Limerick city .
Gardaí said they seized suspected drugs and firearms in the city on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation targeting suspected criminal activity .
At around 4.30pm gardaí from the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit , assisted by the Southern Region Dog Unit , began searching an area of the riverbank of St Mary ’ s Park .
During the course of the search gardaí discovered €40,000 of suspected cocaine , a shotgun and a small number of shotgun cartridges that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as they continued to search the area Garda dog “ Rex ” indicated to his handler that there was something hidden underground by the riverbank that warranted closer inspection .
Gardaí then discovered a handgun that had also been wrapped in plastic .
The suspected firearms will now be sent for ballistic analysis while the suspected drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland .
The scene was preserved and examined by the local Scenes of Crime Unit .
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing , gardaí added @ @ @ @

Garda dog ‘Rex’ indicated to his handler that there was something hidden underground by the riverbank that turned out to be a handgun wrapped in plastic. Photograph: Garda Press Office
A Garda sniffer dog has assisted in the discovery of firearms hidden near a riverbank in Limerick city.
Gardaí said they seized suspected drugs and firearms in the city on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation targeting suspected criminal activity.
At around 4.30pm gardaí from the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, assisted by the Southern Region Dog Unit, began searching an area of the riverbank of St Mary’s Park.
During the course of the search gardaí discovered €40,000 of suspected cocaine, a shotgun and a small number of shotgun cartridges that were all wrapped in plastic.
READ MORE
Gardaí said that as they continued to search the area Garda dog “Rex” indicated to his handler that there was something hidden underground by the riverbank that warranted closer inspection. Gardaí then discovered a handgun that had also been wrapped in plastic.
The suspected firearms will now be sent for ballistic analysis while the suspected drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland.
The scene was preserved and examined by the local Scenes of Crime Unit.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, gardaí added in a statement.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Sharp rise in Covid infections justifies restrictions on Masses, says Archbishop

Restrictions on public worship can be justified “ in situations of a sharp rise in the numbers contracting the [ Covid-19 < DD > ) ] virus ” Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said .
“ This has been reasserted in these days in Great Britain and by French courts , ” he said .
The restrictions , however , “ should be limited to the shortest period necessary , ” he said .
Currently , under Level 5 regulations , Masses and other forms of public worship may not take place in Ireland , although places of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Co Galway-based businessman Declan Ganley , a practising Catholic , has initiated a High Court action alleging Level 5 regulations breach his constitutional right to religious freedom .
Last Sunday , during an online Mass broadcast on Ocean FM , Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran called on parishioners to contact local representatives to allow people to attend church services in person .
Reflecting on the current pandemic situation in Ireland , Archbishop Martin said “ indications are that these measures are having some effect on controlling the spread of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some parts of county Dublin ” .
It was “ vital that everyone takes his or her responsibilities seriously and that we work together in curbing the virus .
None of us is to second-guess the severity of the situation .
None of us is authorised to self-exempt from the public norms .
None of us is authorised to place people ’ s health at risk , ” he said .
He recalled how on October 28th the four Catholic Archbishops met Taoiseach Micheal Martin “ regarding reopening Churches for public worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While being sympathetic to our request , the Taoiseach did not feel in a position make any definitive commitment at this moment , ” he said .
He thought it “ interesting to note that Pope Francis has ceased holding his weekly general audience in public and has noted that his Christmas liturgies will be celebrated with very limited public attendance ” .
Archbishop Martin believed that “ one way or another , for the foreseeable future public participation at Masses will remain limited .
This is the situation in which we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coming months and possibly even longer ” .
Looking ahead , he felt the numbers attending Christmas Masses this year may be well down while booking in advance may be considered .
He thought it “ likely and indeed understandable that the numbers of those who will be permitted to attend religious services over the Christmas period will be restricted ” .
People “ will wish to attend Christmas Mass , though the numbers may not be huge .
Many people will still be anxious about attending any large gathering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was expected Level 5 regulations may be relaxed in the first weeks of December , he said but added he believed it possible “ restrictive measures may have to be imposed again after Christmas ” .
Archbishop Martin noted how in the United States it was being suggested “ that a greater number of Masses be celebrated on Christmas Day “ and that “ in order to avoid people having to be turned away from churches , the idea of some form of advanced booking might be proposed .
People might be encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas week ” .
Families with children , he suggested , could be encouraged “ to visit the Christmas crib for private prayer.
” Due to Covid-19 the traditional RDS Christmas Day lunch for the homeless would not take place this year , he said , but that “ a number of central distribution points will provide take-away food for the homeless on Christmas Day ” .
He encouraged parishes to reach out to the homeless and the lonely on Christmas Day .

Restrictions on public worship can be justified “in situations of a sharp rise in the numbers contracting the [Covid-19
“This has been reasserted in these days in Great Britain and by French courts,” he said.
The restrictions, however, "should be limited to the shortest period necessary," he said. Currently, under Level 5 regulations, Masses and other forms of public worship may not take place in Ireland, although places of worship can remain open for private prayer.
Co Galway-based businessman Declan Ganley, a practising Catholic, has initiated a High Court action alleging Level 5 regulations breach his constitutional right to religious freedom.
READ MORE
Last Sunday, during an online Mass broadcast on Ocean FM, Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran called on parishioners to contact local representatives to allow people to attend church services in person.
Reflecting on the current pandemic situation in Ireland, Archbishop Martin said "indications are that these measures are having some effect on controlling the spread of the virus, but this is not yet the case in some parts of county Dublin".
It was “vital that everyone takes his or her responsibilities seriously and that we work together in curbing the virus. None of us is to second-guess the severity of the situation. None of us is authorised to self-exempt from the public norms. None of us is authorised to place people’s health at risk,” he said.
He recalled how on October 28th the four Catholic Archbishops met Taoiseach Micheal Martin “regarding reopening Churches for public worship at the earliest opportunity”.
“While being sympathetic to our request, the Taoiseach did not feel in a position make any definitive commitment at this moment,” he said.
He thought it "interesting to note that Pope Francis has ceased holding his weekly general audience in public and has noted that his Christmas liturgies will be celebrated with very limited public attendance".
Archbishop Martin believed that “one way or another, for the foreseeable future public participation at Masses will remain limited. This is the situation in which we will have to live and carry out ministry for the coming months and possibly even longer”.
Looking ahead, he felt the numbers attending Christmas Masses this year may be well down while booking in advance may be considered. He thought it “likely and indeed understandable that the numbers of those who will be permitted to attend religious services over the Christmas period will be restricted”.
People “will wish to attend Christmas Mass, though the numbers may not be huge. Many people will still be anxious about attending any large gathering of people,” he said.
It was expected Level 5 regulations may be relaxed in the first weeks of December, he said but added he believed it possible “restrictive measures may have to be imposed again after Christmas”.
Archbishop Martin noted how in the United States it was being suggested "that a greater number of Masses be celebrated on Christmas Day " and that "in order to avoid people having to be turned away from churches, the idea of some form of advanced booking might be proposed. People might be encouraged to attend Mass on different days during Christmas week".
Families with children, he suggested, could be encouraged “to visit the Christmas crib for private prayer.”
Due to Covid-19 the traditional RDS Christmas Day lunch for the homeless would not take place this year, he said, but that “a number of central distribution points will provide take-away food for the homeless on Christmas Day”. He encouraged parishes to reach out to the homeless and the lonely on Christmas Day.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Covid-19: Need for social distancing inevitable over Christmas - WHO envoy

Public health measures like social distancing will need to be maintained during the Christmas period , World Health Organisation ( WHO ) Covid-19 envoy Dr David Nabarro has said .
While he said he wanted people to enjoy the festive season it was important to do so in a way that did not spread the virus .
This meant observing good hand hygiene , wearing face masks and practicing social distance , he told RTÉ Radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
While he welcomed the Pfizer announcement of a Covid-19 vaccine , Dr Nabarro warned that it would some time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became widely available .
“ We are being given advance warning of something brilliant , but at the same time we have to be prepared for several weeks , perhaps even months more work before the vaccine or a vaccine like it can become available for people.
” It was also important that a number of vaccines be developed , he added .
“ You don ’ t really know how long protection lasts until you ’ ve been able to study vaccinated people over time , it ’ s a bit early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for weeks and months or even years , ” said Dr Nabarro , who is one of six WHO special envoys on Covid-19 .
The new vaccine is expected to be submitted to authorities for emergency approval in the third week of November .
Encouraged by the results , immunologist Professor Luke O ’ Neill said nursing homes could have the Covid-19 vaccine before Christmas .
While this could be an ambitious outlook , he said certainly by early next year the older population and vulnerable groups would be among the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Pat Kenny show , Prof O ’ Neill said that when the data from Pfizer was shared in a scientific report it would take another three to four weeks for the vaccine to become a reality .
Healthcare workers and nursing home residents would be first in line for a vaccine .
“ You could see a situation where every nursing home now will have the vaccine available to it , maybe just before Christmas .
That seems a bit ambitious but certainly early next year we will see the older population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ones who have got other diseases.
” Prof O ’ Neill predicted that there would be announcements about two more vaccines before Christmas from Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna .
“ That means supply won ’ t be an issue because they can all roll out billions of doses as we move into 2021 and secondly , Pfizer had already mobilised an army to prepare 1.4 billion doses of this vaccine so they are ramping up production massively.
” Government Ministers are likely to discuss Ireland ’ s ongoing Covid-19 restrictions at Cabinet this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European traffic light system is among the items on the agenda , sources said .
Among the major decisions required in the coming weeks by the Government is what level of travel restrictions are in place for Christmas , when several hundred thousand people would normally arrive in Ireland for the holidays .
More generally , there are intensive discussions going on in Government about reopening after the lockdown ends at the beginning of December .

The 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 in the Republic stands at 152 cases per 100,000 people, a reduction of 51 per cent compared with two weeks ago. Image: Paul Scott/The Irish Times
A further 16 coronavirus-related deaths and 270 confirmed cases were reported in the Republic on Tuesday.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said 14 of the deaths occurred in November, one in October and one was under investigation.
This is the highest number of daily reported deaths since May 27th.
Hospital Report
There have been 1,963 deaths linked to Covid-19 and 65,889 confirmed cases of the virus in the State since the pandemic began.
READ MORE
There were 282 patients with Covid-19 in hospital on Tuesday, of which 40 are being treated in intensive care units. There have been an additional 21 hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Of the new cases, 56 per cent are under the age of 45 and the median age is 42.
Dublin accounts for the largest share of the new cases with 82, followed by Donegal with 21, Roscommon with 18 and Limerick and Tipperary each with 17. The remaining 115 cases are spread across 20 counties.
The State’s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said there had been “a significant improvement” in the profile of the disease with the 14-day incidence rate of the disease standing at 152 cases per 100,000 people, a reduction of 51 per cent compared with two weeks ago.
“To maintain this positive trajectory, we need to remain vigilant to the highly infectious nature of this virus, which can easily spread from person to person through close contact and by social mixing,” he said.
“Our individual everyday choices to stay at home and keep our contacts to a minimum are vital to driving down the spread of Covid-19.”
Donegal has the highest 14-day incidence rate of the virus with 284.6 cases per 100,000 people followed by Limerick with 209.3 per 100,000 and Meath with 203 per 100,000. The fourth highest is Roscommon with 173.5 cases per 100,000.
Earlier, World Health Organisation (WHO) Covid-19 envoy Dr David Nabarro said public health measures such as social distancing would need to be maintained during the Christmas period.
While he said he wanted people to enjoy the festive season it was important to do so in a way that did not spread the virus.
This meant observing good hand hygiene, wearing face masks and practicing social distance, he told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
While he welcomed the Pfizer announcement of a Covid-19 vaccine, Dr Nabarro warned that it would some time, probably next year, before it became widely available.
“We are being given advance warning of something brilliant, but at the same time we have to be prepared for several weeks, perhaps even months more work before the vaccine or a vaccine like it can become available for people.”
It was also important that a number of vaccines be developed, he added.
“You don’t really know how long protection lasts until you’ve been able to study vaccinated people over time, it’s a bit early to say whether this vaccine gives protection for weeks and months or even years,” said Dr Nabarro, who is one of six WHO special envoys on Covid-19.
The new vaccine is expected to be submitted to authorities for emergency approval in the third week of November.
Encouraged by the results, immunologist Prof Luke O’Neill said nursing homes could have the Covid-19 vaccine before Christmas.
While this could be an ambitious outlook, he said certainly by early next year the older population and vulnerable groups would be among the first to be vaccinated.
Speaking on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show, Prof O’Neill said that when the data from Pfizer was shared in a scientific report it would take another three to four weeks for the vaccine to become a reality.
Healthcare workers and nursing home residents would be first in line for a vaccine.
“You could see a situation where every nursing home now will have the vaccine available to it, maybe just before Christmas. That seems a bit ambitious but certainly early next year we will see the older population being vaccinated and the vulnerable groups, the ones who have got other diseases.”
Prof O’Neill predicted that there would be announcements about two more vaccines before Christmas from Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna.
“That means supply won’t be an issue because they can all roll out billions of doses as we move into 2021 and secondly, Pfizer had already mobilised an army to prepare 1.4 billion doses of this vaccine so they are ramping up production massively.”
Government Ministers are likely to discuss Ireland’s ongoing Covid-19 restrictions at Cabinet this morning as a memorandum on the new European traffic light system is among the items on the agenda, sources said.
Among the major decisions required in the coming weeks by the Government is what level of travel restrictions are in place for Christmas, when several hundred thousand people would normally arrive in Ireland for the holidays.
More generally, there are intensive discussions going on in Government about reopening after the lockdown ends at the beginning of December.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Séamus Woulfe controversy: AG tells Cabinet judges’ clash raises ‘serious constitutional issues’

The stand-off between the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe raises “ serious constitutional issues ” , the Government has said .
In a statement just before lunchtime , the Government said it would consider the correspondence between Mr Justice Frank Clarke and Mr Justice Woulfe which was published on Monday night .
“ The Attorney General outlined the serious constitutional issues that now arise and the respective responsibilities of each of the organs of the State as set out in the Constitution , including in particular the respective roles of the Judiciary and of the Oireachtas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are also members of the Oireachtas , are acutely aware of the sensitivity and seriousness of the issues and the need to ensure that the constitutional framework is fully respected by all concerned .
This includes avoiding inappropriate public comment .
“ The Government agreed that it will continue to reflect on these issues.
” The Supreme Court is facing an unprecedented crisis after the Chief Justice said Mr Justice Woulfe should resign over his handling of the controversy following his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner .
Mr Justice Woulfe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not resign over the controversy , which saw 80 people attend a dinner at an event at a hotel in Clifden , Co Galway on August 19th , a day after the Government tightened Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings .
Mr Justice Clarke told the judge at a meeting last Thursday he should resign and reiterated that view in letters last week and on Monday .
The Government statement comes after opposition parties urged caution from Oireachtas members in their public remarks on the matter .
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin , the Labour Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for all Oireachtas members just to take a step back and realize the seriousness of this and that any public utterances are going to be important in this regard ” .
He said the independence of the judiciary was paramount , and that any member “ making comments about this issue has to be clear in his or her minds about the importance of that independence , which is crucial for the future of our democracy ” .
Martin Kenny , the Sinn Féin Justice Spokesman , said the argument that Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be untenable reflected the views of the judiciary .
“ It ’ s very clear that the judiciary don ’ t believe that his position is tenable… We have to be careful how we proceed here , but at the same time we have to be firm that there has to be accountability in the judiciary just as there has to be accountability in politics , ” Mr Kenny said .
The Sinn Féin TD said the situation was “ fraught with difficulty , ” but added that the party was “ saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lost the confidence of his colleagues in the judiciary and the Chief Justice ; that ’ s clearly what they ’ ve said ” .
Mr Kenny said it was either up to Mr Justice Woulfe or to the Oireachtas to come up with a solution to the problem .
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy expressed doubts that an impeachment process would be successful .
“ I think it would be a very difficult one to see it succeeding , given that there wasn ’ t a law broken .
And , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a caution about commencing something that is weak to begin with , ” she told journalists on Tuesday morning .
“ That doesn ’ t mean that there isn ’ t a very significant issue of judgment .
And the very fact that , he ’ s not capable , or it ’ s not going to be tenable to work with his colleagues , is a very difficult situation , ” she said , adding that resignation was a matter for Mr Justice Woulfe alone and she was not calling for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his position , if he looks at it , he should ask himself : Is it tenable ?
If you can ’ t work with your colleagues and your colleagues can ’ t work with you in the in the Supreme Court that is a very difficult scenario , and there ’ s no simple solution to it .
We don ’ t have the experience of an impeachment process , and is the criteria sufficient to actually meet that bar ?
” she asked .
Former district court judge Michael Pattwell has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ should get a good PR person to help him ” and that if he was in that situation he would “ let it play out ” and not resign .
The Chief Justice and the Supreme Court have “ backed themselves into a corner ” he told RTÉ Radio ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show .
There was no law to back the stance taken by the other members of the Supreme Court , he said .
The former judge questioned how could they sit with Mr Justice Woulfe in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see any efforts at impeachment succeeding , “ political or otherwise ” .
While he criticised the manner in which both former European Commissioner Phil Hogan and Mr Justice Woulfe dealt with the aftermath of the Oireachtas golf dinner in Clifden , what had happened was “ not serious enough ” to warrant the resignation of the judge , Mr Pattwell said .
The Chief Justice Mr Justice Frank Clarke should not have “ invented a sanction ” that did not exist in law and he would have been better “ keeping it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back up what Mr Justice Clarke said ; it was just an opinion , Mr Pattwell added .
“ If I was Séamus Woulfe I would stay and let it play out.
” As Chief Justice , Mr Justice Clarke acts as president of the Supreme Court and the State ’ s highest judicial officer .
All of what had transpired had come about because “ Dara Calleary jumped too soon ” when he resigned as minister for agriculture ” , Mr Pattwell said .
“ He set the tone then.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of Mr Hogan , Mr Pattwell said that he had seemed to be doing a good job in Europe .
On the same programme , former minister Shane Ross also said that the Supreme Court had backed itself into a corner on the issue .
Retired chief justice Susan Denham had been asked to conduct an investigation , but her recommendation had been ignored by Mr Justice Clarke .
Politicians don ’ t want to touch the issue , said Mr Ross who championed reform of the judicial appointments system when serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leader and the party ’ s current justice spokesman Brendan Howlin said politicians “ can not do nothing ” about the controversy .
Since there were no judicial mechanisms left to resolve the issue , it would now fall to the Oireachtas , he said .
This must be done in a very public , clear , transparent and unbiased way , he said .
This was a situation where every member of the Oireachtas would have to make an independent decision and it would not be a matter for party whips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said that anyone who had been involved in pre-determining the issue by making a call one way or another should recuse themselves from making any decision on the matter .
No member of the Oireachtas wanted to be involved in the process because they were very mindful of the separation of powers .
“ It is not a process that any politician wants to be involved in.
” Under the Constitution a judge could be removed , but it had to be a fair procedure , he stressed .

Chief Justice Mr Justice Frank Clarke (pictured) should not have ‘invented a sanction’ that did not exist, former district court judge Michael Patwell said. Photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times
The stand-off between the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe raises “serious constitutional issues”, the Government has said.
In a statement just before lunchtime, the Government said it would consider the correspondence between Mr Justice Frank Clarke and Mr Justice Woulfe which was published on Monday night.
“The Attorney General outlined the serious constitutional issues that now arise and the respective responsibilities of each of the organs of the State as set out in the Constitution, including in particular the respective roles of the Judiciary and of the Oireachtas.
“The members of the Government, who are also members of the Oireachtas, are acutely aware of the sensitivity and seriousness of the issues and the need to ensure that the constitutional framework is fully respected by all concerned. This includes avoiding inappropriate public comment.
READ MORE
“The Government agreed that it will continue to reflect on these issues.”
The Supreme Court is facing an unprecedented crisis after the Chief Justice said Mr Justice Woulfe should resign over his handling of the controversy following his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner.
Mr Justice Woulfe has told Mr Justice Frank Clarke he will not resign over the controversy, which saw 80 people attend a dinner at an event at a hotel in Clifden, Co Galway on August 19th, a day after the Government tightened Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings.
Mr Justice Clarke told the judge at a meeting last Thursday he should resign and reiterated that view in letters last week and on Monday.
The Government statement comes after opposition parties urged caution from Oireachtas members in their public remarks on the matter.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, the Labour Party education spokesman, said it was “important for all Oireachtas members just to take a step back and realize the seriousness of this and that any public utterances are going to be important in this regard”.
Judicial independence
He said the independence of the judiciary was paramount, and that any member “making comments about this issue has to be clear in his or her minds about the importance of that independence, which is crucial for the future of our democracy”.
Martin Kenny, the Sinn Féin Justice Spokesman, said the argument that Mr Justice Woulfe’s position may now be untenable reflected the views of the judiciary.
“It’s very clear that the judiciary don’t believe that his position is tenable… We have to be careful how we proceed here, but at the same time we have to be firm that there has to be accountability in the judiciary just as there has to be accountability in politics,” Mr Kenny said.
The Sinn Féin TD said the situation was “fraught with difficulty,” but added that the party was “saying his position is clearly untenable when he has lost the confidence of his colleagues in the judiciary and the Chief Justice; that’s clearly what they’ve said”. Mr Kenny said it was either up to Mr Justice Woulfe or to the Oireachtas to come up with a solution to the problem.
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy expressed doubts that an impeachment process would be successful.
“I think it would be a very difficult one to see it succeeding, given that there wasn’t a law broken. And, and I think there’ll be a caution about commencing something that is weak to begin with,” she told journalists on Tuesday morning.
“That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a very significant issue of judgment. And the very fact that, he’s not capable, or it’s not going to be tenable to work with his colleagues, is a very difficult situation,” she said, adding that resignation was a matter for Mr Justice Woulfe alone and she was not calling for him to resign.
“I just think his position, if he looks at it, he should ask himself: Is it tenable? If you can’t work with your colleagues and your colleagues can’t work with you in the in the Supreme Court that is a very difficult scenario, and there’s no simple solution to it. We don’t have the experience of an impeachment process, and is the criteria sufficient to actually meet that bar?” she asked.
‘Backed into corner’
Former district court judge Michael Pattwell has said that Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe “should get a good PR person to help him” and that if he was in that situation he would “let it play out” and not resign.
The Chief Justice and the Supreme Court have “backed themselves into a corner” he told RTÉ Radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show.
There was no law to back the stance taken by the other members of the Supreme Court, he said.
The former judge questioned how could they sit with Mr Justice Woulfe in the future. He added he could not see any efforts at impeachment succeeding, “political or otherwise”.
While he criticised the manner in which both former European Commissioner Phil Hogan and Mr Justice Woulfe dealt with the aftermath of the Oireachtas golf dinner in Clifden, what had happened was “not serious enough” to warrant the resignation of the judge, Mr Pattwell said.
The Chief Justice Mr Justice Frank Clarke should not have “invented a sanction” that did not exist in law and he would have been better “keeping it to himself. There was nothing to back up what Mr Justice Clarke said; it was just an opinion, Mr Pattwell added.
“If I was Séamus Woulfe I would stay and let it play out.”
As Chief Justice, Mr Justice Clarke acts as president of the Supreme Court and the State’s highest judicial officer.
All of what had transpired had come about because “Dara Calleary jumped too soon” when he resigned as minister for agriculture”, Mr Pattwell said. “He set the tone then.”
While he had “never been a fan” of Mr Hogan, Mr Pattwell said that he had seemed to be doing a good job in Europe.
On the same programme, former minister Shane Ross also said that the Supreme Court had backed itself into a corner on the issue. Retired chief justice Susan Denham had been asked to conduct an investigation, but her recommendation had been ignored by Mr Justice Clarke.
Politicians don’t want to touch the issue, said Mr Ross who championed reform of the judicial appointments system when serving in the last government.
Former Labour party leader and the party’s current justice spokesman Brendan Howlin said politicians “cannot do nothing” about the controversy.
Since there were no judicial mechanisms left to resolve the issue, it would now fall to the Oireachtas, he said.
This must be done in a very public, clear, transparent and unbiased way, he said. This was a situation where every member of the Oireachtas would have to make an independent decision and it would not be a matter for party whips or party positions, Mr Howlin added.
He said that anyone who had been involved in pre-determining the issue by making a call one way or another should recuse themselves from making any decision on the matter.
No member of the Oireachtas wanted to be involved in the process because they were very mindful of the separation of powers. “It is not a process that any politician wants to be involved in.”
Under the Constitution a judge could be removed, but it had to be a fair procedure, he stressed.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Covid-19: GPs told to be alert for possible cases from Denmark

The Covid clinical lead of the Irish College of General Practitioners , Dr Nuala O ’ Connor has said that a circular was sent to GPs on Monday to advise them to “ maintain increased awareness ” about the possibility of Covid-19 in patients arriving in Ireland from Denmark .
Dr O ’ Connor told RTÉ Radio ’ s Morning Ireland that the circular had been distributed to GPs at the request of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) .
The update was in relation to people travelling from Denmark and the risk of introducing a new strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in minks in Danish mink farms .
“ The 14 days of restricted movement is critical to prevent introduction of this strain to Ireland , ” she said .
The circular requests GPs to “ maintain increased awareness of the possibility of Covid-19 in persons who have travelled from Denmark in the previous 14 days ” .
GPs are also requested to advise the person to self isolate and limit their contacts for 14 days and to arrange a Covid test for the patient if they display any symptoms .
Dr O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an ongoing service by the ICGP to its members during the pandemic , in conjunction with public health officials .
“ We have to prevent this mutation becoming the dominant strain .
It could affect how the vaccine works.
” Dr O ’ Connor said that while the virus had been mutating from when it was first identified , and that was normal , so far it had not gotten more serious .
It was important that a deadlier form did not develop which was why it was important to “ stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new strain of Covid-19 in Danish mink has sparked calls for humane culling of the animals in Ireland , particularly as fur farming is due to be phased out .
Veterinary Ireland ( VI ) , the umbrella organisation , said it would be prudent to dispose of the animals under the supervision of Department of Agriculture officials .
Dr Mark d ’ Alton , who was involved in the VI campaign to end the practice , said it “ would be urging that on the precautionary principle , and bearing in mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phased out anyway .
.
.
that they should be humanely killed and the whole process expedited .
That would be wise.
” However , he said he did not know what , if any , threat the mink posed here following the infection of 12 people in northern Denmark from a mutant form of the virus .
No infections have been linked to the three farms operating in Ireland .
Last year the government committed to ending the practice citing veterinary evidence that it was “ counter to good animal welfare ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than anywhere else .
In the north of the country , the mutated strain of Covid has led to the effective lockdown of several towns in an attempt to halt its spread .
There are concerns the latest strain of coronavirus could negatively affect efforts to secure effective vaccines .
But Dr Gerald Barry , assistant professor in virology at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine who specialises in zoonotic infection – passing of disease from animal to human populations – said the discovery of a new strain in itself is unsurprising .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ infect humans , ” he said .
“ That creates a kind of Pandora ’ s box around animals infecting humans and the possibility of animal reservoirs.
” Such reservoirs , he explained , could make it far more challenging to eradicate the virus than if it was specific to humans .
Smallpox was eradicated in part because it did not find a footing among animals capable of returning it to the human population .
Denmark ’ s plans to cull all 17 million mink in the country following the outbreak are facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have legal basis for the order .
On Tuesday the minority Social Democratic government will put forward hastily-drawn up legislation to back the cull but the opposition has said it would not allow the draft to bypass the usual 30 day legislative process .
- Additional reporting Reuters

Mink look out from their cage at a farm near Naestved, Denmark. Photograph: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
The Covid clinical lead of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dr Nuala O’Connor has said that a circular was sent to GPs on Monday to advise them to “maintain increased awareness” about the possibility of Covid-19 in patients arriving in Ireland from Denmark.
Dr O’Connor told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland that the circular had been distributed to GPs at the request of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
The update was in relation to people travelling from Denmark and the risk of introducing a new strain of Covid-19 linked to a mutation identified in minks in Danish mink farms.
“The 14 days of restricted movement is critical to prevent introduction of this strain to Ireland,” she said.
READ MORE
The circular requests GPs to “maintain increased awareness of the possibility of Covid-19 in persons who have travelled from Denmark in the previous 14 days”.
GPs are also requested to advise the person to self isolate and limit their contacts for 14 days and to arrange a Covid test for the patient if they display any symptoms.
Dr O’Connor explained that the circular was part of an ongoing service by the ICGP to its members during the pandemic, in conjunction with public health officials.
“We have to prevent this mutation becoming the dominant strain. It could affect how the vaccine works.”
Dr O’Connor said that while the virus had been mutating from when it was first identified, and that was normal, so far it had not gotten more serious. It was important that a deadlier form did not develop which was why it was important to “stop this mutation.”
‘Humane culling’
The discovery of a new strain of Covid-19 in Danish mink has sparked calls for humane culling of the animals in Ireland, particularly as fur farming is due to be phased out.
Veterinary Ireland (VI), the umbrella organisation, said it would be prudent to dispose of the animals under the supervision of Department of Agriculture officials.
Dr Mark d’Alton, who was involved in the VI campaign to end the practice, said it “would be urging that on the precautionary principle, and bearing in mind that fur farming is going to be phased out anyway . . . that they should be humanely killed and the whole process expedited. That would be wise.”
However, he said he did not know what, if any, threat the mink posed here following the infection of 12 people in northern Denmark from a mutant form of the virus.
No infections have been linked to the three farms operating in Ireland. Last year the government committed to ending the practice citing veterinary evidence that it was “counter to good animal welfare”.
More mink is produced in Denmark than anywhere else. In the north of the country, the mutated strain of Covid has led to the effective lockdown of several towns in an attempt to halt its spread.
There are concerns the latest strain of coronavirus could negatively affect efforts to secure effective vaccines. But Dr Gerald Barry, assistant professor in virology at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine who specialises in zoonotic infection – passing of disease from animal to human populations – said the discovery of a new strain in itself is unsurprising.
“The bigger finding is that mink infect humans,” he said. “That creates a kind of Pandora’s box around animals infecting humans and the possibility of animal reservoirs.”
Such reservoirs, he explained, could make it far more challenging to eradicate the virus than if it was specific to humans. Smallpox was eradicated in part because it did not find a footing among animals capable of returning it to the human population.
Denmark’s plans to cull all 17 million mink in the country following the outbreak are facing legal obstacles after the government admitted it did not have legal basis for the order.
On Tuesday the minority Social Democratic government will put forward hastily-drawn up legislation to back the cull but the opposition has said it would not allow the draft to bypass the usual 30 day legislative process. - Additional reporting Reuters


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Woman (40s) killed in suspected hit-and-run in Co Kildare

A woman in her 40s has been killed in a suspected hit-and-run road traffic collision in Newbridge , Co Kildare @ @ @ @ @ and emergency services were alerted shortly after 8pm after the pedestrian was discovered with serious @ @ @ @ @ in Newbridge .
It is understood the woman was hit by a vehicle , which @ @ @ @ @ the scene afterwards .
The woman was rushed by ambulance to Naas General Hospital , @ @ @ @ @ short time later .
A postmortem examination is to take place , the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ of the Garda investigation .
The local coroner has also been notified of the death @ @ @ @ @ Garda Síochána is appealing for any witnesses to the road traffic collision to come forward @ @ @ @ @ “ anyone who may have witnessed this incident or with camera footage ( including dash @ @ @ @ @ at the time is asked to contact investigating gardaí ” .
Anyone with information is @ @ @ @ @ station at 045-431212 , or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 .

An Garda Síochána is appealing for any witnesses to the road traffic collision to come forward
A man has been arrested after a woman died in a suspected hit-and-run in Co Kildare on Monday evening.
Gardaí and emergency services were alerted shortly after 8pm after the pedestrian was discovered with serious injuries on Thomas Street, in Newbridge.
It is understood the woman, who aged in her 40s, was hit by a vehicle, which then appears to have fled the scene afterwards. The woman was rushed by ambulance to Naas General Hospital, but was pronounced dead a short time later.
A postmortem examination is to take place, the outcome of which will determine the course of the Garda investigation. The local coroner has also been notified of the death, gardaí said.
READ MORE
The man, who is in his 50s, was arrested on Tuesday evening and is being detained at Kildare Garda station.
An Garda Síochána is appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. A Garda spokesman said "anyone who may have witnessed this incident or with camera footage (including dash cam) from the area at the time is asked to contact investigating gardaí".
Anyone with information is asked to contact Newbridge Garda station at 045-431212, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Study claims 18% of Covid patients later diagnosed with mental illness

Nearly one in five people who have tested positive for Covid-19 are diagnosed with a mental illness such as anxiety , depression or insomnia within three months of testing positive for the virus , according to a study that suggests action is needed to mitigate the mental health impact of the pandemic .
The analysis - conducted by researchers from the and NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre - also found that people with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis were 65 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19 than those without , even accounting for known risk factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and underlying physical conditions .
“ This finding was unexpected and needs investigation .
In the meantime , having a psychiatric disorder should be added to the list of risk factors for Covid-19 , ” said Dr Max Taquet , an NIHR academic clinical fellow and one of the authors of the analysis .
The calculations were made on the basis of roughly 70 million US health records , including more than 62,000 cases of Covid-19 that did not require a hospital stay or an emergency department visit .
The incidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 to 90 days after a Covid-19 diagnosis was 18.1 per cent , including 5.8 per cent that were a first diagnosis .
In order to examine whether the excess risk was directly associated with Covid-19 , the researchers compared data with six other conditions over the same period : influenza ; other respiratory tract infections ; a skin infection ; gallstones ; urinary tract stones ; and the fracture of a large bone .
In the three months after Covid-19 diagnosis , 5.8 per cent of patients had their first recorded diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent to 3.4 per cent of patients in the comparison cohorts - almost a doubling in risk , according to the paper published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry .
Paul Harrison , a professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford , said more research was needed to establish whether a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder could be directly linked to getting coronavirus .
General factors that influence physical health were not captured in the records analysed , such as socio-economic background , smoking , or use of drugs .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic is playing a role , he noted .
Research suggests that people from poorer socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to suffer mental ill-health .
Poverty also increases exposure to coronavirus , owing to factors like crowded housing and unsafe working conditions .
“ Equally , it ’ s not at all implausible that Covid-19 might have some direct effect on your brain and your mental health .
But I think that , again , remains to be positively demonstrated , ” said Mr Harrison .
A particularly concerning finding was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - which is typically irreversible - three months after testing positive for Covid-19 , versus the other health conditions .
It may be that coming to a hospital or to see your doctor to get diagnosed with Covid-19 allows for other pre-existing conditions - such as dementia - to be diagnosed , noted Mr Harrison .
“ Having said that it ’ s not at all unlikely that there may also be a brain effect of the virus in certain people that is going to cause certain more neurological symptoms and difficulties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re particularly careful in not over-interpreting that association.
” Studies researching the impact of the virus on the brain and the central nervous system are under way , including one by scientists in the UK who have formed a partnership to explore the neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of Covid-19 .
In July , neurologists published details of more than 40 UK Covid-19 patients whose complications ranged from brain inflammation and delirium to nerve damage and stroke .
Only time will tell whether the incidence of psychiatric illness post-Covid-19 continue to rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers added .
“ It ’ s difficult to judge the importance of these findings - it may be unsurprising that this happens a bit more often in people with Covid-19 , who may understandably have been worried that they might become seriously unwell and who will also have had to endure a period of isolation , ” said David Curtis , an honorary professor at University College London and Queen Mary University of London , who was not involved in the study .
“ Overall , the results reported seem broadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that they have specific implications for patients or health services.
” - Guardian

Nearly one in five people who have tested positive for Covid-19 are diagnosed with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months of testing positive for the virus, according to a study that suggests action is needed to mitigate the mental health impact of the pandemic.
The analysis - conducted by researchers from the and NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre - also found that people with a pre-existing mental health diagnosis were 65 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19 than those without, even accounting for known risk factors such as age, sex, race, and underlying physical conditions.
"This finding was unexpected and needs investigation. In the meantime, having a psychiatric disorder should be added to the list of risk factors for Covid-19," said Dr Max Taquet, an NIHR academic clinical fellow and one of the authors of the analysis.
The calculations were made on the basis of roughly 70 million US health records, including more than 62,000 cases of Covid-19 that did not require a hospital stay or an emergency department visit.
READ MORE
The incidence of any diagnosis of mental ill-health in the 14 to 90 days after a Covid-19 diagnosis was 18.1 per cent, including 5.8 per cent that were a first diagnosis.
In order to examine whether the excess risk was directly associated with Covid-19, the researchers compared data with six other conditions over the same period: influenza; other respiratory tract infections; a skin infection; gallstones; urinary tract stones; and the fracture of a large bone.
In the three months after Covid-19 diagnosis, 5.8 per cent of patients had their first recorded diagnosis of psychiatric illness, compared with 2.5 per cent to 3.4 per cent of patients in the comparison cohorts - almost a doubling in risk, according to the paper published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry.
Paul Harrison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said more research was needed to establish whether a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder could be directly linked to getting coronavirus.
General factors that influence physical health were not captured in the records analysed, such as socio-economic background, smoking, or use of drugs. There was also potential that the general stressful environment of the pandemic is playing a role, he noted.
Research suggests that people from poorer socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to suffer mental ill-health. Poverty also increases exposure to coronavirus, owing to factors like crowded housing and unsafe working conditions.
“Equally, it’s not at all implausible that Covid-19 might have some direct effect on your brain and your mental health. But I think that, again, remains to be positively demonstrated,” said Mr Harrison.
A particularly concerning finding was the doubling of the diagnosis of dementia - which is typically irreversible - three months after testing positive for Covid-19, versus the other health conditions.
It may be that coming to a hospital or to see your doctor to get diagnosed with Covid-19 allows for other pre-existing conditions - such as dementia - to be diagnosed, noted Mr Harrison.
“Having said that it’s not at all unlikely that there may also be a brain effect of the virus in certain people that is going to cause certain more neurological symptoms and difficulties,” he said. “So, we’re particularly careful in not over-interpreting that association.”
Studies researching the impact of the virus on the brain and the central nervous system are under way, including one by scientists in the UK who have formed a partnership to explore the neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of Covid-19.
In July, neurologists published details of more than 40 UK Covid-19 patients whose complications ranged from brain inflammation and delirium to nerve damage and stroke.
Only time will tell whether the incidence of psychiatric illness post-Covid-19 continue to rise or persist beyond the three-month period, the researchers added.
"It's difficult to judge the importance of these findings - it may be unsurprising that this happens a bit more often in people with Covid-19, who may understandably have been worried that they might become seriously unwell and who will also have had to endure a period of isolation," said David Curtis, an honorary professor at University College London and Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the study.
“Overall, the results reported seem broadly plausible, but I’m not sure that they have specific implications for patients or health services.” - Guardian