theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Woman (20s) arrested after seizure of crystal meth at Dublin airport

A woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle €180,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine into the country .
Gardaí @ @ @ @ @ at Dublin Airport shortly after she got off a flight on Sunday .
The arrest @ @ @ @ @ operation targeting the smuggling of drugs into the country .
After being stopped and searched @ @ @ @ @ to be in possession of 3kg of crystal methamphetamine , a relatively rare drug in @ @ @ @ @ typically made in homemade laboratories .
The woman , who is aged in her 20s @ @ @ @ @ Garda station where is being questioned under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice ( Drug @ @ @ @ @ .
She can be held for a maximum of seven days before charge or release @

Woman has been taken to Ballymun Garda station where she can be held for a maximum of seven days before charge or release. Photograph: iStock
A woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle €180,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine into the country.
Gardaí from Ballymun arrested the woman at Dublin Airport shortly after she got off a flight on Sunday. The arrest was linked to a Revenue operation targeting the smuggling of drugs into the country.
After being stopped and searched, the woman was found to be in possession of 3kg of crystal methamphetamine, a relatively rare drug in Ireland and one which is typically made in homemade laboratories.
The woman, who is aged in her 20s, was taken to Ballymun Garda station where is being questioned under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. She can be held for a maximum of seven days before charge or release.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Five served with books of evidence over ATM theft, attempted theft

Books of evidence have been served at the Special Criminal Court on five men including a former all-Ireland club champion , who are charged in relation to the theft and attempted theft of ATMS in Cavan and Monaghan last year .
The five , three of whom are brothers , are charged with offences relating to the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney , Co Monaghan , in April 2019 and the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia , Co Cavan , in August 2019 .
Former Crossmaglen footballer Daniel O ’ Callaghan ( 30 ) of Monog Road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with the attempted theft of the ATM at the Riverfront Hotel , Main Street , Virginia , Co Cavan , on August 14th , 2019 , for the benefit of , at the direction of , or in association with a criminal organisation .
Brothers Ciaran ( 26 ) and Gerard Duffy ( 29 ) of Greagh , Loughnamore , Co Monaghan are accused of offences relating to the same investigation .
Niall Finnegan ( 38 ) of Cherry Grove , Cullyhanna , Co Armagh , and Stephen Duffy ( 34 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Monaghan are accused of participating or contributing to the movement of cash in a 2007 Toyota Avensis at Tullypole , Moynalty , Co Meath , on August 20th , 2019 , intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offences , with the knowledge of the existence of the organisation under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act .
During Monday ’ s brief hearing , State solicitor Michael O ’ Donovan for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of evidence were ready to be served on each of the accused men .
Mr Justice Tony Hunt , presiding , sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh , remanded all five men on continuing bail until February 1st , when their cases are listed for mention again .
Mr O ’ Callaghan is also charged with the criminal damage and the theft of an ATM on Main Street , Castleblayney , Co Monaghan , on April 3rd , 2019 , both offences allegedly being for the benefit of , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a criminal organisation .
He is also twice accused of participating or contributing to the possession of cash totalling €125,930 intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence at Tullypole , Moynalty , Co Meath , on August 14th and 20th of last year .
Mr O ’ Callaghan is further accused of possessing €298,000 at the same location on August 14th , 2019 , along with a charge of possessing a petrol can intending to use it or cause or permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toyota Landcruiser with false plates in Virginia , also on August 14th .
He is also charged with possessing a stolen Toyota Landcruiser , possession of a stolen 14-tonne digger and that he appropriated the digger without the consent of its owner in Virginia on the same date and location .
In addition , Mr O ’ Callaghan is also charged with being in possession of bolt-cutters with the intent of stealing a 14-tonne digger , with the attempted dishonest appropriation of the ATM at the Riverfront in Virginia and with being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on August 14th of last year .
Ciaran Duffy is charged with both participating in the movement of and the possession of cash for the facilitation of a criminal organisation and with the attempt to commit the theft of an ATM at the Riverfront Hotel and Bar , Main Street , Virginia , Co Cavan , on August 14th , 2019 ; and with the attempt to commit the theft of an ATM and criminal damage at Main Street , Castleblayney , Co Monaghan , on April 3rd , 2019 — the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association , or at the direction of a criminal organisation .
Ciaran Duffy and Gerard Duffy are further charged with possessing the digger , the flatbed trailer and the Landcruiser , knowing that they were stolen ; and with being in possession of the bolt-cutters and the petrol can at the same dates and locations as Mr O ’ Callaghan .
They are also charged with the handling of €280,900 , €103,930 and €22,000 at Tullypole , Moynalty , on August 14th and 20th of last year .
Mr Finnegan and Stephen Duffy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Tullypole on August 20th , 2019 .

Books of evidence have been served at the Special Criminal Court on five men including a former all-Ireland club champion, who are charged in relation to the theft and attempted theft of ATMS in Cavan and Monaghan last year. Photograph: iStock
Books of evidence have been served at the Special Criminal Court on five men including a former all-Ireland club champion, who are charged in relation to the theft and attempted theft of ATMS in Cavan and Monaghan last year.
The five, three of whom are brothers, are charged with offences relating to the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in April 2019 and the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co Cavan, in August 2019.
Former Crossmaglen footballer Daniel O’Callaghan (30) of Monog Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is charged with the attempted theft of the ATM at the Riverfront Hotel, Main Street, Virginia, Co Cavan, on August 14th, 2019, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation.
Brothers Ciaran (26) and Gerard Duffy (29) of Greagh, Loughnamore, Co Monaghan are accused of offences relating to the same investigation.
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Niall Finnegan (38) of Cherry Grove, Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, and Stephen Duffy (34), of Coose, Tullynahinera, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan are accused of participating or contributing to the movement of cash in a 2007 Toyota Avensis at Tullypole, Moynalty, Co Meath,on August 20th, 2019, intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offences, with the knowledge of the existence of the organisation under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act.
During Monday’s brief hearing, State solicitor Michael O’Donovan for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told the non-jury court that the books of evidence were ready to be served on each of the accused men.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh, remanded all five men on continuing bail until February 1st, when their cases are listed for mention again.
Mr O’Callaghan is also charged with the criminal damage and the theft of an ATM on Main Street, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, on April 3rd, 2019, both offences allegedly being for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation.
He is also twice accused of participating or contributing to the possession of cash totalling €125,930 intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence at Tullypole, Moynalty, Co Meath, on August 14th and 20th of last year.
Mr O’Callaghan is further accused of possessing €298,000 at the same location on August 14th, 2019, along with a charge of possessing a petrol can intending to use it or cause or permit another to damage stolen property; a Toyota Landcruiser with false plates in Virginia, also on August 14th.
He is also charged with possessing a stolen Toyota Landcruiser, possession of a stolen 14-tonne digger and that he appropriated the digger without the consent of its owner in Virginia on the same date and location.
In addition, Mr O’Callaghan is also charged with being in possession of bolt-cutters with the intent of stealing a 14-tonne digger, with the attempted dishonest appropriation of the ATM at the Riverfront in Virginia and with being in possession of a stolen flatbed trailer all on August 14th of last year.
Ciaran Duffy is charged with both participating in the movement of and the possession of cash for the facilitation of a criminal organisation and with the attempt to commit the theft of an ATM at the Riverfront Hotel and Bar, Main Street, Virginia, Co Cavan, on August 14th, 2019; and with the attempt to commit the theft of an ATM and criminal damage at Main Street, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, on April 3rd, 2019 — the latter three charges being for the benefit, association, or at the direction of a criminal organisation.
Ciaran Duffy and Gerard Duffy are further charged with possessing the digger, the flatbed trailer and the Landcruiser, knowing that they were stolen; and with being in possession of the bolt-cutters and the petrol can at the same dates and locations as Mr O’Callaghan.
They are also charged with the handling of €280,900, €103,930 and €22,000 at Tullypole, Moynalty, on August 14th and 20th of last year.
Mr Finnegan and Stephen Duffy are further accused of handling the €103,930, in Tullypole on August 20th, 2019.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Greens seek to postpone vote on contentious EU-Canada trade deal

The Green Party is to seek to postpone a vote on a contentious EU-Canada trade deal , following opposition from its membership and at least one member of its parliamentary party .
A Green Party spokesman confirmed it would be seeking the postponement until January in order to “ provide for fuller public debate on the matter ” .
He also confirmed that Green members of Cabinet had signed-off on the deal ’ s inclusion on the Dáil ’ s work schedule .
Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan told the party over the weekend that she would not vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratify the trade deal with Canada .
Ms Hourigan said Green Party policy had been opposed to the deal in all its forms , and questioned why Green Party members at Cabinet had approved plans for the Dáil vote on the matter , given the party ’ s position .
“ These items are decided by Cabinet and the leaders .
I have no understanding of how Green members of Cabinet allowed this onto the Dáil schedule , ” she said .
She said she told the party leadership she had significant concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday morning she told them she would be voting against it as she did not consider it in line with the Programme for Government .
She said the inclusion of the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement , known as CETA , in the Programme for Government had been resisted during negotiations .
While CETA is not referred to by name in the programme , it states that the Government will “ firmly defend Ireland ’ s interests in international trade deals that may emerge ” , and separately that it will “ support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand Ireland ’ s export options into new markets ” .
Ms Hourigan told The Irish Times she could make a “ very compelling case that CETA will damage the Irish economy and particularly the agriculture sector.
” She said there are “ significant concerns ” about the issue elsewhere in the Green parliamentary party .
The Dublin Central TD argued there was no time pressure on Ireland to ratify the trade deal , with other countries still to do so .
“ I want to listen to the debate from other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Green Party spokesman confirmed it would be seeking the postponement until January in order to “ provide for fuller public debate on the matter ” .
He confirmed also that Green members of cabinet had signed off on the deal ’ s inclusion on the Dáil ’ s work schedule .

Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan says she does not think the CETA deal is compatible with the Programme for Government. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
A contentious vote on an EU-Canada free trade deal will be deferred until the New Year after two Green Party TDs indicated they would not vote with the Government on the issue.
The Green Party sought a postponment of a planned debate and vote on the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement, known as CETA, which had been due to go ahead on Tuesday - despite Green cabinet ministers agreeing to support the deal last month.
A Government spokesman said on Monday night that the leaders of the coalition parties had discussed the issue and “reiterated their support for ratification”, but had decided to reschedule the vote to January to allow for a “longer and more considered debate”.
While the immediate political threat has been defused, the issue has drawn attention to tensions within the Green Party and the wider coalition.
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The two Green TDs, Dublin Central's Neasa Hourigan and Dublin South-Central Patrick Costello, argued that the Greens rejected the inclusion of the deal in the Programme for Government.
“I can’t support the ratification of CETA - it was expressly rejected during negotiations. To bring it back now undermines the entire process and the entire Programme for Government,” Mr Costello told The Irish Times.
Ms Hourigan told the party over the weekend that she would not vote in favour of the scheduled Government motion to ratify the trade deal with Canada. She criticised Green members of cabinet for agreeing that the issue be put to a Dail vote when it was discussed by the Government at the end of November.
“I have no understanding of how Green members of Cabinet allowed this onto the Dáil schedule,” she said. Green Party MEP’s Ciaran Cuffe and Grace O’Sullivan also wrote to party leader Eamon Ryan on Monday morning, asking him to defer the vote scheduled for Tuesday so the Greens could discuss it at their parliamentary meeting.
The issue was discussed at the Green Party parliamentary party meeting on Monday evening. Some party sources said the meeting was “cordial”, however other sources strongly disputed this characterisation. The Green Party has argued that CETA could have a significant negative impact on Irish agriculture and business and that it “puts the interests of multi-nationals ahead of sustainable indigenous business”. Senior party figures, including leader Eamon Ryan, spoke against aspects of the deal when in opposition.
Ms Hourigan said the inclusion of the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement, known as CETA, in the Programme for Government had been resisted during negotiations.
Ms Hourigan told The Irish Times she could make a “very compelling case that CETA will damage the Irish economy and particularly the agriculture sector.” She said there are “significant concerns” about the issue elsewhere in the Green parliamentary party.
It is understood that Fine Gael’s view is that the Programme for Government allows for the ratification of the trade deal as it says the Government will “support new and existing EU trade deals”. Fine Gael sources also pointed to support for the Dail motion from Green party cabinet ministers.
While CETA is not referred to by name in the programme, it states that the Government will “firmly defend Ireland’s interests in international trade deals that may emerge”, and separately that it will “support new and existing EU trade deals to expand Ireland’s export options into new markets”.
The Dublin Central TD argued there was no time pressure on Ireland to ratify the trade deal, with other countries still to do so. "I want to listen to the debate from other countries before the Irish Government ratifies it".
What is CETA ?
The CETA - the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) - is a trade deal agreed between the EU and Canada, negotiated over eight years. It enters into force provisionally in September 2017 - meaning most of its terms now apply - but has still to be approved by EU national parliaments.
Like most trade agreements, one of the central parts of the agreement is the elimination of tariffs, or import duties, on trade going both direction, increasing opportunities for exporters.
It also provides for mutual recognition of certification in professions such as accountancy, architecture and engineering.
The EU says that the deal will boost trade and create jobs, make it easier for EU firms to invest in Canada and open up public procurement contracts.
The Government position is that Ireland stands to benefit as an exporting country, already selling around €1.35 billion in the Canadian market each year.
Opponents of the deal argue that it is too favourable to big multinational companies and does not take sufficient account of concerns in key areas such as the environment and employee rights.
A key point of contention is the so-called Investor Court System, which allows companies to sue national governments via a special arbitration system if they feel government regulation has unfairly hit their profits.
Some Opposition parties say that companies can use this to drive down employee rights and other social protections.
There are concerns in the Green Party that companies could also use it to try to circumvent environmental legislation.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Smyths Toys to give boy who suffered head injury €30,000

A 13-year-old schoolboy will have to wait for five years before a very special €30,000 “ present ” is dropped into his Christmas stocking .
Judge John O ’ Connor heard in the Circuit Civil Court that Smyths Toys , the leading retailer of children ’ s birthday and Christmas presents , had agreed to give Declan Maguire the €30,000 compensation for an injury he suffered in the company ’ s Blanchardstown Store .
Barrister Patrick O ’ Brien , counsel for Declan , of Rossan Court , Waterville , Blanchardstown , Dublin 15 , told the judge that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Margaret Maguire , what Santa might bring him on Christmas 2015 .
“ While they were in the store at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre another child , not connected with Declan or his mum , accidentally dislodged a metal scooter from an overhead shelf and it struck Declan on the head , ” Mr O ’ Brien said .
Mr O ’ Brien , who appeared for Declan and his mum with Rory Quigley Solicitors , told the court the boy was only eight at the time and had to be taken to Temple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head wound had to be glued by staff in the emergency department before they discharged him and gave him painkillers .
The judge heard Declan had afterwards suffered with headaches and post-traumatic migraines and it had been stated in a 2018 medical report that he had also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder .
“ The teenager has made a full recovery and has been left with quite a small scar on his forehead , ” Mr O ’ Brien said .
The judge , who was told that Smyths Toys , which has its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a settlement offer of €30,000 which the boy ’ s legal team was recommending to the court .
The judge , approving what he described as a very good settlement , directed that the money be paid into court until Declan is 18 on November 11th , 2025 – a little more than six weeks before Christmas of that year .

The teenager will receive settlement on November 11th, 2025, when he turns 18, just in time for Christmas. File photograph: iStock
A 13-year-old schoolboy will have to wait for five years before a very special €30,000 “present” is dropped into his Christmas stocking.
Judge John O'Connor heard in the Circuit Civil Court that Smyths Toys, the leading retailer of children's birthday and Christmas presents, had agreed to give Declan Maguire the €30,000 compensation for an injury he suffered in the company's Blanchardstown Store.
Barrister Patrick O'Brien, counsel for Declan, of Rossan Court, Waterville, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, told the judge that the boy was examining, with his mother Margaret Maguire, what Santa might bring him on Christmas 2015.
“While they were in the store at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre another child, not connected with Declan or his mum, accidentally dislodged a metal scooter from an overhead shelf and it struck Declan on the head,” Mr O’Brien said.
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Mr O’Brien, who appeared for Declan and his mum with Rory Quigley Solicitors, told the court the boy was only eight at the time and had to be taken to Temple Street children’s hospital where a head wound had to be glued by staff in the emergency department before they discharged him and gave him painkillers.
The judge heard Declan had afterwards suffered with headaches and post-traumatic migraines and it had been stated in a 2018 medical report that he had also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The teenager has made a full recovery and has been left with quite a small scar on his forehead,” Mr O’Brien said.
The judge, who was told that Smyths Toys, which has its registered head office in Galway, had made a settlement offer of €30,000 which the boy’s legal team was recommending to the court.
The judge, approving what he described as a very good settlement, directed that the money be paid into court until Declan is 18 on November 11th, 2025 – a little more than six weeks before Christmas of that year.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Girl sues after screw gets embedded in foot at National Aquatic Centre

A large screw nail became embedded in the sole of an eight-year-old girl ’ s foot as she walked alongside the swimming pool in the National Aquatic Centre , a judge has heard .
Rory O ’ Reilly , counsel for Lara Claudia Patras , who is now aged 10 , told the Circuit Civil Court that staff at the accident and emergency department of Temple Street Children ’ s Hospital had removed the screw after administering a local anaesthetic .
Mr O ’ Reilly , who appeared with Gary Matthews Solicitors , said Lara had been playing on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she was walking around it she had stepped on the screw , causing pain and bleeding .
Judge John O ’ Connor heard that the screw nail penetrated the sole of Lara ’ s right foot and she had been unable to walk .
First aid was applied to her foot before she had been brought to the hospital .
The screw had been removed and the wound dressed before she had been discharged .
Lara sued NSCDA Operations Limited , Blanchardstown , Dublin , through her father Catalin Patras , Capel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had made a settlement offer €19,283 which Mr O ’ Reilly recommended to the court .
Judge O ’ Connor , who inspected a small scar on the sole of Lara ’ s foot , said he thought the defendant had made a good offer and approved the settlement .
Lara had made a quick recovery

The court heard Lara had been playing on a slide close to the swimming pool at the National Aquatic Centre and as she was walking around it she had stepped on the screw. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
A large screw nail became embedded in the sole of an eight-year-old girl's foot as she walked alongside the swimming pool in the National Aquatic Centre, a judge has heard.
Rory O’Reilly, counsel for Lara Claudia Patras, who is now aged 10, told the Circuit Civil Court that staff at the accident and emergency department of Temple Street Children’s Hospital had removed the screw after administering a local anaesthetic.
Mr O’Reilly, who appeared with Gary Matthews Solicitors, said Lara had been playing on a slide close to the swimming pool and as she was walking around it she had stepped on the screw, causing pain and bleeding.
Judge John O’Connor heard that the screw nail penetrated the sole of Lara’s right foot and she had been unable to walk. First aid was applied to her foot before she had been brought to the hospital. The screw had been removed and the wound dressed before she had been discharged.
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Lara sued NSCDA Operations Limited, Blanchardstown, Dublin, through her father Catalin Patras, Capel Street, Dublin 1. The defendant had made a settlement offer €19,283 which Mr O’Reilly recommended to the court.
Judge O’Connor, who inspected a small scar on the sole of Lara’s foot, said he thought the defendant had made a good offer and approved the settlement. Lara had made a quick recovery


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Seven pupils turn up to school affected by Covid-19 after department ordered it to reopen

Only seven out of 125 students turned up for classes Monday morning at a coronavirus affected primary school which was instructed to remain open against the wishes of the school authorities .
As Mark Loftus , principal of Claremorris Boys National School in Co Mayo is in isolation , permanent teacher Elaine O ’ Malley has taken over as acting principal .
Ms O ’ Malley told The Irish Times the school will be remaining open until the Christmas break as ordered , by the Department of Education .
The school informed parents on Thursday night it was to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 5th due to a dozen cases of coronavirus among its pupils .
However , department officials contacted the school on Friday afternoon to say it could not close because public health authorities had not authorised such a move .
Ms O ’ Malley described the instruction by the department as “ disappointing ” .
“ The principal and the board of management took the decision to close in the best interests of pupils , their families and the community .
I feel it was the best decision , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school .
They know the situation .
They are here .
The decision to close was overturned by other people who are not here.
” Ms O ’ Malley stressed that the parents who sent their children to school were perfectly entitled to do so .
“ It ’ s up to everybody to make their own decision , whatever they think is right.
” As Ms O ’ Malley spoke she was interrupted by a well-wisher , Lucy Dsiurzynska , the mother of a former pupil , who turned up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school staff on duty .
“ The parents and the entire community appreciate what the school is doing and the stand it took ” , Ms Dsiurzynska said .
“ The principal ( Mr Loftus ) made a wise decision to close ” , she continued .
“ There are a lot of cases in Claremorris now .
They ( the Department of Education ) should listen to the principal .
He doesn ’ t want any more people to get sick ” .
On local radio at the weekend , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their child at home would have his full support and that online learning would be made available .
Mr Loftus said the school was “ reluctantly ” reopening to acknowledge the department directive but pledged he would support any decision of parents to keep their children at home until after the Christmas holidays .
He said the insistence of the department that the school should remain open was very frustrating .
He indicated he had massive support on his stand from parents and school boards of managements around the country .
Mr Loftus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole lot of sense ” that 100 people would not be allowed in a vast space like Croke Park but it was expected that 125 pupils could go into a classroom situation where there is Covid-19 present .
On Saturday , the school website reported that as of November 22nd up to Saturday ( December 12th ) a total of 16 people attending the school have tested positive , 13 per cent of the total enrolment .
On Monday morning , Mr Loftus questioned the autonomy of the boards of management in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaking on RTÉ ’ s Claire Byrne show he said the situation was that the board of management of the school had to report to the Minister of Education .
The majority of members of the board were not involved in education , they were volunteers , but they still ended up being legally responsible for the school .
Mr Loftus said that while the right to life and the right to education were important , so too was the right to feel safe in school .
“ We want to minimise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our wider community.
” If there was an emergency situation where there was no heat or power in the school , then the board of management would have the authority to make a decision to close , he said .
This situation highlighted the autonomy that boards of management have , he said .
“ The system needs to be reformed , ” he urged .

Acting principal Elaine O’Malley described the instruction by the department as ‘disappointing’. Photograph: iStock
Only seven out of 125 students turned up for classes Monday morning at a coronavirus affected primary school which was instructed to remain open against the wishes of the school authorities.
As Mark Loftus, principal of Claremorris Boys National School in Co Mayo is in isolation, permanent teacher Elaine O'Malley has taken over as acting principal.
Ms O’Malley told The Irish Times the school will be remaining open until the Christmas break as ordered, by the Department of Education.
The school informed parents last Thursday night it was to close the following day until January 5th due to a dozen cases of Covid-19 among its pupils.
READ MORE
However, department officials contacted the school on Friday afternoon to say it could not close because public health authorities had not authorised such a move.
Ms O’Malley described the instruction by the department as “disappointing”.
“The principal and the board of management took the decision to close in the best interests of pupils, their families and the community. I feel it was the best decision,” she said.
“They are the people who know the school. They know the situation. They are here. The decision to close was overturned by other people who are not here.”
Ms O’Malley stressed that the parents who sent their children to school were perfectly entitled to do so.
“It’s up to everybody to make their own decision, whatever they think is right.”
As Ms O’Malley spoke she was interrupted by Lucy Dsiurzynska, the mother of a former pupil, who turned up with a gift of a cream cake for the school staff on duty. “The parents and the entire community appreciate what the school is doing and the stand it took,” Ms Dsiurzynska said.
“The principal (Mr Loftus) made a wise decision to close,” she said. “There are a lot of cases in Claremorris now. They (the Department of Education) should listen to the principal. He doesn’t want any more people to get sick”.
On local radio at the weekend, Mr Loftus said parents who wished to keep their child at home would have his full support and that online learning would be made available.
Mr Loftus said the school was “reluctantly” reopening to acknowledge the department directive but pledged he would support any decision of parents to keep their children at home until after the Christmas holidays.
He said the insistence of the department that the school should remain open was very frustrating.
He indicated he had massive support on his stand from parents and school boards of managements around the country.
Mr Loftus said it didn’t “make a whole lot of sense” that 100 people would not be allowed in a vast space like Croke Park but it was expected that 125 pupils could go into a classroom situation where there is Covid-19 present.
On Saturday, the school website reported that as of November 22nd up to last Saturda, December 12th, 16 people attending the school have tested positive, 13 per cent of the total enrolment.
Board of management autonomy
On Monday morning, Mr Loftus questioned the autonomy of the boards of management in schools to make decisions for community good.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne show he said the situation was that the board of management of the school had to report to the Minister of Education. The majority of members of the board were not involved in education, they were volunteers, but they still ended up being legally responsible for the school.
Mr Loftus said that while the right to life and the right to education were important, so too was the right to feel safe in school. “We want to minimise the crisis in our school and in our wider community.”
If there was an emergency situation where there was no heat or power in the school, then the board of management would have the authority to make a decision to close, he said. This situation highlighted the autonomy that boards of management have, he said. “The system needs to be reformed,” he urged.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Covid-19 vaccine rollout expected to begin first week of January, says Martin

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will begin in the Republic the week after it is approved by the European regulator .
Mr Martin said the Government wanted to be in a position to begin the rollout “ within days ” of the vaccine ’ s expected approval by European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) on December 29th .
He said that although there would be limited quantities of the vaccine in January and February , there would be enough for priority cases .
Greater quantities of the vaccine will become available in March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on stream and manufacturing around the world is increased .
There will be a staged timeline approach depending on availability , he said .
Speaking on RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland , Mr Martin said he was concerned about the recent rise in coronavirus cases and he warned “ we can not let our guard down ” .
A further one death and 429 new cases of coronavirus were reported by Department of Health on Sunday .
There has now been a total of 76,185 confirmed cases of the virus and 2,124 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just because there was now a vaccine available did not mean that the public should not adhere to public health measures , Mr Martin said .
If numbers continued to rise then further restrictions could be introduced in January .
People needed to be very careful about their contacts in the run-up to Christmas , he said .
The vaccine would be a complementary tool to enhance public health measures and would “ add significantly to our armoury in putting pressure on this virus ” , he said .
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government will announce plans on Tuesday on how it will be administered , he said .
Public health teams and doctors , along with GPs and pharmacists , will be involved in administering the vaccine .
A second vaccine , created by US company Moderna , is expected to approved by the EMA on January 12th , Mr Martin said .
The optimal period for a vaccination programme will be May and June , he said .
Meanwhile , Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said that there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine in nursing homes and among healthcare workers in January .
When asked about vaccinating third level students before they returned home for the Christmas holiday , Mr Harris told RTÉ ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show there was no particular reason why third level students needed to be vaccinated after the college term ends .
The advice for students was the same as for everyone else and while the University of Limerick had started offering antigen tests to students , he said there would be no mass screening of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the bulk ” of third level students were working remotely online under Level 3 restrictions .
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn on Monday said a vaccine would not have any positive impact on Covid-19 for months to come .
“ As we face into Christmas and the New Year , there are many reasons for hope , ” he said on Twitter .
“ Through people ’ s collective efforts we have avoided to the greatest extent possible the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had across Europe over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not through this yet .
“ This virus doesn ’ t care that we have done well recently .
It doesn ’ t care that we are tired or that we are desperate to see our families and friends .
It is no less dangerous now than it was last March.
” Dr Glynn said in a statement on Sunday , the State was “ on the cusp ” of deploying at least two Covid-19 vaccines but concerns remained around ensuring sufficient numbers of people take up the option of getting vaccinated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority have already decided that they will definitely ( 45 per cent ) or probably ( 28 per cent ) take the vaccine when it is offered to them while .
At the other end of the spectrum , a small – but vocal – minority ( 5 per cent ) absolutely will not take it.
” He moved to reassure people that there were no concerns in relation to safety of the vaccine in spite of the speed at which things were happening .
Dr Glynn said the “ enormous levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The high number of Covid-19 cases had helped trials quickly measure differences in risk between those who received the vaccine and those who got the placebo .
Finally , several processes that usually happen after each other had been carried out in parallel .
The State ’ s vaccine taskforce report on the roll out of the vaccine is expected to be published on Tuesday .
GPs seeing increase in patients with virus symptoms Dr Mary Favier , Covid-19 lead for the Irish College of General Practitioners ( ICGP ) , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of patients coming to them with coronavirus symptoms in recent days .
She told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show the continued high numbers in the Border counties were of particular concern .
However , she was also worried about high numbers in counties Kilkenny and Limerick and there was no county about which she was not concerned .
She called on the public to maintain public health measures and to think carefully before meeting up with people in the run up to Christmas .
There was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was intergenerational mixing .
Families needed to be careful , Dr Favier added .
People needed to think carefully before meeting , she cautioned .
Factors that should be considered were – could they meet outside , could they meet for less time than 15 minutes and that they should wear masks .
“ This is the last few laps of the pitch , the last few miles of the marathon .
Keep up your guard .
”

Dr Lorraine Nolan, chief executive, Health Products Regulatory Authority, and Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, Department of Health, at a Covid -19 update press conference at the Department of Health. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
There will be no “lowering of the bar” in the approvals process for new Covid-19 vaccines, the head of Ireland’s drugs regulator has said.
No regulatory body, here or abroad, will make the new vaccines available “without having full confidence that they are safe and that they work,” Dr Lorraine Nolan, chief executive of the Health Products Regulatory Authority told a National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) briefing on Monday.
The deaths of a further two patients with Covid-19 were reported by Nphet. This brings to 2,126 the total number of deaths in the pandemic.
Another 264 confirmed cases of the disease was also reported, bringing the total number of cases to 76,449 in the Republic.
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With the five-day moving average increasing to 312 cases a day compared to 258 last Thursday, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said there had been a change in the pattern of transmission of the virus, with an uptick in numbers.
Nphet’s basic messages remained that people should plan ahead for Christmas, limit their social interactions, and choose between what activities were possible rather than trying to do them all, he emphasised. People can still influence the course of the infection by limiting their contacts.
Dr Nolan told the briefing: “All vaccine applications will be reviewed just as carefully and as rigorously as for any other medicine. We will be led by the evidence and by the science. That is the backbone of any regulatory system.”
Acknowledging there is concern about the pace at which vaccines are being developed, she stressed that many factors have come together at the same time to enable this to happen.
These included huge public and private investment, the lessons learned dealing with Zika and Ebola viruses, the early publication of the genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, and the fact that some of newer-type vaccines can be produced much faster than traditional vaccines.
And while the regulatory process was being accelerated, this would not compromise the “detailed and thorough nature of scientific scrutiny”.
Asked if the UK had lowered the bar through its earlier approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, she said it had used a different, emergency regulatory process which was “more limited” and which may have reflected the epidemiology of the disease there.
UK strain
Asked about a new variant of the virus identified in the UK, assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said very little information was available about this at the moment and it was too early to say if this variant has any effect on the immune response.
Of the new cases, 79 are in Dublin, 24 in Donegal, 19 in Kerry, 18 in Limerick, 14 in Kildare, 14 in Wexford and the remaining 96 in 16 other counties.
On Monday afternoon, there were 215 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 33 in ICU. There were 17 additional hospitalisations in the previous 24 hours.
The national incidence of the disease is now 83.4 cases per 100,000 over the past 14 days. Donegal, with an incidence of 225.5, has the highest county incidence, followed by Kilkenny and Louth.
Leitrim has the lowest incidence, at 25, with eight new cases over the past 14 days.
So far this month, there have been 38 deaths of Covid-19 patients, compared to 122 in October and 148 in November.
He again expressed concern about people travelling to Ireland from other countries over Christmas, as many European countries are currently experiencing their highest incidence of Covid-19 at present.
In contrast, Ireland has the lowest incidence in the EU and the second-lowest death rate.
Asked if it will be safe for Santa to visit homes this Christmas, the chief medical officer said it would.
Santa would take all the necessary safety measures so it would be safe for him to visit children “who are good and those doing their homework and helping around the house and not fighting with their sisters and brothers”.
“The important thing for kids to do now is to write their letters, keep doing their homework and Santa can come,” said Dr Holohan.
Vaccine distribution
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine would begin in the Republic the week after it is approved by the European regulator.
Mr Martin said the Government wanted to be in a position to begin the rollout "within days" of the vaccine's expected approval by European Medicines Agency (EMA) on December 29th.
He said that although there would be limited quantities of the vaccine in January and February, there would be enough for priority cases.
Greater quantities of the vaccine will become available in March, April and May as further vaccines come on stream and manufacturing around the world is increased. There will be a staged timeline approach depending on availability, he said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said he was concerned about the recent rise in coronavirus cases and he warned "we cannot let our guard down".
Just because there was now a vaccine available did not mean that the public should not adhere to public health measures, Mr Martin said. If numbers continued to rise then further restrictions could be introduced in January. People needed to be very careful about their contacts in the run-up to Christmas, he said.
The vaccine would be a complementary tool to enhance public health measures and would “add significantly to our armoury in putting pressure on this virus”, he said.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will have to be carefully handled and the Government will announce plans on Tuesday on how it will be administered, he said. Public health teams and doctors, along with GPs and pharmacists, will be involved in administering the vaccine.
A second vaccine, created by US company Moderna, is expected to approved by the EMA on January 12th, Mr Martin said.
The optimal period for a vaccination programme will be May and June, he said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said that there will be “quick movement” to roll out the vaccine in nursing homes and among healthcare workers in January.
When asked about vaccinating third level students before they returned home for the Christmas holiday, Mr Harris told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne show there was no particular reason why third level students needed to be vaccinated after the college term ends.
The advice for students was the same as for everyone else and while the University of Limerick had started offering antigen tests to students, he said there would be no mass screening of students.
Mr Harris also pointed out that “the bulk” of third level students were working remotely online under Level 3 restrictions.
No impact for months
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn on Monday said a vaccine would not have any positive impact on Covid-19 for months to come.
“As we face into Christmas and the New Year, there are many reasons for hope,” he said on Twitter.
“Through people’s collective efforts we have avoided to the greatest extent possible the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had across Europe over the past two months. But ... we are not through this yet.
“This virus doesn’t care that we have done well recently. It doesn’t care that we are tired or that we are desperate to see our families and friends. It is no less dangerous now than it was last March.”
Dr Glynn said in a statement on Sunday, the State was "on the cusp" of deploying at least two Covid-19 vaccines but concerns remained around ensuring sufficient numbers of people take up the option of getting vaccinated.
“Our research tells us that the majority have already decided that they will definitely (45 per cent) or probably (28 per cent) take the vaccine when it is offered to them while. At the other end of the spectrum, a small – but vocal – minority (5 per cent) absolutely will not take it.”
He moved to reassure people that there were no concerns in relation to safety of the vaccine in spite of the speed at which things were happening.
Dr Glynn said the “enormous levels of investment” had cut down the timeline. The high number of Covid-19 cases had helped trials quickly measure differences in risk between those who received the vaccine and those who got the placebo. Finally, several processes that usually happen after each other had been carried out in parallel.
The State’s vaccine taskforce report on the roll out of the vaccine is expected to be published on Tuesday.
GPs seeing increase in patients with virus symptoms
Dr Mary Favier, Covid-19 lead for the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), said GPs had been seeing an increase in the number of patients coming to them with coronavirus symptoms in recent days.
She told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show the continued high numbers in the Border counties were of particular concern. However, she was also worried about high numbers in counties Kilkenny and Limerick and there was no county about which she was not concerned.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--State’s first cost-rental scheme to provide 350 new homes by end of 2021

A new funding model to provide 350 homes by the end of next year , which will be available to rent for a minimum of 25 per cent below open market value , has been announced by Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien .
On Monday , Mr O ’ Brien issued a “ call for proposals ” for Ireland ’ s first cost-rental tenancies , called the Cost Rental Equity Loan ( CREL ) scheme , in which tenants pay rent that covers the cost of delivering , managing and maintaining the homes only .
The scheme will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” made available to approved housing bodies to cover up to 30 per cent of the development or acquisition cost of new cost-rental homes .
State assistance in securing financing will mean that Approved Housing Body ( AHB ) landlords can set lower cost-covering rents for cost rental tenants , the Department of Housing said .
It is expected the remaining development or acquisition costs for the homes will be met by long-term commercial loans from the Housing Finance Agency , which has confirmed it will make a corresponding €100 million available next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of €35 million has been made available for the scheme under Budget 2021 , forming part of a larger allocation of €468 million for all housing affordability measures .
The specific eligibility criteria for the scheme is currently being finalised , however , it is expected that the scheme is for individuals on a “ moderate income ” , who are above the income threshold for the affordable housing scheme .
A further 50 cost-rental homes are currently under construction in Enniskerry Road , south Dublin and will be ready for occupation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he intends to place the new cost-rental sector on a statutory footing , indicating that a Bill on affordable housing will be brought to government shortly .
He said AHBs have “ consistently demonstrated their capacity and expertise in developing and managing homes for the social housing sector ” .
“ This new scheme provides for an expanded role for the AHB sector , enabling it to support moderate-income households in need of quality , affordable homes .
”

State assistance in securing financing will mean that AHB landlords can set lower cost-covering rents for cost rental tenants. File photograph
A new funding model to provide 350 homes by the end of next year, which will be available to rent for a minimum of 25 per cent below open market value, has been announced by Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien.
On Monday, Mr O’Brien issued a “call for proposals” for Ireland’s first cost-rental tenancies, called the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, in which tenants pay rent that covers the cost of delivering, managing and maintaining the homes only.
The scheme will see long-term loans on “favourable terms” made available to approved housing bodies to cover up to 30 per cent of the development or acquisition cost of new cost-rental homes.
State assistance in securing financing will mean that Approved Housing Body (AHB) landlords can set lower cost-covering rents for cost rental tenants, the Department of Housing said.
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It is expected the remaining development or acquisition costs for the homes will be met by long-term commercial loans from the Housing Finance Agency, which has confirmed it will make a corresponding €100 million available next year for the scheme.
Government funding of €35 million has been made available for the scheme under Budget 2021, forming part of a larger allocation of €468 million for all housing affordability measures.
The specific eligibility criteria for the scheme is currently being finalised, however, it is expected that the scheme is for individuals on a “moderate income”, who are above the income threshold for the affordable housing scheme.
A further 50 cost-rental homes are currently under construction in Enniskerry Road, south Dublin and will be ready for occupation in mid-2021.
Minister O’Brien added that he intends to place the new cost-rental sector on a statutory footing, indicating that a Bill on affordable housing will be brought to government shortly.
He said AHBs have “consistently demonstrated their capacity and expertise in developing and managing homes for the social housing sector”.
“This new scheme provides for an expanded role for the AHB sector, enabling it to support moderate-income households in need of quality, affordable homes.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Bus Éireann announces significant service expansion in number of counties

Bus Éireann has announced a significant expansion of bus services in a number of areas , with 120 additional drivers to be hired by the company .
Bus services in Cork city centre will be increased , as well as more frequent services in Navan town , Co Meath , Drogheda , Co Louth , Limerick city , and counties Clare and Tipperary .
The development has been described by the semi-State transport company as the “ most significant single enhancement of services in more than 15 years ” .
Recruitment for some of the new 120 bus drivers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 per cent of the new drivers hired to date .
This follows efforts in recent years by the company to encourage more women to apply for driver roles .
The funding for the increased services is provided by the National Transport Authority ( NTA ) , and was announced in the Government ’ s July stimulus plan .
The announcement comes three months after Bus Éireann announced it was suspending several intercity Expressway services due to financial pressure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic .
The Dublin-Belfast route was closed in November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspending Expressway services from Dublin to Cork , Galway and Limerick .
The new services announced on Monday , and increased frequency on existing routes , will amount to an extra three million kilometres of bus journeys nationwide per year .
The extra routes will include a full town service in Navan from the end of this week , up from one bus a day to two routes running every half hour , served by five buses .
A new cross city service will be rolled out in Cork linking Glanmire with Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services from Glanmire to the city centre increased to three buses an hour .
Portroe , Co Tipperary , will have a daily bus route to Limerick and Nenagh for the first time , with the existing service between Scarriff in Clare and Limerick to now include weekend buses .
Drogheda , Co Louth , is to see an extra two new routes with a combined 15 minute frequency , seven days a week , from December 20th .
Some residential areas not previously covered by bus routes will be linked to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service .
Other areas that will benefit from the improved services include Limerick city , west Clare , with commuter routes serving the greater Dublin area to see improved punctuality and reliability , Bus Éireann said .
Bus Éireann chief executive Stephen Kent said the improved services would help provide for “ more balanced regional development and growth ” in towns and cities .
He said this was more timely than ever “ as people consider new and more flexible ways of working and living , ” due to Covid-19 .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is very positive and we are delighted to see that more women are starting to see it as a career for them as well , ” he said .
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the extra bus routes “ will mean that public transport will be a viable option for more people outside Dublin than ever before ” .
NTA chief executive Anne Graham said each of the new routes had been “ carefully considered and created to meet either increased demand or to address gaps in existing services ” .

The development has been described by the semi-State company as the ‘most significant single enhancement of services in more than 15 years’. File photograph: Aidan Crawley
Bus Éireann has announced a significant expansion of bus services in a number of areas, with 120 additional drivers to be hired by the company.
Bus services in Cork city centre will be increased, as well as more frequent services in Navan town, Co Meath, Drogheda, Co Louth, Limerick city, and counties Clare and Tipperary.
The development has been described by the semi-State transport company as the “most significant single enhancement of services in more than 15 years”.
Recruitment for some of the new 120 bus drivers is still ongoing, and women make up 15 per cent of the new drivers hired to date. This follows efforts in recent years by the company to encourage more women to apply for driver roles.
READ MORE
The funding for the increased services is provided by the National Transport Authority (NTA), and was announced in the Government's July stimulus plan.
The announcement comes three months after Bus Éireann announced it was suspending several intercity Expressway services due to financial pressure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Dublin-Belfast route was closed in November, while the company said it was also suspending Expressway services from Dublin to Cork, Galway and Limerick.
The new services announced on Monday, and increased frequency on existing routes, will amount to an extra three million kilometres of bus journeys nationwide per year.
The extra routes will include a full town service in Navan from the end of this week, up from one bus a day to two routes running every half hour, served by five buses.
A new cross city service will be rolled out in Cork linking Glanmire with Cork University Hospital, with the frequency of services from Glanmire to the city centre increased to three buses an hour.
Portroe, Co Tipperary, will have a daily bus route to Limerick and Nenagh for the first time, with the existing service between Scarriff in Clare and Limerick to now include weekend buses.
Drogheda, Co Louth, is to see an extra two new routes with a combined 15 minute frequency, seven days a week, from December 20th. Some residential areas not previously covered by bus routes will be linked to the town centre as part of the new service.
Other areas that will benefit from the improved services include Limerick city, west Clare, with commuter routes serving the greater Dublin area to see improved punctuality and reliability, Bus Éireann said.
Bus Éireann chief executive Stephen Kent said the improved services would help provide for "more balanced regional development and growth" in towns and cities.
He said this was more timely than ever “as people consider new and more flexible ways of working and living,” due to Covid-19.
“To be recruiting drivers nine months into a pandemic is very positive and we are delighted to see that more women are starting to see it as a career for them as well,” he said.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the extra bus routes "will mean that public transport will be a viable option for more people outside Dublin than ever before".
NTA chief executive Anne Graham said each of the new routes had been "carefully considered and created to meet either increased demand or to address gaps in existing services".


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Man executed for Cork murder 125 years ago may receive pardon

A report on the circumstances of a murder that took place in Co Cork 125 years ago could lead to posthumous pardon of the man who was executed for the crime .
Independent expert advice has been sought into the case of John Twiss who was hanged in Cork County Jail on February 9th , 1895 , for the murder on April 21st , 1894 , of James Donovan , caretaker of a farm at Glenlara near Newmarket , Co Cork , where the tenants had been evicted .
Mr Twiss , who lived in Cordal , near Castleisland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been innocent of the murder .
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she expected to receive the report shortly on “ the safety , or otherwise , of the conviction ” , from UCD associate professor Niamh Howlin , an expert on 19th-century trial law .
Following an initial consideration of the case Department of Justice officials believed the conviction “ might be considered unsafe ” .
The Minister made the comments in a response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin .
The Kerry TD brought the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign by the Michael O ’ Donoghue Memorial Heritage Project , a Castleisland-based organisation “ which has been trying for a long time along with his relatives to have him exonerated ” .
Mr Griffin said the BBC did a documentary on the case “ and got barristers and solicitors to look at the defence and prosecution and they found it was an unsafe conviction .
It was practically impossible for him to have been at the scene on the night.
” He said he brought the case to Mr Flanagan after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Myles Joyce one of three Connemara men hanged for the murder of a family of five , also called Joyce , in their home in Maamtrasna on the Galway/Mayo border in 1882 .
Only four presidential pardons have been awarded since 1937 , and the Maamtrasna case was the first where a pardon was issued for an offence that occurred before the State ’ s foundation .
Mr Griffin said that “ when John Twiss went to the gallows , he swore on his dying breath that he was innocent ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was conducted in English and he didn ’ t speak English so there wasn ’ t a proper defence conducted.
” For Mr Twiss ’ s great-grandniece and great-grandnephew Helen O ’ Connor and Denis Sayers “ it ’ s a matter of great injustice ” , said Mr Griffin .
“ This is a wrong they want to see righted.
” Ms McEntee said work on the report is largely completed “ save for some issues which will involve accessing the National Archives once they are open again ” .
The Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if a pardon is recommended she will bring that to Government for approval .
It would then go to President Michael D Higgins to decide following advice of Government that a pardon should be granted .

Depiction of John Twiss in the dock, taken from an edition of the Kerryman in January 1956. Image: Michael O’Donoghue Memorial Heritage Project/Kerryman.
A report on the circumstances of a murder that took place in Co Cork 125 years ago could lead to posthumous pardon of the man who was executed for the crime.
Independent expert advice has been sought into the case of John Twiss who was hanged in Cork County Jail on February 9th, 1895, for the murder on April 21st, 1894, of James Donovan, caretaker of a farm at Glenlara near Newmarket, Co Cork, where the tenants had been evicted.
Mr Twiss, who lived in Cordal, near Castleisland, Co Kerry, was widely believed to have been innocent of the murder.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she expected to receive the report shortly on “the safety, or otherwise, of the conviction”, from UCD associate professor Niamh Howlin, an expert on 19th-century trial law.
READ MORE
Following an initial consideration of the case Department of Justice officials believed the conviction "might be considered unsafe". The Minister made the comments in a response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin.
The Kerry TD brought the case to then minister Charlie Flanagan following a campaign by the Michael O'Donoghue Memorial Heritage Project, a Castleisland-based organisation "which has been trying for a long time along with his relatives to have him exonerated".
Mr Griffin said the BBC did a documentary on the case “and got barristers and solicitors to look at the defence and prosecution and they found it was an unsafe conviction. It was practically impossible for him to have been at the scene on the night.”
He said he brought the case to Mr Flanagan after a presidential pardon was granted in 2018 to Myles Joyce one of three Connemara men hanged for the murder of a family of five, also called Joyce, in their home in Maamtrasna on the Galway/Mayo border in 1882.
Only four presidential pardons have been awarded since 1937, and the Maamtrasna case was the first where a pardon was issued for an offence that occurred before the State’s foundation.
Mr Griffin said that “when John Twiss went to the gallows, he swore on his dying breath that he was innocent”.
He added: “John’s case was conducted in English and he didn’t speak English so there wasn’t a proper defence conducted.”
For Mr Twiss’s great-grandniece and great-grandnephew Helen O’Connor and Denis Sayers “it’s a matter of great injustice”, said Mr Griffin. “This is a wrong they want to see righted.”
Ms McEntee said work on the report is largely completed “save for some issues which will involve accessing the National Archives once they are open again”.
The Minister said she would consider the report and if a pardon is recommended she will bring that to Government for approval. It would then go to President Michael D Higgins to decide following advice of Government that a pardon should be granted.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Medical cannabis patients need no longer travel to Netherlands for medication

Patients who are prescribed medical cannabis products will no longer need to travel to the Netherlands to collect their medication , the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said .
A delivery service from the Netherlands to Ireland to assist patients of licensed clinicians in obtaining their prescribed cannabis products , which was established in April 2020 on a temporary basis due to the Covid-19 restrictions on travel , is now to be made permanent .
The Department of Health said on Sunday that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic , patients or their family members travelled to the Netherlands to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said authorities in the Netherlands have forbidden the commercial export of cannabis oils but will allow the filling of individual prescriptions from EU states .
Mr Donnelly said that many patients and their families had shared stories with him and Department of Health officials about how the initiative had made a huge improvement to their lives .
“ They spoke about the stress of having to travel regularly and the associated health risks with that , as well as their concerns that they would run out of their medication.
” “ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a thing of the past for them .
There will no longer be a need for them to travel abroad in order to collect their prescribed cannabis products .
Instead , they can focus on their health and wellbeing .
The welfare of patients and their families comes first and I am happy to reassure them that they will no longer have to personally source their prescriptions.
” The Minister said that officials in the Department of Health would finalise the arrangements in respect of how the collection and delivery service would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .

Dutch authorities have forbidden the commercial export of cannabis oils but will allow the filling of individual prescriptions from EU states. Photograph: iStock
Patients who are prescribed medical cannabis products will no longer need to travel to the Netherlands to collect their medication, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.
A delivery service from the Netherlands to Ireland to assist patients of licensed clinicians in obtaining their prescribed cannabis products, which was established in April 2020 on a temporary basis due to the Covid-19 restrictions on travel, is now to be made permanent.
The Department of Health said on Sunday that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, patients or their family members travelled to the Netherlands to collect their medical cannabis prescriptions. It said authorities in the Netherlands have forbidden the commercial export of cannabis oils but will allow the filling of individual prescriptions from EU states.
Mr Donnelly said that many patients and their families had shared stories with him and Department of Health officials about how the initiative had made a huge improvement to their lives.
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“They spoke about the stress of having to travel regularly and the associated health risks with that, as well as their concerns that they would run out of their medication.”
“I am so pleased that these problems will now be a thing of the past for them. There will no longer be a need for them to travel abroad in order to collect their prescribed cannabis products. Instead, they can focus on their health and wellbeing. The welfare of patients and their families comes first and I am happy to reassure them that they will no longer have to personally source their prescriptions.”
The Minister said that officials in the Department of Health would finalise the arrangements in respect of how the collection and delivery service would work on a permanent basis into the future.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Covid-19 tests Q&A: No test can tell whether you are infectious or not

I see lots of private firms offering Covid-19 tests these days .
Are these a good idea ?
If you have symptoms , you need to contact your GP and arrange a test from the Health Service Executive .
This is free and you should receive the results within a few days ; you are required to self-isolate during this period .
In the well population there is a growing demand for Covid tests for reassurance .
Some people might be visiting older relatives over Christmas , for instance , and would like to be sure they are not infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to pay for private testing , despite the cost – the standard test typically costs €129-€149 .
Does this mean I can go visit the family over Christmas with peace of mind , once I have a negative test ?
No , things are more complicated than that .
For a start , no test can tell whether you are infectious or not .
People with Covid-19 seem to be most infectious just before they start showing symptoms .
The standard PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) test can pick up genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were or are infected , but the result is valid only at the point in time the test was taken .
You might have a new infection that was not picked up in the test , or you could become infected some time after the test .
There seem to be lots of different types of tests out there .
Which is the best ?
The PCR test is regarded as the gold standard of Covid-19 testing , and is used by the HSE in hospitals and community testing .
But , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there can be false positives and false negatives ; that ’ s why anyone with symptoms is told to stay at home even if they get a negative test result until the symptoms are gone for 48 hours , or why contacts have to restrict their movements for 14 days even if they get a negative result .
PCR is also the most expensive type of test .
Increasingly , various forms of rapid tests are being developed that give results in hours or minutes .
Antibody tests will tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past , but not whether you are currently infected , so they have no relevance in this context .
Antigen tests detect specific proteins from the virus , are cheap to run and give rapid results .
They can be done at the point of care , whereas PCR tests have to be processed in the lab .
They work best in people with high viral load , who are within days of showing symptoms .
But for people with early infections , or where the sample was not taken properly , false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuracy is lower than for PCR technology .
What if I pay privately for a test and it comes back positive ?
Ouch !
First , you have to self-isolate .
Then you need to contact your GP and to do so urgently if your symptoms demand it .
What do our public-health officials say about private tests done for reassurance ?
They ’ re not in favour .
“ We would not advise that as a protective measure , ” assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said last week , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good as the context in which it is taken ” .
Dr Glynn told a National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) briefing that if people want to protect their families or meet people with underlying conditions there are “ many other avenues ” available to them .
By this he meant limiting their contacts , staying at home if unwell and deploying the other public-health measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing .
Dr Philip Nolan , chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling advisory group , said at the weekend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself you don ’ t have Covid is pretty much useless as a way of reducing the risk ” and he strongly discouraged it .
He said if a person does not have symptoms and gets one of these tests “ the risk of a false negative test is too high and if you ’ re reassured by a false negative test – in other words you have the virus but it ’ s not fully expressed in your system – you are then assured that you ’ re healthy but in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a pretty dangerous position to be in ” .
The Government says passengers arriving from a region classified orange under the European Union ’ s traffic-light system should restrict their movement for 14 days unless they have a negative result from a PCR test within three days of their day of departure .
Passengers arriving from a red region are asked to restrict their movements for 14 days but this can end early if they have a negative result from a PCR test taken at least five days after arrival in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your negative test result to be returned before ending the period of restriction .

The PCR test is regarded as the gold standard of Covid-19 testing, and is used by the HSE in hospitals and community testing but can return false positives and false negatives. Photograph: Alan Betson
I see lots of private firms offering Covid-19 tests these days. Are these a good idea?
If you have symptoms, you need to contact your GP and arrange a test from the Health Service Executive. This is free and you should receive the results within a few days; you are required to self-isolate during this period.
In the well population there is a growing demand for Covid tests for reassurance. Some people might be visiting older relatives over Christmas, for instance, and would like to be sure they are not infectious. It seems an increasing number are prepared to pay for private testing, despite the cost – the standard test typically costs €129-€149.
Does this mean I can go visit the family over Christmas with peace of mind, once I have a negative test?
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No, things are more complicated than that. For a start, no test can tell whether you are infectious or not. People with Covid-19 seem to be most infectious just before they start showing symptoms.
The standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test can pick up genetic strands of Covid-19, indicating that you were or are infected, but the result is valid only at the point in time the test was taken. You might have a new infection that was not picked up in the test, or you could become infected some time after the test.
There seem to be lots of different types of tests out there. Which is the best?
The PCR test is regarded as the gold standard of Covid-19 testing, and is used by the HSE in hospitals and community testing. But, like any test, it is not perfect, and there can be false positives and false negatives; that’s why anyone with symptoms is told to stay at home even if they get a negative test result until the symptoms are gone for 48 hours, or why contacts have to restrict their movements for 14 days even if they get a negative result.
PCR is also the most expensive type of test.
Increasingly, various forms of rapid tests are being developed that give results in hours or minutes. Antibody tests will tell you if you had an infection in the past, but not whether you are currently infected, so they have no relevance in this context.
Antigen tests detect specific proteins from the virus, are cheap to run and give rapid results. They can be done at the point of care, whereas PCR tests have to be processed in the lab. They work best in people with high viral load, who are within days of showing symptoms. But for people with early infections, or where the sample was not taken properly, false negatives can result. Overall, their accuracy is lower than for PCR technology.
What if I pay privately for a test and it comes back positive?
Ouch! First, you have to self-isolate. Then you need to contact your GP and to do so urgently if your symptoms demand it.
What do our public-health officials say about private tests done for reassurance?
They're not in favour. "We would not advise that as a protective measure," assistant chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said last week, adding that "a test is only as good as the context in which it is taken".
Dr Glynn told a National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) briefing that if people want to protect their families or meet people with underlying conditions there are “many other avenues” available to them.
By this he meant limiting their contacts, staying at home if unwell and deploying the other public-health measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing.
Dr Philip Nolan, chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling advisory group, said at the weekend that getting a private test "to reassure yourself you don't have Covid is pretty much useless as a way of reducing the risk" and he strongly discouraged it. He said if a person does not have symptoms and gets one of these tests "the risk of a false negative test is too high and if you're reassured by a false negative test – in other words you have the virus but it's not fully expressed in your system – you are then assured that you're healthy but in fact you're infected and that's a pretty dangerous position to be in".
What about travel?
The Government says passengers arriving from a region classified orange under the European Union’s traffic-light system should restrict their movement for 14 days unless they have a negative result from a PCR test within three days of their day of departure. Passengers arriving from a red region are asked to restrict their movements for 14 days but this can end early if they have a negative result from a PCR test taken at least five days after arrival in the State. You have to wait for your negative test result to be returned before ending the period of restriction.


theirishtimes--2020-12-14--Gardaí warned discounts at takeaways are seen as corruption

Gardaí availing of free admittance to nightclubs and events or who receive discounts in fast-food takeaways and restaurants are engaging in corruption , all members of An Garda Síochána have been warned .
The new definition of Garda corruption has been set down at a time when suspensions from An Garda Síochána are at a record high .
Some 67 members of the Garda force were suspended from duty at the end of last month pending the outcomes of various investigations .
This was more than double the 32 personnel suspended when Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was appointed in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force as a disciplinarian and was appointed to steer a major Garda reform programme .
A document circulated within the force by Garda headquarters , Phoenix Park , Dublin , has now set down a very broad definition of corruption as the new Garda anti-corruption unit begins operations .
The unit , which has been introduced by Mr Harris , is a new departure for An Garda Síochána , though the briefing document to gardaí says such units are “ standard in other police services ” .
The unit will investigate reports of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proactive in seeking to identify corruption , including plans to test Garda members for drug use .
It is headed by Chief Supt Johanna O ’ Leary , under the remit of Assistant Commissioner Pat Clavin , who is in charge of governance and accountability in the Garda .
The new briefing document sent to Garda members defines corruption as “ the abuse of a position of trust in order to gain an undue advantage ” .
Not all of the “ gain ” is financial or even material in nature as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption .
Garda members have been told that the “ intentional omission or embellishment of evidence in a court case or investigation file ” also amounts to corruption .
Other acts of corruption , as defined by Garda headquarters , include accepting payment or other reward for “ turning a blind eye ” or claiming payment for “ time not worked or expenses not accrued ” .
The document says corruption includes : “ Abuse of authority by Garda personnel , including receiving material gain without breaking the law eg .
free entry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeaways/restaurants.
” Cancelling fines or not issuing summonses is also listed as an example of corruption , as is stealing from people under arrest or from victims .
Using illegal drugs is also listed as a corrupt practice , as is the abuse of power for sexual gain .
Other forms of corruption listed by Garda headquarters include : receiving gifts from the public or victims without declaring them ; obtaining personal gain by “ referring business to particular persons or companies ” ; sharing confidential information with colleagues , friends , criminals @ @ @

The new definition of Garda corruption has been set down at a time when suspensions from An Garda Síochána are at a record high
Gardaí availing of free admittance to nightclubs and events or who receive discounts in fast-food takeaways and restaurants are engaging in corruption, all members of An Garda Síochána have been warned.
The new definition of Garda corruption has been set down at a time when suspensions from An Garda Síochána are at a record high.
Some 67 members of the Garda force were suspended from duty at the end of last month pending the outcomes of various investigations. This was more than double the 32 personnel suspended when Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was appointed in September 2018. He is regarded within the force as a disciplinarian and was appointed to steer a major Garda reform programme.
A document circulated within the force by Garda headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, has now set down a very broad definition of corruption as the new Garda anti-corruption unit begins operations.
READ MORE
The unit, which has been introduced by Mr Harris, is a new departure for An Garda Síochána, though the briefing document to gardaí says such units are "standard in other police services".
The unit will investigate reports of alleged Garda corruption but will also be proactive in seeking to identify corruption, including plans to test Garda members for drug use.
It is headed by Chief Supt Johanna O'Leary, under the remit of Assistant Commissioner Pat Clavin, who is in charge of governance and accountability in the Garda.
The new briefing document sent to Garda members defines corruption as “the abuse of a position of trust in order to gain an undue advantage”.
Not all of the “gain” is financial or even material in nature as “abuse of authority” is regarded as corruption. Garda members have been told that the “intentional omission or embellishment of evidence in a court case or investigation file” also amounts to corruption.
Turning a blind eye
Other acts of corruption, as defined by Garda headquarters, include accepting payment or other reward for “turning a blind eye” or claiming payment for “time not worked or expenses not accrued”.
The document says corruption includes: “Abuse of authority by Garda personnel, including receiving material gain without breaking the law eg. free entry into events and nightclubs, discounts from takeaways/restaurants.”
Cancelling fines or not issuing summonses is also listed as an example of corruption, as is stealing from people under arrest or from victims.
Using illegal drugs is also listed as a corrupt practice, as is the abuse of power for sexual gain.
Other forms of corruption listed by Garda headquarters include: receiving gifts from the public or victims without declaring them; obtaining personal gain by “referring business to particular persons or companies”; sharing confidential information with colleagues, friends, criminals and others.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Defence Forces: First steps in reform to be approved by Cabinet

Cabinet is expected to approve the terms of reference within weeks for a wide-ranging examination of the future of the Defence Forces .
The Commission on the Defence Forces , which was promised in the programme for government , aims to perform similar a function to the Commission on the Future of Policing , which kick-started a broad programme of reform for An Garda Síochána .
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney is expected to outline the membership of the commission and the areas it will focus on , possibly as soon as Tuesday .
Asked if the matter would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a department spokesman said only that it would be raised “ very shortly ” .
The commission will focus on a number of areas , understood to include workforce , equipment , capabilities and structures .
If enacted as expected , the commission will probably lead to the largest reform of the Defence Forces in several decades .
However , many within the military are frustrated the review will not include the Department of Defence , which has been criticised by some as bloated and out of touch with military matters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers ( Raco ) , called the commission a “ once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine and strengthen defence ” but said that a review that only looks at the Defence Forces will be a missed opportunity .
“ It is clear that a commission examining the Defence Forces in isolation will be unnecessarily limited and will fail to contextualise Defence Force outputs if it does not also examine those matters of policy , human resources , governance and finance pertaining to the Department of Defence , ” Comdt King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s magazine , Signal .
He echoed sentiments from retired Brig Gen Paul Pakenham of the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers ( Arco ) , who said a review of the department ’ s secretariat , “ especially the civilian-military interface , must be included in the commission ’ s terms of reference ” .
The issue was raised recently in an article in the journal Defence Forces Review by Lieut Brian Clarke , which said the Defence Forces ’ general staff has little real authority over the organisation , with almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The programme for government undertakes to establish the commission before the end of the year and report back within 12 months , although it is not clear if those deadlines will be met .
It will comprise between eight and 10 military and academic experts from Ireland and abroad , including senior military personnel from countries of similar size to Ireland .

Members of the Defence Forces pass the GPO during a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Photograph: Alan Betson
Cabinet is expected to approve the terms of reference within weeks for a wide-ranging examination of the future of the Defence Forces.
The Commission on the Defence Forces, which was promised in the programme for government, aims to perform similar a function to the Commission on the Future of Policing, which kick-started a broad programme of reform for An Garda Síochána.
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney is expected to outline the membership of the commission and the areas it will focus on, possibly as soon as Tuesday.
Asked if the matter would be raised at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, a department spokesman said only that it would be raised “very shortly”.
READ MORE
The commission will focus on a number of areas, understood to include workforce, equipment, capabilities and structures.
If enacted as expected, the commission will probably lead to the largest reform of the Defence Forces in several decades.
However, many within the military are frustrated the review will not include the Department of Defence, which has been criticised by some as bloated and out of touch with military matters.
Missed opportunity
Comdt Conor King, secretary general of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco), called the commission a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine and strengthen defence" but said that a review that only looks at the Defence Forces will be a missed opportunity.
“It is clear that a commission examining the Defence Forces in isolation will be unnecessarily limited and will fail to contextualise Defence Force outputs if it does not also examine those matters of policy, human resources, governance and finance pertaining to the Department of Defence,” Comdt King wrote in the latest edition of Raco’s magazine, Signal.
He echoed sentiments from retired Brig Gen Paul Pakenham of the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (Arco), who said a review of the department’s secretariat, “especially the civilian-military interface, must be included in the commission’s terms of reference”.
The issue was raised recently in an article in the journal Defence Forces Review by Lieut Brian Clarke, which said the Defence Forces' general staff has little real authority over the organisation, with almost all power resting with the department.
The programme for government undertakes to establish the commission before the end of the year and report back within 12 months, although it is not clear if those deadlines will be met.
It will comprise between eight and 10 military and academic experts from Ireland and abroad, including senior military personnel from countries of similar size to Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-12-15--Bakeries eye flour beyond Britain in no-deal Brexit planning

Irish bakeries have stockpiled flour , sourced alternative supplies from Europe and sought ways to minimise tariffs on British flour in preparation for a potential collapse in EU-UK trade talks .
About half the flour used by Irish bakers comes from England with the other half sourced from three mills on the island of Ireland – Allied Mills and Andrews Flour in Belfast and Odlums in Portarlington , Co Laois .
These mills have limited capacity to substitute for supply from English mills .
The large proportion of flour coming from Britain could mean heavy tariffs on imports , €172 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35-40 per cent on the cost of flour imports under a no-deal scenario .
Increased costs could be passed on to consumers , adding up to 15 cent to a loaf of bread .
Under no-deal contingency planning , Irish bakeries have sought to open new supply lines from continental Europe , sourcing flour from Germany and France .
“ The fear of the year ending without an agreement has risen so no-deal planning across the board is really switched on , ” said Alex Waugh , director of the National Association of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large quantities of flour required by bakeries – about 4,000 tonnes of flour are imported into the Republic from the UK every week – means there is limited capacity to stockpile ahead of World Trade Organisation tariffs applying if there is no trade deal by January 1st .
“ There would be efforts that the silos are fully stocked by the end of the transition period , ” said Linda Stuart-Trainor , director of prepared consumer foods at industry group Food Drink Ireland .
“ For product categories that use a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far because of the volume of space and the way it is stored , they can not store too much of it in advance.
” She estimates that about 30 per cent of grocery products contain flour .
Irish firms have had to turn to Europe to reduce reliance on UK-imported flour .
“ Every company has certainly looked at it .
We would still intend to import large quantities of flour from the UK in the short term .
Maybe in the longer term , things may evolve , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sensible thing to do but we shouldn ’ t kid ourselves that that means that nothing changes .
The cost of freight is quite high so it is not cost neutral , ” said Mr Waugh .
Michael McCambridge , managing director of Dublin bakery McCambridge ’ s , buys packaging in the UK for which he has “ a hedge ” until June to give him time to find other sources .
“ We are pointing more towards the EU for anything we can get in the future rather than defaulting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK mills are looking at milling EU wheat which , Mr Waugh estimates , could shave €100 off the per-tonne tariff on exported British flour .
Large amounts of baked goods made with British flour are sold back into the UK so some in the industry believe customs arrangements can be put in place .
“ You could get relief on your tariffs .
It is not as simple as saying that there is going to be €172 a tonne and no supply , ” said an industry source .
Costs could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaf of bread with tariffs .
“ The likelihood is that there will be an inflationary impact , ” said Mr Waugh .
Mr McCambridge said the pandemic might not make this inevitable .
“ Whether the price of a loaf of bread will rise is another issue because of the competitive issues in the marketplace between retailer and bakery , ” he said .
“ Given the economic situation with pandemic unemployment , all the retailers are quite correctly focusing on value .
”

Michael McCambridge, managing director of McCambridge’s, says they are pointing more towards the EU for anything they can get in the future rather than defaulting to the UK. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Irish bakeries have stockpiled flour, sourced alternative supplies from Europe and sought ways to minimise tariffs on British flour in preparation for a potential collapse in EU-UK trade talks.
About half the flour used by Irish bakers comes from England with the other half sourced from three mills on the island of Ireland – Allied Mills and Andrews Flour in Belfast and Odlums in Portarlington, Co Laois. These mills have limited capacity to substitute for supply from English mills.
The large proportion of flour coming from Britain could mean heavy tariffs on imports, €172 per tonne, or an increase of 35-40 per cent on the cost of flour imports under a no-deal scenario.
Increased costs could be passed on to consumers, adding up to 15 cent to a loaf of bread. Under no-deal contingency planning, Irish bakeries have sought to open new supply lines from continental Europe, sourcing flour from Germany and France.
READ MORE
"The fear of the year ending without an agreement has risen so no-deal planning across the board is really switched on," said Alex Waugh, director of the National Association of British and Irish Flour Millers.
The large quantities of flour required by bakeries – about 4,000 tonnes of flour are imported into the Republic from the UK every week – means there is limited capacity to stockpile ahead of World Trade Organisation tariffs applying if there is no trade deal by January 1st.
“There would be efforts that the silos are fully stocked by the end of the transition period,” said Linda Stuart-Trainor, director of prepared consumer foods at industry group Food Drink Ireland.
“For product categories that use a lot of flour, that can only get them so far because of the volume of space and the way it is stored, they cannot store too much of it in advance.”
Turning to Europe
She estimates that about 30 per cent of grocery products contain flour. Irish firms have had to turn to Europe to reduce reliance on UK-imported flour.
“Every company has certainly looked at it. We would still intend to import large quantities of flour from the UK in the short term. Maybe in the longer term, things may evolve,” she said.
Buying flour from French and German mills carries additional costs.
“That is a perfectly sensible thing to do but we shouldn’t kid ourselves that that means that nothing changes. The cost of freight is quite high so it is not cost neutral,” said Mr Waugh.
Michael McCambridge, managing director of Dublin bakery McCambridge’s, buys packaging in the UK for which he has “a hedge” until June to give him time to find other sources.
“We are pointing more towards the EU for anything we can get in the future rather than defaulting to the UK,” he said.
UK mills are looking at milling EU wheat which, Mr Waugh estimates, could shave €100 off the per-tonne tariff on exported British flour.
Large amounts of baked goods made with British flour are sold back into the UK so some in the industry believe customs arrangements can be put in place.
“You could get relief on your tariffs. It is not as simple as saying that there is going to be €172 a tonne and no supply,” said an industry source.
Costs could be passed on to the price of a loaf of bread with tariffs.
“The likelihood is that there will be an inflationary impact,” said Mr Waugh.
Mr McCambridge said the pandemic might not make this inevitable.
“Whether the price of a loaf of bread will rise is another issue because of the competitive issues in the marketplace between retailer and bakery,” he said.
“Given the economic situation with pandemic unemployment, all the retailers are quite correctly focusing on value.”