theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Two teenagers charged with rape of female in Dublin

Two teenagers were charged on Tuesday with rape of a female in Dublin .
The youths , aged 16 and 19 , faced separate hearings before Judge Marie Quirke at the Dublin Children ’ s Court after they met gardaí by arrangement .
They are accused of rape of the same female on a date in April last year in the city ’ s south side .
They were aged 15 and 17 at the time but her age was not stated during the proceedings .
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment , Detective Garda Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section four of the Criminal Law ( Rape ) ( Amendment ) Act , 1990 , meaning they will face trial in the Central Criminal Court .
The youths , who have not yet indicated how they will plead , were remanded on conditional bail to appear again at the juvenile court in December to be served with books of evidence and returned for trial .
The older youth ’ s case was dealt with first .
Judge Marie Quirke was told he made no reply when charged .
There was no objection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted after the court noted he was unemployed and in receipt of social welfare .
The younger defendant , was accompanied to court by his mother .
He also had no reply when he was charged , said Detective Garda Deveny .
His barrister John Ward said the boy agreed to abide by bail terms sought by the detective .
He was also granted legal aid .

Two teenagers were charged on Tuesday with rape of a female in Dublin.
The youths, aged 16 and 19, faced separate hearings before Judge Marie Quirke at the Dublin Children’s Court after they met gardaí by arrangement.
They are accused of rape of the same female on a date in April last year in the city’s south side. They were aged 15 and 17 at the time but her age was not stated during the proceedings.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment, Detective Garda Rebecca Deveny said. The charge is under section four of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990, meaning they will face trial in the Central Criminal Court.
READ MORE
The youths, who have not yet indicated how they will plead, were remanded on conditional bail to appear again at the juvenile court in December to be served with books of evidence and returned for trial.
The older youth’s case was dealt with first. Judge Marie Quirke was told he made no reply when charged. There was no objection to bail subject to conditions.Legal aid was granted after the court noted he was unemployed and in receipt of social welfare.
The younger defendant, was accompanied to court by his mother. He also had no reply when he was charged, said Detective Garda Deveny.
His barrister John Ward said the boy agreed to abide by bail terms sought by the detective. He was also granted legal aid.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--John Delaney given until January to finish inspection of ODCE-seized files

A High Court judge has ruled that the examination by ex-Football Association of Ireland ( FAI ) chief executive John Delaney of files seized by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as part of its criminal investigation into certain matters at the FAI must be completed by mid-January .
The inspection arises out of 280,000 documents , covering a period of 17 years , seized by the ODCE from the FAI ’ s offices last February as part of its investigation into Irish soccer ’ s governing body .
The court has been asked by the ODCE , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respondent , to determine if some of those files are covered by legal professional privilege and can not be used by the corporate watchdog as part of its investigation .
Through his lawyers , Mr Delaney was allowed inspect the files , including thousands of emails , to see which are private to him or are covered by legal professional privilege ( LPP ) , and can not be used by the ODCE as part of if its investigation .
The matter first came before the courts last February .
While a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was agreed , lawyers for UK-based Mr Delaney sought extra time to complete the inspection .
The extension was needed due to the large volume of material , it was argued .
In a series of motions before the court Mr Delaney , represented by Paul McGarry SC .
sought more time in order to complete the inspection .
This would be aided by the ODCE allowing Mr Delaney ’ s lawyers to apply additional search terms to help identify more files so they can be inspected .
Counsel also asked the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-January 2021 .
Counsel said a lot of work had already been done by his side , and the 3000 files previously ‘ tagged ’ by Mr Delaney ’ s lawyers as being covered by LPP had been reduced .
Counsel said , if Mr Delaney was not able to inspect all of the files before any designated completion date set by the court , he would have claim LPP on all of the outstanding material .
That could lead to more work for those involved in the entire process , counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dragging his feet or trying to delay the process .
The applications were opposed by the ODCE , represented by Kerida Naidoo SC , who said Mr Delaney ’ s application for additional time was “ unwarranted and unnecessary.
” Any extra time would cause more delay to the investigation process , counsel added .
The ODCE wanted the court to fix a date in December for the completion of the extension .
Counsel said Mr Delaney had initially sought a December completion date when the matter was previously before the court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was not prepared to make an order allowing Mr Delaney to apply additional search terms to the file inspection process .
The Judge said the material seized had , using sophisticated software , had already been inspected by using several search terms provided by Mr Delaney ’ s lawyers .
Referring to concerns raised by Mr Delaney regarding issues including his privacy , she was satisfied safeguards within the relevant legislation would protect his rights .
The judge added the inspection process should be completed by January 11th next .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bl as the independent person who would examine the review materials over which claims of legal privilege are made .
The judge said Mr Nolan will prepare a report for the court which will aid the judge in determining which of the material is privileged and which is not .

A High Court judge has ruled that the examination by ex-Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive John Delaney of files seized by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as part of its criminal investigation into certain matters at the FAI must be completed by mid-January.
The inspection arises out of 280,000 documents, covering a period of 17 years, seized by the ODCE from the FAI’s offices last February as part of its investigation into Irish soccer’s governing body.
The court has been asked by the ODCE, in an application where the FAI is the respondent, to determine if some of those files are covered by legal professional privilege and cannot be used by the corporate watchdog as part of its investigation.
Through his lawyers, Mr Delaney was allowed inspect the files, including thousands of emails, to see which are private to him or are covered by legal professional privilege (LPP), and cannot be used by the ODCE as part of if its investigation.
READ MORE
The matter first came before the courts last February. While a timetable for the completion of the inspection was agreed, lawyers for UK-based Mr Delaney sought extra time to complete the inspection.
The extension was needed due to the large volume of material, it was argued. In a series of motions before the court Mr Delaney, represented by Paul McGarry SC. sought more time in order to complete the inspection. This would be aided by the ODCE allowing Mr Delaney’s lawyers to apply additional search terms to help identify more files so they can be inspected.
Counsel also asked the court to extend the completion date to sometime in mid-January 2021. Counsel said a lot of work had already been done by his side, and the 3000 files previously ‘tagged’ by Mr Delaney’s lawyers as being covered by LPP had been reduced.
Counsel said, if Mr Delaney was not able to inspect all of the files before any designated completion date set by the court, he would have claim LPP on all of the outstanding material. That could lead to more work for those involved in the entire process, counsel said, adding his client was not dragging his feet or trying to delay the process.
The applications were opposed by the ODCE, represented by Kerida Naidoo SC, who said Mr Delaney’s application for additional time was “unwarranted and unnecessary.” Any extra time would cause more delay to the investigation process, counsel added.
The ODCE wanted the court to fix a date in December for the completion of the extension. Counsel said Mr Delaney had initially sought a December completion date when the matter was previously before the court.
In her ruling Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds said she was not prepared to make an order allowing Mr Delaney to apply additional search terms to the file inspection process. The Judge said the material seized had, using sophisticated software, had already been inspected by using several search terms provided by Mr Delaney’s lawyers.
Referring to concerns raised by Mr Delaney regarding issues including his privacy, she was satisfied safeguards within the relevant legislation would protect his rights. The judge added the inspection process should be completed by January 11th next. She confirmed the appointment of barrister Niall Nolan Bl as the independent person who would examine the review materials over which claims of legal privilege are made.
The judge said Mr Nolan will prepare a report for the court which will aid the judge in determining which of the material is privileged and which is not.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Yellow warning issued due to heavy rainfall and flooding risk

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for heavy rainfall starting on Tuesday night and continuing through much of Wednesday for counties Galway , Mayo , Cork , Kerry and Waterford .
A status yellow warning covers weather that does not pose a threat to the general population , but is potentially dangerous on a localised scale .
Met Éireann said up to 50ml of rain was expected over the next 24 hours which may present a danger of flooding in places near rivers with already high water levels .
The absence of neap tides meant then heavy rainfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tidal flooding , forecaster Gerry Empery said .
Rainfall is expected to be highest in mountainous areas with reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions .
The warning will remain in place until 6pm on Wednesday .
Met Éireann has also issued two status yellow marine warnings – a gale warning and a small craft warning .
The gale warning is for southerly winds which will occasionally reach gale force eight , on Irish coastal waters from Roches Point to Slyne Head to Rossan Point on Tuesday night .
The small craft warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or higher today on Irish coasts from Hook Head to Slyne Head to Malin Head , transferring to eastern sea areas on Tuesday night .
Temperatures of between 9 and 11 degrees are anticipated across the country with fresh southerly winds on Tuesday night while Wednesday will be very wet and windy .

Met Éireann said up to 50mm of rain was expected over the next 24 hours which may present a danger of flooding in places near rivers with already high water levels. File photograph: Tom Honan
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for heavy rainfall starting on Tuesday night and continuing through much of Wednesday for counties Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
A status yellow warning covers weather that does not pose a threat to the general population, but is potentially dangerous on a localised scale.
Met Éireann said up to 50mm of rain was expected over the next 24 hours which may present a danger of flooding in places near rivers with already high water levels.
The absence of neap tides meant then heavy rainfall was unlikely to present a significant danger of tidal flooding, forecaster Gerry Empery said.
READ MORE
Rainfall is expected to be highest in mountainous areas with reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions. The warning will remain in place until 6pm on Wednesday.
Met Éireann has also issued two status yellow marine warnings – a gale warning and a small craft warning.
The gale warning is for southerly winds which will occasionally reach gale force eight, on Irish coastal waters from Roches Point to Slyne Head to Rossan Point on Tuesday night.
The small craft warning is for southerly winds reaching force six or higher today on Irish coasts from Hook Head to Slyne Head to Malin Head, transferring to eastern sea areas on Tuesday night.
Temperatures of between 9 and 11 degrees are anticipated across the country with fresh southerly winds on Tuesday night while Wednesday will be very wet and windy.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Family of mother killed in crash a day after giving birth settles case for €800k

The family of a mother who died in a road collision a day after giving birth has settled a High Court action over her death for €800,000 .
Nicola Kenny ( 26 ) was on her way to check on her baby daughter , who had been transferred to a Dublin hospital from Clonmel , when a truck crashed into the car in which she was a passenger .
Ms Kenny , from Thurles , was travelling with her mother , Ann , and aunt Irene Whelan on September 5th , 2016 .
The car had pulled into the hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tipperary to take a call from the hospital concerning the health of Nicola ’ s baby , Lily Rose .
The first-time mother had just heard the news her baby girl was in good health and ready to be transferred back to a Tipperary hospital when the accident happened .
In the High Court on Tuesday Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved a settlement of €800,000 for the Kenny family , including Lily Rose , now aged four .
Three other actions , including claims for post-traumatic stress disorder brought by Nicola ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick jnr , and by her mother , Ann , as a result of injuries sustained in the collision were also noted by the judge as settled .
The settlements announced to the court were against Castlekeeran Transport Ltd of Carnaross , Kells , Co Meath , owner of the truck involved in the accident , and the truck driver , Ciaran McBride , Tivenmara Road , Carna , Keady , Co Armagh .
Jeremy Maher SC , on behalf of Castlekeeran Transport and Mr McBride , expressed to the court “ remorse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Outside court , Paddy Kenny said his grand-daughter Lily Rose was the light of their lives .
“ Nicola was a great daughter .
Lily Rose is now our reason to get up in the morning .
We have dedicated our lives to Lily Rose .
She is four now and looking forward to school , ” he said .
Mr Kenny , of Kennedy Park , Thurles , had brought the action over the collision .
It was claimed there was failure to take any or adequate measures to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The family of a mother who died in a road collision a day after giving birth has settled a High Court action over her death for €800,000.
Nicola Kenny (26) was on her way to check on her baby daughter, who had been transferred to a Dublin hospital from Clonmel, when a truck crashed into the car in which she was a passenger.
Ms Kenny, from Thurles, was travelling with her mother, Ann, and aunt Irene Whelan on September 5th, 2016. The car had pulled into the hard shoulder of the M8 motorway in south Tipperary to take a call from the hospital concerning the health of Nicola's baby, Lily Rose. The first-time mother had just heard the news her baby girl was in good health and ready to be transferred back to a Tipperary hospital when the accident happened.
In the High Court on Tuesday Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved a settlement of €800,000 for the Kenny family, including Lily Rose, now aged four.
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Three other actions, including claims for post-traumatic stress disorder brought by Nicola’s father, Paddy, and her brother Patrick jnr, and by her mother, Ann, as a result of injuries sustained in the collision were also noted by the judge as settled.
Paddy Kenny, of Thurles, Co Tipperary, father of the late Nicola Kenny, leaving the Four Courts. Photograph: Collins Courts
Remorse expressed
The settlements announced to the court were against Castlekeeran Transport Ltd of Carnaross, Kells, Co Meath, owner of the truck involved in the accident, and the truck driver, Ciaran McBride, Tivenmara Road, Carna, Keady, Co Armagh.
Jeremy Maher SC, on behalf of Castlekeeran Transport and Mr McBride, expressed to the court "remorse for the tragic events of this case".
Outside court, Paddy Kenny said his grand-daughter Lily Rose was the light of their lives.
“Nicola was a great daughter. Lily Rose is now our reason to get up in the morning. We have dedicated our lives to Lily Rose. She is four now and looking forward to school,” he said.
Mr Kenny, of Kennedy Park, Thurles, had brought the action over the collision. It was claimed there was failure to take any or adequate measures to avoid the collision. The claims were denied.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--‘Severe overestimation’ of Leaving Cert calculated grades by some schools - official

The calculated grades awarded to students by some schools and teachers in the Leaving Cert had been a “ severe overestimation , ” officials from the Department of Education told an Oireachtas committee .
Harold Hislop , department chief inspector , said estimated grades awarded to students by their teachers had only been adjusted by a standardisation process on “ solid evidence ” .
Mr Hislop told the Oireachtas Committee on Education on Tuesday that “ severe overestimation ” had taken place in some schools when calculating students ’ grades .
“ It was very clear when that data came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and different teachers within individual schools , had overestimated the likely performance of students ” he told politicians .
It would have been unfair on schools and classes where little or no overestimation had taken place to not downgrade students in those cases where it had , he said .
Dalton Tattan , department assistant secretary general overseeing assessment , said about 17 per cent of grades had been moved down by the standardisation process .
In about four per cent of cases the process resulted in students getting higher grades than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ There was a very high degree of overestimation , particularly in some schools that bore no relation to what typically they would have had in previous years , ” he said .
Mr Tattan said some students who felt “ aggrieved ” at having been downgraded were taking legal cases .
Failing to adjust overestimated grades downward “ would have created a huge level of unfairness ” for other students , he said .
Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery-Kearney said she has been “ under siege ” with emails from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standardisation process .
Schools with a tradition of high achieving students had been “ disproportionately downgraded ” under the system , she said .
Mr Hislop said overestimation from teachers had been higher when it came to awarding top grades , such as H1s or H2s .
The official said on average 4.7 per cent of students had received H1s over 2017 , 2018 , and 2019 .
While under the estimated grading system that figure had increased to 13.8 per cent , before the standardisation process was applied .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural science in 2020 are three times better than their cohorts for 17 , 18 , and 19 , ” he said .
The scramble to design a calculated grades system after the Leaving Cert exam was cancelled in May due to Covid-19 , had shown “ the vulnerability of relying on one exam , ” Mr Hislop said .
“ If we had other modules of assessment ... over the course of the two year period , you wouldn ’ t have been relying on a single three hour exam , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The experience was “ an important lesson for looking at the review of senior cycle in the years to come , ” he said .
Some 2,800 students who wished to sit the written Leaving Cert exam will do so from next Monday , and receive their results by next February .
Among this cohort are some 200 students who could not receive calculated grades in certain subjects , as they had been studying them outside of school .
Under the calculated grades system students could appeal their results , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their teacher .
The appeal only focused on whether data on their grades had been correctly input through the various stages .
Some 12,000 students appealed their grades across 33,000 subjects , and in just 18 cases received an upgrade .
In October a number of errors were discovered in the calculated grades system , and following a review 6,100 students were awarded higher grades .
The department is to commission an independent review into the controversy , led by an external company , or an international panel of experts , Mr Tattan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the conventional Leaving Cert exam in 2021 , but given the pandemic “ we can ’ t be absolutely sure , ” he said .

Harold Hislop, department chief inspector, said estimated grades awarded to students by their teachers had only been adjusted by a standardisation process on “solid evidence”. File photograph: Aidan Crawley
The calculated grades awarded to students by some schools and teachers in the Leaving Cert had been a "severe overestimation," officials from the Department of Education told an Oireachtas committee.
Harold Hislop, department chief inspector, said estimated grades awarded to students by their teachers had only been adjusted by a standardisation process on "solid evidence".
Mr Hislop told the Oireachtas Committee on Education on Tuesday that “severe overestimation” had taken place in some schools when calculating students’ grades.
“It was very clear when that data came in from schools, that different schools, and different teachers within individual schools, had overestimated the likely performance of students” he told politicians.
READ MORE
It would have been unfair on schools and classes where little or no overestimation had taken place to not downgrade students in those cases where it had, he said.
Dalton Tattan, department assistant secretary general overseeing assessment, said about 17 per cent of grades had been moved down by the standardisation process. In about four per cent of cases the process resulted in students getting higher grades than those estimated by their teachers, he said.
“There was a very high degree of overestimation, particularly in some schools that bore no relation to what typically they would have had in previous years,” he said.
Mr Tattan said some students who felt “aggrieved” at having been downgraded were taking legal cases. Failing to adjust overestimated grades downward “would have created a huge level of unfairness” for other students, he said.
Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery-Kearney said she has been "under siege" with emails from students downgraded by the department's standardisation process. Schools with a tradition of high achieving students had been "disproportionately downgraded" under the system, she said.
Mr Hislop said overestimation from teachers had been higher when it came to awarding top grades, such as H1s or H2s.
The official said on average 4.7 per cent of students had received H1s over 2017, 2018, and 2019. While under the estimated grading system that figure had increased to 13.8 per cent, before the standardisation process was applied.
“There is no way on earth that students doing agricultural science in 2020 are three times better than their cohorts for 17, 18, and 19,” he said.
The scramble to design a calculated grades system after the Leaving Cert exam was cancelled in May due to Covid-19, had shown “the vulnerability of relying on one exam,” Mr Hislop said.
“If we had other modules of assessment ... over the course of the two year period, you wouldn’t have been relying on a single three hour exam, which we had to cancel,” he said. The experience was “an important lesson for looking at the review of senior cycle in the years to come,” he said.
Some 2,800 students who wished to sit the written Leaving Cert exam will do so from next Monday, and receive their results by next February. Among this cohort are some 200 students who could not receive calculated grades in certain subjects, as they had been studying them outside of school.
Under the calculated grades system students could appeal their results, but not review the estimated grade awarded by their teacher. The appeal only focused on whether data on their grades had been correctly input through the various stages.
Some 12,000 students appealed their grades across 33,000 subjects, and in just 18 cases received an upgrade.
In October a number of errors were discovered in the calculated grades system, and following a review 6,100 students were awarded higher grades. The department is to commission an independent review into the controversy, led by an external company, or an international panel of experts, Mr Tattan said.
The department was determined to hold the conventional Leaving Cert exam in 2021, but given the pandemic “we can’t be absolutely sure,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Users critical of moving disabled parking spaces  to enable outdoor dining

Disabled parking spaces were removed during the Covid-19 pandemic to make room for outdoor dining and relocated in locations that are “ not good enough ” , accessibility activists have said .
Leona Tuck and Michael Hennessy Cullen have launched a social media campaign to highlight good and bad accessibility under the name The Struggle is Wheel .
Mr Hennessy Cullen suffered a spinal injury during a road traffic accident more than 15 years ago and now uses a wheelchair full-time .
The couple criticised the relocation of disabled parking spots during the pandemic , stating that it is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobility concerns .
“ With Covid this year ... if we ’ re being honest , when it comes to accessibility , we were appalled to see our bays used for al fresco dining and for them being tarmaced over and relocated away from the same shopping streets in Dublin , ” Ms Tuck said .
“ This involves Limerick as well , Cork had a big issue with it as well .
The pedestrianisation of streets and the knock on effect it has on bad relocation of disabled parking bays.
” Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dialogue ” around the issue and how it affects people with disabilities .
“ We understand that businesses need to think outside the box to survive but when you ’ re a wheelchair user , you know how hard it is to get wheelchair parking , ” she added .
“ It ’ s quite disconcerting to see because there is a lack of communication around the planned relocation of this .
It ’ s kind of like reshuffling a deck of cards with our bays.
” Mr Henessy Cullen added that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough standard ” and don ’ t have a dropped kerb , or have bins and poles right at the bay , preventing easy access to the vehicle .
The couple are also highlighting how to make hill walks more accessible such as having compacted trails instead of gravel and the removal of stiles and kissing gates at entrances .
The couple were speaking at the launch of the Irish Wheelchair Association ( IWA ) ’ s guidelines for designing accessible environments .
New research by the charity has found that 77 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face problems when using public pavements , parking and pedestrian crossings , and 66 per cent struggle to access public buildings offering healthcare , retail and leisure facilities .
Speaking at the same event , Oliver Murphy ( 85 ) , a founding member of the IWA , said people with disabilities just “ want to be part of their communities ” .
“ We , as people with disabilities , want to be able to go out into the world and know we won ’ t meet obstruction , ” he added @

Many disabled parking spaces have been relocated during the pandemic, causing problems for users. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Disabled parking spaces were removed during the Covid-19 pandemic to make room for outdoor dining and relocated in locations that are “not good enough”, accessibility activists have said.
Leona Tuck and Michael Hennessy Cullen have launched a social media campaign to highlight good and bad accessibility under the name The Struggle is Wheel.
Mr Hennessy Cullen suffered a spinal injury during a road traffic accident more than 15 years ago and now uses a wheelchair full-time.
The couple criticised the relocation of disabled parking spots during the pandemic, stating that it is “a major issue” for people with mobility concerns.
READ MORE
“With Covid this year... if we’re being honest, when it comes to accessibility, we were appalled to see our bays used for al fresco dining and for them being tarmaced over and relocated away from the same shopping streets in Dublin,” Ms Tuck said.
"This involves Limerick as well, Cork had a big issue with it as well. The pedestrianisation of streets and the knock on effect it has on bad relocation of disabled parking bays."
Ms Tuck said there was “not enough dialogue” around the issue and how it affects people with disabilities.
“We understand that businesses need to think outside the box to survive but when you’re a wheelchair user, you know how hard it is to get wheelchair parking,” she added. “It’s quite disconcerting to see because there is a lack of communication around the planned relocation of this. It’s kind of like reshuffling a deck of cards with our bays.”
Mr Henessy Cullen added that the relocated bays "are not a good enough standard" and don't have a dropped kerb, or have bins and poles right at the bay, preventing easy access to the vehicle.
The couple are also highlighting how to make hill walks more accessible such as having compacted trails instead of gravel and the removal of stiles and kissing gates at entrances.
The couple were speaking at the launch of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA)'s guidelines for designing accessible environments.
New research by the charity has found that 77 per cent of people with physical disabilities still face problems when using public pavements, parking and pedestrian crossings, and 66 per cent struggle to access public buildings offering healthcare, retail and leisure facilities.
Speaking at the same event, Oliver Murphy (85), a founding member of the IWA, said people with disabilities just "want to be part of their communities".
“We, as people with disabilities, want to be able to go out into the world and know we won’t meet obstruction,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Kilkenny brothers launch app to help pupils track study progress

Two Co Kilkenny brothers and teaching professionals have launched a “ fitness tracker app for studying ” to help students monitor and improve their studies .
Billed as the first app of its kind , Carl and John Lynch went live with Ekker in September in a bid to help exam-year students who might be under pressure due to missed class time as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Carl , who is a maths teacher and has run a local grinds school for years , said students are “ struggling really badly at the minute ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and that young people will use the app because it is in a format that is accessible to them .
“ They ’ re struggling when they go home .
They ’ re a little bit isolated at the moment .
I know they have their social media and all the rest , but a lot of them like doing well in school .
They really , really want to achieve , ” he said .
“ This is a support for them in a form they ’ re very familiar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has in their pocket is their phone .
We have a rule in school of no phones but if you ask them to take out their phones , they all have it in their pocket .
They use them constantly.
” John added that students are “ beginning to get worried about the exams next year ” , and this app could help alleviate their concerns .
The app , which features study statistics , a grade estimator , an online study club , and live online classes , works exactly like fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state how long they studied it for and rate the session out of 10 .
Students can then share their study sessions with a select group of friends , creating a sense of friendly competition , the brothers said .
The Lynch brothers believe this real time data will help students study “ smarter not harder ” .
“ There was an article from a university in America that said if you want to improve something , measure it .
That was the genesis of the idea , ” John said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracker for study .
Fitness and workouts is something that a majority of the population does but it ’ s a voluntary thing , we choose if we want to be fit or not .
We all have to study .
We ’ re getting students study fit.
” It is currently free for all students , however the brothers do intend to charge for it in the future , and are considering a price of €4.99 per month from the New Year .
“ When Covid started we went online , [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to charge .
We felt there was so much going on and kids were under so much pressure that we looked at what we could do to them .
We ’ re not really out to make a huge killing on it , ” Carl added .
For more details see : ekker.ie

Carl Lynch says the app is designed to bring together students who are ‘struggling’ in isolation.
Two Co Kilkenny brothers and teaching professionals have launched a “fitness tracker app for studying” to help students monitor and improve their studies.
Billed as the first app of its kind, Carl and John Lynch went live with Ekker in September in a bid to help exam-year students who might be under pressure due to missed class time as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Carl, who is a maths teacher and has run a local grinds school for years, said students are “struggling really badly at the minute”.
He believes students want to do well in school and that young people will use the app because it is in a format that is accessible to them.
READ MORE
“They’re struggling when they go home. They’re a little bit isolated at the moment. I know they have their social media and all the rest, but a lot of them like doing well in school. They really, really want to achieve,” he said.
“This is a support for them in a form they’re very familiar with. The one thing a student always has in their pocket is their phone. We have a rule in school of no phones but if you ask them to take out their phones, they all have it in their pocket. They use them constantly.”
John added that students are “beginning to get worried about the exams next year”, and this app could help alleviate their concerns.
The app, which features study statistics, a grade estimator, an online study club, and live online classes, works exactly like fitness tracker apps.
Students input their subjects, state how long they studied it for and rate the session out of 10. Students can then share their study sessions with a select group of friends, creating a sense of friendly competition, the brothers said.
The Lynch brothers believe this real time data will help students study “smarter not harder”.
“There was an article from a university in America that said if you want to improve something, measure it. That was the genesis of the idea,” John said.
“We’re the first fitness tracker for study. Fitness and workouts is something that a majority of the population does but it’s a voluntary thing, we choose if we want to be fit or not. We all have to study. We’re getting students study fit.”
It is currently free for all students, however the brothers do intend to charge for it in the future, and are considering a price of €4.99 per month from the New Year.
“When Covid started we went online, [and] we made the conscious decision not to charge. We felt there was so much going on and kids were under so much pressure that we looked at what we could do to them. We’re not really out to make a huge killing on it,” Carl added.
For more details see: ekker.ie


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Woman who sexually abused girl (11) in orphanage gets suspended sentence

A Dublin grandmother who sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in the orphanage she was working in almost 50 years ago told gardaí that she believed she was in a romantic relationship with the girl .
Rita Ryan ( 69 ) was in her early twenties and working as a care assistant , when she first began to abuse the child after calling into her bedroom at night-time and asking her if she knew “ what French kissing was ?
” .
The abuse continued and escalated in severity to include mutual masturbation and oral sex .
The now 60-year-old victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement to gardaí in 2014 .
Ryan was questioned in October 2016 and said she did not think her behaviour amounted to sexual abuse .
She accepted a suggestion by the gardaí that it was instead “ a romantic relationship ” and acknowledged that it was also “ an intimate relationship ” .
Ryan of Meadowview Grove , Hillcrest , Lucan , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of indecent assault of the girl at the orphanage in Dublin on dates between December 1971 until October 1974 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victim left Ireland to live with her mother abroad .
Dean Kelly SC , prosecuting , told the court that the pleas were acceptable to the State on the basis that they represent sample charges .
He said the victim later told gardaí that Ryan would abuse her “ frequently ” and “ whenever the opportunity arose ” .
Mr Kelly said the maximum penalty available to the court , due to the law that existed at the time , is two years .
He confirmed that had the same abuse occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a maximum sentence of 14 years , due to a change in legislation .
On Tuesday Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Ryan to a two year term which he suspended in full having heard the evidence on Monday and adjourning the case overnight to consider it .
He noted that Ryan had €15,000 in court to offer the victim as a token of remorse and said she must have a further €15,000 for the victim within a year .
He estimated that Ryan had abused the child more than a hundred times and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in a position of trust .
“ I have come to the conclusion that she knew what she was doing and to engage in such activities with a child is reprehensible , ” Judge Nolan said .
He also made reference to the “ disparity of age ” between them .
Judge Nolan noted that a victim impact statement , which was not read out in court , outlined that the woman has been greatly traumatised by the abuse and it has impacted her life .
He described the woman as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a psychologist report gave insight into Ryan ’ s own background and sexual experience and accepted that she is “ highly unlikely to re-offend to any degree in the future.
” Judge Nolan took into account Ryan ’ s admissions , absence of a criminal record , the fact that she has led a productive life , is invaluable to her extended family and has contributed to her local community .
Judge Nolan said what “ troubled the court ” was “ the prolonged nature of the behaviour ” and described it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in determining whether Ryan would go to jail or not .
He said he had decided the issue of custody separate to the €15,000 offered as a token of Ryan ’ s remorse .
“ Let nobody say or believe she is buying her way out of prison .
That is not the situation .
I decide the issue of prison or not independent of any money proffered , ” Judge Nolan said .
He addressed Ryan directly and said “ what you did was shameful .
It is a very long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it any less shameful ” .
Seamus Clarke SC , defending , said his client has a number of children and is now a grandmother .
Detective Garda Brian Davoren accepted that her pleas of guilty saved the victim a trial .
He also acknowledged that she had €15,000 in court to offer the women as “ a token of her remorse ” .
He acknowledged that the victim and Ryan stayed in touch over the years and the victim visited Ryan on a number of occasions , including in 2010 .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up on a farm in Limerick before being awarded a scholarship to attend boarding school .
He said she “ regrets deeply what she has done ” and handed in a large number of letters , including ones from herself and her family .
He said she has given care to people in her local community .

Judge Martin Nolan noted that a victim impact statement outlined that the woman has been greatly traumatised by the abuse and it has impacted her life. Photograph: Dave Meehan
A Dublin grandmother who sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in the orphanage she was working in almost 50 years ago told gardaí that she believed she was in a romantic relationship with the girl.
Rita Ryan (69) was in her early twenties and working as a care assistant, when she first began to abuse the child after calling into her bedroom at night-time and asking her if she knew "what French kissing was?". The abuse continued and escalated in severity to include mutual masturbation and oral sex.
The now 60-year-old victim, who lives abroad, made a statement to gardaí in 2014. Ryan was questioned in October 2016 and said she did not think her behaviour amounted to sexual abuse.
She accepted a suggestion by the gardaí that it was instead “a romantic relationship” and acknowledged that it was also “an intimate relationship”.
READ MORE
Ryan of Meadowview Grove, Hillcrest, Lucan, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of indecent assault of the girl at the orphanage in Dublin on dates between December 1971 until October 1974. The abuse came to an end when the victim left Ireland to live with her mother abroad.
Dean Kelly SC, prosecuting, told the court that the pleas were acceptable to the State on the basis that they represent sample charges. He said the victim later told gardaí that Ryan would abuse her "frequently" and "whenever the opportunity arose".
Mr Kelly said the maximum penalty available to the court, due to the law that existed at the time, is two years. He confirmed that had the same abuse occurred today, Ryan would instead be facing a maximum sentence of 14 years, due to a change in legislation.
On Tuesday Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Ryan to a two year term which he suspended in full having heard the evidence on Monday and adjourning the case overnight to consider it. He noted that Ryan had €15,000 in court to offer the victim as a token of remorse and said she must have a further €15,000 for the victim within a year.
He estimated that Ryan had abused the child more than a hundred times and said that Ryan was an adult at the time in a position of trust.
"I have come to the conclusion that she knew what she was doing and to engage in such activities with a child is reprehensible," Judge Nolan said. He also made reference to the "disparity of age" between them.
Judge Nolan noted that a victim impact statement, which was not read out in court, outlined that the woman has been greatly traumatised by the abuse and it has impacted her life. He described the woman as “a great lady”.
He accepted that a psychologist report gave insight into Ryan’s own background and sexual experience and accepted that she is “highly unlikely to re-offend to any degree in the future.”
Judge Nolan took into account Ryan’s admissions, absence of a criminal record, the fact that she has led a productive life, is invaluable to her extended family and has contributed to her local community.
Judge Nolan said what “troubled the court” was “the prolonged nature of the behaviour” and described it as a “particularly important factor” in determining whether Ryan would go to jail or not.
He said he had decided the issue of custody separate to the €15,000 offered as a token of Ryan’s remorse.
“Let nobody say or believe she is buying her way out of prison. That is not the situation. I decide the issue of prison or not independent of any money proffered,” Judge Nolan said.
He addressed Ryan directly and said “what you did was shameful. It is a very long time ago but that doesn’t make it any less shameful”.
Seamus Clarke SC, defending, said his client has a number of children and is now a grandmother.
Detective Garda Brian Davoren accepted that her pleas of guilty saved the victim a trial. He also acknowledged that she had €15,000 in court to offer the women as "a token of her remorse".
He acknowledged that the victim and Ryan stayed in touch over the years and the victim visited Ryan on a number of occasions, including in 2010.
Mr Clarke told the court that his client grew up on a farm in Limerick before being awarded a scholarship to attend boarding school.
He said she “regrets deeply what she has done” and handed in a large number of letters, including ones from herself and her family. He said she has given care to people in her local community.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Waterford city regeneration project secures €110m in State funding

The Government has announced funding of €110 million for Waterford city ’ s North Quays in the “ largest urban regeneration project ” in the State .
The project received planning approval from Waterford City and County Council in July and is expected to receive a further €400 million from Saudi Arabian-backed Falcon Real Estate over the coming four years .
It is on an eight-hectare site and includes a 15-storey hotel and conference centre , twin blocks of office space rising to seven storeys , 300 apartments and an open public space .
The Cabinet on Tuesday signed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund while €30 million has been committed by the Department of Transport , through the National Transport Authority .
The State funding is for infrastructure works as well as the relocation of Plunkett train station east down the quay to become part of a “ sustainable transport hub ” .
The €30 million from the Department of Transport will go towards construction of a sustainable transport bridge across the River Suir , providing access for cyclists , pedestrians and public transport .
The Government estimates the project will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction phase , with private development delivering nearly 2,300 full-time jobs .
Works are expected to begin early next year .
It represents “ one of the single biggest investments ever ” made in the southeast , Minister for Housing , Local Government and Heritage Darragh O ’ Brien said on Tuesday .
Mr O ’ Brien said the development is “ currently the largest urban regeneration project ” in the country .
“ For too long Waterford city and the southeast region has suffered from underdevelopment and under-investment ” , he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region thrive into the future .
Aside from Falcon ’ s North Quays investment , its director Rob Cass said the company is also intending to move ahead with plans to build a shopping centre across the River Suir in Waterford city as well as some 800 houses on the city ’ s outskirts .

The Government has announced funding of €110 million for Waterford city's North Quays in the "largest urban regeneration project" in the State.
The project received planning approval from Waterford City and County Council in July and is expected to receive a further €400 million from Saudi Arabian-backed Falcon Real Estate over the coming four years.
It is on an eight-hectare site and includes a 15-storey hotel and conference centre, twin blocks of office space rising to seven storeys, 300 apartments and an open public space.
The Cabinet on Tuesday signed off on €80.6 million for the project from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund while €30 million has been committed by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority.
READ MORE
The State funding is for infrastructure works as well as the relocation of Plunkett train station east down the quay to become part of a “sustainable transport hub”. The €30 million from the Department of Transport will go towards construction of a sustainable transport bridge across the River Suir, providing access for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport.
The Government estimates the project will create 1,500 new full-time jobs during the construction phase, with private development delivering nearly 2,300 full-time jobs. Works are expected to begin early next year.
It represents“one of the single biggest investments ever” made in the southeast, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien said on Tuesday.
Mr O’Brien said the development is “ currently the largest urban regeneration project” in the country. “For too long Waterford city and the southeast region has suffered from underdevelopment and under-investment”, he added but said the redevelopment would help the region thrive into the future.
Aside from Falcon’s North Quays investment, its director Rob Cass said the company is also intending to move ahead with plans to build a shopping centre across the River Suir in Waterford city as well as some 800 houses on the city’s outskirts.


theirishtimes--2020-11-10--Garda driver arrested after suspected drink driving in State car

A Garda member assigned to drive a State car has been suspended from duty after he was involved in a road collision and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving .
The Garda driver was was not carrying any passengers in the State car when the crash occurred in Co Meath on Monday morning .
The male driver is among a wide number of Garda members who drive State VIPs as part of their duties .
These can include senior politicians , members of the judiciary , senior civil servants , the DPP and others .
Some Garda drivers work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the function on an ad-hoc basis and combine their driving duties with more conventional Garda work .
The drivers are also armed and effectively double as close protection officers for the personnel they drive around on official business .
In reply to queries , Garda Headquarters said gardaí from Navan attended the scene of a single vehicle crash on the M3 at about 10.30am on Monday .
“ The collision involved an unmarked official Garda car with one occupant .
No persons were injured , ” the Garda statement said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Síochána , was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant and a criminal investigation into breaches of the road traffic act is currently ongoing .
“ An internal discipline investigation has also commenced and the member of An Garda Síochána has been suspended from duty .
As this is an ongoing criminal investigation An Garda Síochána has no further comment.
” No findings of wrongdoing have been reached against the man and the inquiries are ongoing .

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris authorised the suspension of the Garda member pending the conclusion of the criminal investigation and the internal disciplinary investigation.
A Garda member assigned to drive a State car has been suspended from duty after he was involved in a road collision and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
The Garda driver was was not carrying any passengers in the State car when the crash occurred in Co Meath on Monday morning.
The male driver is among a wide number of Garda members who drive State VIPs as part of their duties. These can include senior politicians, members of the judiciary, senior civil servants, the DPP and others. Some Garda drivers work full-time in that role while others perform the function on an ad-hoc basis and combine their driving duties with more conventional Garda work.
The drivers are also armed and effectively double as close protection officers for the personnel they drive around on official business.
READ MORE
In reply to queries, Garda Headquarters said gardaí from Navan attended the scene of a single vehicle crash on the M3 at about 10.30am on Monday.
“The collision involved an unmarked official Garda car with one occupant. No persons were injured,” the Garda statement said.
"The driver, a member of An Garda Síochána, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant and a criminal investigation into breaches of the road traffic act is currently ongoing.
“An internal discipline investigation has also commenced and the member of An Garda Síochána has been suspended from duty. As this is an ongoing criminal investigation An Garda Síochána has no further comment.”
No findings of wrongdoing have been reached against the man and the inquiries are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-11-11--Ryanair refunds: Delete backwards on app to type correct case

We are sadly not done with airlines yet .
A reader who asked to be identified as Peter got in touch with an interesting story about his difficulty getting a refund for a cancelled flight from our friends in Ryanair and while it appears that he has resolved it himself we thought it might be worth sharing .
“ I have tried unsuccessfully so many times to claim a refund , ” his mail started .
“ Initially I sought the refunds for a number of flights and initially the claims seemed to be accepted .
A number of months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted to refuse but couldn ’ t do so on the Ryanair app .
It said my details were incorrect or didn ’ t match any booking.
” He says that for the last number of months he has “ periodically tried to seek a refund but would give up in frustration ” .
Last week he tried again and , initially , when he entered the email and booking details the response was that the details did not match an existing booking .
His gmail address starts with p for Peter but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always autocorrects ” to P when he tries to submit his claim .
In other words , the email always came out as P**** and not p***** .
“ So every time I submitted the claims , the app responded that my details didn ’ t match a booking .
This morning I typed in an additional word first and the first letter autocorrected to a capital but if I delete backwards the email first letter didn ’ t autocorrect and when I submitted the claim the app responded that the details matched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and being processed .
”

We are sadly not done with airlines yet. A reader who asked to be identified as Peter got in touch with an interesting story about his difficulty getting a refund for a cancelled flight from our friends in Ryanair and while it appears that he has resolved it himself we thought it might be worth sharing.
“I have tried unsuccessfully so many times to claim a refund,” his mail started. “Initially I sought the refunds for a number of flights and initially the claims seemed to be accepted. A number of months afterwards I was offered vouchers which I attempted to refuse but couldn’t do so on the Ryanair app. It said my details were incorrect or didn’t match any booking.”
He says that for the last number of months he has “periodically tried to seek a refund but would give up in frustration”.
Last week he tried again and, initially, when he entered the email and booking details the response was that the details did not match an existing booking.
READ MORE
His gmail address starts with p for Peter but he says that the lowercase p “always autocorrects” to P when he tries to submit his claim. In other words, the email always came out as P**** and not p*****.
“So every time I submitted the claims, the app responded that my details didn’t match a booking. This morning I typed in an additional word first and the first letter autocorrected to a capital but if I delete backwards the email first letter didn’t autocorrect and when I submitted the claim the app responded that the details matched and the claim appears to be accepted and being processed.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-11--Charles de Gaulle’s time in Ireland recalled on 50th anniversary of his death

Fifty years ago this week General Charles de Gaulle died suddenly at home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises in northern France .
Throughout his extraordinary life , which spanned two world wars and his 10 years as French president , he had enjoyed robust good health .
The end , though , came quickly , and he died suddenly from a burst blood vessel just weeks short of his 80th birthday .
To mark the 50th anniversary of his death , TG4 is broadcasting a documentary based on the six weeks de Gaulle spent in Ireland in the year before his death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ireland ) covers the time from May 10th to June 19th , 1969 , when one of the most famous figures of the 20th century , who in his own mind and those of many of his contemporaries was the very embodiment of France , could be found driving down the backroads of Kerry or Galway in search of solitude .
In 1969 Ireland was nobody ’ s idea of a destination for the rich or famous .
An Irish Times editorial expressed it best : “ The presence of General de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is almost as bizarre , in its first impact , as would be the announcement that Chairman Mao had arrived in Bangor , Co Down , to enjoy the amenities of Pickie Pool.
” It was Ireland ’ s very inaccessibility at the time that made it attractive to de Gaulle ; that and his family ’ s long interest in Ireland .
His maternal grandmother Marie-Angélique McCartan was descended from the McCartans of Co Down .
While in Kerry , de Gaulle insisted on visiting Derrynane House , the home of Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ François Flohic recalled in the documentary .
“ On the beach at Derrynane , he asked me : ‘ Is it not true that you can visit the house of O ’ Connell in Derrynane ?
’ ” Mr Flohic says in the documentary .
“ General , how do you know the history of Ireland ?
” he had asked de Gaulle .
“ ‘ Oh , ’ he said with a little laugh , a little chuckle , ‘ my grandmother wrote a book about O ’ Connell.
’ ” Joséphine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his paternal grandmother , wrote Daniel O ’ Connell , Le Libérateur de l ’ Irlande , in 1887 .
De Gaulle ’ s father Henri was also a historian with an interest in O ’ Connell .
Prof Grace Neville , UCC emeritus professor of French , says de Gaulle ’ s succinct entry in the Derrynane House guestbook , “ Honneur a O ’ Connell , liberateur , C de Gaulle ” , was intended to convey that de Gaulle saw himself as a liberator of his people in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The visit and the documentary are not without moments of levity too .
While the general was staying at Heron Cove Hotel in Sneem , hairdresser Peter Hanley ( now 78 ) was summoned to give him a haircut .
To this day he is still known in the town as “ de Gaulle ’ s barber ” .
He remembers him as a huge man , and one of few words .
“ We knew he was a mighty man in France .
I wasn ’ t going to be asking him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the championship that year .
Mind you , we did win the All-Ireland.
” The Cashel House Hotel in Connemara was only given a week ’ s notice that he was coming .
They did not have a bed big enough for the 6 ’ 6 ” general and knew that if they went to buy one they would confirm the related rumours circulating in the local community .
They tied a single bed to the bottom of their biggest double , stitched two mattresses together and sewed new sheets .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a height of at least 7ft .
“ Putting two and two [ together ] we were convinced that the general was coming to Cashel , ” said Joe Kelly , a trainee waiter at the hotel at the time .
De Gaulle in Éirinn is on TG4 at 9.30pm on Wednesday , November 11th , and available afterwards on the TG4 Player .

French president Charles de Gaulle (L) speaks with Irish president Éamon de Valera on June 18th, 1969, during his visit in Ireland. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images
Fifty years ago this week General Charles de Gaulle died suddenly at home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises in northern France.
Throughout his extraordinary life, which spanned two world wars and his 10 years as French president, he had enjoyed robust good health. The end, though, came quickly, and he died suddenly from a burst blood vessel just weeks short of his 80th birthday.
To mark the 50th anniversary of his death, TG4 is broadcasting a documentary based on the six weeks de Gaulle spent in Ireland in the year before his death.
De Gaulle in Éirinn (De Gaulle in Ireland) covers the time from May 10th to June 19th, 1969, when one of the most famous figures of the 20th century, who in his own mind and those of many of his contemporaries was the very embodiment of France, could be found driving down the backroads of Kerry or Galway in search of solitude.
READ MORE
Surprising destination
In 1969 Ireland was nobody's idea of a destination for the rich or famous. An Irish Times editorial expressed it best: "The presence of General de Gaulle in Sneem, Co Kerry, is almost as bizarre, in its first impact, as would be the announcement that Chairman Mao had arrived in Bangor, Co Down, to enjoy the amenities of Pickie Pool."
It was Ireland’s very inaccessibility at the time that made it attractive to de Gaulle; that and his family’s long interest in Ireland. His maternal grandmother Marie-Angélique McCartan was descended from the McCartans of Co Down.
While in Kerry, de Gaulle insisted on visiting Derrynane House, the home of Daniel O’Connell, as his aide-de-camp François Flohic recalled in the documentary.
Charles de Gaulle pictured walking on the beach in Derrynane, Co Kerry
“On the beach at Derrynane, he asked me: ‘Is it not true that you can visit the house of O’Connell in Derrynane?’” Mr Flohic says in the documentary.
“General, how do you know the history of Ireland?” he had asked de Gaulle.
“‘Oh,’ he said with a little laugh, a little chuckle, ‘my grandmother wrote a book about O’Connell.’”
Joséphine de Gaulle (née Maillot), his paternal grandmother, wrote Daniel O’Connell, Le Libérateur de l’Irlande, in 1887. De Gaulle’s father Henri was also a historian with an interest in O’Connell.
Prof Grace Neville, UCC emeritus professor of French, says de Gaulle’s succinct entry in the Derrynane House guestbook, “Honneur a O’Connell, liberateur, C de Gaulle”, was intended to convey that de Gaulle saw himself as a liberator of his people in the same way as O’Connell did.
Moments of levity
The visit and the documentary are not without moments of levity too. While the general was staying at Heron Cove Hotel in Sneem, hairdresser Peter Hanley (now 78) was summoned to give him a haircut. To this day he is still known in the town as "de Gaulle's barber".
He remembers him as a huge man, and one of few words. “We knew he was a mighty man in France. I wasn’t going to be asking him how Kerry was going to get on in the championship that year. Mind you, we did win the All-Ireland.”
A plaque for Charles de Gaulle in Sneem, Co Kerry
The Cashel House Hotel in Connemara was only given a week's notice that he was coming. They did not have a bed big enough for the 6' 6" general and knew that if they went to buy one they would confirm the related rumours circulating in the local community.
They tied a single bed to the bottom of their biggest double, stitched two mattresses together and sewed new sheets.
They were also ordered to cut overhanging branches to a height of at least 7ft.
"Putting two and two [together] we were convinced that the general was coming to Cashel," said Joe Kelly, a trainee waiter at the hotel at the time.
De Gaulle in Éirinn is on TG4 at 9.30pm on Wednesday, November 11th, and available afterwards on the TG4 Player.


theirishtimes--2020-11-11--Covid-19: Naas General Hospital suspends elective surgery, outpatient activity

Elective surgery and outpatient activity have been suspended at Naas General Hospital for two weeks due to a number of Covid-19 outbreaks .
The hospital has asked the public only to attend the emergency department if “ absolutely necessary ” as it has been experiencing a high level of attendances in recent days .
People with minor and less urgent medical problems are advised to see their pharmacy/GP/out-of-hours service in the first instance , where possible and appropriate , it said .
The hospital is dealing with a number of Covid-19 outbreaks involving patients and staff .
“ The hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff in line with infection prevention control and public health advice and guidance , ” a statement from the hospital said .
“ As part of the Covid-19 action plan the hospital is maintaining essential services – however a decision has been taken to pause elective surgery , endoscopy and outpatient activity for a two-week period .
All patients are being contacted directly by the hospital.
” Speaking at Oireachtas committee on Wednesday , HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it was dealing with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no other hospital in the country was in the same situation .
Kildare GP Dr Brendan O ’ Shea urged any one in the county who is in need of medical assistance to contact their GP rather than going to accident and emergency as Naas hospital is under pressure and has stopped elective procedures .
Dr O ’ Shea told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Claire Byrne show that if people contacted their GP rather than waiting until the evening or weekend this would help reduce hospital admissions .
GPs had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments , he said – which was stressful for patients and for GPs alike , but he was confident that the situation in Naas hospital would be brought under control .
Dr O ’ Shea said there was still “ a significant volume of service ” at Naas hospital despite the suspension of non-emergency surgery and outpatient activity following separate Covid-19 outbreaks involving staff and patients .
Figures from the HSE indicate there are at present 30 confirmed cases of Covid-19 being treated at hospital , with a further two suspected cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outpatient appointments and endoscopy services have also been postponed for the next two weeks , and patients affected by the delays are being contacted .
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation last Friday said 35 nurses and 10 healthcare assistants were unavailable for work due to being diagnosed with the virus or being a close contact .

Elective surgery and outpatient activity have been suspended at Naas General Hospital for two weeks
“Multiple outbreaks” of Covid-19 at University Hospital Limerick and at Ennis Hospital, in Clare, have resulted in cancellations of “all routine outpatient appointments and the majority of elective procedures” this Thursday and Friday.
The UL Hospitals Group chief executive Colette Cowan, who oversees both hospitals as well as several others, said the group was trying to manage “a complex situation involving multiple outbreaks” of coronavirus.
Ms Cowan said it was “vital” that any patient requiring emergency care attend at UHL’s 24-hour emergency department, which remained open.
She said she regretted the impact on patients, but that the announced measures were “necessary in the interests of patient and staff safety”.
READ MORE
A spokesman for the group running both hospitals, said it would not be releasing information on the numbers of positive cases at both hospitals.
They said “significant numbers of staff are currently off work and self-isolating having either tested positive for Covid-19 or been designated as close contact”.
The Group’s clinical director, Professor Brian Lenehan, said “the volume of staff currently self-isolating having come into contact with Covid-19 is now such that we are curtailing scheduled care to concentrate resources on emergency presentations and on inpatients”.
He added “this will also serve to reduce footfall in our hospitals in the coming days”, and that, “such cancellations are provided for in our escalation plan”.
The group spokesman said “separate Covid/query Covid and non-Covid pathways are in place to keep patients safe”.
“Outbreak control teams established in both locations are working closely with public health and occupational health colleagues and all the relevant HPSC guidance is being followed as we work to contain the virus and to protect patients and staff,” they said.
“Contact tracing and testing of staff and patients is continuing and we are putting into effect all the appropriate infection control measures to mitigate the risk.”
Meanwhile, elective surgery and outpatient activity have been suspended at Naas General Hospital for two weeks due to a number of Covid-19 outbreaks.
The hospital has asked the public only to attend the emergency department if “absolutely necessary” as it has been experiencing a high level of attendances in recent days.
People with minor and less urgent medical problems are advised to see their pharmacy/GP/out-of-hours service in the first instance, where possible and appropriate, it said.
The hospital is dealing with a number of Covid-19 outbreaks involving patients and staff.
“The hospital management team have implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff in line with infection prevention control and public health advice and guidance,” a statement from the hospital said.
“As part of the Covid-19 action plan the hospital is maintaining essential services – however a decision has been taken to pause elective surgery, endoscopy and outpatient activity for a two-week period. All patients are being contacted directly by the hospital.”
Speaking at Oireachtas committee on Wednesday, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it was dealing with a significant issue in Naas. He stressed no other hospital in the country was in the same situation.
Kildare GP Dr Brendan O’Shea urged any one in the county who is in need of medical assistance to contact their GP rather than going to accident and emergency as Naas hospital is under pressure and has stopped elective procedures.
Dr O’Shea told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show that if people contacted their GP rather than waiting until the evening or weekend this would help reduce hospital admissions.
GPs had been requested to help reduce attendance at emergency departments, he said – which was stressful for patients and for GPs alike, but he was confident that the situation in Naas hospital would be brought under control.
Dr O’Shea said there was still “a significant volume of service” at Naas hospital despite the suspension of non-emergency surgery and outpatient activity following separate Covid-19 outbreaks involving staff and patients.
Figures from the HSE indicate there are at present 30 confirmed cases of Covid-19 being treated at hospital, with a further two suspected cases and one patient in ICU with Covid-19.
Outpatient appointments and endoscopy services have also been postponed for the next two weeks, and patients affected by the delays are being contacted.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation last Friday said 35 nurses and 10 healthcare assistants were unavailable for work due to being diagnosed with the virus or being a close contact.


theirishtimes--2020-11-11--Not reopening pubs in December will create a ‘two-tier Christmas’, vintners say

Failure to reopen pubs and allow indoor service for the December period , will create a “ two-tier Christmas ” for those working in the hospitality sector , vintners lobby groups have said .
Under current Level 5 coronavirus restrictions , pubs , bars and cafes can only offer takeaway services , and before the national lockdown pubs in Dublin were limited to outdoor dining for a maximum of 15 people only .
The Government is to consider easing the current lockdown restrictions at the start of December .
Publicans ’ representative groups have called for the hospitality sector to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Christmas , a traditionally busy period for the industry .
The vintners lobby has said if pubs are forced to remain shut , or limited to outdoor service only , it will create a “ two-tier Christmas , ” between those allowed return to work , and those in the hospitality sector .
A third of pubs in Dublin – about 250 establishments – have not opened for a single day since March this year , the groups said in a joint statement .
And nearly half of the pubs across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks of the same period , the statement said .
Donall O ’ Keeffe , chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association ( LVA ) , who represent Dublin pubs , said it was “ not ok for Government policy to be creating a ‘ haves and have nots ’ division all over the country around Christmas.
” “ Are Micheál Martin or Leo Varadkar going to tell the tens of thousands of children whose families work in the hospitality sector that Santa may not come to them this year or that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe budget , while their neighbours and friends face no such restrictions ?
, ” he said .
“ People in our industry have taken a lot of pain this year , but if this situation is allowed to happen I don ’ t think it will ever be forgotten .
It is a sure-fire way to sow lasting discord around the country , ” Mr O ’ Keeffe said .
The vintners groups said pub staff were reporting that they would not be able to afford Christmas for their families while on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief executive of the Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) , who lobby for pubs outside of Dublin , said “ limiting hospitality businesses to a 15 person outdoor capacity simply won ’ t do in December ” .
The sector had to be allowed to resume with indoor trading , or the “ Government might as well just take the keys away for most of these businesses , ” he said .
Limits to outdoor service only “ certainly won ’ t allow 90 per cent of the sector to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Mr Cribben criticised concerns from the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) that pubs and bars contributed to Covid-19 infections as “ unproven.
” However , public health officials have previously outlined significant clusters of cases arising from people congregating in pubs and restaurants .
“ Publicans and their staff have already proved they can successfully and safely open under government guidelines , ” Mr Cribben said .
“ This was shown when the food pubs reopened in June and when the traditional pubs outside Dublin reopened towards the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases in the infection rate attributed to pubs , ” he said .
Meanwhile , infectious diseases expert Prof Paddy Mallon has warned that the Irish public need to “ sit back and think about what they want from Christmas ” as they are not going to have “ a normal Christmas ” .
Speaking on Newstalk ’ s Pat Kenny show , Prof Mallon said that if people started to “ go out ” and have close contacts that would lead to a repeat of the situation the country was in at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan what they want from Christmas and then fit those plans around public health regulations , he suggested .
Where people have contacts they should make them as safe as possible .
An examination of data from October showed that Covid-19 outbreaks were happening within the home .
“ The one thing that we could do as a society is not to return to unregulated home gatherings .
That ’ s where a lot of cases were coming from.
” There was a need “ to dig down into cases as they develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the home .
The hospitality industry had been very responsible in their approach and it would be necessary “ to see what works and what doesn ’ t work , ” Prof Mallon said .
“ We need evidence to have a more nuanced approach.
” Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast , immunologist Dr Tomás Ryan also warned that the country could find itself back at 1,000 cases a day by January if restrictions were lifted as planned on December 1st .
The Government needed to warn people that , under the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be anything like the Christmases we normally have anyway.
” It was not going to be worth it to end up in another lockdown in January or early February .
Such a scenario should be prevented in any way it could , he said .
“ Even if we get down to 100 cases a day on December 1st , it seems to me it would be much more profitable and pleasant for everyone in Ireland if we got cases down to single figures or to zero and then kept them there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay open for as long as possible.
” Ireland could be in the same situation as Australia , which he described as “ wonderful ” , if the current lockdown was maintained for longer .
“ I think we can return to a normality that is quite like life right now in most of Australia by early January , which would mean Level 1 or Level zero restrictions by January , if we get rid of this now .
“ One way of doing this would be to delay Christmas until the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a real party then.
” Extending Level 5 for at least a few weeks would be in everyone ’ s best interests , he said .
The Government had not communicated “ reasonable expectations ” of what Christmas was going to be like .
“ It is certainly not going to be anything like the Christmases we normally have anyway .
The important thing is , we are all in lockdown now , we are paying a heavy price anyway and we want to make sure we get the right benefit from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting that if we have another lockdown in January .
”

Temple Bar in Dublin, an area of the city centre that is usually packed with visitors and pubs open. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Failure to reopen pubs and allow indoor service for the December period, will create a “two-tier Christmas” for those working in the hospitality sector, vintners lobby groups have said.
Under current Level 5 coronavirus restrictions, pubs, bars and cafes can only offer takeaway services, and before the national lockdown pubs in Dublin were limited to outdoor dining for a maximum of 15 people only. The Government is to consider easing the current lockdown restrictions at the start of December.
Publicans’ representative groups have called for the hospitality sector to be allowed to reopen in the run-up to Christmas, a traditionally busy period for the industry.
The vintners lobby has said if pubs are forced to remain shut, or limited to outdoor service only, it will create a “two-tier Christmas,” between those allowed return to work, and those in the hospitality sector.
READ MORE
A third of pubs in Dublin – about 250 establishments – have not opened for a single day since March this year, the groups said in a joint statement. And nearly half of the pubs across the country were only able to trade for two weeks of the same period, the statement said.
Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), who represent Dublin pubs, said it was “not ok for Government policy to be creating a ‘haves and have nots’ division all over the country around Christmas.”
“Are Micheál Martin or Leo Varadkar going to tell the tens of thousands of children whose families work in the hospitality sector that Santa may not come to them this year or that he’ll be operating on a severe budget, while their neighbours and friends face no such restrictions?,” he said.
“People in our industry have taken a lot of pain this year, but if this situation is allowed to happen I don’t think it will ever be forgotten. It is a sure-fire way to sow lasting discord around the country,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
The vintners groups said pub staff were reporting that they would not be able to afford Christmas for their families while on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Padraig Cribben, chief executive of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), who lobby for pubs outside of Dublin, said “limiting hospitality businesses to a 15 person outdoor capacity simply won’t do in December”.
The sector had to be allowed to resume with indoor trading, or the “Government might as well just take the keys away for most of these businesses,” he said. Limits to outdoor service only “certainly won’t allow 90 per cent of the sector to go back to work,” he said.
Mr Cribben criticised concerns from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) that pubs and bars contributed to Covid-19 infections as “unproven.”
However, public health officials have previously outlined significant clusters of cases arising from people congregating in pubs and restaurants.
“Publicans and their staff have already proved they can successfully and safely open under government guidelines,” Mr Cribben said.
“This was shown when the food pubs reopened in June and when the traditional pubs outside Dublin reopened towards the end of September. There were no increases in the infection rate attributed to pubs,” he said.
Meanwhile, infectious diseases expert Prof Paddy Mallon has warned that the Irish public need to “sit back and think about what they want from Christmas” as they are not going to have “a normal Christmas”.
Speaking on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show, Prof Mallon said that if people started to “go out” and have close contacts that would lead to a repeat of the situation the country was in at the end of October.
People should plan what they want from Christmas and then fit those plans around public health regulations, he suggested. Where people have contacts they should make them as safe as possible.
An examination of data from October showed that Covid-19 outbreaks were happening within the home. “The one thing that we could do as a society is not to return to unregulated home gatherings. That’s where a lot of cases were coming from.”
There was a need “to dig down into cases as they develop” to see if they were arising outside the home. The hospitality industry had been very responsible in their approach and it would be necessary “to see what works and what doesn’t work,” Prof Mallon said.
“We need evidence to have a more nuanced approach.”
Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, immunologist Dr Tomás Ryan also warned that the country could find itself back at 1,000 cases a day by January if restrictions were lifted as planned on December 1st.
The Government needed to warn people that, under the current restrictions this Christmas was “not going to be anything like the Christmases we normally have anyway.”
It was not going to be worth it to end up in another lockdown in January or early February. Such a scenario should be prevented in any way it could, he said.
“Even if we get down to 100 cases a day on December 1st, it seems to me it would be much more profitable and pleasant for everyone in Ireland if we got cases down to single figures or to zero and then kept them there so that we could open up and stay open for as long as possible.”
Ireland could be in the same situation as Australia, which he described as “wonderful”, if the current lockdown was maintained for longer.
“I think we can return to a normality that is quite like life right now in most of Australia by early January, which would mean Level 1 or Level zero restrictions by January, if we get rid of this now.
“One way of doing this would be to delay Christmas until the end of January and have a real Christmas and a real party then.”
Extending Level 5 for at least a few weeks would be in everyone’s best interests, he said. The Government had not communicated “reasonable expectations” of what Christmas was going to be like.
“It is certainly not going to be anything like the Christmases we normally have anyway. The important thing is, we are all in lockdown now, we are paying a heavy price anyway and we want to make sure we get the right benefit from it and we won’t be getting that if we have another lockdown in January.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-11--High Court judge rules child rapist can be named ‘in public interest’

A High Court judge has said a recent Court of Appeal decision means reporting restrictions apply in the case of now adult victims of child abuse who are seeking to have their rapist named .
Mr Justice Tony Hunt said his own differing interpretation of the relevant law “ must yield to that of the higher court ” .
However , he said his interpretation is that “ the natural and ordinary meaning of the term ‘ child ’ does not encompass a deceased child or an adult ” .
Mr Justice Hunt was speaking at the latest hearing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is contesting efforts by his now adult victims to have him identified .
The 56-year-old man ’ s lawyers had previously submitted to Mr Justice Hunt that their client can not be identified because of the Children Act .
On Wednesday morning , Mr Justice Hunt ordered the lifting of all reporting restrictions in the case , saying he considers this was “ in the public interest ” .
But he placed a 28 day stay on his order pending an application to the Court of Appeal by the defendant .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Children Act 2001 which provides mandatory and automatic reporting restrictions in the case of “ any proceedings for an offence against a child ” .
“ On that interpretation the operation of section 252 would automatically cease when the child concerned either died or became an adult .
In either of those events there would no longer be any child to which any protection conferred by the Act might apply , ” the judge said .
He said he did not believe this interpretation “ would have been either contrived or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty in 2015 at the Central Criminal Court to the repeated rape and sexual assault of his wife ’ s two sons at his Co Wicklow home over a 10-year period .
The victims were under the age of 10 when the abuse started in 1993 and the attacks continued for a decade .
In March 2016 , Mr Justice Hunt imposed a prison term of 21 years , with the final five years suspended .
At that sentencing , the victims , who are now adults , told the court they wished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step-father can be named publicly .
However , because there were related cases to be prosecuted at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court , Mr Justice Hunt placed a stay on the waiving of the anonymity .
These cases have now finished and the Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking , on behalf of the two victims , to have this lifted so that their rapist can be identified .
Mr Justice Hunt he placed a 28 day stay on his order to lift the prohibition pending an application to the Court of Appeal by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month rejected an application by several media outlets to be allowed to name a woman who smothered her three-year-old child to death with a pillow .
It ruled that Section 252 of the Children Act 2001 makes it an offence to publish anything that could identify a child who is an alleged victim of an offence , including a deceased child .
Before making his order on Wednesday , Mr Justice Hunt said that in advance of the Court of Appeal judgement last month , he would have held that the Children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
He said while the judgement means this prohibition does apply , the Children Act allows the court to dispense with the reporting restrictions “ if it is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so in the interests of the child ” .
He said that , having reviewed the testimony of the victims and their repeated assertions that they wish to be identified , he was satisfied that he should lift these prohibitions .
He noted that “ the act of a victim in publicly speaking out about their experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” and can also encourage others in their position to come forward .
“ I consider that the remaining reporting restrictions are substantial and unreasonable at this point in time , ” he said .
He ordered the removal of all remaining reporting restrictions and said “ it is now in the pubic interest .
”

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said his interpretation of the law is that ‘the natural and ordinary meaning of the term ‘child’ does not encompass a deceased child or an adult’. File Photograph: Collins Courts.
A High Court judge has said his interpretation of reporting restrictions in relation to child victims of crime differs from a recent Court of Appeal judgement.
Speaking in the case of now adult victims of child abuse who wish to have their rapist named, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that his own interpretation of the law "must yield to that of the higher court".
He was commenting on section 252 of the Children Act 2001 which provides mandatory and automatic reporting restrictions in the case of “any proceedings for an offence against a child”.
Last month, the Court of Appeal found that these prohibitions extend to children who had died or turned 18.
READ MORE
The Court of Appeal was ruling in an appeal by a number of media organisations, against restrictions imposed on the naming of a child and her mother, who had killed the child.
Mr Justice Hunt said that in his view “the natural and ordinary meaning of the term ‘child’ does not encompass a deceased child or an adult”.
“On that interpretation the operation of section 252 would automatically cease when the child concerned either died or became an adult. In either of those events there would no longer be any child to which any protection conferred by the Act might apply”.
He said he did not believe this interpretation “would have been either contrived or artificial”.
In the case before the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, lawyers for a 56-year-old convicted child rapist had previously submitted to Mr Justice Hunt that their client cannot be identified because of the Children Act.
The man pleaded guilty in 2015 at the Central Criminal Court to the repeated rape and sexual assault of his wife’s two sons at his home over a 10-year period.
The victims were under the age of 10 when the abuse started in 1993 and the attacks continued for a decade.
Prison term
In March 2016, Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a prison term of 21 years, with the final five years suspended.
At that sentencing, the victims, who are now adults, told the court they wished to waive their statutory anonymity so their step-father can be named publicly. However, because there were related cases to be prosecuted at the Circuit Criminal Court, Mr Justice Hunt placed a stay on the waiving of the anonymity.
These cases have now finished and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is seeking, on behalf of his two victims, to have this stay lifted so that the convicted rapist can be identified.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Justice Hunt said while the Court of Appeal ruling means the section 252 prohibitions apply, there is still scope in that section to lift the restrictions where the court “is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so in the interests of the child”.
He accordingly made an order lifting all reporting restrictions in the case, saying he considers this was “in the public interest”.
But he placed a 28 day stay on his order pending an application to the Court of Appeal by the defendant.
Mr Justice Hunt said that, having reviewed the testimony of the victims and their repeated assertions that they wish to be identified, he was satisfied that he should lift these prohibitions.
He said that “the act of a victim in publicly speaking out about their experiences can assist the victim in recovery from the effects of the crime” and can also encourage others in their position to come forward.


theirishtimes--2020-11-11--Covid-19: Booster doses may be needed for vaccine, Nphet told

Regular boosters may be needed for a vaccine against Covid-19 due to declining antibody response over time , according to new evidence provided to the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) .
Immunity can last between two and six months after infection with the virus , and re-infection is rare but possible , according to the advice from the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) .
Worldwide , at least 14 patients have been re-infected by SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes Covid-19 , according to research based on genetic evidence that showed the first and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains .
“ It is important to remember , however , that these are rare events , ” said Dr Máirín Ryan , Hiqa ’ s deputy chief executive and director of health technology assessment .
The fact that re-infection happens has significant policy implications , she warned , with the same infection control , isolation and contact tracing requirements applying to the re-infection as with the first infection .
“ All public health advice , including hygiene and physical distancing , should apply to those who have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumed.
” Evidence from 22 studies suggests IgG antibody levels ( the most common antibody in the blood ) are sustained for at least two months after infection , and for some up to six months .
Levels of bodies that can neutralised viruses decline over time , especially in the later stages .
Dr Ryan said this has implications for vaccine development , antibody testing and immunotherapy .
Many of the Covid-19 vaccines currently in development focus on generating a strong neutralising antibody response to provide protection from infection .
Hiqa said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term and if vaccination results in a similar response , “ consideration may be given to the need for repeat of ‘ booster ’ doses ” .
Hiqa has also found limited evidence that convalescent plasma is an effective treatment for Covid-19 , with low rates of adverse events .
Convalescent plasma from patients recently recovered from a disease contains antibodies which , when transfused into others , may provide passive immunity to the disease in recipients .
Historically , it has been used to treat conditions for which there was no vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where there are no other alternative treatments available , convalescent plasma may offer a potential treatment option for ( Covid-19 ) patients at high risk of a severe course of the disease , ” Hiqa said .

Many of the Covid-19 vaccines currently in development focus on generating a strong neutralising antibody response to provide protection from infection
Regular boosters may be needed for a vaccine against Covid-19 due to people’s antibody response to the disease declining over time, new information provided to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) states.
A Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) reports says Covid-19 immunity can last for between two and six months after infection and that while rare, reinfection is possible.
At least 14 patients worldwide have been reinfected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, research based on genetic evidence that showed the first and second infections were caused by different viral strains has found.
Hospital Report
Dr Máirín Ryan, Hiqa’s deputy chief executive, said the fact that reinfection happens has significant policy implications, with the same need for infection controls, isolation and contact tracing as in first-time cases.
READ MORE
“All public health advice, including hygiene and physical distancing, should apply to those who have recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection as immunity from reinfection cannot be assumed,” she said.
Evidence from 22 studies suggests IgG antibody levels (the most common antibody in the blood) are sustained for at least two months after infection and for up to six months in some people. Levels of antibodies that can neutralise viruses decline over time.
Dr Ryan said this has implications for vaccine development, antibody testing and immunotherapy.
Many of the Covid-19 vaccines currently in development focus on generating a strong neutralising antibody response to provide protection from infection.
Hiqa said its findings suggest immunity may not be long-term and if vaccination results in a similar response, “consideration may be given to the need for repeat of ‘booster’ doses”. It has also found limited evidence that convalescent plasma is an effective treatment for Covid-19, with low rates of adverse events.
Convalescent plasma from patients recently recovered from a disease contains antibodies which, when transfused into others, may provide passive immunity to the disease in recipients. Historically, it has been used to treat conditions for which there was no vaccine or drug intervention.
“In cases where there are no other alternative treatments available, convalescent plasma may offer a potential treatment option for (Covid-19) patients at high risk of a severe course of the disease,” Hiqa said.