theirishtimes--2020-07-21--Ballina bids farewell to its most famous fisherman

It started with the ringing of church bells followed by a respectful one-minute silence .
It ended with a vigorous rendition of Ireland ’ s best-known soccer anthem , Put ’ Em Under Pressure , with all – young and old – joining in with gusto .
The mood was one of celebration as well as mourning as the Ballina community turned out in force on Tuesday afternoon for the unveiling of a mural honouring former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton on the banks of the River Moy in his adopted Ballina .
The event , fixed for 12.30pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England .
The Ballina Community Clean Up group painted the mural on a building overlooking the Ridge Pool , once anointed by Big Jack when he declared it his favourite salmon angling spot in the whole world , bar none .
Artist Padraig Mitchell , who led the team involved in the mural project , set the ball rolling on the ceremony .
He said the organisers had been in touch with the Charltons and the family had asked that Put ’ Em Under Pressure be played during the proceedings .
Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident of Ballina and his frequent presence had done much to enhance the area .
Michael “ Kio ” Ruane was wrapped in a Tricolour emblazoned with the words “ pure magic ” , a cherished supporters ’ relic from the Charlton era .
“ I ghillied for Jack and the late Derek Davis on Lough Conn , ” he recalled .
“ It was a very cold day .
Jack called it off .
He wanted to head for the hotel [ Pontoon Bridge ] for a few whiskies and cigars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ great character .
All he wanted was a bit of craic.
” Eugene Maguire from Ballina said “ gentlemanly ” Charlton sang a song at his daughter Muriel ’ s 21st birthday .
“ Jack loved Ballina , ” he said .
“ Nobody annoyed him here .
People gave him space when he was in town.
” Michelle Cunningham recounted how in the 1980s , when she was a schoolgirl , she and her friends would sit on the wall of the Ridge Pool watching Charlton casting .
“ He threw us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I remember we were delighted , rushing home to fell our families how the tall man with the strange accent was so nice to us.
” Ballina couple Sean and Phil Henry accommodated Charlton and his wife Pat in their B & B before he bought a house locally in the 1980s .
“ Jack and Pat weren ’ t a bit fussy , ” said Phil .
“ Every morning Jack loved his big fry-up of bacon , eggs , sausages , toast , the lot .
He had a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two men waist-deep in water and swathed in angling gear continued to fish the adjacent Ridge Pool .
As Charlton might have said , the show – particularly when it comes to fishing – must go on .

Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton, who died on July 10th aged 85. Photograph: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
It started with the ringing of church bells followed by a respectful one-minute silence. It ended with a vigorous rendition of Ireland’s best-known soccer anthem, Put ’Em Under Pressure, with all – young and old – joining in with gusto.
The mood was one of celebration as well as mourning as the Ballina community turned out in force on Tuesday afternoon for the unveiling of a mural honouring former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton on the banks of the River Moy in his adopted Ballina.
The event, fixed for 12.30pm, coincided with Charlton’s funeral in England.
The Ballina Community Clean Up group painted the mural on a building overlooking the Ridge Pool, once anointed by Big Jack when he declared it his favourite salmon angling spot in the whole world, bar none.
READ MORE
Artist Padraig Mitchell, who led the team involved in the mural project, set the ball rolling on the ceremony. He said the organisers had been in touch with the Charltons and the family had asked that Put ’Em Under Pressure be played during the proceedings.
Nobody annoyed him here. People gave him space when he was in town
Mitchell said Charlton was the most famous ever resident of Ballina and his frequent presence had done much to enhance the area.
Michael “Kio” Ruane was wrapped in a Tricolour emblazoned with the words “pure magic”, a cherished supporters’ relic from the Charlton era.
"I ghillied for Jack and the late Derek Davis on Lough Conn," he recalled. "It was a very cold day. Jack called it off. He wanted to head for the hotel [Pontoon Bridge] for a few whiskies and cigars.
‘A bit of craic’
“Jack was good fun, a great character. All he wanted was a bit of craic.”
Eugene Maguire from Ballina said “gentlemanly” Charlton sang a song at his daughter Muriel’s 21st birthday.
“Jack loved Ballina,” he said. “Nobody annoyed him here. People gave him space when he was in town.”
Michelle Cunningham recounted how in the 1980s, when she was a schoolgirl, she and her friends would sit on the wall of the Ridge Pool watching Charlton casting.
“He threw us a fistful of coins on one occasion. I remember we were delighted, rushing home to fell our families how the tall man with the strange accent was so nice to us.”
Ballina couple Sean and Phil Henry accommodated Charlton and his wife Pat in their B&B before he bought a house locally in the 1980s.
“Jack and Pat weren’t a bit fussy,” said Phil. “Every morning Jack loved his big fry-up of bacon, eggs, sausages, toast, the lot. He had a great appetite.”
As the ceremony continued, two men waist-deep in water and swathed in angling gear continued to fish the adjacent Ridge Pool. As Charlton might have said, the show – particularly when it comes to fishing – must go on.


theirishtimes--2020-07-21--‘Very unusual’ that witness in murder trial not deported from US

A US immigration expert has said it is “ very unusual ” that Homeland Security officers took no action against a witness in the trial of Aaron Brady after the man was detained having stayed beyond his 90-day limit .
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin , Kerry Bretz told defence counsel Justin McQuade BL that in his almost 30 years of experience practising immigration law , he has never seen a case where a visa overstayer was released and told to file their application at a later date .
Mr Bretz told the trial that he analysed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Cahill has previously given evidence that he heard Mr Brady admit to killing a garda on three occasions while Mr Brady was living in New York .
Mr Cahill also told the trial that he entered the US using the 90-day visa waiver programme in 2013 but got a job as a bartender and has lived there since .
Aaron Brady ( 29 ) from New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 25th , 2013 at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth .
Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location The trial heard that on July 25th last year , Special Agent Mary Ann Wade and other officers with Homeland Security called to Mr Cahill ’ s home in New York and on the same day he gave a statement to gardaí investigating the murder of Det Gda Donohoe .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Bretz explained that the visa waiver programme allows people from certain countries to stay in the US for 90 days without having to apply for a visa .
However , if the person stays longer than 90 days they have no right to appeal their case to a judge and once detained by Homeland Security they can be removed on the next commercial flight to their home country .
Mr Cahill said during his evidence that in July 2019 when he spoke to Homeland Security he was married to an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apply for status to remain in the US .
Mr Bretz said that in those circumstances , Homeland Security would have no choice but to make a removal order but they would also have the discretion not to execute the order .
However , he said it would be “ highly unlikely ” that they would use their discretion in such a case and said he has never seen it happen .
“ It is likely he would be removed and deported on the first available commercial flight.
” Mr McQuade asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security detaining a visa overstayer and releasing them so they could file an application further down the road .
He replied : “ Never , no.
” Mr McQuade asked about the presence of an Enforcement and Removal Officer when Homeland Security called to Mr Cahill ’ s home .
The witness said : “ If they were there to ask Mr Cahill , do you want to talk to the guards , there would be no need to bring an Enforcement and Removal officer.
” He added that it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security to release Mr Cahill and take no further action , particularly in circumstances where a hemp plant and steroids were also found in Mr Cahill ’ s home .
The witness also said that if Homeland Security is conducting an investigation they use immigration violations as “ leverage ” .
He explained that it is assumed that most people want to stay in the US and when they are facing deportation they are in a vulnerable state .
If officers think they could be useful as confidential informants or as witnesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time they can make that happen ” .
Under cross-examination , Mr Bretz agreed with prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC that Homeland Security were assisting gardaí in the investigation of the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe .
Mr Grehan suggested that might give “ ample reason ” to understand why discretion was used in the case of Mr Cahill and would explain why this case is outside Mr Bretz ’ experience .
The expert witness said , “ it ’ s possible ” .
He also agreed with Mr Grehan that Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have the power to use their discretion .
The defence evidence continues in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of six men and seven women .

A US immigration expert has said it is "very unusual" that Homeland Security officers took no action against a witness in the trial of Aaron Brady after the man was detained having stayed beyond his 90-day limit.
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, Kerry Bretz told defence counsel Justin McQuade BL that in his almost 30 years of experience practising immigration law, he has never seen a case where a visa overstayer was released and told to file their application at a later date.
Mr Bretz told the trial that he analysed the known facts regarding prosecution witness Daniel Cahill.
Mr Cahill has previously given evidence that he heard Mr Brady admit to killing a garda on three occasions while Mr Brady was living in New York. Mr Cahill also told the trial that he entered the US using the 90-day visa waiver programme in 2013 but got a job as a bartender and has lived there since.
READ MORE
Aaron Brady (29) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Siochána on active duty on January 25th, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth.
Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location
The trial heard that on July 25th last year, Special Agent Mary Ann Wade and other officers with Homeland Security called to Mr Cahill’s home in New York and on the same day he gave a statement to gardaí investigating the murder of Det Gda Donohoe. He spoke to gardaí again four days later.
Mr Bretz explained that the visa waiver programme allows people from certain countries to stay in the US for 90 days without having to apply for a visa. However, if the person stays longer than 90 days they have no right to appeal their case to a judge and once detained by Homeland Security they can be removed on the next commercial flight to their home country.
Mr Cahill said during his evidence that in July 2019 when he spoke to Homeland Security he was married to an American citizen but had not filed the paperwork to apply for status to remain in the US.
Mr Bretz said that in those circumstances, Homeland Security would have no choice but to make a removal order but they would also have the discretion not to execute the order.
However, he said it would be “highly unlikely” that they would use their discretion in such a case and said he has never seen it happen.
“It is likely he would be removed and deported on the first available commercial flight.”
Mr McQuade asked if the expert witness had ever heard of Homeland Security detaining a visa overstayer and releasing them so they could file an application further down the road. He replied: “Never, no.”
Mr McQuade asked about the presence of an Enforcement and Removal Officer when Homeland Security called to Mr Cahill’s home.
The witness said: “If they were there to ask Mr Cahill, do you want to talk to the guards, there would be no need to bring an Enforcement and Removal officer.”
He added that it would be “very unusual” for Homeland Security to release Mr Cahill and take no further action, particularly in circumstances where a hemp plant and steroids were also found in Mr Cahill’s home.
The witness also said that if Homeland Security is conducting an investigation they use immigration violations as “leverage”. He explained that it is assumed that most people want to stay in the US and when they are facing deportation they are in a vulnerable state. If officers think they could be useful as confidential informants or as witnesses, he said, “that is the time they can make that happen”.
Under cross-examination, Mr Bretz agreed with prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC that Homeland Security were assisting gardaí in the investigation of the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe.
Mr Grehan suggested that might give “ample reason” to understand why discretion was used in the case of Mr Cahill and would explain why this case is outside Mr Bretz’ experience. The expert witness said, “it’s possible”.
He also agreed with Mr Grehan that Homeland Security, like all law enforcement agencies, have the power to use their discretion.
.
The defence evidence continues in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of six men and seven women.


theirishtimes--2020-07-21--Coronavirus more severe in colder weather, research suggests

Coronavirus may be more severe in colder months than warmer ones , and dry indoor air may encourage its spread , new research suggests .
Severe Covid-19 outcomes decreased as the pandemic progressed from winter to the warmer months , analysis indicates .
Experts warn that their findings paint a grim picture for the colder weather , when it is thought the disease may re-emerge .
Researchers analysed data from 6,914 patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in Croatia , Spain , Italy , Finland , Poland , Germany , the UK and China .
They mapped this against local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that severe outcomes — being taken to hospital , admittance to ICU or the need for ventilation — dropped in most European countries over the course of the pandemic , covering the transition from winter to early summer .
The study , which has not been peer-reviewed , suggests there was a corresponding decrease in the rate of deaths from the disease .
There was roughly a 15 per cent drop in mortality for every one degree Celsius rise in temperature , the King ’ s College London researchers say .
By contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate remained constant in China during the first wave of the pandemic , which occurred solely throughout the winter .
The study also looked at data from more than 37,000 UK users of the Covid Symptom Study app reporting symptoms consistent with Covid-19 .
It showed a similar decrease in the severity of reported symptoms from March through May as UK temperatures rose .
According to the researchers , the changes were too large to be explained by improvements in treatment of the disease , patient age or hospitals becoming overwhelmed during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal influence on the virus .
Although the virus can clearly spread in hot , humid countries in East Asia , it is notable that the severity and mortality from the disease have been lower than in Europe and other more temperate climates , the paper suggests .
The researchers suggest indoor heating during the winter months may also contribute to the spread of the disease by drying out the protective mucus barrier within the nose and airways , making viral infection easier .
Dr Gordan Lauc , professor of biochemistry and molecular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honorary visiting professor at King ’ s College London , is senior author of the study .
He said : “ Our findings point to a role for seasonality in the transmission and severity of Covid-19 , and also argue for increased humidity and hydration as a way to combat the virus .
“ This paints a grim picture for the next winter in Europe when more severe ‘ winter ’ Covid-19 is expected to return — something we are currently observing in the southern hemisphere.
” Professor Tim Spector from King ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This study highlights the importance of gathering long-term data about the incidence , symptoms and progression of Covid-19 from as many people as possible .
“ By understanding the many factors that contribute to the severity and spread of the disease , we can implement effective measures to control it over the coming months.
” Dr Simon Clarke , associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading , said : “ This study shows an association between temperature and severity of symptoms , but it does not demonstrate why that happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures slow down the normal mucus clearing of infecting viruses in our nasal passages .
“ If there is indeed a wave of infections in the UK this winter , it could coincide with the annual flu season .
“ We could experience a double-whammy of serious respiratory diseases.
” –PA

Coronavirus may be more severe in colder months than warmer ones, and dry indoor air may encourage its spread, new research suggests.
Severe Covid-19 outcomes decreased as the pandemic progressed from winter to the warmer months, analysis indicates.
Experts warn that their findings paint a grim picture for the colder weather, when it is thought the disease may re-emerge.
Researchers analysed data from 6,914 patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in Croatia, Spain, Italy, Finland, Poland, Germany, the UK and China.
READ MORE
They mapped this against local temperature and estimated indoor humidity and found that severe outcomes — being taken to hospital, admittance to ICU or the need for ventilation — dropped in most European countries over the course of the pandemic, covering the transition from winter to early summer.
The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, suggests there was a corresponding decrease in the rate of deaths from the disease.
There was roughly a 15 per cent drop in mortality for every one degree Celsius rise in temperature, the King’s College London researchers say.
By contrast, the severity of symptoms and mortality rate remained constant in China during the first wave of the pandemic, which occurred solely throughout the winter.
The study also looked at data from more than 37,000 UK users of the Covid Symptom Study app reporting symptoms consistent with Covid-19.
It showed a similar decrease in the severity of reported symptoms from March through May as UK temperatures rose.
According to the researchers, the changes were too large to be explained by improvements in treatment of the disease, patient age or hospitals becoming overwhelmed during this time.
This suggests there is a seasonal influence on the virus.
Although the virus can clearly spread in hot, humid countries in East Asia, it is notable that the severity and mortality from the disease have been lower than in Europe and other more temperate climates, the paper suggests.
The researchers suggest indoor heating during the winter months may also contribute to the spread of the disease by drying out the protective mucus barrier within the nose and airways, making viral infection easier.
Dr Gordan Lauc, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Zagreb and honorary visiting professor at King’s College London, is senior author of the study.
He said: “Our findings point to a role for seasonality in the transmission and severity of Covid-19, and also argue for increased humidity and hydration as a way to combat the virus.
“This paints a grim picture for the next winter in Europe when more severe ‘winter’ Covid-19 is expected to return — something we are currently observing in the southern hemisphere.”
Professor Tim Spector from King’s College London, added: “This study highlights the importance of gathering long-term data about the incidence, symptoms and progression of Covid-19 from as many people as possible.
“By understanding the many factors that contribute to the severity and spread of the disease, we can implement effective measures to control it over the coming months.”
Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said: “This study shows an association between temperature and severity of symptoms, but it does not demonstrate why that happens.
“It may be because low temperatures slow down the normal mucus clearing of infecting viruses in our nasal passages.
“If there is indeed a wave of infections in the UK this winter, it could coincide with the annual flu season.
“We could experience a double-whammy of serious respiratory diseases.”–PA


theirishtimes--2020-07-21--Irish radio stations give Jack Charlton a musical send-off

Irish football fans celebrated legendary Ireland manager Jack Charlton on Tuesday by simultaneously playing the Republic of Ireland ’ s iconic Italia ’ 90 anthem across radio stations around the country .
The former Leeds United defender , who won a World Cup winner ’ s medal while playing for England in 1966 , died on July 10th aged 85 .
A private family service was held in Newcastle in England for Charlton on Tuesday afternoon with a limited number of mourners due to Covid-19 restrictions .
Hundreds of people lined the streets as the service was held .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the Republic of Ireland team as manager for 10 years , guiding them to their first-ever major tournament at Euro ’ 88 as well as two World Cups , in Italy ( 1990 ) and the USA ( 1994 ) .
To commemorate his contribution to Irish football , radio stations across the country played Put ’ Em Under Pressure by the Republic of Ireland Football Squad at 12.30pm on Tuesday as his funeral service in England came to an end .
The Football Association of Ireland ( FAI ) also played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tribute to “ Big Jack ” .
Former Ireland striker and FAI interim deputy chief executive Niall Quinn said : “ As hard as it is to hear and feel and know that Jack has passed , I think the mark he left on Irish life , we can celebrate it today , one time where we can come together and feel part of Jackie ’ s Army just one more time.
” Large numbers of Irish supporters also gathered at Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin to pay tribute .
In Ballina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fishing , locals observed a minute ’ s silence at 12:29pm before the unveiling of a new mural of Charlton , which was painted on the wall of a building overlooking the River Moy .
Earlier this week , An Post and Royal Mail announced that they had collaborated to create a special postmark to commemorate the footballing legend .
The postmark , which reads “ Jack Charlton , 1935-2020 ” , will be applied across stamped mail posted in England and the Republic of Ireland until August 9th .
The FAI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already attracted more than 20,000 signatures and messages of support for the Charlton family .

Fans gather at Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin on Tuesday to pay tribute to former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton, who was laid to rest in Newcastle, England. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Irish football fans celebrated legendary Ireland manager Jack Charlton on Tuesday by simultaneously playing the Republic of Ireland's iconic Italia '90 anthem across radio stations around the country.
The former Leeds United defender, who won a World Cup winner's medal while playing for England in 1966, died on July 10th aged 85.
A private family service was held in Newcastle in England for Charlton on Tuesday afternoon with a limited number of mourners due to Covid-19 restrictions. Hundreds of people lined the streets as the service was held.
After a successful career in England, Charlton led the Republic of Ireland team as manager for 10 years, guiding them to their first-ever major tournament at Euro '88 as well as two World Cups, in Italy (1990) and the USA (1994).
READ MORE
To commemorate his contribution to Irish football, radio stations across the country played Put ’Em Under Pressure by the Republic of Ireland Football Squad at 12.30pm on Tuesday as his funeral service in England came to an end.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) also played the anthem across its social media platforms in tribute to "Big Jack".
Former Ireland striker and FAI interim deputy chief executive Niall Quinn said: "As hard as it is to hear and feel and know that Jack has passed, I think the mark he left on Irish life, we can celebrate it today, one time where we can come together and feel part of Jackie's Army just one more time."
Supporters
Large numbers of Irish supporters also gathered at Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin to pay tribute.
In Ballina, Co Mayo, where Charlton visited regularly for fishing, locals observed a minute's silence at 12:29pm before the unveiling of a new mural of Charlton, which was painted on the wall of a building overlooking the River Moy.
Earlier this week, An Post and Royal Mail announced that they had collaborated to create a special postmark to commemorate the footballing legend.
The postmark, which reads “Jack Charlton, 1935-2020”, will be applied across stamped mail posted in England and the Republic of Ireland until August 9th.
The FAI’s online book of condolences has already attracted more than 20,000 signatures and messages of support for the Charlton family.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--Doctor dies of Covid-19 after treating patients in Irish hospitals

A doctor who was working at the Mater Hospital in Dublin has died from Covid-19 , three months after falling ill with the disease .
Dr Waqar Ali Shah had been receiving treatment in the hospital ’ s intensive care unit since April .
He is the eighth healthcare worker to die of Covid-19 in the State .
“ It is with profound sadness that the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital confirms that a doctor who worked in our hospital has passed away following a battle with Covid-19 , ” the hospital said in a statement on Wednesday .
“ Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months in ICU being cared for diligently and attentively by his colleagues at the hospital.
” The hospital said the Dr Shah had provided “ selfless emergency care ” to Covid-19 patients at a number of hospitals as a locum during the pandemic .
“ He had been due to begin a shift at the Mater Hospital in April when he felt unwell .
He asked to be seen as a patient and was admitted immediately with Covid-19 illness , ” it said .
“ His colleagues remember him as a hardworking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to earth personality.The Mater Hospital extends its deepest sympathies to Dr Shah ’ s wife , family and loved ones at this very sad time.
” The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said Dr Shah had a wife and children .
Paul Reid , chief executive of the HSE , said Dr Shah had “ worked diligently and selflessly to care for patients at all times , and particularly during the pandemic ” .
“ I wish to extend the sympathy of all in the HSE , and all healthcare staff , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and loved ones at this very sad time .
My thoughts are also with all of his colleagues in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
” The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said the hospital community was in mourning at the “ untimely passing ” of their colleague .
“ Dr Shah ’ s tragic death at a young age reminds us once more of the sacrifices made by frontline healthcare professionals , particularly at this time , ” it said .
“ Dr Shah was an exemplary medical professional with an immense dedication to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and warmth made an impression with patients and colleagues alike .
This was evident every day among those who worked with Dr Shah and witnessed at first hand his deep commitment to healthcare .
“ At the onset of the Covid-19 , Dr Shah put himself selflessly at the frontline in the fight against this awful pandemic , paying the ultimate price .
Our thoughts and condolences are with Dr Shah ’ s wife Rubab , his children and mother at this sad time.
” The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doctor ’ s death and extended its condolences to his “ family , friends and colleagues ” .
A Go Fund Me page had previously been set up for the doctor to help his family along and “ other frontline worker families suffering ” as a result of the pandemic .

Dr Syed Waqqar Ali had been in the Mater Hospital’s intensive care unit in Dublin since contracting Covid-19 in April. Photograph: Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri/PA Wire
A doctor who was working at the Mater hospital in Dublin has died from coronavirus, three months after falling ill with the disease.
Dr Syed Waqqar Ali had been receiving treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit since April. He is the eighth healthcare worker to die of the virus in the State.
"It is with profound sadness that the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital confirms that a doctor who worked in our hospital has passed away following a battle with Covid-19," the hospital said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Dr Syed Waqqar Ali passed away after spending three months in ICU being cared for diligently and attentively by his colleagues at the hospital.”
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The hospital said Dr Ali had provided "selfless emergency care" to coronavirus patients at a number of hospitals as a locum during the pandemic.
“He had been due to begin a shift at the Mater hospital in April when he felt unwell. He asked to be seen as a patient and was admitted immediately with Covid-19 illness,” it said.
“His colleagues remember him as a hardworking and diligent doctor with a humble and down to earth personality.The Mater hospital extends its deepest sympathies to Dr Ali’s wife, family and loved ones at this very sad time.”
The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association said Dr Ali had a wife and children.
Speaking to RTE in Tyrellstown, Dublin one of his five children, daughter Dr Samar Fatima Ali said: There are no words for the battle he fought every day, “ She said the family had been planning for his return home. “It was very difficult to see our father in so much pain,” she said. She hoped to carry on her father’s legacy in her work.
‘Worked selflessly’
Paul Reid, chief executive of the HSE, said Dr Ali had " worked diligently and selflessly to care for patients at all times, and particularly during the pandemic".
“I wish to extend the sympathy of all in the HSE, and all healthcare staff, to Dr Ali’s wife, family and loved ones at this very sad time. My thoughts are also with all of his colleagues in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.”
The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association said the hospital community was in mourning at the “untimely passing” of their colleague.
“Dr Ali’s tragic death at a young age reminds us once more of the sacrifices made by frontline healthcare professionals, particularly at this time,” it said.
“Dr Ali was an exemplary medical professional with an immense dedication to public service. His expertise, care and warmth made an impression with patients and colleagues alike. This was evident every day among those who worked with Dr Ali and witnessed at first hand his deep commitment to healthcare.
“At the onset of the Covid-19, Dr Ali put himself selflessly at the front line in the fight against this awful pandemic, paying the ultimate price. Our thoughts and condolences are with Dr Ali’s wife Rubab, his children and mother at this sad time.”
Beaumont Hospital extended sympathies to his wife and children who have “lost a true hero”He “ selflessly putting himself at the frontline in our fight against Covid-19. His friends and colleagues in Beaumont Hospital remember him for his clinical diligence as well as his kind and gentle manner”.
The Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council said Dr Ali worked "at the front line in the battle against Covid-19 like many other healthcare workers".
“Healthcare workers are at the front fighting against Covid-19 and are true heroes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family on their terrible loss,” it said.
“He died a martyr helping humanity and as per Islamic belief shall rest in peace in heaven. To God we belong and to God we shall return.”
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said it was “deeply saddened” by the doctor’s death and extended its condolences to his “family, friends and colleagues”.
Labour leader Alan Kelly said his death was “a reminder of the dangers of Covid-19 and the sacrifice made by frontline healthcare workers”.
A Go Fund Me page had previously been set up for the doctor to help his family along and "other frontline worker families suffering" as a result of the pandemic.
It is understood a minute’s silence will be held across emergency departments at noon on Thursday to remember the doctor.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--Covid-19: HSE chief notes ‘worrying trends’ as case numbers rise sharply

Significant worrying trends relating to Covid-19 have been seen in the State ’ s health services in recent weeks , HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said .
He said that between July 5th and 18th there were 267 confirmed cases , compared to 155 in the previous fortnight .
Mr Reid said the HSE was particularly concerned at the number of people who were not turning up either for the for an initial “ day zero test ” for Covid-19 or a later “ day seven test ” .
He said the non-attendance rate was about 25 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent for the day seven test .
He said it was really important that when people were identified as close contacts of someone who has the disease , even if they did not have symptoms , that they come forward for testing .
“ It is really important that a person may test negative in the day zero test but could test positive on the day seven test , ” he told a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday .
“ It is important for the public to understand that one-in-10 close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test result when first tested.
” HSE national clinical director Dr Colm Henry said given what is now known about the scale of asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 , “ people are not the best judge themselves as to whether they need to take a test ” .
“ If you were a close contact you could be positive even if you have no symptoms , ” he said .
“ If you have no symptoms and are positive and not tested , you are at risk of passing that virus on to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk of becoming ill or passing it on if they are asymptomatic .
“ That is what is called a cluster , which becomes an outbreak and eventually , if enough ripples come together , becomes uncontrolled community transmission and that is all traced back to individual responsibility and behaviour.
” Mr Reid said that national incidence rate of Covid-19 in the last fortnight was 5.61 per 100,000 population , up from 2.5 per 100,000 population in the previous two weeks .
He said the number of GP referrals for test had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the median age of a confirmed case was now 33 years , with about 70 per cent of cases among people aged 45 years or less .
Mr Reid said almost 55 per cent of cases were in Dublin , followed by Kildare at 10.5 per cent .
The HSE , on Wednesday , announced a new plan for a three-phased restoration of many services which were stopped or curtailed as a result of the pandemic .
The HSE warned that the volume of patients treated could be reduced and waiting times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he wanted to say very clearly that services would be very different in the future as a result of infection control requirements and social distancing .
“ We know we have to operate within reduced capacity all across our system which will make things slower in how we deliver services .
Services will take longer to complete , ” he said .
Mr Reid said health services would have to be delivered in different ways particularly involving the use of telephone and online consultations .
He said the HSE was setting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backdrop of very uncertain risks regarding Covid-19 and the possibility of another surge in case numbers .
Mr Reid urged the public to “ continue to stick with us ” .
“ We never said this was going to be a short game .
It was always going to be a long haul , ” he said .
He added that 1.4 million had downloaded the Covid-19 tracker mobile phone application and that 91 people had so far been alerted that they were a close contact of someone who had the disease as @ @ @

Chief executive Paul Reid says the HSE is concerned at the number of people not turning up for coronavirus testing after being in contact with someone confirmed to have the disease.
One further death of a person with Covid-19 has been reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), while there have been a further 17 confirmed cases.
There has now been a total of 1,754 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland, while the total number of confirmed cases stands at 25,819.
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting Chief Medical Officer, appealed to the public to continue social distancing.
“I appreciate how difficult it is for people to limit their social activities and to physically distance from friends and loved ones,” he said.
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“These actions are vital to our collective effort to suppress this highly infectious disease as we work towards reopening our schools and our healthcare services, and to protect our healthcare workers who have been at the frontline of this pandemic over the past six months.”
Currently, there are 14 patients in hospital with Covid-19, with six of these in intensive care. Three people were admitted to hospital in the past 24 hours.
The total number of people hospitalised stands at 3,340 with 438 of these requiring intensive care treatment.
A further 4,599 tests were completed in the past 24 hours bringing the total figure to 579,088. A total of 8,355 healthcare workers have contracted the virus. There have been 2,153 clusters of the virus..
Earlier HSE chief executive Paul Reid said sgnificant worrying trends relating to Covid-19 have been seen in the State's health services in recent weeks,
He said that between July 5th and 18th there were 267 confirmed cases, compared to 155 in the previous fortnight.
Mr Reid said the HSE was particularly concerned at the number of people who were not turning up either for the for an initial “day zero test” for Covid-19 or a later “day seven test”. He said the non-attendance rate was about 25 per cent for the day zero test and 50 per cent for the day seven test.
He said it was really important that when people were identified as close contacts of someone who has the disease, even if they did not have symptoms, come forward for testing.
“It is really important that a person may test negative in the day zero test but could test positive on the day seven test,” he told a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday. “It is important for the public to understand that one-in-10 close contact cases will most likely have positive test result when first tested.”
Transmission
HSE national clinical director Dr Colm Henry said given what is now known about the scale of asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19, "people are not the best judge themselves as to whether they need to take a test".
“If you were a close contact you could be positive even if you have no symptoms,” he said. “If you have no symptoms and are positive and not tested, you are at risk of passing that virus on to other people. And they in turn are at risk of becoming ill or passing it on if they are asymptomatic.
“That is what is called a cluster, which becomes an outbreak and eventually, if enough ripples come together, becomes uncontrolled community transmission and that is all traced back to individual responsibility and behaviour.”
Incidence rate
Mr Reid said that national incidence rate of Covid-19 in the last fortnight was 5.61 per 100,000 population, up from 2.5 per 100,000 population in the previous two weeks. He said the number of GP referrals for test had increased by 20 per cent.
He said the median age of a confirmed case was now 33 years, with about 70 per cent of cases among people aged 45 years or less.
Mr Reid said almost 55 per cent of cases were in Dublin, followed by Kildare at 10.5 per cent.
The HSE, on Wednesday, announced a new plan for a three-phased restoration of many services which were stopped or curtailed as a result of the pandemic. The HSE warned that the volume of patients treated could be reduced and waiting times could be longer.
Mr Reid said that he wanted to say very clearly that services would be very different in the future as a result of infection control requirements and social distancing.
“We know we have to operate within reduced capacity all across our system which will make things slower in how we deliver services. Services will take longer to complete,” he said.
Different ways
Mr Reid said health services would have to be delivered in different ways particularly involving the use of telephone and online consultations.
He said the HSE was setting out the plan for restoring services against the backdrop of very uncertain risks regarding Covid-19 and the possibility of another surge in case numbers.
Mr Reid urged the public to “continue to stick with us”.
“We never said this was going to be a short game. It was always going to be a long haul,” he said.
He added that 1.4 million had downloaded the Covid-19 tracker mobile phone application and that 91 people had so far been alerted that they were a close contact of someone who had the disease as a result.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--Rape sentences become more severe as bankruptcy and asylum cases fall

There was a large increase in the severity of rape sentences handed down last year , with 63 per cent of convicted rapists receiving a sentence of more than 10 years .
The figures , from the Courts Service ’ s 2019 annual report , are a continuation ofa long-term trend of increasingly tough sentences for rape .
The average sentence for rape has been gradually increasing since 2005 , and most offenders can now expect to receive a term of at least a decade on conviction .
The criminal courts sentenced 154 rapists last year of which 63 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up from 43 per cent in 2018 .
Thirty six per cent received between five and 10 years compared to 52 per cent in 2018 , and just 1 per cent received a term of between two and five years , down from 4 per cent .
There were no sentences less than two years handed down in either year .
The figures do not include the portions of the sentences that were suspended by judges .
Most rape sentences incorporate a suspended element , meaning the rapist usually serves significantly less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report details a dramatic drop in civil cases relating to economic distress .
There was a 40 per cent drop in new bankruptcy cases , a 28 per cent drop in new possession cases and a 37 per cent drop in possession order .
These numbers “ tell a story of a recovering economy , of less personal debt , and a greater engagement over years with personal insolvency mechanisms , ” the Courts Service said .
New asylum cases fell from 530 to 368 , a drop of 30 per cent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficient system for processing asylum claims .
The High Court increased the number of asylum cases it resolved by 94 per cent and eliminated the backlog .
There was a slight decrease in the number of new personal injury claims lodged but a 75 per cent increase in the value of medical negligence awards .
The Courts Service said this “ almost certainly reflects the number of major catastrophic injury cases being dealt with in the year – where provision is made for a lifetime of needed care results in large awards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater sums to provide that.
” Domestic violence matters also saw an increase .
There was a 10 per cent increase in domestic violence applications , a figure driven by a 30 per cent increase in the granting of temporary barring orders .
This followed significant increases in 2018 .
Unveiling the report on Wednesday , Chief Justice Frank Clarke said last year “ seems like a different time ” and will serve as a benchmark for how the courts operated before the coronavirus pandemic .
He said the Courts Service has undergone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five months as it sought to respond to the pandemic .
The Chief Justice also welcomed measures brought to Cabinet by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee this week to expand the use of video-link technology and allow for electronic filing of legal documents He also welcomed the commitment in the programme for Government to examine the need for in more judges and to fund the building of a dedicated family law complex beside the Four Courts .

Chief Justice Frank Clarke said last year ‘seems like a different time’ and will serve as a benchmark for how the courts operated before the coronavirus pandemic. File photograph: Matt Kavanagh
There was a large increase in the severity of rape sentences handed down last year, with 63 per cent of convicted rapists receiving a sentence of more than 10 years.
The figures, from the Courts Service's 2019 annual report, are a continuation ofa long-term trend of increasingly tough sentences for rape.
The average sentence for rape has been gradually increasing since 2005, and most offenders can now expect to receive a term of at least a decade on conviction.
The criminal courts sentenced 154 rapists last year of which 63 per cent received more than 10 years, up from 43 per cent in 2018.
READ MORE
Thirty-six per cent received between five and 10 years compared to 52 per cent in 2018, and just 1 per cent received a term of between two and five years, down from 4 per cent. There were no sentences less than two years handed down in either year.
Dramatic drop
The figures do not include the portions of the sentences that were suspended by judges. Most rape sentences incorporate a suspended element, meaning the rapist usually serves significantly less than the headline sentence.
Elsewhere, the annual report details a dramatic drop in civil cases relating to economic distress. There was a 40 per cent drop in new bankruptcy cases, a 28 per cent drop in new possession cases and a 37 per cent drop in possession order.
These numbers "tell a story of a recovering economy, of less personal debt, and a greater engagement over years with personal insolvency mechanisms", the Courts Service said.
New asylum cases fell from 530 to 368, a drop of 30 per cent. There were also signs of an increasingly efficient system for processing asylum claims. The High Court increased the number of asylum cases it resolved by 94 per cent and eliminated the backlog.
There was a slight decrease in the number of new personal injury claims lodged but a 75 per cent increase in the value of medical negligence awards.
The Courts Service said this “almost certainly reflects the number of major catastrophic injury cases being dealt with in the year – where provision is made for a lifetime of needed care results in large awards, and where lower returns on investment require greater sums to provide that”.
Barring orders
Domestic violence matters also saw an increase. There was a 10 per cent increase in domestic violence applications, a figure driven by a 30 per cent increase in the granting of temporary barring orders. This followed significant increases in 2018.
Unveiling the report on Wednesday, Chief Justice Frank Clarke said 2019 "seems like a different time" and will serve as a benchmark for how the courts operated before the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the Courts Service has undergone five years of development within the past five months as it sought to respond to the pandemic.
The Chief Justice also welcomed measures brought to Cabinet by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee this week to expand the use of video-link technology and allow for electronic filing of legal documents.
He also welcomed the commitment in the programme for government to examine the need for in more judges and to fund the building of a dedicated family law complex beside the Four Courts.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--Ruth Morrissey ‘wise beyond her years’, funeral told

CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey was a “ stunningly beautiful , caring and wise ” person , her husband has told her funeral Mass .
“ I met Ruth Maloney when she was 17 and I was 19 .
From that moment on , it was just the two of us — a team , ” Paul Morrissey told the service at Mary Magdalene Church in Monaleen , Co Limerick .
“ Ruth was my girlfriend but she was also my best friend .
We did everything together and it helped that we were both Man United supporters .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ruth was the boss .
I was quite simply happy with the arrangement — it suited me .
I knew she was right.
” Mrs Morrissey , who died on Sunday aged 39 , was among more than 200 women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy .
She had a prolonged battle with cancer and sued the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) and two laboratories over the misreading of her smear test results .
The Supreme Court last week heard that €2.1 million in compensation had been paid out to Ms Morrissey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Mr Morrissey and their daughter , Libby .
Mr Morrissey told the congregation , which included fellow campaigners Vicky Phelan and Lorraine Walsh and Labour leader Alan Kelly , that Ms Morrissey was “ wise beyond her years ” .
“ Not only was Ruth stunningly beautiful with a smile that would light up any room that she walked into , she was so loving and caring and well able to give sound advice , whether you wanted to hear it at the time or not , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got so lucky when she agreed to come my way.
” Mr Morrissey said his wife was a “ natural mother ” who adored their daughter , who made her “ so proud and happy ” .
“ Everything we did was as a family and spending time together was so important , ” he added .
“ Libby has inherited so many of Ruth ’ s qualities .
She made a card for her mother on Saturday and signed it ‘ mini Ruth ’ — I think that says it all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong person but the resilience and bravery she showed every day , whether having treatment , going through the court case or dealing with the pain , never ceased to amaze me .
She carried it all with great dignity and still managed to keep her sense of humour and appreciate the simple things in life.
” Mr Morrissey broke down as he said : “ Me and Libby are truly heartbroken and devastated .
I don ’ t think we will ever recover from losing Ruth.
” A minute ’ s silence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her honour .
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Government acknowledged the failures of CervicaCheck and was profoundly sorry about what had been allowed to happen .
“ This Government , like the previous government , acknowledges the failures that took place with CervicalCheck programme and are profoundly sorry for what was allowed to happen , ” he said .
“ Too many women who should be here and enjoying life with their families are gone because of those failings .
“ Those of us who were here and have the responsibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn the lessons from these errors , to reform the system and to make sure they never happen again.
” He said Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was in the process of appointing a new judge to the CervicalCheck tribunal .
The tribunal was promised by the last government and was due to be in place by March but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
- PA

CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey, who died last Sunday, was remembered at her funeral Mass as a “powerful woman” who “spoke truth” in the face of injustice in order to save others lives.
The 39-year old mother of one died at Milford Hospice, in her native Limerick, two years after she had given evidence in the High Court in an action against the HSE and two laboratories over the misreading of her cervical smear tests in 2009 and 2012.
A review of the tests carried out in 2014, under the CervicalCheck screening programme, showed the smear results had been incorrectly reported. Ms Morrissey was not informed of this until 2018.
Members of the 221+ Patient Support Group, including fellow campaigner Vicky Phelan and Lorraine Walsh, donned arm ribbons and performed a socially-distanced guard of honour as mourners applauded Ms Morrissey’s handmade wicker coffin, as it was shouldered into Mary Magdalene Church in Monaleen, Co Limerick, by her husband Paul and other five other family members.
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Mr Morrissey told the Mass he and his wife first met when they were teenagers, became “best friends” and carried on as “a team” devoted to one another and their daughter Libby (9).
“We did everything together, it was no secret in our relationship who was the boss - I was quite simply happy with the arrangement, it suited me, I knew she was always right,” he said.
“Not only was Ruth stunningly beautiful, with a smile that would light up any room that she walked into, she was so caring and loving. She was wise beyond her years, so intelligent, but she was also great fun, and people were drawn to her, I don’t know how I got so lucky when she agreed to become my wife,” he said.
“In 2011, we became a team of three when our amazing daughter Libby was born. Ruth was a natural mother, she adored Libby and Libby made Ruth so proud and happy. Everything we did was as a family, and spending time together was the most important thing to Ruth.
“Libby has inherited so many of Ruth’s qualities, they have a special bond. Libby made a card for her mam on Saturday and she signed it ‘Mini Ruth’ - that says it all.”
Mr Morrissey said he was in awe of how brave his wife was in her final years, in which she battled cancer, fought for justice, and campaigned for others.
“I always knew Ruth was a strong person, but the resilience and bravery she showed everyday, whether having treatment, going through the court case, or dealing with the pain, never ceased to amaze me.”
Choking back tears, Mr Morrissey concluded, to a standing ovation: “Libby and I are truly heartbroken and devastated and I don’t think we’ll ever recover from losing Ruth.”
Among mourners were aide-de-camps representing President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. Labour Party leader Alan Kelly was also present.
Chief celebrant Fr Noel Kirwan said Ms Morrissey spoke “truth” by “first of all thanking all those who supported her and helped her”, but then “reaching out to her fellow sufferers, those who have been struck by this terrible cancer, those who have experienced the injustice that came with that.
“She spoke to women who will walk into that cancer in the future, and like a mother she spoke to them with love, saying ‘come forward; go for that smear (test); listen to what your doctors are telling you; be led by them so that you might have life’ - this was her struggle, and this was her strength, and this was her love and her kindness.”
Fr Kirwan said Ms Morrissey “lived her truth, and the truth she spoke challenged all around her, not to put down, but to lift up; to do better; to want more; to give more for the sake of others; for others lives to be better; and that’s an amazing beautiful truth that she had within her”.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--Green list: Government has not made ‘hames’ of travel advice, Coveney says

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has acknowledged there is some confusion about the Government ’ s travel ‘ green list ’ but has denied that the Coalition made a “ hames ” of its advice on the issue .
Speaking after the list was published late last night following a Cabinet meeting , he said the overall message was still that people should not take holidays abroad .
Mr Coveney said the Government ’ s approach to travel was the same as its approach to all Covid-19 matters , being “ really cautious ” with the aim of protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said there were still 50,000 people leaving the State every week and the Department of Foreign Affairs had an obligation to highlight the different risk levels of the countries to which they were travelling .
“ I can accept there has been some confusion , that ’ s why it ’ s important to make a definitive statement .
But the overall message remains - the safest thing to do is stay at home , ” he said .
“ Ireland can not close itself off .
We will have to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries and territories have been included on the green list and people travelling to and from these destinations will not have to go through a mandatory period of quarantine when returning from them .
Malta , Finland , Norway , Italy , Hungary , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , Cyprus , Slovakia , Greece , Greenland , Gibraltar , Monaco and San Marino have been included on the list and deemed as safe for travel with “ normal precautions ” .
However , the Government has been accused of creating confusion as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ the safest thing to do is not to travel ” .
“ The pandemic is not over and the public health advice remains the same , ” it added .
The 15 locations chosen have rates of coronavirus cases that are similar or lower than that currently in the State .
However , popular destinations for Irish tourists including France , Spain , Portugal , the UK and the US did not , as expected , make it on to the list .
Mr Coveney told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and specific regions within countries that may become hot Covid-19 spots and would find ways to deal with the risk of travel to and from those areas .
In it ’ s statement when publishing the list , the Government said it “ would continue with plans to strengthen the existing measures for monitoring passengers who arrive into Ireland , including the introduction of an Electronic Passenger Locator Form , enhanced follow-up procedures , a call centre operated by the DAA ( the State-owned airport operator ) and a proposed testing regime for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Processes to restrict flight or passenger travel in certain circumstances will also be explored , ” it added .
Mr Coveney on Wednesday said the further measures could include people from those areas taking a Covid-19 test before they come to the State and random Covid-19 testing at airports for passengers arriving from non-green list countries .
The Minister rejected a claim by the chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association Pat Dawson , who said that nothing has changed as a result of the publication of the green list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad unless it is essential .
“ It ’ s not true that it hasn ’ t changed , ” he said .
The Minister said he expected travel insurance companies would respond to the official advice , but that the safest thing to do was not to take holidays abroad .
Some of the locations on the list can not be reached directly from the State and Mr Coveney said the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) did not have a significant concern with transit airports .
He said it was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered important .
He said there were no instances of the spread of the virus by people who came from a country on the green list .
Meanwhile , the chief executive of the Consumers ’ Association of Ireland has called on the Government to set up a compensation fund for people who followed Government advice and did not travel abroad for holidays .
Dermot Jewell said the position at present was that “ if they don ’ t go , they take the loss ” .
“ Consumers have been left at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTÉ ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney show .
He said consumers were not receiving refunds from airlines if they adhere to Government advice on non-essential travel .
He said people were awaiting refunds and vouchers from airlines , but they have also lost money paid to hotels and car hire companies with no possibility of claiming this back on their travel insurance .
Mr Jewelll said a compensation fund should offer “ some proportion ” of compensation for people who lost out after following the Government advice .

Simon Coveney has acknowledged there is some confusion about the Government’s travel ‘green list’ but has denied the Coaliton made a ‘hames’ of its advice on the issue. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has acknowledged there is some confusion about the Government’s travel ‘green list’ but has denied that the Coalition made a “hames” of its advice on the issue.
Speaking after the list was published late last night following a Cabinet meeting, he said the overall message was still that people should not take holidays abroad.
Mr Coveney said the Government’s approach to travel was the same as its approach to all Covid-19 matters, being “really cautious” with the aim of protecting the people of Ireland.
However, he said there were still 50,000 people leaving the State every week and the Department of Foreign Affairs had an obligation to highlight the different risk levels of the countries to which they were travelling.
READ MORE
“I can accept there has been some confusion, that’s why it’s important to make a definitive statement. But the overall message remains - the safest thing to do is stay at home,” he said. “Ireland cannot close itself off. We will have to learn to live with this virus.”
Quarantine
Fifteen countries and territories have been included on the green list and people travelling to and from these destinations will not have to go through a mandatory period of quarantine when returning from them.
Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Monaco and San Marino have been included on the list and deemed as safe for travel with “normal precautions”.
However, the Government has been accused of creating confusion as in its statement listing the countries it said “the safest thing to do is not to travel”.
“The pandemic is not over and the public health advice remains the same,” it added.
The 15 locations chosen have rates of coronavirus cases that are similar or lower than that currently in the State. However, popular destinations for Irish tourists including France, Spain, Portugal, the UK and the US did not, as expected, make it on to the list.
Mr Coveney told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the Government would be monitoring countries and specific regions within countries that may become hot Covid-19 spots and would find ways to deal with the risk of travel to and from those areas.
Monitoring
In it’s statement when publishing the list, the Government said it “would continue with plans to strengthen the existing measures for monitoring passengers who arrive into Ireland, including the introduction of an Electronic Passenger Locator Form, enhanced follow-up procedures, a call centre operated by the DAA (the State-owned airport operator) and a proposed testing regime for symptomatic passengers at airports and ports”.
“Processes to restrict flight or passenger travel in certain circumstances will also be explored,” it added.
Mr Coveney on Wednesday said the further measures could include people from those areas taking a Covid-19 test before they come to the State and random Covid-19 testing at airports for passengers arriving from non-green list countries.
The Minister rejected a claim by the chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association Pat Dawson, who said that nothing has changed as a result of the publication of the green list as the advice remained not to travel abroad unless it is essential.
“It’s not true that it hasn’t changed,” he said.
The Minister said he expected travel insurance companies would respond to the official advice, but that the safest thing to do was not to take holidays abroad.
Some of the locations on the list cannot be reached directly from the State and Mr Coveney said the World Health Organisation (WHO) did not have a significant concern with transit airports. He said it was the destination and country of origin that were considered important.
He said there were no instances of the spread of the virus by people who came from a country on the green list.
Compensation
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland has called on the Government to set up a compensation fund for people who followed Government advice and did not travel abroad for holidays.
Dermot Jewell said the position at present was that “if they don’t go, they take the loss”.
“Consumers have been left at the deep end,” he told RTÉ’s Today with Sarah McInerney show.
He said consumers were not receiving refunds from airlines if they adhere to Government advice on non-essential travel. He said people were awaiting refunds and vouchers from airlines, but they have also lost money paid to hotels and car hire companies with no possibility of claiming this back on their travel insurance.
Mr Jewelll said a compensation fund should offer “some proportion” of compensation for people who lost out after following the Government advice.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--‘Staycation’ warning after caravans and campervans stolen

Gardaí have warned caravan and campervan owners to take extra security measures after 13 caravans were stolen since March .
The most recent theft occurred earlier this month where a caravan worth around €4,000 was stolen from a yard .
More than €30million worth of items have been stolen from caravans over the last four years , according to gardaí .
There have been 43 caravans and campervans stolen since January 2019 .
Tipperary and Meath have seen the highest number of vehicles stolen over that period ( five ) , followed by Laois/Offaly , Clare and Limerick ( four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caravans and campervans stolen ranges between €1,000 and €30,000 .
As part of its Park Smart appeal , gardaí are urging the public to keep their vehicles secure with no valuables left inside , if possible .
In the most recent theft , the owner had no record of any serial number or chassis number or image of the caravan .
However , gardaí were able to locate the vehicle , and it has been returned to the owner .
Speaking on Wednesday , Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Ber Leetch said with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more people using caravans and campervans , “ there is a need to be extra vigilant with their security ” .
“ As a campervan owner myself , I always make sure we have the hitch lock on when we are parked up for the evening or when it ’ s not in use .
We have also invested in a tracking device , they can be purchased for around €150 , so if our campervan was ever stolen there is a better chance of getting it back , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very expensive , and the items you have inside them could be irreplaceable if they hold a sentimental value .
I would recommend that you keep valuables out of sight and make sure everything is locked when you go out .
“ Criminals are opportunistic so whilst you may think that it ’ s fine whilst you pop out for half an hour , you never know .
.
.
.
If something is stolen from you , not matter what it is , call the Gardaí immediately.
” Gardaí have issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ · Ensure a good quality hitch lock and wheel clamps are in place and that the caravan is locked to a secure point .
· Get an alarm fitted if one is not already in place .
· Keep valuables out of sight and remove when not in use .
· Park in a well-lit area .
Keep a light on if leaving unattended overnight .
· Use a cover when not in use .
This may deter thieves as pulling off a cover can be noisy and add to the time taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good records of all serial numbers , unique markings , image of the caravan/campervan etc .
Keep documents secure .
· Consider voluntarily registering your caravan with the Central Registration and Identification Scheme .

Over €30 million worth of items have been stolen from caravans over the last four years, according to gardaí
Gardaí have warned caravan and campervan owners to take extra security measures after 13 caravans were stolen since March.
The most recent theft occurred earlier this month where a caravan worth around €4,000 was stolen from a yard.
More than €30million worth of items have been stolen from caravans over the last four years, according to gardaí. There have been 43 caravans and campervans stolen since January 2019.
Tipperary and Meath have seen the highest number of vehicles stolen over that period (five), followed by Laois/Offaly, Clare and Limerick (four). The value of some of the caravans and campervans stolen ranges between €1,000 and €30,000.
READ MORE
As part of its Park Smart appeal, gardaí are urging the public to keep their vehicles secure with no valuables left inside, if possible.
In the most recent theft, the owner had no record of any serial number or chassis number or image of the caravan. However, gardaí were able to locate the vehicle, and it has been returned to the owner.
Speaking on Wednesday, Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Ber Leetch said with staycations expected to rise this year, and more people using caravans and campervans, “there is a need to be extra vigilant with their security”.
“As a campervan owner myself, I always make sure we have the hitch lock on when we are parked up for the evening or when it’s not in use. We have also invested in a tracking device, they can be purchased for around €150, so if our campervan was ever stolen there is a better chance of getting it back,” she said.
“A caravan or campervan can be very expensive, and the items you have inside them could be irreplaceable if they hold a sentimental value. I would recommend that you keep valuables out of sight and make sure everything is locked when you go out.
“Criminals are opportunistic so whilst you may think that it’s fine whilst you pop out for half an hour, you never know. . . . If something is stolen from you, not matter what it is, call the Gardaí immediately.”
Gardaí have issued the following advice for caravan/campervan owners:
· Ensure a good quality hitch lock and wheel clamps are in place and that the caravan is locked to a secure point.
· Get an alarm fitted if one is not already in place.
· Keep valuables out of sight and remove when not in use.
· Ensure windows and doors are locked.
· Park in a well-lit area. Keep a light on if leaving unattended overnight.
· Use a cover when not in use. This may deter thieves as pulling off a cover can be noisy and add to the time taken to steal the caravan.
· Keep good records of all serial numbers, unique markings, image of the caravan/campervan etc. Keep documents secure.
· Consider voluntarily registering your caravan with the Central Registration and Identification Scheme.


theirishtimes--2020-07-22--Emma de Souza appointed vice-chair of international voting rights organisation

Citizenship campaigner Emma de Souza has been appointed vice-chair of votingrights.ie , an international organisation campaigning for voting rights to be extended to Irish citizens living abroad and in Northern Ireland .
Ms DeSouza will also be the spokesperson on Northern Ireland for the group .
Her legal action against the British government over residency rights for her American husband led to Britain conceding that all citizens born in Northern Ireland can be considered as EU citizens for immigration purposes .
In a letter sent to the new Minister for the Diaspora Colm Brophy this week , the group calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , arguing that Ireland lags behind other countries when it comes to permitting Irish citizens abroad to vote .
“ Ireland is out of step with her EU peers and indeed most other democracies when it comes to emigrant voting rights ; we have not kept up with changing global democratic norms , even as changes in the nature of emigration make the case for voting even more compelling , ” it states .
“ The Irish nation is diverse and far reaching ; being a part of that nation should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State.
” The group estimates that “ well over thirty per cent of all voting-age Irish citizens are deprived of their right to vote.
” This includes the estimated 1.5 million Irish citizens living overseas , as well as Irish passport-holders in the North .
The recent programme for government agreed by Fianna Fail , Fianna Gael and the Green Party commits to holding a referendum on extending the vote to Irish citizens abroad for presidential elections , though no date has been set .
Votingrights.ie is also deeply critical of the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diaspora to the Seanad .
It follows the decision of the new government not to reappoint Chicago-based publican Billy Lawless or another representative of the diaspora to the Senate .
Mr Lawless was appointed by former taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2016.
“ We would hope that you and your colleagues in the Department would support any reforms of the Seanad that would give the Diaspora a voice , ” it says , supporting the creation of a global panel , that would “ give Irish emigrants a real voice in the Seanad.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of times over the past year highlighting her case to senior members of the Irish-American community on Capitol Hill as well as former secretary of state Hillary Clinton .
The group also calls for a “ complete modernization of the Irish voting system ” , noting that Ireland was ranked 137 in the 2018 global Electoral Integrity Project when it comes to the integrity of the voting system , clustered with Ethiopia , Kenya , Tanzania and Honduras .
Highlighting the lack of an Irish automatic voter registration or national system of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ lacks the basic infrastructure of a modern electoral system , ” and will need to improve its current absentee ballot system if emigrants are to vote in future presidential elections .

Emma de Souza is vice-chairwoman of Votingrights.ie, which wants a complete modernisation of the Irish voting system
Citizenship campaigner Emma de Souza has been appointed vice-chairwoman of votingrights.ie, an international organisation campaigning for voting rights to be extended to Irish citizens living abroad and in Northern Ireland.
Ms de Souza will also be the spokeswoman on Northern Ireland for the group. Her legal action against the British government over residency rights for her American husband led to Britain conceding that all citizens born in Northern Ireland could be considered as EU citizens for immigration purposes.
In a letter sent to Minister for the Diaspora Colm Brophy this week, the group calls for a complete reform of the electoral system, arguing that Ireland lags behind other countries when it comes to permitting Irish citizens abroad to vote.
“Ireland is out of step with [its] EU peers and indeed most other democracies when it comes to emigrant voting rights; we have not kept up with changing global democratic norms, even as changes in the nature of emigration make the case for voting even more compelling,” it states.
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“The Irish nation is diverse and far reaching; being a part of that nation should not be restricted to residency in the Irish State.”
The group estimates “well over 30 per cent of all voting-age Irish citizens are deprived of their right to vote”. This includes the estimated 1.5 million Irish citizens living overseas, as well as Irish passport-holders in the North.
Promised referendum
The recent programme for government agreed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party commits to holding a referendum on extending the vote to Irish citizens abroad for presidential elections, though no date has been set.
Votingrights.ie is also deeply critical of the decision not to appoint a representative of the diaspora to the Seanad. It follows the decision of the Government not to reappoint Chicago-based publican Billy Lawless or another representative of the diaspora to the Senate. Mr Lawless was appointed by former taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2016.
“We would hope that you and your colleagues in the department would support any reforms of the Seanad that would give the diaspora a voice,” it says, supporting the creation of a global panel that would “give Irish emigrants a real voice in the Seanad”.
Ms De Souza visited the US a number of times over the past year, highlighting her case to senior members of the Irish-American community on Capitol Hill, including former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
The group is also urging a "complete modernisation of the Irish voting system", noting Ireland was ranked 137 in the 2018 global Electoral Integrity Project for its voting system, clustered with Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Honduras. Highlighting the lack of an Irish automatic voter registration or national system of voter registration, it says Ireland "lacks the basic infrastructure of a modern electoral system" and will need to improve its current absentee ballot system if emigrants are to vote in future presidential elections.


theirishtimes--2020-07-21--Public consultation on format of any future Border poll begins

A public consultation on the format of any future Border poll and how it might be carried out is being launched today by academics in Ireland , Britain and the US .
Residents and civic groups in the North are being asked to share their views on how any potential referendum ( s ) on Northern Ireland ’ s constitutional status could be designed and conducted .
Recent developments , the project ’ s authors stated , have “ increased the chances ” that the condition for a referendum on Irish unity as provided for in the Belfast Agreement “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yet no detailed public thinking has been done on what form the vote could take.
” Their research , they said , “ seeks to put the necessary thinking in place to ensure that , should any referendum be called , the process could be conducted in a way that maintained legitimacy and political stability ” .
The project will “ not take a view on whether such a vote would be desirable or what the outcome should be ” , and “ only examines what the process of any such referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of an independent , two-year project being carried out by the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland and funded by the British Academy and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust .
The Working Group is part of University College London ’ s ( UCL ) Constitution Unit , in partnership with Trinity College Dublin , University College Dublin , Queen ’ s University Belfast , Ulster University and the University of Pennsylvania .
The group is made up of 13 representatives from those universities who are experts in politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the research is focused on the views of people in Northern Ireland , people in the Republic can also fill out the survey and their responses will be considered .
Dr Alan Renwick , the deputy director of UCL ’ s Constitution Unit , who is leading the project , said the consultation would build on previous intensive discussions within the group and with politicians and other key individuals and the intention was for their research to have a practical impact .
“ The two governments are both very reluctant to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage , for a possible referendum because they recognise that it ’ s a very sensitive matter to raise , ” said Dr Renwick .
“ But we think that it ’ s really important for some of these questions to be thought through well in advance when a referendum isn ’ t imminent .
“ Launching into a process like this without really understanding what it would involve could be very dangerous , and the governments are not really able to do that [ PLANNING ] for perfectly legitimate reasons , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academics we can do work that we hope will be very useful for the governments and also for parties and for people generally in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland .
“ Having the public consultation part of the overall project we hope will stimulate people to think about this and reflect on what might be involved , ” he said .
This could include questions such as how referendums north and south related to each other , and whether they happened at the same time or different times .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referendums ?
” asked Dr Renwick .
“ Do you have referendums first on the principle of unification , or do you work out a lot of the detail of what a united Ireland would look like first and then hold a referendum on that detailed plan ?
“ All these really big questions people haven ’ t done very much thinking on at all , so those are the sorts of questions that we ’ re exploring in this project , ” he said .
The survey closes on September 2nd and @ @ @ @ @ @

The consultation is part of an independent, two-year project being carried out by the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland
A public consultation on the format of any future Border poll and how it might be carried out is being launched today by academics in Ireland, Britain and the US.
Residents and civic groups in the North are being asked to share their views on how any potential referendum(s) on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status could be designed and conducted.
Recent developments, the project's authors stated, have "increased the chances" that the condition for a referendum on Irish unity as provided for in the Belfast Agreement "could be met in the coming years, yet no detailed public thinking has been done on what form the vote could take."
Their research, they said, “seeks to put the necessary thinking in place to ensure that, should any referendum be called, the process could be conducted in a way that maintained legitimacy and political stability”.
READ MORE
The project will “not take a view on whether such a vote would be desirable or what the outcome should be”, and “only examines what the process of any such referendum would involve”.
The consultation is part of an independent, two-year project being carried out by the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland and funded by the British Academy and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
The Working Group is part of University College London's (UCL) Constitution Unit , in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The group is made up of 13 representatives from those universities who are experts in politics, law, sociology and history.
While the research is focused on the views of people in Northern Ireland, people in the Republic can also fill out the survey and their responses will be considered.
Dr Alan Renwick, the deputy director of UCL's Constitution Unit, who is leading the project, said the consultation would build on previous intensive discussions within the group and with politicians and other key individuals and the intention was for their research to have a practical impact.
“The two governments are both very reluctant to do any planning, at least at this stage, for a possible referendum because they recognise that it’s a very sensitive matter to raise,” said Dr Renwick. “But we think that it’s really important for some of these questions to be thought through well in advance when a referendum isn’t imminent.
“Launching into a process like this without really understanding what it would involve could be very dangerous, and the governments are not really able to do that [PLANNING]for perfectly legitimate reasons, and therefore we as a group of independent academics we can do work that we hope will be very useful for the governments and also for parties and for people generally in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“Having the public consultation part of the overall project we hope will stimulate people to think about this and reflect on what might be involved,” he said.
This could include questions such as how referendums north and south related to each other, and whether they happened at the same time or different times.
“What stage in a process do you hold referendums?” asked Dr Renwick. “Do you have referendums first on the principle of unification, or do you work out a lot of the detail of what a united Ireland would look like first and then hold a referendum on that detailed plan?
“All these really big questions people haven’t done very much thinking on at all, so those are the sorts of questions that we’re exploring in this project,” he said.
The survey closes on September 2nd and can be completed here


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Migrant women create Ireland’s first carers’ co-operative

Ireland ’ s first carers ’ co-operative , founded and led by migrant women , will provide “ quality care and quality jobs ” in a way profit-based agencies can not , its founders claim .
The Great Care Co-op will “ reinvest all profits in the carers .
.
.
and the carers will lead it ” , says co-founder Maria Jikijela ( 58 ) .
She came to Ireland from South Africa 14 years ago with three children .
An electrical engineer in Capetown , she has worked as a carer since 2006 – with agencies until 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital carer since .
Though she speaks positively of some agencies , others put carers under time pressures that don ’ t allow them to spend “ quality time ” with clients , she says .
“ You can be scheduled to start with one client at 8am for an hour , and you know the hour will not be enough if the client is bed-bound and needs to be rotated , then prepare breakfast , take her for a shower .
Then the next client starts at 9 .
It might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re late .
“ You are rushing , you don ’ t have time to see what ’ s happening with your client , you can not build a relationship .
You are stressing .
None of them is getting the quality time and care they need.
” There can be a lack of support from agencies , for instance when a carer needs another carer with them for clients with challenging needs and this is not provided .
On top of all this , pay can be low and most agency-carers get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to company pension plans .
Ms Jikijela and other carers came together through the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland ( MRCI ) .
“ We felt , when we talked about our work , we could change all those things .
We decided on the Great Care Co-op to make a difference .
It is led by migrant women , it is a worker-owned healthcare business.
” The co-op is a registered limited company with 12 women carers – from Uganda , Zimbabwe , the Philippines and South Africa .
“ We run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join us .
“ We will be able to give more time to clients and we will look after the carers better .
They will have quality time with their clients and get more satisfaction from their work.
” She believes they will charge “ a little less ” than many agencies because “ there will be no profits going to board members .
They will be reinvested in the carers .
They will have sick pay , holidays and pensions .
We are sure the patients and the carers will benefit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager with the MRCI , describes the co-op as a “ a political move in itself ” , challenging the for-profit model of professional care .
“ The pandemic has shone a light on carers .
Carers were celebrated up and down the country for their essential work , invaluable contribution and selflessness .
But at the same time too many are not paid or treated fairly .
There is a lot of frustration amongst carers.
” The Great Care Co-op is operating in Dalkey , Co Dublin , so far .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets stable it will expand everywhere in Ireland , ” says Ms Jikijela .
“ That is what we are planning .
”

Ireland’s first carers’ co-operative, founded and led by migrant women, will provide “quality care and quality jobs” in a way profit-based agencies cannot, its founders claim.
The Great Care Co-op will "reinvest all profits in the carers . . . and the carers will lead it", says co-founder Maria Jikijela (58). She came to Ireland from South Africa 14 years ago with three children. An electrical engineer in Capetown, she has worked as a carer since 2006 – with agencies until 2017 and employed by the HSE as a hospital carer since.
Though she speaks positively of some agencies, others put carers under time pressures that don’t allow them to spend “quality time” with clients, she says.
“You can be scheduled to start with one client at 8am for an hour, and you know the hour will not be enough if the client is bed-bound and needs to be rotated, then prepare breakfast, take her for a shower. Then the next client starts at 9. It might be far away in traffic and you’re late.
READ MORE
“You are rushing, you don’t have time to see what’s happening with your client, you cannot build a relationship. You are stressing. None of them is getting the quality time and care they need.”
There can be a lack of support from agencies, for instance when a carer needs another carer with them for clients with challenging needs and this is not provided. On top of all this, pay can be low and most agency-carers get no holidays, sick pay or access to company pension plans.
Ms Jikijela and other carers came together through the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI).
“We felt, when we talked about our work, we could change all those things. We decided on the Great Care Co-op to make a difference. It is led by migrant women, it is a worker-owned healthcare business.”
‘More time’
The co-op is a registered limited company with 12 women carers – from Uganda, Zimbabwe, the Philippines and South Africa. "We run it. We want more carers to join us.
“We will be able to give more time to clients and we will look after the carers better. They will have quality time with their clients and get more satisfaction from their work.”
She believes they will charge “a little less” than many agencies because “there will be no profits going to board members. They will be reinvested in the carers. They will have sick pay, holidays and pensions. We are sure the patients and the carers will benefit in this.”
Aoife Smith, social enterprise manager with the MRCI, describes the co-op as a "a political move in itself", challenging the for-profit model of professional care.
“The pandemic has shone a light on carers. Carers were celebrated up and down the country for their essential work, invaluable contribution and selflessness. But at the same time too many are not paid or treated fairly. There is a lot of frustration amongst carers.”
The Great Care Co-op is operating in Dalkey, Co Dublin, so far. "As time goes on and the co-op gets stable it will expand everywhere in Ireland," says Ms Jikijela. "That is what we are planning."


theirishtimes--2020-07-23--Coronavirus: Only 4,100 calls made to check up on 60,000 arrivals to Dublin Airport

Only 4,100 calls were made to check up on 60,000 people arriving at Dublin Airport in the first two weeks of July , figures from the Department of Justice show .
The figures , which were released by the department in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall , show that of the 4,121 calls that were made based on information supplied in the passenger locator form , only 52 per cent were answered .
According to the reply , since the volume of passengers coming through the airport began to increase on July 1st , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is required to concentrate on their core immigration duties ” , meaning that the department “ awaits handover of this follow-up process to the Department of Health ” .
However , that transfer is still “ outstanding ” , the department said .
The figures show that of 61,844 arriving passengers , the BMU took a sample of 6,195 .
Of that figure , some 1,974 were exempt from follow-up as they were transiting to Northern Ireland , or in the State for less than two days , according to the reply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2,129 were answered .
In response to questions , a spokesman for the Department of Justice confirmed that “ no other department or agency has made any of the follow-up calls in relation to the locator forms to date ” .
Follow-up calls are also being made in respect of other ports of entry , but are not available , the department said .
Dublin Airport is the main port of entry for air passengers to the State .
Ms Shortall said the figures show “ that less than seven per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first two weeks of July received any follow-up call at all , and nearly half of those went unanswered ” .
“ How can the public have confidence in the Government ’ s decision on travel when that is the case ?
” she said .
The percentage of calls being answered also appears to be declining .
Figures supplied for passenger arrivals from the end of April to the end of June this year suggest that 64 per cent of of calls were answered , compared to 52 per cent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the “ threat of Covid-19 clusters as a result of foreign travel into Ireland is very real ” , which the National Public Health Emergency Team had stated “ very clearly ” in a letter to Government .
A department spokesman said “ everyone arriving into the country , regardless of where they come from , is required to fill out a passenger locator form , which will be put on an electronic basis by August 10th ” .
He added that arrangements are also being made for enhanced follow-up procedures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing regime for symptomatic passengers at airports and ports .
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said the BMU and the Garda National Immigration Bureau carry out form collection and spot checks on behalf of health authorities , with the BMU also making follow-up calls .
“ Government policy in this area is currently being closely examined and consideration given to the future way of working in relation to this process , ” she said .

The figures were released by the Department of Justice in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Only 4,100 calls were made to check up on 60,000 people arriving at Dublin Airport in the first two weeks of July, figures from the Department of Justice show.
The figures, which were released by the department in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall, show that of the 4,121 calls that were made based on information supplied in the passenger locator form, only 52 per cent were answered.
According to the reply, since the volume of passengers coming through the airport began to increase on July 1st, “BMU [Border Management Unit] is required to concentrate on their core immigration duties”, meaning that the department “awaits handover of this follow-up process to the Department of Health”. However, that transfer is still “outstanding”, the department said.
The figures show that of 61,844 arriving passengers, the BMU took a sample of 6,195. Of that figure, some 1,974 were exempt from follow-up as they were transiting to Northern Ireland, or in the State for less than two days, according to the reply.
READ MORE
Of the remaining 4,121 who were called, 2,129 were answered.
In response to questions, a spokesman for the Department of Justice confirmed that “no other department or agency has made any of the follow-up calls in relation to the locator forms to date”. Follow-up calls are also being made in respect of other ports of entry, but are not available, the department said. Dublin Airport is the main port of entry for air passengers to the State.
Public confidence
Ms Shortall said the figures show “that less than seven per cent of passengers entering through Dublin Airport in the first two weeks of July received any follow-up call at all, and nearly half of those went unanswered”.
“How can the public have confidence in the Government’s decision on travel when that is the case?” she said.
The percentage of calls being answered also appears to be declining. Figures supplied for passenger arrivals from the end of April to the end of June this year suggest that 64 per cent of of calls were answered, compared to 52 per cent in the most recent figures.
Ms Shortall said the “threat of Covid-19 clusters as a result of foreign travel into Ireland is very real”, which the National Public Health Emergency Team had stated “very clearly” in a letter to Government.
A department spokesman said “everyone arriving into the country, regardless of where they come from, is required to fill out a passenger locator form, which will be put on an electronic basis by August 10th”.
Testing regime
He added that arrangements are also being made for enhanced follow-up procedures, including a call centre and a proposed testing regime for symptomatic passengers at airports and ports.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said the BMU and the Garda National Immigration Bureau carry out form collection and spot checks on behalf of health authorities, with the BMU also making follow-up calls.
“Government policy in this area is currently being closely examined and consideration given to the future way of working in relation to this process,” she said.