theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Journalists tell High Court coronavirus laws ‘unconstitutional’

Journalists John Waters and Gemma O ’ Doherty have started a High Court action challenging laws introduced by the State in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
In judicial review proceedings against the State and the Minister for Health , Mr Waters and Ms O ’ Doherty are seeking to have various pieces of recently enacted legislation declared null and void by a judge of the High Court .
This includes the 2020 Health Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act , the 2020 Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ( Covid-19 ) Act and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Order 2020 .
Their proceedings are aimed at striking down temporary restrictions introduced by the Government .
Ms O ’ Doherty and Mr Waters represented themselves in court on Wednesday as they applied for permission to bring their challenge .
The matter , which was heard on an ex-parte basis , where only one side was represented in court , was mentioned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey .
Mr Waters told the court that the legislation was “ unconstitutional ” , “ improperly enacted ” and “ very flawed ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including that the laws were brought in by a caretaker Government and approved by a Dáil while the number of TDs present for votes took was limited .
He said he was also concerned that the legislation was enacted by the outgoing rather than incoming Seanad .
The journalists told the court that they had concerns about the powers the new laws gave to gardaí and the effect that the laws , the lockdown and travel restrictions are having on people .
The judge , who said that the court was only concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not about any Government policy , directed that the application for permission to bring the challenge be made on notice to the State respondents .
He adjourned the matter for further mention in a week .

Journalists John Waters and Gemma O’Doherty have started a High Court action challenging laws introduced by the State in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
Journalists John Waters and Gemma O’Doherty have started a High Court action challenging laws introduced by the State in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In judicial review proceedings against the State and the Minister for Health, Mr Waters and Ms O’Doherty are seeking to have various pieces of recently enacted legislation declared null and void by a judge of the High Court.
This includes the 2020 Health Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, the 2020 Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act and the 1947 Health Act (Affected Areas) Order 2020. Their proceedings are aimed at striking down temporary restrictions introduced by the Government.
Ms O’Doherty and Mr Waters represented themselves in court on Wednesday as they applied for permission to bring their challenge. The matter, which was heard on an ex-parte basis, where only one side was represented in court, was mentioned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey.
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Mr Waters told the court that the legislation was “unconstitutional”, “improperly enacted” and “very flawed”.
He said the challenge was brought on grounds including that the laws were brought in by a caretaker Government and approved by a Dáil while the number of TDs present for votes took was limited. He said he was also concerned that the legislation was enacted by the outgoing rather than incoming Seanad.
The journalists told the court that they had concerns about the powers the new laws gave to gardaí and the effect that the laws, the lockdown and travel restrictions are having on people.
The judge, who said that the court was only concerned about the legality of the legislation challenged and not about any Government policy, directed that the application for permission to bring the challenge be made on notice to the State respondents. He adjourned the matter for further mention in a week.


theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Leaving Cert: Cancelled elements may be flagged on students’ results

Thousands of this year ’ s Leaving Cert students may have their results “ flagged ” ’ to show they did not complete the oral or practical parts of their exams .
Under existing State Examinations Commission rules , students ’ Leaving Certificates are annotated in cases where they are exempted from completing an exam component , typically on the grounds of a special need .
The practice has proved controversial among students with dyslexia , for example , who claim it discriminates against them .
The commission has successfully argued in the High Court that annotation is a necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examination certification process .
This year tens of thousands of Leaving Cert students will not complete oral and , in some cases , practical elements of their exams after the Government decided to cancel them last month .
In response to a query on whether students ’ Leaving Certs would be annotated as a result , the commission did not directly answer the question .
“ The grades in the State examinations are calculated and results issued on the basis of all components in each examination , ” a spokeswoman said , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] will continue to approach all remaining elements of the 2020 examinations season acting with the best interests of candidates to the fore in accordance with the core principles of equity and fairness which underpin the state examinations and in line with Government and public health advice as this unprecedented and unpredictable situation evolves.
” However , the commission ’ s official guidance to schools for the 2020 examinations is specific on the requirement for annotation in particular circumstances .
A document regarding the “ eligibility criteria for specific accommodations ” states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a core exam element will give rise to an explanatory note on a student ’ s final exam certificate .
“ The practice of annotating certificates and statements allows a balance to be struck between the need to enable students with disabilities to access the examinations by being exempted from assessment in core elements of a subject , while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the overall system , ensuring transparency for end users and fairness to other candidates , ” the document states .
In the case of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oral exam , for example , the annotation to a certificate would state that “ all parts of the examination in this subject were assessed except the oral element ” .
In 2007 the commission defended the need for students ’ certificates to be annotated before the High Court .
It successfully appealed an Equality Tribunal ruling that found that Leaving Cert students with dyslexia had been discriminated against due to the practice of annotating their certificates .
In that case the students ’ Leaving Certificates contained an annotation stating that the complainants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punctuation elements in English and spelling and some grammatical elements in other language subjects .
In a separate development , Opposition political parties have stepped up calls for students ’ exam fees to be waived for students in homes where a parent is unemployed .
Exam candidates have been asked to pay €116 by the end of this month .
Medical card-holders are exempt from the payment .
Fianna Fáil education spokesman Thomas Byrne called for the fees to be waived for pupils who are living in a house where a parent is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This small measure could relieve some of the pressures placed on families of exam year students at this difficult time , ” he said .
Sinn Féin ’ s education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire also called for fees to be waived given the extraordinary circumstances this year ’ s students are experiencing .

This year tens of thousands of Leaving Cert students will not complete oral and, in some cases, practical elements of their exams. Photograph: Eric Luke
Thousands of this year’s Leaving Cert students may have their results “flagged”’ to show they did not complete the oral or practical parts of their exams.
Under existing State Examinations Commission rules, students' Leaving Certificates are annotated in cases where they are exempted from completing an exam component, typically on the grounds of a special need.
The practice has proved controversial among students with dyslexia, for example, who claim it discriminates against them.
The commission has successfully argued in the High Court that annotation is a necessary balance to protect the integrity of the examination certification process.
READ MORE
This year tens of thousands of Leaving Cert students will not complete oral and, in some cases, practical elements of their exams after the Government decided to cancel them last month.
In response to a query on whether students’ Leaving Certs would be annotated as a result, the commission did not directly answer the question.
“The grades in the State examinations are calculated and results issued on the basis of all components in each examination,” a spokeswoman said, in a statement.
“The [commission] will continue to approach all remaining elements of the 2020 examinations season acting with the best interests of candidates to the fore in accordance with the core principles of equity and fairness which underpin the state examinations and in line with Government and public health advice as this unprecedented and unpredictable situation evolves.”
However, the commission’s official guidance to schools for the 2020 examinations is specific on the requirement for annotation in particular circumstances.
A document regarding the “eligibility criteria for specific accommodations” states that a waiver or exemption from the assessment of a core exam element will give rise to an explanatory note on a student’s final exam certificate.
“The practice of annotating certificates and statements allows a balance to be struck between the need to enable students with disabilities to access the examinations by being exempted from assessment in core elements of a subject, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the overall system, ensuring transparency for end users and fairness to other candidates,” the document states.
Dyslexic students
In the case of a student who was not assessed for an oral exam, for example, the annotation to a certificate would state that “all parts of the examination in this subject were assessed except the oral element”.
In 2007 the commission defended the need for students’ certificates to be annotated before the High Court .
It successfully appealed an Equality Tribunal ruling that found that Leaving Cert students with dyslexia had been discriminated against due to the practice of annotating their certificates.
In that case the students’ Leaving Certificates contained an annotation stating that the complainants were not assessed on spelling and written punctuation elements in English and spelling and some grammatical elements in other language subjects.
In a separate development, Opposition political parties have stepped up calls for students’ exam fees to be waived for students in homes where a parent is unemployed.
Exam candidates have been asked to pay €116 by the end of this month. Medical card-holders are exempt from the payment.
Fianna Fáil education spokesman Thomas Byrne called for the fees to be waived for pupils who are living in a house where a parent is unemployed or receiving a Covid-19-related payment.
“This small measure could relieve some of the pressures placed on families of exam year students at this difficult time,” he said.
Sinn Féin’s education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire also called for fees to be waived given the extraordinary circumstances this year’s students are experiencing.


theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Woman accused of spitting on Garda allegedly claimed she had been tested for Covid-19

A 3-year-old woman , who allegedly spat at a garda after claiming she had been tested for Covid-19 , has been ordered to self-isolate at her Dublin home .
Caroline Farrell from St Attracta Road , Cabra , Dublin 7 , was charged with being intoxicated in public , breach of the peace and assaulting the Garda on Tuesday evening .
She appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Dermot Dempsey who granted bail with conditions stating she must self-isolate , obey a 4pm-to-6am curfew and remain sober .
Ms Farrell appeared via video-link from another room in the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective clothing .
Garda Sergeant John L ’ Estrange told the court Ms Farrell made no reply when charged .
He objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and said the assault charge can , on conviction , carry a five-year sentence .
Garda Sergeant L ’ Estrange said it was alleged Garda Tara Byrne and Garda John Farrelly had been on patrol at St Attracta Road when the defendant approached .
It was alleged she was highly intoxicated , “ to an extent she was a danger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard she bumped on the patrol car window and Garda Byrne exited the vehicle .
It was alleged the accused spat at her and shouted : “ I ’ ve been tested for coronavirus , you ’ ll all be sorry when I ’ m in hospital.
” The two gardaí “ have had to self isolate and will do so for a number of days given the nature of the situation , ” the sergeant said .
The sergeant said an aggravating factor of the case was that the defendant had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has tested positive for Covid-19 .
He said it had been indicated to him that the accused had been drinking with the coronavirus sufferer .
The officer had been told by a relative of the accused that she had not been tested for the disease , the court was told .
Garda Sergeant L ’ Estrange said Ms Farrell showed little regard for her own welfare or that of others in her actions .
The level of intoxication was such that she was a danger to herself and the general public , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said his client denies the allegations and she had instructed him that she has not been tested for coronavirus .
The sergeant replied that due to data protection there had been difficulties in verifying that .
Mr McCarthy put it to the sergeant that his client had called gardaí after she had been beaten up by two men .
The sergeant answered that the gardaí who attended had been on patrol .
The solicitor said the attack on his client was filmed but the footage was not shown .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be met with conditions .
He proposed a 24-hour day curfew so she could be on “ lockdown ” and self isolate at her home address .
Judge Dempsey set bail in her own bond of €1,000 of which €300 must be lodged .
She must reside at her home address , stay sober and provide gardaí with a contact mobile phone number within 24 hours of taking up bail .
Imposing a 4pm-to-6am curfew he also ordered her to self isolate at her home .
She became upset during the proceedings when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail but her solicitor then explained the conditions to her .
She was ordered to appear again in one week .
Legal aid was granted after the court heard she was on social welfare .

A Garda van, carrying Caroline Farrell (33), of Attracta Road, Cabra, who was charged with assaulting a Garda, arrives at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on Wednesday. Photograph: Collins Courts
A 3-year-old woman, who allegedly spat at a garda after claiming she had been tested for Covid-19, has been ordered to self-isolate at her Dublin home.
Caroline Farrell from St Attracta Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, was charged with being intoxicated in public, breach of the peace and assaulting the Garda on Tuesday evening.
She appeared at Dublin District Court before Judge Dermot Dempsey who granted bail with conditions stating she must self-isolate, obey a 4pm-to-6am curfew and remain sober.
Ms Farrell appeared via video-link from another room in the building flanked by guards dressed in masks and personal protective clothing.
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Garda Sergeant John L’Estrange told the court Ms Farrell made no reply when charged.
He objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and said the assault charge can, on conviction, carry a five-year sentence.
Garda Sergeant L’Estrange said it was alleged Garda Tara Byrne and Garda John Farrelly had been on patrol at St Attracta Road when the defendant approached.
It was alleged she was highly intoxicated, “to an extent she was a danger to herself and others”.
The court heard she bumped on the patrol car window and Garda Byrne exited the vehicle. It was alleged the accused spat at her and shouted: “I’ve been tested for coronavirus, you’ll all be sorry when I’m in hospital.”
The two gardaí “have had to self isolate and will do so for a number of days given the nature of the situation,” the sergeant said.
The sergeant said an aggravating factor of the case was that the defendant had been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid-19. He said it had been indicated to him that the accused had been drinking with the coronavirus sufferer.
The officer had been told by a relative of the accused that she had not been tested for the disease, the court was told.
Garda Sergeant L’Estrange said Ms Farrell showed little regard for her own welfare or that of others in her actions. The level of intoxication was such that she was a danger to herself and the general public, he said.
Pleading for bail, defence solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said his client denies the allegations and she had instructed him that she has not been tested for coronavirus.
The sergeant replied that due to data protection there had been difficulties in verifying that.
Mr McCarthy put it to the sergeant that his client had called gardaí after she had been beaten up by two men. The sergeant answered that the gardaí who attended had been on patrol.
The solicitor said the attack on his client was filmed but the footage was not shown.
Mr McCarthy said the objections to bail could be met with conditions. He proposed a 24-hour day curfew so she could be on “lockdown” and self isolate at her home address.
Friends had brought €190 to court.
Judge Dempsey set bail in her own bond of €1,000 of which €300 must be lodged.
She must reside at her home address, stay sober and provide gardaí with a contact mobile phone number within 24 hours of taking up bail. Imposing a 4pm-to-6am curfew he also ordered her to self isolate at her home.
She became upset during the proceedings when she mistakenly thought she had been refused bail but her solicitor then explained the conditions to her.
She was ordered to appear again in one week. Legal aid was granted after the court heard she was on social welfare.


theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Government says no truth to social media rumours about pubs re-opening

The Government has denied reports circulating on social media that Tánaiste Simon Coveney has met with vintners and told them there will be a phased re-opening of pubs .
A spokesman for Mr Coveney said the report , which was circulating on WhatsApp groups throughout Munster , was totally false and there was no truth at all to the suggestion that pubs were set to re-open on a phased basis .
The spokesman said Mr Coveney had not met vintners in the past week and the Government was trying to establish how the story had started or where it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice issued last Friday by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the Covid-19 restrictions would remain in place until May 5th at least remains the government ’ s position .
Mr Varadkar thanked the Irish people for their forbearance in the effort to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
“ People are wondering when life will get back to normal .
We are working toward that , planning carefully , so we get there safely .
No one knows for certain when that will be .
.
.
all we can do is take one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taoiseach said .
Mr Coveney ’ s spokesman said the only place to get reliable news regarding the Covid-19 restrictions was from the National Public Health Emergency Team and the established media , not from Whatsapp groups .
The closure order , which came into effect on March 15th , has led to thousands of bar staff being laid off with many vintners saying that it has put them under pressure in terms of meeting rent and other payments .
The enforced closure prompted the Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to a mutually acceptable agreement about rent payments during the shutdown .
VFI chief executive Padraig Cribben said the shutdown was putting huge pressure on many of the State ’ s 7,000 publicans , who do not own their own premises but are renting them from landlords who are still seeking rent .
“ Since the enforced shutdown we have worked with the banks , TV subscription services , drink suppliers and other suppliers to come to an agreement about forbearance and payment suspension for the coming months.
” Mr Cribben said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service providers and drink suppliers have agreed to work with publicans and suspend payment for the coming months while the lockdown remains in place .
“ We need landlords to exercise the same understanding because there is little point in demanding money that isn ’ t there .
We need to work together to get through the current crisis , ” he said .

The public health advice issued last Friday by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the Covid-19 restrictions would remain in place until May 5th remains the government’s position. File photgraph: Getty Images
The Government has denied reports circulating on social media that Tánaiste Simon Coveney has met with vintners and told them there will be a phased re-opening of pubs.
A spokesman for Mr Coveney said the report, which was circulating on WhatsApp groups throughout Munster, was totally false and there was no truth at all to the suggestion that pubs were set to re-open on a phased basis.
The spokesman said Mr Coveney had not met vintners in the past week and the Government was trying to establish how the story had started or where it had originated.
He said the public health advice issued last Friday by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the Covid-19 restrictions would remain in place until May 5th at least remains the government's position. Mr Varadkar thanked the Irish people for their forbearance in the effort to stop the spread of Covid-19.
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“People are wondering when life will get back to normal. We are working toward that, planning carefully, so we get there safely. No one knows for certain when that will be . . . all we can do is take one day at a time,” The Taoiseach said.
Mr Coveney’s spokesman said the only place to get reliable news regarding the Covid-19 restrictions was from the National Public Health Emergency Team and the established media, not from Whatsapp groups.
The closure order, which came into effect on March 15th, has led to thousands of bar staff being laid off with many vintners saying that it has put them under pressure in terms of meeting rent and other payments.
The enforced closure prompted the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) to ask landlords to meet their tenants and come to a mutually acceptable agreement about rent payments during the shutdown.
VFI chief executive Padraig Cribben said the shutdown was putting huge pressure on many of the State's 7,000 publicans, who do not own their own premises but are renting them from landlords who are still seeking rent.
“Since the enforced shutdown we have worked with the banks, TV subscription services, drink suppliers and other suppliers to come to an agreement about forbearance and payment suspension for the coming months.”
Mr Cribben said the clear majority of banks, TV service providers and drink suppliers have agreed to work with publicans and suspend payment for the coming months while the lockdown remains in place.
“We need landlords to exercise the same understanding because there is little point in demanding money that isn’t there. We need to work together to get through the current crisis,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Man (24) is first to be charged under new Covid-19 laws

A man living in Co Wexford has become the first person to be charged under new regulations introduced last week in response to the Covid-19 crisis .
Denis Constantin ( 24 ) , who is originally from Romania but is living in Enniscorthy , appeared before Gorey District Court on Wednesday .
He was charged with two breaches of the Health Act 1947 ( Section 31A -Temporary Restrictions - Covid-19 Regulations 2020 ) .
Gardaí manning Covid19-related checkpoints in Bunclody last Saturday stopped and spoke to Mr Constantin , who was found to be more than 2km from home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ near New Ross on Monday , where he was again more than 2km from his home .
The court heard it was alleged that he was more than 2km from home on more than one occasion without a valid reason .
Valid reasons for straying this distance from home include performing an essential or urgent task related to a person ’ s family or health or going about work duties while working in a job classified as an essential service for the duration of the public health crisis .
Garda David Shanahan gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda and Judge Brian O ’ Shea remanded the accused in custody pending his next court appearance on the matter next Tuesday .
Mr Constantin , of Mile House Road in Enniscorthy , is also charged with three other offences including driving with no licence or insurance while disqualified .

A man living in Co Wexford has become the first person to be charged under new regulations introduced last week in response to the Covid-19 crisis. File image: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times.
A man living in Co Wexford has become the first person to be charged under new regulations introduced last week in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Denis Constantin (24), who is originally from Romania but is living in Enniscorthy, appeared before Gorey District Court on Wednesday.
He was charged with two breaches of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A -Temporary Restrictions - Covid-19 Regulations 2020).
Gardaí manning Covid19-related checkpoints in Bunclody last Saturday stopped and spoke to Mr Constantin, who was found to be more than 2km from home.
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He was again stopped at a checkpoint near New Ross on Monday, where he was again more than 2km from his home.
The court heard it was alleged that he was more than 2km from home on more than one occasion without a valid reason.
Valid reasons for straying this distance from home include performing an essential or urgent task related to a person’s family or health or going about work duties while working in a job classified as an essential service for the duration of the public health crisis.
Garda David Shanahan gave evidence in court on behalf of the Garda and Judge Brian O’Shea remanded the accused in custody pending his next court appearance on the matter next Tuesday.
Mr Constantin, of Mile House Road in Enniscorthy, is also charged with three other offences including driving with no licence or insurance while disqualified.


theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Irish musicians stuck on cruise ship feel like ‘hostages’ in political battle

A group of Irish musicians stranded on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship in New South Wales , Australia have said they ’ re desperate to return home to their families after nearly four weeks of quarantine in their cabins .
The band members are among the 1,040 crew members still on board the cruise ship which is currently docked at Port Kembla , south of Sydney .
The cruise ship made international headlines in March when it docked in Sydney and allowed its 2,700 passengers to disembark despite some people on board showing coronavirus symptoms .
This has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a dozen deaths in Australia .
New South Wales police commissioner Mick Fuller on Wednesday said the Princess Ruby would leave Port Kembla on Sunday .
However , Co Kildare native Joe Junker and his band mates do not know where the ship is going .
Like most crew , Junker is worried about the low level of testing being carried out among staff and says if people become ill at sea it could lead to “ serious illnesses and complications ” with little medical assistance available .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus with an additional 12 crew members with Covid-19 now in local health facilities , according to local media reports .
However , Mr Junker understands that only 250 crew have been tested .
The four ‘ Emerald Tide ’ musicians have been working on board the cruise ship since early December .
On March 21st they were placed under quarantine because one member was exhibiting virus symptoms .
While Junker says the cruise company is treating staff well – housing them in guest cabins and delivering three meals a day – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for so long and becoming increasingly nervous about the limited medical support on board the ship .
“ Throughout all this we have had no clue about what was going on and relying on social media and news to keep us informed with no information at all about when we will be going home , ” Junker told The Irish Times .
“ Me and my band mates feel as though we ’ re hostages or pawns in this political battle which is not one of our making .
We feel powerless in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the support the band has received from Australian politicians and officials along with efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs to get the group back to Ireland .
“ We had an absolute blast on this ship before this all started bringing Irish music to all the guests , it went down a treat and we were a very popular band on board .
We love playing music and still do it to keep us sane during the day .
But what we really want is just to go home to our families.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of a case involving Irish citizens currently on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship .
“ The Irish Consulate in Sydney remains in contact with Irish citizens on the ship ( and ) with state and federal authorities in Australia to ensure the health and safety of Irish citizens on board , ” she said .

Emerald Tide members (left to right) Killian Shannon, Joe Junker, Giselle O’Meara and Kate Heneghan are among more than 1,000 people stuck on a cruise liner off the coast of Sydney, Australia.
A group of Irish musicians stranded on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship in New South Wales, Australia have said they're desperate to return home to their families after nearly four weeks of quarantine in their cabins.
The band members are among the 1,040 crew members still on board the cruise ship which is currently docked at Port Kembla, south of Sydney.
The cruise ship made international headlines in March when it docked in Sydney and allowed its 2,700 passengers to disembark despite some people on board showing coronavirus symptoms. This has been linked to hundreds of Covid-19 cases and more than a dozen deaths in Australia.
New South Wales police commissioner Mick Fuller on Wednesday said the Princess Ruby would leave Port Kembla on Sunday.
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However, Co Kildare native Joe Junker and his band mates do not know where the ship is going. Like most crew, Junker is worried about the low level of testing being carried out among staff and says if people become ill at sea it could lead to "serious illnesses and complications" with little medical assistance available.
Positive tests
A total of 140 crew members have tested positive for the virus with an additional 12 crew members with Covid-19 now in local health facilities, according to local media reports. However, Mr Junker understands that only 250 crew have been tested.
The four ‘Emerald Tide’ musicians have been working on board the cruise ship since early December. On March 21st they were placed under quarantine because one member was exhibiting virus symptoms.
While Junker says the cruise company is treating staff well – housing them in guest cabins and delivering three meals a day – people are fed up being cooped up for so long and becoming increasingly nervous about the limited medical support on board the ship.
“Throughout all this we have had no clue about what was going on and relying on social media and news to keep us informed with no information at all about when we will be going home,” Junker told The Irish Times. “Me and my band mates feel as though we’re hostages or pawns in this political battle which is not one of our making. We feel powerless in this situation.”
Efforts
Junker is grateful for the support the band has received from Australian politicians and officials along with efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs to get the group back to Ireland.
“We had an absolute blast on this ship before this all started bringing Irish music to all the guests, it went down a treat and we were a very popular band on board. We love playing music and still do it to keep us sane during the day. But what we really want is just to go home to our families.”
A department spokeswoman said she was aware of a case involving Irish citizens currently on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
“The Irish Consulate in Sydney remains in contact with Irish citizens on the ship (and) with state and federal authorities in Australia to ensure the health and safety of Irish citizens on board,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Cannabis worth €38,000 seized in Dublin house

Cannabis worth €38,000 was found in a microwave during a search of a house in north Dublin on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ was arrested at the property in Kilbarrack but later released without charge .
During the @ @ @ @ @ customs officials , a package with approximately 1.9kg of herbal cannabis was found in a @ @ @ @ @ officers .
The man arrested at the scene was taken to Clontarf Garda station where @ @ @ @ @ 2 of the Criminal Justice ( Drugs Trafficking ) Act 1996 .
He was later @ @ @ @ @ a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) .
@ @ @ @ @ by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau , the Clontarf Drugs Unit and @ @ @ @ @ as part of investigations targeting organised crime groups operating in the area .
Revenue said @ @ @ @ @ the public have any information regarding drug smuggling , they can contact its confidential phone @ @ @ @ @ .

A man was arrested after drugs were seized at a north Dublin house. File photograph: The Irish Times
Cannabis worth €38,000 was found in a microwave during a search of a house in north Dublin on Wednesday.
A man (29) was arrested at the property in Kilbarrack but later released without charge.
During the search by gardaí and Revenue customs officials, a package with approximately 1.9kg of herbal cannabis was found in a microwave and seized by customs officers.
The man arrested at the scene was taken to Clontarf Garda station where he was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996.
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He was later released without charge, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The joint operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Clontarf Drugs Unit and Revenue's Customs Service as part of investigations targeting organised crime groups operating in the area.
Revenue said if businesses or members of the public have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact its confidential phone line on 1800 295 295.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: One-third of all nursing homes now have virus as expert warns of ‘catastrophe’

Almost one-third of nursing homes in Ireland have the Covid-19 virus , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) has said .
Mary Dunnion , chief inspector of social services with Hiqa , told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland staffing is a real issue for nursing-home providers and that speedier testing would be of benefit .
The number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes has risen to 155 , up four on the previous day , according to the Health Service Executive .
The number of outbreaks in residential institutions and community hospitals/long-stay units is unchanged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the daily report from the HSE ’ s Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
Ms Dunnion said staff in centres with the virus have to self isolate until it is confirmed they have or do not have the virus .
If they could be diagnosed quicker then they could return to work , where they know their patients , she said .
“ This is a pandemic , it is unprecedented .
Covid-19 is in the community , and nursing homes are in the community , and this vulnerable group has contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being transferred from nursing homes to hospitals , but “ this is not possible in all cases ” .
“ Every morning , we identify centres that need support ” , and this information is “ escalated ” to the HSE , she said .
“ We ’ re all learning , and there are going to be significant lessons to be learned once this is all over , ” Ms Bunnion said .
Meanwhile , professor of infectious diseases at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals Prof Jack Lambert has said the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a catastrophe in the making ” and under utilised staff should be sent to “ every single nursing home in Ireland ” .
He told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Séan O ’ Rourke show that nursing homes need to be a priority .
There was a lack of thought with regard to what needed to be done to avoid being in the same situation as Italy and Spain , he said .
Preparations should have been in place , instead nursing homes were told they were responsible for making their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster ” that has led to over 200 clusters in nursing homes , he said .
Prof Lambert said that “ up to half ” of the country ’ s nursing homes could have clusters of Covid-19 .
He called for “ boots on the ground ” and for “ under utilised ” staff to be deployed from the Mater hospital into nursing homes to assess what PPE is needed .
Such changes need to be done “ yesterday ” and nursing homes need to be a priority , he said .
Separately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned not all Covid-19 deaths are being reported as required by law .
Dr Cullinane has written to medical staff in hospitals and other locations who are responsible for completing death certificates , saying they must comply with the requirement to report “ any death in the context of proven or suspected ” Covid-19 to her office .
Her warning comes amid concern over possible under-reporting of deaths from the virus , particularly outside hospitals .
Analyses of online death notices in recent weeks have suggested a level of excess mortality not captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night whether he was aware of problems over the non-reporting of Covid-19 deaths , Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said he was not – “ but I ’ m not saying there aren ’ t logjams or other problems in the system of reporting .
“ We ’ re trying to dig into that so we can free up any challenges there might be , so we can get good real-time information about mortality.
” The deaths of another 38 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 – including a 23-year-old – were reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , bringing the total to 444 .
It is understood that three healthcare workers have died as a result of Covid-19 since the pandemic reached the State .
Of the 12,547 coronavirus cases confirmed to date , 2,872 cases are associated with healthcare workers .
Some 657 new cases of the disease were reported by Irish laboratories on Wednesday as well as 411 processed in a German lab .
The new cases , the highest daily total so far , brings the total number of confirmed cases to 12,547 .
Dr Holohan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days was more likely to be related to an increase in testing rather than a change in the underlying pattern of disease .
Encouragingly , the number of patients admitted to intensive care fell for a second day , to 158 , well within the capacity of the system to treat seriously ill patients .
Some 290 deaths of the 444 deaths were associated with residential settings , including 245 in nursing homes .
Dr Holohan admitted the nursing home and other residential sectors continued to pose a challenge .
Nine residents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Covid-19 since the weekend .
The HSE has confirmed nine residents in the Maryborough Centre , St Fintan ’ s Hospital , Portlaoise , Co Laois , died over the bank holiday weekend .
Eight of the residents , aged between 66 and 84 years , had tested positive for Covid-19 .
The 17 residents who remain at the facility are being managed “ as if Covid-19 positive regardless of test results or the presence of symptoms ” , the HSE said .
Separately , two healthcare workers at a Kilkenny hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man in his 40s – fell ill while working at St Luke ’ s General Hospital and have died .
The woman was a member of the household staff , while the man was a healthcare assistant .
The woman and man were tested for Covid-19 and found to have contracted the virus .
The woman died in the hospital on Wednesday , and the man died at his home on Tuesday .
Meanwhile , global cases of coronavirus passed the two million mark on Thursday , with 2,064,115 confirmed coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University tracker .
The number of people who have died so far in the crisis stands at 137,020 .
The United States is the worst-affected country in terms of infections and the number of deaths , with 639,055 cases – nearly a third of the world ’ s total – and 30,925 fatalities .
The European Commission on Wednesday published guidelines on how to ease out of lockdown restrictions as a series of European Union member states began announcing the reopening of some shops , schools and businesses .
It warned targeted restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a feature of life until a vaccine for the disease is widely available , which is not expected for at least 12 to 18 months .
“ This roadmap is not a signal that containment measures can be lifted as of now but intends to provide a frame for member state decisions , ” said commission president Ursula von der Leyen after the launch of the guidelines in Brussels .
“ In general , we recommend a gradual approach and every action should be continuously monitored .
”

The number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes has risen to 155, up four on the previous day. Stock photograph: AFP.
Almost one-third of nursing homes in Ireland have the Covid-19 virus, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said on Thursday.
Mary Dunnion, chief inspector of social services with Hiqa, told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland staffing is a real issue for nursing-home providers and that speedier testing would be of benefit.
The number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes has risen to 155, up four on the previous day, according to the Health Service Executive.
The number of outbreaks in residential institutions and community hospitals/long-stay units is unchanged, at 58 and 23 respectively, according to the daily report from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
READ MORE
Ms Dunnion said staff in centres with the virus have to self isolate until it is confirmed they have or do not have the virus. If they could be diagnosed quicker then they could return to work, where they know their patients, she said.
“This is a pandemic, it is unprecedented. Covid-19 is in the community, and nursing homes are in the community, and this vulnerable group has contracted it.”
Ms Dunnion confirmed patients are being transferred from nursing homes to hospitals, but “this is not possible in all cases”.
“Every morning, we identify centres that need support”, and this information is “escalated” to the HSE, she said.
"We're all learning, and there are going to be significant lessons to be learned once this is all over," Ms Bunnion said.
‘Catastrophe’
Meanwhile, Prof Jack Lambert, professor of infectious diseases at the Mater and Rotunda hospitals, has said the spread of Covid-19 in nursing homes is “a catastrophe in the making” and under-utilised staff should be sent to “every single nursing home in Ireland”.
He told RTÉ radio’s Today with Séan O’Rourke show that nursing homes need to be a priority.
There was a lack of thought over what needed to be done to avoid being in the same situation as Italy and Spain, he said.
Preparations should have been in place – instead nursing homes were told they were responsible for making their own plans, Prof Lambert said.
That was “a huge disaster” that has led to more than 200 clusters in nursing homes, he said.
Prof Lambert said that “up to half” of the country’s nursing homes could have clusters of Covid-19.
He called for “boots on the ground” and for “under-utilised” staff to be deployed from the Mater hospital into nursing homes to assess what PPE is needed.
Such changes need to be done “yesterday”, and nursing homes need to be a priority, he said.
Under-reporting
Separately, Dublin Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane has warned not all Covid-19 deaths are being reported as required by law.
Dr Cullinane has written to medical staff in hospitals and other locations who are responsible for completing death certificates, saying they must comply with the requirement to report “any death in the context of proven or suspected” Covid-19 to her office.
Her warning comes amid concern over possible under-reporting of deaths from the virus, particularly outside hospitals. Analyses of online death notices in recent weeks have suggested a level of excess mortality not captured in official figures.
Asked on Wednesday night whether he was aware of problems over the non-reporting of Covid-19 deaths, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said he was not – "but I'm not saying there aren't logjams or other problems in the system of reporting.
“We’re trying to dig into that so we can free up any challenges there might be, so we can get good real-time information about mortality.”
Increase in testing
The deaths of another 38 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 – including a 23-year-old – were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Wednesday, bringing the total to 444.
It is understood that three healthcare workers have died as a result of Covid-19 since the pandemic reached the State.
Of the 12,547 coronavirus cases confirmed to date, 2,872 cases are associated with healthcare workers.
Some 657 new cases of the disease were reported by Irish laboratories on Wednesday as well as 411 processed in a German lab. The new cases, the highest daily total so far, brings the total number of confirmed cases to 12,547.
Dr Holohan said the increase in cases in recent days was more likely to be related to an increase in testing rather than a change in the underlying pattern of disease.
Encouragingly, the number of patients admitted to intensive care fell for a second day, to 158, well within the capacity of the system to treat seriously ill patients.
Some 290 deaths of the 444 deaths were associated with residential settings, including 245 in nursing homes. Dr Holohan admitted the nursing home and other residential sectors continued to pose a challenge.
Deaths in residential care
Nine residents in a Co Laois psychiatric centre have died from Covid-19 since the weekend.
The HSE has confirmed nine residents in the Maryborough Centre, St Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise, Co Laois, died over the bank holiday weekend.
Eight of the residents, aged between 66 and 84 years, had tested positive for Covid-19. The 17 residents who remain at the facility are being managed “as if Covid-19 positive regardless of test results or the presence of symptoms”, the HSE said.
Separately, two healthcare workers at a Kilkenny hospital – a woman in her 50s and a man in his 40s – fell ill while working at St Luke’s General Hospital and have died. The woman was a member of the household staff, while the man was a healthcare assistant.
The woman and man were tested for Covid-19 and found to have contracted the virus. The woman died in the hospital on Wednesday, and the man died at his home on Tuesday.
Lifting the lockdown
Meanwhile, global cases of coronavirus passed the two million mark on Thursday, with 2,064,115 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The number of people who have died so far in the crisis stands at 137,020. The United States is the worst-affected country in terms of infections and the number of deaths, with 639,055 cases – nearly a third of the world’s total – and 30,925 fatalities.
The European Commission on Wednesday published guidelines on how to ease out of lockdown restrictions as a series of European Union member states began announcing the reopening of some shops, schools and businesses.
It warned targeted restrictions and hygiene precautions are likely to remain a feature of life until a vaccine for the disease is widely available, which is not expected for at least 12 to 18 months.
“This roadmap is not a signal that containment measures can be lifted as of now but intends to provide a frame for member state decisions,” said commission president Ursula von der Leyen after the launch of the guidelines in Brussels.
“In general, we recommend a gradual approach and every action should be continuously monitored.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Tributes paid to Clare man after assault death

Tributes have been paid to a young Co Clare man who died following a serious assault in Ennis earlier this @ @ @ @ @ been named locally as Eoin Boylan ( 32 ) , who was originally from the @ @ @ @ @ at 3pm on Tuesday at Gordon Drive .
Gardaí said Mr Boylan died in an @ @ @ @ @ called .
He was brought to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem took place on @ @ @ @ @ and Fitness school said Mr Boylan was “ the embodiment of kindness and humility ” @ @ @ @ @ and a generous friend ” .
“ We will organise something in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ ” it said on social media .
A man in his late 30s was arrested @ @ @ @ @ He is due to appear before Ennis District Court on Thursday morning .

Co Clare man Eoin Boylan died following a serious assault in Ennis. Photograph: Facebook
Tributes have been paid to a young Co Clare man who died following a serious assault in Ennis earlier this week.
The victim has been named locally as Eoin Boylan (32), who was originally from the town.
The assault happened at 3pm on Tuesday at Gordon Drive. Gardaí said Mr Boylan died in an ambulance after emergency services were called.
He was brought to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem took place on Wednesday.
READ MORE
Banner Martial Arts and Fitness school said Mr Boylan was “the embodiment of kindness and humility” and “a determined student and a generous friend”.
“We will organise something in the coming days to remember Eoin by,” it said on social media.
A man in his late 30s was arrested and has been charged. He is due to appear before Ennis District Court on Thursday morning.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--A dog is not just for Christmas, it’s for a Covid-19 pandemic

On the walls of the long central block in the Dogs Trust in Finglas are the words which have become so famous they have been copyrighted : “ A dog is not just for Christmas , it ’ s for life ” .
The slogan first coined by Dogs Trust chief executive in the UK Clarissa Baldwin , in 1978 , could be modified to suit the present day : “ A dog is not just for Christmas , but for a global coronavirus pandemic.
” The Trust has been deluged by the public seeking to foster dogs during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been made to the trust in the last month – too many to process yet .
Normally that figure would be about 10 .
Some might be doing so out of boredom because they want an excuse , any excuse , to get out of the house and a dog , like its owner , will always need a walk .
Others are doing so out of a desire to help the trust at a difficult time , says executive director Becky Bristow .
Still more because they always wanted to get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but just never got around to it .
Normally , members of the public ring up to adopt a dog from the trust .
Fostering is a relatively new activity there , but it is perfect for the strange times in which we live .
“ The people really want to help .
Some people want the company .
They want to try out a dog before committing to having one which is a fantastic idea .
People have also been seeing stories of animals stuck in kennels and want to get them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of family life , ” she said .
“ A lot of people who work full-time would love to have a dog so this is their opportunity to have a dog for a while.
” In normal circumstances there are 200 dogs on the Finglas premises .
But given current restrictions there are just 50 and the location is not open to the public .
Staff at the trust understand the principles of social isolating well .
New dogs which show signs of disease spend three weeks in quarantine .
The infectious canine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly to dogs than Covid-19 is to humans .
The charity has now offered its services free of charge to front-line carers for the duration of this pandemic .
Any front-line worker who is overwhelmed and feels they can not give their dog the attention it deserves can leave their animal at the trust for at least a fortnight .
Ms Bristow said it was the least they could do considering the public response to the trust ’ s own difficulties during this time .
“ The amount of offers we have received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us in these worrying times .
And we are delighted to now expand our team ’ s services to assist essential workers , ” she said .
“ We want to help lighten the load of Ireland ’ s front line workers who are facing one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime.
” Front line workers who are interested in availing of the scheme should sign up at DogsTrust.ie/Frontline

Nurse Annie Mathews with her nine-year-old Schnauzer Lily after Dogs Trust announced an initiative to help front-line workers. Photograph: Fran Veale
On the walls of the long central block in the Dogs Trust in Finglas are the words which have become so famous they have been copyrighted: "A dog is not just for Christmas, it's for life".
The slogan first coined by Dogs Trust chief executive in the UK Clarissa Baldwin, in 1978, could be modified to suit the present day: "A dog is not just for Christmas, but for a global coronavirus pandemic."
The Trust has been deluged by the public seeking to foster dogs during the lockdown. More than 700 offers have been made to the trust in the last month – too many to process yet. Normally that figure would be about 10.
Some might be doing so out of boredom because they want an excuse, any excuse, to get out of the house and a dog, like its owner, will always need a walk.
READ MORE
Others are doing so out of a desire to help the trust at a difficult time, says executive director Becky Bristow. Still more because they always wanted to get a dog for themselves or their children, but just never got around to it.
Normally, members of the public ring up to adopt a dog from the trust. Fostering is a relatively new activity there, but it is perfect for the strange times in which we live.
Clare McCormack of the Dogs Trust with new arrival Dara at the charity’s Finglas Rehoming Centre. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell/The Irish Times
Christine Hurney and John Quinn of the Dogs Trust exercise lurchers Buster and Cara at the charity’s Finglas Rehoming Centre. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell/ The Irish Times
“The people really want to help. Some people want the company. They want to try out a dog before committing to having one which is a fantastic idea. People have also been seeing stories of animals stuck in kennels and want to get them out and let them have a bit of family life,” she said.
“A lot of people who work full-time would love to have a dog so this is their opportunity to have a dog for a while.”
In normal circumstances there are 200 dogs on the Finglas premises. But given current restrictions there are just 50 and the location is not open to the public.
Staff at the trust understand the principles of social isolating well. New dogs which show signs of disease spend three weeks in quarantine. The infectious canine diseases Canine parvovirus and Leptospirosis are more deadly to dogs than Covid-19 is to humans.
The charity has now offered its services free of charge to front-line carers for the duration of this pandemic.
Any front-line worker who is overwhelmed and feels they cannot give their dog the attention it deserves can leave their animal at the trust for at least a fortnight.
Ms Bristow said it was the least they could do considering the public response to the trust’s own difficulties during this time.
“The amount of offers we have received to foster dogs has been truly uplifting for us in these worrying times. And we are delighted to now expand our team’s services to assist essential workers,” she said. “We want to help lighten the load of Ireland’s front line workers who are facing one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime.”
[ DogsTrust.ie/Frontline ]


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Gardaí investigate if Roscommon man was duped into €15m face-mask scam

Gardaí are investigating if a Roscommon businessman was duped into taking part in a €15 million scam carried out by criminals exploiting the demand for face masks during the coronavirus crisis .
The 48-year-old businessman was interviewed voluntarily by gardaí from the National Economic Crime Bureau last Friday .
He is suspected of acting as a middleman for a scam transaction for face masks after €1.5 million was traced to an Irish bank account he owned .
The money came from German health authorities desperate to secure face masks for their frontline staff .
During a lengthy interview , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud and said he was also a victim .
He said he had believed he was taking part in a legitimate business deal and provided gardaí with digital devices which he said would prove his innocence .
Gardaí are currently examining the man ’ s devices and email accounts to see if they corroborate his story .
Investigators believe his involvement in the transaction is much greater than the use of his bank account .
Gardaí have evidence he travelled to Germany and the Netherlands in relation to the transfers of funds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man knew the deal was a scam or believed it was a genuine operation to sell face masks .
If the digital examinations do not back up his version of events he is likely to be arrested for money laundering , an offence that carries a maximum prison term of 14 years .
The suspect , who has no previous convictions , has operated several businesses in the Roscommon area over the years .
The wide-ranging investigation involves police forces and economic intelligence units from Ireland , Germany and the Netherlands in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already appeared before a Dutch court in relation to the scam and further arrests are expected in the next week .
The investigation was launched after German health authorities attempted to purchase 10 million face masks from a cloned website .
There has been massive global demand for face masks since the start of the coronavirus crisis and many countries have had to go to the open market to source supplies .
The German authorities went to purchase €14.7 million worth of masks online from a legitimate company in Spain .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s website .
The scammers told the Germans they could not fulfil the order but could refer them to a trusted seller in Ireland .
The Roscommon man then allegedly referred them to the website of a company in the Netherlands , which later turned out to have also been cloned from that of a legitimate company .
Someone claiming to be from the Dutch company agreed to initially supply 1.5 million masks for an upfront payment of €1.5 million .
This sum was then transferred to the Irish bank account .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never arrived and that another €880,000 was required to secure the purchase .
This was paid straight into a Dutch bank account .
The €1.5 million in the Irish account has already been frozen and will be returned to Germany , Chief Supt Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has said .

Gardaí are investigating if a Roscommon businessman was duped into taking part in a €15m scam carried out by criminals exploiting the demand for face masks during the coronavirus crisis. File photograph: Stringer/EPA
Gardaí are investigating if a Roscommon businessman was duped into taking part in a €15 million scam carried out by criminals exploiting the demand for face masks during the coronavirus crisis.
The 48-year-old businessman was interviewed voluntarily by gardaí from the National Economic Crime Bureau last Friday. He is suspected of acting as a middleman for a scam transaction for face masks after €1.5 million was traced to an Irish bank account he owned.
The money came from German health authorities desperate to secure face masks for their frontline staff.
During a lengthy interview, the man denied knowingly taking part in the fraud and said he was also a victim. He said he had believed he was taking part in a legitimate business deal and provided gardaí with digital devices which he said would prove his innocence.
READ MORE
Gardaí are currently examining the man’s devices and email accounts to see if they corroborate his story.
Investigators believe his involvement in the transaction is much greater than the use of his bank account. Gardaí have evidence he travelled to Germany and the Netherlands in relation to the transfers of funds that occurred.
The issue is whether the man knew the deal was a scam or believed it was a genuine operation to sell face masks.
If the digital examinations do not back up his version of events he is likely to be arrested for money laundering, an offence that carries a maximum prison term of 14 years.
The suspect, who has no previous convictions, has operated several businesses in the Roscommon area over the years.
Wide-ranging investigation
The wide-ranging investigation involves police forces and economic intelligence units from Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands in an operation co-ordinated by Interpol. Two people have already appeared before a Dutch court in relation to the scam and further arrests are expected in the next week.
The investigation was launched after German health authorities attempted to purchase 10 million face masks from a cloned website.
There has been massive global demand for face masks since the start of the coronavirus crisis and many countries have had to go to the open market to source supplies.
The German authorities went to purchase €14.7 million worth of masks online from a legitimate company in Spain. However, scammers had cloned the company's website. The scammers told the Germans they could not fulfil the order but could refer them to a trusted seller in Ireland.
The Roscommon man then allegedly referred them to the website of a company in the Netherlands, which later turned out to have also been cloned from that of a legitimate company. Someone claiming to be from the Dutch company agreed to initially supply 1.5 million masks for an upfront payment of €1.5 million. This sum was then transferred to the Irish bank account.
The German authorities were then told the money never arrived and that another €880,000 was required to secure the purchase. This was paid straight into a Dutch bank account.
The €1.5 million in the Irish account has already been frozen and will be returned to Germany, Chief Supt Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Sharp increase in break-ins across parts of Dublin and hinterland

There were significant increases in the number of burglaries in parts of Dublin and its wider commuter belt last year , despite an overall drop in the incidence of the crime nationally .
An analysis of official crime figures published recently by the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) show a sharp rise in burglaries in west Dublin as well as some counties surrounding the capital .
The most significant increase was in Wicklow where numbers rose by 37 per cent to 681 and Westmeath , up 25 per cent to 309 .
Other counties to buck the national trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 262 and Kildare with an increase of 9 per cent to almost 1,000 .
Overall there was a 1.1 per cent reduction in the number of burglaries reported to gardaí last year – down 194 to 16,772 .
It is the lowest recorded figure in almost 20 years for break-ins to residential and business premises , which peaked in 2012 with almost 28,500 .
Gardaí have attributed the downward trend in burglaries and other property-related crime in recent years to the impact of Operation Thor which was introduced in November 2015 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The CSO figures , which are based on offences recorded on the Garda Pulse system , show the number of burglaries increased in 12 of the 28 Garda divisions last year .
They include four of the six Garda divisions in Dublin where burglaries were up by 1 per cent .
The biggest increase was recorded in the city ’ s western suburbs .
The total number of break-ins in the Dublin West division which covers areas including Blanchardstown , Finglas , Clondalkin , Ballyfermot and Lucan during 2019 was 1,812 – the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The figures were up almost 300 on 2018 – an annual increase of 18 per cent .
The number of burglaries reported in the Clondalkin area alone jumped by 52 per cent to 307 .
The station in Blanchardstown recorded the most break-ins anywhere in the Republic last year with 514 – up 14per cent over the previous year .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar raised the problem of a high number of burglaries in the area , which covers his Dublin West constituency , with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at the end of 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the scale of the increase in the Dublin West division was “ concerning ” .
But he acknowledged that a large Garda operation had been mounted to combat the problem .
Mr Chambers said it showed the extent of a wave of burglaries which “ terrorised ” the area , particularly over the winter months .
“ We need to ensure that high-visibility patrols and gardaí out on the beat in communities is maintained so that people can feel safe and secure in their own homes , ” he added .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackle gangland feuds in Dublin ’ s north inner city and in Drogheda also appears to have had a significant impact on rates in the two areas during 2019 .
There was a 23 per cent reduction in the Dublin North Central division last year – the biggest reduction anywhere in the country – and where large numbers of extra gardaí have been deployed as part of efforts to combat the feud between the rival Kinahan and Hutch gangs .
Similarly , there was a 22 per cent fall in burglaries in Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction in Drogheda where gardaí mounted a special operation to counter the threat by feuding drugs gangs .
Burglaries in the town dropped by 44 per cent , from 278 in 2018 to 156 last year .
Other divisions where figures fell in excess of 15per cent last year were Cork West , Mayo and Clare .
In contrast , Wicklow experienced a surge during 2019 with large increases noted in several towns including Greystones ( up 55 per cent to 124 ) , Bray ( up 20 per cent to 176 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 65 )

A heavy Garda presence in Dublin’s north inner city and Drogheda appears to have had a significant impact on burglary rates in the two areas during 2019. File photograph: Getty
There were significant increases in the number of burglaries in parts of Dublin and its wider commuter belt last year, despite an overall drop in the incidence of the crime nationally.
An analysis of official crime figures published recently by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show a sharp rise in burglaries in west Dublin as well as some counties surrounding the capital.
The most significant increase was in Wicklow where numbers rose by 37 per cent to 681 and Westmeath, up 25 per cent to 309.
Other counties to buck the national trend included Donegal, up 16 per cent to 262 and Kildare with an increase of 9 per cent to almost 1,000.
READ MORE
Overall there was a 1.1 per cent reduction in the number of burglaries reported to gardaí last year – down 194 to 16,772.
It is the lowest recorded figure in almost 20 years for break-ins to residential and business premises, which peaked in 2012 with almost 28,500.
Gardaí have attributed the downward trend in burglaries and other property-related crime in recent years to the impact of Operation Thor which was introduced in November 2015 and targeted criminal gangs and repeat offenders.
The CSO figures, which are based on offences recorded on the Garda Pulse system, show the number of burglaries increased in 12 of the 28 Garda divisions last year.
They include four of the six Garda divisions in Dublin where burglaries were up by 1 per cent. The biggest increase was recorded in the city’s western suburbs.
The total number of break-ins in the Dublin West division which covers areas including Blanchardstown, Finglas, Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Lucan during 2019 was 1,812 – the biggest number anywhere in the Republic. The figures were up almost 300 on 2018 – an annual increase of 18 per cent. The number of burglaries reported in the Clondalkin area alone jumped by 52 per cent to 307. The station in Blanchardstown recorded the most break-ins anywhere in the Republic last year with 514 – up 14per cent over the previous year.
Taoiseach’s constituency
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar raised the problem of a high number of burglaries in the area, which covers his Dublin West constituency, with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at the end of 2019.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers said the scale of the increase in the Dublin West division was “concerning”. But he acknowledged that a large Garda operation had been mounted to combat the problem.
Mr Chambers said it showed the extent of a wave of burglaries which “terrorised” the area, particularly over the winter months.
“We need to ensure that high-visibility patrols and gardaí out on the beat in communities is maintained so that people can feel safe and secure in their own homes,” he added.
The effect of a heavy Garda presence to tackle gangland feuds in Dublin’s north inner city and in Drogheda also appears to have had a significant impact on rates in the two areas during 2019.
There was a 23 per cent reduction in the Dublin North Central division last year – the biggest reduction anywhere in the country – and where large numbers of extra gardaí have been deployed as part of efforts to combat the feud between the rival Kinahan and Hutch gangs.
Similarly, there was a 22 per cent fall in burglaries in Co Louth in 2019 with the most significant reduction in Drogheda where gardaí mounted a special operation to counter the threat by feuding drugs gangs.
Burglaries in the town dropped by 44 per cent, from 278 in 2018 to 156 last year.
Other divisions where figures fell in excess of 15per cent last year were Cork West, Mayo and Clare.
In contrast, Wicklow experienced a surge during 2019 with large increases noted in several towns including Greystones (up 55 per cent to 124), Bray (up 20 per cent to 176) and Wicklow (up 71 per cent to 65)


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Nursing homes and coronavirus - why the numbers don't add up

The alleged under-reporting of Covid-19 deaths has been raised as an issue in many countries , prompting questions about how accurate Irish mortality figures are .
The issue is of crucial importance because death rates are one of the best ways of measuring how well a country is doing in limiting the damage wrought by coronavirus .
Another way is to measure the number of tests carried out , but in Ireland this process has been subject to long delays and is therefore unreliable as a measure of performance in an Irish context .
Ireland currently ranks 12th in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just below Sweden .
Much has been made of Ireland ’ s much lower death rate relative to the UK ; however , both countries compare poorly to best-in-class performers such as Austria or Iceland .
Different countries collect data in different ways , all of them subject to shortcomings , it has to be noted , so comparisons carry caveats .
There are two main sets of issues relating to the possible under-reporting of Covid-19 deaths .
The first relates to the location of death and has grown in importance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nursing homes and other residential centres .
Many of these locations , be they hospitals or other residential locations , have well-worn but differing reporting and surveillance mechanisms for deaths , particularly those associated with a disease outbreak .
While in some other countries deaths outside hospitals were or are not being recorded , it does appear as a rule that deaths here are being logged regardless of whether they happen in a hospital , nursing home or other location .
In residential locations , this happens as a consequence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks of the disease .
By Monday , Ireland had recorded 406 deaths , of which 266 had occurred in a hospital environment .
Some 222 deaths , including 187 associated with nursing homes , were linked to other residential sites .
The numbers don ’ t add up because some nursing home patients were transferred to hospital before dying and so may have been counted in both nursing home and hospital categories .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned this is the “ best understanding ” of public health officials “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carries a “ small health warning ” .
The figures refer to registered deaths of patients in community settings , he said .
The second issue relates to how a death is recorded on a death certificate .
Many older people dying with Covid-19 also have underlying conditions and it is no easy task to determine what they died of , as opposed to what they died with .
Some years ago , there was controversy when a whistleblower alleged a hospital was failing to record the CPE superbug as a cause of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Obviously , it would be of concern if something similar were to happen with coronavirus .
This seems highly unlikely in hospitals but what about other locations that attracted less attention in the early stages of the pandemic and where a realisation of the dangers posed by the virus was slower to sink in ?
“ What I couldn ’ t assure you is that every person who dies has a test for this particular illness or even with the symptoms associated with this illness , ” Dr Holohan told The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ index of suspicion ” for the disease would be “ a good deal higher ” than would normally be the case for flu , he added .
However , in explaining the process followed , Dr Holohan added : “ So what we ’ re [ doing ] here is identifying the deaths in individuals where there is a laboratory confirmation of Covid-19.
” “ We try to give as comprehensive a number as we possibly can , ” he later added .
But what about suspected cases ?
People who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry , the doctor filling out a death cert “ will give his or her best opinion of the cause of death in the context of a new illness which is lab-confirmed ” .
From this it is clear our official figures are based entirely on laboratory-tested cases .
Eventually , when death certs are filed within the required three-month period , further cases will be logged that add to the figures .
The Coroners Service has instructed doctors to swab test deceased patients with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Covid-19 , but this has not been happening all the time , internal correspondence appears to show .
As a result , there is likely to be some level of under-reporting of deaths .
This situation arises with surveillance of many other infectious diseases .
Over time , public health officials get around these shortcomings by calculating the excess deaths that have occurred , but this will not be calculable for some time .

The Coroners Service has instructed doctors to swab test deceased patients with respiratory failure or “circumstantial suspicion” for Covid-19, but this has not been happening all the time.
The alleged under-reporting of Covid-19 deaths has been raised as an issue in many countries, prompting questions about how accurate Irish mortality figures are.
The issue is of crucial importance because death rates are one of the best ways of measuring how well a country is doing in limiting the damage wrought by coronavirus.
Another way is to measure the number of tests carried out, but in Ireland this process has been subject to long delays and is therefore unreliable as a measure of performance in an Irish context.
Ireland currently ranks 12th in Europe for Covid-19 deaths per million of population, just below Sweden. Much has been made of Ireland's much lower death rate relative to the UK; however, both countries compare poorly to best-in-class performers such as Austria or Iceland.
READ MORE
Different countries collect data in different ways, all of them subject to shortcomings, it has to be noted, so comparisons carry caveats.
There are two main sets of issues relating to the possible under-reporting of Covid-19 deaths. The first relates to the location of death and has grown in importance with the rise in clusters of the disease in nursing homes and other residential centres.
Many of these locations, be they hospitals or other residential locations, have well-worn but differing reporting and surveillance mechanisms for deaths, particularly those associated with a disease outbreak.
While in some other countries deaths outside hospitals were or are not being recorded, it does appear as a rule that deaths here are being logged regardless of whether they happen in a hospital, nursing home or other location.
Residential locations
In residential locations, this happens as a consequence of the investigation by public health officials of local outbreaks of the disease. By Monday, Ireland had recorded 406 deaths, of which 266 had occurred in a hospital environment. Some 222 deaths, including 187 associated with nursing homes, were linked to other residential sites.
The numbers don’t add up because some nursing home patients were transferred to hospital before dying and so may have been counted in both nursing home and hospital categories.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned this is the "best understanding" of public health officials "at this moment in time" but carries a "small health warning". The figures refer to registered deaths of patients in community settings, he said.
The second issue relates to how a death is recorded on a death certificate. Many older people dying with Covid-19 also have underlying conditions and it is no easy task to determine what they died of, as opposed to what they died with.
Some years ago, there was controversy when a whistleblower alleged a hospital was failing to record the CPE superbug as a cause of death for elderly patients who had died. Obviously, it would be of concern if something similar were to happen with coronavirus.
‘Index of suspicion’
This seems highly unlikely in hospitals but what about other locations that attracted less attention in the early stages of the pandemic and where a realisation of the dangers posed by the virus was slower to sink in?
“What I couldn’t assure you is that every person who dies has a test for this particular illness or even with the symptoms associated with this illness,” Dr Holohan told The Irish Times on Monday.
Clinically, the “index of suspicion” for the disease would be “a good deal higher” than would normally be the case for flu, he added.
However, in explaining the process followed, Dr Holohan added: “So what we’re [doing] here is identifying the deaths in individuals where there is a laboratory confirmation of Covid-19.”
“We try to give as comprehensive a number as we possibly can,” he later added.
But what about suspected cases? People who had not been tested before they died?
According to HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry, the doctor filling out a death cert "will give his or her best opinion of the cause of death in the context of a new illness which is lab-confirmed".
From this it is clear our official figures are based entirely on laboratory-tested cases. Eventually, when death certs are filed within the required three-month period, further cases will be logged that add to the figures.
The Coroners Service has instructed doctors to swab test deceased patients with respiratory failure or “circumstantial suspicion” for Covid-19, but this has not been happening all the time, internal correspondence appears to show.
As a result, there is likely to be some level of under-reporting of deaths.
This situation arises with surveillance of many other infectious diseases. Over time, public health officials get around these shortcomings by calculating the excess deaths that have occurred, but this will not be calculable for some time.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Some Covid-19 deaths are not being reported, coroner warns

Not all Covid-19 deaths are being reported as required by law , the Dublin Coroner has warned .
As a result Dr Myra Cullinane has written to medical staff in hospitals and other locations who are responsible for completing death certificates saying they must comply with the requirement to report “ any death in the context of proven or suspected ” Covid-19 to her office .
Her warning comes amid concern over possible under-reporting of deaths from the virus , particularly outside hospitals .
Analyses of online death notices in recent weeks have suggested a level of excess mortality not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTÉ News reported on Wednesday night that nine residents in the Maryborough Centre , St Fintan ’ s Hospital , Portlaoise , Co Laois , died over the bank holiday weekend .
Eight of the residents at the psychiatric centre , aged between 66 and 84 years , had tested positive for Covid-19 .
The remaining 17 residents are being managed as though they had the virus , the HSE has said .
Two healthcare workers at St Luke ’ s General Hospital in Co Kilkenny died from Covid-19 in 24 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man in his forties were both working at the hospital when they became ill. A spokeswoman for the Ireland East Hospital Group , which manages St Luke ’ s , confirmed the deaths and said the group was “ deeply saddened ” about what had happened .
“ We send our condolences to their families , friends and colleagues , ” she said .
In her letter , Dr Cullinane reminds medical staff of the requirement under the Coroners Acts to report virus deaths .
She adds : “ It has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not taking place in all cases.
” “ I have experience of excellent compliance to date and am aware that this is an extremely difficult time for front-line medical staff , however , full compliance with reporting to the coroner is essential as it is providing essential information to public health authorities.
” Asked on Wednesday night whether he was aware of problems over the non-reporting of Covid-19 deaths , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said he was not “ but I ’ m not saying there aren ’ t logjams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting .
“ We ’ re trying to dig into that so we can free up any challenges there might be , so we can get good real-time information about mortality.
” The Coroners Service has advised that deceased patients with respiratory failure and suspected Covid-19 be swab tested so that positive cases can be reported .
The deaths of another 38 patients was announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Wednesday night , the second highest daily total so far .
There have now been 444 confirmed deaths related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported deaths include that of a 23-year-old , the youngest person with Covid-19 to die during the current outbreak .
Some 657 new cases of the disease were reported by Irish laboratories on Wednesday as well as 411 processed in a German lab .
The new cases , the highest daily total so far , brings the total number of confirmed cases to 12,547 .
Dr Holohan said the increase in cases in recent days was more likely to be related to an increase in testing rather than a change in the underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of patients admitted to intensive care fell for a second day , to 158 , well within the capacity of the system to treat seriously ill patients .
Some 290 deaths of the 444 deaths were associated with residential settings , including 245 in nursing homes .
Dr Holohan admitted the nursing home and other residential sectors continued to pose a challenge .
He said these sectors were now a priority area for Irish public health officials .
Defending the emergency team ’ s response to nursing home outbreaks , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prepare before cases occurred here and the response had been stepped up as challenges were identified .
Northern Ireland on Wednesday extended its Covid-19 restrictions for another three weeks .

Not all Covid-19 deaths are being reported as required by law, the Dublin Coroner has warned.
As a result Dr Myra Cullinane has written to medical staff in hospitals and other locations who are responsible for completing death certificates saying they must comply with the requirement to report “any death in the context of proven or suspected” Covid-19 to her office.
Her warning comes amid concern over possible under-reporting of deaths from the virus, particularly outside hospitals. Analyses of online death notices in recent weeks have suggested a level of excess mortality not captured in official figures.
Separately, RTÉ News reported on Wednesday night that nine residents in the Maryborough Centre, St Fintan’s Hospital, Portlaoise, Co Laois, died over the bank holiday weekend. Eight of the residents at the psychiatric centre, aged between 66 and 84 years, had tested positive for Covid-19. The remaining 17 residents are being managed as though they had the virus, the HSE has said.
READ MORE
Healthcare workers
Two healthcare workers at St Luke’s General Hospital in Co Kilkenny died from Covid-19 in 24 hours.
A woman aged in her fifties and a man in his forties were both working at the hospital when they became ill. A spokeswoman for the Ireland East Hospital Group, which manages St Luke’s, confirmed the deaths and said the group was “deeply saddened” about what had happened.
“We send our condolences to their families, friends and colleagues,” she said.
In her letter, Dr Cullinane reminds medical staff of the requirement under the Coroners Acts to report virus deaths. She adds: “It has been drawn to my attention that such reporting is not taking place in all cases.”
“I have experience of excellent compliance to date and am aware that this is an extremely difficult time for front-line medical staff, however, full compliance with reporting to the coroner is essential as it is providing essential information to public health authorities.”
Asked on Wednesday night whether he was aware of problems over the non-reporting of Covid-19 deaths, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said he was not “but I’m not saying there aren’t logjams or other problems in the system of reporting.
“We’re trying to dig into that so we can free up any challenges there might be, so we can get good real-time information about mortality.”
The Coroners Service has advised that deceased patients with respiratory failure and suspected Covid-19 be swab tested so that positive cases can be reported. The deaths of another 38 patients was announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Wednesday night, the second highest daily total so far.
There have now been 444 confirmed deaths related to Covid-19 in the Republic. The newly reported deaths include that of a 23-year-old, the youngest person with Covid-19 to die during the current outbreak.
Some 657 new cases of the disease were reported by Irish laboratories on Wednesday as well as 411 processed in a German lab. The new cases, the highest daily total so far, brings the total number of confirmed cases to 12,547. Dr Holohan said the increase in cases in recent days was more likely to be related to an increase in testing rather than a change in the underlying pattern of disease.
Encouragingly, the number of patients admitted to intensive care fell for a second day, to 158, well within the capacity of the system to treat seriously ill patients.
Some 290 deaths of the 444 deaths were associated with residential settings, including 245 in nursing homes. Dr Holohan admitted the nursing home and other residential sectors continued to pose a challenge.
Priority area
He said these sectors were now a priority area for Irish public health officials. Defending the emergency team’s response to nursing home outbreaks, he said work had been ongoing for many weeks to prepare before cases occurred here and the response had been stepped up as challenges were identified.
Northern Ireland on Wednesday extended its Covid-19 restrictions for another three weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-04-15--Man (20) dies following stabbing at Dublin block of flats

A 20-year-old man has died after being stabbed in Dublin on Wednesday night .
Gardaí were alerted to the incident @ @ @ @ @ House in the inner city just before 10pm .
When they arrived on the scene @ @ @ @ @ a green area beside a block of flats .
He was been taken to the @ @ @ @ @ hospital where he later died from his injuries .
A man has been arrested and @ @ @ @ @ Garda station .
The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination .
The @ @ @ @ @ has been notified and a post mortem will take place .
An incident room has @ @ @ @ @ Station .
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward .

The scene has been preserved and gardaí are conducting searches. Photograph: Google Street
A 20 year old man stabbed to death in north inner city Dublin last night has been named locally as Glen Osborne.
The man, from Taafe Place Ballybough died shortly after he was stabbed once in the upper body outside Ballybough House just before 10pm. A 16-year-old boy, who is understood to be from the same area, has been arrested and is in Garda custody.
Gardaí believe the stabbing a occurred following a confrontation involving several youths in a carpark outside the flats complex.
Mr Osborne and his partner were expecting their first child in a few months. He worked in a retail outlet in the city centre.
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Paramedics attempted to revive him at the scene of the stabbing before bringing him to the Mater Hospital where he died a short time later. The 16-year-old boy was arrested in the early hours of this morning and remains in garda custody in Mountjoy Garda Station where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
Gardaí have launched a murder enquiry and have established an incident room at the station.
Searches and door to door inquiries were ongoing in the area today and some evidence has been recovered.
The scene of the fatal stabbing is overlooked by many flats and gardaí are eager to speak to any occupants with relevant information.
The scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination.
The office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post mortem is to take place shortly.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.