theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Budget 2021 a chance to avert ‘perfect storm’ facing charities

Charities have lost an estimated €50 million in donations in recent years because of tax relief rules that have “ hampered ” large contributions , a philanthropic foundation has said .
Community Foundation Ireland has appealed for Budget 2021 to be used to support charities and community organisations facing a surge in demand but a huge fall in donations because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The foundation , which disburses private donations into grants for charities and community groups , is calling for the removal of the administrative burden of tax relief for donations of €5,000 or more .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for a reduction in the capital gains tax on donations from inheritance , with a percentage reduction on tax to match the legacy donation .
“ The Covid-19 pandemic has created a perfect storm for the charity , community and voluntary sectors with hugely increased demands for services and supports coinciding with a drop in donations , gifts and funding , ” said Denise Charlton , Community Foundation Ireland ’ s chief executive .
The budget is an opportunity for Government to introduce “ imaginative measures ” which will address long-term sustainability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations and will “ nurture philanthropy , gift giving and legacies ” .
Ms Charlton said less than 1 per cent of donations are more than €5,000 .
“ Efforts to boost this have been hampered by a tax-relief regime which is not delivering for either charities or their larger donors , with money intended to benefit communities instead going on taxes .
The estimated loss is €50million since the current measures [ were ] introduced in 2013.
” Under the rules , a charity can claim tax relief on any donation above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax relief on donations more than €5,000 should go to the donor , which it believes would encourage more and larger donations .
What is the submission ?
The foundation also says legacies “ are largely an untapped resource for Irish charities ” compared to other jurisdictions , particularly the United Kingdom .
The submission states that “ a euro-for-euro arrangement could see a 10 per cent legacy donation to charity matched with a 10 per cent cut on capital acquisitions tax , so beneficiaries from an estate are not left unduly out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only incentivises legacy giving but will increase awareness by making it part of the will making and inheritance process.
” The foundation also recommends that any tax incentive introduced could be reviewed after four years to assess its effectiveness .
Foundation chairman Mike Gaffney said it was “ time now for Government to take overdue steps ” to address the collapse in funding for organisations facing a surge in demand .

A charity can claim tax relief on any donation above €250 but the foundation is asking that tax relief on donations more than €5,000 should go to the donor.
Charities have lost an estimated €50 million in donations in recent years because of tax relief rules that have “hampered” large contributions, a philanthropic foundation has said.
Community Foundation Ireland has appealed for Budget 2021 to be used to support charities and community organisations facing a surge in demand but a huge fall in donations because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The foundation, which disburses private donations into grants for charities and community groups, is calling for the removal of the administrative burden of tax relief for donations of €5,000 or more.
In a pre-budget submission, it is also asking for a reduction in the capital gains tax on donations from inheritance, with a percentage reduction on tax to match the legacy donation.
READ MORE
“The Covid-19 pandemic has created a perfect storm for the charity, community and voluntary sectors with hugely increased demands for services and supports coinciding with a drop in donations, gifts and funding,” said Denise Charlton, Community Foundation Ireland’s chief executive.
The budget is an opportunity for Government to introduce “imaginative measures” which will address long-term sustainability and planning for charities by encouraging larger donations and will “nurture philanthropy, gift giving and legacies”.
Ms Charlton said less than 1 per cent of donations are more than €5,000. “Efforts to boost this have been hampered by a tax-relief regime which is not delivering for either charities or their larger donors, with money intended to benefit communities instead going on taxes. The estimated loss is €50million since the current measures [were] introduced in 2013.”
Under the rules, a charity can claim tax relief on any donation above €250 but the foundation is asking that tax relief on donations more than €5,000 should go to the donor, which it believes would encourage more and larger donations.
What is the submission?
The foundation also says legacies “are largely an untapped resource for Irish charities” compared to other jurisdictions, particularly the United Kingdom.
The submission states that “a euro-for-euro arrangement could see a 10 per cent legacy donation to charity matched with a 10 per cent cut on capital acquisitions tax, so beneficiaries from an estate are not left unduly out of pocket. Introducing this measure not only incentivises legacy giving but will increase awareness by making it part of the will making and inheritance process.”
The foundation also recommends that any tax incentive introduced could be reviewed after four years to assess its effectiveness.
Foundation chairman Mike Gaffney said it was "time now for Government to take overdue steps" to address the collapse in funding for organisations facing a surge in demand.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--No joy for consumer with a faulty Husqvana chainsaw

We got an unusual mail from a reader called Reg last week .
He bought chainsaw from Lidl – as you do – and was less than pleased that it had stopped working .
The chainsaw was a Florabest Husqvana and he bought it in Carrigaline .
He still has the receipts .
Keeping the receipt may not seem all that strange until we tell you that he bought it in 2008 .
He says he only used it “ for consumer use and was only used for minor purposes like Christmas trees and related .
Recently the saw will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a minor issue such as fuel supply or spark plug ” .
Reg contacted Lidl and asked for a service company “ but they have refused on the basis that the three-year warranty has expired .
I went to four service companies and each said they could not get spare parts and one said the saw was junk .
The main Husqvarna agent in Cork , Atkins , also declined to help .
I contacted Husqvarna but they have not responded.
” Still determined to seek redress , Reg contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But they say they are too busy for non members , it would be helpful if they alerted consumers before writing messages , ” he says .
“ In essence Lidl are saying any product outside warranty is no responsibility of Lidl , even the simple step to refer a consumer to a service company .
Is this a correct position and legal consumer [ advice ] from Lidl .
If so I will now have to dump an item which may not have much wrong with it and belies the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is a lot going on here .
First we have to commend Reg on his determination .
He is , perhaps , being a little harsh on Lidl , mind you .
We can ’ t think of any company or retailer in the world or any consumer law that would offer a warranty of any kind on a product that is 12 years old , particularly when that product is comparatively inexpensive .
It may also be that Lidl has no relationship with the manufacturer any more and we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Cork store would be able to track down the service agents of a product that was sold more than a decade ago .
Similarly we think he is , perhaps , being a little harsh on the Consumer Association of Ireland .
It is a small and not terribly well funded organisation that does not typically intercede with businesses on behalf of any consumers , members or non-members .
And given the age of the product – and the world in which we live – we are entirely unsurprised by the response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pleas for help .
Now , having said all of that , he has an entirely valid point about the wastefulness of the approach we take when things break down and perhaps , were more people like Reg , less stuff would end up in landfill and the limited resources of the planet would not be depleted at quite the level they are being depleted .
We might also save ourselves a few bob too .
We went in search of a place that sold spare parts for this particular product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site called eurosmallengineparts.ie and that seemed to have all sorts of parts for this chainsaw –the one that looked most promising was the starter spring which cost just €6.99 .
We called a couple of businesses comparatively close to where Reg lives who have an expertise in garden equipment to see if anything could be done and – just as he had done – we hit a brick wall .
A less than helpful chap in one shop told us that he “ couldn ’ t be dealing with people who bought stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own customers ” .
We were also told that it can be tricky to find spare parts for the machinery in question and the amount of time it would take to source them , get them delivered and then fit them , would not make it economically viable for either the shop or Reg .

Lidl: said they were unable to help customer with a faulty chainsaw on the basis that the three-year warranty has expired. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
We got an unusual mail from a reader called Reg last week. He bought chainsaw from Lidl – as you do – and was less than pleased that it had stopped working. The chainsaw was a Florabest Husqvana and he bought it in Carrigaline. He still has the receipts.
Keeping the receipt may not seem all that strange until we tell you that he bought it in 2008.
He says he only used it “for consumer use and was only used for minor purposes like Christmas trees and related. Recently the saw will not start or run, it seems it’s a minor issue such as fuel supply or spark plug”.
Reg contacted Lidl and asked for a service company “but they have refused on the basis that the three-year warranty has expired. I went to four service companies and each said they could not get spare parts and one said the saw was junk. The main Husqvarna agent in Cork, Atkins, also declined to help. I contacted Husqvarna but they have not responded.”
READ MORE
Still determined to seek redress, Reg contacted the Consumer Association or Ireland via email. “But they say they are too busy for non members, it would be helpful if they alerted consumers before writing messages,” he says.
“In essence Lidl are saying any product outside warranty is no responsibility of Lidl, even the simple step to refer a consumer to a service company. Is this a correct position and legal consumer [advice] from Lidl. If so I will now have to dump an item which may not have much wrong with it and belies the grandiose environmental statements of Lidl.”
Well, there is a lot going on here. First we have to commend Reg on his determination.
He is, perhaps, being a little harsh on Lidl, mind you. We can’t think of any company or retailer in the world or any consumer law that would offer a warranty of any kind on a product that is 12 years old, particularly when that product is comparatively inexpensive. It may also be that Lidl has no relationship with the manufacturer any more and we can’t see how a staff in a Cork store would be able to track down the service agents of a product that was sold more than a decade ago.
Similarly we think he is, perhaps, being a little harsh on the Consumer Association of Ireland. It is a small and not terribly well funded organisation that does not typically intercede with businesses on behalf of any consumers, members or non-members.
And given the age of the product – and the world in which we live – we are entirely unsurprised by the response of the service companies who dismissed Reg’s pleas for help.
Valid point
Now, having said all of that, he has an entirely valid point about the wastefulness of the approach we take when things break down and perhaps, were more people like Reg, less stuff would end up in landfill and the limited resources of the planet would not be depleted at quite the level they are being depleted. We might also save ourselves a few bob too.
We went in search of a place that sold spare parts for this particular product and Google led us quickly to a site called eurosmallengineparts.ie and that seemed to have all sorts of parts for this chainsaw –the one that looked most promising was the starter spring which cost just €6.99.
We called a couple of businesses comparatively close to where Reg lives who have an expertise in garden equipment to see if anything could be done and – just as he had done – we hit a brick wall.
A less than helpful chap in one shop told us that he “couldn’t be dealing with people who bought stuff in Lidl, we only look after our own customers”.
We were also told that it can be tricky to find spare parts for the machinery in question and the amount of time it would take to source them, get them delivered and then fit them, would not make it economically viable for either the shop or Reg.


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Documentation key to claiming on a travel insurance policy

A reader by the name of Patrick sent us mail about an insurance claim he and his wife had rejected by Allianz Global Assist .
“ Last year we booked a holiday break for Christmas 2019 , with TUI travel to Tenerife , Canary Islands , ” he says .
“ We paid the full amount for this trip up front , which amounted to €4,759.88 .
Following our cancellation of this trip , [ the tour operator ] claimed this amount in full as a cancellation fee.
” He and his wife hold a health insurance policy with Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an add-on and “ is apparently farmed out to Alliance Global .
We were due to fly out on December 19th .
I visited my GP on the 17th .
As I had a slight cough , and was seeking some medication to alleviate it while on holiday .
But this got progressively worse during the night , with the result that all I was able to do on the morning of the 18th was send an email to TUI to cancel the holiday.
” He says that when he went to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a get out clause to reject the claim because I did not visit my GP to get a cert to verify that I was unfit to travel .
Now I find this attitude most unreasonable , and impractical within the time frame at my disposal , as it happened on the eve of our proposed departure date of the 19th .
The last thing on my mind was to get out of my sick bed to get a cert from my GP , to back up my insurance claim .
I find this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run it by the Ombudsman and they could not advance the case any further.
” Now , while we understand our reader ’ s frustration and accept that losing almost €5,000 is a bitter pill for anyone to swallow – never mind the upsetting loss of the holiday and the fact that he was sick over the Christmas period – the travel insurance company is not doing anything any other company would do in this position .
Anyone who is looking to claim on a travel insurance policy – be it because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victim of a crime – always needs to get their ducks in a row in real time .
People can not simply make the decision to cancel a holiday because they feel unwell , even if they are genuinely unwell enough to travel , and always need to have documentation from a medical professional stating that they are not well enough to take the trip .

A reader by the name of Patrick sent us mail about an insurance claim he and his wife had rejected by Allianz Global Assist. “Last year we booked a holiday break for Christmas 2019, with TUI travel to Tenerife, Canary Islands,” he says.
“We paid the full amount for this trip up front, which amounted to €4,759.88. Following our cancellation of this trip, [the tour operator] claimed this amount in full as a cancellation fee.”
He and his wife hold a health insurance policy with Irish Life and the travel insurance element is an add-on and “is apparently farmed out to Alliance Global. We were due to fly out on December 19th. I visited my GP on the 17th. As I had a slight cough, and was seeking some medication to alleviate it while on holiday. But this got progressively worse during the night, with the result that all I was able to do on the morning of the 18th was send an email to TUI to cancel the holiday.”
He says that when he went to make a claim, the company used “a get out clause to reject the claim because I did not visit my GP to get a cert to verify that I was unfit to travel. Now I find this attitude most unreasonable, and impractical within the time frame at my disposal, as it happened on the eve of our proposed departure date of the 19th. The last thing on my mind was to get out of my sick bed to get a cert from my GP, to back up my insurance claim. I find this treatment most unreasonable, I have already run it by the Ombudsman and they could not advance the case any further.”
READ MORE
Now, while we understand our reader’s frustration and accept that losing almost €5,000 is a bitter pill for anyone to swallow – never mind the upsetting loss of the holiday and the fact that he was sick over the Christmas period – the travel insurance company is not doing anything any other company would do in this position.
Anyone who is looking to claim on a travel insurance policy – be it because they are sick or because they have been the victim of a crime – always needs to get their ducks in a row in real time.
People can not simply make the decision to cancel a holiday because they feel unwell, even if they are genuinely unwell enough to travel, and always need to have documentation from a medical professional stating that they are not well enough to take the trip.


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--'Totally fake': Donald Trump rubbishes NYT report on his tax returns

New details of US President Donald Trump ’ s tax returns were published on Sunday night by the New York Times , bringing fresh scrutiny on the president ’ s financial affairs just ahead of Tuesday ’ s presidential debate .
The newspaper said it obtained data related to the president ’ s tax returns going back more than two decades , showing the president ’ s finances are under stress due to losses on his business and “ hundreds of millions of dollars in debt coming due that he has personally guaranteed.
” According to the investigation , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income taxes the year he won the presidency .
In his first year in the White House , he paid another $ 750 , it claims .
In addition he did not pay federal income tax in 10 of the 15 years , prior to the 2016 election , due to reported losses in his business , the paper said .
At a White House press conference shortly after the report broke , Mr Trump dismissed the article as “ fake news.
” “ It ’ s fake news .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We went through the same questions four years ago , ” he said .
Noting that he paid “ a lot of money ” in state taxes , he said his tax information would be revealed after the Inland Revenue Service completed an ongoing audit of his tax returns .
Mr Trump became the first president since the 1970s not to release his tax returns when he won the 2016 election .
Mr Trump also renewed his attacks on postal voting , which is expected to be used by millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have a big problem .
You see it happening every day with ballots .
.
.
we are gravely concerned about the Democrat assault on election integrity , ” he said .
“ You ’ re going to be counting these things for ever .
.
.
We all believe in transition , but when the ballots and the system is rigged .
.
.
which it is , obviously it is , ” Mr Trump said , as he addressed his recent comments suggesting he would not commit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also praised his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court justice following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
“ The Catholic Church is very well united on this .
They are so thrilled that Amy has been chosen , ” he said of his latest attempt to appeal to Catholic voters in the forthcoming election .
Earlier in the day , Mr Trump said his Democratic rival Joe Biden should take a drug test before Tuesday ’ s presidential debate in Cleveland .
“ His Debate performances have been record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy ?
?
?
, ” he tweeted .
He repeated his call for Mr Biden to take a drug test later at his press conference .
“ I ’ m willing to take a drug test , and he should too , ” he said .

'Totally fake': Donald Trump rubbishes NYT report on his tax returns
New details of US President Donald Trump’s tax returns were published on Sunday night by the New York Times, bringing fresh scrutiny on the president’s financial affairs just ahead of Tuesday’s presidential debate.
The newspaper said it obtained data related to the president’s tax returns going back more than two decades, showing the president’s finances are under stress due to losses on his business and “hundreds of millions of dollars in debt coming due that he has personally guaranteed.”
According to the investigation, Mr Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes the year he won the presidency. In his first year in the White House, he paid another $750, it claims. In addition he did not pay federal income tax in 10 of the 15 years, prior to the 2016 election, due to reported losses in his business, the paper said.
At a White House press conference shortly after the report broke, Mr Trump dismissed the article as “fake news.”
READ MORE
“It’s fake news. It’s totally fake. Made up . . . We went through the same questions four years ago,” he said.
Noting that he paid “a lot of money” in state taxes, he said his tax information would be revealed after the Inland Revenue Service completed an ongoing audit of his tax returns. Mr Trump became the first president since the 1970s not to release his tax returns when he won the 2016 election.
Mr Trump also renewed his attacks on postal voting, which is expected to be used by millions of Americans this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have a big problem. You see it happening every day with ballots . . . we are gravely concerned about the Democrat assault on election integrity,” he said. “You’re going to be counting these things for ever . . . We all believe in transition, but when the ballots and the system is rigged . . . which it is, obviously it is,” Mr Trump said, as he addressed his recent comments suggesting he would not commit to a peaceful transfer of power.
Mr Trump also praised his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court justice following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“The Catholic Church is very well united on this. They are so thrilled that Amy has been chosen,” he said of his latest attempt to appeal to Catholic voters in the forthcoming election.
Earlier in the day, Mr Trump said his Democratic rival Joe Biden should take a drug test before Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland.
“His Debate performances have been record setting UNEVEN, to put it mildly. Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy???,” he tweeted.
He repeated his call for Mr Biden to take a drug test later at his press conference.
“I’m willing to take a drug test, and he should too,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Health reforms could generate major savings, says pharmacist union

Hundreds of millions of euro in savings could be generated as a result of introducing reforms in the health service , pharmacists have said .
The Irish Pharmacy Union ( IPU ) also said on Monday that there were “ sensible cost savings ” available which could be reinvested in community-based care if pharmacies were allowed to expand the care they provided .
It said one of the most effective cost savings the Government could implement would be the greater use of biosimilar drugs and that a failure to implement a policy in this area had resulted in more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” over recent years .
IPU general secretary Darragh O ’ Loughlin said biosimilars were medicines – many manufactured in Ireland -- which clinically had no meaningful difference with the more expensive alternative .
“ Three years ago , a national biosimilars policy was promised but has not been implemented .
Since 2017 this has led to an estimated €370 million in needless additional spending – up to €125 million that could be reinvested in community healthcare every year.
” “ Similar savings could be realised , while also improving the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease management programmes : “ This is a broad concept and experience around the world shows how effective it can be , ” Mr O ’ Loughlin said .
“ One example would be introducing pharmacy-based screening for atrial fibrillation – an irregular and often rapid heart rate .
A study commissioned by the IPU found this could prevent over 2,300 cardiac events per year with an associated cost saving of €45 million .
As well as saving lives it would avoid €1.36 billion in additional health spending over the next 30 years.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country could not afford afford cutbacks in health service .
However it said that equally it could not afford to ignore opportunities .
“ There is very little low-hanging fruit in terms of savings in the health budget available ; what ’ s there needs to be picked , ” Mr O ’ Loughlin said .
“ Why have we not yet implemented the kind of accessible healthcare for common ailments that the Minor Ailments Service in Northern Ireland and its equivalent in Scotland , the Pharmacy First service , both provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptionally busy this winter dealing with Covid-19 on top of their normal heavy workload , and we need to provide other pathways for people who don ’ t necessarily need a doctor.
” “ In order to realise this potential , there is an urgent need to review the current pharmacy contract .
Developed in 1996 it predates the internet and the current laws governing pharmacies – it is hopelessly out of date .
“ Budget 2021 should provide a new impetus on innovative thinking , which this new contract can deliver to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they can provide the continuum of care which is urgently required in our communities and demanded by the public .
”

The IPU said it was clear the country could not afford afford cutbacks in health service. Photograph: Getty
Hundreds of millions of euro in savings could be generated as a result of introducing reforms in the health service, pharmacists have said.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) also said on Monday that there were "sensible cost savings" available which could be reinvested in community-based care if pharmacies were allowed to expand the care they provided.
It said one of the most effective cost savings the Government could implement would be the greater use of biosimilar drugs and that a failure to implement a policy in this area had resulted in more than €300 million in “needless additional spending” over recent years.
IPU general secretary Darragh O'Loughlin said biosimilars were medicines – many manufactured in Ireland -- which clinically had no meaningful difference with the more expensive alternative.
READ MORE
“Three years ago, a national biosimilars policy was promised but has not been implemented. Since 2017 this has led to an estimated €370 million in needless additional spending – up to €125 million that could be reinvested in community healthcare every year.”
‘Improving nation’s health’
“Similar savings could be realised, while also improving the nation’s health, by introducing pharmacy-based chronic disease management programmes:
“This is a broad concept and experience around the world shows how effective it can be,” Mr O’Loughlin said.
“One example would be introducing pharmacy-based screening for atrial fibrillation – an irregular and often rapid heart rate. A study commissioned by the IPU found this could prevent over 2,300 cardiac events per year with an associated cost saving of €45 million. As well as saving lives it would avoid €1.36 billion in additional health spending over the next 30 years.”
The IPU said it was clear the country could not afford afford cutbacks in health service. However it said that equally it could not afford to ignore opportunities.
“There is very little low-hanging fruit in terms of savings in the health budget available; what’s there needs to be picked,” Mr O’Loughlin said.
"Why have we not yet implemented the kind of accessible healthcare for common ailments that the Minor Ailments Service in Northern Ireland and its equivalent in Scotland, the Pharmacy First service, both provide?
“GPs are going to be exceptionally busy this winter dealing with Covid-19 on top of their normal heavy workload, and we need to provide other pathways for people who don’t necessarily need a doctor.”
“In order to realise this potential, there is an urgent need to review the current pharmacy contract. Developed in 1996 it predates the internet and the current laws governing pharmacies – it is hopelessly out of date.
“Budget 2021 should provide a new impetus on innovative thinking, which this new contract can deliver to ensure that community pharmacies are adequately resourced so they can provide the continuum of care which is urgently required in our communities and demanded by the public.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Hello Eir, is anybody there? Four unhappy customers complain

The subject field in the email we receive from a reader called Emma reads simply “ Eir ” .
Our hearts sink .
“ I recently upgraded my mobile phone as my two-year contract had ended , ” she writes .
“ I tried on two occasions to order the phone by ringing them ( an ordeal in itself ) , waited 40 minutes each time , and then , as soon as I reached someone , got cut off .
I decided to then order it online , as I thought it would be easier .
I ordered it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22nd – and I have still not received it .
I did not receive any tracking email .
I have checked both my junk mail and inbox.
” So on September 14th , she rang the company ’ s “ customer care ” line again and waited 30-40 minutes and spoke to one of their advisers .
“ She said she could give me the tracking number for my package over the phone , which she did .
I asked her to wait on the line while I tracked it , as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring back and wait another 30-40 minutes .
When I tracked it , it said it got delivered to an address in Galway ( I live in Mayo ) and was then returned to Eir as a failed delivery .
I asked the adviser if she could kindly arrange for it to be sent by express , she said they don ’ t have the express option .
I calmly asked her to make sure it was going to the correct address and asked her to make sure I received tracking .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone.
” Last Monday , Emma rang Eir again , “ waited 35 minutes and spoke to an adviser , who said she would have to call me back as she had no visibility on tracking numbers .
No returned call .
As you can imagine , the wait time on the phone is enough to make you frustrated , and then when you can not get satisfactory answers , it makes it even worse .
For a ‘ communications ’ company their service is absolutely deplorable .
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Eir .
I can not blame the customer service advisers as I would say they are not armed with the information to be able to deal with these kinds of complaints .
In fact I feel sorry for them as I would say they are taking abuse daily because of the failures of their employer .
They can not blame Covid – their service has been bad a long time before Covid showed up.
” She adds a PS .
“ I actually also sent them a Facebook message on September 10th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
They had said that this was one of the ways to get in touch with them.
” ‘ They are almost impossible to contact ’ “ I have a problem with Eir , ” starts a mail from a reader called Gus .
“ They changed their email service from free to paid in July .
Because I have had it 20 years , I elected to pay for one month as per their website to extract what I need .
However , they also took for August and September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no email address , ” he says .
There is an 1800 number , but as Gus is abroad , he can ’ t ring that .
“ I have tried as many ways as I can to contact them but it is proving difficult .
However , I finally rang a shop and they gave me an email address wmsupport @ eir.ie .
I will include the complete text that I have had with them .
As you will see , they agreed to cancel it in in early September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , the wmsupport @ eir.ie is bouncing back and my only possibility of contact seems gone .
The September payment was taken on September 17th .
As I only agreed for one month but they made it impossible to contact them , I feel I should be refunded for August and September , but I would settle for them just confirming the cancellation .
It is extraordinary how difficult they are to contact considering they are a communications company.
” School cut off in ‘ most challenging time ’ We also hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mail comes from Brian Flood , principal of Scoil Mhuire in Horeswood .
“ We first reported a fault on September 7th and a technician visited the school on September 9th .
We received a text to ask if the issue had been resolved and we duly replied that it had not been resolved , ” he says .
“ We have logged a number of fault reports online and our patient secretary has spent many hours over the past few weeks listening to music waiting for Eir to answer the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t get our phone line fixed , during what is the most challenging time for schools in many , many years.
” ‘ I did not succeed in speaking to anyone ’ Then there was a letter from an older reader called James , in Adare .
He is 87 and while he is well able to look after himself and goes to the shops every day “ hail , rain or virus ” , he is struggling when it comes to making contact with Eir .
He has a mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ anxious to install a landline but all efforts to make contact with Eir over the past few months have failed .
No response to letters and only recorded messages to be heard on 1901 .
I did not succeed in speaking to anyone.
” He says there is no social supports for the elderly in his area .
“ Any suggestions as to how I might contact Eir would be welcome .
I do not have a computer .
I have already sought assistance from doctors , public health nurses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Keen-eyed readers will see that while all of these problems are different they all have a common thread .
Each one of these stories highlights how incredibly difficult it is for people to make contact with Eir .
We got in touch with eir and received the following statement : “ We have been in touch with all customers and all issues are resolved with the exception of James in Adare , we are working with him on the installation of his landline which will take a little more time .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reliable connectivity for work , education , security and life .
The pandemic has also brought with it increased challenges for all businesses , for Eir the challenge we face is the impact on our care services .
Customers have faced longer than acceptable wait times when contacting Eir care in recent months for a number of reasons , including increased demand for services , the move to remote working for hundreds of our agents , and the closure of retail stores .
Resolving care wait times is our number one priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Having been unable to recruit and train staff during the lockdown restrictions , we are recruiting nationally and have hired 60 new recruits since last month , with further team members joining in the weeks ahead .
Digital support and social channels continue to operate as usual , and we have made additional self-service forms available on eir.ie to provide customers with answers to many frequently asked questions .
We have introduced priority care hours for elderly and vulnerable customers and for carers in Eir retail stores before 11am Monday to Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the many steps Eir is taking to rectify care wait times , we are already seeing improvements .
”

The subject field in the email we receive from a reader called Emma reads simply “Eir”. Our hearts sink. “I recently upgraded my mobile phone as my two-year contract had ended,” she writes. “I tried on two occasions to order the phone by ringing them (an ordeal in itself), waited 40 minutes each time, and then, as soon as I reached someone, got cut off. I decided to then order it online, as I thought it would be easier. I ordered it on September 6th – today is September 22nd – and I have still not received it. I did not receive any tracking email. I have checked both my junk mail and inbox.”
So on September 14th, she rang the company’s “customer care” line again and waited 30-40 minutes and spoke to one of their advisers. “She said she could give me the tracking number for my package over the phone, which she did. I asked her to wait on the line while I tracked it, as I didn’t want to have to ring back and wait another 30-40 minutes. When I tracked it, it said it got delivered to an address in Galway (I live in Mayo) and was then returned to Eir as a failed delivery. I asked the adviser if she could kindly arrange for it to be sent by express, she said they don’t have the express option. I calmly asked her to make sure it was going to the correct address and asked her to make sure I received tracking. I have yet to receive tracking, or the phone.”
Last Monday, Emma rang Eir again, “waited 35 minutes and spoke to an adviser, who said she would have to call me back as she had no visibility on tracking numbers. No returned call. As you can imagine, the wait time on the phone is enough to make you frustrated, and then when you cannot get satisfactory answers, it makes it even worse. For a ‘communications’ company their service is absolutely deplorable. It’s not the first bad encounter I have had with Eir. I cannot blame the customer service advisers as I would say they are not armed with the information to be able to deal with these kinds of complaints. In fact I feel sorry for them as I would say they are taking abuse daily because of the failures of their employer. They cannot blame Covid – their service has been bad a long time before Covid showed up.”
She adds a PS. “I actually also sent them a Facebook message on September 10th to get tracking details and got no response. They had said that this was one of the ways to get in touch with them.”
READ MORE
'They are almost impossible to contact'
"I have a problem with Eir," starts a mail from a reader called Gus. "They changed their email service from free to paid in July. Because I have had it 20 years, I elected to pay for one month as per their website to extract what I need. However, they also took for August and September. They are almost impossible to contact as there is no email address," he says. There is an 1800 number, but as Gus is abroad, he can't ring that.
“I have tried as many ways as I can to contact them but it is proving difficult. However, I finally rang a shop and they gave me an email address wmsupport@eir.ie. I will include the complete text that I have had with them. As you will see, they agreed to cancel it in in early September but still September has been taken. Now, the wmsupport@eir.ie is bouncing back and my only possibility of contact seems gone. The September payment was taken on September 17th. As I only agreed for one month but they made it impossible to contact them, I feel I should be refunded for August and September, but I would settle for them just confirming the cancellation. It is extraordinary how difficult they are to contact considering they are a communications company.”
School cut off in 'most challenging time'
We also hear from a primary school in Kerry. The mail comes from Brian Flood, principal of Scoil Mhuire in Horeswood. "We first reported a fault on September 7th and a technician visited the school on September 9th. We received a text to ask if the issue had been resolved and we duly replied that it had not been resolved," he says.
“We have logged a number of fault reports online and our patient secretary has spent many hours over the past few weeks listening to music waiting for Eir to answer the phone. We are so frustrated that we can’t get our phone line fixed, during what is the most challenging time for schools in many, many years.”
‘I did not succeed in speaking to anyone’
Then there was a letter from an older reader called James, in Adare. He is 87 and while he is well able to look after himself and goes to the shops every day “hail, rain or virus”, he is struggling when it comes to making contact with Eir.
He has a mobile phone that he cannot manage and is “anxious to install a landline but all efforts to make contact with Eir over the past few months have failed. No response to letters and only recorded messages to be heard on 1901. I did not succeed in speaking to anyone.”
He says there is no social supports for the elderly in his area. “Any suggestions as to how I might contact Eir would be welcome. I do not have a computer. I have already sought assistance from doctors, public health nurses, politicians and gardaí, to no avail.”
Keen-eyed readers will see that while all of these problems are different they all have a common thread. Each one of these stories highlights how incredibly difficult it is for people to make contact with Eir.
Eir responds
We got in touch with eir and received the following statement:
“We have been in touch with all customers and all issues are resolved with the exception of James in Adare, we are working with him on the installation of his landline which will take a little more time.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has elevated the importance of reliable connectivity for work, education, security and life. The pandemic has also brought with it increased challenges for all businesses, for Eir the challenge we face is the impact on our care services. Customers have faced longer than acceptable wait times when contacting Eir care in recent months for a number of reasons, including increased demand for services, the move to remote working for hundreds of our agents, and the closure of retail stores. Resolving care wait times is our number one priority and we are making steady progress.
“Having been unable to recruit and train staff during the lockdown restrictions, we are recruiting nationally and have hired 60 new recruits since last month, with further team members joining in the weeks ahead. Digital support and social channels continue to operate as usual, and we have made additional self-service forms available on eir.ie to provide customers with answers to many frequently asked questions. We have introduced priority care hours for elderly and vulnerable customers and for carers in Eir retail stores before 11am Monday to Friday. These are just a few of the many steps Eir is taking to rectify care wait times, we are already seeing improvements.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Tributes paid to musician killed by reversing van in Cork car park

A 75-year-old man who died after he was struck by a reversing van in the car park of a sports ground in Cork city was a musician , poet and author who was “ an inspiration to all he knew ” .
Pete Newman , who was also known as Pete Duffy , died at the scene at College Corinthians in Donnybrook , Douglas , on Saturday shortly after 3.30pm .
People rushed to his assistance and gardaí and paramedics were on the scene within minutes .
But Mr Newman , who lived in nearby Hillcourt in Donnybrook with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be transferred to hospital .
Musician Ger O ’ Sullivan met Mr Newman at an open-mic event in Gallagher ’ s pub in Cork city a few years ago .
He said Pete was a “ a very talented songwriter , poet and storyteller ” .
“ He was an inspiration .
Age was just a number to Pete .
I used to joke with him and say ‘ I want to be Pete when I grow up.
’ His music and positivity will be sadly missed .
He lived many lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all smile.
” Mr Newman performed a number of gigs for charities and composed a special musical number for the the Mother Jones Festival .
He was also a great friend of Douglas Library and the Lantern Project which runs community education projects in Cork city .
Karina Healy , co-ordinator of the Lantern Project , said Pete “ shared his gift of story and song ” in their lunchtime concerts .
“ He had a gift for lifting people ’ s spirits .
We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” College Corinthians also paid tribute to Mr Newman saying he was “ loved and respected ” by all there .
They extended their deepest sympathy to the family of the deceased .
Mr Newman was also a frequent attendee at yoga classes in the Sacred Body Studio in Donnybrook .
In a statement , the studio said he was a positive man who was “ full of energy ” .
“ We lost a great person .
Pete was an example of life .
When he wasn ’ t training he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , singing or laughing with his dearest friends.
” Mr Newman grew up in Orrery Road off Cathedral Road in Cork city .
A few years ago , he gave an interview to the Cork Folklore Project detailing his memories of life in Cork in the 1950s .
He enjoyed a long career as a musician initially with the Reptiles group and then as a solo artist .
In 2013 , he celebrated 50 years in show business by releasing an album of self-penned songs .
He performed material from the album as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took to the stage in 2018 at St Finbarr ’ s Cathedral in Cork as part of the Western Front Association ’ s “ Evening of Remembrance Concert ” to commemorate the Irish who died in the Great War .
Historian Gerry White said he penned a beautiful song for the night which brought history to life .
“ He struck a chord that night .
He was a wonderful man .
The salt of the earth.
” Mr Newman was also the driving force behind the Lennox Robinson Literary Festival and released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also a short story writer and published his first collection , Old Dog for the Hard Road , in 2014 .
He released a second collection entitled Pup for the Boreen .
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the incident at College Corinthians on Saturday .
The driver of the van involved was uninjured but badly shaken .
He had dropped his son off for a match and was leaving the car park when the event occurred .
Gardaí cordoned off the scene for a full forensic examination .
The body of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital for a postmortem .
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the accident to contact them at Angelsea Street Garda Station on 021-4522000 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or through their local Garda station .

Pete Newman: the “very talented songwriter, poet and storyteller” died at College Corinthians in Donnybrook, Douglas, on Saturday. Photograph: Provision
A 75-year-old man who died after he was struck by a reversing van in the car park of a sports ground in Cork city was a musician, poet and author who was “an inspiration to all he knew”.
Pete Newman, who was also known as Pete Duffy, died at the scene at College Corinthians in Donnybrook, Douglas, on Saturday shortly after 3.30pm.
People rushed to his assistance and gardaí and paramedics were on the scene within minutes.
But Mr Newman, who lived in nearby Hillcourt in Donnybrook with his family, was pronounced dead before he could be transferred to hospital.
READ MORE
Musician Ger O’Sullivan met Mr Newman at an open-mic event in Gallagher’s pub in Cork city a few years ago. He said Pete was a “a very talented songwriter, poet and storyteller”.
“He was an inspiration. Age was just a number to Pete. I used to joke with him and say ‘I want to be Pete when I grow up.’ His music and positivity will be sadly missed. He lived many lives in his life. He made us all smile.”
Mr Newman performed a number of gigs for charities and composed a special musical number for the the Mother Jones Festival.
He was also a great friend of Douglas Library and the Lantern Project which runs community education projects in Cork city.
Karina Healy, co-ordinator of the Lantern Project, said Pete “shared his gift of story and song” in their lunchtime concerts.
“He had a gift for lifting people’s spirits. We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing. We were very fond of Pete.”
‘Loved and respected’
College Corinthians also paid tribute to Mr Newman saying he was “loved and respected” by all there. They extended their deepest sympathy to the family of the deceased.
Mr Newman was also a frequent attendee at yoga classes in the Sacred Body Studio in Donnybrook. In a statement, the studio said he was a positive man who was “full of energy”.
“We lost a great person. Pete was an example of life. When he wasn’t training he was going to yoga, playing his guitar, singing or laughing with his dearest friends.”
Mr Newman grew up in Orrery Road off Cathedral Road in Cork city. A few years ago, he gave an interview to the Cork Folklore Project detailing his memories of life in Cork in the 1950s.
He enjoyed a long career as a musician initially with the Reptiles group and then as a solo artist. In 2013, he celebrated 50 years in show business by releasing an album of self-penned songs.
He performed material from the album as part of the Mother Jones Festival and took to the stage in 2018 at St Finbarr’s Cathedral in Cork as part of the Western Front Association’s “Evening of Remembrance Concert” to commemorate the Irish who died in the Great War.
‘Salt of the earth’
Historian Gerry White said he penned a beautiful song for the night which brought history to life.
“He struck a chord that night. He was a wonderful man. The salt of the earth.”
Mr Newman was also the driving force behind the Lennox Robinson Literary
Festival and released CDs of his orated narratives.
He was also a short story writer and published his first collection, Old
Dog for the Hard Road, in 2014. He released a second collection entitled Pup for the Boreen.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the incident at College Corinthians on Saturday. The driver of the van involved was uninjured but badly shaken. He had dropped his son off for a match and was leaving the car park when the event occurred.
Gardaí cordoned off the scene for a full forensic examination. The body of Mr Newman was removed to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the accident to contact them at Angelsea Street Garda Station on 021-4522000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or through their local Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Remains of Moldovan who died in N7 crash to be repatriated

The body of the man who died in last Monday ’ s N7 collision is due to be flown back to his native Moldova today .
Anatolie Butucel ( 45 ) died in the early hours of Monday , September 21st , after the Yaris he was driving was hit by a Volkswagen Passat which was driving the wrong way on the N7 dual carriageway .
Mr Butucel suffered what was described by a source as “ catastrophic injuries ” and died at the scene .
Originally from the town of Durlesti in Moldova , Mr Butucel moved to Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a chip shop in Crumlin .
His friend Victor Lungu , who knew Mr Butucel from back in Moldova and worked with him , said Dublin ’ s Moldovan community was in shock .
Mr Butucel did not have immediate family in Ireland but had three children from two previous marriages living in Moldova and Spain .
His 21-year-old son , who lives in Moldova , was reportedly due to travel to Ireland this weekend to collect his father ’ s remains and meet with gardaí .
“ He was full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give you a hand , ” Mr Lungu said .
“ He didn ’ t have the best life in Moldova and needed to earn more money for his children so he moved here .
He sent money back home to his family.
” “ He really liked Ireland , he loved its beaches and planned to stay here .
He had a house back in Moldova but was thinking about selling that property and moving here .
He was a very positive person , a good person .
”

The late Anatolie Butucel, from Durlesti, close to the capital of Moldova: was working in a chip shop in Crumlin.
The body of the man who died in last Monday's N7 collision is due to be flown back to his native Moldova today.
Anatolie Butucel (45) died in the early hours of Monday, September 21st, after the Yaris he was driving was hit by a Volkswagen Passat which was driving the wrong way on the N7 dual carriageway. Mr Butucel suffered what was described by a source as “catastrophic injuries” and died at the scene.
Originally from the town of Durlesti in Moldova, Mr Butucel moved to Ireland nearly five years ago and was working in a chip shop in Crumlin. His friend Victor Lungu, who knew Mr Butucel from back in Moldova and worked with him, said Dublin's Moldovan community was in shock.
Son in Moldova
Mr Butucel did not have immediate family in Ireland but had three children from two previous marriages living in Moldova and Spain. His 21-year-old son, who lives in Moldova, was reportedly due to travel to Ireland this weekend to collect his father's remains and meet with gardaí.
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“He was full of life and always had the time to give you a hand,” Mr Lungu said. “He didn’t have the best life in Moldova and needed to earn more money for his children so he moved here. He sent money back home to his family.”
“He really liked Ireland, he loved its beaches and planned to stay here. He had a house back in Moldova but was thinking about selling that property and moving here. He was a very positive person, a good person.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--House fire in north Dublin causes substantial damage

Dublin Fire Brigade is at the scene of a substantial house fire that broke out on Sunday evening on Wellington @ @ @ @ @ s north inner city .
The house has sustained extensive damage , but no one @ @ @ @ @ and there was no requirement for any occupants to be transferred to hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ in relation to the incident shortly before 7.30pm this evening and the blaze was already @ @ @ @ @ 7.40pm .
The occupants of the house had already evacuated when fire fighters reached the @ @ @ @ @ remain at the scene , but it is understood the blaze is under control and @ @ @ @ @ houses .
Other homes on the street of terraced houses near Blessington Basin in Phibsborough @ @ @ @ @ precaution .

Dublin Fire Brigade is at the scene of a substantial house fire that broke out on Sunday evening on Wellington Street Upper in Dublin's north inner city.
The house has sustained extensive damage, but no one was injured in the blaze and there was no requirement for any occupants to be transferred to hospital.
Incident occurred near Blessington Street Basin. Photograph: Google Maps
The fire service received a call in relation to the incident shortly before 7.30pm this evening and the blaze was already being brought under control by 7.40pm. The occupants of the house had already evacuated when fire fighters reached the scene.
Three fire tenders remain at the scene, but it is understood the blaze is under control and has not spread to surrounding houses. Other homes on the street of terraced houses near Blessington Basin in Phibsborough have been evacuated as a precaution.


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Border roads noticeably quiet after Donegal goes to Level 3

It is a sunny Sunday afternoon ; perfect weather for a trip to Donegal .
Yet this weekend , the roads were noticeably quiet .
At what is usually the busiest Border crossing , at Bridgend , there were few cars ; on the way from Derry in Northern Ireland to Buncrana in the Republic , the pubs , restaurants and hotels that would usually be full of Sunday lunch trade had their doors closed , and their car parks empty .
In Buncrana , some have come to walk the seafront , or visit the playpark .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Charlie Coyle , who mans the ice cream van every weekend .
“ You need a flow of people , but there ’ s nobody about.
” Two friends sit on a nearby bench overlooking the sea , takeaway coffee cups in hand .
“ Where else is there to go ?
” one asks .
From Sligo , but visiting family in Donegal , her friend admits : “ I should have gone home on Friday .
But I was so looking forward to this weekend .
I haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve been trying to be good and trying to do the right thing and minimising my social circle , because you don ’ t want to be taking it back home.
” Under the Level 3 restrictions , people must not enter or leave the county unless for work , education or other essential purposes .
Garda checkpoints were in operation in the county at the weekend , both along with the Border with the North and with neighbouring Co Leitrim .
At the seafront , the majority of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are some from the North or the UK ; a couple emerging from one such vehicle explain they are originally from Scotland , but came to their second home near Buncrana in February , and have stayed throughout lockdown .
Their golf club , they explain , has a large Northern membership ; they have cancelled a tournament because so many are unable to travel .
“ People are being pretty responsible.
” “ The message does seem to have got across , ” says Sinn Féin TD Pádraig MacLochlainn , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both ways – people should not come over [ into Donegal ] unless it ’ s for an essential purpose , and Donegal people should not leave the county .
“ In the early stages of lockdown there clearly was a problem , but this time the overwhelming majority are complying.
” Local resident Sean McKinney is less sure .
“ There are a lot of people coming down [ from the North ] ... it ’ s the way life is here .
We travel into Derry as much as Derry people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ] is here it ’ s going to be in Derry.
” Tara Forrest is originally from Derry , but she and husband Ross now live in Donegal .
“ People will still come across , ” says Tara .
“ It ’ s like most people now , they ’ re just deciding themselves what is the best thing to do .
People will still head to Derry to go shopping , or on a run to Donegal .
But , her husband says , the focus on the Border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s brought out the worst in people .
They ’ re saying , ‘ them Northerners ’ , ‘ them Southerners ’ .
That ’ s terrible .
”

A caravan with a Northern registration being transported towards Strabane in Co Tyrone from the Border area of Lifford in Co Donegal on Friday. Photograph: Margaret McLaughlin
It is a sunny Sunday afternoon; perfect weather for a trip to Donegal.
Yet this weekend, the roads were noticeably quiet. At what is usually the busiest Border crossing, at Bridgend, there were few cars; on the way from Derry in Northern Ireland to Buncrana in the Republic, the pubs, restaurants and hotels that would usually be full of Sunday lunch trade had their doors closed, and their car parks empty.
In Buncrana, some have come to walk the seafront, or visit the playpark. "It's definitely a lot quieter," says Charlie Coyle, who mans the ice cream van every weekend. "You need a flow of people, but there's nobody about."
Hospital Report
Two friends sit on a nearby bench overlooking the sea, takeaway coffee cups in hand. “Where else is there to go?” one asks.
READ MORE
From Sligo, but visiting family in Donegal, her friend admits: “I should have gone home on Friday. But I was so looking forward to this weekend. I haven’t been up here since June.
‘Right thing’
“I’ve been trying to be good and trying to do the right thing and minimising my social circle, because you don’t want to be taking it back home.”
Under the Level 3 restrictions, people must not enter or leave the county unless for work, education or other essential purposes. Garda checkpoints were in operation in the county at the weekend, both along with the Border with the North and with neighbouring Co Leitrim.
At the seafront, the majority of the cars have Donegal registration plates, though there are some from the North or the UK; a couple emerging from one such vehicle explain they are originally from Scotland, but came to their second home near Buncrana in February, and have stayed throughout lockdown.
Their golf club, they explain, has a large Northern membership; they have cancelled a tournament because so many are unable to travel. “People are being pretty responsible.”
“The message does seem to have got across,” says Sinn Féin TD Pádraig MacLochlainn, who is from Buncrana. “That goes both ways – people should not come over [into Donegal] unless it’s for an essential purpose, and Donegal people should not leave the county.
Compliance
“In the early stages of lockdown there clearly was a problem, but this time the overwhelming majority are complying.”
Local resident Sean McKinney is less sure. “There are a lot of people coming down [from the North]...it’s the way life is here. We travel into Derry as much as Derry people travel here, so if it [the virus] is here it’s going to be in Derry.”
Tara Forrest is originally from Derry, but she and husband Ross now live in Donegal.
“People will still come across,” says Tara. “It’s like most people now, they’re just deciding themselves what is the best thing to do. People will still head to Derry to go shopping, or on a run to Donegal.
But, her husband says, the focus on the Border has created division. “I think it’s brought out the worst in people. They’re saying, ‘them Northerners’, ‘them Southerners’. That’s terrible.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Derry, Strabane and Donegal Covid-19 case rates lack ‘clear signal’

Large family gatherings and lower levels of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic could be contributing to the increased rates of Covid-19 in Border areas , the North ’ s chief scientific adviser has said .
However , Prof Ian Young told The Irish Times there was “ no clear signal ” as to why the number of cases was so high in the Derry , Strabane and Donegal areas in particular .
“ At the moment it looks as if there ’ s nothing definite we can identify with the Border , [ but ] it does seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing an issue in a number of Border areas.
” Donegal joined Dublin at Level 3 on the Government ’ s plan for living with Covid-19 from midnight on Friday ; across the Border in Derry and Strabane , the rates are the highest on the island of Ireland , with an average infection rate over the last seven days of 210 per 100,000 of population as of Sunday .
In the North , 187 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the 24 hours to Sunday , with 319 on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the beginning of the pandemic to 10,729 , according to the Department of Health in Northern Ireland .
There were no further coronavirus-related fatalities reported on Sunday , leaving the death toll as recorded by the department at 578 .
Prof Young said the evidence suggested that in the northwest “ there are lots of individual cases , or very small clusters associated with household transmission or community transmission where we can ’ t identify the source of the infection ” , and it was “ not down to any single cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The situation on both sides of the Border , he said , was broadly similar .
“ Something has happened in the Derry-Strabane-Donegal area which we don ’ t really understand , and we don ’ t know whether it relates to people being less careful about the way in which they interact , perhaps because they didn ’ t experience much infection before , or whether it relates to something that we haven ’ t identified.
” It was “ possible ” , Prof Young said , that the earlier focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevalent – meant that “ the messaging has been a bit better embedded in Belfast because people have been more aware of it .
“ So few people in the Border regions know somebody who had the virus or has seen its consequences that perhaps people are not quite as careful with regard to behaviours , ” he said .
He said it was also possible there were “ some differences in how people interact .
There may be stronger local communities , larger family connections , people may be more inclined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health perspective , he said , “ what we really need .
.
.
is everybody in the Derry-Strabane area and other Border areas just to be extra careful about the basic messages .
“ Stick to our new household-visiting restrictions and don ’ t travel across the Border unless it ’ s really necessary , ” he said .
Prof Young said while stricter measures to combat the spread of coronavirus would be a decision for the North ’ s Executive , it would take at least a further week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting had had an effect .
“ I think it would be reasonable to wait and see what the effect of our existing measures has been before deciding , but certainly it ’ s possible in the future everywhere in Northern Ireland that additional restrictions might be necessary , ” he said .
The Executive is expected to make a decision regarding a curfew for the North ’ s hospitality industry on Monday .
A decision on whether to impose a curfew in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus was postponed @ @ @

Derry Peace Bridge: in Derry and Strabane, the rates are the highest on the island of Ireland, with an average infection rate over the last seven days of 210 per 100,000 of population as of Sunday. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty
Large family gatherings and lower levels of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic could be contributing to the increased rates of Covid-19 in Border areas, the North’s chief scientific adviser has said.
However, Prof Ian Young told The Irish Times there was "no clear signal" as to why the number of cases was so high in the Derry, Strabane and Donegal areas in particular. "At the moment it looks as if there's nothing definite we can identify with the Border, [but] it does seem a considerable coincidence that we're seeing an issue in a number of Border areas."
Donegal joined Dublin at Level 3 on the Government's plan for living with Covid-19 from midnight on Friday; across the Border in Derry and Strabane, the rates are the highest on the island of Ireland, with an average infection rate over the last seven days of 210 per 100,000 of population as of Sunday.
Hospital Report
In the North, 187 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the 24 hours to Sunday, with 319 on Saturday, bringing the total number of positive tests since the beginning of the pandemic to 10,729, according to the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
READ MORE
There were no further coronavirus-related fatalities reported on Sunday, leaving the death toll as recorded by the department at 578.
Northwest evidence
Prof Young said the evidence suggested that in the northwest “there are lots of individual cases, or very small clusters associated with household transmission or community transmission where we can’t identify the source of the infection”, and it was “not down to any single cause or big cluster or outbreak”.
The situation on both sides of the Border, he said, was broadly similar. “Something has happened in the Derry-Strabane-Donegal area which we don’t really understand, and we don’t know whether it relates to people being less careful about the way in which they interact, perhaps because they didn’t experience much infection before, or whether it relates to something that we haven’t identified.”
It was "possible", Prof Young said, that the earlier focus on Belfast – where the virus was more prevalent – meant that "the messaging has been a bit better embedded in Belfast because people have been more aware of it.
“So few people in the Border regions know somebody who had the virus or has seen its consequences that perhaps people are not quite as careful with regard to behaviours,” he said.
‘Extra careful’
He said it was also possible there were “some differences in how people interact. There may be stronger local communities, larger family connections, people may be more inclined to get together for family events.”
From a public health perspective, he said, “what we really need . . . is everybody in the Derry-Strabane area and other Border areas just to be extra careful about the basic messages.
“Stick to our new household-visiting restrictions and don’t travel across the Border unless it’s really necessary,” he said.
Prof Young said while stricter measures to combat the spread of coronavirus would be a decision for the North’s Executive, it would take at least a further week to see if new rules limiting household visiting had had an effect.
“I think it would be reasonable to wait and see what the effect of our existing measures has been before deciding, but certainly it’s possible in the future everywhere in Northern Ireland that additional restrictions might be necessary,” he said.
The Executive is expected to make a decision regarding a curfew for the North’s hospitality industry on Monday. A decision on whether to impose a curfew in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus was postponed last week.


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Post mortem on man who died in Navan expected to confirm hit and run

A 29-year-old Moldovan whose body was discovered at a roadside in Meath in the early hours of Saturday is believed to have been the victim of a hit and run .
Gardaí are awaiting the results of a post mortem due to be carried out on Monday , but it is understood the scene was consistent with another vehicle having been involved .
The man ’ s remains were discovered close to an electric scooter at Harmanstown on the N51 Navan to Slane Road at 2.50am on Saturday .
He was due to be married in the coming weeks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Members of the electric vehicle groups online said they believed it was the first fatality among drivers of electric motorbikes .
Staff at Romayo ’ s Takeaway Restaurant on the Collon Road in Slane expressed their shock and devastation at the death of their popular colleague who had only moved to Ireland in the last three months .
“ He was a very popular young man and was working here on Friday .
He was only in the country a few months , ” said a co-worker who did not wish to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocked and just devastated that he is gone .
No-one knows what happened.
” Local businessman David Smyth , who owns the building where Romayo ’ s is situated , visited the scene on Saturday morning and said the deceased was hugely liked by all who met him .
“ He had only been in Ireland a few months and was due to get married to his fiancée who is back in Moldova in about three weeks time , ” he said .
“ I visited the scene in the early hours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased had lights on his scooter and was wearing a helmet and a high viz jacket.
” He said the man was “ only here a short time but had already made a lot of friends in the area and was well liked by all who came across him ” .
“ He was hugely popular among the staff in Romayos and my heart goes out to them and his loved ones at this time.
” Local Fianna Fail Cllr Wayne Harding said : “ It ’ s an absolute tragedy and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romayos .
“ He was a member of a team of hard-working staff in a very popular and busy takeaway.
” In a statement on Saturday morning , gardaí said they had attended the scene at about 2.50am following reports of an unconscious man lying on the road .
The man who was travelling on an electric scooter from the direction of Slane , was treated by ambulance services but was later pronounced dead , the statement said .

The man who was travelling on an electric scooter from the direction of Slane, was treated by ambulance services but was later pronounced dead, the statement said. Photograph: Seamus Farrelly
A 29-year-old Moldovan whose body was discovered at a roadside in Meath in the early hours of Saturday is believed to have been the victim of a hit and run.
Gardaí are awaiting the results of a postmortem due to be carried out on Monday, but it is understood the scene was consistent with another vehicle having been involved.
The man’s remains were discovered close to an electric scooter at Harmanstown on the N51 Navan to Slane Road at 2.50am on Saturday. He was due to be married in the coming weeks and lived close to where the crash occurred.
Members of the electric vehicle groups online said they believed it was the first fatality among drivers of electric motorbikes.
READ MORE
Staff at Romayo’s Takeaway Restaurant on the Collon Road in Slane expressed their shock and devastation at the death of their popular colleague who had only moved to Ireland in the last three months.
“He was a very popular young man and was working here on Friday. He was only in the country a few months,” said a co-worker who did not wish to be named.
“We are all shocked and just devastated that he is gone. No-one knows what happened.”
Local businessman David Smyth, who owns the building where Romayo’s is situated, visited the scene on Saturday morning and said the deceased was hugely liked by all who met him.
“He had only been in Ireland a few months and was due to get married to his fiancée who is back in Moldova in about three weeks time,” he said.
“I visited the scene in the early hours of Saturday morning after the accident. The deceased had lights on his scooter and was wearing a helmet and a high viz jacket.”
He said the man was “only here a short time but had already made a lot of friends in the area and was well liked by all who came across him”.
“He was hugely popular among the staff in Romayos and my heart goes out to them and his loved ones at this time.”
Local Fianna Fail Cllr Wayne Harding said: “It’s an absolute tragedy and I feel particularly sorry for the staff of Romayos.
“He was a member of a team of hard-working staff in a very popular and busy takeaway.”
In a statement on Saturday morning, gardaí said they had attended the scene at about 2.50am following reports of an unconscious man lying on the road.
The man who was travelling on an electric scooter from the direction of Slane, was treated by ambulance services but was later pronounced dead, the statement said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--More than 30 people queue overnight to secure property in Carlow

Hot water bottles , tea and strawberry pancakes were among the tools used by prospective house buyers to help them through the overnight cold in Carlow over the weekend .
More than 30 people queued in bitter weather to better their chances of getting a home among the 18 new properties in Castle Oaks estate in the town , with the houses coming on to the market on Saturday morning .
Auctioneer June Doran maintains that the “ unprecedented ” interest comes from how work has been affected by the coronavirus ; working from home has “ freed up ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
“ What I ’ m seeing is people who have left Carlow and who now spot an opportunity to return .
These are people on good Dublin money who ’ re now coming back to Carlow while still able to maintain that salary .
That ’ s going to have a very positive effect for the town.
” In the queue on Saturday , Aoife Kelly says she works in the head office of a bank in Dublin and lockdown brought its own realisations .
“ I felt like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not building for a future , ” she starts .
“ I ’ ve lived in Dublin for the last 9 years .
I have been living at home with my parents since March and I eventually stopped paying rent in July , so the money I ’ m able to save by not living in Dublin has meant I ’ ve been able to double my savings .
Just eating out is cheaper , going for drinks is cheaper , taxis are cheaper - it ’ s small things but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic means she now splits between working from home in Carlow and in the office in Dublin .
“ That ’ s where Covid has made a difference .
For me I ’ ve always thought I had to stay in Dublin because that ’ s where the work is .
But now I ’ m buying this house on my own , and if I wanted to do the same in Dublin I ’ d have had to buy an apartment , but you want to be able to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those .
Now you have the opportunity to still have the career you want in Dublin but maybe then settle further away at home.
” She admits though , that these work opportunities may not have been open to her if she stayed in Carlow earlier in life .
“ It ’ s harder to get work in rural towns like this .
I think it is a big appeal that you can still have the Dublin job and its money , but then the remote working and then get a house where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a massive mortgage.
” Aoife Doyle , originally from Carlow , cites the “ quality of the houses , the location of the build , the price of the build and the Help to Buy scheme ” as her reasons for choosing the estate .
“ I ’ ve worked in Dublin , Belfast , London , Wicklow , before taking up a post with the HSE and coming back home to Carlow , ” she says .
Dublin is “ well out of the price ” range , she adds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just so commutable .
These houses are bang-on right out to the motorway .
“ Like ten years ago I would never have said I wanted to live in Carlow - but I ’ m happy to come back.
” Her father Jack and his wife Marian held her place in the line for around four hours in the middle of the night , so their daughter could get some respite in bed .
He returned then early in the morning with tea to warm the spirits .
Couple Kate O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among the first to start a vigil , arriving shortly after 4pm on Friday .
“ We ’ d heard rumours that there would be queues but it was still mad to imagine that you would have this in Carlow , ” Kate says .
They had been on the hunt for a three-bed home in Dublin , where they both work , but decided to turn their attention to Carlow , Kate ’ s hometown .
“ What did it for us was a house went up for sale across from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-bed , one bath , and it was 270 [ thousand euro ] .
You ’ d have to have put another hundred thousand into it - it ’ s just not doable .
Like a three-bed here is 239 .
We ’ d like to be able to try enjoy our lives after we do get a mortgage , we don ’ t want to be tied down paying that for the rest of our lives while we ’ re still young .
“ I think the other realisation for us was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City West .
We can make it to City West in 40 minutes from Carlow and still be near one of our families at least.
” She laughs that she had Doran “ scalded ” with queries about the homes in recent months .
The homes are built to a high standard , says O ’ Toole , with more “ solid ” soundproofing than their counterparts in the capital .
“ How they ’ re built in Dublin is nothing like this , ” he adds .
Their testing method included dancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s showhouse .
“ That ’ s what sold it for me .
Nothing could be heard below .
”

Queue overnight outside June Doran Properties, in Carlow town, for new homes in Castleoaks estate, in Carlow Town. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Hot water bottles, tea and strawberry pancakes were among the tools used by prospective house buyers to help them through the overnight cold in Carlow over the weekend.
More than 30 people queued in bitter weather to better their chances of getting a home among the 18 new properties in Castle Oaks estate in the town, with the houses coming on to the market on Saturday morning.
Auctioneer June Doran maintains that the “unprecedented” interest comes from how work has been affected by the coronavirus; working from home has “freed up” people to consider moving beyond Dublin, she says.
“What I’m seeing is people who have left Carlow and who now spot an opportunity to return. These are people on good Dublin money who’re now coming back to Carlow while still able to maintain that salary. That’s going to have a very positive effect for the town.”
READ MORE
Aoife Kelly from Carlow. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Bank work
In the queue on Saturday, Aoife Kelly says she works in the head office of a bank in Dublin and lockdown brought its own realisations.
“I felt like I was just wasting money up in Dublin and not building for a future,” she starts.
“I’ve lived in Dublin for the last 9 years. I have been living at home with my parents since March and I eventually stopped paying rent in July, so the money I’m able to save by not living in Dublin has meant I’ve been able to double my savings. Just eating out is cheaper, going for drinks is cheaper, taxis are cheaper - it’s small things but it all adds up,” she says.
The pandemic means she now splits between working from home in Carlow and in the office in Dublin.
“That’s where Covid has made a difference. For me I’ve always thought I had to stay in Dublin because that’s where the work is. But now I’m buying this house on my own, and if I wanted to do the same in Dublin I’d have had to buy an apartment, but you want to be able to have a house and a garden and all those. Now you have the opportunity to still have the career you want in Dublin but maybe then settle further away at home.”
She admits though, that these work opportunities may not have been open to her if she stayed in Carlow earlier in life.
“It’s harder to get work in rural towns like this. I think it is a big appeal that you can still have the Dublin job and its money, but then the remote working and then get a house where you won’t be tied down to a massive mortgage.”
Aoife Doyle and her father Jack Doyle, queue overnight outside June Doran Properties, in Carlow town, for new homes in Castleoaks estate. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
‘Help to buy scheme’
Aoife Doyle, originally from Carlow, cites the “quality of the houses, the location of the build, the price of the build and the Help to Buy scheme” as her reasons for choosing the estate.
“I’ve worked in Dublin, Belfast, London, Wicklow, before taking up a post with the HSE and coming back home to Carlow,” she says.
Dublin is “well out of the price” range, she adds. “Carlow is more affordable and it’s just so commutable. These houses are bang-on right out to the motorway.
“Like ten years ago I would never have said I wanted to live in Carlow - but I’m happy to come back.” Her father Jack and his wife Marian held her place in the line for around four hours in the middle of the night, so their daughter could get some respite in bed. He returned then early in the morning with tea to warm the spirits.
Damian O’Toole, Dublin and Kate O Brien. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Dancing on the floors
Couple Kate O’Brien and Damien O’Toole were among the first to start a vigil, arriving shortly after 4pm on Friday.
“We’d heard rumours that there would be queues but it was still mad to imagine that you would have this in Carlow,” Kate says.
They had been on the hunt for a three-bed home in Dublin, where they both work, but decided to turn their attention to Carlow, Kate’s hometown.
“What did it for us was a house went up for sale across from us in Dublin and it was a two-bed, one bath, and it was 270 [thousand euro]. You’d have to have put another hundred thousand into it - it’s just not doable. Like a three-bed here is 239. We’d like to be able to try enjoy our lives after we do get a mortgage, we don’t want to be tied down paying that for the rest of our lives while we’re still young.
“I think the other realisation for us was, myself and Damien are working in City West. We can make it to City West in 40 minutes from Carlow and still be near one of our families at least.”
She laughs that she had Doran “scalded” with queries about the homes in recent months. The homes are built to a high standard, says O’Toole, with more “solid” soundproofing than their counterparts in the capital.
“How they’re built in Dublin is nothing like this,” he adds.
Their testing method included dancing with each other upstairs in Doran’s showhouse. “That’s what sold it for me. Nothing could be heard below.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Gardaí appeal for information on rape of teenager in Co Mayo playground

Gardaí have made a public appeal for information on the rape of a teenage girl in a playground in Mayo @ @ @ @ @ occurred in the Lowpark area of Charlestown during the afternoon .
Anyone with information , @ @ @ @ @ Lowpark or the town ’ s Square between 2pm and 8pm is asked to come @ @ @ @ @ received medical treatment and is to make a statement to gardaí .
A forensic examination @ @ @ @ @ concluded .
Gardaí from Claremorris are leading the investigation .
“ Gardaí are appealing to @ @ @ @ @ relation to the rape of a teenage girl that is reported to have occurred at @ @ @ @ @ area of Charlestown , Co Mayo , on 26/09/2020 , ” said a spokesman .
@ @ @ @ @ particularly anyone who was in the vicinity of the Square and/or Lowpark areas of Charlestown @ @ @ @ @ is asked to contact Garda in Claremorris on 094-9372080 or the Garda Confidential Line on @ @ @

The girl has received medical treatment and is to make a statement to gardaí. File photograph: The Irish Times
Gardaí have made a public appeal for information on the rape of a teenage girl in a playground in Mayo on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the Lowpark area of Charlestown during the afternoon.
Anyone with information, particularly anyone who was near Lowpark or the town’s Square between 2pm and 8pm is asked to come forward.
The girl has received medical treatment and is to make a statement to gardaí. A forensic examination of the scene has been concluded. Gardaí from Claremorris are leading the investigation.
READ MORE
“Gardaí are appealing to the public for information in relation to the rape of a teenage girl that is reported to have occurred at a playground in the Lowpark area of Charlestown, Co Mayo, on 26/09/2020,” said a spokesman.
“Anyone with information, particularly anyone who was in the vicinity of the Square and/or Lowpark areas of Charlestown between 2pm and 8pm, is asked to contact Garda in Claremorris on 094-9372080 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-27--Traffic volumes show Donegal locking down to greater extent than Dublin

There has been a marked difference in responses to Level Three , Covid-19 restrictions in Dublin and Donegal , according to figures for traffic movements Transport Infrastructure Ireland which measures traffic using counters set into the roads , said traffic volumes on the M50 , fell by as little as 2 percent after the restrictions on travel came into effect .
The comparison looked at Friday ’ s volumes and the previous volumes recorded on the M50 between Blanchardstown and Finglas junctions .
Level Three restrictions came into effect in Dublin at midnight on Friday September 18th and Transport Infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday to last Friday , September 25th .
Between Dublin Airport and Swords the fall in traffic was just 3 percent , the authority said .
At Citywest on the N7 the fall was 5 percent and four percent on the M11 near Bray , Co Wicklow .
However , in Co Donegal where restrictions came into play at midnight on Friday 25th there was a more dramatic drop in the number of vehicles leaving the county , according to an Irish Times analysis of figures from TII counters there .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belleek , Co Fermanagh volumes heading to Northern Ireland fell to just 1,498 on Saturday , compared to 3,293 the previous Saturday , a drop of more than 50 percent .
On the M14 approaching Lifford-Strabane the number of vehicles travelling southeast to Northern Ireland fell to 3,799 on Saturday from 5,459 the previous Saturday .
On the N13 at Bridge End travelling east to Northern Ireland numbers fell to 2,585 , from the previous Saturday when traffic amounted to 4,286 vehicles .
TII said overall car traffic on Friday was typically down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the volumes seen one year ago , across the sampled traffic counters .
It found car traffic just south of the Northern Ireland Border on the N1 at Jonesboro showed a decrease today of 5 percent on Friday as compared with Friday 18th September .
In the case of the regional cities the change in car traffic volumes on Friday morning as compared with Friday 18th September were as follows :

Level Three restrictions came into effect in Dublin at midnight on Friday September 18th. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
There has been a marked difference in responses to Level Three, Covid-19 restrictions in Dublin and Donegal, according to figures for traffic movements
Transport Infrastructure Ireland which measures traffic using counters set into the roads, said traffic volumes on the M50, fell by as little as 2 percent after the restrictions on travel came into effect.
The comparison looked at Friday’s volumes and the previous volumes recorded on the M50 between Blanchardstown and Finglas junctions.
Level Three restrictions came into effect in Dublin at midnight on Friday September 18th and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) analysis compared that Friday to last Friday, September 25th.
READ MORE
Between Dublin Airport and Swords the fall in traffic was just 3 percent, the authority said.
At Citywest on the N7 the fall was 5 percent and four percent on the M11 near Bray, Co Wicklow.
However, in Co Donegal where restrictions came into play at midnight on Friday 25th there was a more dramatic drop in the number of vehicles leaving the county, according to an Irish Times analysis of figures from TII counters there.
On the N3 between Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and Belleek, Co Fermanagh volumes heading to Northern Ireland fell to just 1,498 on Saturday, compared to 3,293 the previous Saturday, a drop of more than 50 percent.
On the M14 approaching Lifford-Strabane the number of vehicles travelling southeast to Northern Ireland fell to 3,799 on Saturday from 5,459 the previous Saturday.
On the N13 at Bridge End travelling east to Northern Ireland numbers fell to 2,585, from the previous Saturday when traffic amounted to 4,286 vehicles.
TII said overall car traffic on Friday was typically down by between 8 percent and 25 percent of the volumes seen one year ago, across the sampled traffic counters.
It found car traffic just south of the Northern Ireland Border on the N1 at Jonesboro showed a decrease today of 5 percent on Friday as compared with Friday 18th September.
In the case of the regional cities the change in car traffic volumes on Friday morning as compared with Friday 18th September were as follows:
M7 Limerick +3 percent
N40 Cork -1 percent,
N6 Bóthar na dTreabh Galway -3 percent
M9 Waterford -5 percent


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Gardaí want to talk to three males over alleged rape in Mayo

Gardaí investigating the alleged rape of a teenage girl in a playground in Co Mayo on Saturday are looking to speak to three young males .
No arrests have been made and the Garda said on Monday that investigations were ongoing .
The 15-year-old was in Charlestown on Saturday afternoon with friends at 2pm when she met three young men who had travelled to the area in a black car .
It is understood the girls spent some time in the company of the men and had walked around Charlestown before the victim was allegedly raped by one male in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town .
Gardaí have issued an public appeal for anyone with information to come forward , particularly anyone who was in the Lowpark area or the town square between 2pm and 8pm on Saturday .
It is understood the young men had travelled to Charlestown from a town in the south of the county .
The girl was treated in hospital on Saturday night and is understood to be highly traumatised by the attack .
A forensic examination of the scene has been concluded .
Gardaí from Claremorris are leading the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public for information in relation to the rape of a teenage girl that is reported to have occurred at a playground in the Lowpark area of Charlestown , Co Mayo , on 26/09/2020 , ” said a spokesman .
“ Anyone with information , particularly anyone who was in the vicinity of the Square and/or Lowpark areas of Charlestown between 2pm and 8pm , is asked to contact Garda in Claremorris on 094-9372080 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 .
”

Gardaí have issued an public appeal for anyone with information to come forward, particularly anyone who was in the Lowpark area or the town square between 2pm and 8pm on Saturday. File photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Gardaí investigating the alleged rape of a teenage girl in a playground in Co Mayo on Saturday are looking to speak to three young males.
No arrests have been made and the Garda said on Monday that investigations were ongoing.
The 15-year-old was in Charlestown on Saturday afternoon with friends at 2pm when she met three young men who had travelled to the area in a black car.
It is understood the girls spent some time in the company of the men and had walked around Charlestown before the victim was allegedly raped by one male in a playground in the Lowpark area of the town.
READ MORE
Gardaí have issued an public appeal for anyone with information to come forward, particularly anyone who was in the Lowpark area or the town square between 2pm and 8pm on Saturday.
It is understood the young men had travelled to Charlestown from a town in the south of the county.
The girl was treated in hospital on Saturday night and is understood to be highly traumatised by the attack.
A forensic examination of the scene has been concluded. Gardaí from Claremorris are leading the investigation.
“Gardaí are appealing to the public for information in relation to the rape of a teenage girl that is reported to have occurred at a playground in the Lowpark area of Charlestown, Co Mayo, on 26/09/2020,” said a spokesman.
“Anyone with information, particularly anyone who was in the vicinity of the Square and/or Lowpark areas of Charlestown between 2pm and 8pm, is asked to contact Garda in Claremorris on 094-9372080 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-28--Substantial increase in overseas travel last month

Overseas travel to and from Ireland increased substantially last month compared to July , according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) .
More than 362,000 passengers arrived into Ireland on overseas routes in August , an increase of 60 per cent on July ’ s figures ( 227,300 ) .
Just over 328,000 passengers departed the country on overseas routes over the same period , a rise of 19 per cent on the previous month ( 275,400 ) .
However , the CSO said overseas travel remained “ dramatically lower ” compared to August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers arrived and departed .
The majority of passengers coming into Ireland were from the UK ( 112,600 ) , Spain ( 33,600 ) , Poland ( 31,700 ) and Italy ( 27,300 ) .
Similarly , those leaving Ireland mostly travelled to the UK ( 125,400 ) , Poland ( 23,900 ) , Italy ( 23,300 ) and Spain ( 22,800 ) .
Just 11,600 passengers arrived on transatlantic routes and 7,800 departed on these routes .
Between January and August of this year , 3.8 million passengers travelled to and from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas passengers over the same period in 2019 ( a decrease of almost 73 per cent ) .
The majority of passengers arriving into Ireland last month did so by air ( 86 per cent ) with 14 per cent by sea .
In terms of those departing the country , 84 per cent did so by air and 16 per cent by sea .

The majority of passengers arriving into Ireland last month did so by air (86 per cent) with 14 per cent by sea.
Overseas travel to and from Ireland increased substantially last month compared to July, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
More than 362,000 passengers arrived into Ireland on overseas routes in August, an increase of 60 per cent on July’s figures (227,300).
Just over 328,000 passengers departed the country on overseas routes over the same period, a rise of 19 per cent on the previous month (275,400).
However, the CSO said overseas travel remained “dramatically lower” compared to August 2019, when more than two million passengers arrived and departed.
READ MORE
The majority of passengers coming into Ireland were from the UK (112,600), Spain (33,600), Poland (31,700) and Italy (27,300).
Similarly, those leaving Ireland mostly travelled to the UK (125,400), Poland (23,900), Italy (23,300) and Spain (22,800).
Just 11,600 passengers arrived on transatlantic routes and 7,800 departed on these routes.
Between January and August of this year, 3.8 million passengers travelled to and from Ireland, compared to almost 14 million overseas passengers over the same period in 2019 (a decrease of almost 73 per cent).
The majority of passengers arriving into Ireland last month did so by air (86 per cent) with 14 per cent by sea. In terms of those departing the country, 84 per cent did so by air and 16 per cent by sea.