theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Owner describes death of seven residents in nursing home as ‘truly heartbreaking’

Seven residents of a Co Meath nursing home have died as a result of Covid-19 .
The residents were among 13 in the Millbury nursing home on Commons Road , Navan , who contracted the disease .
Millbury is a private nursing home with a maximum number of 66 residents in en-suite rooms .
It opened in 2010 .
Home owner Lucy Flynn said she asked if it was possible to do blanket testing of the residents and staff at a time when eight to nine residents were presenting with symptoms of Covid-19 three and a half weeks ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused by the HSE .
She described the scale of death in the home as “ devastating and heartbreaking ” and said it might have been avoided if residents and staff had all been tested earlier .
“ If that had happened , we would be in a far different place to where we are now , ” she said .
“ I also think that the emphasis was put on the acute sector - the acute hospitals getting ventilators and ICU beds .
This is extremely important but this Covid-19 is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and you find them in nursing homes .
“ More emphasis should have been put on how ready we all were for the arrival of Covid-19.
” She said all but one of the seven who died had made the decision to remain in the nursing home in their final days .
“ We touched base on this conversation with them after diagnosis and all bar one wanted to stay with me .
“ They were very confident that the staff were able to look after them .
We had no problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they know the residents so well .
“ We have great moments of sadness and great emotion .
We are all very sad and distraught for our residents that their families can ’ t be with them .
“ But we have to give hope .
I believe the situation has very slowly improved .
The carers know the residents so well .
Everything we can do to keep morale up we are doing .
It ’ s a very lonely time for the residents at present.
” All staff and residents will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Flynn said the home had done everything it could to keep Covid-19 out and no visitors have been allowed since March 6th .
She said it had been “ truly heartbreaking ” to witness the death of so many residents without anybody being there with them when they died .
“ The residents ’ families come to the window .
They telephone , they whatsapp , there are video calls .
It is not the same as the human touch , holding your Mum or Dad ’ s hand for the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the seven who died as “ wonderful people - the majority of them are local and they made a huge decision to come into long-term care .
“ They were very active within the nursing home on all our numerous committees .
Unfortunately , they all had underlying medical conditions .
It was with great heartbreak that we said goodbye to them .
I can ’ t tell you how devastating the situation is for us.
” Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín , who is also a local TD , said there ought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government ’ s handling and treatment of nursing homes .
He said among the questions that will need to be answered is why the Government allowed visits to nursing homes to continue on March 10th only for it do a U-turn later and close all such facilities to the public .
“ Why did the government exclude staff in nursing homes and nursing home representatives - the real experts in the field - from the National Public Health Emergency Team ?
, ” he asked .
“ Why were visits to nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be stopped , why the delay in the testing of staff and residents and why the delay in the spending of much needed funds ?
” .

Seven residents of a Co Meath nursing home have died as a result of Covid-19.
The residents were among 13 in the Millbury nursing home on Commons Road, Navan, who contracted the disease.
Millbury is a private nursing home with a maximum number of 66 residents in en-suite rooms. It opened in 2010.
Home owner Lucy Flynn said she asked if it was possible to do blanket testing of the residents and staff at a time when eight to nine residents were presenting with symptoms of Covid-19 three and a half weeks ago. However, she said that offer was refused by the HSE.
READ MORE
She described the scale of death in the home as “devastating and heartbreaking” and said it might have been avoided if residents and staff had all been tested earlier.
“If that had happened, we would be in a far different place to where we are now,” she said.
“I also think that the emphasis was put on the acute sector - the acute hospitals getting ventilators and ICU beds. This is extremely important but this Covid-19 is something that affects our frail, vulnerable elderly people and you find them in nursing homes.
“More emphasis should have been put on how ready we all were for the arrival of Covid-19.”
She said all but one of the seven who died had made the decision to remain in the nursing home in their final days.
“We touched base on this conversation with them after diagnosis and all bar one wanted to stay with me.
“They were very confident that the staff were able to look after them. We had no problem in delivering that standard of care and they know the residents so well.
“We have great moments of sadness and great emotion. We are all very sad and distraught for our residents that their families can’t be with them.
“But we have to give hope. I believe the situation has very slowly improved. The carers know the residents so well. Everything we can do to keep morale up we are doing. It’s a very lonely time for the residents at present.”
Tested
All staff and residents will be tested on Wednesday for Covid-19. Ms Flynn said the home had done everything it could to keep Covid-19 out and no visitors have been allowed since March 6th.
She said it had been “truly heartbreaking” to witness the death of so many residents without anybody being there with them when they died.
“The residents’ families come to the window. They telephone, they whatsapp, there are video calls. It is not the same as the human touch, holding your Mum or Dad’s hand for the final time,” she said.
She described the seven who died as “wonderful people - the majority of them are local and they made a huge decision to come into long-term care.
“They were very active within the nursing home on all our numerous committees. Unfortunately, they all had underlying medical conditions. It was with great heartbreak that we said goodbye to them. I can’t tell you how devastating the situation is for us.”
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who is also a local TD, said there ought to be an independent review into the Government’s handling and treatment of nursing homes.
He said among the questions that will need to be answered is why the Government allowed visits to nursing homes to continue on March 10th only for it do a U-turn later and close all such facilities to the public.
“Why did the government exclude staff in nursing homes and nursing home representatives - the real experts in the field - from the National Public Health Emergency Team?,” he asked.
“Why were visits to nursing homes not stopped when the sector sought them to be stopped, why the delay in the testing of staff and residents and why the delay in the spending of much needed funds?”.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Leaving Cert likely to get under way on July 29th, Minister says

The Leaving Cert exams are likely to get under way on Wednesday , July 29th , the Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said .
In a live Instagram interview with the youth website Spunout.ie , Mr McHugh said he hoped to be in a position to formally announced the date in consultation with education partners soon .
However , he said he was keen for exams to begin on a Wednesday so students do not face five days of exams in their first week .
A more detailed timetable will not be finalised until early June , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most up-to-date advice available before making decisions .
For example , he said at present the maximum time a small group can spend in a room together is two hours , which would impact on the timing of exams .
Mr McHugh also said holding the Leaving Cert in late July is Department of Education ’ s “ plan A ” and all efforts will go towards making this happen .
He acknowledged , however , this was based on the assumption that the public will continue to abide by public health restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further , “ We ’ re looking at plans , B , C , D and E ... there are so many moveable positions .
The best answer is that at this point in time , we ’ re working on making it [ July/August exams ] happen , ” he said .
“ Yes , we could face enormous challenges that we ’ re not in a position to make predictions about.
” He said his department had looked at the option of using predicted grades , but ruled it out at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the system and they would not be fair .
“ There ’ s the practicality of teachers ’ grading nieces , nephews , sons or daughters , or teachers who are easy markers or hard markers ... we don ’ t feel the policy of predicted grading is a fair system , ” he said .
The Minister also said there is no standardised system of continuous assessment in Ireland .
On the question of whether students could have been given predicted grades , along with the option of sitting exams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have introduce two options and a “ big , big decision ” had to be made , In relation to the digital divide and students losing out , he said he hoped to be in a position to make an announcement on this shortly .
He said his department has been in talks with the Department of Communications over access to mobile data for students who do not have broadband .

Minister for Education Joe McHugh says the Leaving Cert is likely to get under way on Wednesday, July 29th. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
The Leaving Cert exams are likely to get under way on Wednesday, July 29th, the Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said.
In a live Instagram interview with the youth website Spunout.ie, Mr McHugh said he hoped to be in a position to formally announced the date in consultation with education partners soon.
However, he said he was keen for exams to begin on a Wednesday so students do not face five days of exams in their first week.
A more detailed timetable will not be finalised until early June, he said, as officials want to have the most up-to-date advice available before making decisions.
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For example, he said at present the maximum time a small group can spend in a room together is two hours, which would impact on the timing of exams.
Plan A
Mr McHugh also said holding the Leaving Cert in late July is Department of Education’s “plan A” and all efforts will go towards making this happen.
He acknowledged, however, this was based on the assumption that the public will continue to abide by public health restrictions and that the Covid-19 curve is flattened further,
"We're looking at plans, B, C, D and E... there are so many moveable positions. The best answer is that at this point in time, we're working on making it [July/August exams] happen," he said.
“Yes, we could face enormous challenges that we’re not in a position to make predictions about.”
He said his department had looked at the option of using predicted grades, but ruled it out at there was “too much inherent bias” in the system and they would not be fair.
“There’s the practicality of teachers’ grading nieces, nephews, sons or daughters, or teachers who are easy markers or hard markers... we don’t feel the policy of predicted grading is a fair system,” he said.
The Minister also said there is no standardised system of continuous assessment in Ireland.
Predicted grades
On the question of whether students could have been given predicted grades, along with the option of sitting exams in autumn, Mr McHugh said this would have introduce two options and a “big, big decision” had to be made,
In relation to the digital divide and students losing out, he said he hoped to be in a position to make an announcement on this shortly.
He said his department has been in talks with the Department of Communications over access to mobile data for students who do not have broadband.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--‘No ethical obligation’ on healthcare workers to take Covid-19 risks

Healthcare workers have been advised by the Department of Health they are under no ethical obligation to accept unreasonable risks in discharging their duty of care to patients with Covid-19 .
Fresh guidelines have been issued by the department in response to concerns over the dangers posed to doctors , nurses and other healthcare staff in treating patients with the coronavirus when there may be inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
The guidelines state that medical staff can not be required to assist a patient who has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus with an aerosol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be directly exposed to aerosolised particles .
“ In fact there are good reasons why the HCW [ healthcare workers ] should not participate , however well-intentioned they may be , because putting themselves at serious risk of infection is not in accordance with the goals of public health practice in a pandemic , ” the guidelines state .
They add : “ Should a HCW become infected , this will not only affect their own welfare , but will also impact on their ability to provide care for others and could place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the guidelines said assessment of the risk-benefit situation needed to be made on a case-by-case basis .
They recommend that consideration needs to be given the acuity of the patient ’ s needs , the scale of Covid-19 exposure to a healthcare worker and whether there were alternative treatments that not involving the same level of exposure .
Medical staff are also advised that they should examine the possibility of delaying a particular treatment until a time when PPE becomes available .
The guidelines , which were approved by the National Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare workers in acute , pre-hospital and community settings as well as their managers and policy makers .
They set out obligations on healthcare staff in the provision of medical care to patients in situations where there are constraints on supplies of PPE .
The guidelines state that the duty of care must be balanced against the likelihood and magnitude of the risk faced by medical staff as well as their families , co-workers and other patients .
What about the State ’ s obligation ?
They highlight how different procedures involved different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between different types of workers .
The guidelines recognised that staff with certain pre-existing conditions faced increased risks of serious complications if they were to become infected with Covid-19 .
The document acknowledges that the State also has an obligation , under the ethical principle of reciprocity , to ensure that healthcare workers are appropriately protected from risk when discharging their duty of care .
While the department recognised that staff should be provided with the necessary PPE to safely carry out their task as well as training in the use of PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global shortage of such equipment which meant the securing of supplies was challenging .
The HSE said healthcare staff should also avoid using PPE when it was not required in order to preserve stocks .
“ Even with rational and appropriate use of PPE , there are likely to be times when PPE is in short supply , ” said the HSE .

The Health Service Executive said healthcare staff should also avoid using personal protection equipment when it was not required so as to preserve stocks. File photograph: Getty
Healthcare workers have been advised by the Department of Health they are under no ethical obligation to accept unreasonable risks in discharging their duty of care to patients with Covid-19.
Fresh guidelines have been issued by the department in response to concerns over the dangers posed to doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff in treating patients with the coronavirus when there may be inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The guidelines state that medical staff cannot be required to assist a patient who has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus with an aerosol generating procedure without PPE as they would be directly exposed to aerosolised particles.
“In fact there are good reasons why the HCW [healthcare workers] should not participate, however well-intentioned they may be, because putting themselves at serious risk of infection is not in accordance with the goals of public health practice in a pandemic,” the guidelines state.
READ MORE
They add: “Should a HCW become infected, this will not only affect their own welfare, but will also impact on their ability to provide care for others and could place patients and co-workers at risk.”
However, the guidelines said assessment of the risk-benefit situation needed to be made on a case-by-case basis.
They recommend that consideration needs to be given the acuity of the patient’s needs, the scale of Covid-19 exposure to a healthcare worker and whether there were alternative treatments that not involving the same level of exposure.
Medical staff are also advised that they should examine the possibility of delaying a particular treatment until a time when PPE becomes available.
The guidelines, which were approved by the National Public Health Emergency Team, are aimed at healthcare workers in acute, pre-hospital and community settings as well as their managers and policy makers.
They set out obligations on healthcare staff in the provision of medical care to patients in situations where there are constraints on supplies of PPE.
The guidelines state that the duty of care must be balanced against the likelihood and magnitude of the risk faced by medical staff as well as their families, co-workers and other patients.
What about the State’s obligation?
They highlight how different procedures involved different levels of risks which can also vary between different types of workers.
The guidelines recognised that staff with certain pre-existing conditions faced increased risks of serious complications if they were to become infected with Covid-19.
The document acknowledges that the State also has an obligation, under the ethical principle of reciprocity, to ensure that healthcare workers are appropriately protected from risk when discharging their duty of care.
While the department recognised that staff should be provided with the necessary PPE to safely carry out their task as well as training in the use of PPE, it also pointed out there was a global shortage of such equipment which meant the securing of supplies was challenging.
The HSE said healthcare staff should also avoid using PPE when it was not required in order to preserve stocks.
“Even with rational and appropriate use of PPE, there are likely to be times when PPE is in short supply,” said the HSE.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Covid-19: Testing under way at Cahersiveen direct provision centre

Covid-19 testing is being carried out at a direct provision centre in Co Kerry after an outbreak .
Healthcare workers visited the Skellig Star hotel in Cahersiveen , Co Kerry , on Tuesday to continue testing people from the centre .
It is understood 20 residents were tested last week with results scheduled to arrive today .
The Health Service Executive did not confirm whether testing had taken place but photographs taken in Cahersiveen showed civil defence members in masks co-ordinating the operation outside the hotel .
It follows the arrival of 70 people to the town who were transferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus .
Four people who tested positive for the virus were moved to a self-isolation facility in Cork last week , according to chairman of the Cahersiveen Community and Business Alliance Jack Fitzpatrick .
The Department of Justice said any announcements on cases or outbreaks was a matter for the HSE or the National Public Health Emergency Team and that the HSE would only comment if there was a public health reason to do so .
Mr Fitzpatrick said there had been a “ veil of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel as a direct provision and called for “ openness and transparency ” around testing .
In an email sent to Kerry TDs , Mr Fitzgerald requested that hotel residents be compelled to self-isolate indoors to avoid spreading the virus into the town .
Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Cahill said clarity around confirmed cases needed to be laid bare , warning that “ in the absence of truth , hysteria can fill the vacuum and that would only make a very bad situation even worse ” .
Sarah-Jane Maguire , who lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared ” about the potential spread of the virus , particularly among the town ’ s elderly population .
“ I believe people in this town have no issue with the asylum seekers .
.
.
[ but ] it could decimate the town.
” Ms Maguire said she was no longer comfortable doing her shopping in the local supermarket for fear of picking up the virus and infecting her family .
She added that mismanagement at a national level was also placing asylum seekers at risk .
“ This is about human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated justly.
” Azwar , who was moved with his family from the Ballsbridge hotel in Dublin to the Skellig Star hotel , said asylum seekers only discovered there were cases among their group after reading media reports and speaking to the Cahersiveen community .
He claimed the four residents who tested positive had displayed virus symptoms during their first week at the Kerry hotel and subsequently retired to their rooms where they remained for a fortnight .
“ No one from the centre informed us they had positive results , we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received no advice to isolate.
” A department spokesman said fewer than 100 residents were staying at the Skellig hotel which has capacity for 150 .
This smaller number allowed for “ social distancing within centres ” and enabled “ cocooning measures for the most vulnerable ” .
Meal distribution is “ staggered ” and only one person at a time can enter the laundry area and residents who are required to remain in their room and have meals delivered to their door , said the spokesman .

Healthcare workers visited the Skellig Star hotel in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, on Tuesday to continue testing people from the centre. File photograph: The Irish Times
Covid-19 testing is being carried out at a direct provision centre in Co Kerry after an outbreak.
Healthcare workers visited the Skellig Star hotel in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, on Tuesday to continue testing people from the centre. It is understood 20 residents were tested last week with results scheduled to arrive today.
The Health Service Executive did not confirm whether testing had taken place but photographs taken in Cahersiveen showed civil defence members in masks co-ordinating the operation outside the hotel. It follows the arrival of 70 people to the town who were transferred from Dublin last month as part of Government efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Four people who tested positive for the virus were moved to a self-isolation facility in Cork last week, according to chairman of the Cahersiveen Community and Business Alliance Jack Fitzpatrick.
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The Department of Justice said any announcements on cases or outbreaks was a matter for the HSE or the National Public Health Emergency Team and that the HSE would only comment if there was a public health reason to do so.
Mr Fitzpatrick said there had been a “ veil of secrecy” around the use of the hotel as a direct provision and called for “openness and transparency” around testing.
In an email sent to Kerry TDs, Mr Fitzgerald requested that hotel residents be compelled to self-isolate indoors to avoid spreading the virus into the town.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Cahill said clarity around confirmed cases needed to be laid bare, warning that "in the absence of truth, hysteria can fill the vacuum and that would only make a very bad situation even worse".
Sarah-Jane Maguire, who lives in Cahersiveen, said people felt “genuinely scared” about the potential spread of the virus, particularly among the town’s elderly population.
“I believe people in this town have no issue with the asylum seekers . . . [but] it could decimate the town.”
Ms Maguire said she was no longer comfortable doing her shopping in the local supermarket for fear of picking up the virus and infecting her family.
She added that mismanagement at a national level was also placing asylum seekers at risk. “This is about human beings, they’re not being treated justly.”
What were asylum seekers told?
Azwar, who was moved with his family from the Ballsbridge hotel in Dublin to the Skellig Star hotel, said asylum seekers only discovered there were cases among their group after reading media reports and speaking to the Cahersiveen community.
He claimed the four residents who tested positive had displayed virus symptoms during their first week at the Kerry hotel and subsequently retired to their rooms where they remained for a fortnight.
“No one from the centre informed us they had positive results, we just saw they were moved urgently. We received no advice to isolate.”
A department spokesman said fewer than 100 residents were staying at the Skellig hotel which has capacity for 150. This smaller number allowed for “social distancing within centres” and enabled “cocooning measures for the most vulnerable”.
Meal distribution is “staggered” and only one person at a time can enter the laundry area and residents who are required to remain in their room and have meals delivered to their door, said the spokesman.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--High Court rejects test case over constitutionality of workplace dispute procedures

A High Court judge has rejected a challenge by a man to the constitutionality of new procedures for determining workplace disputes .
The case of Tomasz Zalewski , represented by Cian Ferriter SC and Peter Ward SC , is probably as good a “ test case ” as any concerning the constitutional validity of procedures under Part V of the Workplace Relations Act 2015 , Mr Justice Garrett Simons observed .
While dismissing the claims of unconstitutionality , the judge directed , arising from the State ’ s acceptance an adjudication officer ’ s dismissal in 2016 of Mr Zalewski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invalid , his complaint should be decided by a different adjudication officer .
Mr Zalewski , North Strand Road , Dublin 3 , claims he was unfairly dismissed from his job as assistant manager at Buywise Discount Store in 2016 , where he had worked since March 2012 .
He denied claims of alleged gross misconduct , including failing to follow policy for robbery prevention and having no interest in the success of the workplace .
In May 2016 , he complained to the WRC alleging unfair dismissal and non payment of wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be necessary for him to give evidence in support of his claim and to cross-examine Buywise witnesses .
A hearing at the WRC before an adjudication officer on October 26th 2016 lasted about ten minutes , involved no oral evidence or opportunity to cross-examine , and the officer accepted written submissions and documents from the sides , it was claimed .
The officer stated in December 2016 she had decided against him and in a written decision dismissed his complaint .
He got leave for High Court judicial review in February 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions of the 2015 Act , introduced after abolition of the previous Employment Appeals Tribunal system for adjudicating claims under the Unfair Dismissal and Payment of Wages Acts .
During those proceedings , the WRC conceded the adjudication officer ’ s decision should be quashed because of “ administrative error ” .
After the Supreme Court in 2018 overturned a High Court finding that Mr Zalewski lacked , arising from the WRC concession , legal standing to continue with the constitutional challenge , the matter returned to the High Court .
The principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the 2015 Act for resolving employment disputes involved the “ administration of justice ” within the meaning of Article 15 of the Constitution , with the effect they could not be decided by the WRC and were reserved for judges .
In his judgment on Tuesday , Mr Justice Simons said the powers exercised by adjudication officers and by the Labour Court under the 2015 Act exhibit many characteristics of the administration of justice .
Those powers involved determination of employment law disputes by way of an inter partes hearing between a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfair dismissal claim , there was also power to award large sums or direct an employee be reinstated .
“ Crucially ” , however , the decision making under the 2015 Act lacks one essential characteristic of the administration of justice , the ability of a decision maker to enforce its decisions , he said .
An application must rather be made to a District Court to enforce the decisions .
The adjudication officers and Labour Court were thus not engaged in the administration of justice , he ruled .
He rejected an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 Act are “ deficient ” for reasons including that adjudication officers/Labour Court members are not required to have legal qualifications and there is no “ express ” provision for cross-examining witnesses .
There is no logical basis for saying the holder of a non-judicial office should be subject to eligibility criteria equivalent to those for judicial office , he said .
There was no evidence to show absence of legal qualifications had lead to difficulties in practice , he said .
The 2015 Act allows for cross-examination where required and the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed when required , he said .
On foot of those and other findings , he dismissed the challenge to the constitutional validity of the 2015 Act and directed Mr Zalewski ’ s unfair dismissal claims be decided by another adjudication officer .
A stay applies on the relevant orders in the event of an appeal .
Costs issues will be addressed later .

A High Court judge has rejected a challenge by a man to the constitutionality of new procedures for determining workplace disputes.
The case of Tomasz Zalewski, represented by Cian Ferriter SC and Peter Ward SC, is probably as good a “test case” as any concerning the constitutional validity of procedures under Part V of the Workplace Relations Act 2015, Mr Justice Garrett Simons observed.
While dismissing the claims of unconstitutionality, the judge directed, arising from the State’s acceptance an adjudication officer’s dismissal in 2016 of Mr Zalewski’s complaints of unfair dismissal was invalid, his complaint should be decided by a different adjudication officer.
Mr Zalewski, North Strand Road, Dublin 3, claims he was unfairly dismissed from his job as assistant manager at Buywise Discount Store in 2016, where he had worked since March 2012.
READ MORE
He denied claims of alleged gross misconduct, including failing to follow policy for robbery prevention and having no interest in the success of the workplace.
In May 2016, he complained to the WRC alleging unfair dismissal and non payment of wages in lieu of notice and maintained it would be necessary for him to give evidence in support of his claim and to cross-examine Buywise witnesses.
A hearing at the WRC before an adjudication officer on October 26th 2016 lasted about ten minutes, involved no oral evidence or opportunity to cross-examine, and the officer accepted written submissions and documents from the sides, it was claimed.
The officer stated in December 2016 she had decided against him and in a written decision dismissed his complaint.
He got leave for High Court judicial review in February 2017, including to challenge the constitutionality of provisions of the 2015 Act, introduced after abolition of the previous Employment Appeals Tribunal system for adjudicating claims under the Unfair Dismissal and Payment of Wages Acts.
During those proceedings, the WRC conceded the adjudication officer’s decision should be quashed because of “administrative error”.
After the Supreme Court in 2018 overturned a High Court finding that Mr Zalewski lacked, arising from the WRC concession, legal standing to continue with the constitutional challenge, the matter returned to the High Court.
The principal issue was whether the procedural mechanism established under the 2015 Act for resolving employment disputes involved the “administration of justice” within the meaning of Article 15 of the Constitution, with the effect they could not be decided by the WRC and were reserved for judges.
In his judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Simons said the powers exercised by adjudication officers and by the Labour Court under the 2015 Act exhibit many characteristics of the administration of justice.
Those powers involved determination of employment law disputes by way of an inter partes hearing between a claimant/employee and their employer. In an unfair dismissal claim, there was also power to award large sums or direct an employee be reinstated.
“Crucially”, however, the decision making under the 2015 Act lacks one essential characteristic of the administration of justice, the ability of a decision maker to enforce its decisions, he said. An application must rather be made to a District Court to enforce the decisions.
The adjudication officers and Labour Court were thus not engaged in the administration of justice, he ruled.
He rejected an alternative argument the procedures prescribed under the 2015 Act are “deficient” for reasons including that adjudication officers/Labour Court members are not required to have legal qualifications and there is no “express” provision for cross-examining witnesses.
There is no logical basis for saying the holder of a non-judicial office should be subject to eligibility criteria equivalent to those for judicial office, he said. There was no evidence to show absence of legal qualifications had lead to difficulties in practice, he said.
The 2015 Act allows for cross-examination where required and the court cannot assume cross-examination will not be allowed when required, he said.
On foot of those and other findings, he dismissed the challenge to the constitutional validity of the 2015 Act and directed Mr Zalewski’s unfair dismissal claims be decided by another adjudication officer.
A stay applies on the relevant orders in the event of an appeal. Costs issues will be addressed later.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: North reports nine more hospital deaths

Nine more people with coronavirus have died in hospital in Northern Ireland , the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) reported on Tuesday .
It brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in hospital to 216 .
Figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency , which include deaths in all settings including care homes and hospitals , show the number of fatalities up until April 10th was at least a third higher .
Speaking at the daily press briefing on Tuesday , First Minister Arlene Foster said that while work was under way to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recovery would be “ graduated ” .
“ Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal or indeed return to our pre-Covid routines , ” she said .
She said “ We must all face the reality that when the initial threat recedes and the first wave of this pandemic is over it will not be business as usual .
“ Everyone in a position of responsibility in the public and private sectors needs to prepare for a new normal.
” Meanwhile divisions have emerged again in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen council-run cemeteries , which have been closed since last month in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The DUP and UUP support reopening cemeteries with social distancing measures in place , while Sinn Féin and Alliance are opposed .
The SDLP leader , Colum Eastwood , has written to the North ’ s Minister for Health , Robin Swann , requesting the latest medical and scientific advice .
Any decision to reopen cemeteries would require a change in the coronavirus regulations which would have to be decided on by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there would be further discussion of the matter at Executive level .
“ My view is clear .
I think we should allow circumstances limiting the visiting hours and making sure that social distancing is in place , ” said Ms Foster , adding that she recognised others had “ justifiable concerns ” .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill said she recognised the sensitivities around the closure of cemeteries but the restrictions were in place “ to do right by people and to save lives ” .
The police in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people not adhering to social distancing measures in the six days since a webpage for reporting breaches was launched on April 10th .
However , the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) said many of the reports “ do not disclose a breach of the regulations but relate to what members of the public perceive to be a breach of the regulations .
“ A number of the reports relate to people not following guidance but not necessarily a breach of the regulations .
For example , where the reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path is coming closer than within two metres of another person , or where a person is exercising more than once a day .
”

First Minister Arlene Foster at Dougan Contracts in Bangor where staff are producing Covid-19 masks: “Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal.” Photograph: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA
Nine more people with coronavirus have died in hospital in Northern Ireland, the North's Department of Health (DoH) reported on Tuesday.
It brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in hospital to 216.
Figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, which include deaths in all settings including care homes and hospitals, show the number of fatalities up until April 10th was at least a third higher.
Speaking at the daily press briefing on Tuesday, First Minister Arlene Foster said that while work was under way to "map out a path to recovery", recovery would be "graduated".
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“Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal or indeed return to our pre-Covid routines,” she said.
She said “We must all face the reality that when the initial threat recedes and the first wave of this pandemic is over it will not be business as usual.
‘A new normal’
“Everyone in a position of responsibility in the public and private sectors needs to prepare for a new normal.”
Meanwhile divisions have emerged again in the North’s Executive over calls to reopen council-run cemeteries, which have been closed since last month in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The DUP and UUP support reopening cemeteries with social distancing measures in place, while Sinn Féin and Alliance are opposed. The SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, has written to the North's Minister for Health, Robin Swann, requesting the latest medical and scientific advice.
Any decision to reopen cemeteries would require a change in the coronavirus regulations which would have to be decided on by the North’s Executive.
Ms Foster said there would be further discussion of the matter at Executive level.
“My view is clear. I think we should allow circumstances limiting the visiting hours and making sure that social distancing is in place,” said Ms Foster, adding that she recognised others had “justifiable concerns”.
Social distancing
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she recognised the sensitivities around the closure of cemeteries but the restrictions were in place “to do right by people and to save lives”.
The police in Northern Ireland revealed they received 3,787 reports of people not adhering to social distancing measures in the six days since a webpage for reporting breaches was launched on April 10th.
However, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said many of the reports "do not disclose a breach of the regulations but relate to what members of the public perceive to be a breach of the regulations.
“A number of the reports relate to people not following guidance but not necessarily a breach of the regulations. For example, where the reporting person believes a person jogging on a path is coming closer than within two metres of another person, or where a person is exercising more than once a day.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Covid-19: Action urged on shielding virus-free nursing homes

Nursing Homes Ireland said the Government ’ s focus must be to ensure that Covid-19 does not enter any residential institutions where the virus has not been recorded to date .
The representative organisation for nursing homes met Minister for Health Simon Harris on Tuesday .
There are more than 250 nursing homes which have Covid-19 clusters and hundreds have died .
But 60 per cent of homes are free of Covid-19 .
Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly said it is important to keep Covid-19 out of those homes .
The meeting came on the same day as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hiqa ) published new guidelines about how nursing homes can prevent the virus spread into homes or manage an outbreak when it occurs .
Each nursing home has been sent a list of things it must do to ensure the safety of residents .
It must return the form to Hiqa which intends to start inspecting facilities for compliance with Covid-19 guidelines next week .
The nursing-home sector say such guidelines should have been published weeks ago .
More than half of all deaths from Covid-19 in the Republic have occurred in nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hiqa visits to homes had been raised at the meeting with the Minister .
“ We have question marks over it .
Nursing homes are restricting visitors .
They won ’ t be going around the rooms talking to residents , ” he said .
“ Our playbook is well laid out at this stage .
When we announced visitor restrictions , we were accused of acting unilaterally.
” The issue of staffing nursing homes was also raised at the meeting with Mr Harris .
Mr Daly said there is excess capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be redeployed to nursing homes where the situation is worst .
“ Staffing is a critical issue .
Testing is the right thing to do .
.
.
If some staff who test positive have to be off , we need others to step up.
” Mr Daly said his members needed clarity on the terms of the €72 million package which the Government announced on April 4th to help nursing homes deal with new outbreaks .
A spokeswoman for the Mr Harris said the meeting with the private nursing-home representatives had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would take place on Friday .
Meanwhile Siptu has called on the Government to bring the private nursing home sector into State control for the period of the Covid-19 crisis as it did with the private hospitals .
“ The Government has agreed to take over 19 private hospitals , with State funding for a period of three to six months .
Meanwhile , an alarming number of the most vulnerable senior citizens in private nursing homes are dying of the Covid-19 virus , ” said the union ’ s health division organiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the most effective examination and oversight of the private nursing home sector , the Government must act now to bring the private nursing home sector under its direct control using the provisions of Section 38 of the Health Act , ” he added .

Nursing Homes Ireland said it needed clarity on the terms of the multimillion euro package announced by Government on April 4th. File photograph: Getty
Nursing Homes Ireland said the Government's focus must be to ensure that Covid-19 does not enter any residential institutions where the virus has not been recorded to date.
The representative organisation for nursing homes met Minister for Health Simon Harris on Tuesday.
There are more than 250 nursing homes which have Covid-19 clusters and hundreds have died. But 60 per cent of homes are free of Covid-19.
Nursing Homes Ireland chief executive Tadhg Daly said it is important to keep Covid-19 out of those homes.
READ MORE
The meeting came on the same day as the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) published new guidelines about how nursing homes can prevent the virus spread into homes or manage an outbreak when it occurs.
Each nursing home has been sent a list of things it must do to ensure the safety of residents. It must return the form to Hiqa which intends to start inspecting facilities for compliance with Covid-19 guidelines next week.
The nursing-home sector say such guidelines should have been published weeks ago.
More than half of all deaths from Covid-19 in the Republic have occurred in nursing homes.
Mr Daly said the issue of Hiqa visits to homes had been raised at the meeting with the Minister.
“We have question marks over it. Nursing homes are restricting visitors. They won’t be going around the rooms talking to residents,” he said. “Our playbook is well laid out at this stage. When we announced visitor restrictions, we were accused of acting unilaterally.”
What about nursing-home staff?
The issue of staffing nursing homes was also raised at the meeting with Mr Harris.
Mr Daly said there is excess capacity in parts of the hospital sector which could be redeployed to nursing homes where the situation is worst.
“Staffing is a critical issue. Testing is the right thing to do . . . If some staff who test positive have to be off, we need others to step up.”
Mr Daly said his members needed clarity on the terms of the €72 million package which the Government announced on April 4th to help nursing homes deal with new outbreaks.
A spokeswoman for the Mr Harris said the meeting with the private nursing-home representatives had been constructive.
She said further talks would take place on Friday.
Meanwhile Siptu has called on the Government to bring the private nursing home sector into State control for the period of the Covid-19 crisis as it did with the private hospitals.
“The Government has agreed to take over 19 private hospitals, with State funding for a period of three to six months. Meanwhile, an alarming number of the most vulnerable senior citizens in private nursing homes are dying of the Covid-19 virus,” said the union’s health division organiser, Paul Bell.
“In other to ensure the most effective examination and oversight of the private nursing home sector, the Government must act now to bring the private nursing home sector under its direct control using the provisions of Section 38 of the Health Act,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Former Irish Times Bridge columnist George Ryan dies aged 89

The death has taken place of the former Irish Times Bridge columnist and author , George Ryan ( 89 ) .
A former primary school teacher , he wrote the Irish bestsellers Bones of Bridge and Some of the Flesh , which remain invaluable reading for students of Bridge .
While at The Irish Times he also wrote a number of humorous columns and was described by the late Irish Press sports journalist Con Houlihan as “ probably the funniest man at large in Ireland ” .
Mr Ryan also self-published books including No Time for Work , which , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to incorporate several of his other books .
The self-published tales were told through the eyes of an assistant teacher who had “ an inordinate fondness for drink ” but survived “ 14 headmasters , 17 parish priests and 28 department inspectors ” before he “ found himself without a job ” .
Galway bookshop owner Des Kenny listed Ryan in his own compilation , Kenny ’ s Choice : 101 Irish Books You Must Read , and classified him as an unrecognised self-publishing phenomenon .
“ We could never sell enough of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprint in 2008 , the books sold out in weeks , ” he said .
Mr Ryan delivered his last bridge column in 2014 before ultimately moving to the Pilgrim ’ s Rest Nursing Home in Westport , Co Mayo , to be close to his daughter , the journalist Áine Ryan and his son Gearóid Ó Riain .
Ms Ryan recently wrote a series of articles for The Irish Times , entitled Daddy , dementia and me , which are still accessible online .
Mr Ryan died peacefully in the Pilgrim ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was pre-deceased by his son Dermot , first wife , Mary , and second wife , Joan .
He is survived by his sister , Sr Clare Ryan SSL and by daughters Áine , Breda , Clare and Eithne and son Gearóid .
A private funeral service will take place in St Mary ’ s Church , Westport , on Thursday April 23rd , with private burial afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery .

The death has taken place of the former Irish Times Bridge columnist and author, George Ryan (89).
A former primary school teacher, he wrote the Irish bestsellers Bones of Bridge and Some of the Flesh, which remain invaluable reading for students of Bridge.
While at The Irish Times he also wrote a number of humorous columns and was described by the late Irish Press sports journalist Con Houlihan as “probably the funniest man at large in Ireland”.
Mr Ryan also self-published books including No Time for Work, which, over time and reprints, was expanded to incorporate several of his other books.
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The self-published tales were told through the eyes of an assistant teacher who had “an inordinate fondness for drink” but survived “14 headmasters, 17 parish priests and 28 department inspectors” before he “found himself without a job”.
Phenomenon
Galway bookshop owner Des Kenny listed Ryan in his own compilation, Kenny’s Choice: 101 Irish Books You Must Read, and classified him as an unrecognised self-publishing phenomenon. “We could never sell enough of him, and even after his last reprint in 2008, the books sold out in weeks,” he said.
Mr Ryan delivered his last bridge column in 2014 before ultimately moving to the Pilgrim’s Rest Nursing Home in Westport, Co Mayo, to be close to his daughter, the journalist Áine Ryan and his son Gearóid Ó Riain.
Ms Ryan recently wrote a series of articles for The Irish Times, entitled Daddy, dementia and me, which are still accessible online.
Mr Ryan died peacefully in the Pilgrim’s Rest Nursing Home on Tuesday. He was pre-deceased by his son Dermot, first wife, Mary, and second wife, Joan. He is survived by his sister, Sr Clare Ryan SSL and by daughters Áine, Breda, Clare and Eithne and son Gearóid.
A private funeral service will take place in St Mary’s Church, Westport, on Thursday April 23rd, with private burial afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Drugs and mobile phones seized outside Mallow court

Gardaí are to prepare files for the DPP after arresting one woman and questioning another about attempts to supply drugs to remand prisoners attending a court hearing in Co Cork on Tuesday .
Detectives from Mallow District Drugs Unit , backed up the local detective branch and the Regional Dog Unit , carried out searches of a number of people waiting to meet some prisoners on remand from Cork Prison .
Officers searched a 21-year-old woman from Mallow and found her in possession of €500 worth of cannabis herb .
She was arrested and brought to Mallow Garda Station for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searched a 19-year-old woman , also from Mallow but not associated with the first woman , and found her to be in possession of suspected cannabis , heroin and a quantity of tablets worth about €500 .
Two mini-mobile phones were also taken from her which officers believe she planned to pass to a prisoner on remand who was attending the court .
Gardaí did not arrest the 19 year old and they later released the 21-year-old woman without charge but a Garda spokesman confirmed they would prepare files in respect of both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DPP .

Gardaí are to prepare files for the DPP after arresting one woman and questioning another about attempts to supply drugs to remand prisoners attending a court hearing in Co Cork on Tuesday.
Detectives from Mallow District Drugs Unit, backed up the local detective branch and the Regional Dog Unit, carried out searches of a number of people waiting to meet some prisoners on remand from Cork Prison.
Officers searched a 21-year-old woman from Mallow and found her in possession of €500 worth of cannabis herb. She was arrested and brought to Mallow Garda Station for questioning about the find.
Gardaí also searched a 19-year-old woman, also from Mallow but not associated with the first woman, and found her to be in possession of suspected cannabis, heroin and a quantity of tablets worth about €500. Two mini-mobile phones were also taken from her which officers believe she planned to pass to a prisoner on remand who was attending the court.
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Gardaí did not arrest the 19 year old and they later released the 21-year-old woman without charge but a Garda spokesman confirmed they would prepare files in respect of both women and both drug seizures for the DPP.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Judge told daughter fears Covid-19 risk to mother in care home

A woman has brought a High Court application over concerns her elderly mother is at risk of contracting coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , in her nursing home .
The woman ’ s mother , aged in her nineties , is a ward of court .
Patricia Hickey , as general solicitor for wards of court , was previously appointed as the committee to represent the mother ’ s interests in circumstances where her adult children disagreed between themselves on aspects of her care .
On Tuesday , Nuala Jackson SC , for one of the daughters , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s safety from Covid-19 .
The mother has her own room in the nursing home .
But her daughter ’ s concerns include that her room is on a corridor with other rooms , some of which house residents who have tested positive for Covid-19 , said counsel .
The mother was tested last Friday for the virus but had yet to receive a test result , she added .
Her client ’ s concerns include that the mother ’ s room is on a corridor in which all the rooms are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people who have tested positive for the virus , said counsel .
This very much heightened the urgency of the situation and she wanted permission to serve short notice of an application to determine how best the ward can be protected from Covid-19 and to temporarily move her , said counsel .
While there had been contact between her client and the nursing home about these matters , the information provided to date was “ very unsatisfactory ” .
Natalie McDonnell , for Ms Hickey , said the general solicitor was satisfied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent social worker , with the nursing home care being provided to the ward .
Arising from the Covid-19 situation , there may be difficulties and delays in securing an updated report , she said .
Ms McDonnell stressed it was “ essential ” the Health Service Executive should be put on notice of this application because , while the court has oversight of the woman ’ s care , the HSE is ultimately responsible for it .
A risk assessment is required to see if an alternative care plan is possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home is a realistic possibility , said counsel .
The woman has special assistance on a two-to-one basis as of now , she added .
Mr Justice Richard Humphreys directed that the HSE and other parties , including the ward ’ s other children , be put on notice of the application and returned the matter to Thursday .
There may be “ no solutions , only trade-offs ” , and the various options will have to be considered , he said .

The judge said there may be ‘no solutions, only trade-offs’ and the various options will have to be considered. File photograph: Getty
A woman has brought a High Court application over concerns her elderly mother is at risk of contracting coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, in her nursing home.
The woman’s mother, aged in her nineties, is a ward of court.
Patricia Hickey, as general solicitor for wards of court, was previously appointed as the committee to represent the mother’s interests in circumstances where her adult children disagreed between themselves on aspects of her care.
On Tuesday, Nuala Jackson SC, for one of the daughters, said her client was concerned for her mother’s safety from Covid-19.
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The mother has her own room in the nursing home. But her daughter’s concerns include that her room is on a corridor with other rooms, some of which house residents who have tested positive for Covid-19, said counsel. The mother was tested last Friday for the virus but had yet to receive a test result, she added.
Her client’s concerns include that the mother’s room is on a corridor in which all the rooms are being serviced by the same healthcare staff as people who have tested positive for the virus, said counsel.
This very much heightened the urgency of the situation and she wanted permission to serve short notice of an application to determine how best the ward can be protected from Covid-19 and to temporarily move her, said counsel.
‘Unsatisfactory’ information
While there had been contact between her client and the nursing home about these matters, the information provided to date was “very unsatisfactory”.
Natalie McDonnell, for Ms Hickey, said the general solicitor was satisfied, based on a report received from an independent social worker, with the nursing home care being provided to the ward. Arising from the Covid-19 situation, there may be difficulties and delays in securing an updated report, she said.
Ms McDonnell stressed it was “essential” the Health Service Executive should be put on notice of this application because, while the court has oversight of the woman’s care, the HSE is ultimately responsible for it.
A risk assessment is required to see if an alternative care plan is possible and if a move from the nursing home is a realistic possibility, said counsel. The woman has special assistance on a two-to-one basis as of now, she added.
Mr Justice Richard Humphreys directed that the HSE and other parties, including the ward’s other children, be put on notice of the application and returned the matter to Thursday.
There may be “no solutions, only trade-offs”, and the various options will have to be considered, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Man (74) charged with manslaughter in Co Tipperary

A 74-year-old man has been remanded on bail after he was charged with the manslaughter of a 22-year-old Englishman and six other offences following a farm accident in Co Tipperary almost four years ago .
Michael Woodlock was arrested by gardaí on Tuesday morning and brought to Clonmel Garda Station on foot of an investigation by gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority into a fatal workplace accident on June 26th , 2016 .
Sam Taylor ( 22 ) , a native of Newcastle in the UK , was working as a farm hand on a teleporter on a stud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the machine tipped over a steep incline and he was fatally injured .
A second man , Darren Prout ( 25 ) , suffered a serious leg injury in the incident and was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he was treated for his injury before being discharged .
On Tuesday , Mr Woodlock from Rathronan , Clonmel was brought before Clonmel District Court where he was charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Taylor at Coleman ’ s Stud Farm in Fethard on June 26th , 2016 .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 and with five breaches of Health and Safety legislation arising out of the same incident .
Gardaí told Judge Terence Finn that they had no objection to the defendant being released on bail .
Judge Finn remanded the accused on bail to appear again at Clonmel District Court on June 23rd , 2020 .

Accused is to appear again at Clonmel District Court on June 23rd.
A 74-year-old man has been remanded on bail after he was charged with the manslaughter of a 22-year-old Englishman and six other offences following a farm accident in Co Tipperary almost four years ago.
Michael Woodlock was arrested by gardaí on Tuesday morning and brought to Clonmel Garda Station on foot of an investigation by gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority into a fatal workplace accident on June 26th, 2016.
Sam Taylor (22), a native of Newcastle in the UK, was working as a farm hand on a teleporter on a stud farm in Fethard in South Tipperary when the machine tipped over a steep incline and he was fatally injured.
A second man, Darren Prout (25), suffered a serious leg injury in the incident and was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he was treated for his injury before being discharged.
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On Tuesday, Mr Woodlock from Rathronan, Clonmel was brought before Clonmel District Court where he was charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Taylor at Coleman's Stud Farm in Fethard on June 26th, 2016.
He was also charged with endangerment of another, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 and with five breaches of Health and Safety legislation arising out of the same incident.
Gardaí told Judge Terence Finn that they had no objection to the defendant being released on bail.
Judge Finn remanded the accused on bail to appear again at Clonmel District Court on June 23rd, 2020.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Family court: Barring order due to partner’s ‘alcohol and cocaine abuse’

A woman has secured a two-year barring order against her partner after she told a court he has been “ abusing alcohol and cocaine ” at home for the last seven weeks .
The woman told Dublin District Family Court on Tuesday that she and her partner have two children together .
In a sworn statement she said her partner is a cocaine user and has mental health problems .
She said “ for the last seven weeks in a row he ’ s been abusing alcohol and cocaine in the house where our children live ” .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names and accusing her of cheating on him in front of their children .
He got “ very abusive with us ” and shoved one of their children .
The woman said on a separate occasion he was “ completely out of his mind on cocaine ” and didn ’ t sleep for “ six straight days ” .
“ This has been going on for too long now and I just can ’ t help him anymore , ” she said .
The woman said the man has also been threatening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a show of me ” .
The man did not attend the hearing .
Judge Gerard Furlong granted the woman a two-year barring order , which excludes him from the family home and from carrying out any further violence or threats of violence and from watching or being near the home .
In a separate case , a father secured a protection order on an ex-parte ( one side only represented ) basis against his adult son .
The father told the court his son suffers from a developmental disorder and lives with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son has been hitting him for the past week and as a result the father has bruising on his arm .
He said his son is physically and verbally abusive and that he “ punches and hits me with things ” .
He also said his son previously “ smashed up the house ” and that he fears him .
“ I lock myself in my room to avoid him , ” he said .
The judge granted the father a protection order , which prohibits the son from using or threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man ’ s son is expected to attend , was set for a later date .
Separately , a woman secured a protection order on an ex-parte basis against her husband .
The woman told the court she and her husband split recently and that they have several children .
She said earlier this month her husband began verbally abusing her and making threats .
The woman said her husband said that “ if he gets me on my own , he ’ s going to do to me what he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reference to previously abducting and assaulting her and that there are ongoing criminal proceedings in relation to this incident .
The woman said her husband ’ s behaviour puts her in fear and that “ I know what he is capable of ” .
The judge granted her a protection order and set a full hearing for a later date .
Emergency applications are continuing to be heard at Dublin District Family Court at Dolphin House daily .

‘This has been going on for too long now and I just can’t help him anymore.’ File photograph: Getty Images
A woman has secured a two-year barring order against her partner after she told a court he has been “abusing alcohol and cocaine” at home for the last seven weeks.
The woman told Dublin District Family Court on Tuesday that she and her partner have two children together.
In a sworn statement she said her partner is a cocaine user and has mental health problems. She said “for the last seven weeks in a row he’s been abusing alcohol and cocaine in the house where our children live”.
She said earlier this month he began calling her names and accusing her of cheating on him in front of their children. He got “very abusive with us” and shoved one of their children. The woman said on a separate occasion he was “completely out of his mind on cocaine” and didn’t sleep for “six straight days”.
READ MORE
“This has been going on for too long now and I just can’t help him anymore,” she said.
The woman said the man has also been threatening to come to her workplace and “make a show of me”.
The man did not attend the hearing.
Judge Gerard Furlong granted the woman a two-year barring order, which excludes him from the family home and from carrying out any further violence or threats of violence and from watching or being near the home.
Son ‘punches and hits me’
In a separate case, a father secured a protection order on an ex-parte (one side only represented) basis against his adult son.
The father told the court his son suffers from a developmental disorder and lives with him and his wife. He said his son has been hitting him for the past week and as a result the father has bruising on his arm.
He said his son is physically and verbally abusive and that he “punches and hits me with things”. He also said his son previously “smashed up the house” and that he fears him. “I lock myself in my room to avoid him,” he said.
The judge granted the father a protection order, which prohibits the son from using or threatening violence. A full hearing, which the man’s son is expected to attend, was set for a later date.
Husband and wife split
Separately, a woman secured a protection order on an ex-parte basis against her husband. The woman told the court she and her husband split recently and that they have several children.
She said earlier this month her husband began verbally abusing her and making threats. The woman said her husband said that “if he gets me on my own, he’s going to do to me what he did before”. She said this was a reference to previously abducting and assaulting her and that there are ongoing criminal proceedings in relation to this incident.
The woman said her husband’s behaviour puts her in fear and that “I know what he is capable of”. The judge granted her a protection order and set a full hearing for a later date.
Emergency applications are continuing to be heard at Dublin District Family Court at Dolphin House daily.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Call for State support for Gaeltacht colleges

The Government will have to address the economic impact caused by the closure of Gaeltacht colleges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic , Conradh na Gaeilge has said .
The call comes as individual colleges are assessing the financial cost of the decision to cancel this year ’ s summer courses .
Coláistí Gaeilge are of huge economic benefit to Gaeltacht areas as they are attended by about 27,000 students each year and are worth an estimated €50m to the local economy .
“ This will have a far-reaching effect on the entire Gaeltacht in the coming weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ na Gaeilge ’ s Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha .
While the announcement came as a blow to Gaeltacht communities , there was little surprise at the decision .
Dónal Ó Laoire is bainisteoir ( manager ) of the country ’ s oldest Irish college .
Coláiste na Mumhan is located in Béal Átha ’ n Ghaorthaidh ( Ballingeary ) in Gaeltacht Mhúscraí in Cork .
“ It was the correct decision .
There ’ s no doubt about that .
We have to consider public health but it does have implications for the Gaeltacht @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ Students have been coming to this Gaeltacht since 1904 and it is a big thing for them not to be here .
They are like the swallows - they return to the same place every year and their absence will be keenly felt .
“ Some have been in touch with me and they are heart-broken that it has been cancelled.
” In Béal Átha ’ n Ghaorthaidh most of the students stay on campus but this summer ’ s closure will be felt in the wider community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the college .
We employ teachers , assistants and people who work in the kitchen and of course they all speak in Irish .
It will have a kind of a domino effect .
“ We had big plans to invest in the college and to host events during the year .
Of course we will have to revisit that as we won ’ t have the money .
This will set us back 10 years.
” Conradh na Gaeilge representatives are expected to discuss the economic fallout with Minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Ó Laoire echoed the group ’ s call for Government assistance .
“ We need some help and that will be true of Coláistí Samhraidh in general .
We invest every year in development , we purchase equipment and invest in buildings .
Planning for 2020 started last September and unless we receive some financial aid the sector will be in trouble .
“ Most of the colleges are in remote areas and depend on every penny that comes in .
If you take Béal Átha ’ n Ghaorthaidh we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take-away.
” “ The students really lift the area when they arrive , they bring an energy with them .
There is a lot of Irish spoken here but they are a catalyst for the language which ensures that the language stays alive for another year .
Sinéad Ní Neachtain , director of Coláiste Chonnacht near An Spidéal in Co Galway , said bookings for the 2020 summer courses had already filled up and that she was trying to secure additional accommodation for students just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tí who were scheduled to take teenagers into their homes for the summer months are shocked and upset at the news that the courses have been cancelled , she said .
“ The impact of this on the Gaeltacht community will be huge , ” said Ms Ní Neachtain .
“ Of course we all understand why this needs to happen but we ’ re a small business and we don ’ t know how much support there will be .
“ These are very high quality courses we provide ; lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very disappointed .
We understand the department ’ s decision but we also need to understand the next steps .
We just hope information will come quickly.
” Carrying out remote courses via an online platform will not be viable replacement for the summer Gaeltacht experience , she added .
“ You can not create that atmosphere through zoom .
Students come here for the craic and the music and to meet knew people .
You can ’ t create that anywhere but in the Gaeltacht.
” The closure of the Coláiste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a lasting impact into the future , said Ms Ní Neachtain .
“ We ’ re going to feel this during this summer and beyond .
It took a long time to build this industry back up after the recession , we just hope we can come back from this .
”

The Government will have to address the economic impact caused by the closure of Gaeltacht colleges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Conradh na Gaeilge has said.
The call comes as individual colleges are assessing the financial cost of the decision to cancel this year’s summer courses.
Coláistí Gaeilge are of huge economic benefit to Gaeltacht areas as they are attended by about 27,000 students each year and are worth an estimated €50m to the local economy.
"This will have a far-reaching effect on the entire Gaeltacht in the coming weeks, months and years," warned Conradh na Gaeilge's Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha.
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While the announcement came as a blow to Gaeltacht communities, there was little surprise at the decision.
Dónal Ó Laoire is bainisteoir (manager) of the country’s oldest Irish college. Coláiste na Mumhan is located in Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary) in Gaeltacht Mhúscraí in Cork.
“It was the correct decision. There’s no doubt about that. We have to consider public health but it does have implications for the Gaeltacht and for the wider area,” he said.
“Students have been coming to this Gaeltacht since 1904 and it is a big thing for them not to be here. They are like the swallows - they return to the same place every year and their absence will be keenly felt.
“Some have been in touch with me and they are heart-broken that it has been cancelled.”
In Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh most of the students stay on campus but this summer’s closure will be felt in the wider community.
“We normally employ about 30 local people in the college. We employ teachers, assistants and people who work in the kitchen and of course they all speak in Irish. It will have a kind of a domino effect.
“We had big plans to invest in the college and to host events during the year. Of course we will have to revisit that as we won’t have the money. This will set us back 10 years.”
Conradh na Gaeilge representatives are expected to discuss the economic fallout with Minister for State Seán Kyne when they meet on Wednesday. Ó Laoire echoed the group’s call for Government assistance.
“We need some help and that will be true of Coláistí Samhraidh in general. We invest every year in development, we purchase equipment and invest in buildings. Planning for 2020 started last September and unless we receive some financial aid the sector will be in trouble.
“Most of the colleges are in remote areas and depend on every penny that comes in. If you take Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh we have one shop, two pubs and one take-away.”
“The students really lift the area when they arrive, they bring an energy with them. There is a lot of Irish spoken here but they are a catalyst for the language which ensures that the language stays alive for another year.
Sinéad Ní Neachtain, director of Coláiste Chonnacht near An Spidéal in Co Galway, said bookings for the 2020 summer courses had already filled up and that she was trying to secure additional accommodation for students just weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Ireland.
College staff, teachers and the mná tí who were scheduled to take teenagers into their homes for the summer months are shocked and upset at the news that the courses have been cancelled, she said.
“The impact of this on the Gaeltacht community will be huge,” said Ms Ní Neachtain. “Of course we all understand why this needs to happen but we’re a small business and we don’t know how much support there will be.
“These are very high quality courses we provide; lots of preparation goes into this work so we are very disappointed. We understand the department’s decision but we also need to understand the next steps. We just hope information will come quickly.”
Carrying out remote courses via an online platform will not be viable replacement for the summer Gaeltacht experience, she added. “You cannot create that atmosphere through zoom. Students come here for the craic and the music and to meet knew people. You can’t create that anywhere but in the Gaeltacht.”
The closure of the Coláiste, which is 110 years old, will have a lasting impact into the future, said Ms Ní Neachtain. “We’re going to feel this during this summer and beyond. It took a long time to build this industry back up after the recession, we just hope we can come back from this.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Irish musicians stranded on cruise ship in Australia disembark

A group of Irish musicians stranded on board a cruise ship in New South Wales , Australia , have finally been allowed to disembark after more than a month of quarantine in their cabins .
The four Emerald Tide musicians – alongside another Irishman who was an engineer on board the ship – are among some 59 international crew members who were allowed to leave the Ruby Princess cruise ship on Tuesday morning following extensive checks and screening .
The ship made international headlines in March when it docked in Sydney and allowed its 2,700 passengers to disembark despite some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has been linked to hundreds of Covid-19 cases and more than a dozen deaths in Australia .
Following this , more than 1,000 crew members were forced to remain onboard quarantining in their respective cabins , with many of them having tested positive for the virus .
Killian Shannon , one of the members of the band , said they are now in a hotel where they are continuing to quarantine until they can get a flight home .
“ We hadn ’ t seen sun in days .
We hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in God knows how long .
We were all absolutely elated .
The first thing we did was get on to the phone to our loved ones .
We ’ re hoping to get home as soon as possible now , ” he said .
“ When we were leaving the ship , there were army and police and we had to go through a sanitisation so kind of a bath to clean off our soles and then everything was sanitised before we were allowed to get on the bus .
Everyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be Covid-free as well .
They were taking no chances.
” Shannon spent 32 days in his cabin isolating by himself , which he described as a long and difficult period of time .
“ It was very stressful , just being in there and having a bit too much time with your thoughts .
” he added .
Shannon had tested positive for the virus half-way during the quarantine period , but he was retested before disembarking and now holds a certificate stating he is negative for Covid-19 .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my case , I lost my sense of smell and I had a bit of a scratchy throat so it didn ’ t get any worse there .
I knew I was going to be fine , ” he said .
“ It was scary being away from home .
You feel kind of helpless because what if someone gets ill at the other side of the world and we ’ re stuck here .
We built a support system for each other .
We were sending each other encouraging messages .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we were away from our actual families.
” Shannon and his band said they really wanted to thank the cruise ship owners and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs for all their help and support in getting them home .

A group of Irish musicians stranded on board a cruise ship in New South Wales, Australia, have finally been allowed to disembark after more than a month of quarantine in their cabins.
The four Emerald Tide musicians – alongside another Irishman who was an engineer on board the ship – are among some 59 international crew members who were allowed to leave the Ruby Princess cruise ship on Tuesday morning following extensive checks and screening.
The ship made international headlines in March when it docked in Sydney and allowed its 2,700 passengers to disembark despite some people on board showing coronavirus symptoms. This has been linked to hundreds of Covid-19 cases and more than a dozen deaths in Australia.
Following this, more than 1,000 crew members were forced to remain onboard quarantining in their respective cabins, with many of them having tested positive for the virus.
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Killian Shannon, one of the members of the band, said they are now in a hotel where they are continuing to quarantine until they can get a flight home.
‘Absolutely elated’
“We hadn’t seen sun in days. We hadn’t seen the outside of the ship in God knows how long. We were all absolutely elated. The first thing we did was get on to the phone to our loved ones. We’re hoping to get home as soon as possible now,” he said.
“When we were leaving the ship, there were army and police and we had to go through a sanitisation so kind of a bath to clean off our soles and then everything was sanitised before we were allowed to get on the bus. Everyone who was cleared to leave, was cleared to be Covid-free as well. They were taking no chances.”
Difficult period
Shannon spent 32 days in his cabin isolating by himself, which he described as a long and difficult period of time.
“It was very stressful, just being in there and having a bit too much time with your thoughts. ” he added.
Shannon had tested positive for the virus half-way during the quarantine period, but he was retested before disembarking and now holds a certificate stating he is negative for Covid-19.
“The symptoms I felt were mild. In my case, I lost my sense of smell and I had a bit of a scratchy throat so it didn’t get any worse there. I knew I was going to be fine,” he said.
“It was scary being away from home. You feel kind of helpless because what if someone gets ill at the other side of the world and we’re stuck here. We built a support system for each other. We were sending each other encouraging messages. We kind of created a family for ourselves because we were away from our actual families.”
Shannon and his band said they really wanted to thank the cruise ship owners and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs for all their help and support in getting them home.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--President Higgins urges Europe to make new beginning with Africa

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has said the coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for Europe to “ make a new beginning ” with Africa and respond to “ structural imbalances ” between the two continents .
President Higgins made the remarks at a teleconference , organised by the African-European Parliamentarians Initiative , which examined the options and difficulties of addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and the lessons learned from past epidemics such as the Ebola outbreaks .
According to the Africa Centre of Disease Control , there are 23,716 cases of coronavirus on the African continent and there have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that it was important to realise the “ particularities ” facing Africa when dealing with coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 .
“ In Ireland we may be coming out from some of our worst experiences through the co-operation of the public , really respecting that advice of washing our hands , having an etiquette in relation to sneezing [ and ] social distancing , ” he said .
“ But I know very well that such advice is going to be so difficult in Africa , where we have overcrowding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water isn ’ t available and where ... the idea of social isolation is just simply impossible .
And also , of course , the idea that one should stay inside and still have their daily economy work where one earns the price of one ’ s bread and one ’ s food for the day , it would be , really , an invitation to starve.
” Mr Higgins said this crisis illustrates the importance of basic universal services in housing , health and education .
“ And if we are to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that we shift the emphasis from armaments , and from the debt we ’ re encouraging in the world , towards providing universal basic services , ” he added .
“ I think , too , that this is a great opportunity for Europe [ which ] has had a legacy in Africa that it would like to forget but which Africans have not forgotten .
And I think now is an opportunity to make a new beginning.
” He called for debt cancellation and unfair trade to cease to help Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also to deal with inequality .
“ It is in Africa , we can achieve equality .
We can all benefit from proper adequate response to the present situation in Africa ... also committing ourselves to a whole new future for Africa , where two billion people will live in 2015 , where 17 million young Africans into the labour force every year , ” he added .

President Higgins called for for debt cancellation and unfair trade to cease to help Africa, not just through this crisis, but also to deal with inequality. File photograph: The Irish Times
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has said the coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for Europe to "make a new beginning" with Africa and respond to "structural imbalances" between the two continents.
President Higgins made the remarks at a teleconference, organised by the African-European Parliamentarians Initiative, which examined the options and difficulties of addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and the lessons learned from past epidemics such as the Ebola outbreaks.
According to the Africa Centre of Disease Control, there are 23,716 cases of coronavirus on the African continent and there have been 1,160 deaths to date.
Mr Higgins said that it was important to realise the “particularities” facing Africa when dealing with coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.
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“In Ireland we may be coming out from some of our worst experiences through the co-operation of the public, really respecting that advice of washing our hands, having an etiquette in relation to sneezing [and] social distancing,” he said.
“But I know very well that such advice is going to be so difficult in Africa, where we have overcrowding in the periphery of cities, where clean water isn’t available and where ... the idea of social isolation is just simply impossible. And also, of course, the idea that one should stay inside and still have their daily economy work where one earns the price of one’s bread and one’s food for the day, it would be, really, an invitation to starve.”
Call for basic services
Mr Higgins said this crisis illustrates the importance of basic universal services in housing, health and education.
“And if we are to learn from this crisis, it should be that we shift the emphasis from armaments, and from the debt we’re encouraging in the world, towards providing universal basic services,” he added.
“I think, too, that this is a great opportunity for Europe [which] has had a legacy in Africa that it would like to forget but which Africans have not forgotten. And I think now is an opportunity to make a new beginning.”
He called for debt cancellation and unfair trade to cease to help Africa, not just through this crisis, but also to deal with inequality.
“It is in Africa, we can achieve equality. We can all benefit from proper adequate response to the present situation in Africa ... also committing ourselves to a whole new future for Africa, where two billion people will live in 2015, where 17 million young Africans into the labour force every year,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-04-21--Two schoolboys from Celbridge produce face masks for frontline staff

An army of people is responding to pleas for personal protection equipment ( PPE ) for healthcare workers but a small production line for face masks set up by two boys in their Co Kildare home is perhaps the most remarkable illustration of that endeavour .
While major labs and manufacturing plants around the country are leading the response with the help of teams of scientists and engineers , Conor ( 14 ) and Daire ( 11 ) Jean from Celbridge , armed with just their 3D printer and a stack of laminating pouches , completed their first batch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Having got up at 7am on Monday , they are now well into the second batch for Tallaght University Hospital ( TUH ) and will continue production for as long as there is a need for masks there or elsewhere , according to Conor .
They even have incorporated new design features so they can be worn more easily by a doctor or nurse wearing glasses or goggles .
That first batch was the culmination of working extremely long days for the past fortnight with many blips along the way .
When they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first batch completed , their mother , Lorraine Duffy , tweeted a picture of them with the consignment and the following message : “ Couldn ’ t be prouder of these two boys today .
They have spent 15 hrs a day for the last 2 weeks 3d printing PPE visors for Frontline staff @ # TUH .
101 ready 2go .
The next 100 started already.
” The idea stemmed from a tweet by RTÉ journalist Ciara Ní Bhroin who noted her husband , Greg Keeley , who works in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3D printers in their living room making PPE with the help of colleagues .
They got in touch with him and he has been mentoring Conor and Daire through the process ever since .
The technology is being deployed in the house from 7am to 11pm .
“ It might give you a migraine .
.
.
but it ’ s all for a good cause .
When they hit their first 100 , they were thrilled to bits , ” their mother said .
Keeley had taken the boys under this wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and files to perfect their manufacturing process .
Emailing pictures of the latest progress has helped perfect technique .
“ We email him nearly every day .
He has helped us get over some problems , ” said Conor , who is a second-year student at Celbridge Community School ; his brother is in fifth class at North Kildare Educate Together School .
Daire has a twin , Cormac , who has an artistic streak and was more interested in entering The Irish Times children ’ s art competition with its theme of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother explained .
Keeley paid tribute to the boys ’ fantastic efforts .
“ They are doing great .
Fair play to them .
I wish I had a 3D printer when I was their age – it ’ s a different world , ” he added .
Making models and props for the film industry using 3D printers is his job .
With colleagues from the Model Makers Guild of Ireland and a 3D printing supplier , they wanted to make a contribution to the national effort , and now have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their homes and have production of up to 1,000 face masks a week .
They are going to a lot of places including TUH and St James ’ s Hospital in Dublin .
Of late , they have shifted focus to supplying nursing homes because of acute PPE shortages there .
He and a colleague set up a GoFundMe page with a view to raising €5,000 to help pay for the group ’ s raw materials .
They have raised more than €6,700 in a few days to keep operations going .

Daire and ConorJean with their 3D printer which is generating face masks for healthcare workers.
An army of people is responding to pleas for personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers but a small production line for face masks set up by two boys in their Co Kildare home is perhaps the most remarkable illustration of that endeavour.
While major labs and manufacturing plants around the country are leading the response with the help of teams of scientists and engineers, Conor (14) and Daire (11) Jean from Celbridge, armed with just their 3D printer and a stack of laminating pouches, completed their first batch of 100 face masks at the weekend.
Having got up at 7am on Monday, they are now well into the second batch for Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) and will continue production for as long as there is a need for masks there or elsewhere, according to Conor.
They even have incorporated new design features so they can be worn more easily by a doctor or nurse wearing glasses or goggles.
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That first batch was the culmination of working extremely long days for the past fortnight with many blips along the way.
When they got the production line running smoothly and the first batch completed, their mother, Lorraine Duffy, tweeted a picture of them with the consignment and the following message: "Couldn't be prouder of these two boys today. They have spent 15 hrs a day for the last 2 weeks 3d printing PPE visors for Frontline staff @ #TUH. 101 ready 2go. The next 100 started already."
The idea stemmed from a tweet by RTÉ journalist Ciara Ní Bhroin who noted her husband, Greg Keeley, who works in the film industry, had a string of 3D printers in their living room making PPE with the help of colleagues.
They got in touch with him and he has been mentoring Conor and Daire through the process ever since. The technology is being deployed in the house from 7am to 11pm. “It might give you a migraine . . . but it’s all for a good cause. When they hit their first 100, they were thrilled to bits,” their mother said.
Keeley had taken the boys under this wing, she added, by providing code and files to perfect their manufacturing process. Emailing pictures of the latest progress has helped perfect technique.
"We email him nearly every day. He has helped us get over some problems," said Conor, who is a second-year student at Celbridge Community School; his brother is in fifth class at North Kildare Educate Together School.
Daire has a twin, Cormac, who has an artistic streak and was more interested in entering The Irish Times children's art competition with its theme of enforced isolation due to Covid-19, their mother explained.
Tribute
Keeley paid tribute to the boys’ fantastic efforts. “They are doing great. Fair play to them. I wish I had a 3D printer when I was their age – it’s a different world,” he added.
Making models and props for the film industry using 3D printers is his job. With colleagues from the Model Makers Guild of Ireland and a 3D printing supplier, they wanted to make a contribution to the national effort, and now have a team of four making face masks in their homes and have production of up to 1,000 face masks a week.
They are going to a lot of places including TUH and St James’s Hospital in Dublin. Of late, they have shifted focus to supplying nursing homes because of acute PPE shortages there.
He and a colleague set up a GoFundMe page with a view to raising €5,000 to help pay for the group's raw materials. They have raised more than €6,700 in a few days to keep operations going.