theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Dublin estate agent offers free accommodation to hospital workers

A Dublin-based estate agent is offering free accommodation to doctors and nurses who are living in situations unsuitable to their work during the coronavirus pandemic .
Andrew Rafter of Flynn and Associates is matching vacant properties , which are currently for sale , with hospital staff who need to live apart from their families or housemates to avoid potential contamination .
Mr Rafter has identified a number of properties close to hospitals that he had been marketing for sale , but which his clients have agreed can be used for short-term housing for hospital workers .
“ These are properties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacant and their vendors have agreed they can be offered , by way of a license agreement , to front line workers.
” The move follows new recommendations that hospital staff should live in separate accommodation to avoid the risk of spreading the virus .
Since Tuesday morning Mr Rafter has reached agreement on the use of four apartments , which he expects to be occupied hospital workers in the coming days , with five or six more homes already in the pipeline .
“ Obviously not every property for sale is empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the vendor is financially able , we would call on them to contact us and make that property available to a nurse or doctor for a short period of time.
” Licence agreements have been drawn up for Mr Rafter by Justin Hughes Solicitors .
“ The licence agreement protects the home owner while still allowing the hospital to use the property .
Unlike a lease a licence can be withdrawn on short notice and it doesn ’ t confer upon the occupier the tenancy rights associated with a lease , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially be for four weeks , but can be extended on a week-to-week basis .
While there will be no rental charge , a deposit would be requested , a portion of which could be used to cover cleaning if required at the end of the occupancy .
Mr Rafter is asking property owners to contact him at arafter @ flynnassociates.ie .
Meanwhile more than 50 homes have been offered for medics returning from abroad and other hospital workers under a local authority scheme which started less than one week ago .
Vacanthomes.ie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council on behalf of the local government sector , to allow local authorities to identify empty houses that could be used to help solve the housing crisis .
Tom Gilligan , director of services with Mayo County Council , has repurposed the site to source homes , on a three to six-month basis for key workers such as hospital staff .
“ We have had a phenomenal response to the call out .
We have been inundated with calls and queries , and we are logging new properties everyday .
We have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more coming in all the time , ” Mr Gilligan said .
The homes are mostly in Dublin , Galway , Limerick , Waterford and Cork .
Some have come from individuals , but a number of multiple property owners are also making homes available , he said .
A couple of home owners have also taken up Mr Gilligan ’ s suggestion that they would move to their holiday homes to free up their houses near to hospital .
“ We have been offered some great homes , including places 10 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close proximity to the Beacon .
It ’ s really been great to see people get behind this initiative .
”

A closed estate agents during the coronavirus outbreak. Flynn and Associates is offering free accommodation in unsold properties to doctors and nurses working during the Covid-19 crisis. File photograph: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg
A Dublin-based estate agent is offering free accommodation to doctors and nurses who are living in situations unsuitable to their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Andrew Rafter of Flynn and Associates is matching vacant properties, which are currently for sale, with hospital staff who need to live apart from their families or housemates to avoid potential contamination.
Mr Rafter has identified a number of properties close to hospitals that he had been marketing for sale, but which his clients have agreed can be used for short-term housing for hospital workers.
“These are properties that are for sale but are currently vacant and their vendors have agreed they can be offered, by way of a license agreement, to front line workers.”
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The move follows new recommendations that hospital staff should live in separate accommodation to avoid the risk of spreading the virus.
Since Tuesday morning Mr Rafter has reached agreement on the use of four apartments, which he expects to be occupied hospital workers in the coming days, with five or six more homes already in the pipeline.
“Obviously not every property for sale is empty, but where they are, and where the vendor is financially able, we would call on them to contact us and make that property available to a nurse or doctor for a short period of time.”
Licence agreements have been drawn up for Mr Rafter by Justin Hughes Solicitors.
"The licence agreement protects the home owner while still allowing the hospital to use the property. Unlike a lease a licence can be withdrawn on short notice and it doesn't confer upon the occupier the tenancy rights associated with a lease," Mr Hughes said.
The licences will initially be for four weeks, but can be extended on a week-to-week basis. While there will be no rental charge, a deposit would be requested, a portion of which could be used to cover cleaning if required at the end of the occupancy. Mr Rafter is asking property owners to contact him at arafter@flynnassociates.ie.
Returning medics
Meanwhile more than 50 homes have been offered for medics returning from abroad and other hospital workers under a local authority scheme which started less than one week ago.
Vacanthomes.ie was developed in 2017 by Mayo County Council on behalf of the local government sector, to allow local authorities to identify empty houses that could be used to help solve the housing crisis.
Tom Gilligan, director of services with Mayo County Council, has repurposed the site to source homes, on a three to six-month basis for key workers such as hospital staff.
“We have had a phenomenal response to the call out. We have been inundated with calls and queries, and we are logging new properties everyday. We have been offered more than 50 units, with more coming in all the time,” Mr Gilligan said.
The homes are mostly in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork. Some have come from individuals, but a number of multiple property owners are also making homes available, he said. A couple of home owners have also taken up Mr Gilligan’s suggestion that they would move to their holiday homes to free up their houses near to hospital.
"We have been offered some great homes, including places 10 minutes walk from the Mater Hospital and in close proximity to the Beacon. It's really been great to see people get behind this initiative."


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Gardaí waiting on new powers to enforce restrictions

The announcement of enhanced restrictions on social movement changed the role of policing in the coronavirus crisis , the president of the Garda Representative Association ( GRA ) has said .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a new public health policy last Friday , asking people to stay in their homes to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus .
Since then gardaí have been conducting increased patrols and have been stopping motorists to ask them where they are going .
However , their efforts are not yet backed by any new powers .
Emergency legislation passed two weeks ago provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Síochána to police people ’ s movements in the context of the epidemic , and arrest people who fail to comply with their instructions .
The powers do not come into effect until regulations under the new law are signed by Minister for Health Simon Harris .
His department and the Department of Justice are working on the regulations , but it is not clear when they will be ready for signing .
“ Details of the regulations will be published as soon as they are available , ” a spokeswoman for Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference call meeting with civil servants in the Department of Justice on Wednesday to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic , its effect on policing and the proposed regulations .
“ Both sides agreed to keep in contact over the coming weeks , ” a spokesman for the department said .
President of the GRA Jim Mulligan said his association sought the meeting to impress upon the department the need to ensure that the forthcoming regulations are “ robust and fit for purpose in respect of policing ” .
“ The new restrictions also mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the public , creating a greater need for personal protective equipment availability for guards – particularly face masks.
” This was in the interest of the health and safety of both the gardaí and the public , he said , adding that increased public interaction meant increased risk of gardaí becoming a vector for the virus .

The announcement of enhanced restrictions on social movement changed the role of policing in the coronavirus crisis, the president of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a new public health policy last Friday, asking people to stay in their homes to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Since then gardaí have been conducting increased patrols and have been stopping motorists to ask them where they are going. However, their efforts are not yet backed by any new powers.
Emergency legislation passed two weeks ago provides for extensive new powers for An Garda Síochána to police people’s movements in the context of the epidemic, and arrest people who fail to comply with their instructions.
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The powers do not come into effect until regulations under the new law are signed by Minister for Health Simon Harris. His department and the Department of Justice are working on the regulations, but it is not clear when they will be ready for signing.
“Details of the regulations will be published as soon as they are available,” a spokeswoman for Mr Harris said.
Fit for purpose
The GRA held a conference call meeting with civil servants in the Department of Justice on Wednesday to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, its effect on policing and the proposed regulations.
“Both sides agreed to keep in contact over the coming weeks,” a spokesman for the department said.
President of the GRA Jim Mulligan said his association sought the meeting to impress upon the department the need to ensure that the forthcoming regulations are "robust and fit for purpose in respect of policing".
“The new restrictions also mean gardaí will have far more frequent interaction with the public, creating a greater need for personal protective equipment availability for guards – particularly face masks.”
This was in the interest of the health and safety of both the gardaí and the public, he said, adding that increased public interaction meant increased risk of gardaí becoming a vector for the virus.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Launch of re-enlistment scheme for Defence Forces

Former Defence Forces members will be able to re-enlist for as short as three months as part of Government efforts to fight coronavirus .
The new scheme was launched on Wednesday following activating legislation passed by the Dáil two weeks ago .
The focus is on encouraging former members with specialist skills to re-enlist .
The scheme allows for an initial re-enlistment for a minimum of three months and for up to three years .
Technicians , fitters , chefs , communications and IT specialists and Naval staff are among the specialities in demand .
“ The focus of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expertise required to fill specialist vacancies that currently exist in the Permanent Defence Force , ” said Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe .
“ These returning personnel will assist in delivering Defence Forces supports in the Covid-19 response and beyond.
” The scheme applies to enlisted personnel only .
Former officers can already sign up again under an existing scheme .
A portal for re-enlistment will be established on military.ie .
Chief-of-Staff Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett will identify which roles are to be filled , and will make recommendations to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same rank they left at but must meet the age , medical and physical fitness requirements for that rank .
The Defence Forces ’ response to the current health crisis is primarily providing logistical and transport support to the HSE .

Paul Kehoe: “These returning personnel will assist in delivering Defence Forces supports in the Covid-19 response and beyond” TD, speaking to the media about the Public Service Pay Commission Report on Defence Forces in the Dept. of the Taoiseach today. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
Former Defence Forces members will be able to re-enlist for as short as three months as part of Government efforts to fight coronavirus.
The new scheme was launched on Wednesday following activating legislation passed by the Dáil two weeks ago. The focus is on encouraging former members with specialist skills to re-enlist. The scheme allows for an initial re-enlistment for a minimum of three months and for up to three years.
Technicians, fitters, chefs, communications and IT specialists and Naval staff are among the specialities in demand.
"The focus of this scheme will be on those with skills and expertise required to fill specialist vacancies that currently exist in the Permanent Defence Force," said Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe. "These returning personnel will assist in delivering Defence Forces supports in the Covid-19 response and beyond."
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The scheme applies to enlisted personnel only. Former officers can already sign up again under an existing scheme.
A portal for re-enlistment will be established on military.ie.
Chief-of-Staff Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett will identify which roles are to be filled, and will make recommendations to the Minister.
Those re-enlisting can join at the same rank they left at but must meet the age, medical and physical fitness requirements for that rank.
The Defence Forces’ response to the current health crisis is primarily providing logistical and transport support to the HSE.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Daffodil grower’s business blooms from online orders

Until a few weeks ago Darragh McCullough ( 43 ) was preparing to ship 160,000 daffodil stalks from his 75-acre farm to the Irish Cancer Society for its annual Daffodil Day fundraiser .
Mr McCullough has been growing flowers for commercial sale for 20 years on a farm in Gormanston , Co Meath , and each year sells to the Irish Cancer Society at cost for its fundraiser .
Following the cancellation of the annual March 27th fundraiser due to the coronavirus outbreak , he was left with huge numbers of daffodils to try to sell .
His usual business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shops , but “ local trade has evaporated ” in recent weeks , he said .
“ In five hours I moved my business online and did what I had been threatening to do for years , ” he told The Irish Times .
He began advertising bouquets of flowers for €20 on social media .
Mr McCullough said the business had since been “ inundated ” with demand for the flowers , which he now delivers via courier .
“ Probably in 24 hours we got 200 calls , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only thing I ’ m concerned about is processing all of them , ” he said .
The farm has four full-time staff and about 40 daffodil pickers , he said .
“ I finished up last night at 10pm and was back up at 6am today , ” he said .
There was “ a huge fear ” that the majority of the flowers would have had to be dumped , and it was a “ nervous time for everybody ” growing flowers commercially , he said .
But now , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could not visit due to coronavirus restrictions , and bouquets to be sent to staff in hospital intensive care units , he said .
The public health crisis had provided his business with an “ opportunity to bypass the middleman , ” and sell directly to customers , he said .

Until a few weeks ago Darragh McCullough (43) was preparing to ship 160,000 daffodil stalks from his 75-acre farm to the Irish Cancer Society for its annual Daffodil Day fundraiser.
Mr McCullough has been growing flowers for commercial sale for 20 years on a farm in Gormanston, Co Meath, and each year sells to the Irish Cancer Society at cost for its fundraiser.
Following the cancellation of the annual March 27th fundraiser due to the coronavirus outbreak, he was left with huge numbers of daffodils to try to sell.
His usual business model depends on selling flowers to supermarkets and shops, but “local trade has evaporated” in recent weeks, he said.
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“In five hours I moved my business online and did what I had been threatening to do for years,” he told The Irish Times. He began advertising bouquets of flowers for €20 on social media.
Mr McCullough said the business had since been “inundated” with demand for the flowers, which he now delivers via courier.
“Probably in 24 hours we got 200 calls, which is very big for a farm. The only thing I’m concerned about is processing all of them,” he said. The farm has four full-time staff and about 40 daffodil pickers, he said.
“I finished up last night at 10pm and was back up at 6am today,” he said.
There was “a huge fear” that the majority of the flowers would have had to be dumped, and it was a “nervous time for everybody” growing flowers commercially, he said.
But now, people were ordering flowers for relatives or parents they could not visit due to coronavirus restrictions, and bouquets to be sent to staff in hospital intensive care units, he said.
The public health crisis had provided his business with an “opportunity to bypass the middleman,” and sell directly to customers, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Supreme Court rules man has no legal right to remain in Ireland

A man from the Democratic Republic of Congo has lost his Supreme Court appeal over a decision he has no legal right to remain in Ireland .
His partner and two children remain legally here on foot of a residency permit granted in 2016 after they had been in the asylum application system for five years .
Aged in his 40s , the man has a complex immigration history involving asylum applications in the Netherlands , South Africa and Ireland during which he made a number of false claims .
The High Court described him as having engaged in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system here and in the Netherlands .
This week , the five-judge Supreme Court rejected his appeal over the High Court ’ s dismissal of his case .
It also dismissed a separate appeal brought on similar grounds by a Cameroon man but a deportation order in that case has since been withdrawn .
The unanimous judgment , delivered by Mr Justice William McKechnie , concerned the legal position in the State of persons pending a decision by the Minister for Justice on their requests to re-enter the international protection process .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Protection Act 2015 and a 2005 EC Directive on Minimum Standards on Procedures in Member States for the Granting and Withdrawal of Refugee Status .
Mr Justice McKechnie concluded the right to remain in the State ceases once the International Protection Office ( IPO ) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal ( IPAT ) has made an adverse recommendation under section 22.5 of the 2015 Act .
The Minister ’ s role was “ purely to implement ” the determination of the IPO or IPAT , he held .
He ruled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss an application for judicial review under the 2015 Act for abusive conduct by an applicant , that must be exercised “ sparingly ” and only where that conduct can be considered “ serious and significant in the context of the system as a whole ” .
Given the clear desirability of reaching a conclusion on the facts and the law , particularly where the asserted right is EU derived , a court should be “ quite reluctant ” to exercise this power unless quite satisfied it should do so .
The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful efforts to get asylum in the Netherlands .
He first came here in 2011 , failed to get asylum and returned to the Netherlands which refused him entry .
After Ireland agreed to a “ take-back ” request from the Dutch authorities , he sought subsidiary protection here in 2015 which was refused .
A deportation order was made in January 2017 , he applied to revoke that and also sought to be readmitted to the protection process , for which the Minister ’ s consent was required under section 22 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Minister his request be denied .
He did not appeal that recommendation to IPAT .
After the Minister refused to undertake not to deport him pending a decision by the Minister whether or not to grant consent to him to re-enter the asylum process , he sought judicial review .
The High Court ’ s Mr Justice Richard Humphreys refused the reliefs sought .
He added , even if he had found the man had a right to remain under the 2005 directive , he would have refused the reliefs because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse ” of the immigration system here and in the Netherlands .
A core issue in the Supreme Court appeal was whether he could be removed from the State before he received a decision from the Minister under section 22 of the 2015 Act .
Mr Justice McKechnie said the Minister , by virtue of section 22 , is obliged to give effect to the “ recommendations ” of the IPO and the IPAT unless he considers they endanger State security .
Under the 2005 directive , the man ’ s right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the designated body – in this case the IPO – in accordance with the specified procedure , he said .
The Minister ’ s involvement did not confer upon him any power or authority to make substantive decisions which affect applicants .

A man from the Democratic Republic of Congo has lost his Supreme Court appeal over a decision he has no legal right to remain in Ireland.
His partner and two children remain legally here on foot of a residency permit granted in 2016 after they had been in the asylum application system for five years.
Aged in his 40s, the man has a complex immigration history involving asylum applications in the Netherlands, South Africa and Ireland during which he made a number of false claims.
The High Court described him as having engaged in a "massive abuse" of the immigration system here and in the Netherlands.
READ MORE
This week, the five-judge Supreme Court rejected his appeal over the High Court’s dismissal of his case.
It also dismissed a separate appeal brought on similar grounds by a Cameroon man but a deportation order in that case has since been withdrawn.
The unanimous judgment, delivered by Mr Justice William McKechnie, concerned the legal position in the State of persons pending a decision by the Minister for Justice on their requests to re-enter the international protection process.
The court had to consider provisions of the International Protection Act 2015 and a 2005 EC Directive on Minimum Standards on Procedures in Member States for the Granting and Withdrawal of Refugee Status.
Mr Justice McKechnie concluded the right to remain in the State ceases once the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) has made an adverse recommendation under section 22.5 of the 2015 Act.
The Minister’s role was “purely to implement” the determination of the IPO or IPAT, he held.
He ruled, while the High Court has jurisdiction to dismiss an application for judicial review under the 2015 Act for abusive conduct by an applicant, that must be exercised “sparingly” and only where that conduct can be considered “serious and significant in the context of the system as a whole”.
Given the clear desirability of reaching a conclusion on the facts and the law, particularly where the asserted right is EU derived, a court should be “quite reluctant” to exercise this power unless quite satisfied it should do so.
The man’s immigration history from 2005 included unsuccessful efforts to get asylum in the Netherlands. He first came here in 2011, failed to get asylum and returned to the Netherlands which refused him entry.
After Ireland agreed to a “take-back” request from the Dutch authorities, he sought subsidiary protection here in 2015 which was refused. A deportation order was made in January 2017, he applied to revoke that and also sought to be readmitted to the protection process, for which the Minister’s consent was required under section 22.
In October 2017, the IPO recommended to the Minister his request be denied. He did not appeal that recommendation to IPAT.
After the Minister refused to undertake not to deport him pending a decision by the Minister whether or not to grant consent to him to re-enter the asylum process, he sought judicial review.
The High Court's Mr Justice Richard Humphreys refused the reliefs sought. He added, even if he had found the man had a right to remain under the 2005 directive, he would have refused the reliefs because the man engaged in a "massive abuse" of the immigration system here and in the Netherlands.
A core issue in the Supreme Court appeal was whether he could be removed from the State before he received a decision from the Minister under section 22 of the 2015 Act.
Mr Justice McKechnie said the Minister, by virtue of section 22, is obliged to give effect to the “recommendations” of the IPO and the IPAT unless he considers they endanger State security.
Under the 2005 directive, the man’s right to remain lasts until a decision is made by the designated body – in this case the IPO – in accordance with the specified procedure, he said. The Minister’s involvement did not confer upon him any power or authority to make substantive decisions which affect applicants.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Gardaí operating Covid-19 checkpoint seize €70,000 worth of heroin

Gardaí have warned drug dealers that they remain vigilant to their activities and will continue to pursue them even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic as evidenced by a €70,000 heroin seizure in North Cork yesterday .
Chief Supt Tom Myers of North Cork Garda Division said gardaí are maintaining a public presence to ensure people observe social isolation and social distancing but they remain vigilant for any sign of drug dealing or criminality .
“ We are operating Covid-19 checkpoints across the division to make sure that people abide by the Government guidelines , but just because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t mean we are not also investigating criminals .
“ Indeed , just last night , gardaí mounting one of our Covid-19 checkpoints on the main Cork-Dublin road had a significant success when they stopped a car near Fermoy and recovered €70,000 worth of heroin from a person in the car.
” “ We believe that heroin was destined for the Cork market but thanks to the vigilance of our officers in Fermoy , that ’ s €70,000 worth of heroin that we have taken off the streets of Cork this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was heading south on the M8 towards Cork city at Gortore just north of Fermoy shortly after midnight and when a passenger in the car began to look nervous , gardaí searched him and found the drugs .
The man , who is from the southside of Cork city , was found to be in possession of over half a kilo of heroin which was divided into four large bags and which he had concealed in his jacket .
The man was arrested at the scene by gardaí and brought to Fermoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers while detained under section 2 of the Criminal Justice ( Drug Trafficking ) Act , 1996 .
Gardaí later charged the man with possession of heroin for sale or supply contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and he was released on station bail to appear at Mallow District Court on April 24th .
Supt John Deasy of Fermoy Garda Station said the seizure was an example of gardaí seeking to ensure people abided by the Government guidelines while at the same remaining alert to the possibility of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoints , An Garda Síochána continues in a phase of engaging , educating and encouraging the public to be compliant with Government and HSE public health measures .
“ Whilst we are doing that , we are also preventing and detecting crime at this challenging time , ” said Supt Deasy , who paid tribute to the vigilance of the officers operating the Covid-19 checkpoint on the M8 .

Gardaí have warned drug dealers that they remain vigilant to their activities and will continue to pursue them even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic as evidenced by a €70,000 heroin seizure in North Cork yesterday.
Chief Supt Tom Myers of North Cork Garda Division said gardaí are maintaining a public presence to ensure people observe social isolation and social distancing but they remain vigilant for any sign of drug dealing or criminality.
“We are operating Covid-19 checkpoints across the division to make sure that people abide by the Government guidelines, but just because we are engaged in such work, it doesn’t mean we are not also investigating criminals.
"Indeed, just last night, gardaí mounting one of our Covid-19 checkpoints on the main Cork-Dublin road had a significant success when they stopped a car near Fermoy and recovered €70,000 worth of heroin from a person in the car."
READ MORE
“We believe that heroin was destined for the Cork market but thanks to the vigilance of our officers in Fermoy, that’s €70,000 worth of heroin that we have taken off the streets of Cork this week,”
Gardaí stopped the car which was heading south on the M8 towards Cork city at Gortore just north of Fermoy shortly after midnight and when a passenger in the car began to look nervous, gardaí searched him and found the drugs.
The man, who is from the southside of Cork city, was found to be in possession of over half a kilo of heroin which was divided into four large bags and which he had concealed in his jacket.
The man was arrested at the scene by gardaí and brought to Fermoy Garda Station where he was questioned by officers while detained under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
Gardaí later charged the man with possession of heroin for sale or supply contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and he was released on station bail to appear at Mallow District Court on April 24th.
Supt John Deasy of Fermoy Garda Station said the seizure was an example of gardaí seeking to ensure people abided by the Government guidelines while at the same remaining alert to the possibility of people committing crime.
"During these Covid-19 checkpoints, An Garda Síochána continues in a phase of engaging, educating and encouraging the public to be compliant with Government and HSE public health measures.
“Whilst we are doing that, we are also preventing and detecting crime at this challenging time,” said Supt Deasy, who paid tribute to the vigilance of the officers operating the Covid-19 checkpoint on the M8.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Russia’s failure to respond to concerns led to termination of extradition request

A failure by Russian authorities to respond to the High Court ’ s concerns about prison conditions and fair trial rights in Russia has resulted in the immediate “ termination ” of an extradition request .
Igor Khatlamadzhiyev ( 47 ) , with a last address at Victory of Revolution Prospect , Shakhty , in the Rostov region , was wanted for a number of alleged thefts and robberies in Russia between November 1997 and February 1998 .
The Russian citizen , who has two Irish-born children , allegedly went into hiding sometime after February 1998 , according to Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international wanted list by them in 2004 .
As Mr Khatlamadzhiyev could not be located by Russian authorities , the criminal case against him has been extended over the years by the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Chief Investigatory Directorate of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of the Rostov region .
He was arrested by detectives from the Garda ’ s extradition unit in August 2018 and taken to the High Court in Dublin where extradition proceedings have been ongoing .
Mr Justice Donald Binchy , the High Court judge in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Mr Khatlamadzhiyev in November but sought further information from Russian authorities before delivering judgment .
Mr Justice Binchy had asked the Russian authorities for specific assurances that Mr Khatlamadzhiyev would receive a fair trial in Russia .
He also asked for assurances with regard to the conditions of pretrial detention facilities and prisons in the Russian Federation .
However , no response from the Russian authorities has been forthcoming , despite a reminder being sent by Irish authorities in recent weeks .
Counsel for Mr Khatlamadzhiyev , Kieran Kelly BL , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian authorities led to an inevitable result .
Mr Kelly asked for his client to be discharged from proceedings and for his immediate release from custody , where he has been since August 2018 .
Mr Justice Tony Hunt , who was managing a number of extradition cases in the High Court on Wednesday , said he had spoken to Mr Justice Binchy and his colleague ’ s position was “ clear ” .
In the absence of any response from Russian authorities “ these proceedings should terminate ” .
Mr Justice Binchy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not spend any more time in custody on foot of these proceedings , having already spent 18 months on remand , the judge said .
Mr Justice Hunt told Mr Kelly , and his instructing solicitor Tony Hughes , to inform Mr Khatlamadzhiyev of the “ good news ” .
Ireland extended international extradition obligations to a number of countries , including the Russian Federation , in 2000 .
It is the second time the Irish High Court has refused to extradite an individual to Russia in recent years , with Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are “ long standing structural weaknesses and deficiencies in the Russian judicial and criminal justice system ” .
Among the weaknesses and deficiencies identified in Mr Justice Edwards ’ s judgment were concerns about the independence of the judiciary ; biases and unfairness in the system ; a disproportionately high rate of convictions ( in excess of 99 per cent ) save for where public officials are being tried for abuses ; difficulties in defendants obtaining effective legal representation ; an unhealthy relationship between prosecutors and the judiciary ; an unhealthy relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies with the latter frequently coercing confessions by means of violence , sometimes amounting to torture , excessive force and ill-treatment of persons in custody , and scant respect for the presumption of innocence .
“ The evidence is really all one way in that regard , ” Mr Justice Edwards said in his 2015 decision .
Mr Justice Binchy is expected to deliver his judgment in the coming weeks .

A failure by Russian authorities to respond to the High Court’s concerns about prison conditions and fair trial rights in Russia has resulted in the immediate “termination” of an extradition request.
Igor Khatlamadzhiyev (47), with a last address at Victory of Revolution Prospect, Shakhty, in the Rostov region, was wanted for a number of alleged thefts and robberies in Russia between November 1997 and February 1998.
The Russian citizen, who has two Irish-born children, allegedly went into hiding sometime after February 1998, according to Russian authorities, and was put on an international wanted list by them in 2004.
As Mr Khatlamadzhiyev could not be located by Russian authorities, the criminal case against him has been extended over the years by the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Chief Investigatory Directorate of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of the Rostov region.
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He was arrested by detectives from the Garda’s extradition unit in August 2018 and taken to the High Court in Dublin where extradition proceedings have been ongoing.
Mr Justice Donald Binchy, the High Court judge in charge of international extradition cases, heard the case against Mr Khatlamadzhiyev in November but sought further information from Russian authorities before delivering judgment.
Mr Justice Binchy had asked the Russian authorities for specific assurances that Mr Khatlamadzhiyev would receive a fair trial in Russia. He also asked for assurances with regard to the conditions of pretrial detention facilities and prisons in the Russian Federation.
However, no response from the Russian authorities has been forthcoming, despite a reminder being sent by Irish authorities in recent weeks.
Counsel for Mr Khatlamadzhiyev, Kieran Kelly BL, said the lack of a response from the Russian authorities led to an inevitable result.
Mr Kelly asked for his client to be discharged from proceedings and for his immediate release from custody, where he has been since August 2018.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt, who was managing a number of extradition cases in the High Court on Wednesday, said he had spoken to Mr Justice Binchy and his colleague’s position was “clear”. In the absence of any response from Russian authorities “these proceedings should terminate”.
Mr Justice Binchy’s concern was that Mr Khatlamadzhiyev should not spend any more time in custody on foot of these proceedings, having already spent 18 months on remand, the judge said.
Mr Justice Hunt told Mr Kelly, and his instructing solicitor Tony Hughes, to inform Mr Khatlamadzhiyev of the “good news”.
Ireland extended international extradition obligations to a number of countries, including the Russian Federation, in 2000.
It is the second time the Irish High Court has refused to extradite an individual to Russia in recent years, with Mr Justice John Edwards holding in 2015 that there are “long standing structural weaknesses and deficiencies in the Russian judicial and criminal justice system”.
Among the weaknesses and deficiencies identified in Mr Justice Edwards’s judgment were concerns about the independence of the judiciary; biases and unfairness in the system; a disproportionately high rate of convictions (in excess of 99 per cent) save for where public officials are being tried for abuses; difficulties in defendants obtaining effective legal representation; an unhealthy relationship between prosecutors and the judiciary; an unhealthy relationship between the prosecution service and law enforcement agencies with the latter frequently coercing confessions by means of violence, sometimes amounting to torture, excessive force and ill-treatment of persons in custody, and scant respect for the presumption of innocence.
“The evidence is really all one way in that regard,” Mr Justice Edwards said in his 2015 decision.
Mr Justice Binchy is expected to deliver his judgment in the coming weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Teenage girl ‘pimped out’ by criminal gang, Child and Family Agency tells court

A 13-year-old girl is being sexually exploited by a criminal gang and “ pimped out ” for prostitution , the High Court has been told .
The girl was described as a child who loved to play and “ cradle and cuddle her teddy bears.
” On foot of an application by the Child and Family Agency ( CFA ) on Wednesday , the girl is now to be detained in a special care unit .
Mr Justice Senan Allen granted the CFA an order permitting gardaí detain her and bring her to the unit where she will receive therapeutic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which initially lasts eight days but can be extended .
The girl came to Ireland with her parents in 2018 .
She came to the attention of social services because of the parents ’ alcohol abuse and the father ’ s aggressive behaviour towards his daughter .
She was put in foster care last year and has been in a series of residential places which have broken down , her social worker said in an affidavit .
David Leahy BL , instructed by Mason Hayes and Curran solicitors , for the CFA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times since February from a care home where she had been placed .
The parents became homeless and the family , including the daughter , spent nights sleeping rough before the parents got accommodation in a homeless shelter where problems again arose because of their drinking .
Last February , her parents expressed concern to the social worker she was being exploited by a criminal gang and was having sex with members of it .
She had acquired expensive new mobile phones and money , counsel said .
It had not been possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placements , the social worker said .
It was reported she was one of a number of girls who were “ being pimped out ” by one man at a certain location , counsel said .
The girl had denied engaging in sexual activity but said she had been offered money for sex , counsel said .
However , in the last two weeks , she had sought a pregnancy test which proved negative , he said .
She has being going on trips to Belfast on a weekly basis for the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carer had also observed video footage on her phone of a sexual nature .
She also goes off with groups of up to 20 people and admits to have been “ driven all over Ireland , ” he said .
The gang she is involved in has some 200 members from age 12 to adulthood and she is the leader of a sub-group within the gang which has led to resentment among older members because of her age , counsel said .
She says she smokes and drinks but has never been observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a marijuana grinder she said she was keeping that for someone else .
A toxicology test found only traces of paracetamol on her .
She has been involved in shoplifting and may be being used to carry drugs in her hair due to the fact gardaí would be unlikely to stop her because of her age , counsel said .
She is not engaging in school and found the transition from primary to secondary difficult , he added .
Mr Justice Allen said while this was an ex-parte ( one side only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the girl ’ s parents who would be provided with legal representation by the CFA for the duration of any care order .
He also appointed a separate guardian ad litem to represent the girl .
Her behaviour had given rise to an apprehension of an immediate risk of harm and gardaí and her social worker believe she was being exploited for the purpose of prostitution , he said .
She had given accounts of her movements which seemed to justify those concerns .
He made an order committing her to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a special unit and adjourned the case to Thursday .

A 13-year-old girl is being sexually exploited by a criminal gang and “pimped out” for prostitution, the High Court has been told.
The girl was described as a child who loved to play and “cradle and cuddle her teddy bears.”
On foot of an application by the Child and Family Agency (CFA) on Wednesday, the girl is now to be detained in a special care unit.
Mr Justice Senan Allen granted the CFA an order permitting gardaí detain her and bring her to the unit where she will receive therapeutic care for the duration of the order, which initially lasts eight days but can be extended.
READ MORE
The girl came to Ireland with her parents in 2018. She came to the attention of social services because of the parents’ alcohol abuse and the father’s aggressive behaviour towards his daughter.
She was put in foster care last year and has been in a series of residential places which have broken down, her social worker said in an affidavit.
David Leahy BL, instructed by Mason Hayes and Curran solicitors, for the CFA, said she has gone missing 20 times since February from a care home where she had been placed.
The parents became homeless and the family, including the daughter, spent nights sleeping rough before the parents got accommodation in a homeless shelter where problems again arose because of their drinking.
Last February, her parents expressed concern to the social worker she was being exploited by a criminal gang and was having sex with members of it. She had acquired expensive new mobile phones and money, counsel said. It had not been possible to keep her safe in the various placements, the social worker said. It was reported she was one of a number of girls who were “being pimped out” by one man at a certain location, counsel said.
The girl had denied engaging in sexual activity but said she had been offered money for sex, counsel said. However, in the last two weeks, she had sought a pregnancy test which proved negative, he said. She has being going on trips to Belfast on a weekly basis for the whole day, he said. Her foster carer had also observed video footage on her phone of a sexual nature. She also goes off with groups of up to 20 people and admits to have been “driven all over Ireland,” he said.
The gang she is involved in has some 200 members from age 12 to adulthood and she is the leader of a sub-group within the gang which has led to resentment among older members because of her age, counsel said.
She says she smokes and drinks but has never been observed intoxicated. She was found in possession of a marijuana grinder she said she was keeping that for someone else.
A toxicology test found only traces of paracetamol on her. She has been involved in shoplifting and may be being used to carry drugs in her hair due to the fact gardaí would be unlikely to stop her because of her age, counsel said. She is not engaging in school and found the transition from primary to secondary difficult, he added.
Mr Justice Allen said while this was an ex-parte (one side only represented) application, it was supported by the girl’s parents who would be provided with legal representation by the CFA for the duration of any care order. He also appointed a separate guardian ad litem to represent the girl.
Her behaviour had given rise to an apprehension of an immediate risk of harm and gardaí and her social worker believe she was being exploited for the purpose of prostitution, he said. She had given accounts of her movements which seemed to justify those concerns.
He made an order committing her to the care of the CFA for eight days in a special unit and adjourned the case to Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--People in residential care with Covid-19 should be kept in homes, crisis team says

The residents of nursing homes and other residential care institutions who have Covid-19 should be kept in the homes if there is no “ clinical or other advantage ” to them being moved , according to the national team overseeing the coronavirus crisis .
With approximately one in five of all cases of the disease arising in long term residential care ( LRTC ) settings , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has come up with six policies aimed at keeping people in the homes to the greatest extent possible , while preventing the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider community .
Ireland has about 29,000 people in nursing homes and more again in homes for the disabled and those with mental health conditions .
The World Health Organisation has identified LTRC residents as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 .
Age , the high prevalence of underlying medical conditions , and the high level of physical contact involved in their care , all contribute to making the residents vulnerable .
The infection clusters that have developed in nursing homes have created an urgent need to develop “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LTRCs , according to a document drafted by the NPHET for circulation to the institutions .
Among the measures to be put in place are “ teams of last resort ” that will be ready to go into individual LRTCs for short periods to ensure service delivery .
Some homes have been experiencing staff pressures and each time a case of Covid-19 breaks , it creates increased staffing pressures because of the care regimes that have to be put in place .
The six categories of measures contained in the circular address new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; staff screening and prioritising for testing for Covid-19 ; transmission mitigation ; the provision of personal protection equipment and oxygen ; training ; and preparedness plans for infection outbreaks .
Transmission mitigation measures include the provision of transport and new residential facilities for staff , and minimising staff working in multiple LRTCs or between institutions where there are cases of the virus and where there are not .
As well as prioritising LRTC staff for Covid-19 testing , the NPHET has also recommended that LRTC staff have their temperatures taken twice a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team has recommended that sufficient staff get training in infection prevention control , personal protection equipment use , oxygen delivery , pallitative care , end of life care , and “ pronouncement of death ” .
The team has recommended that each institution plan for the cohorting of patients ( those with and without Covid-19 ) , surges in infection , and for the promotion of communication with families and residents .
The chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland , Tadhg Daly , has said the private and voluntary nursing home sector , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in need of significant financial support .
The issue is not addressed in the NPHET document , but following a meeting with the Minister for Health , Simon Harris , earlier this week , Mr Daly said the minister had committed to bringing forward a “ package of financial supports ” before the end of the week .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar launching a coronavirus isolation facility in Dublin. The NPHET has developed six policies aimed at keeping people in nursing and care homes. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland/PA Wire
The residents of nursing homes and other residential care institutions who have Covid-19 should be kept in the homes if there is no “clinical or other advantage” to them being moved, according to the national team overseeing the coronavirus crisis.
With approximately one in five of all cases of the disease arising in long term residential care (LRTC) settings, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has come up with six policies aimed at keeping people in the homes to the greatest extent possible, while preventing the spread of the virus within LTRCs and onwards into the wider community.
Ireland has about 29,000 people in nursing homes and more again in homes for the disabled and those with mental health conditions. The World Health Organisation has identified LTRC residents as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.
Age, the high prevalence of underlying medical conditions, and the high level of physical contact involved in their care, all contribute to making the residents vulnerable.
READ MORE
‘Enhanced measures’
The infection clusters that have developed in nursing homes have created an urgent need to develop “focused and enhanced measures” to address LTRCs, according to a document drafted by the NPHET for circulation to the institutions.
Among the measures to be put in place are “teams of last resort” that will be ready to go into individual LRTCs for short periods to ensure service delivery.
Some homes have been experiencing staff pressures and each time a case of Covid-19 breaks, it creates increased staffing pressures because of the care regimes that have to be put in place.
The six categories of measures contained in the circular address new national and regional teams to oversee LRTCs; staff screening and prioritising for testing for Covid-19; transmission mitigation; the provision of personal protection equipment and oxygen; training; and preparedness plans for infection outbreaks.
Transmission mitigation measures include the provision of transport and new residential facilities for staff, and minimising staff working in multiple LRTCs or between institutions where there are cases of the virus and where there are not.
As well as prioritising LRTC staff for Covid-19 testing, the NPHET has also recommended that LRTC staff have their temperatures taken twice a day.
Staff training
On training, the emergency team has recommended that sufficient staff get training in infection prevention control, personal protection equipment use, oxygen delivery, pallitative care, end of life care, and “pronouncement of death”.
The team has recommended that each institution plan for the cohorting of patients (those with and without Covid-19), surges in infection, and for the promotion of communication with families and residents.
The chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadhg Daly, has said the private and voluntary nursing home sector, which looks after 25,000 people, is in need of significant financial support.
The issue is not addressed in the NPHET document, but following a meeting with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, earlier this week, Mr Daly said the minister had committed to bringing forward a "package of financial supports" before the end of the week.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Gardaí in Dublin south central use more force than in other parts of country

Garda members in south central Dublin used force more often than their colleagues in other parts of the country but , overall , the use of force by gardaí is low , Garda Headquarters has said .
A new system for counting how often frontline gardaí use pepper sprays , why they use them and whether the incidents are properly recorded , is currently being established within the Garda .
Garda members are already obliged to record when they use pepper spray and account for why they use it .
However , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is introducing what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for recording and checking each incident .
Under those plans , “ use of force ” data will also be published regularly .
Furthermore , the new system for counting and checking incidents and publishing “ use of force ” trends will be expanded beyond pepper spray to include other forms of force regularly used in policing .
However , an initial set of “ use of force ” data has been included in a report to the Policing Authority by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris .
It defines use of force as any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns or batons or deployed pepper spray or stun guns in January and February .
According to Mr Harris ’ s report to the authority , there were 136 such incidents nationally in January and 84 in February ; patterns which he described as “ relatively small ” .
The drop in force , of 52 incidents , between January and February was accounted for largely in the Dublin Garda divisions , where numbers fell by 21 incidents .
Most of the national decrease in the use of force in February related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than in January .
Despite the overall decrease in force in February , force was used during policing in domestic settings five per cent more often and reduced by four per cent in public outdoor areas .
The report to the Policing Authority notes the Dublin south central division “ stayed the highest division for force usage ” in both January and February .
Rates of force “ significantly ” increased in February in the Dublin north central and Waterford Garda divisions while it dropped significantly in Galway .
Garda sources said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busiest policing divisions in the Republic and also policing the main night life areas of the city , including Temple Bar and Camden Street , it was not surprising force was used more often there .
Mr Harris said a more complete picture of trends in the use of force would become clearer as trends were recorded and published over time .
He cautioned against over-analysing increases or decreases in “ use of force ” trends in each Garda division .
“ From the review of data nationally it is clear to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low use of force in January had higher levels in February , ” he said .
“ An example of this was where in one particular incident , use of force was necessary on a number of persons .
“ Given the relatively low numbers on a monthly basis , one incident may bring a division into the upper levels of force use , when usually there is a relatively low level traditionally used in that sivision.
” The “ absolute number of incidents per division is relatively low ” so percentage rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution ” , he said .

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is introducing what he believes will be a more robust system for recording and checking each incident. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Garda members in south central Dublin used force more often than their colleagues in other parts of the country but, overall, the use of force by gardaí is low, Garda Headquarters has said.
A new system for counting how often frontline gardaí use pepper sprays, why they use them and whether the incidents are properly recorded, is currently being established within the Garda.
Garda members are already obliged to record when they use pepper spray and account for why they use it.
However, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is introducing what he believes will be a more robust system for recording and checking each incident. Under those plans, “use of force” data will also be published regularly. Furthermore, the new system for counting and checking incidents and publishing “use of force” trends will be expanded beyond pepper spray to include other forms of force regularly used in policing.
READ MORE
However, an initial set of “use of force” data has been included in a report to the Policing Authority by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. It defines use of force as any incident in which Garda members drew their guns or batons or deployed pepper spray or stun guns in January and February.
According to Mr Harris’s report to the authority, there were 136 such incidents nationally in January and 84 in February; patterns which he described as “relatively small”.
The drop in force, of 52 incidents, between January and February was accounted for largely in the Dublin Garda divisions, where numbers fell by 21 incidents. Most of the national decrease in the use of force in February related to incapacitant sprays, with 45 fewer discharges than in January.
Despite the overall decrease in force in February, force was used during policing in domestic settings five per cent more often and reduced by four per cent in public outdoor areas.
The report to the Policing Authority notes the Dublin south central division “stayed the highest division for force usage” in both January and February.
Rates of force “significantly” increased in February in the Dublin north central and Waterford Garda divisions while it dropped significantly in Galway.
Garda sources said as Dublin south central was one of the busiest policing divisions in the Republic and also policing the main night life areas of the city, including Temple Bar and Camden Street, it was not surprising force was used more often there.
Mr Harris said a more complete picture of trends in the use of force would become clearer as trends were recorded and published over time. He cautioned against over-analysing increases or decreases in “use of force” trends in each Garda division. “From the review of data nationally it is clear to see that some divisions which had a relatively low use of force in January had higher levels in February,” he said. “An example of this was where in one particular incident, use of force was necessary on a number of persons. “Given the relatively low numbers on a monthly basis, one incident may bring a division into the upper levels of force use, when usually there is a relatively low level traditionally used in that sivision.” The “absolute number of incidents per division is relatively low” so percentage rates of change “should be used with caution”, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Warning that 3,000 people could die in North over 20 weeks

Up to 3,000 people could die of coronavirus in the North in 20 weeks , according to estimates by the Department of Health .
Under “ reasonable worst-case scenario ” modelling , the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic is expected between April 6th and April 20th .
During this peak it is expected that each week there would be 500 hospital admissions , and 180 patients with Covid-19 would require ventilation and critical care beds .
The North ’ s Health for Minister , Robin Swann , also warned that in the absence of a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of coronavirus cases once current restrictions on movement were reduced .
The deaths of two further patients with coronavirus were recorded in Northern Ireland on Wednesday , bringing the total number of deaths to 30 .
There were 103 new confirmed cases of coronavirus .
The total number of confirmed cases is now at 689 , with 200 of those in Belfast .
The figure of 3,000 is significantly less than the “ worst-case nightmare scenario ” of up to 15,000 deaths , which Mr Swann warned of two weeks ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the health service in the North “ would have a realistic prospect of coping in this initial period if a sufficient proportion of the population adhere to the social distancing and self-isolation measures ” .
However , he said there was “ no grounds whatsoever for dropping our guard ” , and the projections “ underline that the continuation of rigorous social distancing will save many lives and protect our health service from collapse ” .
“ Even then a reasonable worst-case scenario would involve significant loss of life in Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily press briefing at Parliament Buildings in Stormont , the first minister , Arlene Foster , said the statistics were “ sobering ” and under this scenario “ the death toll would be about 500 people of short of the lives lost in the Troubles.
” The figures , she said , “ underline the importance of members of the public adhering to public health advice.
” Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster ’ s Talkback programme , the chief medical officer , Dr Michael McBride , said he was “ as certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North would have sufficient ventilators to cope with the peak .
He said 165 were currently available , and there were “ significantly more on order and we anticipate our share of the UK consignment ... somewhere in the region of 190 ventilators to be with us in the very near future ” .
Dr McBride also said that while there was “ much talk about the differences on the approach to strategy on a North-South [ basis ] , there is to my mind absolute unanimity of approach in terms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said both sides of the Border shared a common purpose and a common enemy in the coronavirus .
“ There is more in common across our plan than is actually different , but there are nuanced differences in terms of timing , in terms of how the epidemic is behaving , and we will continue to be guided by the best available advice that we have available to us.
” The Department of Health ’ s “ reasonable worst-case scenario ” modelling is based on a number of assumptions , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent reduction in contacts outside the home and workplace , and that 70 per cent of symptomatic cases adhere to isolation .
“ The modelling team authors emphasise that the work is not a prediction or forecast , rather a model for planning purposes , ” the department said .
It also stated that “ it is assumed that current restrictions remain in place for the foreseeable future ” .
“ When the current restrictions are relaxed , there will be a second wave .
Future modelling will focus on the size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions are relaxed or reintroduced .
“ This will remain the case until there is substantial population immunity either as a result of recovery from infection or successful vaccination .
”

A section of a British army base in Co Down is to be prepared as a mortuary as part of the North’s Covid-19 planning. Photograph: Alan Lewis - Photopress
Up to 3,000 people could die of coronavirus in the North in 20 weeks, according to estimates by the Department of Health.
Under “reasonable worst-case scenario” modelling, the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic is expected between April 6th and April 20th. During this peak it is expected that each week there would be 500 hospital admissions, and 180 patients with Covid-19 would require ventilation and critical care beds.
The North's Health for Minister, Robin Swann, also warned that in the absence of a vaccine there would be a "second wave" of coronavirus cases once current restrictions on movement were reduced.
The deaths of two further patients with coronavirus were recorded in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths to 30. There were 103 new confirmed cases of coronavirus.
READ MORE
The total number of confirmed cases is now at 689, with 200 of those in Belfast.
The figure of 3,000 is significantly less than the “worst-case nightmare scenario” of up to 15,000 deaths, which Mr Swann warned of two weeks ago.
On Wednesday he said the modelling indicated that the health service in the North “would have a realistic prospect of coping in this initial period if a sufficient proportion of the population adhere to the social distancing and self-isolation measures”.
However, he said there was “no grounds whatsoever for dropping our guard”, and the projections “underline that the continuation of rigorous social distancing will save many lives and protect our health service from collapse”.
“Even then a reasonable worst-case scenario would involve significant loss of life in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Speaking during the daily press briefing at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, the first minister, Arlene Foster, said the statistics were “sobering” and under this scenario “the death toll would be about 500 people of short of the lives lost in the Troubles.”
The figures, she said, “underline the importance of members of the public adhering to public health advice.”
Consignment
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, the chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, said he was “as certain as I can be” that the North would have sufficient ventilators to cope with the peak.
He said 165 were currently available, and there were “significantly more on order and we anticipate our share of the UK consignment...somewhere in the region of 190 ventilators to be with us in the very near future”.
Dr McBride also said that while there was “much talk about the differences on the approach to strategy on a North-South [basis], there is to my mind absolute unanimity of approach in terms of the steps that have been taken”.
He said both sides of the Border shared a common purpose and a common enemy in the coronavirus.
“There is more in common across our plan than is actually different, but there are nuanced differences in terms of timing, in terms of how the epidemic is behaving, and we will continue to be guided by the best available advice that we have available to us.”
The Department of Health’s “reasonable worst-case scenario” modelling is based on a number of assumptions, which include that social distancing measures produce a 66 per cent reduction in contacts outside the home and workplace, and that 70 per cent of symptomatic cases adhere to isolation.
Planning purposes
“The modelling team authors emphasise that the work is not a prediction or forecast, rather a model for planning purposes,” the department said.
It also stated that “it is assumed that current restrictions remain in place for the foreseeable future”.
“When the current restrictions are relaxed, there will be a second wave. Future modelling will focus on the size and shape of this depending on how/when restrictions are relaxed or reintroduced.
“This will remain the case until there is substantial population immunity either as a result of recovery from infection or successful vaccination.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Covid-19 threat denied by homeless woman accused of attacking two gardaí

A homeless woman accused of attacking two gardaí in Dublin city-centre has been refused bail after a court heard she spat at them and threatened she had the coronavirus .
Julie McDonagh ( 34 ) , who is of no fixed abode , was charged with assault causing harm to two gardaí at Marlborough Street , Dublin 1 on Tuesday .
She also had connected charges for breach of the peace , being intoxicated and indecent behaviour in a Garda station .
She was refused bail after she appeared before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his client was vulnerable , had been bullied on the street and in recent times she had been in genuine fear .
In this instance , she had been trying to get into a hostel because she was desperate to get off the street , but she had drink taken .
He said there were garda suggestions she had been spitting and making Covid-19 threats , which are denied .
“ She said she never said she had coronavirus , she did say she had Aids but did not say it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He told Judge Malone his client had been on the floor of a garda van distressed and restrained by gardaí .
She was animated and “ may have been spitting inadvertently when she was talking upset ; she was trying to communicate with gardaí ” .
The solicitor said there was a distinction between deliberately spitting at gardaí and people who are distressed .
Any spittle would have been accidental , he argued .
The court heard the woman had trying to get into a hostel but was refused and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was when gardaí came across her .
Ms McDonagh spoke briefly during the hearing to say she was apologising to the hostel .
She was remanded in custody to appear again on Friday .

Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher said his client was vulnerable, had been bullied on the street and in recent times she had been in genuine fear. Photograph: Alan Betson /The Irish Times
A homeless woman accused of attacking two gardaí in Dublin city-centre has been refused bail after a court heard she spat at them and threatened she had the coronavirus.
Julie McDonagh (34), who is of no fixed abode, was charged with assault causing harm to two gardaí at Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 on Tuesday. She also had connected charges for breach of the peace, being intoxicated and indecent behaviour in a Garda station.
She was refused bail after she appeared before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.
Pleading for bail defence solicitor Michael Kelleher said his client was vulnerable, had been bullied on the street and in recent times she had been in genuine fear.
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In this instance, she had been trying to get into a hostel because she was desperate to get off the street, but she had drink taken. He said there were garda suggestions she had been spitting and making Covid-19 threats, which are denied.
“She said she never said she had coronavirus, she did say she had Aids but did not say it in a threatening manner,” the solicitor said.
He told Judge Malone his client had been on the floor of a garda van distressed and restrained by gardaí.
She was animated and “may have been spitting inadvertently when she was talking upset; she was trying to communicate with gardaí”.
The solicitor said there was a distinction between deliberately spitting at gardaí and people who are distressed. Any spittle would have been accidental, he argued.
The court heard the woman had trying to get into a hostel but was refused and the staff may have had reason. That was when gardaí came across her.
Ms McDonagh spoke briefly during the hearing to say she was apologising to the hostel.
She was remanded in custody to appear again on Friday.


theirishtimes--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Dáil sitting prompts ‘admonishment’ from State’s top civil servant

The State ’ s most senior civil servant has issued the Oireachtas with what is being characterised as a “ gentle admonishment ” to TDs over the Dáil sitting tomorrow .
Martin Fraser , the secretary general of the Government , sent a letter to his counterpart in the Oireachtas , Peter Finnegan , which has been forwarded to TDs .
Mr Fraser highlighted that “ everyone in the country has been asked stay at home , subject to the limited exceptions which have been published by the Government ” .
He also said he is “ sure ” this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minds of Oireachtas officials and TDs organising Dáil business .
It comes ahead of the Dáil sitting on Thursday afternoon to hear statements on the coronavirus crisis and on social protection measures .
No legislation will be debated and the sitting has provoked division among some parties , with Sinn Féin and People Before Profit insisting the Dáil must meet .
Others , such as Labour , have said TDs should not gather at a time of national lockdown to deal with the coronavirus crisis .
Sources described Mr Fraser ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TDs .
Attendance at tomorrow ’ s Dáil session is restricted to 30 per cent of the total 160 TDs and only two people from each party and group will be allowed in the chamber at any time to ensure physical distancing .
Mr Finnegan told TDs he had received “ communication ” from Mr Fraser .
He said , among other issues , Mr Fraser “ highlights the extraordinary constraints that everyone is operating under at present ” .
“ He states that everyone has been asked to stay at home subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Government .
And he concludes by saying that he is sure that the public health advice will be uppermost in the considerations of the business committee at this extraordinary time.
” The business committee decides the timings and schedules of the Dáil .
In his letter to Mr Finnegan , Mr Fraser , said : “ Obviously we are all operating under extraordinary constraints which I know you fully recognise .
“ We will , of course , give priority to the national effort to deal with the public health emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In essence , everyone in the country has been asked stay at home , subject to the limited exceptions which have been published by the Government .
To do otherwise is to risk the spread of the Covid-19 disease and to put fellow citizens , including those working on the front-line in our health service , at risk .
“ I am sure this public health advice will be uppermost in your mind and in the considerations of the business committee at this extraordinary time .
”

Martin Fraser (pictured), the secretary general of the Government, sent a letter to his counterpart in the Oireachtas, Peter Finnegan.
The State's most senior civil servant has issued the Oireachtas with what is being characterised as a "gentle admonishment" to TDs over the Dáil sitting tomorrow.
Martin Fraser, the secretary general of the Government, sent a letter to his counterpart in the Oireachtas, Peter Finnegan, which has been forwarded to TDs.
Mr Fraser highlighted that “everyone in the country has been asked stay at home, subject to the limited exceptions which have been published by the Government”. He also said he is “sure” this public health advice would be uppermost in the minds of Oireachtas officials and TDs organising Dáil business.
It comes ahead of the Dáil sitting on Thursday afternoon to hear statements on the coronavirus crisis and on social protection measures. No legislation will be debated and the sitting has provoked division among some parties, with Sinn Féin and People Before Profit insisting the Dáil must meet.
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Others, such as Labour, have said TDs should not gather at a time of national lockdown to deal with the coronavirus crisis. Sources described Mr Fraser's letter as "gentle admonishment" of TDs.
Attendance at tomorrow’s Dáil session is restricted to 30 per cent of the total 160 TDs and only two people from each party and group will be allowed in the chamber at any time to ensure physical distancing.
Mr Finnegan told TDs he had received “communication” from Mr Fraser. He said, among other issues, Mr Fraser “highlights the extraordinary constraints that everyone is operating under at present”.
“He states that everyone has been asked to stay at home subject to limited exceptions which have been published by the Government. And he concludes by saying that he is sure that the public health advice will be uppermost in the considerations of the business committee at this extraordinary time.”
The business committee decides the timings and schedules of the Dáil.
In his letter to Mr Finnegan, Mr Fraser, said: “Obviously we are all operating under extraordinary constraints which I know you fully recognise.
“We will, of course, give priority to the national effort to deal with the public health emergency and to protect all of our citizens.
“In essence, everyone in the country has been asked stay at home, subject to the limited exceptions which have been published by the Government. To do otherwise is to risk the spread of the Covid-19 disease and to put fellow citizens, including those working on the front-line in our health service, at risk.
“I am sure this public health advice will be uppermost in your mind and in the considerations of the business committee at this extraordinary time.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-02--Irish family pay tribute to UK medic who died from Covid-19

The Irish family of the first frontline medic to die in the UK ’ s coronavirus outbreak are “ devastated ” at his loss , his Co Carlow-based brother-in-law has said .
Amged El-Hawrani , an ear , nose and throat consultant working in England , died at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Saturday after becoming infected from treating Covid19 patients .
Mr El-Hawrani ( 55 ) met his Irish wife Pamela Foley while at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RSCI ) in Dublin .
They married in 1996 in Ms Foley ’ s home town of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later worked at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for a number of years .
“ He was kind , he was caring .
The two things he cared most about in his life were his family and his work .
He dedicated his life to both , ” his brother-in-law Francis Foley told The Irish Times .
Mr Foley said his sister was struggling with the loss of her husband .
“ She is finding it very tough – she is devastated , ” he said .
Dr Antonia Lehane , president of RCSI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr El-Hawrani , who graduated from the Dublin medical school in 1993 , was “ an exceptional person ” .
Mr El-Hawrani ’ s colleagues at Queen ’ s Hospital in Burton in the east midlands in England where he worked paid tribute to him with a minute ’ s silence in his honour at the weekend .
Dr Magnus Harrison , the medical director of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton trust , said that Mr El-Hawrani was “ fit and healthy ” before contracting the virus in early February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El-Hawrani described his brother as a hero .
He said that the Irish-educated doctor “ would have been heavily exposed ” to the virus during his work with Covid19-infected patients .
“ He worked so hard both private and NHS at many hospitals .
He saw hundreds and hundreds of patients .
We don ’ t know how many patients he was exposed to , ” Mr El-Hawrani told the BBC .
“ Is he a hero ?
Of course , just like every doctor and every nurse and anyone working the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has also lost someone because of this virus.
” Mr El-Hawrani ’ s family paid tribute to him in a statement at the weekend , describing him as “ the rock of our family – incredibly strong , compassionate , caring and giving.
” His 18-year-old son Ashraf paid tribute to his father saying that he taught him “ the significance of respect and equality ” .
“ He did not seek the praise and approval of others .
He was satisfied by viewing the positive effects of his actions and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the statement released by University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust .
“ I am incredibly proud to say that for 18 years of my life , Amged El-Hawrani was my father .
”

Consultant Amged El-Hawrani became the first frontline NHS hospital worker to die after testing positive for Covid-19. Photograph: University Hospitals Derby and Burton/PA Wire
The Irish family of the first frontline medic to die in the UK’s coronavirus outbreak are “devastated” at his loss, his Co Carlow-based brother-in-law has said.
Amged El-Hawrani, an ear, nose and throat consultant working in England, died at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Saturday after becoming infected from treating Covid19 patients.
Mr El-Hawrani (55) met his Irish wife Pamela Foley while at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI) in Dublin. They married in 1996 in Ms Foley's home town of Tullow, Co Carlow. The doctor later worked at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for a number of years.
"He was kind, he was caring. The two things he cared most about in his life were his family and his work. He dedicated his life to both," his brother-in-law Francis Foley told The Irish Times.
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Mr Foley said his sister was struggling with the loss of her husband. “She is finding it very tough – she is devastated,” he said.
Dr Antonia Lehane, president of RCSI's medical graduates' association, said Mr El-Hawrani, who graduated from the Dublin medical school in 1993, was "an exceptional person".
Mr El-Hawrani’s colleagues at Queen’s Hospital in Burton in the east midlands in England where he worked paid tribute to him with a minute’s silence in his honour at the weekend.
Dr Magnus Harrison, the medical director of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton trust, said that Mr El-Hawrani was "fit and healthy" before contracting the virus in early February.
The medic’s brother Amal El-Hawrani described his brother as a hero.
He said that the Irish-educated doctor “would have been heavily exposed” to the virus during his work with Covid19-infected patients.
"He worked so hard both private and NHS at many hospitals. He saw hundreds and hundreds of patients. We don't know how many patients he was exposed to," Mr El-Hawrani told the BBC.
“Is he a hero? Of course, just like every doctor and every nurse and anyone working the NHS. My heart goes out to anyone who has also lost someone because of this virus.”
Mr El-Hawrani’s family paid tribute to him in a statement at the weekend, describing him as “the rock of our family – incredibly strong, compassionate, caring and giving.”
His 18-year-old son Ashraf paid tribute to his father saying that he taught him “the significance of respect and equality”.
“He did not seek the praise and approval of others. He was satisfied by viewing the positive effects of his actions and the wellbeing of his family,” he said in the statement released by University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
“I am incredibly proud to say that for 18 years of my life, Amged El-Hawrani was my father.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-02--Almost 90% of applicants receive Covid-19 unemployment payment

Almost 90 per cent of people who lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and applied for the Government ’ s emergency unemployment payment received it .
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has made the €350 a week payment to 283,000 people who have become unemployed during the Covid-19 outbreak .
About 30,000 who applied for the payment before March 26th did not receive the payment on Tuesday because they were ineligible or their application contained incorrect information .
About half of these people were ineligible because they were not between the ages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not in self-employment before March 13th They could also be ineligible because they were not laid off or lost their own business because of the outbreak , received some pay or were not fully unemployed or were not resident in Ireland .
A department spokeswoman said the appeals process does not apply to people whose applications have been rejected because the Covid-19 scheme is an emergency payment .
A further 15,000 people had submitted applications which contained information that was not correct , such as an incorrect personal public service number or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is making every effort to contact all of these customers as soon as possible .
However , this is proving difficult and will take some time , ” said the department .
These applicants were encouraged , if they believe they are eligible , to resubmit their application on the MyWelfare.ie website clearly stating their last date of employment .
The department said that if they are eligible , payment will be made as soon as possible .
Any applications received before Thursday , a one-week payment will made the following Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any arrears due back to their last date of employment will be calculated and paid at a future date .
More than 35,000 employers have registered for the Government ’ s wage subsidy scheme set up to help companies who can not pay their staff wages due to the pandemic but who want to retain links with their employees so they can be rehired when businesses reopen after the health crisis .
Revenue received 35,830 registrations from employers as of Wednesday night , including 10,106 who registered in the two previous days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid up to 70 per cent of an employee ’ s take-home pay up to a maximum weekly tax-free payment of €410 , which is equal to 70 per cent of take-home weekly income of an annual salary of €38,000 .
Employers are expected to make best efforts to maintain as close to 100 per cent normal income for the subsidised period .
To qualify for the scheme they must show that they have experienced significant economic disruption due to Covid19 and they have lost at least 25 per cent of turnover .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the State .
The numbers receiving unemployment benefit is set to rise by about 300,000 in March to an all-time high of 482,000 , pushing the unemployment rate to 17 per cent , Goodbody Stockbrokers said .

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has made the €350 a week payment to 283,000 people who have become unemployed during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Almost 90 per cent applications for the Government’s emergency unemployment payment from people who lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have been approved.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has to date made the €350 weekly payment to 283,000 people out of work because of the outbreak.
About 30,000 who applied for the payment before March 26th did not receive it on Tuesday because they were ineligible or their application contained incorrect information.
Around half of these were deemed ineligible because they were not aged 18 to 66 or had been unemployed or not in self-employment before March 13th. They may also be ineligible because they were not laid off or lost their own business because of the outbreak, received some pay or were not fully unemployed, or were not resident in the State.
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A department spokeswoman said an appeals process does not apply for turned down applicants because the Covid-19 scheme is an emergency payment.
The department said a further 15,000 people submitted applications containing incorrect information such PPS numbers or bank account details. “The department is making every effort to contact all of these customers as soon as possible. However, this is proving difficult and will take some time.”
These applicants were encouraged, if they believe they are eligible, to resubmit their application on the MyWelfare.ie website, clearly stating their last date of employment.
The department said that if they are eligible, payment will be made as soon as possible. For applications received before Thursday, a one-week payment will made the following Tuesday. The initial payment would be €350 and arrears due will be calculated and paid at a future date.
More than 35,800 employers have registered with Revenue for the Government’s wage subsidy scheme set up to help companies who cannot pay their staff due to the pandemic but who want to retain links with employees so they can be return when businesses reopen after the crisis.
Under the scheme, employers will be paid up to 70 per cent of an employee’s take-home pay, up to a maximum weekly tax-free payment of €410, which is equal to 70 per cent of take-home weekly income on a €38,000 salary.
Employers are expected to make best efforts to maintain as close to 100 per cent normal income for the subsidised period. To qualify for the scheme they must show that they have experienced significant economic disruption due to Covid-19 and have lost at least 25 per cent of turnover.
The department said about 4 per cent of the 283,000 people receiving the unemployment payment - some 11,000 - had their money paid to a post office as they did not have bank accounts.
A spokeswoman said that to reduce queues at post offices during payment pick-ups, the department is making social welfare and other Covid19-related payments on a fortnightly basis, and these can be collected for up to 90 days.
People also have the option of having their payment collected by an appointed person or they can switch their payments to a bank account if they fill out particular forms.


theirishtimes--2020-04-02--Testing on some Irish samples to be carried out in Europe, HSE says

Covid-19 testing on samples taken from patients in Ireland is to be carried out in Europe , HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said .
Priority cases will continue be processed in Ireland , Mr Reid told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Séan O ’ Rourke .
The decision to transfer some of the tests to a “ reputable organisation in Europe ” comes amid a backlog caused by a worldwide shortage in test kits .
Priority testing will continue in Ireland for priority cases such as health workers and patients in hospitals .
Additional test kits are expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The reliability of Chinese test kits will need to be validated when they arrive , Mr Reid added .
The HSE is also working with Irish pharma and bio-pharma companies and third level institutions to determine their capacity to “ ramp up ” testing .
“ We are in the top tier of the world in terms of testing .
We are in the top five .
We are working around the clock and are at a squeeze point now , ” Mr Reid said .
He said there has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for the reagent used in testing .
Ireland has gone from zero test centres to 50 , from 36 contact tracers to 1,400 , a figure which will rise to 4,000 and from one laboratory to 19 , he said .
Mr Reid said he wants to get to the stage where there are between 10,000 to 15,000 tests being carried out a day , but that will not happen in the next week , he warned .
At present 2,600 tests per day are being carried out .
Using laboratories abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Mr Reid stressed that the most important thing the public can do is to adhere to the guidelines with regard to hand hygiene and to stay at home .
“ It is so important.
” Meanwhile , an infectious disease physician at St Vincent ’ s hospital has called for testing for healthcare workers to be prioritised over community testing .
Paddy Mallon , who is also professor of microbial diseases at UCD school of medicine , called for a slowing down of community testing for Covid-19 and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
It would be more beneficial to keep more health care staff at work , he told Newstalk Breakfast .
Although “ a huge amount of work ” is going on into seeking out alternative options for testing , “ for the moment we need to accept we can not do it right , so for the next week or two the focus should be on health care workers.
” Prof Mallon said that if the rate of admission to intensive care continues to increase then that would not be sustainable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge and the only thing that is going to protect the health system is the measures we ’ re taking.
” He said further measures , aimed at avoiding new infections entering the country , may need to be taken if the situation deteriorates .
There are very few countries not taking measures to protect their borders , he said .
“ The longer we do nothing the more concerned I ’ d be.
” Immunologist Paul Moynagh has said that Ireland should be striving to increase testing for Covid-19 to 15,000 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achievable .
Every positive case that can be identified will help reduce the rate of transmission , he told Morning Ireland .
Prof Moynagh , who is also head of the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health at NUI Maynooth , added that because so much of the infection and transmission comes from people who are asymptotic , it was really important to try to capture the level of infection in the community .
Ways to bypass the current bottleneck need to be examined , he said .
It should also be investigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so testing can be scaled up .

A medical staff member collects samples of a patient at a medical centre in Paris for a Covid-19 test. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images
Covid-19 testing on samples taken from patients in Ireland is to be carried out in Europe, HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said.
Priority cases will continue be processed in Ireland, Mr Reid told RTÉ radio’s Today with Séan O’Rourke.
The decision to transfer some of the tests to a “reputable organisation in Europe” comes amid a backlog caused by a worldwide shortage in test kits.
Priority testing will continue in Ireland for priority cases such as health workers and patients in hospitals.
READ MORE
Additional test kits are expected to arrive in Ireland within 10 days. The reliability of Chinese test kits will need to be validated when they arrive, Mr Reid added.
The HSE is also working with Irish pharma and bio-pharma companies and third level institutions to determine their capacity to “ramp up” testing.
“We are in the top tier of the world in terms of testing. We are in the top five. We are working around the clock and are at a squeeze point now,” Mr Reid said.
He said there has been a 1,000 per cent growth worldwide in the demand for the reagent used in testing.
Contact tracers
Ireland has gone from zero test centres to 50, from 36 contact tracers to 1,400, a figure which will rise to 4,000 and from one laboratory to 19, he said.
Mr Reid said he wants to get to the stage where there are between 10,000 to 15,000 tests being carried out a day, but that will not happen in the next week, he warned. At present 2,600 tests per day are being carried out.
Using laboratories abroad to carry out testing will be significant, he said.
Mr Reid stressed that the most important thing the public can do is to adhere to the guidelines with regard to hand hygiene and to stay at home. “It is so important.”
Meanwhile, an infectious disease physician at St Vincent’s hospital has called for testing for healthcare workers to be prioritised over community testing.
Paddy Mallon, who is also professor of microbial diseases at UCD school of medicine, called for a slowing down of community testing for Covid-19 and a ramping up of testing for health care workers.
It would be more beneficial to keep more health care staff at work, he told Newstalk Breakfast.
Although “a huge amount of work” is going on into seeking out alternative options for testing, “for the moment we need to accept we cannot do it right, so for the next week or two the focus should be on health care workers.”
Prof Mallon said that if the rate of admission to intensive care continues to increase then that would not be sustainable.
“We are now on a knife edge and the only thing that is going to protect the health system is the measures we’re taking.”
He said further measures, aimed at avoiding new infections entering the country, may need to be taken if the situation deteriorates.
Borders
There are very few countries not taking measures to protect their borders, he said. “The longer we do nothing the more concerned I’d be.”
Immunologist Paul Moynagh has said that Ireland should be striving to increase testing for Covid-19 to 15,000 a day, a target he believes is achievable.
Every positive case that can be identified will help reduce the rate of transmission, he told Morning Ireland.
Prof Moynagh, who is also head of the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health at NUI Maynooth, added that because so much of the infection and transmission comes from people who are asymptotic, it was really important to try to capture the level of infection in the community.
Ways to bypass the current bottleneck need to be examined, he said. It should also be investigated if the pharmaceutical sector can provide support, so testing can be scaled up.


theirishtimes--2020-04-02--Coronavirus: ‘Significant minority’ of Travellers not following guidelines, says Pavee Point

“ A significant minority ” of Travellers are not observing the guidelines with regard to Covid-19 , the director of @ @ @ @ @ Martin Collins of the Traveller and Roma support centre told RTÉ Radio ’ s Morning @ @ @ @ @ large ” the message about the importance of social and physical distancing and hand washing @ @ @ @ @ and that Travellers are observing the restrictions .
But there is “ a significant minority @ @ @ @ @ taking this issue seriously ” and are not following the guidelines .
Winnie Reilly added @ @ @ @ @ some members of the Traveller community , especially older people , many of whom could @ @ @ @ @ not follow the instructions in the booklet issued by the Government .
Limited space also @ @ @ @ @ to self isolate , and she pointed out it was difficult to follow hand-washing instructions @ @ @ @

“A significant minority” of Travellers are not observing the guidelines with regard to Covid-19, the director of Pavee Point has said.
Martin Collins of the Traveller and Roma support centre told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland that “by and large” the message about the importance of social and physical distancing and hand washing is “getting across” and that Travellers are observing the restrictions.
But there is “a significant minority” who are “not taking this issue seriously” and are not following the guidelines.
Winnie Reilly added there are huge challenges for some members of the Traveller community, especially older people, many of whom could not read and so could not follow the instructions in the booklet issued by the Government.
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Limited space also made it difficult for anyone to self isolate, and she pointed out it was difficult to follow hand-washing instructions without running water.