theirishtimes--2020-06-28--Emotional scenes as newly elected Taoiseach Micheál Martin returns to Cork

They may not have been gathering tar barrels as they did in Blackpool when Jack Lynch returned in triumph after his landslide 1977 general election win , but the people of Ballinlough more than held their own when they turned out to welcome home Cork ’ s second ever Taoiseach , Micheál Martin .
Around 100 people lined the entrance into Silver Manor - the small , leafy cul-de sac estate at the end of the Ballinlough Road – where the Taoiseach and his wife Mary have lived since 1990 .
Their children Micheál Aodh , Aoibhe and Cillian were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Martin stopped the state car on the Ballinlough Road so he could get out and meet the many well wishers from a safe social distance .
The whole crowd was soon singing the Cork anthem .
There were emotional scenes as Mary , their two sons and daughter waited patiently outside their home to hug the man who , when he waved goodbye to them last weekend to head for Dublin , did not know whether or not he would achieve his long held ambition to lead his country .
Composing himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved into one of the last two houses in the estate , remarking at the time that it was smack dab in the middle of his Cork South Central constituency and not far from Turners Cross where he had grown up .
“ I want to thank my neighbours because we had a lovely friendship here since we came here 30 years ago – it ’ s been a great oasis for me and it ’ s wonderful to meet all of those people who worked long and hard for me over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downs , ” he said .
Mary acknowledged it had been difficult for her and their children not to be at the National Convention Centre on Saturday to see her husband elected Taoiseach but part of her was glad the Covid-19 regulations had prevented her from travelling as she found it emotional just watching on TV .
“ One side of me was glad I was able to watch it all from the privacy of my own home because it was quite emotional – we ’ re just thrilled and will do all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mary who met her future husband in the Donagh O Malley Fianna Fáil Cumman in UCC in the 1980s .
Mr Martin too was in reflective mood when asked how his late father , Paddy , a CIÉ bus driver , champion boxer and footballing teammate of Cork ’ s only other taoiseach , Jack Lynch , would feel at seeing his son elected Ireland ’ s 15th holder of that office .
“ I think he would be quietly proud – we were brought up not to use the word ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t like it but he would be a happy man – he was a kind of proud Irishman and he loved his country and right through my career , he was there – very sound , a wise fellow with good judgement .
“ My parents came through very tough times and they wanted to raise us and give us an education and I think that resilience is there somewhere to keep going – we all come through – we have one life and we have to live it to the fullest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he imparted to me .
”

They may not have been gathering tar barrels as they did in Blackpool when Jack Lynch returned in triumph after his landslide 1977 general election win, but the people of Ballinlough more than held their own when they turned out to welcome home Cork's second ever Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
Around 100 people lined the entrance into Silver Manor - the small, leafy cul-de sac estate at the end of the Ballinlough Road – where the Taoiseach and his wife Mary have lived since 1990. Their children Micheál Aodh, Aoibhe and Cillian were there with Mary to welcome him.
Mr Martin stopped the state car on the Ballinlough Road so he could get out and meet the many well wishers from a safe social distance. The whole crowd was soon singing the Cork anthem.
There were emotional scenes as Mary, their two sons and daughter waited patiently outside their home to hug the man who, when he waved goodbye to them last weekend to head for Dublin, did not know whether or not he would achieve his long held ambition to lead his country.
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Composing himself, Mr Martin recalled how they had moved into one of the last two houses in the estate, remarking at the time that it was smack dab in the middle of his Cork South Central constituency and not far from Turners Cross where he had grown up.
‘Lovely friendship’
“I want to thank my neighbours because we had a lovely friendship here since we came here 30 years ago – it’s been a great oasis for me and it’s wonderful to meet all of those people who worked long and hard for me over the years, shared the ups and the downs,” he said.
Mary acknowledged it had been difficult for her and their children not to be at the National Convention Centre on Saturday to see her husband elected Taoiseach but part of her was glad the Covid-19 regulations had prevented her from travelling as she found it emotional just watching on TV.
"One side of me was glad I was able to watch it all from the privacy of my own home because it was quite emotional – we're just thrilled and will do all we can to help Micheál," said Mary who met her future husband in the Donagh O Malley Fianna Fáil Cumman in UCC in the 1980s.
Reflective mood
Mr Martin too was in reflective mood when asked how his late father, Paddy, a CIÉ bus driver, champion boxer and footballing teammate of Cork’s only other taoiseach, Jack Lynch , would feel at seeing his son elected Ireland’s 15th holder of that office.
“I think he would be quietly proud – we were brought up not to use the word ‘proud’, the mother didn’t like it but he would be a happy man – he was a kind of proud Irishman and he loved his country and right through my career, he was there – very sound, a wise fellow with good judgement.
“My parents came through very tough times and they wanted to raise us and give us an education and I think that resilience is there somewhere to keep going – we all come through – we have one life and we have to live it to the fullest and I think that’s the philosophy that he imparted to me.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-28--Coronavirus: One more death in the State as businesses prepare to reopen on Monday

One more person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died , the Department of Health reported on Sunday evening .
This brings to 1,735 the number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic .
There were also another three confirmed cases notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Sunday , the Department said .
The total number of Covid-19 cases now stands at 25,439 , it said .
Northern Ireland ’ s department of health also reported one more Covid-19 death on Sunday , taking the total number of fatalities in the North to 550 .
Businesses across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Monday .
Hotels , restaurants , pubs serving food and childcare providers are among a range of businesses set to open for the first time since mid-March .
Childcare providers estimate that about 85 per cent of the 1,800 full-time services which normally operate during the summer months are set to open on Monday morning .
The outgoing government last week confirmed Ireland would move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society from Monday , June 29th .
From that date : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the islands , will be permitted ; • Pubs operating as restaurants can open on Monday , while others must remain closed until July 20th ; • Indoor mass gatherings are limited to 50 people , but there is an exception for places of worship which will also open on Monday .
Outdoor gatherings are limited to 200 people ; • Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport , with plans to sanction those breaching the rules ; • A 14-day quarantine remains in place , but foreign travel restrictions will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list will be compiled before then , detailing the countries people can travel between without having to undergo quarantine ; • Hairdressers , barbers , salons , spas , make-up application services , tanning , tattooing and piercing services can all reopen on Monday ; • Cultural outlets , including museums , galleries , theatres and cinemas can open , as can the hospitality sector , including cafes , restaurants , and hotel bars serving food ; • Hotels , caravan parks , holiday parks , hostels and swimming pools can open again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , childminders , preschools , summer and youth camps can reopen ; and • Team leagues for adults and children , as well as close-contact sports and organised sporting spectator events – with crowd limits in place can begin on Monday .
The next phase is scheduled to begin on July 20th , when pubs , bars , hotel bars and casinos can reopen , with the number of people permitted at an outdoor event rising to 500 , and 100 indoors .

Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport from Monday. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
One more person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died, the Department of Health reported on Sunday evening. This brings to 1,735 the number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic.
There were also another three confirmed cases notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Sunday, the Department said.
The total number of Covid-19 cases now stands at 25,439, it said.
Northern Ireland’s department of health also reported one more Covid-19 death on Sunday, taking the total number of fatalities in the North to 550.
READ MORE
Businesses across the Republic have been making final preparations for a further easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Monday.
Hotels, restaurants, pubs serving food and childcare providers are among a range of businesses set to open for the first time since mid-March.
Childcare providers estimate that about 85 per cent of the 1,800 full-time services which normally operate during the summer months are set to open on Monday morning.
The outgoing government last week confirmed Ireland would move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society from Monday, June 29th. From that date:
Travel throughout the State, including the islands, will be permitted;
Pubs operating as restaurants can open on Monday, while others must remain closed until July 20th;
Indoor mass gatherings are limited to 50 people, but there is an exception for places of worship which will also open on Monday. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 200 people;
Face coverings will be mandatory on public transport, with plans to sanction those breaching the rules;
A 14-day quarantine remains in place, but foreign travel restrictions will be eased from July 9th. A green list will be compiled before then, detailing the countries people can travel between without having to undergo quarantine;
Hairdressers, barbers, salons, spas, make-up application services, tanning, tattooing and piercing services can all reopen on Monday;
Cultural outlets, including museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas can open, as can the hospitality sector, including cafes, restaurants, and hotel bars serving food;
Hotels, caravan parks, holiday parks, hostels and swimming pools can open again;
Adult education centres, creches, childminders, preschools, summer and youth camps can reopen; and
Team leagues for adults and children, as well as close-contact sports and organised sporting spectator events – with crowd limits in place can begin on Monday.
The next phase is scheduled to begin on July 20th, when pubs, bars, hotel bars and casinos can reopen, with the number of people permitted at an outdoor event rising to 500, and 100 indoors.


theirishtimes--2020-06-28--Man with dissident links chased by two masked men and shot dead

The PSNI detective leading the investigation into the murder of dissident republican Warren Crossan in west Belfast on Saturday has described the killing as “ callous and reckless ” .
Mr Crossan ( 28 ) was chased by two gunmen and then shot dead in St Katharine ’ s Road in West Belfast on Saturday afternoon .
His father , Tommy Crossman , a member of the Continuity IRA was shot dead , also in west Belfast , just over six years ago .
Mr Crossan , who was previously questioned by PSNI detectives about the murder of Dublin criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had travelled from his home in Crumlin , Co Antrim to his family home in Rodney Parade on Saturday .
“ We believe that two masked gunmen chased the victim from the junction of Rodney Parade and St James ’ s Road along Rodney Parade and St Katharine ’ s Road whist firing a number of shots , fatally wounding him , ” said Detective Chief Inspector Darren McCartney .
“ This was a callous and reckless killing .
To bring firearms onto a residential street in broad daylight simply beggars belief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The gunmen did not give any thought to the risk posed to local people in this community when they ran through the streets firing shots , at least one of which struck a vehicle owned by a resident , ” he said .
The dead man had strong dissident republican connections and was believed to be heavily involved in drugs dealing .
At the time of his murder he was on bail charged with the importing £180,000 worth of cocaine into Northern Ireland .
Just over six years ago his father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was murdered in a gun attack in west Belfast .
Tommy Crossan was involved in a split in the Continuity IRA where he was a senior Belfast commander .
Two of the main lines of inquiry for Warren Crossan ’ s murder , it is understood , relate , firstly , to a feud within dissident republicans and , secondly , to the murder in Ardoyne in north Belfast in April of well-know Dublin criminal , Robbie Lawlor .
Mr Lawlor was suspected of ordering the murder and dismembering of 17-year- old Keane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was speculation over the weekend that Mr Crossman ’ s killing may have been in revenge for the murder of Robbie Lawler .
The PSNI said it has not ruled out organised crime links to Warren Crossan ’ s killing .
The senior investigating officer , Detective Chief Inspector McCartney however said it was “ too early to speculate on the motive for this callous murder ” .
When asked if the PSNI were cooperating with an Garda Síochána in the investigation he said , “ It is a very early stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely nothing out at this time .
We have investigations ongoing throughout the length and breadth of the country.
” The area where Mr Crossan was murdered was busy with pedestrians and motorists on Saturday .
Detective Chief Inspector McCartney appealed to anyone with information to bring it forward to the police .
The Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey said the killers had “ absolutely no place in our community ” , while adding , “ They must cease their anti-community activities and get off the back of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Heading said those responsible for the “ barbaric crime ” had no local support .
“ They need to be caught and brought to justice .
I would encourage anyone with information to bring it to the police as soon as possible , ” he said .
The West Belfast People Before Profit Assembly member Gerry Carroll said people were “ outraged at this horrific attack ” .

The PSNI detective leading the investigation into the murder of dissident republican Warren Crossan in west Belfast on Saturday has described the killing as “callous and reckless”. Photograph: PSNI/PA Wire
The PSNI detective leading the investigation into the murder of dissident republican Warren Crossan in west Belfast on Saturday has described the killing as "callous and reckless".
Mr Crossan (28) was chased by two gunmen and then shot dead in St Katharine’s Road in West Belfast on Saturday afternoon. His father, Tommy Crossman, a member of the Continuity IRA was shot dead, also in west Belfast, just over six years ago.
Mr Crossan, who was previously questioned by PSNI detectives about the murder of Dublin criminal Robbie Lawlor in north Belfast in April, had travelled from his home in Crumlin, Co Antrim to his family home in Rodney Parade on Saturday.
“We believe that two masked gunmen chased the victim from the junction of Rodney Parade and St James’s Road along Rodney Parade and St Katharine’s Road whist firing a number of shots, fatally wounding him,” said Detective Chief Inspector Darren McCartney.
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“This was a callous and reckless killing. To bring firearms onto a residential street in broad daylight simply beggars belief,” he added on Sunday.
“The gunmen did not give any thought to the risk posed to local people in this community when they ran through the streets firing shots, at least one of which struck a vehicle owned by a resident,” he said.
The dead man had strong dissident republican connections and was believed to be heavily involved in drugs dealing. At the time of his murder he was on bail charged with the importing £180,000 worth of cocaine into Northern Ireland.
Just over six years ago his father, also a dissident republican, Tommy Crossan was murdered in a gun attack in west Belfast.
Tommy Crossan was involved in a split in the Continuity IRA where he was a senior Belfast commander.
Lines of inquiry
Two of the main lines of inquiry for Warren Crossan’s murder, it is understood, relate, firstly, to a feud within dissident republicans and, secondly, to the murder in Ardoyne in north Belfast in April of well-know Dublin criminal, Robbie Lawlor.
Mr Lawlor was suspected of ordering the murder and dismembering of 17-year- old Keane Mulready-Woods in Drogheda earlier this year.
There was speculation over the weekend that Mr Crossman’s killing may have been in revenge for the murder of Robbie Lawler.
The PSNI said it has not ruled out organised crime links to Warren Crossan’s killing. The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector McCartney however said it was “too early to speculate on the motive for this callous murder”.
When asked if the PSNI were cooperating with an Garda Síochána in the investigation he said, "It is a very early stage in the investigation but I am ruling absolutely nothing out at this time. We have investigations ongoing throughout the length and breadth of the country."
The area where Mr Crossan was murdered was busy with pedestrians and motorists on Saturday. Detective Chief Inspector McCartney appealed to anyone with information to bring it forward to the police.
The Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey said the killers had “absolutely no place in our community”, while adding, “They must cease their anti-community activities and get off the back of the people of west Belfast.”
Belfast SDLP councillor Brian Heading said those responsible for the “barbaric crime” had no local support. “They need to be caught and brought to justice. I would encourage anyone with information to bring it to the police as soon as possible,” he said.
The West Belfast People Before Profit Assembly member Gerry Carroll said people were “outraged at this horrific attack”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-28--Family of Noah Donohoe (14) grateful for ‘love and empathy’

PSNI detectives are seeking to trace the final movements of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe to try to determine why he died .
The body of the missing teenager was found on Saturday morning in a storm drain in north Belfast .
Police do not suspect foul play .
The Donohoe family in a statement on Sunday expressed their “ heartfelt gratitude for the support , outpouring of love , and empathy ” they received .
“ From walking with us , both physically and spiritually , to feeling our pain , we recognise that everyone has lost Noah , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mummy always told him that he would change the world , ” they said .
“ He was very special .
It is very hard to do justice or honour the extraordinary relationship Noah and his mummy shared .
In his 14 years his mummy got so much from their special bond , he taught his mummy so much .
They were each other ’ s world.
” They said that details of the funeral would be announced soon .
“ Noah loved his school and his friends at school , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they need to say goodbye too , ” they said .
Prayers for Noah and for his mother Fiona and family were said at a number of church services in Belfast on Sunday .
Paul McBride , the principal of St Malachy ’ s College where Noah went to school said the whole school mourned his loss .
He described Noah as a talented cellist and keen basketball and rugby player .
In his three years at the school he won a number of awards including “ ‘ The Spirit of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class prizes and UK Maths Challenge success .
“ He was a natural leader who led by example .
His caring nature , calm demeanour and big smile were some of his great gifts that helped others do their best , ” said Mr McBride .
Noah Donohoe , from south Belfast , went missing after cycling across the city on Sunday ( June 21st ) .
He was last seen in the Northwood Road area just after 6pm .
He had cycled approximately 4 km across the city from his home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police believe he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head .
He was seen discarding his clothes and cycling naked , actions which police and his family said were “ completely out of character.
” Scores of volunteers assisted police in searches that were conducted throughout last week .
People hoped that the teenager may have suffered some form of concussion or amnesia and that eventually he would be discovered alive .
But on Saturday morning the PSNI reported that his body was discovered around 9.45 am that morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortem is to take place and the investigation into the circumstances of his disappearance is continuing .
“ But there is no evidence to suggest foul play , ” he said at a press conference at the weekend at PSNI Musgrave Station in central Belfast .
He said Noah ’ s body was found in a storm drain complex in north Belfast that was almost a kilometre long .
It had been searched for a number of days but finding the body took so long because it was an “ extremely challenging environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue officers were involved .
“ They were working in the pitch black.
” Supt Clark said it was possible that the reported head injury that Noah suffered played a part in his death .
He hoped the post mortem would provide some answers in this regard .
Asked was the storm drain covered or would a person have to proactively enter it or could they fall into it Supt Clark replied : “ You would have to proactively enter it.
” During the searches last week Noah ’ s backpack , laptop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rules For Life by Jordan B Peterson were recovered .
Supt Clark said police were continuing to examine the laptop .
He hoped this might answer some of the questions about why Noah had cycled from the south of the city to the north .
Supt Clark also criticised rumours about the teenager ’ s disappearance that were circulating on social media and , he said , were “ completely without foundation ” .
One man is due to appear in court over a video he posted about the missing teenager .

PSNI detectives are seeking to trace the final movements of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe to try to determine why he died. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
PSNI detectives are seeking to trace the final movements of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe to try to determine why he died.
The body of the missing teenager was found on Saturday morning in a storm drain in north Belfast. Police do not suspect foul play.
The Donohoe family in a statement on Sunday expressed their “heartfelt gratitude for the support, outpouring of love, and empathy” they received.
“From walking with us, both physically and spiritually, to feeling our pain, we recognise that everyone has lost Noah,” said the family.
READ MORE
“Noah’s mummy always told him that he would change the world,” they said.
“He was very special. It is very hard to do justice or honour the extraordinary relationship Noah and his mummy shared. In his 14 years his mummy got so much from their special bond, he taught his mummy so much. They were each other’s world.”
They said that details of the funeral would be announced soon. “Noah loved his school and his friends at school, and we know that they will be grieving too and they need to say goodbye too,” they said.
Fiona Donohoe, the mother of Noah Donohoe, outside Musgrave Police Station in Belfast last week during a public appeal over his disappearance. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Prayers for Noah and for his mother Fiona and family were said at a number of church services in Belfast on Sunday.
Paul McBride, the principal of St Malachy’s College where Noah went to school said the whole school mourned his loss. He described Noah as a talented cellist and keen basketball and rugby player. In his three years at the school he won a number of awards including “‘The Spirit of the College Award’, full attendance, class prizes and UK Maths Challenge success.
“He was a natural leader who led by example. His caring nature, calm demeanour and big smile were some of his great gifts that helped others do their best,” said Mr McBride.
Noah Donohoe, from south Belfast, went missing after cycling across the city on Sunday (June 21st). He was last seen in the Northwood Road area just after 6pm.
He had cycled approximately 4 km across the city from his home in south Belfast to north Belfast, where police believe he may have fallen off his bicycle and hit his head.
He was seen discarding his clothes and cycling naked, actions which police and his family said were “completely out of character.”
Scores of volunteers assisted police in searches that were conducted throughout last week. People hoped that the teenager may have suffered some form of concussion or amnesia and that eventually he would be discovered alive.
But on Saturday morning the PSNI reported that his body was discovered around 9.45 am that morning.
PSNI Superintendent Muir Clark said a post mortem is to take place and the investigation into the circumstances of his disappearance is continuing.
“But there is no evidence to suggest foul play,” he said at a press conference at the weekend at PSNI Musgrave Station in central Belfast.
He said Noah’s body was found in a storm drain complex in north Belfast that was almost a kilometre long.
It had been searched for a number of days but finding the body took so long because it was an “extremely challenging environment”. He said specialist search and rescue officers were involved. “They were working in the pitch black.”
Supt Clark said it was possible that the reported head injury that Noah suffered played a part in his death. He hoped the post mortem would provide some answers in this regard.
Asked was the storm drain covered or would a person have to proactively enter it or could they fall into it Supt Clark replied: “You would have to proactively enter it.”
During the searches last week Noah’s backpack, laptop and a copy of the book Twelve Rules For Life by Jordan B Peterson were recovered.
Supt Clark said police were continuing to examine the laptop. He hoped this might answer some of the questions about why Noah had cycled from the south of the city to the north.
Supt Clark also criticised rumours about the teenager’s disappearance that were circulating on social media and, he said, were “completely without foundation”.
One man is due to appear in court over a video he posted about the missing teenager.


theirishtimes--2020-06-29--German firm’s action against well-known Irish film producers is resolved

The long-running legal saga between a German film company and two well-known Irish film producers over the running of film production company has been resolved .
Berlin-based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH claim was against producers Morgan O ’ Sullivan and James Flynn who it is alleged diverted the funds out of Octagon Films Ltd , a company they had all been shareholders in .
The German company alleged sums of between €40m and €50m were diverted out of the company to either themselves personally or corporate entities controlled by them .
Both the defendants , who are directors in Octagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The action , which first came before the court in 2016 returned on Monday morning before Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington , who was informed that the case had been resolved after the sides had entered into a mediation .
Edward Farrelly SC for the German company said that it had been agreed between the parties that the defendants had as part of the settlement agreed to purchase his client ’ s shares in Octagon .
Under the agreement the shares in the film production company are to purchased by certain dates , counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernard Dunleavy SC , appearing with Eamon Marray Bl said his side were consenting to the settlement .
Under the agreement counsel said that his clients will retain control over Octagon , and the entire proceedings can now be struck out on consent .
No other details of the settlement , which are understood to be confidential , were revealed in open court .
Ms Justice Pilkington welcomed the resolution of what a “ a very difficult and complex matter ” that had been before the courts on many occasions dating back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had been involved in dozens of TV and movie productions shot in Ireland .
These include Vikings , The Tudors , Penny Dreadful , The Borgias , Love Hate , Swag , Skippy Dies , Calvary , Ondine , PS I Love You and many more .
The company was also linked to Vikings Valhalla , a spin-off from the Vikings , much of which was filmed in Ireland , which is being made by MGM Television for Netflix .
W2 had sued the producers on behalf of Octagon by way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought by a shareholder on behalf of a corporation against another party .
W2 , which invests in international film productions , claimed it acquired 49 per cent of Octagon ’ s shares in 2002 .
W2 sought damages for alleged breach of duty , alleged fraud , and alleged conspiracy against the producers .
The producers denied diverting any fees , income or opportunities that were due to Octagon to themselves or to any corporate entities controlled by them .
Mr O ’ Sullivan of Ardmore Park , Bray , Co Wicklow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stepaside , Dublin , who between them own 51 per cent of Octagon ’ s shares denied they traded as Octagon or had used the company ’ s name and reputation .
They claimed Octagon was set up as a company devoted to film development and production activity and is a separate entity to their work for hire film production services they have been associated with .

The long-running legal saga between a German film company and two well-known Irish producers over the running of a film production company has been resolved.
Berlin-based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH claim was against producers Morgan O’Sullivan and James Flynn who it is alleged diverted the funds out of Octagon Films Ltd, a company they had all been shareholders in.
The German company alleged sums of between €40 million and €50 million were diverted out of the company to either themselves personally or corporate entities controlled by them. Both the defendants, who are directors in Octagon, had strongly denied the allegations.
The action, which first came before the court in 2016 returned on Monday morning before Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington, who was informed that the case had been resolved after the sides had entered into a mediation.
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Edward Farrelly SC for the German company said that it had been agreed between the parties that the defendants had as part of the settlement agreed to purchase his client’s shares in Octagon.
Under the agreement the shares in the film production company are to purchased by certain dates, counsel added. Counsel for the two producers Bernard Dunleavy SC, appearing with Eamon Marray Bl said his side were consenting to the settlement.
Under the agreement counsel said that his clients will retain control over Octagon, and the entire proceedings can now be struck out on consent. No other details of the settlement, which are understood to be confidential, were revealed in open court. Ms Justice Pilkington welcomed the resolution of what a “a very difficult and complex matter” that had been before the courts on many occasions dating back to 2016.
Octagon, it was claimed, had been involved in dozens of TV and movie productions shot in Ireland. These include Vikings, The Tudors, Penny Dreadful, The Borgias, Love Hate, Swag, Skippy Dies, Calvary, Ondine, PS I Love You and many more. The company was also linked to Vikings Valhalla, a spin-off from the Vikings, much of which was filmed in Ireland, which is being made by MGM Television for Netflix.
W2 had sued the producers on behalf of Octagon by way of a derivative action which is a claim brought by a shareholder on behalf of a corporation against another party.
W2, which invests in international film productions, claimed it acquired 49 per cent of Octagon’s shares in 2002. W2 sought damages for alleged breach of duty, alleged fraud, and alleged conspiracy against the producers.
The producers denied diverting any fees, income or opportunities that were due to Octagon to themselves or to any corporate entities controlled by them.
Mr O’Sullivan of Ardmore Park, Bray, Co Wicklow and Mr Flynn of Ballyedmonduff Road, Stepaside, Dublin, who between them own 51 per cent of Octagon’s shares denied they traded as Octagon or had used the company’s name and reputation.
They claimed Octagon was set up as a company devoted to film development and production activity and is a separate entity to their work for hire film production services they have been associated with.


theirishtimes--2020-06-29--Three men involved in Kinahan plan to kill Hutch get jail sentences totalling 19 years

Three men have received sentences totalling 19 years at the Special Criminal Court for taking part in a Kinahan cartel plan to kill a member of the Hutch family in Dublin ’ s north inner city .
Michael Burns ( 43 ) was jailed for nine years while Stephen Curtis ( 32 ) and Ciaran O ’ Driscoll ( 25 ) were both sentenced to five years in prison .
The three-judge court was previously told that large sums of money were made available to murder people and those involved in the Kinahan cartel were paid €20,000 for “ setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The non-jury court has also heard that audio surveillance of a conversation between a woman and one of the suspects involved in a plot to murder Patrick “ Patsy ” Hutch picked up references to “ they have so much money , they could buy half the Hutch lads ” and “ they ’ re getting €20,000 and all for setting somebody up , used to get that for doing the hit ” .
Sentencing Burns on Monday , presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the evidence was unequivocal in that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very grave crime of murder and there was no doubt that this assistance was of considerable help to the Kinahan criminal organisation .
Burns ’ conduct in the facilitation was intentional as opposed to reckless and he had supervised those below him in a deliberate and calculating manner , he said .
He was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison with the final nine months suspended .
The court had heard that Burns was a supervisor who organised logistics including cars and phones , as well as passing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hutch .
Passing sentence on Curtis , Mr Justice Hunt said the court accepted that he belonged in a different category to Burns and his assistance was limited but nonetheless it was valuable at the last stage in the plot .
He was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended .
Curtis was involved in sub-cell meetings and buying phones and sim cards .
He was recorded expressing reservations about Suspect Number 1 , the man in charge of the attempted murder , and said he wanted to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Driscoll , the judge said he had agreed to perform the limited but vital function of “ looker ” , which would alert the “ hit-team ” when Mr Hutch left his house , who were to shoot him .
He must have known Mr Hutch was leaving his house to face death and his part proved instrumental , said the judge .
He was useful to the Kinahan cartel as his presence on Champions Avenue would not have been out of place in the ordinary way due to his grandmother living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended .
During last month ’ s sentence hearing for the three men , evidence was given that gardaí recovered a written record of the financial expenditure of the Kinahan gang sub-cell from a suspect ’ s address .
This breakdown of the expenses and payments of the operation to murder Mr Hutch — the older brother of the leader of the rival Hutch organised crime group — detailed a “ starting balance ” of €7,000 and recorded how “ logistical costs ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Burns , of no fixed abode , Ciaran O ’ Driscoll of Avondale House , Cumberland Street , Dublin 1 and Stephen Curtis of Bellman ’ s Walk , Seville Place , Dublin 1 have admitted to having knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation and participating in activities intended to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation , or any of its members , namely the murder of Mr Hutch within the State between February 1st and March 10th , 2018 , both dates inclusive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one or more members of a criminal organisation and of acting as a conduit for communications by providing phones .
He has also admitted transporting one or more members of a criminal organisation , moving one or more vehicles for subsequent use by one or more members of a criminal organisation and planning or assisting in planning the intended shooting of Mr Hutch .
O ’ Driscoll has pleaded guilty to agreeing to act as a look-out and to helping plan the intended shooting .
Curtis has admitted providing , or assisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phones for use by the criminal organisation and purchasing or assisting in the purchase of one or more mobile phones , sim cards and credit top-ups .
The activities also include passing on the phone number of the “ looker ” ( or look-out ) — O ’ Driscoll — to a member of the criminal organisation and planning or assisting in planning the intended shooting of Mr Hutch .
In a related sentence hearing last month , Mr Justice Hunt said the court accepted garda evidence that the Kinahan organised crime gang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect its core activities , which include organised drugs and firearms offences on “ an international scale ” .
The court further accepted that the crime gang operated “ an organised hierarchical structure ” with “ cells and subcells ” to “ segregate activities and limit knowledge ” among gang members .
The gang also operated on directions from superiors within this hierarchy .

The Kinahan cartel is a cynical criminal organisation that preys upon "desperate and foolish" individuals in the recruitment of "dispensable foot-soldiers", a High Court judge has said.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt made the comments at the Special Criminal Court ton Monday as he imposed sentences totalling 19 years on three men who took part in a Kinahan Cartel plot to kill a member of the Hutch family in Dublin's north inner city.
Michael Burns (43) was jailed for nine years whilst Stephen Curtis (32) and Ciaran O'Driscoll (25) were both sentenced to five years each in prison for their role in the plot to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch.
Sentencing the defendants on Monday, presiding judge Mr Justice Hunt said the court was satisfied that the three men were working for the Kinahan organised crime gang, which is involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. He said the gang operated in cells or subcells based on a hierarchical structure and was prepared to use violence up to and including murder to achieve its aims.
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The judge emphasised the “cynicism” of the Kinahan criminal organisation, where “vulnerable, desperate and foolish” individuals took risks for surprisingly modest returns and could be described as “dispensable foot soldiers”.
Passing sentence on Burns on Monday, Mr Justice Hunt said he had acted as a “conduit” and was a supervisor of the sub-cell who organised logistics, including phones, guns and cars and he got his directions from the “higher echelons” of the Kinahan crime organisation.
Burns had received his instructions from Suspect Number 1 through an encrypted phone and the evidence was unequivocal in that he had assisted in the preparation of the very grave crime of murder, he said. His role was to supervise and ensure the smooth running or planning of the plot, although he was not the author of these instructions, which he passed on from another man known as Suspect Number 1, said the judge. He also passed on instructions developed by others at a higher level and was not at the top of the hierarchy, he said.
There was no doubt that Burns’ assistance was of considerable help to the “insidious and destructive” nature of the Kinahan criminal organisation, he said. Burns’ conduct in the facilitation was intentional as opposed to reckless and he had supervised those below him on the back of instructions from above in a deliberate and calculating manner, continued the judge.
The judge said the headline sentence was 13 years imprisonment and the weightiest mitigation factor was his guilty plea which deserved a straight 25 per cent discount. Burns did not gain financially or in any material way from this event and was of no fixed abode at the time, said the judge. He had not acquired a significant criminal record until his mid-30s and his physical and mental issues had already been documented to the court. The judge sentenced him to nine years and nine months in prison with the final nine months suspended.
Passing sentence on Curtis, Mr Justice Hunt said the court accepted that he belonged in a different category to Burns and although his assistance was limited it was nonetheless valuable at the last stage in the plot. Curtis was involved in sub-cell meetings and in buying phones and SIM cards to be used by the “hit-team”. He was recorded expressing reservations about Suspect Number 1, the man in charge of the attempted murder, and said he wanted to get out of the gang.
Mr Justice Hunt said that Curtis did not stand to gain from his involvement in the plan and the €500 owed to him for his role was “as good an illustration as any in regards to the risk and reward” involved. He was the type of person who would be “preyed” upon by the criminal organisation and this crime represented “a massive step up” from his previous convictions, he said. He was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended.
Lowest level
Sentencing O’Driscoll, Mr Justice Hunt said he had agreed to perform the limited but vital function of “looker”, who would watch Mr Hutch’s house and signal the hit-team when he emerged so they could shoot him. He was at the lowest level of the subcell and was unlikely to have been picked were it not for the “happenstance” that his grandmother also lived on Champions Avenue, he said. He was useful to the Kinahan cartel as his presence on the road would not have been out of place in the ordinary way, he explained.
Furthermore, O’Driscoll did not stand to gain in any significant way and naively took enormous risks for the organisation by using his own phone which assisted in his identification. He was told that the organisation would clear his drug debt, which showed the cynicism of the organisation, said the judge. O’Driscoll was exactly the kind of vulnerable person who was preyed on by the Kinahan organisation in return for negligible rewards, he noted. The court previously heard that Curtis previously told a probation officer that “drugs took me into it” and he would have done anything for his “next fix”. He was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended.
During last month's sentence hearing for the three men, evidence was given that gardaí recovered a written record of the financial expenditure of the Kinahan gang sub-cell from a suspect's address. This breakdown of the expenses and payments of the operation to murder Mr Hutch — the older brother of the leader of the rival Hutch organised crime group — detailed a "starting balance" of €7,000 and recorded how "logistical costs" came to in excess of €10,000.
Michael Burns, of no fixed abode, Ciaran O'Driscoll of Avondale House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 1 and Stephen Curtis of Bellman's Walk, Seville Place, Dublin 1 have admitted to having knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation and participating in activities intended to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation, or any of its members, namely the murder of Mr Hutch within the State between February 1 and March 10, 2018, both dates inclusive.
Burns had pleaded guilty to passing instructions to one or more members of a criminal organisation and of acting as a conduit for communications by providing phones. He has also admitted transporting one or more members of a criminal organisation, moving one or more vehicles for subsequent use by one or more members of a criminal organisation and planning or assisting in planning the intended shooting of Mr Hutch.
O’Driscoll had pleaded guilty to agreeing to act as a look-out and to helping plan the intended shooting. Curtis had admitted providing, or assisting in providing, one or more mobile phones for use by the criminal organisation and purchasing or assisting in the purchase of one or more mobile phones, sim cards and credit top-ups. The activities also include passing on the phone number of the “looker” (or look-out) — O’Driscoll — to a member of the criminal organisation and planning or assisting in planning the intended shooting of Mr Hutch.
The non-jury court was previously told that large sums of money were made available to murder people and those involved in the Kinahan cartel were paid €20,000 for “setting people up for a hit”. It also heard that audio surveillance of a conversation between a woman and one of the suspects involved in a plot to murder Mr Hutch picked up references to “they have so much money, they could buy half the Hutch lads” and “they’re getting €20,000 and all for setting somebody up, used to get that for doing the hit”.
Execution-type murders
In a related sentence hearing last month, Mr Justice Hunt said the court accepted garda evidence that the Kinahan organised crime gang is involved in “execution-type murders” to protect its core activities, which include organised drugs and firearms offences on “an international scale”. The court further accepted that the crime gang operated “an organised hierarchical structure” with “cells and subcells” to “segregate activities and limit knowledge” among gang members. The gang also operated on directions from superiors within this hierarchy.
Earlier on Monday, Stephen Curtis’s brother, Patrick (38) of the same address at Bellmans Walk, pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation within the State between 1 February, 2018 and 10 March, 2018, and had his case adjourned to 30 July.
Mohammed Smew (27) of Milner’s Square, Shanowen Road, Santry, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to participating in the facilitation of a serious offence, to wit the murder of Patsy Hutch, by providing, moving and repairing vehicles, and of the planning or assisting to plan an attempted shooting between 1 February, 2018, and 3 March, 2018.
Sentencing Hearing
At last month’s sentence hearing, Detective Superintendent David Gallagher from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, summarised the facts of the case.
Det Supt Gallagher told prosecuting counsel Sean Gillane SC that the investigation occurred between February 1st and March 21st, 2018 and the surveillance operation initially focused on a Mercedes car, which was connected to Burns. The investigation involved a combination of features including manual surveillance, audio surveillance, the harvesting of CCTV footage and phones. The target of the Kinahan organised crime group was Mr Hutch and there were ten people involved in the plot to murder him, he said. The court heard Mr Hutch travelled on a motorcycle and it was covered with tarpaulin in his front garden on Champions Avenue.
Det Insp Gallagher explained that the investigation focused on “disrupting and dismantling” the capabilities of the criminal organisation. The gang operated inside and outside the jurisdiction and it was hierarchical in nature. The purpose of the sub-cell, which was formed in the north inner city, was to carry out the murder of Mr Hutch, he pointed out.
There were three essential stages in the plan to murder Mr Hutch. The first was to set up a “staging post” at Belmont apartments which was midway between two locations associated with the target Patrick Hutch. The second was a “ruse” to commit criminal damage “to lure” Mr Hutch from his home to the murder scene while a “looker” would give the “hit team” the signal when he was on his way. The third element was to have a “getaway location” at Stoney Road in East Wall in Dublin 3 where the gunmen would go through a pedestrian tunnel and a car would be waiting on the other side to take them away.
Det Insp Gallagher explained that O’Driscoll’s role was to act as a “look-out” for Mr Hutch, Curtis had sourced the mobile phones and credit which were ultimately to be used by the “hit-team” and Burns’ role was to supervise others in relation to the planning and overall surveillance.
The court heard that Burns and another suspect had done reconnaissance trips around Dublin 1 including to Mr Hutch’s address. Evidence was also given of audio recordings between Burns and other individuals involved in the plot discussing Mr Hutch’s movements, his motorcycle and how he might be drawn from his house.
Burns said in one of the recordings: “It’s a white yoke, you see him coming out of the bottom of the junction. I’d personally wait until he gets to the gate.” He was also recorded as saying to another associate: “Just floor it straight behind him and do what you have to do and by the time he turns it will be game over”.
Audio surveillance also captured a discussion between a woman and an individual referred to as suspect Number 1 discussing money. Suspect Number 1 tells the woman: “They have so much money, they could buy half the Hutch lads” and “they’re getting €20,000 and all for setting somebody up, used to get that for doing the hit”. Det Insp Gallagher said this put in context some of the money available to the gang.
Burns was also heard saying in another conversation: “I have the two big instruments for you”, in a reference to firearms.
Referring to Curtis, Det Insp Gallagher said he had purchased nine mobile phones, sim cards and phone credit. He was also captured on audio-surveillance saying that Suspect Number 1 was “getting it wrong” as the coffee shop they met at was “packed with coppers” and he wanted out of the gang.
The detective said that after the hit was foiled, several mobile phones were seized from the gang members’ addresses. The ‘L’ phone was attributed to O’Driscoll and stood for “looker”, he said.
Det Insp Gallagher said the gang leader’s home was searched and a written record of financial expenditure was found which had a starting balance of €7,000. The witness noted that €6,500 was spent including €2,000 for O’Driscoll, €1,000 for Burns, a further €750 for Burns, €500 for phones, €400 on credit, €200 on diesel and €40 on wheel repair. The logistical costs came to in excess of €10,000 and did not include the cost of paying for the cars, the vans or the guns, he added.
The court heard that Burns has 10 previous convictions which include possession of drugs for sale and supply. Curtis has 38 previous convictions including violent disorder and O’Driscoll, who has a long-standing drug problem, has 89 previous convictions including a conviction for robbery.
Under cross-examination, Det Insp Gallagher agreed with defence counsel Michael Bowman SC, for Burns, that his client did not operate at the highest role in the sub-cell and he had taken his directions from Suspect Number 1. The detective agreed that Burns was not even in charge of money and Suspect Number 1 was apportioning expenses as required.
The witness agreed with Bernard Condon SC, for O’Driscoll, that he had difficulty with drugs from a very young age and was at the lowest level of the organisation.
In mitigation, Mr Bowman said that Burns was approaching the middle years of his life, had significant psychological difficulties from his childhood and had a breakdown in 2011.
Mr Condon, for O’Driscoll, submitted to the court that his association with the gang was limited to “happenstance” and he would not have been picked to be part of the gang other than the fact his grandmother lived on the same road as Mr Hutch.
In his submissions, Seamus Clarke SC, for Curtis, said that a value of €500 was put on his client. Mr Clarke asked the judges to be as lenient as possible when sentencing his client and to consider in mitigation his early guilty plea.
Kinahan Cartel foot soldier Mark Capper (31), who “poured cold water on” and withdrew from a plan to murder Mr Hutch three days before the proposed killing was last month also jailed by the Special Criminal Court for seven-and-a-half years. He was the fourth member of the hit team to be jailed. Capper had admitted helping the organised crime group in a plan to kill Mr Hutch by providing and repairing vehicles for the criminal organisation and carrying out reconnaissance.
In July 2019, a three-man “hit for hire team” received sentences totalling 36.5 years at the Special Criminal Court for planning to kill Mr Hutch before they were intercepted by gardai just 250 metres from their target’s home in Dublin’s north inner city.
Gary Thompson (35) and his brother Glen Thompson (25) were each jailed for 12 years and six months. A third man, Afghan war veteran Robert Browne (36) was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.
Gary Thompson, with an address at Plunkett Green in Finglas, Dublin 11, his brother Glen Thompson, of Plunkett Drive, also in Finglas, and Robert Browne, of Phibsboro Road in Phibsboro, Dublin 7 admitted to unlawful possession of four firearms with intent to endanger life at Belmont Hall Apartments, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 on March 10, 2018. The four firearms included a 9mm Rak submachine gun, a .38 Special Calibre Rossi Make Revolver, a 9mm Beretta 92 semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol.


theirishtimes--2020-06-29--Number receiving Covid unemployment payment falls to 439,000

The number of people receiving the special Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has fallen to 439,000 , the Department of Social Protection said on Monday .
This represents a reduction of 26,900 on the number of people who were receiving the benefit last week .
The Department of Social Protection said there were also 405,000 people working for 63,500 employers who were having their pay supported by the Government ’ s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme .
The numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment and benefitting from the wage subsidy scheme are in addition to the 225,600 people who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of May .
This means that there are over one million people relying on State support for all or part of the their income .
Separately the newly-appointed Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said on Monday that the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme would not be ended abruptly .
Support could not and would not be withdrawn overnight , he told RTÉ Radio ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney show .
He said the scheme had played “ a hugely important role ” during the crisis and support would be withdrawn in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the priority was getting people back to work .
As the economy reopens it was going to be like taking a bandage off a wound to see how it had healed , he said .
“ The country has come through a period of great trauma.
” He said that there had been “ major economic disruption ” and the Government ’ s planned July stimulus package would be ambitious with the aim of supporting employers and business .
The Department of Social Protection said that last week 25,700 people closed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said of these 20,100 reported that they were returning to work .
Of those who are returning to work about 14,000 are receiving their last payment under the scheme this week .
It said that as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was a weekly payment paid in arrears , there could be a one week lag in how closures , due to people returning to work , are reflected in the payment data .
The department said the top three sectors in which employees were returning to work this week were wholesale and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and motorcycles with 4,100 back in work .
It said 3,600people had returned to their jobs in accommodation and food service activities and 2,900 had gone back to work in construction .
The newly-appointed Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said on Monday : “ I welcome the continuing fall in the numbers of people who are depending on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment .
I look forward to working closely with the officials in my Department in making every effort to help people who have lost their jobs get back into employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will involve providing people from all communities across the State with the necessary supports and services to assist them transition back into employment .
This will be one of my main priorities as Minister with responsibility for Social Protection , Community and Rural Development and the Islands and it will be high on my agenda when I meet with senior management in my Department early this week .
”

The number of people receiving the special Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has fallen to 439,000, the Department of Social Protection said on Monday.
This represents a reduction of 26,900 on the number of people who were receiving the benefit last week.
The Department of Social Protection said there were also 405,000 people working for 63,500 employers who were having their pay supported by the Government’s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme .
The numbers receiving the pandemic unemployment payment and benefitting from the wage subsidy scheme are in addition to the 225,600 people who were on the live register at the end of May.
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This means that there are over one million people relying on State support for all or part of the their income.
Separately the newly-appointed Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said on Monday that the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme would not be ended abruptly.
Support could not and would not be withdrawn overnight, he told RTÉ Radio's Today with Sarah McInerney show.
He said the scheme had played “a hugely important role” during the crisis and support would be withdrawn in a phased and gradual manner.
The Minister said the priority was getting people back to work. As the economy reopens it was going to be like taking a bandage off a wound to see how it had healed, he said.
“The country has come through a period of great trauma.”
He said that there had been “major economic disruption” and the Government’s planned July stimulus package would be ambitious with the aim of supporting employers and business.
One week lag
The Department of Social Protection said that last week 25,700 people closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. It said of these 20,100 reported that they were returning to work.
Of those who are returning to work about 14,000 are receiving their last payment under the scheme this week. It said that as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was a weekly payment paid in arrears, there could be a one week lag in how closures, due to people returning to work, are reflected in the payment data.
The department said the top three sectors in which employees were returning to work this week were wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles with 4,100 back in work. It said 3,600people had returned to their jobs in accommodation and food service activities and 2,900 had gone back to work in construction.
The newly-appointed Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said on Monday: "I welcome the continuing fall in the numbers of people who are depending on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. I look forward to working closely with the officials in my Department in making every effort to help people who have lost their jobs get back into employment as quickly as possible.
“This will involve providing people from all communities across the State with the necessary supports and services to assist them transition back into employment . This will be one of my main priorities as Minister with responsibility for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and it will be high on my agenda when I meet with senior management in my Department early this week.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-29--‘It’s like Christmas’: Dublin hairdresser reopens at midnight

A baton twirler and a school teacher walked through the doors of a Dublin salon seconds past the stroke of midnight on Monday and became the first people to get legal appointments with an Irish hairdresser since the darkest days of mid-March .
“ Do we have to wait until a minute past or can we do it as soon as it hits 12 ?
” wondered one of the team of nine stylists from Salon Rouge in Inchicore as they stood shivering outside the darkened premises just before the appointed hour and waited , not entirely patiently , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook .
“ I dunno , ” answered another as her short-sleeved uniform billowed in a hair-do challenging gale .
“ Can we not just open now and go back inside now I ’ m bleedin ’ freezin ’ .
” And then - like a most surreal New Year ’ s Eve - the moment was upon them .
There was a countdown from 10 to one and the bright lights of Salon Rouge were thrown on and seconds later the very first customer walked in to be greeted like everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Tish Curry , the owner .
“ It ’ s great to see you again.
” “ It ’ s great to be back , ” responded Mary Sexton with a smile and a confused look in the direction of The Irish Times .
“ We decided to come back at midnight to give the re-opening a bit of buzz , a bit of excitement and not just make it all about Covid , ” Curry explained when asked about the late night/early morning opening on a day when Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took a big step towards normal .
It wasn ’ t really all that normal though and there were reminders of Covid everywhere .
“ We are trying to keep it as simple as possible because staff and clients will get confused if we don ’ t , ” Curry said .
In front of her on the reception desk was a thermal temperature scanner , a box of face masks - €2 each - and a large bottle of hand sanitiser .
Jen Moss was one of the stylists almost ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so excited to be here , ” she said .
“ Mind you I am just passing through and am off to my bed now but I ’ ll be back at 6am and I ’ ll work till five .
It ’ ll be a bit like Christmas ... without the presents.
” She cast her eye over the appointment book and noted that they had clients throughout the night and early morning .
“ There ’ s Mary who ’ s getting a colour and cut and Patrick is booked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his work experience here years ago , ” she said .
Both Mary and Patrick are locals and loyal , Curry added .
“ We ’ ve a lot of the older clients too who would come in every week to get their hair done and for them it is a really social thing and the lockdown has been really hard .
They have missed the place terribly and I ’ m really looking forward to them coming back , ” she said .
As Sexton approached the desk she was given a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being led to her station with her “ bits ” put in a bag rather than a cloakroom .
Why was she there at such a time , we wondered .
“ I think Tish saw me walking past a few days ago and had one look at my hair and took pity on me so squeezed me in , ” she said .
“ I ’ ll probably be the first person to get my hair done in the country in months ... legally at least.
” She said she had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 15 years ago and admitted to cutting her fringe herself in recent weeks .
“ That was definitely a mistake , ” she sighed .
Curry peered at Sexton ’ s roots before the Holly the stylist set to work .
“ Apart from the fringe she hasn ’ t touched it , ” she noted approvingly .
“ She has stayed loyal.
” Patrick Brennan was equally loyal .
He bounded through the door minutes later and announced that he was getting his eyebrows waxed and tinted .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said sweeping his arm in an arc towards the staff .
“ I ’ ve been coming here for a long time I come especially when I have a competition.
” “ Yes , I do baton twirling and freestyling and before an event I come for my eyebrows and the spray tan .
I ’ m not nervous coming here tonight .
They always look after me , I know that.
” As he talked , Sexton her head now smeared with colour which would soon be copper nodded .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been for a long time .
To be honest I ’ ve been very nervous about Covid-19 and I ’ d be scared to visit a lot of places but not here .
I know them well and there is great comfort in that familiarity.
” As she went back to her roots , Curry fiddled with something unfamiliar , a plastic face visor .
“ We had to go through about 10 models before we could find one that worked for us , ” she said .
“ So many of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t blow dry someone ’ s hair if you can ’ t see it , can you ?
”

A baton twirler and a school teacher walked through the doors of a Dublin salon seconds past the stroke of midnight on Monday and became the first people to get legal appointments with an Irish hairdresser since the darkest days of mid-March.
“Do we have to wait until a minute past or can we do it as soon as it hits 12?” wondered one of the team of nine stylists from Salon Rouge in Inchicore as they stood shivering outside the darkened premises just before the appointed hour and waited, not entirely patiently, to stream the grand and early re-opening live on Facebook.
“I dunno,” answered another as her short-sleeved uniform billowed in a hair-do challenging gale. “Can we not just open now and go back inside now I’m bleedin’ freezin’.”
And then - like a most surreal New Year’s Eve - the moment was upon them. There was a countdown from 10 to one and the bright lights of Salon Rouge were thrown on and seconds later the very first customer walked in to be greeted like everything was normal.
READ MORE
“Good morning Mary,” said Tish Curry, the owner. “It’s great to see you again.”
Tish Curry, owner of Salon Rouge in Inchicore.
“It’s great to be back,” responded Mary Sexton with a smile and a confused look in the direction of The Irish Times.
“We decided to come back at midnight to give the re-opening a bit of buzz, a bit of excitement and not just make it all about Covid,” Curry explained when asked about the late night/early morning opening on a day when Ireland entered phase three of the lockdown exit and took a big step towards normal.
It wasn’t really all that normal though and there were reminders of Covid everywhere. “We are trying to keep it as simple as possible because staff and clients will get confused if we don’t,” Curry said.
‘It’ll be a bit like Christmas’
In front of her on the reception desk was a thermal temperature scanner, a box of face masks - €2 each - and a large bottle of hand sanitiser.
Jen Moss was one of the stylists almost ready to go. “I’m so excited to be here,” she said. “Mind you I am just passing through and am off to my bed now but I’ll be back at 6am and I’ll work till five. It’ll be a bit like Christmas...without the presents.”
She cast her eye over the appointment book and noted that they had clients throughout the night and early morning.
“There’s Mary who’s getting a colour and cut and Patrick is booked in for his eyebrows. He actually did his work experience here years ago,” she said.
Both Mary and Patrick are locals and loyal, Curry added. “We’ve a lot of the older clients too who would come in every week to get their hair done and for them it is a really social thing and the lockdown has been really hard. They have missed the place terribly and I’m really looking forward to them coming back,” she said.
As Sexton approached the desk she was given a face mask and spritzed her hands before being led to her station with her “bits” put in a bag rather than a cloakroom.
PPE at Dublin hairdresser Salon Rouge.
Why was she there at such a time, we wondered.
“I think Tish saw me walking past a few days ago and had one look at my hair and took pity on me so squeezed me in,” she said. “I’ll probably be the first person to get my hair done in the country in months... legally at least.”
She said she had been coming to Salon Rouge since it opened more than 15 years ago and admitted to cutting her fringe herself in recent weeks. “That was definitely a mistake,” she sighed.
Loyal
Curry peered at Sexton’s roots before the Holly the stylist set to work. “Apart from the fringe she hasn’t touched it,” she noted approvingly. “She has stayed loyal.”
Patrick Brennan was equally loyal. He bounded through the door minutes later and announced that he was getting his eyebrows waxed and tinted. “I have missed them all,” he said sweeping his arm in an arc towards the staff. “I’ve been coming here for a long time I come especially when I have a competition.”
A competition?
“Yes, I do baton twirling and freestyling and before an event I come for my eyebrows and the spray tan. I’m not nervous coming here tonight. They always look after me, I know that.”
As he talked, Sexton her head now smeared with colour which would soon be copper nodded. “They are part of our community and have been for a long time. To be honest I’ve been very nervous about Covid-19 and I’d be scared to visit a lot of places but not here. I know them well and there is great comfort in that familiarity.”
As she went back to her roots, Curry fiddled with something unfamiliar, a plastic face visor. “We had to go through about 10 models before we could find one that worked for us,” she said. “So many of them kept fogging up. And you can’t blow dry someone’s hair if you can’t see it, can you?”
Probably not.


theirishtimes--2020-06-29--Court rejects argument that Seanad could legislate without Taoiseach’s nominees

A first meeting of a new Seanad can only lawfully take place with its full membership of 60 , comprising 49 elected members and 11 nominees of an incoming taoiseach , the High Court has ruled .
In a detailed judgment on constitutional issues of “ exceptional public importance ” , the three-judge court rejected arguments by 10 elected senators the Seanad can meet and legislate with 49 elected members .
In proceedings against An Taoiseach , Ireland and the Attorney General initiated earlier this month , the 10 disputed arguments by the respondents the Seanad can not meet and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 further Senators .
The case was heard urgently last week due to concerns , if a taoiseach was not elected by the Dáil last weekend to nominate 11 Senators , important legislation might lapse at midnight on Monday , including provisions of the Offences Against the State Act .
On Monday , High Court President Ms Justice Mary Irvine , Mr Justice Denis McDonald and Ms Justice Niamh Hyland noted , while the election of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach and his appointment of 11 Senators meant it was no longer a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawfully sit with 49 members , the issue could arise again .
Because the matter was “ undoubtedly of exceptional public importance ” , the court had decided to determine the issues raised .
The case centred on interpretation of provisions of the Constitution , particularly article 18 .
Article 18.1 provides the Seanad “ shall be composed of 60 members , of whom 11 shall be nominated members and 49 shall be elected members ” .
Article 18.8 provides the first meeting of the Seanad after a general election “ shall take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the President on the advice of the Taoiseach ” .
In its 62-page judgment , the court said article 18.1 “ clearly and unambiguously ” means the Seanad “ must be composed of 60 members , 11 of whom are nominated by an incoming Taoiseach and 49 of whom are elected ” .
This arises from the wording of article 18.1 itself , the other provisions of article 18 and a consideration of articles 5,6 and 15 , it said .
The plaintiffs ’ “ audacious ” argument essentially seeks to reformulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less ” Senators and missing an entire category of membership , it said .
Their argument there could be a “ time lag ” between elected and nominated members essentially meant it was constitutionally permissible for a 49-member Seanad to carry out the functions of the Seanad for the entire life of a Dáil , currently capped at five years .
This is contrary to the “ very clear ” meaning of article 18.8 which requires the first meeting of the Seanad , being a body composed of 60 Senators , 49 elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day fixed by the President as advised by the Taoiseach .
The meeting being convened is not a first meeting of the “ elected ” members of the Seanad but rather a first meeting of the Seanad itself .
Seanad Éireann does not exist until constituted as required by article 18.1 and is thus not entitled to sit before the Taoiseach has nominated the 11 members provided for in article 18.1 , it held .
It said the dissolution of the Dáil sets the clock ticking for both the Dáil and Seanad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggers the first meeting of both .
The date for the first meeting of the Dáil is prescribed but the Taoiseach is given a discretion in respect of fixing of a date for the first meeting of the Seanad , possibly because the process of constituting it by election and nomination is “ more complex and time sensitive ” that for the Dáil .
The plaintiffs were wrong to describe what has occurred since March 29th , when the members of the outgoing Seanad ceased to hold office , as a “ constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem engendered by the delay in nominating an incoming taoiseach did not relate to constitutional interpretation but was rather concerned with the absence of political consensus within the Dáil .
While understanding the plaintiffs ’ genuine concern , without a functioning Seanad , it would be impossible to enact emergency laws in moments of great crisis , the court did not believe such considerations can be allowed to influence the interpretation of the Constitution .
The court is obliged “ to interpret the Constitution by reference to its terms ” and the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new taoiseach by the Dáil .
If an emergency of sufficient gravity arose to trigger article 24 , which provides for an accelerated legislative process in times of emergency , it was “ unthinkable ” elected representatives would not be able to set aside their differences and take the necessary action to nominate a taoiseach .
The 10 plaintiffs are elected Senators Ivana Bacik , Victory Boyhan , Gerard Craughwell , Annie Hoey , Sharon Keogan , Michael McDowell , Rebecca Moynihan , Rónán Mullen , Marie Sherlock and Mark Wall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ later date .

A first meeting of a new Seanad can only lawfully take place with its full membership of 60, comprising 49 elected members and 11 nominees of an incoming taoiseach, the High Court has ruled.
In a detailed judgment on constitutional issues of “exceptional public importance”, the three-judge court rejected arguments by 10 elected senators the Seanad can meet and legislate with 49 elected members .
In proceedings against An Taoiseach, Ireland and the Attorney General initiated earlier this month, the 10 disputed arguments by the respondents the Seanad cannot meet and pass laws until an incoming taoiseach nominates 11 further Senators.
The case was heard urgently last week due to concerns, if a taoiseach was not elected by the Dáil last weekend to nominate 11 Senators, important legislation might lapse at midnight on Monday, including provisions of the Offences Against the State Act.
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On Monday, High Court President Ms Justice Mary Irvine, Mr Justice Denis McDonald and Ms Justice Niamh Hyland noted, while the election of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach and his appointment of 11 Senators meant it was no longer a “live” issue whether the Seanad could lawfully sit with 49 members, the issue could arise again.
Because the matter was “undoubtedly of exceptional public importance”, the court had decided to determine the issues raised.
The case centred on interpretation of provisions of the Constitution, particularly article 18. Article 18.1 provides the Seanad “shall be composed of 60 members, of whom 11 shall be nominated members and 49 shall be elected members”. Article 18.8 provides the first meeting of the Seanad after a general election “shall take place on a day to be fixed by the President on the advice of the Taoiseach”.
In its 62-page judgment, the court said article 18.1 “clearly and unambiguously” means the Seanad “must be composed of 60 members, 11 of whom are nominated by an incoming Taoiseach and 49 of whom are elected”. This arises from the wording of article 18.1 itself, the other provisions of article 18 and a consideration of articles 5,6 and 15, it said.
The plaintiffs’ “audacious” argument essentially seeks to reformulate the Seanad as one with “significantly less” Senators and missing an entire category of membership, it said. Their argument there could be a “time lag” between elected and nominated members essentially meant it was constitutionally permissible for a 49-member Seanad to carry out the functions of the Seanad for the entire life of a Dáil, currently capped at five years.
This is contrary to the “very clear” meaning of article 18.8 which requires the first meeting of the Seanad, being a body composed of 60 Senators, 49 elected and 11 nominated, takes place on a day fixed by the President as advised by the Taoiseach. The meeting being convened is not a first meeting of the “elected” members of the Seanad but rather a first meeting of the Seanad itself .
Seanad Éireann does not exist until constituted as required by article 18.1 and is thus not entitled to sit before the Taoiseach has nominated the 11 members provided for in article 18.1, it held.
It said the dissolution of the Dáil sets the clock ticking for both the Dáil and Seanad election and the election in each House triggers the first meeting of both. The date for the first meeting of the Dáil is prescribed but the Taoiseach is given a discretion in respect of fixing of a date for the first meeting of the Seanad, possibly because the process of constituting it by election and nomination is “more complex and time sensitive” that for the Dáil.
The plaintiffs were wrong to describe what has occurred since March 29th, when the members of the outgoing Seanad ceased to hold office, as a “constitutional lacuna”, it said. The problem engendered by the delay in nominating an incoming taoiseach did not relate to constitutional interpretation but was rather concerned with the absence of political consensus within the Dáil.
While understanding the plaintiffs’ genuine concern, without a functioning Seanad, it would be impossible to enact emergency laws in moments of great crisis, the court did not believe such considerations can be allowed to influence the interpretation of the Constitution.
The court is obliged “to interpret the Constitution by reference to its terms” and the constitutional machinery provided the solution – nomination of a new taoiseach by the Dáil. If an emergency of sufficient gravity arose to trigger article 24, which provides for an accelerated legislative process in times of emergency, it was “unthinkable” elected representatives would not be able to set aside their differences and take the necessary action to nominate a taoiseach.
The 10 plaintiffs are elected Senators Ivana Bacik, Victory Boyhan, Gerard Craughwell, Annie Hoey, Sharon Keogan, Michael McDowell, Rebecca Moynihan, Rónán Mullen, Marie Sherlock and Mark Wall. Costs issues will be decided on a later date.


theirishtimes--2020-06-29--Shops free to reopen, national travel allowed under biggest easing of Covid-19 restrictions

Most shops and other businesses can reopen , and travel is being allowed nationally , from today , under the biggest easing of Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic began .
Cafes and restaurants , hotels , “ pubs operating as restaurants ” , hairdressers , beauty salons and driving schools are among the retail services that can restart operations under this phase of the easing of restrictions , provided they put in place infection-control measures .
Galleries , museums and cinemas are also free to reopen their doors .
The public is still being asked to keep at least two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit the time they spend in close contact with others , and to mix outdoors rather than indoors .
Over-70s and at-risk groups are advised to stay at home “ as much as possible ” and to limit physical contact with other people .
People are also being asked to keep a daily log of those they meet for contact-tracing purposes .
The recommendation against non-essential travel outside Ireland remains in place in phase three of the Government ’ s “ roadmap ” for reopening business and society .
Travel is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , rather than in August as originally envisaged .
Gatherings of up to 50 people indoors and 200 outdoors are permitted from Monday .
This means weddings , funerals , sports events and conferences can go ahead within these limits .
Close-contact sports , indoor gyms , swimming pools and other sports facilities can all reopen their doors from today , as can summer camps , creches , youth clubs and adult education facilities .
In childcare , children will be grouped into pods of between six and 12 to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still advised to work from home where they can .
Many of the restrictions being lifted today were supposed to have remained in place for longer over the summer , but the easing of restrictions was brought forward earlier this month by the outgoing government due to progress made in suppressing the virus .
Businesses reopening are required to implement physical distancing arrangements in their premises to limit the spread of Covid-19 .
These are likely to include protective screens , spaced queuing , limits on customer numbers at any one time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms .
Public-health officials say that , weeks after the easing of restrictions began , the disease remains largely suppressed with low numbers of new cases daily .
However , they have expressed concern about a rise in cases related to foreign travel and among younger people .
People are still being advised to practise cough etiquette and proper hand hygiene , and to avoid crowded areas .
One more person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died , the Department of Health reported on Sunday .
This brings to 1,735 the number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were also another three confirmed cases notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Sunday , the department said .
The total of Covid-19 cases now stands at 25,439 , it said .
There were 19 confirmed cases of the disease in hospital on Saturday evening and 103 suspected cases , according to the Health Service Executive operation report .
Eleven confirmed cases were in ICU , along with five suspected cases .
The North ’ s department of health reported one more Covid-19 death on Sunday , taking the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 550 .
Meanwhile , the time taken to refer people for Covid-19 tests has doubled over the past week , new figures show .
Last week , the average turnaround from a referral to appointment was 1.8 days , up from 0.8 days a week earlier .
Just 39 per cent of referrals were being made within 24 hours , against 81 per cent a week earlier .
The turnaround from the time a swab is taken to the lab result was unchanged , at 0.9 days .

A select number of Ireland’s National Cultural Institutions will reopen after the weekend, including the National Gallery, the National Library and IMMA. Video: Bryan O’Brien
Most shops and other businesses can reopen, and travel is being allowed nationally, from today, under the biggest easing of Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic began.
Cafes and restaurants, hotels, “pubs operating as restaurants”, hairdressers, beauty salons and driving schools are among the retail services that can restart operations under this phase of the easing of restrictions, provided they put in place infection-control measures.
Galleries, museums and cinemas are also free to reopen their doors.
The public is still being asked to keep at least two metres away from others where possible, to limit the time they spend in close contact with others, and to mix outdoors rather than indoors.
READ MORE
Over-70s and at-risk groups are advised to stay at home “as much as possible” and to limit physical contact with other people.
People are also being asked to keep a daily log of those they meet for contact-tracing purposes.
The recommendation against non-essential travel outside Ireland remains in place in phase three of the Government's "roadmap" for reopening business and society.
Travel is also permitted to Ireland’s offshore islands now, rather than in August as originally envisaged.
Gatherings of up to 50 people indoors and 200 outdoors are permitted from Monday. This means weddings, funerals, sports events and conferences can go ahead within these limits.
Close-contact sports, indoor gyms, swimming pools and other sports facilities can all reopen their doors from today, as can summer camps, creches, youth clubs and adult education facilities.
In childcare, children will be grouped into pods of between six and 12 to reduce the risk of transmitting Covid-19.
Employees are still advised to work from home where they can.
Many of the restrictions being lifted today were supposed to have remained in place for longer over the summer, but the easing of restrictions was brought forward earlier this month by the outgoing government due to progress made in suppressing the virus.
Businesses reopening are required to implement physical distancing arrangements in their premises to limit the spread of Covid-19. These are likely to include protective screens, spaced queuing, limits on customer numbers at any one time, cleaning stations and the closure of changing rooms.
Public-health officials say that, weeks after the easing of restrictions began, the disease remains largely suppressed with low numbers of new cases daily. However, they have expressed concern about a rise in cases related to foreign travel and among younger people.
People are still being advised to practise cough etiquette and proper hand hygiene, and to avoid crowded areas.
Death
One more person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died, the Department of Health reported on Sunday. This brings to 1,735 the number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic.
There were also another three confirmed cases notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Sunday, the department said. The total of Covid-19 cases now stands at 25,439, it said. There were 19 confirmed cases of the disease in hospital on Saturday evening and 103 suspected cases, according to the Health Service Executive operation report. Eleven confirmed cases were in ICU, along with five suspected cases.
The North’s department of health reported one more Covid-19 death on Sunday, taking the total number of fatalities in Northern Ireland to 550.
Meanwhile, the time taken to refer people for Covid-19 tests has doubled over the past week, new figures show. Last week, the average turnaround from a referral to appointment was 1.8 days, up from 0.8 days a week earlier.
Just 39 per cent of referrals were being made within 24 hours, against 81 per cent a week earlier.
The turnaround from the time a swab is taken to the lab result was unchanged, at 0.9 days.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Disabled boy secures further €3 million payment over circumstances of his birth

A mother whose 14-year-old disabled son secured a further €3 million payment on Wednesday under a settlement of his action over the circumstances of his birth has told the High Court the system should be easier for families .
The €3m payment for Luke Miggin , who has cerebral palsy , brings to more than €6m the amount secured in settlement of his action over the circumstances of his birth at Mullingar General Hospital in February 2006 .
His mother Emily Miggin said this was her son ’ s fifth time in court since he had initially settled his action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amounting to €1.35m .
Luke has had to have 80 assessments to date in preparation for hearings to secure court approval for payments , she said .
“ The system should be easier , ” she told Mr Justice Kevin Cross .
She said Luke is a fabulous child who has complex needs and they were blessed with very good carers .
At a previous hearing , Ms Miggin said she would give the money back fivefold to see her son kick a football .
She was heartbroken and both her son and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest interim settlement was brought about after mediation and is intended to meet care needs over the next six years .
Through his mother , of Ballinadrimna , Athboy , Co Meath , now living in Sutton , Dublin , Luke had sued the HSE and a consultant obstetrician , Michael Gannon , of Mullingar Hospital .
Luke was born just after 5pm on February 28th 2006 .
The court was previously told , if Luke had been delivered even one hour earlier , he would have escaped injury .
Liability was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Denis McCullough SC , for the boy , said Luke is happy at school and is a bright and enthusiastic child .
His mother , a therapist , had given up her job to care for her son full time .
Approving the settlement , Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a good one .
He thanked Ms Miggin for the care she has given her son and wished the family well for the future .
Luke ’ s case will come back before the court in six years ’ time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessed .

A mother whose 14-year-old disabled son secured a further €3 million payment on Wednesday under a settlement of his action over the circumstances of his birth has told the High Court the system should be easier for families.
The €3m payment for Luke Miggin, who has cerebral palsy, brings to more than €6m the amount secured in settlement of his action over the circumstances of his birth at Mullingar General Hospital in February 2006.
His mother Emily Miggin said this was her son’s fifth time in court since he had initially settled his action in 2011 with a first interim payment amounting to €1.35m. Luke has had to have 80 assessments to date in preparation for hearings to secure court approval for payments, she said. “The system should be easier,” she told Mr Justice Kevin Cross.
She said Luke is a fabulous child who has complex needs and they were blessed with very good carers.
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At a previous hearing, Ms Miggin said she would give the money back fivefold to see her son kick a football. She was heartbroken and both her son and she had lost an awful lot.
The latest interim settlement was brought about after mediation and is intended to meet care needs over the next six years. Through his mother, of Ballinadrimna, Athboy, Co Meath, now living in Sutton, Dublin, Luke had sued the HSE and a consultant obstetrician, Michael Gannon, of Mullingar Hospital.
Luke was born just after 5pm on February 28th 2006. The court was previously told, if Luke had been delivered even one hour earlier, he would have escaped injury. Liability was admitted by both defendants.
On Wednesday, Denis McCullough SC, for the boy, said Luke is happy at school and is a bright and enthusiastic child. His mother, a therapist, had given up her job to care for her son full time.
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a good one. He thanked Ms Miggin for the care she has given her son and wished the family well for the future. Luke’s case will come back before the court in six years’ time when his future care needs will be assessed.


theirishtimes--2020-07-01--Towns and villages suffering from air pollution during Covid-19 pandemic

The burning of peat , timber and coal remains the largest single source of pollution in a series of major regional towns , according to a two-year study conducted for the Environmental Protection Agency .
The reduction in car traffic flows caused by the Covid-19 lockdown led to a dramatic falls in the levels of harmful nitrogen oxides ( NOx ) in the air in the State ’ s cities , especially Dublin .
However , air quality in towns such as Killarney , Birr and Enniscorthy improved less since the majority of pollution there comes not from traffic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid fuels .
Such burning creates so-called PM2 .
5 particles in the air , which are 2.5 micrometres in size , or more than 100 times thinner than a human hair and cause difficulties with breathing .
Evening levels of PM2.5 in Killarney , Birr and Enniscorthy were multiples of day-time levels and even more significant spikes in pollution levels were found on evenings when wind speeds were low .
Real-time monitoring by the UCC team shows residential solid fuel burning was the dominant source , accounting for 72 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Enniscorthy and 60 per cent in Birr .
Using chemical fingerprints of particles generated from the combustion of different fuels , the team showed that peat burning is responsible for the majority of this pollution , followed by wood and coal .
In Dublin , the level of nitrous oxide in the air ( NOx ) fell sharply during lockdown , but particulate levels remained puzzling high , particularly as the city has a ban on smoky fuels .
However , Dublin City Council ’ s air quality monitoring unit ultimately ascribed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been blown on to the city from north Africa , which then combined with particulate matter in the air .
“ All of these pollutants are of concern , but if you want to see the impact of cars the NOx data is a key indicator and it fell very significantly in lockdown , ” said principal environmental health officer Martin Fitzpatrick .
The results of the two years of research by the UCC team , led by Prof John Wenger , were published this week on the Environmental Protection Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified air pollution as the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe , while PM2.5 pollution alone is blamed for 1,100 premature deaths in Ireland each year .

Backed-up traffic in Dublin. The reduction in car traffic flows caused by the lockdown led to a huge falls in the levels of harmful nitrogen oxides in city air, especially in Dublin. Photograph: Alan Betson
The burning of peat, timber and coal remains the largest single source of pollution in a series of major regional towns, according to a two-year study conducted for the Environmental Protection Agency.
The reduction in car traffic flows caused by the Covid-19 lockdown led to a dramatic falls in the levels of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the air in the State’s cities, especially Dublin.
However, air quality in towns such as Killarney, Birr and Enniscorthy improved less since the majority of pollution there comes not from traffic, but, rather, the burning of solid fuels.
Such burning creates so-called PM2. 5 particles in the air, which are 2.5 micrometres in size, or more than 100 times thinner than a human hair and cause difficulties with breathing.
READ MORE
Evening levels of PM2.5 in Killarney, Birr and Enniscorthy were multiples of day-time levels and even more significant spikes in pollution levels were found on evenings when wind speeds were low.
Real-time monitoring by the UCC team shows residential solid fuel burning was the dominant source, accounting for 72 per cent of PM2.5 in Killarney, 82 per cent in Enniscorthy and 60 per cent in Birr.
Peat burning
Using chemical fingerprints of particles generated from the combustion of different fuels, the team showed that peat burning is responsible for the majority of this pollution, followed by wood and coal.
In Dublin, the level of nitrous oxide in the air (NOx) fell sharply during lockdown, but particulate levels remained puzzling high, particularly as the city has a ban on smoky fuels.
However, Dublin City Council’s air quality monitoring unit ultimately ascribed the high levels of PMs to dust that had been blown on to the city from north Africa, which then combined with particulate matter in the air.
“All of these pollutants are of concern, but if you want to see the impact of cars the NOx data is a key indicator and it fell very significantly in lockdown,” said principal environmental health officer Martin Fitzpatrick.
The results of the two years of research by the UCC team, led by Prof John Wenger, were published this week on the Environmental Protection Agency website.
The European Environment Agency has identified air pollution as the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe, while PM2.5 pollution alone is blamed for 1,100 premature deaths in Ireland each year.