theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Ireland ‘performed poorly’ on emissions reductions, says CSO

Ireland has “ performed poorly ” in the reduction of emissions in the last 20 years compared with other EU states according to the Central Statistics Office ( CSO ) with the third highest greenhouse gases emissions per capita .
The Environmental Indicators Ireland 2020 report found air quality had deteriorated in relation to a range of pollutants .
However , improvements had been made in relation to water quality and the generation of waste .
In 2018 , Ireland ’ s greenhouse gas emissions amounted to the equivalent of 60.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide , just under 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 55.5 million tonnes .
Ireland had the third worst emissions of greenhouse gases per capita in the EU , the equivalent of 13.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita , 55 per cent higher than the EU 28 average of 8.6 tonnes .
Estonia and Luxembourg had the highest level of carbon dioxide emissions per capita in 2018 at 15.3 and 20.5 tonnes respectively .
Sweden had the lowest rate of emissions in 2018 at 5.4 tonnes per capita .
In relation to a number of specific pollutants , Ireland performed particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Member States were above their 2010 National Emissions Ceiling for nitrogen oxides .
Ireland had the worst level of emissions , at 70 per cent above its ceiling , while Bulgaria had the best at 58 per cent below its ceiling .
Nitrogen oxides are typically produced from vehicle exhausts , and the burning of coal , oil , diesel fuel , and natural gas , especially from electric power plants .
Ireland was also worst for a collection of compounds , mainly emitted from transportation , industrial processes and use of organic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organic Compounds ) .
While Ireland NMVOC emissions fell from 143,100 tonnes in 1990 to 109,800 in 2018 .
The 2018 figure was still 99.6 per cent above the 2010 ceiling of 55,000 tonnes .
The agriculture , forestry and fishing sector had the highest NMVOC emissions over the 1990-2018 period accounting for almost 40 per cent of Ireland ’ s emissions in 2018 .
Ireland has however , made significant strides in improving water quality .
In 2019 , almost 90 per cent of bathing water sites in Ireland were classified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one third of urban sewage received “ secondary treatment ” reducing its “ nutrients ” or pollutants , compared with only 4 per cent in 1997 .
However , the proportion of unpolluted river water in Ireland fell from an annual average of 77.3 per cent in 1987 -1990 to 66.2 per cent in 2016 -2018 .
Municipal waste generated in Ireland fell from 800kg per capita in 2006 to 564kg per capita in 2014 .
However , in more recent years the figure has crept back up reaching 578kg per capita in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste in Ireland improved significantly from 23 per cent in 2001 to 91 per cent in 2015 .
Although again it slipped in 2017 to 86 per cent .

The Environmental Indicators Ireland 2020 report found air quality had deteriorated in relation to a range of pollutants. Photograph: iStock
Ireland has "performed poorly" in the reduction of emissions in the last 20 years compared with other EU states according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) with the third highest greenhouse gases emissions per capita.
The Environmental Indicators Ireland 2020 report found air quality had deteriorated in relation to a range of pollutants. However, improvements had been made in relation to water quality and the generation of waste.
In 2018, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions amounted to the equivalent of 60.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, just under 10 per cent higher than the 1990 figure of 55.5 million tonnes.
Ireland had the third worst emissions of greenhouse gases per capita in the EU, the equivalent of 13.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita, 55 per cent higher than the EU 28 average of 8.6 tonnes. Estonia and Luxembourg had the highest level of carbon dioxide emissions per capita in 2018 at 15.3 and 20.5 tonnes respectively. Sweden had the lowest rate of emissions in 2018 at 5.4 tonnes per capita.
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In relation to a number of specific pollutants, Ireland performed particularly poorly.
In 2017, four EU Member States were above their 2010 National Emissions Ceiling for nitrogen oxides. Ireland had the worst level of emissions, at 70 per cent above its ceiling , while Bulgaria had the best at 58 per cent below its ceiling.
Nitrogen oxides are typically produced from vehicle exhausts, and the burning of coal, oil, diesel fuel, and natural gas, especially from electric power plants.
Ireland was also worst for a collection of compounds, mainly emitted from transportation, industrial processes and use of organic solvents, called NMVOCs (Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds).
Strides
While Ireland NMVOC emissions fell from 143,100 tonnes in 1990 to 109,800 in 2018. The 2018 figure was still 99.6 per cent above the 2010 ceiling of 55,000 tonnes. The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector had the highest NMVOC emissions over the 1990-2018 period accounting for almost 40 per cent of Ireland’s emissions in 2018.
Ireland has however, made significant strides in improving water quality. In 2019, almost 90 per cent of bathing water sites in Ireland were classified as being of good water quality.
Almost one third of urban sewage received “secondary treatment” reducing its “nutrients” or pollutants, compared with only 4 per cent in 1997. However, the proportion of unpolluted river water in Ireland fell from an annual average of 77.3 per cent in 1987 -1990 to 66.2 per cent in 2016 -2018.
Municipal waste generated in Ireland fell from 800kg per capita in 2006 to 564kg per capita in 2014. However, in more recent years the figure has crept back up reaching 578kg per capita in 2017.
The recovery rate for packaging waste in Ireland improved significantly from 23 per cent in 2001 to 91 per cent in 2015. Although again it slipped in 2017 to 86 per cent.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Minister fears some venues in NI are ‘flouting’ Covid-19 guidelines

One more person with coronavirus has died in Northern Ireland , bringing the total number of fatalities recorded by the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) to 560 .
The death was reported by the DoH on Thursday , but took place on August 25th .
A total of 69 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the North in the last 24 hours , bringing the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 6,964 .
The number of cases in the North has been increasing in recent weeks , and the seven-day rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 418 .
Belfast reported the greatest number of new cases in the last week , with 101 , and there were 87 cases in Mid and East Antrim .
According to the DoH there are now outbreaks in 14 care homes in the North .
Fifteen people with Covid-19 are being treated in hospital , and one is in intensive care .
According to the department the reproduction , or “ R ” rate of the virus in Northern Ireland is now estimated at about 1.3 .
The North ’ s health minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was concerned some licenced premises were “ flouting ” the coronavirus guidelines and he intends to ask the North ’ s Executive to “ prioritise stronger legislation ” to address it .
He was speaking after footage obtained by the BBC ’ s Stephen Nolan Show showed guests dancing at a wedding , contrary the guidelines , and there has been “ anecdotal ” evidence in the industry of other breaches .
Mr Swann told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that while the “ majority ” of licenced premises and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he had heard “ worrying reports from some concerned members of the public and from the industry itself and from our ongoing liaison with police.
” “ This needs collective action from the Executive , ” he said .
“ If you flout the rules you must face the consequences.
” Industry body Hospitality Ulster has recommended to the minister that guidance limiting late-night opening , music and dancing should be replaced with legislation .
This would give businesses statutory protection when enforcing the rules and allow venues to remain open safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance ” , said the chief executive of Hospitality Ulster , Colin Neill .
“ Obviously public health comes first but we are trying to get regulations where lives aren ’ t put at risk but it ’ s still desirable enough for people to go out for their dinner.
” Amid fears over reduced compliance with regulations , a new study from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) shows people are becoming less worried about the effect of coronavirus on their lives .
The second set of results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was published on Thursday .
The findings are based on 1,785 interviews with members of the public carried out between April 21st and July 23rd 2020 .
Approximately eight out of ten people ( 77 per cent ) who were interviewed in April and May said they were worried about the effect Covid-19 was having on their lives , compared to 67 per cent in June and July .
Both the North ’ s chief medical officer and Mr Swann have recently warned against “ complacency ” and urged the public to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus regulations .
Meanwhile separate figures released earlier on Thursday showed the impact of the coronavirus crisis on healthcare waiting lists .
More than 300,000 people in the North were waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment as of June 30th , an increase of just over 4,000 people compared to the end of March and almost 12,000 more compared to this time last year .
Waiting times also increased , with almost nine out of ten patients - 89.3 per cent or 277,704 people - waiting more than nine weeks for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent ( 242,864 people ) at the end of March and 74 per cent or 224,130 people at the end of June 2019 .
The number of patients attending first outpatient appointments dropped by 60.6 per cent , with 41,500 people being seen in the quarter ending on June 30th compared to 105,292 in the quarter ending March 31st .
Almost 100,000 people are waiting for admission to hospital for treatment , with the number of patients waiting more than 13 weeks for admission to hospital for treatment rose to 88.8 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent ( 66,872 people ) as of March 31st and 66.7 per cent ( 58,872 ) on June 30th 2019 .
The number of patients receiving inpatient and day case treatment also fell , with around 25,000 people treated in April , May and June compared to about 40,000 the previous quarter .
As of the end of June almost three-quarters of patients - 110,225 people - had been waiting longer than nine weeks for a diagnostic test , compared to just over half - 72,248 of patients as of the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus necessitated a “ virtual lockdown ” of normal health and social care services which has had “ an inevitable and serious impact on waiting lists that were already far beyond being unacceptable.
” While a lot of hard work was underway to rebuild services , he said , this would take time and would be “ entirely dependant on the path Covid will take.
” Running coronavirus and non-coronavirus services was a “ massive challenge ” , he said , and it was “ inevitable ” there would be further hospital-based outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Infection control measures are going to be with for us for some time and inevitably , despite our rebuilding efforts , this will have an adverse impact on waiting times for procedures , ” he said .
“ We are facing a very difficult winter for an already very fragile health service , ” he said , adding that everyone had a role to play “ in protecting our health service and supporting our staff - by following the public health advice on social distancing , hand washing and wearing face coverings @ @

One more person with coronavirus has died in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of fatalities recorded by the North's Department of Health (DoH) to 560.
The death was reported by the DoH on Thursday, but took place on August 25th.
A total of 69 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the North in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 6,964.
The number of cases in the North has been increasing in recent weeks, and the seven-day rolling average for new cases now stands at 418. Belfast reported the greatest number of new cases in the last week, with 101, and there were 87 cases in Mid and East Antrim.
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According to the DoH there are now outbreaks in 14 care homes in the North. Fifteen people with Covid-19 are being treated in hospital, and one is in intensive care.
According to the department the reproduction, or “R” rate of the virus in Northern Ireland is now estimated at about 1.3.
The North's health minister, Robin Swann, said on Thursday he was concerned some licenced premises were "flouting" the coronavirus guidelines and he intends to ask the North's Executive to "prioritise stronger legislation" to address it.
He was speaking after footage obtained by the BBC’s Stephen Nolan Show showed guests dancing at a wedding, contrary the guidelines, and there has been “anecdotal” evidence in the industry of other breaches.
Mr Swann told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that while the “majority” of licenced premises and other businesses were complying with the regulations, he had heard “worrying reports from some concerned members of the public and from the industry itself and from our ongoing liaison with police.”
“This needs collective action from the Executive,” he said. “If you flout the rules you must face the consequences.”
Industry body Hospitality Ulster has recommended to the minister that guidance limiting late-night opening, music and dancing should be replaced with legislation. This would give businesses statutory protection when enforcing the rules and allow venues to remain open safely.
“It’s a fine balance”, said the chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill. “Obviously public health comes first but we are trying to get regulations where lives aren’t put at risk but it’s still desirable enough for people to go out for their dinner.”
Amid fears over reduced compliance with regulations, a new study from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) shows people are becoming less worried about the effect of coronavirus on their lives.
The second set of results from NISRA’s Covid-19 opinion survey was published on Thursday. The findings are based on 1,785 interviews with members of the public carried out between April 21st and July 23rd 2020.
Approximately eight out of ten people (77 per cent) who were interviewed in April and May said they were worried about the effect Covid-19 was having on their lives, compared to 67 per cent in June and July.
Both the North’s chief medical officer and Mr Swann have recently warned against “complacency” and urged the public to continue to follow public health advice and the coronavirus regulations.
Waiting lists
Meanwhile separate figures released earlier on Thursday showed the impact of the coronavirus crisis on healthcare waiting lists.
More than 300,000 people in the North were waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment as of June 30th, an increase of just over 4,000 people compared to the end of March and almost 12,000 more compared to this time last year.
Waiting times also increased, with almost nine out of ten patients - 89.3 per cent or 277,704 people - waiting more than nine weeks for that first appointment, compared to 79.1 per cent (242,864 people) at the end of March and 74 per cent or 224,130 people at the end of June 2019.
The number of patients attending first outpatient appointments dropped by 60.6 per cent, with 41,500 people being seen in the quarter ending on June 30th compared to 105,292 in the quarter ending March 31st.
Almost 100,000 people are waiting for admission to hospital for treatment, with the number of patients waiting more than 13 weeks for admission to hospital for treatment rose to 88.8 per cent or 86,337 people, compared to 71.4 per cent (66,872 people) as of March 31st and 66.7 per cent (58,872) on June 30th 2019.
The number of patients receiving inpatient and day case treatment also fell, with around 25,000 people treated in April, May and June compared to about 40,000 the previous quarter.
As of the end of June almost three-quarters of patients - 110,225 people - had been waiting longer than nine weeks for a diagnostic test, compared to just over half - 72,248 of patients as of the end of March.
Mr Swann said tackling coronavirus necessitated a “virtual lockdown” of normal health and social care services which has had “an inevitable and serious impact on waiting lists that were already far beyond being unacceptable.”
While a lot of hard work was underway to rebuild services, he said, this would take time and would be “entirely dependant on the path Covid will take.”
Running coronavirus and non-coronavirus services was a “massive challenge”, he said, and it was “inevitable” there would be further hospital-based outbreaks and clusters in the months ahead.
“Infection control measures are going to be with for us for some time and inevitably, despite our rebuilding efforts, this will have an adverse impact on waiting times for procedures,” he said.
“We are facing a very difficult winter for an already very fragile health service,” he said, adding that everyone had a role to play “in protecting our health service and supporting our staff - by following the public health advice on social distancing, hand washing and wearing face coverings.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Bewley’s reopens on Grafton Street with reduced seat capacity

Bewley ’ s cafe on Grafton Street in Dublin has reopened after announcing it was to permanently close earlier this year .
The cafe was opened to customers again on Thursday morning and is initially offering table service and a limited menu .
Paddy Campbell , artist and owner of Bewley ’ s cafe , said “ we ’ re really happy to be back open again ” despite operating at less than a fifth of its capacity .
“ We have to be conscious of Covid so we can only let in so many people at a time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this building , ” he said .
“ At the moment we can only let in 50 so we have one-fifth of our capacity .
That ’ s not an easy burden to carry but we believe that the values are very important , that Bewley ’ s is a legacy , Bewley ’ s is something that we have a commitment to keep going and we hope that the public will support us .
“ We can ’ t take in enough people to pay the rent obviously but as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support us and support their own cafe because this cafe belongs to Dublin , not to me , not to anybody else , to Dublin and therefore it ’ s very important that we all participate in not just opening it today but keeping it open.
” The cafe had been closed since March 16th , when the Government introduced lockdown restrictions and the decision to close the cafe permanently was announced in May .
The cafe ’ s 110 staff had been informed on July 1st that they were being made redundant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy , and the €1.5 million annual rental cost on the protected structure .
The cafe has been loss making for several years with the rent accounting for 30 per cent of its annual sales .
It emerged at the end of last month that Bewley ’ s had agreed to pay more than €749,000 in rent arrears and interest costs to Ronan Group Real Estate ( RGRE ) , the landlord of the cafe .
RGRE is controlled by property developer Johnny Ronan .
Cól @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of Bewley ’ s , said the future of the cafe largely depends on Dubliners and that “ they see it as relevant ” .
“ It will require a deep commitment but we ’ re up for the challenge , ” he said .
“ In May things looked really bleak , that was the pit .
What changed was the journey that we went on ... the changing health outlook , perhaps a less bleak economic outlook and a great belief in the resilience that Bewley ’ s has shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bewley ’ s Oriental Cafes Ltd first opened on Grafton Street in 1927 .

Bewley's cafe on Grafton Street in Dublin has reopened following an extended closure due to Covid-19 and a rent dispute with its landlord. Video: Bryan O’Brien
Bewley's cafe on Grafton Street in Dublin has reopened after announcing it was to permanently close earlier this year.
The cafe was opened to customers again on Thursday morning and is initially offering table service and a limited menu.
Paddy Campbell, artist and owner of Bewley's cafe, said "we're really happy to be back open again" despite operating at less than a fifth of its capacity.
“We have to be conscious of Covid so we can only let in so many people at a time, we have the capacity for 400 people in this building,” he said.
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“At the moment we can only let in 50 so we have one-fifth of our capacity. That’s not an easy burden to carry but we believe that the values are very important, that Bewley’s is a legacy, Bewley’s is something that we have a commitment to keep going and we hope that the public will support us.
“We can’t take in enough people to pay the rent obviously but as the business builds we hope the public will support us and support their own cafe because this cafe belongs to Dublin, not to me, not to anybody else, to Dublin and therefore it’s very important that we all participate in not just opening it today but keeping it open.”
The cafe had been closed since March 16th, when the Government introduced lockdown restrictions and the decision to close the cafe permanently was announced in May.
Cól Campbell, managing director, Bewleys cafe Grafton Street on Thursday morning. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Bewley’s staff member Donal Kelly serving customers at the cafe on Thursday. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The cafe’s 110 staff had been informed on July 1st that they were being made redundant, with the closure blamed on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, and the €1.5 million annual rental cost on the protected structure.
The cafe has been loss making for several years with the rent accounting for 30 per cent of its annual sales.
It emerged at the end of last month that Bewley's had agreed to pay more than €749,000 in rent arrears and interest costs to Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE), the landlord of the cafe. RGRE is controlled by property developer Johnny Ronan.
Cól Campbell, son of Paddy and managing director of Bewley's, said the future of the cafe largely depends on Dubliners and that "they see it as relevant".
“It will require a deep commitment but we’re up for the challenge,” he said. “In May things looked really bleak, that was the pit. What changed was the journey that we went on... the changing health outlook, perhaps a less bleak economic outlook and a great belief in the resilience that Bewley’s has shown almost over two centuries of life.”
Bewley's Oriental Cafes Ltd first opened on Grafton Street in 1927.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--School virus outbreaks likely but ‘bespoke’ responses will avoid closures - HSE

Covid-19 cases and outbreaks will emerge in schools across the country but health officials will take a “ bespoke ” approach to investigations to avoid school closures , the HSE has said .
Responding to public anxieties about the possibility of outbreaks as schools reopen , Paul Reid , the chief executive of the HSE , said at a briefing that some people expected a checklist to be followed if there were outbreaks but the response would be “ very defined ” to prevent closures .
“ There is no doubt positive cases and likely outbreaks will emerge in schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be assured that our public health teams have very significant experience in how we manage an outbreak , ” he said .
Targeted public health measures being taken now to respond to the increase in Covid-19 cases were “ adapted ” to avoid another national lockdown , the health chief said .
“ It is not a second surge ; it is a significant ramp-up of cases in different geographies and locations and we have to respond to that , ” he said .
Mr Reid said the response to school outbreaks would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , direct provision centres and nursing homes and follow a “ case by case ” and “ risk-based approach.
” Dr Abigail Collins , a consultant in public health medicine at the HSE , said that investigating school outbreaks was “ not a tick-box exercise ” where a score of three or six out of 10 to a yes-no questionnaire would drive how public health officials react to infections in schools .
Investigators would assess details such as where infected children had been sitting in a classroom , how they entered classrooms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
Dr Collins said that “ bespoke restrictions ” will be based on “ bespoke information ” gathered in the risk assessment of a school and that staff or pupils may be asked to restrict movements .
“ We might temporarily restrict certain activities in certain areas to keep a hold of any transmission risks within the school facility , ” she told the HSE ’ s weekly briefing at DCU in Dublin .
The HSE hoped schools follow public health recommendations so that “ we won ’ t see large-scale exclusions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be taken if necessary , Dr Collins said .
Health officials would avoid a “ wide , sweeping first brush approach ” initially and that she “ would not routinely expect ” whole classes to be excluded if there is a single case found .
“ I would hope that we would be more measured than that , ” she said , but did not rule out more severe restrictions on schools or potential closures if there was a risk of infections spreading .
“ We will do what is necessary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is genuine concern of onward spread and transmission in a class or a broader setting within the school , then we will act fast and hard , ” she said .
Dr Collins warned that information on school outbreaks was “ not open information to put on Facebook or Twitter feeds ” but private as with any interaction with health services .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that internationally it has been found that transmission between children in schools is uncommon and not the main cause of infection amongst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish cases were in children under 15 and any symptoms have been mild .
“ The risks of closures of schools now outweigh the risks of Covid-19 to children , ” he said .
Mr Reid spoke about the importance of schools reopening , citing a new HSE report being published today showing that the Covid-19 lockdown has had “ significant adverse consequences ” for children ’ s educaiton and that primary school children have been most affected .
The report finds that anxiety levels for children may increase due to lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that children requiring additional learning were disproportionately affected .
On infection levels , Mr Reid said there had been 1,400 new cases in the 14 days to August 24th , up from 833 over the previous 14-day period and that the incidence of the disease in the country was 27.5 cases for every 100,000 people , though it remains high at 159 in locked down Kildare .
Ireland ’ s incidence of the disease compares with an EU average of 37 per 100,000 and a low of 2.3 cases per 100,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain .
The Irish rate is higher than the UK at 22.6 cases per 100,000 , Greece at 28.9 and Italy at 17.9 and but lower than Croatia at 74 cases per 100,000 , France at 70 and Portugal at 29.7 , according to the most up to date figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control .
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Irish hospitals was 28 , which “ is a little bit of a concern because it has been creeping up , albeit with lower numbers each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are four confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital intensive care units .
Mr Reid said the HSE plan for the winter was at an “ advanced ” stage of planning and that it was preparing figures on costs before presenting the plan to the Government .
Part of the plan includes the establishment of community assessment hubs to keep the examination of rising respiratory illnesses during the winter months out of hospitals .
The average turnaround time for people being sent for a Covid-19 test and the result being given along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , down from 2.7 days , he said .
Some 52,700 Covid-19 tests have been conducted in the past seven days and serial testing in meat plants had involved 3,000 tests being completed since they began last Friday .
The HSE will begin serial testing in direct provision centres this weekend , said Mr Reid .
The limit of 100,000 weekly tests was not a target but capacity and that carrying out all 100,000 on serial testing to check asymptomatic spread was “ not the best outcome , ” he said .
Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay of two weeks in the supply of flu vaccines from the manufacturer but that he was confident they would arrive by late October .
He said that he did not expect “ undue delay ” in the uptake of the vaccine .

CEO of the HSE Paul Reid said positive cases and outbreaks will emerge in schools across the country. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Covid-19 cases and outbreaks will emerge in schools across the country but health officials will take a “bespoke” approach to investigations to avoid school closures, the HSE has said.
Responding to public anxieties about the possibility of outbreaks as schools reopen, Paul Reid, the chief executive of the HSE, said at a briefing that some people expected a checklist to be followed if there were outbreaks but the response would be "very defined" to prevent closures.
“There is no doubt positive cases and likely outbreaks will emerge in schools across the country but the public should be assured that our public health teams have very significant experience in how we manage an outbreak,” he said.
Targeted public health measures being taken now to respond to the increase in Covid-19 cases were “adapted” to avoid another national lockdown, the health chief said.
READ MORE
“It is not a second surge; it is a significant ramp-up of cases in different geographies and locations and we have to respond to that,” he said.
Mr Reid said the response to school outbreaks would be similar to those in meat plants, direct provision centres and nursing homes and follow a “case by case” and “risk-based approach.”
Dr Abigail Collins, a consultant in public health medicine at the HSE, said that investigating school outbreaks was "not a tick-box exercise" where a score of three or six out of 10 to a yes-no questionnaire would drive how public health officials react to infections in schools.
Investigators would assess details such as where infected children had been sitting in a classroom, how they entered classrooms and access toilets and what happened at break times.
Dr Collins said that “bespoke restrictions” will be based on “bespoke information” gathered in the risk assessment of a school and that staff or pupils may be asked to restrict movements.
“We might temporarily restrict certain activities in certain areas to keep a hold of any transmission risks within the school facility,” she told the HSE’s weekly briefing at DCU in Dublin.
‘We will act fast and hard’
The HSE hoped schools follow public health recommendations so that “we won’t see large-scale exclusions or school closures” but those actions would be taken if necessary, Dr Collins said.
Health officials would avoid a “wide, sweeping first brush approach” initially and that she “would not routinely expect” whole classes to be excluded if there is a single case found.
“I would hope that we would be more measured than that,” she said, but did not rule out more severe restrictions on schools or potential closures if there was a risk of infections spreading.
“We will do what is necessary and if we deem through our investigations that there is genuine concern of onward spread and transmission in a class or a broader setting within the school, then we will act fast and hard,” she said.
Dr Collins warned that information on school outbreaks was "not open information to put on Facebook or Twitter feeds" but private as with any interaction with health services.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that internationally it has been found that transmission between children in schools is uncommon and not the main cause of infection amongst them.
Just 2.8 per cent of Irish cases were in children under 15 and any symptoms have been mild.
“The risks of closures of schools now outweigh the risks of Covid-19 to children,” he said.
Anxiety
Mr Reid spoke about the importance of schools reopening, citing a new HSE report being published today showing that the Covid-19 lockdown has had “significant adverse consequences” for children’s educaiton and that primary school children have been most affected.
The report finds that anxiety levels for children may increase due to lack of socialisation and the loss of routines, and that children requiring additional learning were disproportionately affected.
On infection levels, Mr Reid said there had been 1,400 new cases in the 14 days to August 24th, up from 833 over the previous 14-day period and that the incidence of the disease in the country was 27.5 cases for every 100,000 people, though it remains high at 159 in locked down Kildare.
Ireland’s incidence of the disease compares with an EU average of 37 per 100,000 and a low of 2.3 cases per 100,000 in Latvia and a high of 176 in Spain.
The Irish rate is higher than the UK at 22.6 cases per 100,000, Greece at 28.9 and Italy at 17.9 and but lower than Croatia at 74 cases per 100,000, France at 70 and Portugal at 29.7, according to the most up to date figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Irish hospitals was 28, which “is a little bit of a concern because it has been creeping up, albeit with lower numbers each day,” he told the briefing.
There are four confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospital intensive care units.
Mr Reid said the HSE plan for the winter was at an “advanced” stage of planning and that it was preparing figures on costs before presenting the plan to the Government.
Part of the plan includes the establishment of community assessment hubs to keep the examination of rising respiratory illnesses during the winter months out of hospitals.
Testing
The average turnaround time for people being sent for a Covid-19 test and the result being given along with their contacts traced was 2.2 days, down from 2.7 days, he said.
Some 52,700 Covid-19 tests have been conducted in the past seven days and serial testing in meat plants had involved 3,000 tests being completed since they began last Friday.
The HSE will begin serial testing in direct provision centres this weekend, said Mr Reid.
The limit of 100,000 weekly tests was not a target but capacity and that carrying out all 100,000 on serial testing to check asymptomatic spread was “not the best outcome,” he said.
Dr Henry said that there had been a delay of two weeks in the supply of flu vaccines from the manufacturer but that he was confident they would arrive by late October.
He said that he did not expect “undue delay” in the uptake of the vaccine.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Covid-19 impact on those who are obese should encourage better eating – expert

The impact Covid-19 is having on those who are clinically obese should act as a spur to encourage more people to eat better and exercise more according to one of Ireland ’ s most pre-eminent food health experts .
A major international data study published this week indicates obesity increases the risk of dying from Covid-19 by almost 50 per cent and may make vaccines less effective .
Speaking ahead of an address at an global health sciences meeting hosted by UCD on Thursday the college ’ s Professor of Public Health Pat Wall told The Irish Times that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a wake-up call for individuals and health professionals .
“ This is a time when everyone is paying attention to their diets and looking for ways they can give themselves an edge , ” he said .
“ That means we have an opportunity to really remind people of the impact the food they eat has on their health .
We all know that we should eat more healthily but if people thought it was a matter of life and death then they might pay more attention.
” Prof Wall said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of a healthier diet and pointed out that the physical shape people are in could make the difference between being able to shake off the affects of the disease relatively easily and becoming serious ill. At the event virtually attended by leading health experts from all over the world , Prof Wall also addressed specific challenges to effective prevention and control of Covid-19 in the food industry .
He said disease clusters in some food processing plants in Ireland were as a result of “ overcrowded accommodation and congregated industrial settings that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ireland are enduring ” .
Prof Wall , a leading authority on infectious diseases and the one-time chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland pointed out that workers tend to live in close proximity to each other and , at work , often share large work-tops where Covid-19 laden droplets may be contaminating the environment , emphasising the importance of identifying and excluding symptomatic workers .
He said , “ Elements of the food industry also present environments which are favourable to the spread of Covid-19 with metallic surfaces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Prof Wall called for better controls including the “ implementation of more staggered shifts in the food industry , zoning in the factory and [ having ] workers operating in pods at work .
There is no point having workers segregated in pods at work if they travel to work and live with workers in other pods.
” He said the food industry must address specific challenges to control the spread of Covid-19 including the maintenance of physical distancing on production lines and during breaks , adherence to the use of face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptomatic , adherence to heightened cleaning and disinfection , communication to overcome language and cultural problems , overcrowded accommodation of some workers and the sharing of transport to and from work .

The impact Covid-19 is having on those who are clinically obese should act as a spur to encourage more people to eat better and exercise more according to one of Ireland’s most pre-eminent food health experts.
A major international data study published this week indicates obesity increases the risk of dying from Covid-19 by almost 50 per cent and may make vaccines less effective.
Speaking ahead of an address at an global health sciences meeting hosted by UCD on Thursday the college’s Professor of Public Health Pat Wall told The Irish Times that the way Covid-19 targets overweight people should serve as a wake-up call for individuals and health professionals.
“This is a time when everyone is paying attention to their diets and looking for ways they can give themselves an edge,” he said.
READ MORE
“That means we have an opportunity to really remind people of the impact the food they eat has on their health. We all know that we should eat more healthily but if people thought it was a matter of life and death then they might pay more attention.”
Prof Wall said the coronavirus crisis could focus minds on the importance of a healthier diet and pointed out that the physical shape people are in could make the difference between being able to shake off the affects of the disease relatively easily and becoming serious ill.
At the event virtually attended by leading health experts from all over the world, Prof Wall also addressed specific challenges to effective prevention and control of Covid-19 in the food industry.
He said disease clusters in some food processing plants in Ireland were as a result of "overcrowded accommodation and congregated industrial settings that some workers in the food production industry in Ireland are enduring".
Prof Wall, a leading authority on infectious diseases and the one-time chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland pointed out that workers tend to live in close proximity to each other and, at work, often share large work-tops where Covid-19 laden droplets may be contaminating the environment, emphasising the importance of identifying and excluding symptomatic workers.
He said, “Elements of the food industry also present environments which are favourable to the spread of Covid-19 with metallic surfaces, low ambient temperatures and high relative humidity.’
Prof Wall called for better controls including the “implementation of more staggered shifts in the food industry, zoning in the factory and [having] workers operating in pods at work. There is no point having workers segregated in pods at work if they travel to work and live with workers in other pods.”
He said the food industry must address specific challenges to control the spread of Covid-19 including the maintenance of physical distancing on production lines and during breaks, adherence to the use of face coverings, continued attendance at work while symptomatic, adherence to heightened cleaning and disinfection, communication to overcome language and cultural problems, overcrowded accommodation of some workers and the sharing of transport to and from work.


theirishtimes--2020-08-27--Irish journalist in Hong Kong denied work visa in ‘attack on press freedom’

A journalist from Clones , Co Monaghan , living in Hong Kong has been denied a work visa at an independent news outlet in the city , with his employers claiming he is the latest victim of Beijing ’ s attack on press freedom in the financial hub .
Aaron McNicholas has been in Hong Kong since 2015 , where he has worked as a reporter for Bloomberg , Storyful , and other news groups .
A journalism graduate from Dublin City University , he is a Cantonese speaker and a widely followed commentator on Hong Kong ’ s political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new position as editor of Hong Kong Free Press ( HKFP ) , but after a six-month delay the city ’ s immigration department rejected his visa application for the new role without offering any official reason .
The move has evoked further concerns for the former British colony ’ s media freedoms in light of a recently introduced national security law .
HKFP editor-in-chief Tom Grundy said in a statement that many other news outlets in Hong Kong remain in limbo amid unprecedented visa delays , and a pattern had now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news outlet and our prospective editor was a journalist originally from Ireland , so this is not another tit-for-tat measure under the US-China trade dispute .
It appears we have been targeted under the climate of the new security law and because of our impartial and fact-based coverage.
” As news broke of his visa denial on Thursday morning , hundreds of messages of support for Mr McNicholas appeared on social media platforms .
Eli Meixler from the Financial Times called the move “ appalling ” , and said Mr McNicholas ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exemplary .
.
.
clear-eyed , insightful and vital.
” Writer and lawyer Antony Dapiran said it was “ another blow for free press ” in Hong Kong , adding Mr McNicholas was “ a fine reporter with a long track record in Hong Kong , eminently well-qualified for the job.
” The Committee to Protect Journalists ’ Asia programme co-ordinator Steven Butler said in a statement : “ Denial of a work visa to a thriving local news operation bashes the most basic promise of press freedom given repeatedly by the Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermines Hong Kong ’ s status as an international city and financial centre , which can not flourish unless journalists are free to do their work.
” Unlike on mainland China , the press in the semi-autonomous city has been largely free since the return to Chinese sovereignty under a “ one country , two systems ” agreement brokered before the 1997 British withdrawal .
But confronted with a burgeoning pro-democracy movement Beijing has recently tightened its grip significantly , most notably by imposing a far-reaching and vaguely-worded national security law on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics say is in part designed to stifle dissent and crack down on freedom of expression .
Earlier this month , police used the charge of “ foreign collusion ” under the new law to arrest media tycoon Jimmy Lai , with 200 officers raiding the editorial offices of his Apple Daily newspaper .
Mr McNicholas ’ s case is understood to be the first time Hong Kong immigration officials have rejected a journalist ’ s visa for a local news outlet , but recently the New York Times announced it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Seoul as it was also facing issues securing visas for foreign journalists .

People hold up copies of the Apple Daily as they protest over press freedom in Hong Kong on August 11th, a day after authorities conducted a search of the newspaper’s headquarters following the arrest of the company’s founder Jimmy Lai under the new national security law. Photograph: Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images
A journalist from Clones, Co Monaghan, living in Hong Kong has been denied a work visa at an independent news outlet in the city, with his employers claiming he is the latest victim of Beijing’s attack on press freedom in the financial hub.
Aaron McNicholas has been in Hong Kong since 2015, where he has worked as a reporter for Bloomberg, Storyful, and other news groups.
A journalism graduate from Dublin City University, he is a Cantonese speaker and a widely followed commentator on Hong Kong’s political affairs.
Earlier this year he accepted a new position as editor of Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP), but after a six-month delay the city’s immigration department rejected his visa application for the new role without offering any official reason.
READ MORE
The move has evoked further concerns for the former British colony’s media freedoms in light of a recently introduced national security law.
HKFP editor-in-chief Tom Grundy said in a statement that many other news outlets in Hong Kong remain in limbo amid unprecedented visa delays, and a pattern had now emerged.
“We are a local news outlet and our prospective editor was a journalist originally from Ireland, so this is not another tit-for-tat measure under the US-China trade dispute. It appears we have been targeted under the climate of the new security law and because of our impartial and fact-based coverage.”
As news broke of his visa denial on Thursday morning, hundreds of messages of support for Mr McNicholas appeared on social media platforms.
Eli Meixler from the Financial Times called the move “appalling”, and said Mr McNicholas’s coverage of Hong Kong had been “exemplary . . . clear-eyed, insightful and vital.”
Writer and lawyer Antony Dapiran said it was “another blow for free press” in Hong Kong, adding Mr McNicholas was “a fine reporter with a long track record in Hong Kong, eminently well-qualified for the job.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists’ Asia programme co-ordinator Steven Butler said in a statement: “Denial of a work visa to a thriving local news operation bashes the most basic promise of press freedom given repeatedly by the Hong Kong government.
“It also severely undermines Hong Kong’s status as an international city and financial centre, which cannot flourish unless journalists are free to do their work.”
Unlike on mainland China, the press in the semi-autonomous city has been largely free since the return to Chinese sovereignty under a “one country, two systems” agreement brokered before the 1997 British withdrawal.
But confronted with a burgeoning pro-democracy movement Beijing has recently tightened its grip significantly, most notably by imposing a far-reaching and vaguely-worded national security law on the city at the end of June which critics say is in part designed to stifle dissent and crack down on freedom of expression.
Earlier this month, police used the charge of “foreign collusion” under the new law to arrest media tycoon Jimmy Lai, with 200 officers raiding the editorial offices of his Apple Daily newspaper.
Mr McNicholas’s case is understood to be the first time Hong Kong immigration officials have rejected a journalist’s visa for a local news outlet, but recently the New York Times announced it would be relocating some of its Hong Kong team to Seoul as it was also facing issues securing visas for foreign journalists.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Scramble for school places in Kerry as grind school suddenly closes

Dozens of Leaving Cert and fifth year students are scrambling to find school places after a grind school in Co Kerry announced that it is to cease trading .
The principal of Brookfield College , which has operated in Tralee for 30 years , told staff and students in an email on Thursday that it had suffered “ a significant loss ” as a result of Covid-19 and taken on fewer enrolments than anticipated .
Leaving Certs and other students were due to begin classes on Tuesday and had paid deposits and purchased books and other course material .
Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given no notice of any closure threat .
The school also accepts international students for English language courses .
It is understood that some are in quarantine after arriving in Co Kerry and had been preparing to begin their course .
Fifth year student Jude Pearse from Ballyduff told Radio Kerry he had enrolled for the two-year senior cycle and was preparing to start next week .
“ I couldn ’ t believe it .
We sent in our application in July , ” he said , adding that he paid a deposit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no indication of a downturn in numbers .
He is now worried that it will be difficult to find a school place elsewhere during the pandemic with most secondary schools preparing for specific numbers of students .
Sinn Féin councillor Cathal Foley said this was “ a devastating blow ” for students , staff and parents and the important thing now was to find school places for the affected students .
Local representatives and parents have contacted Minister for Education Norma Foley , who is a Kerry TD .
The Department of Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter .
The school said the decision was made “ with deep regret ” and that those who paid fees would be listed as creditors and the liquidators , JPA Brenson Lawlor , would be in contact with families .

Dozens of Leaving Cert and fifth year students are scrambling to find school places after a grind school in Co Kerry announced that it is to cease trading. File photograph: EPA.
Dozens of Leaving Cert and fifth year students are scrambling to find school places after a grind school in Co Kerry announced that it is to cease trading.
The principal of Brookfield College, which has operated in Tralee for 30 years, told staff and students in an email on Thursday that it had suffered “a significant loss” as a result of Covid-19 and taken on fewer enrolments than anticipated.
Leaving Certs and other students were due to begin classes on Tuesday and had paid deposits and purchased books and other course material. Students enrolled over recent weeks say they were given no notice of any closure threat.
The school also accepts international students for English language courses. It is understood that some are in quarantine after arriving in Co Kerry and had been preparing to begin their course.
READ MORE
The school said the decision was made “with deep regret” and that those who paid fees would be listed as creditors and the liquidators, JPA Brenson Lawlor, would be in contact with families.
Fifth year student Jude Pierse from Ballyduff told Radio Kerry he had enrolled for the two-year senior cycle and was preparing to start next week.
“I couldn’t believe it. We sent in our application in July,” he said, adding that he paid a deposit of €1,500 on August 13th and received no indication of a downturn in numbers.
Specific numbers
He is now worried that it will be difficult to find a school place elsewhere during the pandemic with most secondary schools preparing for specific numbers of students.
Sinn Féin councillor Cathal Foley said this was “a devastating blow” for students, staff and parents and the important thing now was to find school places for the affected students.
Local representatives and parents have contacted Minister for Education Norma Foley, who is a Kerry TD.
The Department of Education said Ms Foley was aware of the closure of the school and that the Department was ready to support affected students who are unable to find an alternative school place. It added that staff of private second level schools do not fall within its remit and that provision for employees would be a matter for school management.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Plan agreed for home-schooled student to get calculated Leaving Cert grades

Arrangements have been put in place by the Minister for Education to allow a home-schooled Leaving Cert student to get any calculated grades he is awarded at the same time as all other exam candidates .
Elijah Burke successfully challenged the Minister ’ s decision to exclude him from the calculated grades process and will receive any grades awarded to him by September 7th , when some 60,000 students will get their results .
The Minister had refused to give the teenager a calculated grade because he had been taught by his mother , Martina Burke , a qualified teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minister to put steps in place to allow Elijah , and other home-schooled students excluded from the system because they had been home-schooled by a parent or close relative , be assessed for a calculated grade .
Earlier this week it emerged that while the Minister was putting steps in place to allow Elijah to be assessed for a calculated grade , there was no guarantee that he would receive results at the same time as other candidates .
Mr Justice Charles Meenan expressed his concerns over that lack of a guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have on Elijah regarding first round offers of places in third level education .
Brendan Hennessy Bl , for Elijah , on Friday told the High Court that significant progress had been made between the parties over how and when Elijah ’ s course work was to be assessed and graded .
Mr Hennessy , instructed by solicitor Eileen McCabe , said the student ’ s work would be assessed by independent teachers from the Mayo Education and Training Board .
It would be assessed in the same manner by an independent teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educated by a parent or close relative .
Any grades he receives in the nine Leaving Cert subjects he studied are to be awarded by September 7th , counsel said .
Mr Justice Meenan welcomed the arrangements put in place .
He praised both sides for their efforts to deal with as complex a matter in a short space of time .
In a judgement earlier this month , Mr Justice Meenan held that a calculated grade system which excluded home schooled students on the grounds that a teacher has a conflict of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlawful ” .
He said a system had been put in place in schools to deal with scenarios where a Leaving Cert student has been taught by a parent or close relative .
The judge said that a non-conflicted or independent teacher or teachers ought to be involved in the place of Elijah ’ s mother in the system for the award of the estimated mark in each of his Leaving Certificate subjects .
He said the ruling applied to Elijah and some 10 other students in a similar situation .
Elijah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hopes to study either biomedical sciences or history with music at NUI Galway .
He is one of 10 siblings who have all been educated at home by their mother .
The Minister argued that it was not possible to give him a calculated grade for any of the nine subjects he has studied due to an absence of credible evidence from an appropriate source on which to base a grade .
This was because Mrs Burke was in a position of direct conflict of interest and that accepting estimated marks from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and credibility of the process .
The State denied his rights were breached by a system it brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic .

Elijah Burke is pictured during a protest for students deemed not eligible for calculated grades at Leinster House in Dublin earlier this year. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins.
Arrangements have been put in place by the Minister for Education to allow a home-schooled Leaving Cert student to get any calculated grades he is awarded at the same time as all other exam candidates.
Elijah Burke successfully challenged the Minister’s decision to exclude him from the calculated grades process and will receive any grades awarded to him by September 7th, when some 60,000 students will get their results.
The Minister had refused to give the teenager a calculated grade because he had been taught by his mother, Martina Burke, a qualified teacher.
Mr Justice Charles Meenan had directed the Minister to put steps in place to allow Elijah, and other home-schooled students excluded from the system because they had been home-schooled by a parent or close relative, be assessed for a calculated grade.
READ MORE
No guarantee
Earlier this week it emerged that while the Minister was putting steps in place to allow Elijah to be assessed for a calculated grade, there was no guarantee that he would receive results at the same time as other candidates.
Mr Justice Charles Meenan expressed his concerns over that lack of a guarantee, and the potential effect this might have on Elijah regarding first round offers of places in third level education.
Brendan Hennessy Bl, for Elijah, on Friday told the High Court that significant progress had been made between the parties over how and when Elijah’s course work was to be assessed and graded.
Mr Hennessy, instructed by solicitor Eileen McCabe, said the student’s work would be assessed by independent teachers from the Mayo Education and Training Board. It would be assessed in the same manner by an independent teacher as an in-school student who had been educated by a parent or close relative. Any grades he receives in the nine Leaving Cert subjects he studied are to be awarded by September 7th, counsel said.
Praise
Mr Justice Meenan welcomed the arrangements put in place. He praised both sides for their efforts to deal with as complex a matter in a short space of time.
In a judgement earlier this month, Mr Justice Meenan held that a calculated grade system which excluded home schooled students on the grounds that a teacher has a conflict of interest was “irrational, unreasonable and unlawful”.
He said a system had been put in place in schools to deal with scenarios where a Leaving Cert student has been taught by a parent or close relative.
The judge said that a non-conflicted or independent teacher or teachers ought to be involved in the place of Elijah’s mother in the system for the award of the estimated mark in each of his Leaving Certificate subjects.
He said the ruling applied to Elijah and some 10 other students in a similar situation.
Elijah, from Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, hopes to study either biomedical sciences or history with music at NUI Galway. He is one of 10 siblings who have all been educated at home by their mother.
The Minister argued that it was not possible to give him a calculated grade for any of the nine subjects he has studied due to an absence of credible evidence from an appropriate source on which to base a grade.
This was because Mrs Burke was in a position of direct conflict of interest and that accepting estimated marks from a family member would undermine the integrity and credibility of the process. The State denied his rights were breached by a system it brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Dublin City Council plans for 30km/h limit despite opposition

Dublin City Council plans to press ahead with making 30km/h the “ default speed limit ” across the city and suburbs despite public opposition to the move .
Results of a public consultation process , which will be presented to city councillors next week , show more than half of those who made submissions on the proposed traffic bylaws opposed the cut in speed limits .
Motorists complained the lower limit would cause “ frustration and stress ” and could result in “ cyclists overtaking cars ” .
However , the council said road safety “ must ” be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns over increased journey times or the difficulty of adhering to lower limits , and it is recommending councillors approve the bylaws .
The council has been working to reduce speed limits to 30km/h all residential areas .
However , the new bylaws will extend the limit to almost all major approach roads to the city .
The low speed limit will apply to roads which previously allowed speeds of 50km/h and 80km/h and will include the Royal and Grand Canals and the Rathmines , Ranelagh , Harold ’ s Cross and Donnybrook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Phibsborough Road , Dorset Street , Manor Street and Gardiner Street on the northside .
Only a handful of major approach roads , such as the N3 and N1 will retain higher 50km/h and 60km/h limits , but as they near the city their speeds will drop to the lower 30km/h limit .
A speed of 80km/h has only been permitted on a section of the Chapelizod bypass and the entry to the M1 motorway .
More than 2,000 submissions were made on the proposed bylaws in July and earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduction of the 30km limit .
The 44 per cent who supported the measure largely said it would provide a safer environment for pedestrians , cyclists , children , and the mobility-impaired .
Several respondents said a default 30km/h limit would be easier to enforce than variable limits .
Those opposing the change said it would result in longer journey times for motorists and additional delays in driving through city that would “ cause a lot of frustration , stress and pressure for motorists ” .
Watching the speedometer would take concentration off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for car engines , and the 30km/h limit could result in “ cyclists overtaking cars ” , submissions said .
The council said the concerns of motorists had to be balanced against the benefits of the change .
“ The overriding principle that must inform any decision to change a default speed limit should be road safety , in particular , the reduction of fatal and serious road collisions.
” An examination of international experience and the existing 30km/h limited areas in the city “ recorded only positive outcomes in terms of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in a designated 30km/h area , signalled continued support for retaining the limit the council said .
“ The concerns regarding increased journey times and difficulties in keeping to the reduced speed limits have to be set against the clear desire of so many residents who want to improve their areas and wish to see reduced speeds in their local areas , ” it said .
“ The clear intent of these speed limit bye-laws is to have the 30km/h as the default speed limit and that drivers should assume this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are specific speed limit signs advising of higher speed limits .
”

The new bylaws will extend the 30km/h limit to almost all major approach roads to the city
Dublin City Council plans to press ahead with making 30km/h the "default speed limit" across the city and suburbs despite public opposition to the move.
Results of a public consultation process, which will be presented to city councillors next week, show more than half of those who made submissions on the proposed traffic bylaws opposed the cut in speed limits.
Motorists complained the lower limit would cause “frustration and stress” and could result in “cyclists overtaking cars”.
However, the council said road safety “must” be the “overriding principal” against motorists’ concerns over increased journey times or the difficulty of adhering to lower limits, and it is recommending councillors approve the bylaws.
READ MORE
The council has been working to reduce speed limits to 30km/h all residential areas. However, the new bylaws will extend the limit to almost all major approach roads to the city.
The low speed limit will apply to roads which previously allowed speeds of 50km/h and 80km/h and will include the Royal and Grand Canals and the Rathmines, Ranelagh, Harold's Cross and Donnybrook Roads on the southside of the city and Phibsborough Road, Dorset Street, Manor Street and Gardiner Street on the northside.
Only a handful of major approach roads, such as the N3 and N1 will retain higher 50km/h and 60km/h limits, but as they near the city their speeds will drop to the lower 30km/h limit. A speed of 80km/h has only been permitted on a section of the Chapelizod bypass and the entry to the M1 motorway.
More than 2,000 submissions were made on the proposed bylaws in July and earlier this month with 56 per cent opposed to the introduction of the 30km limit.
The 44 per cent who supported the measure largely said it would provide a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, children, and the mobility-impaired. Several respondents said a default 30km/h limit would be easier to enforce than variable limits.
Those opposing the change said it would result in longer journey times for motorists and additional delays in driving through city that would “cause a lot of frustration, stress and pressure for motorists”.
Watching the speedometer would take concentration off the road, lower speeds were bad for car engines, and the 30km/h limit could result in “cyclists overtaking cars”, submissions said.
The council said the concerns of motorists had to be balanced against the benefits of the change.
“The overriding principle that must inform any decision to change a default speed limit should be road safety, in particular, the reduction of fatal and serious road collisions.”
An examination of international experience and the existing 30km/h limited areas in the city “recorded only positive outcomes in terms of this road safety objective”. Residents already living in a designated 30km/h area, signalled continued support for retaining the limit the council said.
“The concerns regarding increased journey times and difficulties in keeping to the reduced speed limits have to be set against the clear desire of so many residents who want to improve their areas and wish to see reduced speeds in their local areas,” it said.
“The clear intent of these speed limit bye-laws is to have the 30km/h as the default speed limit and that drivers should assume this is the speed limit across the city unless there are specific speed limit signs advising of higher speed limits.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--PSNI shuts nine pubs and restaurants for breaching Covid-19 rules

Nine licensed premises in Northern Ireland have been closed by police for breaching coronavirus regulations .
The prohibition notices - which mean the venue must close until police are satisfied it can reopen safely - have been issued since July 3rd , when restaurants and bars selling food were permitted to reopen in the North .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) said notices were issued to premises in Coleraine , Co Derry and Bangor , Co Down in July , as well as Moy , Co Tyrone , Banbridge , Co Down , and five in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Irvinestown - in August .
The North ’ s health minister , Robin Swann , is to ask the North ’ s Executive to “ prioritise stronger legislation ” after he said on Thursday he was concerned some licensed premises were “ flouting ” the coronavirus guidelines , though he said the majority were following the advice .
Assistant chief constable Alan Todd said police officers will continue to “ work with licensees across Northern Ireland to ensure our community can socialise in a safe environment .
“ Where we receive complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential breaches of both the Licensing ( NI ) Order 1996 and the Health Protection ( Coronavirus Restrictions ) Regulations NI 2020 .
“ Where appropriate , advice and guidance will be provided to ensure the continued safe and peaceful enjoyment of services , ” he said .
“ Our approach has always been engage , explain , encourage and enforcement with any emphasises on enforcement being fully considered with all our partners.
” Pubs and bars serving drinks only were due to reopen in the North on September 1st , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the rising number of infections .
The North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) estimates the current reproduction “ R ” rate of the virus is around 1.3 .
According to figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) on Friday , there were three deaths involving Covid-19 in the week ending August 21st .
The total number of fatalities involving coronavirus recorded by NISRA until August 21st was 871 , almost 56 per cent higher than the number - 559 - recorded by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these , 460 ( 52.8 per cent ) took place in hospital , 351 ( 40.3 per cent ) in care homes , eight ( 0.9 per cent ) in hospices and 52 ( 6 per cent ) at residential addresses or other locations .
The 359 deaths in care homes and hospices involved 81 separate establishments .
Northern Ireland produces two sets of data on coronavirus-related deaths .
The department ’ s figures are based on patients who previously tested positive for the virus .
The NISRA figures are based on information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there may or may not have been a previous positive test for coronavirus .

It is not clear whether the notices were issued to pubs, bars or restaurants. Photograph: iStock
Nine licensed premises in Northern Ireland have been issued with prohibition notices for breaching coronavirus regulations.
The notices have all been issued since July 3rd, when restaurants and bars selling food were permitted to reopen in the North.
A prohibition notice requires a venue to stop the breach of the regulations identified by enforcement officers, and can mean closure until police are satisfied it can reopen safely.
Another 85 cases of Covid-19 were identified in Northern Ireland in the 24 hours to Friday, according to the North's Department of Health (DoH). No new deaths were reported, leaving the total number of fatalities recorded by the department at 560.
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The rolling seven-day average of new cases in Northern Ireland is now 431, according to the DoH, and the total number of cases identified since the beginning of the pandemic stands at 7,049.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said notices were issued to premises in Coleraine, Co Derry and Bangor, Co Down in July, as well as Moy, Co Tyrone, Banbridge, Co Down, and five in Co Fermanagh – in Rosslea, Tempo and Irvinestown – in August.
It is not clear whether the notices were issued to pubs, bars or restaurants, but the North's first minister, Arlene Foster, tweeted that it was "disappointing to learn that five pubs had to be served with prohibition notices in Fermanagh."
“Regulations are there for a reason. No one is above the rules,” the DUP leader said on Twitter. “Important to adhere [to the regulations] for the public health and safety of everyone.”
The North's health minister, Robin Swann, is to ask the North's Executive to "prioritise stronger legislation" after he said on Thursday he was concerned some licensed premises were "flouting" the coronavirus guidelines, though he said the majority were acting responsibly following the advice.
Both legally enforceable regulations – including the requirement to serve food and broader regulations around numbers – and coronavirus guidelines currently apply to the hospitality industry in the North.
Industry body Hospitality Ulster has recommended to the minister that guidance limiting late-night opening, music and dancing should be replaced with legislation. This would give businesses statutory protection when enforcing the rules and allow venues to remain open safely.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said police officers will continue to "work with licensees across Northern Ireland to ensure our community can socialise in a safe environment.
"Where we receive complaints, we will engage with licensees around potential breaches of both the Licensing (NI) Order 1996 and the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020.
“Where appropriate, advice and guidance will be provided to ensure the continued safe and peaceful enjoyment of services,” he said.
“Our approach has always been engage, explain, encourage and enforcement with any emphasises on enforcement being fully considered with all our partners.”
Pubs and bars serving drinks only were due to reopen in the North on September 1st, but that has been postponed indefinitely due to concerns over the rising number of infections.
The chief executive of industry body Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill, said nine prohibition notices in two months "in an industry of a couple of thousand" demonstrated there were a "limited" number of people acting irresponsibly.
“We do need the police and statutory bodies to have more enforcement powers to cover the areas of concern,” he said.
“Anyone that’s trying and making a mistake deserves to be helped, and anyone that’s blatantly ignoring the guidance – and, as we want it to be made legislation – deserves then to feel the weight of the law until they’re prepared to operate safely.”
According to figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) – which releases a weekly report each Friday – there were three deaths involving Covid-19 in the week ending August 21st.
The total number of fatalities involving coronavirus recorded by NISRA until August 21st was 871, almost 56 per cent higher than the number – 559 – recorded by the department in the same period.
Of these, 460 (52.8 per cent) took place in hospital, 351 (40.3 per cent) in care homes, eight (0.9 per cent) in hospices and 52 (6 per cent) at residential addresses or other locations.
The 359 deaths in care homes and hospices involved 81 separate establishments.
Northern Ireland produces two sets of data on coronavirus-related deaths. The department’s figures are based on patients who previously tested positive for the virus. The NISRA figures are based on information entered on death certificates by medical professionals, and there may or may not have been a previous positive test for coronavirus.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Restaurant, bar and cafe staff obliged to wear masks under new regulations being considered

Workers in premises that serve drink and food will be obliged to wear masks under new regulations being considered by the Government .
Ministers previously signed regulations making face coverings mandatory in shops and other indoor public settings but this did not extend to restaurants , bars or cafes .
Sources have said that officials in the Department of Health are currently drafting the regulations but that the plan will be to make it mandatory for those working in any establishment that serves food or drinks to wear masks .
The matter may be discussed in this afternoon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the regulations are ready .
The Cabinet is also poised to agree a major crackdown on house parties and pubs that are not complying with public health guidelines under new measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19 .
Under the proposals expected to be approved by Ministers later this afternoon , it will be an offence to organise or attend a gathering in a private house with more than six visitors either indoors or outdoors .
This measure was introduced as a guideline last week .
Gardaí will also be given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they believe public health guidelines are not being followed .
With the sanction of a superintendent , a garda can order the closure of a premises either orally or in written format .
If the owner does not comply , they could be subject to a fine or imprisonment on conviction .
It is understood that the number of people permitted at weddings will remain at 50 .
The Cabinet will also agree that pubs that serve only alcohol will not be permitted to reopen on Monday .
Earlier on Friday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colm Henry said now was not the time for pubs not serving food to reopen .
Dr Henry , who is also a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) , said that from international experience congregated settings and alcohol were not good conditions for transmission of the virus .
Speaking on RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland , Dr Henry pointed out that the 14 day incidence has risen from three per 100,000 in June to 33 per 100,000 at present .
“ We had a single number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , now we ’ re seeing new cases in the order of 100 to 120 per day .
“ Now we ’ re opening schools and that ’ s an important milestone in our experience of Covid so far , because we ’ re recognising the impact closures have had on children ’ s health and well being , so now is not the right time to reopen pubs at this critical juncture , ” he said .
When asked about the lower levels of hospitalisation and the age profile of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr Henry said : “ We can ’ t have society apartheid where we expect older people to obey one set of rules and younger people to not adhere to those rules , because we know that apart from the harm to children , we are now seeing reports of harm to older people , malnutrition , deconditioning , decreased mobility , we can ’ t protract the isolation of older people.
” Dr Henry said that the new advice that came in last week was the need to double up “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that now was not the right time to reopen pubs with rising community transmissions .
“ Sequencing of the virus shows it is the same , every bit as transmissible , every bit as lethal to vulnerable people and older people and younger people are not immune to the effects of the virus.
” Dr Henry said that the collective aim must be “ to extinguish and suffocate the virus in those household settings and not allow transmission between household settings , hence the regulations that came in last week limiting the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the generic advice for people apart from washing hands and distancing is avoid indoor settings , avoid congregated settings , minimise and ration the number of close contacts that you have.
” There are nearly 400 active outbreaks of coronavirus in the country at present , according to officials from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
Dr John Cuddihy , director of the HPSC , which monitors and analyses the number of Covid-19 cases in the State , said on Thursday that officials were seeing a “ significant number of outbreaks ” at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus in the State at present , 252 of which were related to social gatherings in private households , he said .
One recent outbreak in a pub/restaurant had been linked to 26 cases , which then spread further causing 10 cases in another workplace .
Another outbreak in a restaurant involved 19 cases .
Six cases had been traced to an outbreak in a sports club , with further transmission at an associated social gathering resulting in another 19 cases .
Dr Cuddihy said an outbreak in a retail outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as some of the workers continued to work while showing symptoms .

Workers in premises that serve drink and food will be obliged to wear masks under new regulations being considered by the Government.
The Government has agreed to give gardaí greater enforcement powers against pubs that do not comply with Covid-19 public health guidelines.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar confirmed the move after a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
He also said there was a €16 million package being made available for pubs that were being prohibited from reopening next week.
Government Announces €16m Package for Pubs, Bars and Nightclubs
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD - "Our core values will ensure we continue to suppress COVID-19 to allow our economic, social and cultural life to safely recover and flourish into the future."https://t.co/X6HW2DvDVv pic.twitter.com/EUeDgwJNon — MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) August 28, 2020
There would be a 40 per cent increase on the restart grant for businesses in the pub trade, he added.
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Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said that Cabinet had also agreed to waive all licence fees for closed pubs.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will also examine a new plan which will look at ways in which the industry can safely reopen but no date has been put on that.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said there would be enhanced enforcement powers for pubs and restaurants after an increase over the summer in the number of non-complaint premises.
She said with the sanction of a superintendent a gardaí can order the closure of a pub for one day, and if there is still no compliance with this seven days, and then 30 days.
Mr Varadkar said he could not say with any certainty whether pubs would reopen this year.
The Cabinet also agreed to ask the Attorney General to examine options for further regulating house parties.
Under the proposals discussed this afternoon, it will be an offence to organise or attend a gathering in a private house with more than six visitors either indoors or outdoors. This measure was introduced as a guideline last week.
The scale of the funding package for pubs, bars and nightclubs was criticised by industry representatives.
Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners’ Association (LVA), said it was a “paltry gesture which shows little regard… for the troubles of the pub industry”.
“This is the third time the reopening of the pubs has been delayed and they have had weeks to put a package together,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
“It is disappointing in the extreme.”
Padraig Cribben, chief executive of Vintners' Federation of Ireland described the support package as "crumbs" and "woefully inadequate" for publicans who are closed almost six months.
“Our members are facing into an Autumn of uncertainty with no guidance from Government about how and when they will be allowed [to] reopen,” he said.
“In the circumstances, a weekly grant payment was the absolute minimum publicans expected. Publicans are now in complete despair.”
Workplace regulations
Meanwhile, further regulations are being considered by the Government which would see workers in premises that serve drink and food be obliged to wear masks.
Ministers previously signed regulations making face coverings mandatory in shops and other indoor public settings but this did not extend to restaurants, bars or cafes.
Sources have said that officials in the Department of Health are currently drafting the regulations but that the plan will be to make it mandatory for those working in any establishment that serves food or drinks to wear masks.
Earlier on Friday, the HSE's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said now was not the time for pubs not serving food to reopen.
Dr Henry, who is also a member of the NPHET, said that from international experience congregated settings and alcohol were not good conditions for transmission of the virus.
Speaking on RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland, Dr Henry pointed out that the 14 day incidence has risen from three per 100,000 in June to 33 per 100,000 at present. "We had a single number of new cases per day back in June, now we're seeing new cases in the order of 100 to 120 per day.
‘A critical juncture’
“Now we’re opening schools and that’s an important milestone in our experience of Covid so far, because we’re recognising the impact closures have had on children’s health and well being, so now is not the right time to reopen pubs at this critical juncture,” he said.
When asked about the lower levels of hospitalisation and the age profile of more recent cases (31 years old), Dr Henry said: “We can’t have society apartheid where we expect older people to obey one set of rules and younger people to not adhere to those rules, because we know that apart from the harm to children, we are now seeing reports of harm to older people, malnutrition, deconditioning, decreased mobility, we can’t protract the isolation of older people.”
Dr Henry said that the new advice that came in last week was the need to double up “on all our behaviours” which meant that now was not the right time to reopen pubs with rising community transmissions.
“Sequencing of the virus shows it is the same, every bit as transmissible, every bit as lethal to vulnerable people and older people and younger people are not immune to the effects of the virus.”
The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry has said that now is not the time for pubs not serving food to reopen. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin.
Dr Henry said that the collective aim must be “to extinguish and suffocate the virus in those household settings and not allow transmission between household settings, hence the regulations that came in last week limiting the number of people indoors and outdoors and hence the generic advice for people apart from washing hands and distancing is avoid indoor settings, avoid congregated settings, minimise and ration the number of close contacts that you have.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Showers to clear over weekend, more rain next week

Weather-wise , Ireland has had a fairly miserable Friday morning , but in keeping with the vagaries of September , things should look very different before the day is out .
As schools slowly grind into life , there is a sense of the summer being over and autumn closing in , but the good news is there is still at least one more decent weekend left .
Met Éireann forecasters are saying that for anyone peering out their windows at heavy rain on Friday morning , things are looking up later on .
“ It ’ s blustery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s similar to yesterday , ” said Sinéad Duffy of Met Éireann early on Friday , but “ the showers are kind of petering out this afternoon ” .
That easing of showers will begin along the west coast as the dark clouds clear and dry weather begins to take a hold – in most cases for the duration of the weekend .
It is no beach weather , however – temperatures are due to remain relatively subdued – but there will be one last chance to enjoy the outdoors before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ] cool because we have these northerly winds bringing down that cool air , ” said Ms Duffy .
Clear skies will remain over Saturday night bringing similar conditions on Sunday , but again with temperatures generally loitering in the low teens .
“ The best of the weather [ is ] over the weekend .
It ’ s dry to start on Monday , and then rain and drizzle pushes in , ” Ms Duffy said .
“ The east will have the best early in the day , and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the east it ’ s looking like people dropping kids off to school might get some dry weather , but it ’ s still a few days away so keep an eye on the forecast .
Although it has looked like that for a few days , it ’ s been consistent.
” Now , everyone ’ s prayers will focus on the prospect of an Indian summer given the mixed bag of summer weather .
While no data is available yet for August , everyone will agree it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into next week remains uncertain , but Tuesday looks a lot like Friday – cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the east , eventually brightening up .
Temperatures begin to pick up again , however , reaching between 15 and 19 degrees .
Later in the week looks like bringing more rain and average temperatures .

Weather-wise, Ireland has had a fairly miserable Friday morning, but in keeping with the vagaries of September, things should look very different before the day is out.
As schools slowly grind into life, there is a sense of the summer being over and autumn closing in, but the good news is there is still at least one more decent weekend left.
Met Éireann forecasters are saying that for anyone peering out their windows at heavy rain on Friday morning, things are looking up later on.
“It’s blustery. There are scattered showers around; it’s similar to yesterday,” said Sinéad Duffy of Met Éireann early on Friday, but “the showers are kind of petering out this afternoon”.
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That easing of showers will begin along the west coast as the dark clouds clear and dry weather begins to take a hold – in most cases for the duration of the weekend.
It is no beach weather, however – temperatures are due to remain relatively subdued – but there will be one last chance to enjoy the outdoors before the classrooms beckon.
“[It will be] cool because we have these northerly winds bringing down that cool air,” said Ms Duffy .
Clear skies will remain over Saturday night bringing similar conditions on Sunday, but again with temperatures generally loitering in the low teens.
“The best of the weather [is] over the weekend. It’s dry to start on Monday, and then rain and drizzle pushes in,” Ms Duffy said.
“The east will have the best early in the day, and then rain pushes in across the country.
“In the east it’s looking like people dropping kids off to school might get some dry weather, but it’s still a few days away so keep an eye on the forecast. Although it has looked like that for a few days, it’s been consistent.”
Now, everyone’s prayers will focus on the prospect of an Indian summer given the mixed bag of summer weather. While no data is available yet for August, everyone will agree it has been dull and wet.
The outlook further into next week remains uncertain, but Tuesday looks a lot like Friday – cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the east, eventually brightening up. Temperatures begin to pick up again, however, reaching between 15 and 19 degrees.
Later in the week looks like bringing more rain and average temperatures.


theirishtimes--2020-08-28--Armed masked man holds up primary school board meeting

A masked man wielding a screwdriver held up the board of governors of a primary school during an evening meeting and forced them to hand over whatever cash they had on them , gardaí have said .
The incident , which is being treated as an aggravated burglary and robbery , happened at a school in Longford town shortly after 7pm on Thursday .
The man entered the school - which gardaí said they will not identify for “ operational reasons ” - while the board of governors were meeting ahead of pupils returning to school .
Threatening them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a screwdriver - he forced them to hand over cash .
It is understood they gave him around €250 before he fled the scene on foot .
No one was physically harmed during the hold up .
Gardaí later arrested a 38-year-old man in Longford town and recovered a sum of cash .
The suspect is being questioned at Longford Garda station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , 1984 .
“ An examination of the scene has been carried out by local scenes of crime personnel , ” a Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the driver of a van that may have been flagged down in the Chapel Street area by the suspect as he fled from the scene .

Gardaí are questioning a man in his 30s about the robbery.
A masked man wielding a screwdriver held up the board of governors of a primary school during an evening meeting and forced them to hand over whatever cash they had on them, gardaí have said.
The incident, which is being treated as an aggravated burglary and robbery, happened at a school in Longford town shortly after 7pm on Thursday.
The man entered the school - which gardaí said they will not identify for “operational reasons” - while the board of governors were meeting ahead of pupils returning to school.
Threatening them with a sharp implement - believed to be a screwdriver - he forced them to hand over cash.
READ MORE
It is understood they gave him around €250 before he fled the scene on foot.
No one was physically harmed during the hold up. Gardaí later arrested a 38-year-old man in Longford town and recovered a sum of cash.
The suspect is being questioned at Longford Garda station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
“An examination of the scene has been carried out by local scenes of crime personnel,” a Garda spokesman said.
“Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses.”
They are particularly appealing to the driver of a van that may have been flagged down in the Chapel Street area by the suspect as he fled from the scene.