theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Breast cancer breakthrough may reduce use of chemotherapy

New research indicates the great majority of postmenopausal women with one of the most common forms of early-stage breast cancer can be spared unnecessary chemotherapy and receive only hormone therapy .
Research published in June indicated 69 per cent of women with early-stage breast node-negative cancer could avoid chemotherapy .
Now additional data from a global clinical trial involving 5,000 patients shows most women with this form of breast cancer could also avoid chemotherapy .
The research was presented at an international cancer conference in San Antonio , Texas , on Thursday .
Ireland was one of nine countries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 patients through Cancer Trials Ireland .
Explaining its significance , lead researcher Dr Kevin Kalinsky , director of the Glenn Family Breast Center at Emory University in Georgia , said : “ Every day in clinics around the world , physicians wrestle with the question of how to best treat women with this common form of breast cancer.
” “ These results are practice changing and demonstrate that the great majority of postmenopausal women can be spared unnecessary chemotherapy and receive only hormone therapy , ” he added .
“ This should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief for patients.
” Prof Cathy Kelly , an oncologist based in the Mater hospital , Dublin , was the principal investigator in Ireland for this study .
Some 1,700 Irish women are diagnosed with ER-positive HER2-negative ( node-negative ) breast cancer each year in Ireland , while on average some 600 women are diagnosed with node-positive breast cancer ( where cancer has spread to the lymph nodes ) .
Node-negative means it has not spread to the lymph nodes , which are part of the immune system .
Breast cancers that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the absence of high levels of a growth-promoting protein in the tumour is denoted HER2-negative .
About 3,000 breast cancer cases are detected in Ireland each year , of which about 70 per cent are at the early stage .
The prognosis for women with node-positive breast cancer is worse than for women whose cancer has not spread to lymph nodes , because of greater ability to develop secondaries – where cancer starts in one place in the body and spreads elsewhere .
Avoiding chemotherapy has a massive impact on women ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the negative effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss , nausea and , in the case of younger women , premature onset of menopausal symptoms .
They are also less vulnerable to infection – a risk heightened during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Moreover , negative impacts on work and family life , especially for women with young children , are minimised .
In 2011 Ireland was one of the first countries in the world to offer Oncotype DX DNA test for node-negative early stage breast cancer patients , and as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world when it comes to clinical data on its effectiveness .
Up to 2011 oncologists had limited tools available to them to determine what treatment a patient needed .
Most were prescribed a combination of treatments such as hormone treatment combined with chemotherapy , with treatment decisions based on the size of the tumour and the patient ’ s age .
DNA testing has given oncologists much more detailed data to assist them when they are considering how to treat the disease .
The Oncotype test , made by Exact Sciences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : likely recurrence of breast cancer and potential benefit of chemotherapy .
In broad terms a woman with a low recurrence score is likely to get no benefit from chemotherapy .
With more than a million patients tested in more than 90 countries , it has redefined personalised medicine by making genomics a critical part of cancer diagnosis and treatment .
Tissue samples are sent to the US for analysis for 21 genetic markers that indicate if the disease could grow again or spread .
Results are usually returned within days .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control Programme agreed to reimburse this test for women with early stage node-positive cancer ( where it has spread to between one to three nodes ) following a trial period of five months .

About 3,000 breast cancer cases are detected in Ireland each year, of which about 70 per cent are at the early stage. Photograph: iStock
New research indicates the great majority of postmenopausal women with one of the most common forms of early-stage breast cancer can be spared unnecessary chemotherapy and receive only hormone therapy.
Research published in June indicated 69 per cent of women with early-stage breast node-negative cancer could avoid chemotherapy. Now additional data from a global clinical trial involving 5,000 patients shows most women with node positive early-stage breast cancer can avoid chemotherapy – where the cancer spreads to lymph nodes.
The research was presented at an international cancer conference in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday. Ireland was one of nine countries that participated in the trial, by providing 150 patients through Cancer Trials Ireland.
Explaining its significance, lead researcher Dr Kevin Kalinsky, director of the Glenn Family Breast Center at Emory University in Georgia, said: "Every day in clinics around the world, physicians wrestle with the question of how to best treat women with this common form of breast cancer."
READ MORE
“These results are practice changing and demonstrate that the great majority of postmenopausal women can be spared unnecessary chemotherapy and receive only hormone therapy,” he added. “This should bring more clarity to physicians and some relief for patients.”
Prof Cathy Kelly, an oncologist based in the Mater hospital, Dublin, was the principal investigator in Ireland for this study.
Some 1,700 Irish women are diagnosed with ER-positive HER2-negative (node-negative) breast cancer each year in Ireland, while on average some 600 women are diagnosed with node-positive breast cancer (where cancer has spread to the lymph nodes).
Lymph nodes
Node-negative means it has not spread to the lymph nodes, which are part of the immune system. Breast cancers that have oestrogen hormone receptors are called ER-positive, while the absence of high levels of a growth-promoting protein in the tumour is denoted HER2-negative.
About 3,000 breast cancer cases are detected in Ireland each year, of which about 70 per cent are at the early stage.
The prognosis for women with node-positive breast cancer is worse than for women whose cancer has not spread to lymph nodes, because of greater ability to develop secondaries – where cancer starts in one place in the body and spreads elsewhere.
Avoiding chemotherapy has a massive impact on women’s lives. They are not subjected to the negative effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss, nausea and, in the case of younger women, premature onset of menopausal symptoms. They are also less vulnerable to infection – a risk heightened during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, negative impacts on work and family life, especially for women with young children, are minimised.
In 2011 Ireland was one of the first countries in the world to offer Oncotype DX DNA test for node-negative early stage breast cancer patients, and as a result has one of the longest track records in the world when it comes to clinical data on its effectiveness.
Limited tools
Up to 2011 oncologists had limited tools available to them to determine what treatment a patient needed. Most were prescribed a combination of treatments such as hormone treatment combined with chemotherapy, with treatment decisions based on the size of the tumour and the patient’s age.
DNA testing has given oncologists much more detailed data to assist them when they are considering how to treat the disease. The Oncotype test, made by Exact Sciences, provides two pieces of critical information: likely recurrence of breast cancer and potential benefit of chemotherapy.
In broad terms a woman with a low recurrence score is likely to get no benefit from chemotherapy. With more than a million patients tested in more than 90 countries, it has redefined personalised medicine by making genomics a critical part of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Tissue samples are sent to the US for analysis for 21 genetic markers that indicate if the disease could grow again or spread. Results are usually returned within days.
In April the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme agreed to reimburse this test for women with early stage node-positive cancer (where it has spread to between one to three nodes) following a trial period of five months.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Outdoor dining ban for Temple Bar criticised as ‘ludicrous’

Restaurants and cafes in Temple Bar , Dublin , have been hit with an outdoor dining ban in the run-up to Christmas , despite being permitted to put tables and chairs on the street just three months ago .
While businesses in the area around Grafton Street have been encouraged by Dublin City Council to use the street for outdoor dining , Temple Bar traders have been denied street furniture licences , despite being in a pedestrian area .
Martin Harte , chief executive of business representative group Temple Bar Company , said the decision was “ ludicrous ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health advice .
In September cafes and restaurants in the Temple Bar pedestrian zone , which runs from Eustace Street at the Norseman pub to Temple Bar Square , were permitted to put tables and chairs outdoors .
However , following the lifting of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions , the council has said the furniture can not return .
Mr Harte said the decision was all the more inexplicable , as the council and Temple Bar Company had recently installed bollards to enforce the pedestrian zone , routinely ignored by motorists .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area became an enforced pedestrian area for the very purpose of having outdoor dining , ” he said .
“ We also got 200 chairs and 100 tables , which we distributed to our members to assist them to reopen safely and in line with public health advice.
” The council said it had allowed the street furniture in September , “ as other businesses in the vicinity were closed and the council was under pressure to assist businesses in remaining open ” .
However , it said having assessed the situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin Fire Brigade regarding emergency access and restricted means of escape from premises , “ the applications could not be formally approved ” .
Mr Harte said the space in Temple Bar exceeded the 3.7m clearance required for emergency vehicles , which was not the case in several streets around Grafton Street he had measured .
“ Temple Bar has been singled out for different treatment than other parts of the city , ” he said .
“ The fact that lots of street furniture has been approved on many other streets within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people.
” Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said in parts of the city people were “ effectively building extensions to their pubs into the street ” while “ for some inexplicable reason ” Temple Bar traders were being penalised .
“ Temple Bar has managed its business in an exemplary way throughout the pandemic and has not been fined for any infringements , ” he said .
“ Let them put out the tables and chairs and demonstrate if they can manage things , and if they can ’ t , then take them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being unfairly treated at a time when custom was most needed .
“ Temple Bar has been hit harder than other parts of the city .
All the advice is that outdoor dining is in the best interests of public health , but this decision will force people indoors , or mean businesses can ’ t open at all .
”

Restaurants and cafes in Temple Bar, Dublin, have been hit with an outdoor dining ban in the run-up to Christmas, despite being permitted to put tables and chairs on the street just three months ago.
While businesses in the area around Grafton Street have been encouraged by Dublin City Council to use the street for outdoor dining, Temple Bar traders have been denied street furniture licences, despite being in a pedestrian area.
Martin Harte, chief executive of business representative group Temple Bar Company, said the decision was "ludicrous" and "bizarre" and contrary to public health advice.
Hospital Report
In September cafes and restaurants in the Temple Bar pedestrian zone, which runs from Eustace Street at the Norseman pub to Temple Bar Square, were permitted to put tables and chairs outdoors.
READ MORE
However, following the lifting of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, the council has said the furniture cannot return.
Mr Harte said the decision was all the more inexplicable, as the council and Temple Bar Company had recently installed bollards to enforce the pedestrian zone, routinely ignored by motorists.
“We have spent months ensuring that the area became an enforced pedestrian area for the very purpose of having outdoor dining,” he said. “We also got 200 chairs and 100 tables, which we distributed to our members to assist them to reopen safely and in line with public health advice.”
Emergency clearance
The council said it had allowed the street furniture in September, “as other businesses in the vicinity were closed and the council was under pressure to assist businesses in remaining open”.
However, it said having assessed the situation, and taken into account the concerns of Dublin Fire Brigade regarding emergency access and restricted means of escape from premises, "the applications could not be formally approved".
Mr Harte said the space in Temple Bar exceeded the 3.7m clearance required for emergency vehicles, which was not the case in several streets around Grafton Street he had measured.
“Temple Bar has been singled out for different treatment than other parts of the city,” he said. “The fact that lots of street furniture has been approved on many other streets within the city centre has really enraged many people.”
Independent councillor Mannix Flynn said in parts of the city people were "effectively building extensions to their pubs into the street" while "for some inexplicable reason" Temple Bar traders were being penalised.
“Temple Bar has managed its business in an exemplary way throughout the pandemic and has not been fined for any infringements,” he said.
“Let them put out the tables and chairs and demonstrate if they can manage things, and if they can’t, then take them away.”
Mr Harte said businesses were being unfairly treated at a time when custom was most needed. “Temple Bar has been hit harder than other parts of the city. All the advice is that outdoor dining is in the best interests of public health, but this decision will force people indoors, or mean businesses can’t open at all.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Covid-19: DCU warns students over parties in campus accommodation

Dublin City University ( DCU ) has issued a warning to students living in on-campus accommodation , following a party in “ serious breach ” of the college ’ s Covid-19 rules .
The warning came following a party in a student apartment on November 11th in the College Park Residences .
One source confirmed the gathering was hosted by a short-stay renter on the north Dublin campus and that people from outside of the college were also in attendance .
They said fireworks were set off inside the apartment and that the fire alarm sensors in the apartment had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the gathering after a fire alarm in a hallway went off , the source said .
In an email sent on November 13th , the management of the campus accommodation warned students that there had been “ a serious breach of Covid-19 protocols in the residences ” .
“ A short-stay booking resident , who is in breach of the terms and conditions in relation to gatherings , or any health and safety issues , will not be welcome back to make another booking to stay in campus accommodation , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaches would be reported to the university ’ s disciplinary committee .
Short-stay residents are students who book campus accommodation on a nightly , weekly , or monthly basis , due to reduced in-person time on campus as a result of coronavirus restrictions .
Long-term student residents , who live on campus full-time , would be fined and issued “ one final warning ” if found in breach of college rules , the email said .
In a further email , residences management said “ our main concern would be congregations of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practising social distancing and not adhering to our regulations around visitors ” .
Visitors are not permitted into student residences in the current academic year under DCU ’ s contract for those living in campus accommodation , due to Covid-19 restrictions .
The contract states “ any attempt seen to be in breach of these policies will result in a fine of €50 ( per non-resident ) being levied against the occupier for each and every instance ” .
A DCU spokesman said , “ To date a small number of students have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have been blocked from making further short-term bookings in campus residences .
“ As we exited Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions , we are very aware of the on-going challenges of Covid-19 and we are communicating on a regular basis to students the rules and regulations , ” he said .
Shauna Burdis , a DCU student who rents on the short-stay scheme , said she is now worried to go back and stay in the accommodation block where the unauthorised party occurred .
“ You don ’ t know who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
.
and I think it ’ s really selfish of them in case there ’ s other people who are vulnerable .
”

Dublin City University (DCU) has issued a warning to students living in on-campus accommodation, following a party in “serious breach” of the college’s Covid-19 rules.
The warning came following a party in a student apartment on November 11th in the College Park Residences. One source confirmed the gathering was hosted by a short-stay renter on the north Dublin campus and that people from outside of the college were also in attendance.
They said fireworks were set off inside the apartment and that the fire alarm sensors in the apartment had been covered. Campus security was alerted to the gathering after a fire alarm in a hallway went off, the source said.
Hospital Report
In an email sent on November 13th, the management of the campus accommodation warned students that there had been “a serious breach of Covid-19 protocols in the residences”.
READ MORE
Universities will have to deliver the majority of tuition online for up to three weeks. Photograph: iStock
“A short-stay booking resident, who is in breach of the terms and conditions in relation to gatherings, or any health and safety issues, will not be welcome back to make another booking to stay in campus accommodation,” the email said, adding that any future breaches would be reported to the university’s disciplinary committee.
Short-stay residents are students who book campus accommodation on a nightly, weekly, or monthly basis, due to reduced in-person time on campus as a result of coronavirus restrictions.
Final warning
Long-term student residents, who live on campus full-time, would be fined and issued “one final warning” if found in breach of college rules, the email said.
In a further email, residences management said “our main concern would be congregations of students together within apartments, who are not practising social distancing and not adhering to our regulations around visitors”.
Visitors are not permitted into student residences in the current academic year under DCU’s contract for those living in campus accommodation, due to Covid-19 restrictions. The contract states “any attempt seen to be in breach of these policies will result in a fine of €50 (per non-resident) being levied against the occupier for each and every instance”.
A DCU spokesman said, “To date a small number of students have been fined for breaches of Covid-19 regulations and have been blocked from making further short-term bookings in campus residences.
“As we exited Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, we are very aware of the on-going challenges of Covid-19 and we are communicating on a regular basis to students the rules and regulations,” he said.
Shauna Burdis, a DCU student who rents on the short-stay scheme, said she is now worried to go back and stay in the accommodation block where the unauthorised party occurred. “You don’t know who’s coming in and out of there now . . . and I think it’s really selfish of them in case there’s other people who are vulnerable.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Thousands of hospital beds needed in event of January Covid surge - report

Thousands of extra hospital beds will be needed by the end of January in the event of a significant increase in transmission of Covid-19 , a new report to Government has warned .
“ The system and those who work within it are at the edge of their resilience , ” according to the analysis of the state of the healthcare system written by the HSE and the Department of Health .
If the reproductive number of the virus increases to 1.8 , there would be a requirement for 610 critical care beds and 3,900 general acute beds by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reproductive number , a measure of how much the disease is transmitting in the community , currently stands at close to 1 , according to public health officials .
They described the situation at present as stable , 10 days after the easing of Level 5 restrictions , but warned things remained fragile until a vaccine arrives .
While mobility has increased , this was not yet associated with an increase in close contacts , showing people were behaving cautiously , National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) officials said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling advisory group , said there was a “ huge difference ” between a reproduction number of 1.1 and one of 1.4 , but it could result from people having just one extra contact a day .
There remains a “ high risk ” of another surge unless the reproduction number is kept close to 1 , he warned , urging people to remain “ extra cautious ” and to limit their contacts .
But there was “ nothing inevitable ” about a large increase in cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flu is not currently circulating in the community , thereby easing pressure on hospitals , the HSE said .
Another 15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Thursday , 10 of which date from this month .
A further 310 cases were also reported .
EU leaders on Thursday warned measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 must be kept up to prevent new waves of infection taking hold before vaccines can be rolled out .
“ The arrival of vaccines does not mean that the pandemic is over , ” read a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they met in Brussels to co-ordinate on how to roll out vaccines .
“ The epidemiological situation remains worrying ... We must therefore sustain our efforts to counter the spread of the virus with a view to preventing further waves of infections.
” Rates remain high across the continent , with almost all of Europe marked as “ red ” on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ’ s traffic light map , with Finland , Norway , Iceland and Ireland rare exceptions .
The EU leaders agreed to co-ordinate preparations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a return to normal travel ... when the sanitary situation allows ” .
Gardaí said they have begun issuing fines to people refusing to wear face masks , almost seven weeks after the new offences were created .
Since Monday , when the refusal to wear face coverings was added to the Fixed Charge Notice ( FCN ) system , three people have been issued with fines across the Republic .
However , members of the force are still unable to issue fines to people holding house parties .
The IT changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FCN system are not complete .
Furthermore , because the provisions are so complex and unprecedented , Garda Headquarters has told gardaí to take any house party cases to the DPP for advice rather than handle them themselves with fines , as was intended by Government Sixty cases of Covid-19 were detected in schools last week following mass testing , up from 38 the previous week , the latest HSE data shows .
Updated figures on the Government ’ s data hub show the 14-day incidence rate in Carndonagh , Co Donegal at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Inishowen town has more than doubled from last week ( 271.2 ) and is almost 6.5 times the national rate of 80.2 per 100,000 population .
Second-worst hit for transmission , according to the figures , is Letterkenny , Co Donegal , with a rate of 322.2 – up from 288.7 last week after having dipped – followed by Claremorris , Co Mayo , which stands at 257.9 .
Callan/Thomastown in Co Kilkenny has a rate of 232.7 .

Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling advisory group: ‘Nothing inevitable’ about a large increase in cases in January. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Thousands of extra hospital beds will be needed by the end of January in the event of a significant increase in transmission of Covid-19, a new report to Government has warned.
"The system and those who work within it are at the edge of their resilience," according to the analysis of the state of the healthcare system written by the HSE and the Department of Health.
If the reproductive number of the virus increases to 1.8, there would be a requirement for 610 critical care beds and 3,900 general acute beds by the end of January, it says.
Hospital Report
The reproductive number, a measure of how much the disease is transmitting in the community, currently stands at close to 1, according to public health officials.
READ MORE
They described the situation at present as stable, 10 days after the easing of Level 5 restrictions, but warned things remained fragile until a vaccine arrives.
While mobility has increased, this was not yet associated with an increase in close contacts, showing people were behaving cautiously, National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) officials said on Thursday night.
Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling advisory group, said there was a "huge difference" between a reproduction number of 1.1 and one of 1.4, but it could result from people having just one extra contact a day.
‘Extra cautious’
There remains a “high risk” of another surge unless the reproduction number is kept close to 1, he warned, urging people to remain “extra cautious” and to limit their contacts.
The epidemiological situation remains worrying... We must therefore sustain our efforts to counter the spread of the virus with a view to preventing further waves of infections
But there was “nothing inevitable” about a large increase in cases in January if this advice was followed.
Flu is not currently circulating in the community, thereby easing pressure on hospitals, the HSE said.
Another 15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Thursday, 10 of which date from this month. A further 310 cases were also reported.
EU leaders on Thursday warned measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 must be kept up to prevent new waves of infection taking hold before vaccines can be rolled out.
"The arrival of vaccines does not mean that the pandemic is over," read a joint declaration by the 27 national leaders as they met in Brussels to co-ordinate on how to roll out vaccines.
“The epidemiological situation remains worrying... We must therefore sustain our efforts to counter the spread of the virus with a view to preventing further waves of infections.”
Rates remain high across the continent, with almost all of Europe marked as "red" on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's traffic light map, with Finland, Norway, Iceland and Ireland rare exceptions.
The EU leaders agreed to co-ordinate preparations for “a gradual lifting of restrictions and a return to normal travel...when the sanitary situation allows”.
Gardaí said they have begun issuing fines to people refusing to wear face masks, almost seven weeks after the new offences were created.
Since Monday, when the refusal to wear face coverings was added to the Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) system, three people have been issued with fines across the Republic.
However, members of the force are still unable to issue fines to people holding house parties.
IT changes
The IT changes required to add house parties to the FCN system are not complete. Furthermore, because the provisions are so complex and unprecedented, Garda Headquarters has told gardaí to take any house party cases to the DPP for advice rather than handle them themselves with fines, as was intended by Government
Sixty cases of Covid-19 were detected in schools last week following mass testing, up from 38 the previous week, the latest HSE data shows.
Updated figures on the Government’s data hub show the 14-day incidence rate in Carndonagh, Co Donegal at 518.7 per 100,000 population. The figure in the Inishowen town has more than doubled from last week (271.2) and is almost 6.5 times the national rate of 80.2 per 100,000 population.
Second-worst hit for transmission, according to the figures, is Letterkenny, Co Donegal, with a rate of 322.2 – up from 288.7 last week after having dipped – followed by Claremorris, Co Mayo, which stands at 257.9.
Callan/Thomastown in Co Kilkenny has a rate of 232.7.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Covid-19: ‘I shouldn’t have to choose between one son’s education and the other’s life’

Tracy McGinnis ’ s boys , Declan ( 12 ) and Brendan ( 16 ) , have not been at school since March .
Brendan is profoundly disabled from a virus he contracted in the womb and is categorised as very high risk in the event of contracting Covid-19 .
Declan has no medical problems , but has not attended secondary school because of fears he could bring coronavirus home .
“ Knowing viruses as well as I do , it wouldn ’ t end well for Brendan , ” says McGinnis , who lives in Co Wexford .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a private bus which operates at full capacity in a school with 800 teenagers .
It ’ s just too great a risk , ” she says .
While children who are labelled as very high risk are entitled to remote tuition under Department of Education policies , the siblings of such children are not .
Consequently , says McGinnis , Declan has not been able to access any tuition since September .
“ At the start , he ’ d be sitting at the table at 9am , trying to do keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s losing faith and losing interest .
He feels no one cares – his words , ” she says .
This week she received a letter from his school , confirming that it could not offer him anything .
“ We are not in a position to provide streaming classes/remote teaching to Declan as he is not himself in the very high risk category and the DE [ Department of Education ] guidelines are clear .
We understand and sympathise with your situation but our hands are tied in this regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if he could repeat first year of school next year , the school responded : “ This would be dependent on space being available : currently there is a waiting list in place.
” Declan is not alone .
Campaign groups estimate that there may be hundreds of children countrywide not now going to school because they live with a very high risk family member .
Tusla collected data on the number of children absent from schools for Covid-19 reasons in late September , but has declined to indicate how many there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not , from early indications , have a significant concern ” .
The department also has the data and has declined to say how many children are affected .
With regard to Covid-19 concerns , the department says public health advice it has received is that schools are safe and children with very high risk family members can return to school .
McGinnis argues there is a solution .
If the number of children affected is not large , then why not extend remote tuition to this category ?
“ I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to do it for a few extra students .
It ’ s nonsensical what ’ s happening .
It ’ s putting the wellbeing of children in this situation way down the ladder , ” she says .
“ We ’ ve been in touch with politicians , the Ombudsman for Children , we ’ ve written to the chief medical officer .
Everything I can think of .
.
.
I shouldn ’ t have to choose between one son ’ s education and another son ’ s life .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Declan has sacrificed so much in his life so far ; it ’ s so cruel to see him sacrifice something which is so close within his reach , which is remote or streamed learning .
.
.
It ’ s heartbreaking .
”

Tracy McGinnis with her sons Brendan (16) and Declan (12), from Co Wexford. Declan is not entitled to remote learning. Photograph: Patrick Browne
Tracy McGinnis’s boys, Declan (12) and Brendan (16), have not been at school since March.
Brendan is profoundly disabled from a virus he contracted in the womb and is categorised as very high risk in the event of contracting Covid-19.
Declan has no medical problems, but has not attended secondary school because of fears he could bring coronavirus home.
“Knowing viruses as well as I do, it wouldn’t end well for Brendan,” says McGinnis, who lives in Co Wexford.
READ MORE
“My younger son has to travel on a private bus which operates at full capacity in a school with 800 teenagers. It’s just too great a risk,” she says.
While children who are labelled as very high risk are entitled to remote tuition under Department of Education policies, the siblings of such children are not. Consequently, says McGinnis, Declan has not been able to access any tuition since September.
“At the start, he’d be sitting at the table at 9am, trying to do keep up with school books but’s he’s losing faith and losing interest. He feels no one cares – his words,” she says.
This week she received a letter from his school, confirming that it could not offer him anything.
“We are not in a position to provide streaming classes/remote teaching to Declan as he is not himself in the very high risk category and the DE [Department of Education] guidelines are clear. We understand and sympathise with your situation but our hands are tied in this regard,” the letter states.
When asked if he could repeat first year of school next year, the school responded: “This would be dependent on space being available: currently there is a waiting list in place.”
How many children affected?
Declan is not alone. Campaign groups estimate that there may be hundreds of children countrywide not now going to school because they live with a very high risk family member.
Tusla collected data on the number of children absent from schools for Covid-19 reasons in late September, but has declined to indicate how many there are, beyond saying: “We do not, from early indications, have a significant concern”.
The department also has the data and has declined to say how many children are affected.
With regard to Covid-19 concerns, the department says public health advice it has received is that schools are safe and children with very high risk family members can return to school.
McGinnis argues there is a solution. If the number of children affected is not large, then why not extend remote tuition to this category ?
“ I can’t see that it would cost more to do it for a few extra students. It’s nonsensical what’s happening. It’s putting the wellbeing of children in this situation way down the ladder,” she says.
“We’ve been in touch with politicians, the Ombudsman for Children, we’ve written to the chief medical officer. Everything I can think of . . . I shouldn’t have to choose between one son’s education and another son’s life. That’s how it is.
“Declan has sacrificed so much in his life so far; it’s so cruel to see him sacrifice something which is so close within his reach , which is remote or streamed learning . . . It’s heartbreaking.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Plans to be submitted for Dublin city’s first cost-rental scheme

Plans for Dublin city ’ s first cost-rental scheme at the former St Michael ’ s Estate in Inchicore will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in April .
Rents for the apartments , aimed at low- and middle-income workers , are expected to average €1,300 a month , but could be reduced to €1,100 and possibly €900 , if longer-term financing to build the scheme , and greater Government funding was forthcoming , the council ’ s head of housing Brendan Kenny said .
The council plans to build 484 apartments in blocks up to six storeys high on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was demolished in 2013 .
About 400 ( 70 per cent ) of the apartments will be used for a cost-rental scheme , with the remaining 30 per cent used for social housing .
Under the cost-rental scheme rents will based on the cost of financing , building and managing the apartments , rather than market rates .
While the Government has yet to publish the terms of the scheme , it is expected that single people earning up to €50,000 and couples with an income of €75,000 would be eligible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Housing , and the council will finance the cost-rental element through a €150 million loan , with the European Investment Bank , the majority funder .
Loan repayments would cost the council €7.2 million annually .
The apartments are expected to cost €375,000 each to build .
These costs would result in average rents of €1,500 .
However , the site will be eligible for Government subvention of €50,000 per home , bringing the rent down to €1,300 monthly .
However , Mr Kenny said these rents could be reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the standard 25 to 35 years and the subsidy increased from €50,000 to €100,000 .
“ There are ways of bringing it down , ” he said .
“ If the local authority can borrow over 35 rather than 25 years , that will knock off €200 a month , so rather than having rent of €1,300 you will have €1,100 , and if you get an extra €50,000 that brings it down to €900.
” The council hopes to have secured permission for the scheme by January 2022 , with construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The scheme is expected to be built in three years .
The cost-rental plans for St Michael ’ s were announced in July 2018 by the-minister for housing Eoghan Murphy at an event which sparked controversy , when his Fine Gael colleague , Catherine Byrne , then-minister of state at the Department of Health said it was “ probably one of the worst plans I ’ ve seen put forward for this site ” .
Ms Byrne had wanted homes for sale , using an affordable purchase scheme , to be built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Estate had been earmarked for regeneration since the late 1990s .
It was one of five sites to be redeveloped with social and private housing under a public-private partnership deal between the council and Bernard McNamara , which collapsed in 2008 .
In 2014 the council completed Thornton Heights on part of the site , a social housing complex of 75 homes .

St Michael’s estate, Inchicore, where the new development is proposed to be built. Photograph: Eric Luke Staff Photographer
Plans for Dublin city's first cost-rental scheme at the former St Michael's Estate in Inchicore will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in April.
Rents for the apartments, aimed at low- and middle-income workers, are expected to average €1,300 a month, but could be reduced to €1,100 and possibly €900, if longer-term financing to build the scheme, and greater Government funding was forthcoming, the council's head of housing Brendan Kenny said.
The council plans to build 484 apartments in blocks up to six storeys high on the site of the 1960s flat complex that was demolished in 2013.
About 400 (70 per cent) of the apartments will be used for a cost-rental scheme, with the remaining 30 per cent used for social housing.
READ MORE
Under the cost-rental scheme rents will based on the cost of financing, building and managing the apartments, rather than market rates.
While the Government has yet to publish the terms of the scheme, it is expected that single people earning up to €50,000 and couples with an income of €75,000 would be eligible.
The social housing will be funded by the Department of Housing, and the council will finance the cost-rental element through a €150 million loan, with the European Investment Bank, the majority funder. Loan repayments would cost the council €7.2 million annually. The apartments are expected to cost €375,000 each to build.
These costs would result in average rents of €1,500. However, the site will be eligible for Government subvention of €50,000 per home, bringing the rent down to €1,300 monthly.
However, Mr Kenny said these rents could be reduced further if the loan term was extended from the standard 25 to 35 years and the subsidy increased from €50,000 to €100,000.
“There are ways of bringing it down,” he said. “If the local authority can borrow over 35 rather than 25 years, that will knock off €200 a month, so rather than having rent of €1,300 you will have €1,100, and if you get an extra €50,000 that brings it down to €900.”
The council hopes to have secured permission for the scheme by January 2022, with construction underway by the end of that year. The scheme is expected to be built in three years.
The cost-rental plans for St Michael's were announced in July 2018 by the-minister for housing Eoghan Murphy at an event which sparked controversy, when his Fine Gael colleague, Catherine Byrne, then-minister of state at the Department of Health said it was "probably one of the worst plans I've seen put forward for this site".
Ms Byrne had wanted homes for sale, using an affordable purchase scheme, to be built on the site.
St Michael’s Estate had been earmarked for regeneration since the late 1990s. It was one of five sites to be redeveloped with social and private housing under a public-private partnership deal between the council and Bernard McNamara, which collapsed in 2008. In 2014 the council completed Thornton Heights on part of the site, a social housing complex of 75 homes.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Nothing is straightforward in the controversy over symphysiotomy

The symphysiotomy controversy involves two related issues , neither of which is straightforward .
One is the use of the procedure itself , which continued to be used in Irish maternity hospitals in the second half of the 20th century , despite it having fallen out of favour in other western countries .
The second issue is the response of the State when an RTÉ Primetime programme in 2010 sparked a public controversy over the use of the procedure .
Symphysiotomy is an operation to widen the mother ’ s pelvis to allow a baby to be delivered .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public bones at the front of the pelvis .
so as to increase the size of the birth canal when it is considered to be too small relative to the baby due to be born .
Many women who received the procedure argued that it had significant debilitating side-effects .
The main explanation offered as to why the procedure was used here long after it was abandoned elsewhere has to do with the Catholic nature of Ireland during the years in question .
Women tended to have many babies , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sterilisation and contraception were considered off-limits due to the Catholic beliefs prevalent at the time , and this fed into the calculations being made by medical staff in Ireland , as against those of their colleagues in other jurisdictions .
There was a particular issue with Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda .
The use of symphysiotomy began to die out in Ireland in the 1960s , because of improvements in women ’ s health , the increased use of lower section Caesarean sections , drugs to shorten labour , and changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary .
However , up to the 1980s the Drogheda hospital continued to use the procedure .
The founding obstetrician , who was a firm believer in carrying out symphysiotomies in the hope of avoiding Caesarean section , created an ethos which was “ unswervingly Catholic ” , a later report on the issue concluded .
In 2012 LM ( one of the women who took a case to Strasbourg ) initiated proceedings in the High Court seeking damages .
However , the court rejected her claim that there had been no justification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medical belief at the time that symphysiotomy was a relatively benign procedure , the concerns for the safety of her child , and the view that some form of surgical intervention was required if the birth was to proceed safely .
Meanwhile , in 2011 , the Department of Health had commissioned a report from Prof Oonagh Walsh of UCC , on symphysiotomy in Ireland .
In two subsequent reports she noted symphysiotomies were rarer than Caesareans in the 1944 to 1992 period , and that the lack of fertility control options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of the procedure in this jurisdiction .
She noted that at the time the economic situation of many families was “ dire ” , and the poor condition of many women created dangers in terms of their being given a general anaesthetic .
A subsequent report by Judge Yvonne Murphy , which was published at a time when there were 150 sets of proceedings lodged in the High Court , recommended an ex gratia scheme , which the State in time established .
The scheme was administered by Judge Maureen Harding Clark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the almost 600 women who applied .
She concluded in a report in 2016 that no general pattern of immediate or developmental injury could be discerned from the applications reviewed .
“ The majority of applicants who underwent symphysiotomy made a good recovery and went on to have normal pregnancies and deliveries and lead a full life , ” the Strasbourg court said of her findings .
These views were supported by international studies of the use of the procedure .
The three women who took cases to Strasbourg did not seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved awards of €50,000 to €150,000 , with the lower award being for women who had received the procedure , and had suffered little or no subsequent injury .
The steps taken by the State in response to the controversy were among the reasons why the Strasbourg court decided that the claims before it that Ireland had contravened sections of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the issue of symphysiotomy were “ manifestly ill-founded ” .

The symphysiotomy controversy involves two related issues, neither of which is straightforward.
One is the use of the procedure itself, which continued to be used in Irish maternity hospitals in the second half of the 20th century, despite it having fallen out of favour in other western countries.
The second issue is the response of the State when an RTÉ Primetime programme in 2010 sparked a public controversy over the use of the procedure.
Symphysiotomy is an operation to widen the mother’s pelvis to allow a baby to be delivered. It involves the severing of the fibres joining the public bones at the front of the pelvis. so as to increase the size of the birth canal when it is considered to be too small relative to the baby due to be born.
READ MORE
Many women who received the procedure argued that it had significant debilitating side-effects.
The main explanation offered as to why the procedure was used here long after it was abandoned elsewhere has to do with the Catholic nature of Ireland during the years in question.
Women tended to have many babies, and the procedure could be safer than Caesarean section.
Sterilisation and contraception were considered off-limits due to the Catholic beliefs prevalent at the time, and this fed into the calculations being made by medical staff in Ireland, as against those of their colleagues in other jurisdictions.
Improvements
There was a particular issue with Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda. The use of symphysiotomy began to die out in Ireland in the 1960s, because of improvements in women’s health, the increased use of lower section Caesarean sections, drugs to shorten labour, and changed medical views as to when intervention was necessary.
However, up to the 1980s the Drogheda hospital continued to use the procedure. The founding obstetrician, who was a firm believer in carrying out symphysiotomies in the hope of avoiding Caesarean section, created an ethos which was “unswervingly Catholic”, a later report on the issue concluded.
In 2012 LM (one of the women who took a case to Strasbourg) initiated proceedings in the High Court seeking damages.
However, the court rejected her claim that there had been no justification for her receiving the procedure, given the medical belief at the time that symphysiotomy was a relatively benign procedure, the concerns for the safety of her child, and the view that some form of surgical intervention was required if the birth was to proceed safely.
Meanwhile, in 2011, the Department of Health had commissioned a report from Prof Oonagh Walsh of UCC, on symphysiotomy in Ireland.
In two subsequent reports she noted symphysiotomies were rarer than Caesareans in the 1944 to 1992 period, and that the lack of fertility control options were part of the background to the use of the procedure in this jurisdiction.
She noted that at the time the economic situation of many families was “dire”, and the poor condition of many women created dangers in terms of their being given a general anaesthetic.
Ex gratia
A subsequent report by Judge Yvonne Murphy, which was published at a time when there were 150 sets of proceedings lodged in the High Court, recommended an ex gratia scheme, which the State in time established.
The scheme was administered by Judge Maureen Harding Clark, who approved awards to almost 400 of the almost 600 women who applied.
She concluded in a report in 2016 that no general pattern of immediate or developmental injury could be discerned from the applications reviewed.
“The majority of applicants who underwent symphysiotomy made a good recovery and went on to have normal pregnancies and deliveries and lead a full life,” the Strasbourg court said of her findings.
These views were supported by international studies of the use of the procedure.
The three women who took cases to Strasbourg did not seek to access the ex-gratia scheme, which involved awards of €50,000 to €150,000, with the lower award being for women who had received the procedure, and had suffered little or no subsequent injury.
The steps taken by the State in response to the controversy were among the reasons why the Strasbourg court decided that the claims before it that Ireland had contravened sections of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the issue of symphysiotomy were “manifestly ill-founded”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Waterford All-Ireland winner has faith in Déise victory on Sunday

Now 83 , Larry Guinan , one of seven survivors from the 1959 All-Ireland winning Waterford hurling team , still works at his tyre business in Ballinaneesagh in Waterford City .
“ Part of me would love to be lining out , but Limerick have big men in their full back line and I ’ m not sure I ’ ld be able for them at this stage , ” quips the sprightly octogenarian .
This week , he chatted with many callers about Sunday ’ s game and his county ’ s bid to add to their two All-Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fellow Mount Sion man and All-Ireland team-mate Martin Óg Morrissey .
The winner of 11 Waterford county medals with Mount Sion , Guinan says hurling has changed hugely since the days when he and the others who formed the 1959 team played .
While he accepts hurlers , however , are bigger and fitter now , he holds firm to the view that Christy Ring was the greatest hurler ever and will never be bettered .
Guinan ’ s introduction to Croke Park came as an 18-year-old in the All-Ireland semi-final against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later he lined out for the Déise in the All-Ireland final against their great rivals , Kilkenny , who were boosted by the addition of film star John Gregson to their ranks .
“ John Gregson was making a movie in Dublin called Rooney where he played a dustman and a hurler .
So they asked could he line out with us in the parade before the final but the late Pat Fanning , who later became president of the GAA , wouldn ’ t allow him into the Waterford dressing room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re not having you ’ .
So he went to the Kilkenny dressing room and togged out with them for the parade .
They beat us by a point that day and we always said afterwards , ‘ they played with 16 men – a lot of help he would have been to us anyway !
’ ” he smiles wryly .
Kilkenny won that day by 4-10 to 3-12 after they came with a late rally .
But Guinan and the Déise – backboned by such fellow stars as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captain Frankie Walsh – prevailed two years later when they overcame Kilkenny following a replay .
“ I got two points against Kilkenny that day .
But I crossed the ball for Séamus Power to get a goal that drew the match – it ended up 1-17 to 5-5 but we beat them by 3-12 to 1-10 in the replay after getting off to a poor start when we trailed them by 1-4 to 0-1 after about 10 minutes.
” The youngest man on the Waterford team , Guinan ’ s prowess in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme whose iconic phrase in the 1966 World Cup Final , “ they think it ’ s all over .
.
.
it is now ” , ensured he became one of the world ’ s most famous sports commentators .
Wolstenholme later told BBC viewers : “ My main lasting impression will always be of the excitement I felt at Croke Park .
I ’ ve seen sporting events in many parts of Europe and America , but I have yet to see a game which keeps the excitement at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Although Guinan was to endure further disappointment as a player four years later in 1963 when Waterford lost to Kilkenny by three points on a scoreline of 4-17 to 6-8 , he reckons the current crop of Waterford hurlers are well placed to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Suirside .
“ The disappointing thing about that 1963 final was that we were hot favourites going into it .
But it ’ s a bad tag to be favourites and that ’ s why I think it will suit us on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favourites after beating us in this year ’ s Munster final , but we won ’ t fear them .
“ Limerick are a fine team but we have ball players and strong men and fit men – I can ’ t pick a star from the present team because to me they are all stars but Liam Cahill has them flying and I think we are nicely set up and I think we will win .
”

Now 83, Larry Guinan, one of seven survivors from the 1959 All-Ireland winning Waterford hurling team, still works at his tyre business in Ballinaneesagh in Waterford City.
"Part of me would love to be lining out, but Limerick have big men in their full back line and I'm not sure I'ld be able for them at this stage," quips the sprightly octogenarian.
This week, he chatted with many callers about Sunday's game and his county's bid to add to their two All-Ireland titles from 1948 and 1959, including with fellow Mount Sion man and All-Ireland team-mate Martin Óg Morrissey.
The winner of 11 Waterford county medals with Mount Sion, Guinan says hurling has changed hugely since the days when he and the others who formed the 1959 team played.
READ MORE
While he accepts hurlers, however, are bigger and fitter now, he holds firm to the view that Christy Ring was the greatest hurler ever and will never be bettered.
Guinan's introduction to Croke Park came as an 18-year-old in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway in 1957 and a few weeks later he lined out for the Déise in the All-Ireland final against their great rivals, Kilkenny, who were boosted by the addition of film star John Gregson to their ranks.
"John Gregson was making a movie in Dublin called Rooney where he played a dustman and a hurler. So they asked could he line out with us in the parade before the final but the late Pat Fanning, who later became president of the GAA, wouldn't allow him into the Waterford dressing room.
“Pat Fanning said, ‘no we’re not having you’. So he went to the Kilkenny dressing room and togged out with them for the parade. They beat us by a point that day and we always said afterwards, ‘they played with 16 men – a lot of help he would have been to us anyway !’ ” he smiles wryly.
Larry Guinan and Frankie Walsh with the Liam MacCarthy Cup and the other trophies they won that year. Photograph: Waterford News & Star and coloured by Ian Hannigan
Kilkenny won that day by 4-10 to 3-12 after they came with a late rally. But Guinan and the Déise – backboned by such fellow stars as the late Tom Cheasty, Philly Grimes and captain Frankie Walsh – prevailed two years later when they overcame Kilkenny following a replay.
“I got two points against Kilkenny that day. But I crossed the ball for Séamus Power to get a goal that drew the match – it ended up 1-17 to 5-5 but we beat them by 3-12 to 1-10 in the replay after getting off to a poor start when we trailed them by 1-4 to 0-1 after about 10 minutes.”
‘They think it’s all over’
The youngest man on the Waterford team, Guinan's prowess in the two games was noted by BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme whose iconic phrase in the 1966 World Cup Final, "they think it's all over . . . it is now", ensured he became one of the world's most famous sports commentators.
Wolstenholme later told BBC viewers: "My main lasting impression will always be of the excitement I felt at Croke Park. I've seen sporting events in many parts of Europe and America, but I have yet to see a game which keeps the excitement at such a constant fever pitch as hurling."
Although Guinan was to endure further disappointment as a player four years later in 1963 when Waterford lost to Kilkenny by three points on a scoreline of 4-17 to 6-8 , he reckons the current crop of Waterford hurlers are well placed to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Suirside.
"The disappointing thing about that 1963 final was that we were hot favourites going into it. But it's a bad tag to be favourites and that's why I think it will suit us on Sunday. Limerick will go in as favourites after beating us in this year's Munster final, but we won't fear them.
"Limerick are a fine team but we have ball players and strong men and fit men – I can't pick a star from the present team because to me they are all stars but Liam Cahill has them flying and I think we are nicely set up and I think we will win."


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Self-harm rates among Irish young people ‘strikingly’ high

Girls aged 15-19 were those most likely to present at hospital with self-harm injuries last year , with the rate among under 15-year-old girls three times the rate for boys , new figures show .
Girls aged 13 were four times as likely as their male peers to self-harm , and the “ age of onset of self-harm is decreasing ” , warns the HSE study .
The annual report from the National Registry of Self-Harm , published on Thursday , shows there were 12,465 presentations at hospitals due to self-harm in 2019 , involving 9,705 individuals – a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In contrast with suicide , where men are up to four times more at risk , women are 21 per cent more likely to self-harm .
According to the report , 226 women and girls per 100,000 presented at emergency departments with self-inflicted injuries last year , compared with 187 per 100,000 men and boys .
“ Consistent with previous years , the peak rate for women was in the 15-19 years age group , at 726 per 100,000 , whereas the peak rate among men was in 20-24-year-olds at 485 per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in every 138 women in the age group 15-19 years , and one in every 206 men in the age group 20-24 years , presented to hospital in 2019 as a consequence of self-harm.
” Self-harm is regarded as an indicator of serious mental and emotional distress , and repeated episodes may indicate suicidality .
The report describes as “ striking ” the high self-harm rates among young people , and girls especially .
“ The female rate for 13-year-olds was four times that of males ( 343 versus 81 per 100,000 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early teenage years were particularly striking , whereby the rate increased threefold between the ages of 12 and 13 years ( from 117 to 343 per 100,000 ) .
” However , rates among men are higher than women in older age groups : ages 25-29 ( 442 compared with 368 per 100,000 ) ; and 30-34 ( 306 compared with 263 per 100,000 ) .
The most common form of self-harm last year was drug overdose , accounting for 62 per cent of hospital cases , followed by self-cutting ( 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities had the highest incidence among men and women last year , consistent with previous years .
Men had a rate of 370 per 100,000 in Limerick city , and women 468 per 100,000 .
In Cork city the rates for men and women were 302 and 307 per 100,000 , respectively .
The report describes as “ crucial ” the availability of mental health programmes and appropriate referral and treatment options “ to address the needs of young people in the key transition stages between childhood and adolescence into adulthood ... Increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate that the age of onset of self-harm is decreasing.
” School-based mental health programmes have been found to be effective in preventing suicide attempts in young adolescents , it says .
Programmes in primary and post-primary settings are required , and these should focus on preventing suicidal behaviour as well as building resilience .
If you are affected by any issue in this article , please contact Pieta House on 1800-247247 or the Samaritans on 116123 ( free ) or by emailing jo @ samaritans.ie

Self-harm is regarded as an indicator of serious mental and emotional distress, and repeated episodes may indicate suicidality. Photograph: iStock
Girls aged 15-19 were those most likely to present at hospital with self-harm injuries last year, with the rate among under 15-year-old girls three times the rate for boys, new figures show.
Girls aged 13 were four times as likely as their male peers to self-harm, and the “age of onset of self-harm is decreasing”, warns the HSE study.
The annual report from the National Registry of Self-Harm, published on Thursday, shows there were 12,465 presentations at hospitals due to self-harm in 2019, involving 9,705 individuals – a national rate of 206 per 100,000 people.
In contrast with suicide, where men are up to four times more at risk, women are 21 per cent more likely to self-harm.
READ MORE
According to the report, 226 women and girls per 100,000 presented at emergency departments with self-inflicted injuries last year, compared with 187 per 100,000 men and boys.
“Consistent with previous years, the peak rate for women was in the 15-19 years age group, at 726 per 100,000, whereas the peak rate among men was in 20-24-year-olds at 485 per 100,000.
“These rates imply that one in every 138 women in the age group 15-19 years, and one in every 206 men in the age group 20-24 years, presented to hospital in 2019 as a consequence of self-harm.”
Samaritans’ busiest time of day is from 6pm until midnight, with its busiest hour from 8pm. Photograph: iStock
Self-harm is regarded as an indicator of serious mental and emotional distress, and repeated episodes may indicate suicidality.
The report describes as “striking” the high self-harm rates among young people, and girls especially. “The female rate for 13-year-olds was four times that of males (343 versus 81 per 100,000). The increases in the female rate in early teenage years were particularly striking, whereby the rate increased threefold between the ages of 12 and 13 years (from 117 to 343 per 100,000).”
Older groups
However, rates among men are higher than women in older age groups: ages 25-29 (442 compared with 368 per 100,000); and 30-34 (306 compared with 263 per 100,000).
The most common form of self-harm last year was drug overdose, accounting for 62 per cent of hospital cases, followed by self-cutting (29 per cent).
Limerick and Cork cities had the highest incidence among men and women last year, consistent with previous years. Men had a rate of 370 per 100,000 in Limerick city, and women 468 per 100,000. In Cork city the rates for men and women were 302 and 307 per 100,000, respectively.
The report describes as “crucial” the availability of mental health programmes and appropriate referral and treatment options “to address the needs of young people in the key transition stages between childhood and adolescence into adulthood ... Increases in self-harm among children aged 10-14 years indicate that the age of onset of self-harm is decreasing.”
School-based mental health programmes have been found to be effective in preventing suicide attempts in young adolescents, it says. Programmes in primary and post-primary settings are required, and these should focus on preventing suicidal behaviour as well as building resilience.
If you are affected by any issue in this article, please contact Pieta House on 1800-247247 or the Samaritans on 116123 (free) or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie


theirishtimes--2020-12-11--Higgins lauds ‘generous sacrifices’ of schools during pandemic

President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to the country ’ s school communities for their “ generous commitment ” in ensuring schools could remain open safely during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Speaking in an online video for “ Go raibh maith agaibh ” ( GRMA ) day , which seeks to thank school communities for their work this year , Mr Higgins commended all members of the school communities , including teachers , cleaners and boards of management .
“ The early months of the coronavirus pandemic threw into sharp focus the vital role that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and how integral they are to the healthy functioning of our young people and our society , ” he said .
“ May I acknowledge and commend you for the generous commitment we have witnessed from our school communities during this year of unprecedented challenges .
Despite the circumstances thrown up by having to respond to the virus , your dedication to the nation ’ s children has remained steadfast.
” Mr Higgins said all members of the school communities had worked diligently to ensure young people could return to schools that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ” .
“ I am aware of the many complex plans and processes that had to be drawn up and the greatly transformed school environment and working day , to which you all had to adapt to make this happen , ” he said .
“ May I thank you for all of the generous sacrifices made ; your flexibility , compassion , and professionalism has ensured that our young people have been able to resume their education , maintain and develop friendships and continue to grow and learn alongside their peers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the communities as “ heroes ” during the pandemic .
“ The fact that we were able to facilitate our children going back to school in September , and keeping them there during the second wave of the pandemic , was made possible only because of the dedication and professionalism of our principals , teachers , special needs assistants , administrators , care takers , cleaners , classroom assistants , our entire school communities , ” he said .
Primary and post-primary classrooms across Ireland will pause on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledgement from leading figures in Ireland to celebrate the ongoing work in keeping students safe and schools open .
Several other politicians and celebrities , including Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney , presenter Ryan Tubridy , former rugby player Paul O ’ Connell and former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner are also featured in the video , paying tribute to school communities .

Speaking in an online video for “Go raibh maith agaibh” President Higgins has paid tribute to the country’s school communities for their “generous commitment” in ensuring schools could remain open safely during the second wave of the Covid-19.
President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to the country's school communities for their "generous commitment" in ensuring schools could remain open safely during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking in an online video for “Go raibh maith agaibh” (GRMA) day, which seeks to thank school communities for their work this year, Mr Higgins commended all members of the school communities, including teachers, cleaners and boards of management.
“The early months of the coronavirus pandemic threw into sharp focus the vital role that schools play in the lives of our children and how integral they are to the healthy functioning of our young people and our society,” he said.
“May I acknowledge and commend you for the generous commitment we have witnessed from our school communities during this year of unprecedented challenges. Despite the circumstances thrown up by having to respond to the virus, your dedication to the nation’s children has remained steadfast.”
READ MORE
Mr Higgins said all members of the school communities had worked diligently to ensure young people could return to schools that would “operate under the safest conditions possible”.
“I am aware of the many complex plans and processes that had to be drawn up and the greatly transformed school environment and working day, to which you all had to adapt to make this happen,” he said.
“May I thank you for all of the generous sacrifices made; your flexibility, compassion, and professionalism has ensured that our young people have been able to resume their education, maintain and develop friendships and continue to grow and learn alongside their peers in a positive and nurturing school environment.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the communities as “heroes” during the pandemic.
“The fact that we were able to facilitate our children going back to school in September, and keeping them there during the second wave of the pandemic, was made possible only because of the dedication and professionalism of our principals, teachers, special needs assistants, administrators, care takers, cleaners, classroom assistants, our entire school communities,” he said.
Primary and post-primary classrooms across Ireland will pause on Friday to air a video of collective acknowledgement from leading figures in Ireland to celebrate the ongoing work in keeping students safe and schools open.
Several other politicians and celebrities, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, presenter Ryan Tubridy, former rugby player Paul O'Connell and former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner are also featured in the video, paying tribute to school communities.


theirishtimes--2020-12-10--US study finds patient death rates higher on surgeons’ birthdays

Patients who undergo surgery on their surgeon ’ s birthday are less likely to survive than those who go through surgery on other days of the year , according to a new US study published in the British Medical Journal ( BMJ ) .
Researchers found surgeons were more likely to be distracted by life events that are not directly related to work on their birthday , including dinner plans and birthday conversations with team members .
They theorised that surgeons might be more likely to be “ distracted or rush to finish procedures on their birthdays ” and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Researchers tested their theory using nationally representative medicare data of older Americans aged 65 to 99 years who underwent one of 17 common emergency surgical procedures at a US hospital between 2011 and 2014 and by examining the mortality rate within 30 days of the surgery .
The patient ’ s age , severity of their illness , the surgeon ’ s speciality and hospital staffing levels were also taken into account during the study .
Of the 980,876 procedures performed by 47,489 surgeons which were examined , 2,064 ( 0.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthdays .
Researchers found some 6.9 per cent of patients who were underwent surgery on their surgeon ’ s birthday died within 30 days compared to 5.6 per cent who went through surgery on other days .
They noted the results were comparable to the impact other events , such as Christmas and New Year , have on a patient ’ s care and cited the case of Scotland , where people who were admitted to hospitals on public holidays for emergency care showed a 27 per cent increase in 30-day mortality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthdays as a “ natural experiment ” is a better indicator than other distracting events given that Christmas and New Year ’ s may also affect a patients ’ decision to seek care and hospital staffing levels , it noted .
In contrast , the patient mix and hospital staffing are at normal levels on a patient ’ s birthday , said the study .
Researchers noted several explanations for these findings , including the fact that surgeons may feel rushed to complete procedures on time on their birthday because they have evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or birthday messages on their phones during surgery could also be distracting and lead to medical errors , said the study .
Surgeons may also be less likely to return to hospital to see their patients who are showing signs of deterioration if they are having dinner with family and friends on their birthday , added researchers .
As this was an observational study , researchers were unable to examine the cause of death or exclude the impact other factors played in a person ’ s mortality , notes the study .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means findings might not apply to other patient groups , it adds .
However , this study suggests “ a surgeon ’ s performance might be affected by life events that are not directly related to work ” .
The study also noted that lab experiments had shown common distractions in operating rooms , such as noise , equipment problems and personal conversations , can have a “ detrimental effect ” on surgeons ’ performance .
However , evidence of this using real-life data is limited .
The BMJ observational study was published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s annual Christmas issue which mixes “ quirky comment articles , light-hearted features and peer reviewed original research ” .
However , the journal underlined that it does not publish “ spoofs , hoaxes or fabricated studies ” , adding that papers in the Christmas issue adhere to the “ same high standards of novelty , methodological rigour , reporting transparency and readability ” as regular articles .

They theorised that surgeons might be more likely to be ‘distracted or rush to finish procedures on their birthdays’. Photograph: iStock
Patients who undergo surgery on their surgeon’s birthday are less likely to survive than those who go through surgery on other days of the year, according to a new US study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Researchers found surgeons were more likely to be distracted by life events that are not directly related to work on their birthday, including dinner plans and birthday conversations with team members.
They theorised that surgeons might be more likely to be “distracted or rush to finish procedures on their birthdays” and so patient surgical outcomes may differ on those days.
Researchers tested their theory using nationally representative medicare data of older Americans aged 65 to 99 years who underwent one of 17 common emergency surgical procedures at a US hospital between 2011 and 2014 and by examining the mortality rate within 30 days of the surgery.
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The patient’s age, severity of their illness, the surgeon’s speciality and hospital staffing levels were also taken into account during the study.
Of the 980,876 procedures performed by 47,489 surgeons which were examined, 2,064 (0.2 per cent) were performed on surgeons birthdays.
Researchers found some 6.9 per cent of patients who were underwent surgery on their surgeon’s birthday died within 30 days compared to 5.6 per cent who went through surgery on other days.
They noted the results were comparable to the impact other events, such as Christmas and New Year, have on a patient's care and cited the case of Scotland, where people who were admitted to hospitals on public holidays for emergency care showed a 27 per cent increase in 30-day mortality.
However, the use of surgeons’ birthdays as a “natural experiment” is a better indicator than other distracting events given that Christmas and New Year’s may also affect a patients’ decision to seek care and hospital staffing levels, it noted. In contrast, the patient mix and hospital staffing are at normal levels on a patient’s birthday, said the study.
Explanations
Researchers noted several explanations for these findings, including the fact that surgeons may feel rushed to complete procedures on time on their birthday because they have evening plans. Birthday conversations with team members or birthday messages on their phones during surgery could also be distracting and lead to medical errors, said the study.
Surgeons may also be less likely to return to hospital to see their patients who are showing signs of deterioration if they are having dinner with family and friends on their birthday, added researchers.
As this was an observational study, researchers were unable to examine the cause of death or exclude the impact other factors played in a person’s mortality, notes the study. The focus on common procedures among older patients means findings might not apply to other patient groups, it adds.
However, this study suggests “a surgeon’s performance might be affected by life events that are not directly related to work”.
The study also noted that lab experiments had shown common distractions in operating rooms, such as noise, equipment problems and personal conversations, can have a “detrimental effect” on surgeons’ performance. However, evidence of this using real-life data is limited.
The BMJ observational study was published on Thursday as part of the BMJ’s annual Christmas issue which mixes “quirky comment articles, light-hearted features and peer reviewed original research”.
However, the journal underlined that it does not publish “spoofs, hoaxes or fabricated studies”, adding that papers in the Christmas issue adhere to the “same high standards of novelty, methodological rigour, reporting transparency and readability” as regular articles.


theirishtimes--2020-12-10--Three fined for face mask breaches since new offence created

Gardaí have begun issuing fines to people refusing to wear face masks , almost seven weeks after the new offences were created , but members of the force are still unable to issue fines to people holding house parties .
The information technology ( IT ) infrastructure required to add house party offences to the fixed charge notice ( FCN ) , or fines , system has proven to be complex .
Furthermore , Garda sources said because the house parties legislation is completely new and so unprecedented in nature , Garda Commissioner Drew Harris wants Garda members to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advance the cases themselves .
There are concerns people who are prosecuted or fined for having gatherings in their homes , under untested legislation , will launch appeals in the courts .
In the period from the end of November until January 6th four different regimes of Covid-19 penal regulations , all enforceable by gardaí , will have been in place , and these all required new IT fixes across the Garda , DPP and Court Service systems , sources said .
The changes needed to be informed by advice from the DPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gardaí added , noting that this work can not be done fast enough to match the frequency at which the Government had changed the rules .
Since Monday , when the refusal to wear face coverings was added to the FCN system , three people have been issued with fines across the Republic .
Before the mask-wearing offences were added to the FCN system this week , Garda Headquarters said gardaí had already sent nine files to the DPP relating to face mask breaches .
Of these , one prosecution had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest figures – which revealed a low number of enforcement cases – reflected the fact that the public had been generally very compliant in following the Covid-19 regulations .
“ However , while more activities are now allowed under Level 3 , it is vital that we don ’ t become complacent , ” he said .
“ We all need to wear face masks where appropriate , maintain social distancing and limit our number of contacts.
” All Garda members this week received an explanatory guide from Garda Headquarters which stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DPP when dealing with the offence of holding an event in a private dwelling .
Under the new system of fine announces last month , those caught hosting a house party or travelling to a house party could face fines of €1,000 for a first offence and up to €2,500 and six months in prison for repeat offences .
Garda members have also been informed that it only becomes an offence for people not to wear a face mask if the matter has been raised with them by a designated person – such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopkeeper – and they have declined to wear a mask .
If gardaí are called to the scene , they must establish that efforts were made to ask the person to “ come into compliance ” and wear a mask .
If that is established , a Garda member must then give the person another chance to come into compliance .
It is only if they fail to put on a mask at that point that they can be issued with a fixed charge notice , which carries a fine of €80 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a face covering on public transport ; remaining on public transport without a face covering ; refusing to get off public transport when asked to do so by a transport service employee ; not wearing a face mask in “ shops , shopping centres , libraries , cinemas , theatres , concert halls , bingo halls , museums , nail salons , hairdressers , tattoo and piercing studios , travel agents , laundries , dry cleaners , bookmakers , train stations and bus stations ” .
The Garda said on Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been 20 alleged breaches of the Health Act 1947 , which includes holding house parties and not wearing face masks , among other offences .
There were also 22 breaches of regulations governing licensed premises and 21 alleged breaches of the rules governing retail outlets .
Gardaí across the Republic have over the last three weeks continued to operate checkpoints in over 100 locations to monitor if people were travelling out of their counties without a reasonable excuse , Garda headquarters added .
There had also been “ high visibility patrols focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included combating gatherings in public places , as had been witnessed last month in Dublin and Cork cities .
Furthermore , the Garda said it had continued to take a very proactive role in combating domestic violence , which has surged to record levels since the pandemic began in the Republic in March .

In the period from the end of November until January 6th four different regimes of Covid-19 penal regulations, all enforceable by gardaí, will have been in place. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
Gardaí have begun issuing fines to people refusing to wear face masks, almost seven weeks after the new offences were created, but members of the force are still unable to issue fines to people holding house parties.
The information technology (IT) infrastructure required to add house party offences to the fixed charge notice (FCN), or fines, system has proven to be complex.
Furthermore, Garda sources said because the house parties legislation is completely new and so unprecedented in nature, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris wants Garda members to bring any cases to the DPP rather than advance the cases themselves. There are concerns people who are prosecuted or fined for having gatherings in their homes, under untested legislation, will launch appeals in the courts.
In the period from the end of November until January 6th four different regimes of Covid-19 penal regulations, all enforceable by gardaí, will have been in place, and these all required new IT fixes across the Garda, DPP and Court Service systems, sources said.
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The changes needed to be informed by advice from the DPP and thoroughly tested before they begin operating, gardaí added, noting that this work cannot be done fast enough to match the frequency at which the Government had changed the rules.
Since Monday, when the refusal to wear face coverings was added to the FCN system, three people have been issued with fines across the Republic.
Before the mask-wearing offences were added to the FCN system this week, Garda Headquarters said gardaí had already sent nine files to the DPP relating to face mask breaches. Of these, one prosecution had already commenced.
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said the latest figures – which revealed a low number of enforcement cases – reflected the fact that the public had been generally very compliant in following the Covid-19 regulations.
“However, while more activities are now allowed under Level 3, it is vital that we don’t become complacent,” he said.
“We all need to wear face masks where appropriate, maintain social distancing and limit our number of contacts.”
Garda guide
All Garda members this week received an explanatory guide from Garda Headquarters which stressed they must continue to go through the DPP when dealing with the offence of holding an event in a private dwelling.
Under the new system of fine announces last month, those caught hosting a house party or travelling to a house party could face fines of €1,000 for a first offence and up to €2,500 and six months in prison for repeat offences.
Garda members have also been informed that it only becomes an offence for people not to wear a face mask if the matter has been raised with them by a designated person – such as a public transport worker or a shopkeeper – and they have declined to wear a mask.
If gardaí are called to the scene, they must establish that efforts were made to ask the person to “come into compliance” and wear a mask. If that is established, a Garda member must then give the person another chance to come into compliance. It is only if they fail to put on a mask at that point that they can be issued with a fixed charge notice, which carries a fine of €80.
Fines can be issued for: not wearing a face covering on public transport; remaining on public transport without a face covering; refusing to get off public transport when asked to do so by a transport service employee; not wearing a face mask in “shops, shopping centres, libraries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bingo halls, museums, nail salons, hairdressers, tattoo and piercing studios, travel agents, laundries, dry cleaners, bookmakers, train stations and bus stations”.
The Garda said on Thursday that over the last three weeks there had been 20 alleged breaches of the Health Act 1947, which includes holding house parties and not wearing face masks, among other offences. There were also 22 breaches of regulations governing licensed premises and 21 alleged breaches of the rules governing retail outlets.
Gardaí across the Republic have over the last three weeks continued to operate checkpoints in over 100 locations to monitor if people were travelling out of their counties without a reasonable excuse, Garda headquarters added.
There had also been "high visibility patrols focused on the night-time economy", which had included combating gatherings in public places, as had been witnessed last month in Dublin and Cork cities. Furthermore, the Garda said it had continued to take a very proactive role in combating domestic violence, which has surged to record levels since the pandemic began in the Republic in March.


theirishtimes--2020-12-10--Judgments granted totalling €675,000 against widow of barrister

The High Court has granted judgments totalling some €675,000 against the widow of barrister Marcus F Daly senior SC arising from a loan made to him and his guarantee on another loan .
Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank ( BOIMB ) brought the proceedings against Ethel Daly , as personal representative of her deceased husband ’ s estate , over default on repayment of the loan and guarantee facilities provided to him .
Mr Daly , of Dalkey Avenue , Dalkey , Dublin , was aged 78 when he died .
The guarantee , entered into in 2010 and limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a €1.65m loan to his son Marcus junior and his daughter-in-law Patricia .
Mr Daly snr also got a loan from BOIMB in 2009 for €350,000 which was secured on a mortgage on a property at Kirwan ’ s Lane , Galway .
Interest-only repayments were kept up on this loan until his death and was extended after the five-year interest only period expired .
BOIMB demanded repayment over the guarantee in 2014 but no payment was made and proceedings were issued .
When he died in July 2016 , his widow was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his estate .
Following his death , the bank also demanded repayment of the €350,000 loan but it was not forthcoming .
Proceedings were also issued in that case in 2018 against the estate with Mrs Daly as defendant and personal legal representative of the estate .
In December 2018 , the bank sought judgment in both cases .
She argued that , in relation to the €350,000 loan , it was done to be loaned to their son to reduce the son ’ s indebtedness .
The loan offer of €350,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre–conditions , one of which was the reduction in the debt , she argued .
Subsequently , the bank required Marcus senior to sign the €300,000 guarantee as a condition of the loan to Marcus jnr for €300,000 , she claimed .
That meant the bank was “ improving its own financial position to the tune of €650,000 ” at the expense of its loyal customer , her late husband , she said .
It was a requirement of these facilities that certain pre-conditions in relation to their son ’ s indebtedness be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not in reality have assisted their son by paying the bank €650,000 , without a significant change in their son ’ s financial position , she said .
This was because her husband was not going to be able to repay the loan which was advanced to refinance loan facilities Marcus snr got in 2006 .
She believed the bank was fully aware of that and “ took advantage of Marcus senior ’ s relationship with his son ” , she said .
In his judgment on Thursday , Mr Justice Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to both claims was “ not credible ” and she had made out no defence .
Her opposition to the bank ’ s claims can “ be described as mere , or bare , assertions which are wholly unsupported by evidence , and fatally undermined by facts which are not in dispute.
” It was uncontroversial to say that Marcus senior agreed to provide the guarantee out of a desire to support his son and daughter-in-law and , in so doing , he was aware he was taking on risk , the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgment of €302,552 in relation to the loan and €373,213 in relation to the guarantee , he ruled .

The bank was entitled to judgment of €302,552 in relation to the loan and €373,213 in relation to the guarantee, it was ruled
The High Court has granted judgments totalling some €675,000 against the widow of barrister Marcus F Daly senior SC arising from a loan made to him and his guarantee on another loan.
Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank (BOIMB) brought the proceedings against Ethel Daly, as personal representative of her deceased husband’s estate, over default on repayment of the loan and guarantee facilities provided to him.
Mr Daly, of Dalkey Avenue, Dalkey, Dublin, was aged 78 when he died.
The guarantee, entered into in 2010 and limited to €300,000, was in relation to a €1.65m loan to his son Marcus junior and his daughter-in-law Patricia.
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Mr Daly snr also got a loan from BOIMB in 2009 for €350,000 which was secured on a mortgage on a property at Kirwan’s Lane, Galway. Interest-only repayments were kept up on this loan until his death and was extended after the five-year interest only period expired.
BOIMB demanded repayment over the guarantee in 2014 but no payment was made and proceedings were issued. When he died in July 2016, his widow was substituted as defendant as she was executrix of his estate.
Following his death, the bank also demanded repayment of the €350,000 loan but it was not forthcoming. Proceedings were also issued in that case in 2018 against the estate with Mrs Daly as defendant and personal legal representative of the estate.
In December 2018, the bank sought judgment in both cases.
Mrs Daly opposed the application.
She argued that, in relation to the €350,000 loan, it was done to be loaned to their son to reduce the son’s indebtedness.
The loan offer of €350,000 to Marcus jnr had a number of pre–conditions, one of which was the reduction in the debt, she argued. Subsequently, the bank required Marcus senior to sign the €300,000 guarantee as a condition of the loan to Marcus jnr for €300,000, she claimed.
That meant the bank was “improving its own financial position to the tune of €650,000” at the expense of its loyal customer, her late husband, she said.
It was a requirement of these facilities that certain pre-conditions in relation to their son’s indebtedness be satisfied, she said.
Her husband would not in reality have assisted their son by paying the bank €650,000, without a significant change in their son’s financial position, she said. This was because her husband was not going to be able to repay the loan which was advanced to refinance loan facilities Marcus snr got in 2006.
She believed the bank was fully aware of that and “took advantage of Marcus senior’s relationship with his son”, she said.
The bank denied her claims.
In his judgment on Thursday, Mr Justice Mark Heslin said Mrs Daly’s defence to both claims was “not credible” and she had made out no defence.
Her opposition to the bank’s claims can “be described as mere, or bare, assertions which are wholly unsupported by evidence, and fatally undermined by facts which are not in dispute.”
It was uncontroversial to say that Marcus senior agreed to provide the guarantee out of a desire to support his son and daughter-in-law and, in so doing, he was aware he was taking on risk, the judge said.
The bank was entitled to judgment of €302,552 in relation to the loan and €373,213 in relation to the guarantee, he ruled.


theirishtimes--2020-12-10--Woman (52) dies after being hit by lorry in Cork city

A woman in her 50s has died after being struck by a lorry in Cork city on Thursday .
The incident happened around 4.50pm on the north side of the city at the junction of the Old Youghal Road near Mayfield Business Park .
The woman was attempting to cross the road when she was hit by a truck .
Driving conditions were poor with heavy rain and mist .
Motorists and members of the public went to help the woman but she was pronounced dead at the scene .
Her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the area where the incident occurred .
The road will be forensically examined and CCTV security camera footage from local businesses will be looked at in a bid to determine the cause of the incident .
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 4.30pm and 5pm and has any information or footage ( including dash cam ) to contact Mayfield Garda station on 021 455 8510 .
So far this year , 138 people have died on Irish roads .
The woman , who is understood to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedestrian to die this year .

The crash happened around 4.50pm on the north side of the city at the junction of the Old Youghal Road near Mayfield Business Park. File photograph: Alan Betson
A woman in her 50s has died after being struck by a lorry in Cork city on Thursday.
The incident happened around 4.50pm on the north side of the city at the junction of the Old Youghal Road near Mayfield Business Park.
The woman was attempting to cross the road when she was hit by a truck. Driving conditions were poor with heavy rain and mist.
Motorists and members of the public went to help the woman but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem.
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Motorists have been asked to avoid the area where the incident occurred. The road will be forensically examined and CCTV security camera footage from local businesses will be looked at in a bid to determine the cause of the incident.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 4.30pm and 5pm and has any information or footage (including dash cam) to contact Mayfield Garda station on 021 455 8510.
So far this year, 138 people have died on Irish roads. The woman, who is understood to be a 52-year-old local, is the 30th pedestrian to die this year.