theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Donegal crash tragedy: ‘There’s a black cloud hanging over Moville’

As his profile picture on social media John Mullan chose not a photo of himself , but one of his family .
The four of them shine out from the photograph – 49-year-old John , his 14-year-old son Tomás , little Amelia , aged six , and his wife and the children ’ s mother , 45-year-old Geraldine ; all crammed together into the frame of the camera , all smiling .
Their parish priest , Fr Pat O ’ Hagan , on Friday spoke of a family who had done everything together .
“ They came to Mass as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the four of them were there.
” The whole family were practicing members of the parish , he said ; Tomás had been an altar server , and Amelia was a “ wee dote ” who would “ come up with her parents to receive her blessing at Holy Communion ” .
In recent months , John and Geraldine had been working hard ; John was building-up the family business – a garden centre in their home town of Moville , Co Donegal – after its enforced closure during the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the cancer unit in Letterkenny General Hospital .
But with Thomas and Amelia due back at school next week , they had decided to take a week ’ s holiday to spend as a family .
“ Every day they were going somewhere , ” said Fr Farren .
“ They wanted to give the wains [ children ] something to enjoy before they went back to school.
” Thursday evening was spent at an entertainment complex in Derry with a cinema and a bowling alley ; as John began driving home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was dark , and the weather conditions were terrible , with heavy rain and strong winds .
At Three Trees , just before Quigley ’ s Point , the road runs right alongside Lough Foyle ; the waves were so high , local people said , they were crashing over the embankment and onto the road .
The front wheel of the car went off the road , a garda source said ; Mr Mullan tried to regain control of the car but it overturned , and plunged into the water .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children from the car , but was unable to save them ; bystanders had to hold her back to prevent her from going to look for them in the rough water .
On Friday , a sense of shock was palpable in the centre of Moville .
“ There ’ s a black cloud hanging over Moville today , ” said Patrick Gillen , the co-owner of Gillen ’ s Supermarket on the main street .
“ I grew up with John , ” said another shop owner , “ and he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family-orientated .
“ Everything with him was about the family .
.
.
everything was for and with the kids.
” Anthony Dougan , the principal of Moville Community College where Tomás was about to enter his Junior Cert year – paid tribute to a keen musician who loved to play the accordion , and was regarded as a “ quiet , respectful student who was well-liked by students and staff ” .
One local woman described how Geraldine – who was originally from Williamstown , Co Galway – had met John through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She arrived to look after his mother , and they fell in love .
It was like a fairytale , really.
” “ The whole town knew them , because everyone used the garden centre , ” said shopkeeper Mary McElhinney .
“ It ’ s so devastating .
How could you even come to terms with that ?
A home is not a house , a home is people , and she [ Geraldine ] has nothing to come back to.
” Moville GAA club – where Amelia played and Geraldine helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John , Tomás and Amelia would be “ missed terribly ” ; they spoke for many in the town when they pledged members would “ work hard to give Geraldine the same love , support and encouragement as she has shown many of us in the past as we all struggle to come to terms with her loss ” .

As his profile picture on social media John Mullan chose not a photo of himself, but one of his family.
The four of them shine out from the photograph – 49-year-old John, his 14-year-old son Tomás, little Amelia, aged six, and his wife and the children’s mother, 45-year-old Geraldine; all crammed together into the frame of the camera, all smiling.
Their parish priest, Fr Pat O’Hagan, on Friday spoke of a family who had done everything together. “They came to Mass as a family. If one was there, the four of them were there.”
The whole family were practicing members of the parish, he said; Tomás had been an altar server, and Amelia was a “wee dote” who would “come up with her parents to receive her blessing at Holy Communion”.
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In recent months, John and Geraldine had been working hard; John was building-up the family business – a garden centre in their home town of Moville, Co Donegal – after its enforced closure during the coronavirus pandemic, while Geraldine was a nurse manager in the cancer unit in Letterkenny General Hospital.
But with Thomas and Amelia due back at school next week, they had decided to take a week’s holiday to spend as a family. “Every day they were going somewhere,” said Fr Farren. “They wanted to give the wains [children] something to enjoy before they went back to school.”
High waves
Thursday evening was spent at an entertainment complex in Derry with a cinema and a bowling alley; as John began driving home at about 10 o’clock, it was dark, and the weather conditions were terrible, with heavy rain and strong winds.
At Three Trees, just before Quigley’s Point, the road runs right alongside Lough Foyle; the waves were so high, local people said, they were crashing over the embankment and onto the road.
The front wheel of the car went off the road, a garda source said; Mr Mullan tried to regain control of the car but it overturned, and plunged into the water.
Geraldine managed to escape and pulled both children from the car, but was unable to save them; bystanders had to hold her back to prevent her from going to look for them in the rough water.
On Friday, a sense of shock was palpable in the centre of Moville. “There’s a black cloud hanging over Moville today,” said Patrick Gillen, the co-owner of Gillen’s Supermarket on the main street.
“I grew up with John,” said another shop owner, “and he was a lovely, quiet man, very family-orientated. “Everything with him was about the family . . . everything was for and with the kids.”
Anthony Dougan, the principal of Moville Community College where Tomás was about to enter his Junior Cert year – paid tribute to a keen musician who loved to play the accordion, and was regarded as a “quiet, respectful student who was well-liked by students and staff”.
‘Like a fairytale’
One local woman described how Geraldine – who was originally from Williamstown, Co Galway – had met John through her job as a nurse.
“She arrived to look after his mother, and they fell in love. It was like a fairytale, really.”
The wreckage of the car from the incident in which three members of the Mullan family lost their lives near Quigley’s Point in Co Donegal. Photograph: North West Newspix
“The whole town knew them, because everyone used the garden centre,” said shopkeeper Mary McElhinney. “It’s so devastating. How could you even come to terms with that? A home is not a house, a home is people, and she [Geraldine] has nothing to come back to.”
Moville GAA club – where Amelia played and Geraldine helped out on a Saturday morning – said John, Tomás and Amelia would be “missed terribly”; they spoke for many in the town when they pledged members would “work hard to give Geraldine the same love, support and encouragement as she has shown many of us in the past as we all struggle to come to terms with her loss”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Irish Rail apologises after passengers were ‘unable to social distance’

Irish Rail has apologised to passengers who travelled on its Dublin to Belfast Enterprise service on Saturday , after complaints it was so “ jam-packed ” that people were unable to socially distance amid fears of contracting coronavirus .
One passenger , who contacted The Irish Times , said the 11:20am train “ was so busy ” that staff “ actively prevented people from social distancing by making all the seats available ” .
In a recording of an on-board announcement , an employee of Translink – Northern Ireland ’ s public transport operator which runs the cross-border Enterprise service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be getting on and they would have to share the limited space .
“ I know you don ’ t want them there but unfortunately there is very little we can do , ” the announcer said .
A number of passengers complained on Twitter about the conditions .
One said of the service : “ No enforcement of mask wearing and passengers jam packed .
Surely there is something that can be done to prevent this ?
Sell less tickets maybe ?
!
” Another wrote : “ social distancing !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of control your staff are showing on the Dublin to Belfast train .. ” Another said that “ mandatory ” mask-wearing compliance is “ farcical , even amongst staff.
” .
“ Suggest you get signs teaching people their noses need covered too , ” she added .
Barry Kenny , corporate communications manager for Irish Rail , apologised for the “ capacity issues ” .
“ While the overwhelming majority of services have operated within the 50 per cent capacity , this service did see higher than anticipated demand , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ While we facilitate customers switching to subsequent services in such a situation , there was a gap from 11.20hrs to 15.20hrs for the next departure under the current revised schedule .
“ We are resuming full Enterprise services from Monday 31st August .
Face coverings are mandatory on our services to protect customers and employees , including where distancing issues arise .
”

Irish Rail has apologised to passengers who travelled on its Dublin to Belfast Enterprise service on Saturday, after complaints it was so "jam-packed" that people were unable to socially distance amid fears of contracting coronavirus.
One passenger, who contacted The Irish Times, said the 11:20am train “was so busy” that staff “actively prevented people from social distancing by making all the seats available”.
In a recording of an on-board announcement, an employee of Translink – Northern Ireland's public transport operator which runs the cross-border Enterprise service with Irish Rail – warned more passengers would be getting on and they would have to share the limited space.
“I know you don’t want them there but unfortunately there is very little we can do,” the announcer said.
READ MORE
A number of passengers complained on Twitter about the conditions.
One said of the service: “No enforcement of mask wearing and passengers jam packed. Surely there is something that can be done to prevent this? Sell less tickets maybe?!”
Another wrote: “social distancing!!! come look at the lack of control your staff are showing on the Dublin to Belfast train ..”
Another said that “mandatory” mask-wearing compliance is “farcical, even amongst staff.”.
“Suggest you get signs teaching people their noses need covered too,” she added.
Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager for Irish Rail, apologised for the “capacity issues”.
“While the overwhelming majority of services have operated within the 50 per cent capacity, this service did see higher than anticipated demand, and we apologise for the capacity issues faced,” he said.
“While we facilitate customers switching to subsequent services in such a situation, there was a gap from 11.20hrs to 15.20hrs for the next departure under the current revised schedule.
“We are resuming full Enterprise services from Monday 31st August. Face coverings are mandatory on our services to protect customers and employees, including where distancing issues arise.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: Two more deaths and 156 further cases in the State

Two more people have died of Covid-19 in the Republic , and a further 156 confirmed cases have been recorded , the Department of Health said on Saturday .
There has now been a total of 1,777 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland , and a total of 27,908 confirmed cases .
Earlier on Saturday it was confirmed that a female prisoner aged in her 20s has tested positive for Covid-19 .
It is understood the woman ( 23 ) , who is the first prisoner to test positive for the coronavirus , has been in quarantine since she was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman was tested after six days in custody which is current protocol for new committals .
She is understood to have had symptoms prior to going into custody .
Of the cases notified by the department on Saturday , 81 are men and 75 are women .
Some 71 per cent are under 45 years of age .
Dr Ronan Glynn , acting chief medical officer at the department of Health said : “ This weekend , if you are having people over , please have no more than six visitors , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your home .
“ It is vital that people all across the country follow the public health advice .
If you have any symptoms , isolate and contact your GP by phone immediately.
” The county breakdown is 55 in Dublin , 36 in Kildare , 12 in Tipperary , nine in Limerick , seven in Kilkenny , six in Waterford and the remaining 31 cases in Carlow , Clare , Cork , Donegal , Galway , Kerry , Laois , Louth , Meath , Monaghan , Offaly , Roscommon , Westmeath , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form , required by anyone arriving in Ireland from overseas , will be available for completion online from Wednesday , August 26th , according to the Department of Health .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said : “ Completion of this form helps our public health officials carry out follow-up checks on those arriving into the State .
It also facilitates contact-tracing efforts in the event of a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 on a flight or ship that has landed in Ireland.
” Completing this form is a legal requirement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Wednesday .
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that the Government continues to advise against non-essential travel .
Passengers arriving into Ireland from countries not on the green list – for which only normal travel precautions apply – willl also be asked to restrict their movement for 14 days .
Passengers who complete the form online will receive an email receipt , and public health messages will also be sent to them by text after they arrive in Ireland , according to the spokesperson from the Department of Health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be asked to complete all sections of the form .
In Northern Ireland , another 71 people have tested positive for coronavirus , bringing the total to 6,647 , the North ’ s department of health said on Saturday afternoon .

The woman was tested for Covid-19 after six days in custody. Photograph: NIAID-RML via AP
Two more people have died of Covid-19 in the Republic, and a further 156 confirmed cases have been recorded, the Department of Health said on Saturday.
There has now been a total of 1,777 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland, and a total of 27,908 confirmed cases.
Earlier on Saturday it was confirmed that a female prisoner aged in her 20s has tested positive for Covid-19.
It is understood the woman (23), who is the first prisoner to test positive for the coronavirus, has been in quarantine since she was taken into custody on August 13th.
READ MORE
The woman was tested after six days in custody which is current protocol for new committals. She is understood to have had symptoms prior to going into custody.
Of the cases notified by the department on Saturday, 81 are men and 75 are women. Some 71 per cent are under 45 years of age.
Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer at the department of Health said: “This weekend, if you are having people over, please have no more than six visitors, from no more than three households, to your home.
“It is vital that people all across the country follow the public health advice. If you have any symptoms, isolate and contact your GP by phone immediately.”
The county breakdown is 55 in Dublin, 36 in Kildare, 12 in Tipperary, nine in Limerick, seven in Kilkenny, six in Waterford and the remaining 31 cases in Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
Passenger locator form
The passenger locator form, required by anyone arriving in Ireland from overseas, will be available for completion online from Wednesday, August 26th, according to the Department of Health.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “Completion of this form helps our public health officials carry out follow-up checks on those arriving into the State. It also facilitates contact-tracing efforts in the event of a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 on a flight or ship that has landed in Ireland.”
Completing this form is a legal requirement, and will be available at gov.ie/locatorform from next Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that the Government continues to advise against non-essential travel.
Passengers arriving into Ireland from countries not on the green list – for which only normal travel precautions apply – willl also be asked to restrict their movement for 14 days.
Passengers who complete the form online will receive an email receipt, and public health messages will also be sent to them by text after they arrive in Ireland, according to the spokesperson from the Department of Health.
Those travelling immediately onwards to Northern Ireland will not be asked to complete all sections of the form.
In Northern Ireland, another 71 people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 6,647, the North’s department of health said on Saturday afternoon.


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Young people report snacking more and gaining weight during lockdown

Eating and snacking more was common during the Covid-19 lockdown , with almost one in three people reporting weight gain , according to the findings of a national food study .
The 25-44 age group was more susceptible to gaining weight .
One in five worried about having enough food , while charities said they saw an increase in families in need of food .
The findings of the National Covid-19 Food Study were published on Saturday by the UCD Institute of Food and Health in collaboration with Dublin City University ( DCU ) .
Using an online-only survey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and drink behaviours among adults in Ireland during the Covid-19 restrictions .
The food and activity patterns of older people were less affected by the lockdown than expected , according to the study .
Younger people , especially those aged between 25 and 44 years old , showed much more change in their snacking , home cooking and baking , takeaway and alcohol habits than expected .
Dr Emma Feeney , assistant professor in food science and nutrition at UCD , said the study shows that “ this relatively short period of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lives ” .
“ People cooked at home much more but also drank more alcohol , and interviews with advocacy groups suggested many households were under pressure with more people living at home , and increased grocery costs , ” she said .
Dr Eileen Gibney , deputy director of the UCD Institute of Food and Health , said : “ While we saw some positive elements – with people engaging in home baking and exercising more – a significant proportion reported eating more than usual , exercising less , and weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to impact food availability , with some people reporting concerns about getting the food they wanted or having enough food in their household.
” Dr Claire Timon , research fellow at the School of Nursing , Psychotherapy and Community Health in DCU , said research conducted with advocacy groups highlighted the “ increased pressure placed on service provision such as meals on wheels , soup kitchens ” during the Covid-19 lockdown .
“ In some instances families who had never sought help for food provision before were seeking this support , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these insights and the findings from the overall survey will help us better protect our communities now and into the future .
”

One in three young people surveyed said they gained weight during lockdown. Photograph: Cate Gillon/Getty Image
Eating and snacking more was common during the Covid-19 lockdown, with almost one in three people reporting weight gain, according to the findings of a national food study.
The 25-44 age group was more susceptible to gaining weight. One in five worried about having enough food, while charities said they saw an increase in families in need of food.
The findings of the National Covid-19 Food Study were published on Saturday by the UCD Institute of Food and Health in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU).
Using an online-only survey, information was gathered on changes in food and drink behaviours among adults in Ireland during the Covid-19 restrictions.
READ MORE
The food and activity patterns of older people were less affected by the lockdown than expected, according to the study.
Younger people, especially those aged between 25 and 44 years old, showed much more change in their snacking, home cooking and baking, takeaway and alcohol habits than expected.
Dr Emma Feeney, assistant professor in food science and nutrition at UCD, said the study shows that "this relatively short period of time had a major impact on people's lives".
“People cooked at home much more but also drank more alcohol, and interviews with advocacy groups suggested many households were under pressure with more people living at home, and increased grocery costs,” she said.
Dr Eileen Gibney, deputy director of the UCD Institute of Food and Health, said: "While we saw some positive elements – with people engaging in home baking and exercising more – a significant proportion reported eating more than usual, exercising less, and weight gain.
“Worryingly, the restrictions seemed to impact food availability, with some people reporting concerns about getting the food they wanted or having enough food in their household.”
Dr Claire Timon, research fellow at the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health in DCU, said research conducted with advocacy groups highlighted the "increased pressure placed on service provision such as meals on wheels, soup kitchens" during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“In some instances families who had never sought help for food provision before were seeking this support,” she said.
“We are hopeful that these insights and the findings from the overall survey will help us better protect our communities now and into the future.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Four arrested in clashes at anti-facemask protest in Dublin

Four people have been arrested at an anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest in Dublin on Saturday afternoon .
Gardaí said one was arrested for breach of the peace , two were arrested for public order offences , and the other man for possession of an offensive weapon .
Hundreds of people attended the protest at Custom House Quay in the city centre .
The protest , which was organised by the group Health Freedom Ireland with support from Yellow Vest Ireland , attracted support and publicity from far-right figures , although Health Freedom Ireland has said it is a “ non-political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Maeve Murran , a “ kinesiologist ” and anti-vaccination campaigner , and Kelly Johnson , a homeopath who has claimed vaccines can cause autism .
At around 2pm , there were scuffles with gardaí when a group of people arrived at the scene together and were prevented from reaching the Custom House .
Three of the arrests were made around this time .
A fourth person was arrested just after 3pm as gardaí were checking people entering Custom House Quay , where speakers were addressing a large crowd .
Gardaí overpowered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was then led away to a waiting Garda vehicle where a search uncovered a pen knife with multiple blades .
Aside from a very small number of protestors verbally abusing gardaí , the demonstration was overwhelmingly peaceful .
Ms Murran criticised the lockdown and said the numbers who died from Covid-19 alone did not constitute “ shutting down society ” .
She said it was “ tragic ” that hundreds of people died during the lockdown without their loved ones present .
Another speaker , Prof Dolores Cahill , urged the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they would prescribe Hydroxychloroquine to the vulnerable and elderly saying “ we have the treatment , we don ’ t need the lockdown ” .
Hydroxychloroquine is a medication used to prevent and treat malaria .
Last June , the Recovery study , the world ’ s largest randomised trial of potential coronavirus treatments , concluded hydroxychloroquine had no beneficial effect on patients hospitalised with coronavirus .
In July , the World Health Organisation said it was discontinuing its trials of the malaria drug in hospitalised patients with Covid-19 after they failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance included barrister Una McGurk , anti-eviction activist Ben Gilroy and Dr Marcus De Brun .
There was little sign of social distancing at the event and the majority of the protestors did not wear masks .
There was also a small counter protest on Butt Bridge .
Garda sources said a large and high visibility presence was put in place because the protest was expected to be sizeable and because a counter protest march had been planned .
Gardaí were forced to move in and break up some fighting that broke out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda sources .
One man was badly beaten and was taken away by gardaí for medical treatment .
Some of the aggressors who were not arrested at the scene have been identified by gardaí .
About 20 Garda vans were parked at the entry points to the quay and one at Butt Bridge , which was partially blocked to traffic to accommodate the policing presence and Garda vehicles .
Some uniformed gardaí took up a presence inside the protest cordon to monitor the crowd while plain clothes armed detective also mingled among the @ @

Hundreds attended anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest in Dublin on Saturday afternoon. Photograph Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times
Four people have been arrested at an anti-lockdown and anti-facemask protest in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
Gardaí said one was arrested for breach of the peace, two were arrested for public order offences, and the other man for possession of an offensive weapon.
Hundreds of people attended the protest at Custom House Quay in the city centre.
The protest, which was organised by the group Health Freedom Ireland with support from Yellow Vest Ireland, attracted support and publicity from far-right figures, although Health Freedom Ireland has said it is a "non-political organisation".
READ MORE
The group is led by Maeve Murran, a "kinesiologist" and anti-vaccination campaigner, and Kelly Johnson, a homeopath who has claimed vaccines can cause autism.
Gardaí policing one of the access routes to the Custom House on Saturday. Photograph Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times
At around 2pm, there were scuffles with gardaí when a group of people arrived at the scene together and were prevented from reaching the Custom House.
Three of the arrests were made around this time.
A fourth person was arrested just after 3pm as gardaí were checking people entering Custom House Quay, where speakers were addressing a large crowd. Gardaí overpowered the man as he resisted being tackled. He was then led away to a waiting Garda vehicle where a search uncovered a pen knife with multiple blades.
Aside from a very small number of protestors verbally abusing gardaí, the demonstration was overwhelmingly peaceful.
Ms Murran criticised the lockdown and said the numbers who died from Covid-19 alone did not constitute “shutting down society”.
She said it was “tragic” that hundreds of people died during the lockdown without their loved ones present.
Another speaker, Prof Dolores Cahill, urged the crowd to write to their doctors asking them if they would prescribe Hydroxychloroquine to the vulnerable and elderly saying “we have the treatment, we don’t need the lockdown”.
Hydroxychloroquine is a medication used to prevent and treat malaria. Last June, the Recovery study, the world’s largest randomised trial of potential coronavirus treatments, concluded hydroxychloroquine had no beneficial effect on patients hospitalised with coronavirus.
People attending the protest at the Custom House, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times
In July, the World Health Organisation said it was discontinuing its trials of the malaria drug in hospitalised patients with Covid-19 after they failed to reduce mortality.
Other speakers in attendance included barrister Una McGurk, anti-eviction activist Ben Gilroy and Dr Marcus De Brun.
There was little sign of social distancing at the event and the majority of the protestors did not wear masks.
There was also a small counter protest on Butt Bridge.
Garda sources said a large and high visibility presence was put in place because the protest was expected to be sizeable and because a counter protest march had been planned.
Gardaí were forced to move in and break up some fighting that broke out before the event began, according to Garda sources. One man was badly beaten and was taken away by gardaí for medical treatment.
Some of the aggressors who were not arrested at the scene have been identified by gardaí.
About 20 Garda vans were parked at the entry points to the quay and one at Butt Bridge, which was partially blocked to traffic to accommodate the policing presence and Garda vehicles.
Some uniformed gardaí took up a presence inside the protest cordon to monitor the crowd while plain clothes armed detective also mingled among the crowd.


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: 13,000 tests carried out on Friday, in one-day high

There were 13,000 Covid-19 tests carried out in the State on Friday , the highest daily number recorded to date .
Paul Reid , chief executive of the HSE , said the mean “ end to end ” completion time from referral to contact tracing is now 2.1 days .
Mr Reid said on Saturday that 98 per cent of tests are negative and that the “ vast majority would have been returned in much less than two days ” .
A further 79 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It brings the total number of confirmed cases in Ireland to 27,755 , with the death toll at 1,776 .
In Northern Ireland , another 71 people have tested positive for coronavirus , bringing the total to 6,647 , the North ’ s department of health said on Saturday afternoon .
With a week to the reopening of schools , the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland ( ASTI ) has requested a meeting with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) to outline their concerns and seek a review of advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ann Piggott , president of the ASTI , said the union is receiving a “ high number of communications ” from teachers expressing a variety of concerns , including the safety of students and teachers in the high-risk category who have underlying illnesses .
“ School communities have been working hard to get schools ready for re-opening .
Understandably there is much trepidation amongst teachers as they begin what will no doubt prove to be an extremely challenging school year , ” she said .
“ The ASTI is seeking this meeting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most especially teachers suffering from serious underlying illnesses .
Given the evolving situation and the recent reappraisal of some of the advice provided by NPHET and HPSC , teachers have been expressing concerns about the health implications of a return to the classroom.
” The HSE , under which the HPSC is run , has been asked for comment on the request .
Separately , the Department of Health has announced the expert review body for the independent review of nursing and midwifery has commenced its programme of work .
The review group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already met on two occasions and is due to put out a call for submissions from stakeholders from Monday .
INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the establishment of the group was hard won by union ’ s members following the resolution of the 2019 nurses strike “ and it was a central plank of the settlement concluding the industrial action ” .
She said : “ The business of this group is a matter for the nursing and midwifery professions and will be watched closely by nursing managers , who consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which will determine the next steps for the nursing unions .
“ The group ’ s work will be extremely important in recognising nurses and midwives ’ contributions to quality care in the evolving health service .
“ We have made clear that it is vital the expert group hears directly from nurses , midwives , nurse and midwife managers of all grades , specialists , PHNs and other grades , and we will advocate strongly for the professions in all submissions and representations to the group .
“ This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the voices of nurses and midwives must be listened to if we are to successfully meet the healthcare challenges ahead .
”

Paul Reid of the HSE said 98% of Covid-19 tests have been negative. Photograph: NEXU Science Communication/via Reuters
There were 13,000 Covid-19 tests carried out in the State on Friday, the highest daily number recorded to date.
Paul Reid, chief executive of the HSE, said the mean "end to end" completion time from referral to contact tracing is now 2.1 days. Mr Reid said on Saturday that 98 per cent of tests are negative and that the "vast majority would have been returned in much less than two days".
A further 79 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Friday, with no new deaths reported. It brings the total number of confirmed cases in Ireland to 27,755, with the death toll at 1,776.
In Northern Ireland, another 71 people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 6,647, the North’s department of health said on Saturday afternoon.
READ MORE
With a week to the reopening of schools, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has requested a meeting with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) to outline their concerns and seek a review of advice provided to the Department of Education.
Ann Piggott, president of the ASTI, said the union is receiving a "high number of communications" from teachers expressing a variety of concerns, including the safety of students and teachers in the high-risk category who have underlying illnesses.
“School communities have been working hard to get schools ready for re-opening. Understandably there is much trepidation amongst teachers as they begin what will no doubt prove to be an extremely challenging school year,” she said.
“The ASTI is seeking this meeting to have the concerns of teachers addressed, most especially teachers suffering from serious underlying illnesses. Given the evolving situation and the recent reappraisal of some of the advice provided by NPHET and HPSC, teachers have been expressing concerns about the health implications of a return to the classroom.”
The HSE, under which the HPSC is run, has been asked for comment on the request.
Nursing and midwifery
Separately, the Department of Health has announced the expert review body for the independent review of nursing and midwifery has commenced its programme of work.
The review group, chaired by Dr Moling Ryan have already met on two occasions and is due to put out a call for submissions from stakeholders from Monday.
INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the establishment of the group was hard won by union’s members following the resolution of the 2019 nurses strike “and it was a central plank of the settlement concluding the industrial action”.
She said: “The business of this group is a matter for the nursing and midwifery professions and will be watched closely by nursing managers, who consider this process unfinished business, the outcome of which will determine the next steps for the nursing unions.
“The group’s work will be extremely important in recognising nurses and midwives’ contributions to quality care in the evolving health service.
“We have made clear that it is vital the expert group hears directly from nurses, midwives, nurse and midwife managers of all grades, specialists, PHNs and other grades, and we will advocate strongly for the professions in all submissions and representations to the group.
“This is a very important time for the health service and the voices of nurses and midwives must be listened to if we are to successfully meet the healthcare challenges ahead.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-22--Two police stations closed after eight PSNI officers test positive for Covid-19

Eight police officers in a station in Northern Ireland have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Antrim station and another nearby , Newtownabbey , have been closed for deep cleans to be carried out .
Police across the district are self-isolating and will be tested , a senior commander said .
Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said : “ Following reports of a number of officers from Antrim station being unwell , these officers have undergone testing for Covid-19 .
“ At this time , eight of these officers have tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we will continue to undertake , a range of appropriate measures , in line with public health advice and guidance , to address the issue.
” Antrim ’ s Serious Crime Suite has been used in the past to interview those suspected of paramilitary involvement as well as other major crime .
Mr Todd said the force has plans in place to ensure continuance of service delivery to keep people and communities safe .
“ We are also working to identify any other risks arising from this outbreak and will address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland represents rank and file officers .
Chairman Mark Lindsay said : “ It is essential that for the welfare of officers and the public , any signs of this disease must be tackled at the earliest opportunity .
“ A welfare hub is in operation to support our colleagues at this time .
“ Everything possible will be done to support the officers who are affected .
“ This outbreak in Antrim and Newtownabbey stations once again shows the extent to which officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole .
“ Strenuous tracking and tracing are being conducted .
In the meantime , our thoughts are with the officers who have the disease and I would like to wish them a speedy recovery.
” – PA

Police officers from Antrim and Newtownabbey have tested positive for Covid-19. Photograph: Paul McErlane/EPA
Sixty police officers are undergoing testing for Covid-19 after an outbreak at two stations in Northern Ireland.
A total of eight have been diagnosed with the infection, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.
The number testing and self-isolating has increased from 51 on Saturday.
Antrim and Newtownabbey stations have been closed for deep cleaning.
READ MORE
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “Yesterday we confirmed that eight of our officers had tested positive for Covid-19. This number has not increased.
“However, the number of officers who are currently self-isolating and undergoing testing for Covid-19 has increased from 51 yesterday to 60 officers today.
“In line with public health guidance, we are taking all appropriate steps to address and manage the issue.
“While we hope to return frontline officers to their duties in the coming days, our officers’ health and welfare is of paramount importance and we will ensure they return to duty when it is safe to do so.”
Antrim’s Serious Crime Suite has been used in the past to interview those suspected of paramilitary involvement as well as other major crime.
On Saturday, Mr Todd said the force has plans in place to ensure continuance of service delivery to keep people and communities safe.
“We are also working to identify any other risks arising from this outbreak and will address those with our health care partners,” he said.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland represents rank and file officers.
Chairman Mark Lindsay said: "It is essential that for the welfare of officers and the public, any signs of this disease must be tackled at the earliest opportunity.
“A welfare hub is in operation to support our colleagues at this time.
“Everything possible will be done to support the officers who are affected.
“This outbreak in Antrim and Newtownabbey stations once again shows the extent to which officers put themselves at risk protecting society as a whole.
“Strenuous tracking and tracing are being conducted. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the officers who have the disease and I would like to wish them a speedy recovery.”– PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-23--Gardaí seek owners of 32 dogs seized in north Dublin

Gardaí have seized 32 dogs in north Dublin that are are believed to have been stolen , and have been @ @ @ @ @ .
The dogs were seized after searches at Stockhole , Cloghran in Swords at approximately @ @ @ @ @ said received a call in relation to unusual activity in the area and as a @ @ @ @ @ the location , they sought a Section 48 search warrant which was executed by a @ @ @ @ @ Swords and Malahide Garda stations .
Two Dog Wardens assisted gardaí in the search .
@ @ @ @ @ were seized from the property consisting of three Chihuahuas , four Pugs , one Jack @ @ @ @ @ The dog wardens estimated the monetary value of all the dogs would be in excess @ @ @ @ @ .
All the dogs were removed to Ashtown Pound where they were being cared for @ @ @ @ @ dogs were due to be verified via their microchips , gardaí said .

Some of the dogs seized by gardaí. Photograph: Garda/Facebook
Gardaí have seized 32 dogs in north Dublin that are are believed to have been stolen, and have been valued at more than €120,000.
The dogs were seized after searches at Stockhole, Cloghran in Swords at approximately 1pm on Saturday.
Gardaí said received a call in relation to unusual activity in the area and as a result of further enquiries at the location, they sought a Section 48 search warrant which was executed by a number of gardaí attached to Swords and Malahide Garda stations. Two Dog Wardens assisted gardaí in the search.
Some of the dogs seized by gardaí. Photograph: Garda/Facebook
Some of the dogs seized by gardaí. Photograph: Garda/Facebook
A total of 32 dogs were seized from the property consisting of three Chihuahuas, four Pugs, one Jack Russell and 24 Dachshunds. The dog wardens estimated the monetary value of all the dogs would be in excess of €120,000, gardaí said.
READ MORE
All the dogs were removed to Ashtown Pound where they were being cared for and the owners of the dogs were due to be verified via their microchips, gardaí said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-23--Man in critical condition following head-on collision in Co Cork

A man is in critical condition and two others are in hospital following a head-on collision in Carrigaline , Co @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident which occurred on R610 at Raffeen , @ @ @ @ @ All three people involved in the crash were taken to Cork University Hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ , a 34-year-old man , is in critical condition while the second male driver ( @ @ @ @ @ passenger are being treated for nonlife threatening injuries The road is currently closed as gardaí @ @ @ @ @ diversions are in place .
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was travelling on the @ @ @ @ @ , Co Cork between 9pm and 9.15pm on Saturday night or anyone who was in @ @ @ @ @ witnessed the collision , particularly any road users with dash cam footage , to contact @ @ @ @ @ 4947120 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station .

A man is in critical condition and two others are in hospital following a head-on collision in Carrigaline, Co Cork on Saturday night.
A man is in critical condition and two others are in hospital following a head-on collision in Carrigaline, Co Cork on Saturday night.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident which occurred on R610 at Raffeen, Carrigaline at approximately 9.15pm.
All three people involved in the crash were taken to Cork University Hospital.
The driver of the first car, a 34-year-old man, is in critical condition while the second male driver (56) and 17-year-old male passenger are being treated for nonlife threatening injuries
READ MORE
The road is currently closed as gardaí investigate the scene. Local diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was travelling on the R160 at Raffeen, Carrigaline, Co Cork between 9pm and 9.15pm on Saturday night or anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the collision, particularly any road users with dash cam footage, to contact Togher Garda Station on 021 4947120, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.


theirishtimes--2020-08-24--Schools may get Covid-19 testing capacity at expense of other settings

The HSE is planning to leave spare testing capacity within its weekly limit of 100,000 Covid-19 tests for cases in schools and will , if necessary , reduce mass testing in high-risk settings .
Serial testing is being carried out of staff at nursing homes and at meat processing and food production plants in Kildare , Laois and Offaly .
Testing has started at direct provision centres .
Health officials plan to leave spare capacity available over the coming weeks as schools reopen to ensure there is sufficient testing to be able to respond to possible outbreaks in schools .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the disease through asymptomatic transmission would be reduced to free up additional capacity for cases in schools and priority would be given to serial testing of symptomatic or vulnerable people in congregated settings .
Health officials tested 13,000 people last Friday , a record since the coronavirus pandemic began in March and 2,000 tests short of the daily limit .
It is expected a weekly record of tests will be reached this week .
Under plans being devised by State officials schools would not be immediately closed in the event of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assess reasons for outbreaks .
The Department of Education and the HSE are working on actions that they would take to investigate clusters of infections that emerge in individual schools following their reopening this week after being closed since March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The framework is designed around a risk assessment by public health officials to examine contacts within schools to determine whether individual teachers or classes had contact in buildings , corridors or playgrounds outside “ pods ” of students and class “ bubbles ” and whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings specific to individual schools .
The measures are aimed at avoiding school closures in the event of outbreaks , so clusters of infections are to be investigated on a case-by-case basis .
Prof Philip Nolan , chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group advising Government on Covid-19 , acknowledged the anxiety among parents and teachers around schools reopening but said there was little evidence to show schools were major sites of transmission .
Homes were “ a much more intimate and high-contact setting than even a school , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in children between five and 14 years of age in the last two weeks and we are seeing them here in the context of household outbreaks , ” he told RTÉ .
A further 61 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported in the Republic on Sunday , with no further deaths .
This brings total cases of the disease in the State to 27,969 .
Some 1,777 people have died .

The Department of Education and the HSE are working on actions that they would take to investigate clusters in schools. Photograph: iStock
The HSE is planning to leave spare testing capacity within its weekly limit of 100,000 Covid-19 tests for cases in schools and will, if necessary, reduce mass testing in high-risk settings.
Serial testing is being carried out of staff at nursing homes and at meat processing and food production plants in Kildare, Laois and Offaly. Testing has started at direct provision centres.
Health officials plan to leave spare capacity available over the coming weeks as schools reopen to ensure there is sufficient testing to be able to respond to possible outbreaks in schools.
Sources said serial testing to understand the spread of the disease through asymptomatic transmission would be reduced to free up additional capacity for cases in schools and priority would be given to serial testing of symptomatic or vulnerable people in congregated settings.
READ MORE
Health officials tested 13,000 people last Friday, a record since the coronavirus pandemic began in March and 2,000 tests short of the daily limit. It is expected a weekly record of tests will be reached this week.
Under plans being devised by State officials schools would not be immediately closed in the event of Covid-19 outbreaks but would be investigated to assess reasons for outbreaks.
The Department of Education and the HSE are working on actions that they would take to investigate clusters of infections that emerge in individual schools following their reopening this week after being closed since March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Risk assessment
The framework is designed around a risk assessment by public health officials to examine contacts within schools to determine whether individual teachers or classes had contact in buildings, corridors or playgrounds outside “pods” of students and class “bubbles” and whether infections were limited to certain circumstances and buildings specific to individual schools.
The measures are aimed at avoiding school closures in the event of outbreaks, so clusters of infections are to be investigated on a case-by-case basis.
Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group advising Government on Covid-19, acknowledged the anxiety among parents and teachers around schools reopening but said there was little evidence to show schools were major sites of transmission.
Homes were “a much more intimate and high-contact setting than even a school,” he said.
"We have seen 100 cases in children between five and 14 years of age in the last two weeks and we are seeing them here in the context of household outbreaks," he told RTÉ.
A further 61 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported in the Republic on Sunday, with no further deaths. This brings total cases of the disease in the State to 27,969. Some 1,777 people have died.


theirishtimes--2020-08-24--Warning of ‘huge financial implications’ if new Garda command centre delayed

The Office of Public Works ( OPW ) has warned there will be “ huge financial implications ” if there are further delays to work on a new Garda command and control centre near Dublin ’ s Heuston Station .
The €80 million construction project on Military Road began earlier this year and is scheduled to take 2½ years .
Currently , Garda specialist units are housed in Harcourt Square but must vacate the offices by the end of 2022 , as the OPW ’ s lease on the building expires .
The new six-storey complex near Heuston Station must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave their current offices .
Initially the project was to be completed before July 2022 , but delays have now pushed the timeline for completion to the end of September 2022 .
The OPW , which manages State property and leases , expressed concern over delays on signing off the construction contract at the start of this year .
In a letter earlier this year , OPW chairman Maurice Buckley warned that a failure to meet the strict deadline to vacate Harcourt Square “ would have huge financial implications ” for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drew Harris and Department of Justice secretary general Aidan O ’ Driscoll , that he did not want to put an estimate of the financial exposure on record .
“ Suffice it to say , it is of a magnitude that none of us as accounting officers could countenance taking every available measure to avoid , ” the letter , dated January 23rd , said .
Mr Buckley said it was “ imperative ” the building work started as soon as possible .
Due to the “ gravity of the situation ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the balance of risk involved in any further delay ” , he said .
The correspondence and other records were released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
The new Garda command centre will house the Dublin Metropolitan regional headquarters , the Emergency Response Unit , the Criminal Assets Bureau , the Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Special Detectives Unit .
Minutes of a steering group meeting for the project on October 16th , 2019 , stated it was hoped construction would begin in early January 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 20th , the OPW said it was “ extremely keen that the [ construction ] contract is signed as soon as possible so that work can commence.
” The meeting heard Robert Watt , secretary general of the Department of Public Expenditure , had written to the OPW stressing the importance of advancing the project , due to the potential “ financial penalties ” the State would face if it was delayed .
The contract for the building works was signed off on February 10th , with contractor John Paul Construction beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has faced further delays as the site was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
A spokeswoman for the OPW said the site was closed from March 28th , 2020 , and reopened on May 18th .
The project was “ still on programme and is now scheduled for completion by the end of September 2022 ” , she said .
A previous agreement with building owners Hibernia Reit for a six-year extension of the Harcourt Square lease in 2016 cost the OPW €6 million a year .
Some of the Garda units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new Irish Rail control centre planned for Heuston Station .
In a letter dated June 10th , Mr Harris wrote to Anne Graham , National Transport Authority chief executive , seeking assurances the centre would be ready to have Garda equipment installed by August 2021 .
However , due to the coronavirus pandemic Irish Rail ’ s new control centre will now not be completed until late 2021 , and only become operational from 2022 .

Garda specialist units are currently housed in Harcourt Square but must vacate the offices by the end of 2022. Photograph: Frank Miller
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has warned there will be "huge financial implications" if there are further delays to work on a new Garda command and control centre near Dublin's Heuston Station.
The €80 million construction project on Military Road began earlier this year and is scheduled to take 2½ years.
Currently, Garda specialist units are housed in Harcourt Square but must vacate the offices by the end of 2022, as the OPW's lease on the building expires. The new six-storey complex near Heuston Station must be ready before the Garda units have to leave their current offices.
Initially the project was to be completed before July 2022, but delays have now pushed the timeline for completion to the end of September 2022.
READ MORE
Deadline
The OPW, which manages State property and leases, expressed concern over delays on signing off the construction contract at the start of this year.
In a letter earlier this year, OPW chairman Maurice Buckley warned that a failure to meet the strict deadline to vacate Harcourt Square "would have huge financial implications" for the State.
Mr Buckley told Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Department of Justice secretary general Aidan O'Driscoll, that he did not want to put an estimate of the financial exposure on record. "Suffice it to say, it is of a magnitude that none of us as accounting officers could countenance taking every available measure to avoid," the letter, dated January 23rd, said.
Mr Buckley said it was “imperative” the building work started as soon as possible. Due to the “gravity of the situation”, senior OPW officials were meeting to discuss “the balance of risk involved in any further delay”, he said.
The correspondence and other records were released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
The new Garda command centre will house the Dublin Metropolitan regional headquarters, the Emergency Response Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Special Detectives Unit.
Minutes of a steering group meeting for the project on October 16th, 2019, stated it was hoped construction would begin in early January 2020.
At a steering group meeting on January 20th, the OPW said it was “extremely keen that the [construction] contract is signed as soon as possible so that work can commence.”
The meeting heard Robert Watt, secretary general of the Department of Public Expenditure, had written to the OPW stressing the importance of advancing the project, due to the potential "financial penalties" the State would face if it was delayed.
Delays
The contract for the building works was signed off on February 10th, with contractor John Paul Construction beginning work later that month.
The project has faced further delays as the site was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. A spokeswoman for the OPW said the site was closed from March 28th, 2020, and reopened on May 18th.
The project was “still on programme and is now scheduled for completion by the end of September 2022”, she said.
A previous agreement with building owners Hibernia Reit for a six-year extension of the Harcourt Square lease in 2016 cost the OPW €6 million a year.
Some of the Garda units in Harcourt Square are to relocate to a new Irish Rail control centre planned for Heuston Station.
In a letter dated June 10th, Mr Harris wrote to Anne Graham, National Transport Authority chief executive, seeking assurances the centre would be ready to have Garda equipment installed by August 2021.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic Irish Rail’s new control centre will now not be completed until late 2021, and only become operational from 2022.


theirishtimes--2020-08-24--IWMA calls for deposit-and-refund scheme to be scrapped

Government plans to introduce a deposit-and-refund scheme ( DRS ) for beverage containers is likely to result in the collapse of kerbside collection for household recyclables , especially plastic bottles and cans , according to waste management companies .
Their representative body , the Irish Waste Management Association ( IWMA ) , has called upon the Government to scrap the scheme , which it claims is not suited to Ireland , and will result in the loss of 1.2 million kerbside collection points .
“ The misguided rush to introduce the scheme will result in damage to the environment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its intended ambition of increasing recycling rates , ” said association spokesman Conor Walsh .
The programme for government commits to introducing a deposit-and-refund scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans .
The industry-funded recycling group Repak , which had campaigned against such a scheme , recently dropped its opposition to it .
Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan favours a scheme which levies a small charge on plastic drinks containers and cans that is refundable when returned to supermarkets , vending machines or recycling centres .
It is estimated it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up such a system .
Mr Walsh argued that it had never been easier for consumers to recycle beverage containers .
“ In terms of environmental impact , placing materials in kerbside recycling bins has a lower environmental impact compared with delivering them to centralised locations.
” Mr Walsh said the global market for paper had collapsed , so the only items of value currently in the recycling bins were plastic bottles and metal cans .
“ Removing these materials from the existing system is likely to result in the collapse of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.2 million kerbside collection points , leaving only the 2,000 centralised collection points mooted under the DRS system.
” This would make it more difficult for householders to recycle , and have a devastating impact on Ireland ’ s recycling rates , he said .
Figures of enhanced recycling levels quoted from other countries were misleading , according to the IWMA .
“ DRS is most effective in countries that do not have a well-established and comprehensive kerbside recycling system .
Ireland is not one of those countries , ” said Mr Walsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government should invest in infrastructure that enhances the current system of household and bottle bank collections , while local authorities should provide more on-street recycling bins .
“ Recycling is most effective when it is clear , consistent and easy for the public , both at home and when on the move .
We have great confidence in the public ’ s good intentions with regard to recycling , so we just need to make street recycling as easy as household recycling to get the best result and to meet our recycling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deposit-and-refund scheme , he predicted , would bring “ many negatives for the public ” , including having to pay more for beverages and having to store uncrushed containers in homes to get their deposit back .
“ People will have to bring the containers to their local supermarket and place them individually into a machine that will give them store credit , rather than put them in the recycling bin at their front door.
” In addition , they will then have to pay more for their household waste collection service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value of the containers will be lost to their service provider or , in the worst-case scenario , the recycling service will collapse altogether as the remaining materials cost more to recycle than to recover as fuel in waste-to-energy plants ” .
Mr Walsh said the only winners in such a DRS scheme were companies providing reverse vending machines and potentially producers that put the materials on the market .
“ Extra income from deposits is likely to greatly exceed the cost of returned deposits , which will result in greater profits for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beverage containers .
”

Government plans to introduce a deposit-and-refund scheme (DRS) for beverage containers is likely to result in the collapse of kerbside collection for household recyclables, especially plastic bottles and cans, according to waste management companies.
Their representative body, the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), has called upon the Government to scrap the scheme, which it claims is not suited to Ireland, and will result in the loss of 1.2 million kerbside collection points.
"The misguided rush to introduce the scheme will result in damage to the environment in the longer term, and is counter-productive to its intended ambition of increasing recycling rates," said association spokesman Conor Walsh.
The programme for government commits to introducing a deposit-and-refund scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. The industry-funded recycling group Repak, which had campaigned against such a scheme, recently dropped its opposition to it.
READ MORE
Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan favours a scheme which levies a small charge on plastic drinks containers and cans that is refundable when returned to supermarkets, vending machines or recycling centres. It is estimated it would cost up to €116 million to set up such a system.
Mr Walsh argued that it had never been easier for consumers to recycle beverage containers. “In terms of environmental impact, placing materials in kerbside recycling bins has a lower environmental impact compared with delivering them to centralised locations.”
Global market
Mr Walsh said the global market for paper had collapsed, so the only items of value currently in the recycling bins were plastic bottles and metal cans.
“Removing these materials from the existing system is likely to result in the collapse of that system, with the loss of the 1.2 million kerbside collection points, leaving only the 2,000 centralised collection points mooted under the DRS system.”
This would make it more difficult for householders to recycle, and have a devastating impact on Ireland’s recycling rates, he said.
Figures of enhanced recycling levels quoted from other countries were misleading, according to the IWMA. “DRS is most effective in countries that do not have a well-established and comprehensive kerbside recycling system. Ireland is not one of those countries,” said Mr Walsh.
To achieve higher recycling rates, the Government should invest in infrastructure that enhances the current system of household and bottle bank collections, while local authorities should provide more on-street recycling bins.
“Recycling is most effective when it is clear, consistent and easy for the public, both at home and when on the move. We have great confidence in the public’s good intentions with regard to recycling, so we just need to make street recycling as easy as household recycling to get the best result and to meet our recycling targets,” he said.
A deposit-and-refund scheme, he predicted, would bring “many negatives for the public”, including having to pay more for beverages and having to store uncrushed containers in homes to get their deposit back.
“People will have to bring the containers to their local supermarket and place them individually into a machine that will give them store credit, rather than put them in the recycling bin at their front door.”
Containers
In addition, they will then have to pay more for their household waste collection service, the IWMA believes, as “the value of the containers will be lost to their service provider or, in the worst-case scenario, the recycling service will collapse altogether as the remaining materials cost more to recycle than to recover as fuel in waste-to-energy plants”.
Mr Walsh said the only winners in such a DRS scheme were companies providing reverse vending machines and potentially producers that put the materials on the market.
“Extra income from deposits is likely to greatly exceed the cost of returned deposits, which will result in greater profits for those that flood the market with single-use beverage containers.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-24--How can a judge be removed from office?

How can a judge be removed from office?

Elected officials can not make a finding of misbehaviour against a Supreme Court judge because of the constitutionally protected separation of powers between the Oireachtas and the judiciary .
Supreme Court justices can not , according to the Constitution , be removed from office except for “ stated misbehaviour or incapacity ” and then only on the basis of resolutions passed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireann calling for their removal .
Investigating and determining whether a judge has misbehaved will eventually rest with the recently established Judicial Council but , for now , because the council is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conduct of a judge remains uncharted territory .
A code of conduct for judges and a mechanism for dealing with complaints about judges is contained in legislation setting up the council late last year , but the complaints and investigations system covered by the legislation has yet to come fully into force .
The conduct of newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe is in question over his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Clifden last week – an event that the State ’ s acting chief medical officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in line with public health guidance ” .
Mr Justice Woulfe is under pressure given that he , as the former attorney general in the last government , was responsible for drafting regulations to enforce public health guidance to prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
In his current judicial role , he is responsible for enforcing these rules .
He has been criticised because by allegedly breaching health guidelines through his attendance at the Connemara dinner , he is potentially undermining them and endangering public health .
The Judicial Council , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s judges , has been in existence only since December 2019 and met for the first time only in February 2020 .
A committee of the council , the Judicial Conduct Committee , handles complaints against judges and its function is to “ promote and maintain high standards of conduct among judges ” , requiring judges to “ uphold and exemplify ” judicial independence , integrity , propriety and competence .
The committee is made up of senior judges , elected judges and five lay members .
It can try to resolve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complaint to a “ panel of inquiry ” .
The panel reports its findings to the Judicial Conduct Committee , which in turn can make a referral on the stated misbehaviour of a judge to the Minister for Justice who proposes a motion under Article 35.4.1 of the Constitution in either House of the Oireachtas for their removal .
However , the Judicial Conduct Committee , while appointed , is only now drafting guidelines for how the complaints system will work , and the section of the law governing this system will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopted by the council .
So the existing system remains where the Dáil can appoint a Select Committee to hear evidence in respect of a motion to determine whether a judge has misbehaved , though the committee can make no findings of fact nor make any recommendations nor express any opinions on the facts .
Given that judges resigned in all previous high-profile controversies over judicial behaviour – such as the Philip Sheedy and Brian Curtin affairs – the mechanism to remove a judge has never been used .

Séamus Woulfe: His conduct is in question over his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Clifden last week. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Elected officials cannot make a finding of misbehaviour against a Supreme Court judge because of the constitutionally protected separation of powers between the Oireachtas and the judiciary.
Supreme Court justices cannot, according to the Constitution, be removed from office except for “stated misbehaviour or incapacity” and then only on the basis of resolutions passed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireann calling for their removal.
Investigating and determining whether a judge has misbehaved will eventually rest with the recently established Judicial Council but, for now, because the council is still only in an embryonic stage, examining the conduct of a judge remains uncharted territory.
A code of conduct for judges and a mechanism for dealing with complaints about judges is contained in legislation setting up the council late last year, but the complaints and investigations system covered by the legislation has yet to come fully into force.
READ MORE
The conduct of newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe is in question over his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Clifden last week – an event that the State's acting chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said was "not in line with public health guidance".
Mr Justice Woulfe is under pressure given that he, as the former attorney general in the last government, was responsible for drafting regulations to enforce public health guidance to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In his current judicial role, he is responsible for enforcing these rules.
He has been criticised because by allegedly breaching health guidelines through his attendance at the Connemara dinner, he is potentially undermining them and endangering public health.
The Judicial Council, which is made up of the country’s judges, has been in existence only since December 2019 and met for the first time only in February 2020.
Complaints
A committee of the council, the Judicial Conduct Committee, handles complaints against judges and its function is to "promote and maintain high standards of conduct among judges", requiring judges to "uphold and exemplify" judicial independence, integrity, propriety and competence.
The committee is made up of senior judges, elected judges and five lay members. It can try to resolve the complaint initially by informal means or refer the complaint to a “panel of inquiry”.
The panel reports its findings to the Judicial Conduct Committee, which in turn can make a referral on the stated misbehaviour of a judge to the Minister for Justice who proposes a motion under Article 35.4.1 of the Constitution in either House of the Oireachtas for their removal.
However, the Judicial Conduct Committee, while appointed, is only now drafting guidelines for how the complaints system will work, and the section of the law governing this system will not begin until the guidelines have been adopted by the council.
So the existing system remains where the Dáil can appoint a Select Committee to hear evidence in respect of a motion to determine whether a judge has misbehaved, though the committee can make no findings of fact nor make any recommendations nor express any opinions on the facts.
Given that judges resigned in all previous high-profile controversies over judicial behaviour – such as the Philip Sheedy and Brian Curtin affairs – the mechanism to remove a judge has never been used.


theirishtimes--2020-08-24--Majority of closed pubs will go bust by 2021 if restrictions continue - survey

Two thirds of Ireland ’ s pubs will be out of business by the new year if current conditions persist , according to an umbrella group representing the sector .
The Vintners ’ Federation of Ireland ( VFI ) has said the vast majority of publicans are losing faith in how the Government is handling the pandemic .
It said “ support , not sympathy ’ ” is urgently needed as it pointed to a survey of publicans whose premises are still closed which showed that more than 60 per cent are feeling “ extremely stressed ” and gloomy about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 per cent of the pubs still unable to open believe they will be out of business by January 2021 based on current conditions while 96 per cent say the Government does not have a plan to allow pubs which do not serve food reopen while the crisis persists .
Some 92 per cent of publicans think pubs have been scapegoated and 91 per cent are unsatisfied with the Government ’ s handling of the Covid-19 crisis .
The survey suggests that almost half of the pubs still closed have accrued debts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March , while just under one in five have accumulated debts of at least €30,000 while they have been closed .
The survey was carried out ahead of a Government decision on whether the 3,500 pubs closed across the country can reopen on August 31st , with the views of 1,539 publicans canvassed .
In light of a spike in Covid-19 cases in many parts of the country in recent weeks most publicans are gloomy about the prospects for reopening and are of the view it will be delayed for a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VFI said the focus had shifted to what plan the Government will bring forward for pubs who will have to remain closed .
In a statement , it said a further three-week delay in reopening would mean pubs will have been closed for six months with about 25,000 people out of work as a result .
The survey suggested that 63 per cent of publicans are suffering from extreme stress with four out of 10 worried about being able to put food on the table and 57 per cent worried about the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 said they could describe themselves as content .
“ This survey highlights how much the pubs that are still closed feel abandoned by the Government , ” said Pádraig Cribben , chief executive of the VFI .
He added that there was “ little expectation that the Government will allow these pubs to reopen next week .
So the question is what are they going to do for these pubs who are being deprived from opening their doors by Government order .
”

Two thirds of Ireland’s pubs will be out of business by the new year if current conditions persist, according to an umbrella group representing the sector.
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has said the vast majority of publicans are losing faith in how the Government is handling the pandemic.
It said “support, not sympathy’” is urgently needed as it pointed to a survey of publicans whose premises are still closed which showed that more than 60 per cent are feeling “extremely stressed” and gloomy about the future.
The survey suggests that 65 per cent of the pubs still unable to open believe they will be out of business by January 2021 based on current conditions while 96 per cent say the Government does not have a plan to allow pubs which do not serve food reopen while the crisis persists.
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Some 92 per cent of publicans think pubs have been scapegoated and 91 per cent are unsatisfied with the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
The survey suggests that almost half of the pubs still closed have accrued debts of €16,000 or more since the lockdown began in March, while just under one in five have accumulated debts of at least €30,000 while they have been closed.
The survey was carried out ahead of a Government decision on whether the 3,500 pubs closed across the country can reopen on August 31st, with the views of 1,539 publicans canvassed.
In light of a spike in Covid-19 cases in many parts of the country in recent weeks most publicans are gloomy about the prospects for reopening and are of the view it will be delayed for a third time in the days ahead.
The VFI said the focus had shifted to what plan the Government will bring forward for pubs who will have to remain closed.
In a statement, it said a further three-week delay in reopening would mean pubs will have been closed for six months with about 25,000 people out of work as a result.
The survey suggested that 63 per cent of publicans are suffering from extreme stress with four out of 10 worried about being able to put food on the table and 57 per cent worried about the future of their employees. Only one in 25 said they could describe themselves as content.
“This survey highlights how much the pubs that are still closed feel abandoned by the Government,” said Pádraig Cribben, chief executive of the VFI. He added that there was “little expectation that the Government will allow these pubs to reopen next week. So the question is what are they going to do for these pubs who are being deprived from opening their doors by Government order.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-23--Only 9% of calls to arrivals from non-green list countries were answered

Less than 10 per cent of passengers who were obliged to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival at Dublin Airport in recent weeks were spoken to , new figures show .
Under current regulations , all passengers arriving from countries not on the Government ’ s green list must restrict their movements on entering Ireland .
Data supplied by the Department of Justice shows that between July 1st and August 18th there were 272,845 passengers from non-green list countries .
About a third of these were exempt from the requirement to restrict their movements because they were travelling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Republic for fewer than two days .
Of the 177,350 new arrivals between July 1st and August 18th who were obliged to restrict their movements , calls were made to 33,021 and some 16,180 passengers answered their phones .
It means 9 per cent of those who arrived since July 1st and were required to restrict their movements were spoken to in order to check if they were doing so .
The Department of Justice has said the Border Management Unit aimed to contact 10-20 per cent of people on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A new online passenger locator form , to make it easier for officials to keep records of new arrivals and to make the checking system more efficient , is due to become operational on Wednesday .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the online form would facilitate “ an enhanced system of engagements with passengers , which will include issuing targeted public health advice by text message ” .
The Department of Justice said the electronic version of the form , which all passengers will be legally obliged to complete , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new call centre to make checks on passengers .
Data from the Department of Justice show some 157,376 passengers arrived at Dublin Airport in the first 18 days of August , or an average of 8,743 a day .
That was up from 5,194 a day last month and 1,277 a day in June .
In April and May , some 376 and 607 passengers a day arrived at the airport respectively .
Passenger numbers passing through the airport , by far the busiest point of entry into the Republic , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this time of year .
For example , in July passenger numbers were 89 per cent below last year .
However , in April , May and June passenger numbers were down by 97-99 per cent .
The trends suggest people began to travel more as the pandemic eased and that trend has continued into this month .
This was despite the spike in Covid-19 infection rates across the Republic for about one month and Government advice that “ all non-essential travel overseas should be avoided ” except for “ some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential personal and family reasons ” .

Passenger numbers passing through the airport are still at a fraction of usual trends for this time of year. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Less than 10 per cent of passengers who were obliged to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival at Dublin Airport in recent weeks were spoken to, new figures show.
Under current regulations, all passengers arriving from countries not on the Government's green list must restrict their movements on entering Ireland.
Data supplied by the Department of Justice shows that between July 1st and August 18th there were 272,845 passengers from non-green list countries. About a third of these were exempt from the requirement to restrict their movements because they were travelling to the North or were planning to be in the Republic for fewer than two days.
Of the 177,350 new arrivals between July 1st and August 18th who were obliged to restrict their movements, calls were made to 33,021 and some 16,180 passengers answered their phones. It means 9 per cent of those who arrived since July 1st and were required to restrict their movements were spoken to in order to check if they were doing so.
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The Department of Justice has said the Border Management Unit aimed to contact 10-20 per cent of people on all flights to check they were self-isolating.
Locator form
A new online passenger locator form, to make it easier for officials to keep records of new arrivals and to make the checking system more efficient, is due to become operational on Wednesday.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the online form would facilitate "an enhanced system of engagements with passengers, which will include issuing targeted public health advice by text message".
The Department of Justice said the electronic version of the form, which all passengers will be legally obliged to complete, would be rolled out at the same time as a new call centre to make checks on passengers.
Data from the Department of Justice show some 157,376 passengers arrived at Dublin Airport in the first 18 days of August, or an average of 8,743 a day.
That was up from 5,194 a day last month and 1,277 a day in June. In April and May, some 376 and 607 passengers a day arrived at the airport respectively.
Passenger numbers passing through the airport, by far the busiest point of entry into the Republic, were still at a fraction of usual trends for this time of year. For example, in July passenger numbers were 89 per cent below last year. However, in April, May and June passenger numbers were down by 97-99 per cent.
The trends suggest people began to travel more as the pandemic eased and that trend has continued into this month. This was despite the spike in Covid-19 infection rates across the Republic for about one month and Government advice that “all non-essential travel overseas should be avoided” except for “some people [who] need to travel for essential personal and family reasons”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-23--Judge’s attendance at Oireachtas golf dinner ‘a test for the judiciary’ – Howlin

The actions of Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe in attending a dinner that breached public health rules is a “ test for the judiciary ” , Labour ’ s Brendan Howlin has claimed .
Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s role as judge has come under scrutiny since it emerged that he was one of more than 80 guests at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner last week at a Co Galway hotel .
The dinner , which was not in line with public health guidelines set to prevent the spread of coronavirus , has cost a Fianna Fáil minister his job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his role as Seanad leas-cathaoirleach , while six senators have lost their party whips .
Mr Justice Woulfe has said he attended the dinner on the understanding it would be adhering to public health guidelines and apologised for any unintentional breach of them .
He is expected to speak with the Chief Justice Mr Justice Frank Clarke over his attendance at the dinner .
The Supreme Court judge , who was appointed a month ago after serving as attorney general , can only be removed by a motion of the Oireachtas for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new mechanism for reviewing complaints against judges has not come into force as guidelines have not yet been set by the newly-established Judicial Council that covers the conduct of judges .
Mr Howlin , the Labour party justice spokesman , said “ everybody who attended this ill-fated event should have known better and everybody has to take personal responsibility for the mere action of turning up which was so undermining of public policy at a critical time for the country ” .
The former Labour leader said the judiciary is “ not subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the judge ’ s attendance at the dinner was “ a test for the judiciary themselves ” .
The issue would be a test on “ whether we can expect the process within the judiciary itself to be robust in terms of holding people to account ” , he added .
“ We have long talked about a judicial council and the judges having their own standards so I will await what the internal dialogue with the Chief Justice delivers , ” Mr Howlin said .
“ It is a test for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same set of standards should apply , whether you are in the judicial branch of public affairs or in the political branch of public affairs.
” Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said the judge ’ s attendance at last Wednesday ’ s golf dinner was an issue “ because you can not say that there is a separation of powers [ between the Oireachtas and the judiciary ] and then not separate yourself ” .
“ That is one thing in its own right and that showed poor enough judgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Supreme Court justice , ” she said .
Mr Justice David Barniville , a High Court judge and president of the Association of Judges of Ireland , said Mr Justice Woulfe had made a statement setting out his position on the dinner and that the representative body for judges did not intend making any further statement at this point .

The actions of Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe in attending a dinner that breached public health rules is a "test for the judiciary", Labour's Brendan Howlin has claimed.
Mr Justice Woulfe's role as judge has come under scrutiny since it emerged that he was one of more than 80 guests at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner last week at a Co Galway hotel.
The dinner, which was not in line with public health guidelines set to prevent the spread of coronavirus, has cost a Fianna Fáil minister his job at Cabinet and a Fine Gael senator his role as Seanad leas-cathaoirleach, while six senators have lost their party whips.
Mr Justice Woulfe has said he attended the dinner on the understanding it would be adhering to public health guidelines and apologised for any unintentional breach of them. He is expected to speak with the Chief Justice Mr Justice Frank Clarke over his attendance at the dinner.
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The Supreme Court judge, who was appointed a month ago after serving as attorney general, can only be removed by a motion of the Oireachtas for “stated misbehaviour or incapacity”.
A new mechanism for reviewing complaints against judges has not come into force as guidelines have not yet been set by the newly-established Judicial Council that covers the conduct of judges.
Mr Howlin, the Labour party justice spokesman, said "everybody who attended this ill-fated event should have known better and everybody has to take personal responsibility for the mere action of turning up which was so undermining of public policy at a critical time for the country".
The former Labour leader said the judiciary is “not subject to political direction” but the controversy around the judge’s attendance at the dinner was “a test for the judiciary themselves”.
The issue would be a test on “whether we can expect the process within the judiciary itself to be robust in terms of holding people to account”, he added.
“We have long talked about a judicial council and the judges having their own standards so I will await what the internal dialogue with the Chief Justice delivers,” Mr Howlin said.
“It is a test for the maintenance of standards throughout public life. The same set of standards should apply, whether you are in the judicial branch of public affairs or in the political branch of public affairs.”
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said the judge's attendance at last Wednesday's golf dinner was an issue "because you cannot say that there is a separation of powers [between the Oireachtas and the judiciary] and then not separate yourself".
“That is one thing in its own right and that showed poor enough judgment. It certainly undermines his position significantly as a Supreme Court justice,” she said.
Mr Justice David Barniville, a High Court judge and president of the Association of Judges of Ireland, said Mr Justice Woulfe had made a statement setting out his position on the dinner and that the representative body for judges did not intend making any further statement at this point.


theirishtimes--2020-08-23--Gardaí investigating if anti-face mask rally breached Covid-19 regulations

A Garda investigation has begun into an anti-face mask rally held in Dublin at the weekend on suspicion it breached coronavirus regulations prohibiting the organising of events .
Separately , a number of disturbances at the rally were also under criminal investigation , including an apparent pre-planned group attack by a number of counter-protesters armed with sticks or batons .
They wore black caps and scarves covering their faces , as well as PPE-type latex gloves , and clashed with a number of attendees at the rally in what appeared to be a pre-planned attack .
One man suffered significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event was organised by the Health Freedom Ireland , which says it is a non-political organisation , with support from Yellow Vest Ireland .
Garda sources confirmed the organisation of the event was under investigation in the same way the organisers of the Black Lives rally in Dublin in June were placed under investigation .
“ Where potential breaches of the public health regulations are identified a file is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to how to proceed , ” the Garda said .
There were four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for breach of the peace , two for public order and another for possession of an offensive weapon .
Three are due to appear before the courts next month while the fourth man was released pending a summons to court .
Meanwhile , Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has urged the International Protection Appeals Tribunal , which hears immigration cases , to “ act urgently ” after the appearance of one of its members , Una McGurk SC , at the rally .
Ms McGurk , a barrister , told the rally the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other speakers included members of the Irish Freedom Party which wants to “ regain control ” of Ireland ’ s border to more closely control immigration .

A Garda investigation has begun into an anti-face mask rally held in Dublin at the weekend on suspicion it breached coronavirus regulations prohibiting the organising of events.
Separately, a number of disturbances at the rally were also under criminal investigation, including one incident during which men who were armed with sticks or batons clashed with others present. *
They wore black caps and scarves covering their faces, as well as PPE-type latex gloves, and clashed with a number of other men present in what appeared to be a pre-planned attack. One man suffered significant injuries before gardaí restored order. *
The event was organised by the Health Freedom Ireland, which says it is a non-political organisation, with support from Yellow Vest Ireland.
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Potential breaches
Garda sources confirmed the organisation of the event was under investigation in the same way the organisers of the Black Lives rally in Dublin in June were placed under investigation. "Where potential breaches of the public health regulations are identified a file is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to how to proceed," the Garda said.
There were four men arrested at the event; one for breach of the peace, two for public order and another for possession of an offensive weapon. Three are due to appear before the courts next month while the fourth man was released pending a summons to court.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has urged the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, which hears immigration cases, to "act urgently" after the appearance of one of its members, Una McGurk SC, at the rally.
Ms McGurk, a barrister, told the rally the official Covid-19 statistics had been overestimated. Other speakers included members of the Irish Freedom Party which wants to "regain control" of Ireland's border to more closely control immigration.
* This article was amended on August 25th, 2020