theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Over 50 healthcare workers repatriated from India to Ireland

Some 55 healthcare workers arrived into Ireland from India on Tuesday as part of a special repatriation flight , organised by the Indian government .
The workers , most of whom are nurses , flew from New Delhi on Monday and arrived into Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport on Tuesday evening .
The flight was organised as part of the Vande Bharat mission , which seeks to repatriate stranded Indians .
The medics will now undergo 14 days of quarantine , before they are able to begin their duties .
Krishna Priya Kodumadu Venkittaraman , from Tamilnadu in India , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland for eight months .
When she secured a full-time job in February , she decided to fly home to visit her family for two weeks before taking up her post , but ended up stranded in India for more than two months .
“ Almost two months I was stuck .
It was really stressful , thinking about and worrying about the things going wrong here .
There was no option to travel .
So this is a repatriation for the Indian government to take back stranded Indians from Dublin to India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on that flight , ” she said .
“ The embassy gave me a mail stating permission to travel so it helped me with crossing the borders and reaching here.
” Ms Priya Dodumadu Venkittaraman , who is also a final year student in UCD , said she was “ very worried ” about the people of Ireland during the coronavirus pandemic and wanted to return to help .
“ I definitely like it [ MY JOB ] because I am a pharmacy professional , we get lots of respect in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my country .
I like everything about Ireland -the culture , the university and , it ’ s very good exposure for us.
” Akshara Anu Jaines , who has worked as a nurse in Ireland for the past three years , was also stranded in India for longer than expected following a holiday .
“ It was my usual vacation and I went to India but the next day when I reached India , it was completely locked down .
It was nearly three months when I was in India , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option to come back so it took some time for us to come back .
I enjoy it a lot .
That ’ s the reason I ’ m coming back here .
If I didn ’ t enjoy it , I wouldn ’ t come back , I would have stayed in India .
The people are very nice.
” Princy Philip has worked as a nurse in Ireland for nine and a half years , and will be working in Ireland for the first time .
“ I want to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place and also the people here are very co-operative , I heard that from my friends , ” she said .
“ I ’ m going to work in a nursing home in Kildare .
You can take care of the old age people .
I like to help like that .
”

Princey Phillips, Jismey Jose and Teena Matthew who will be working in Nursing Home in Kildare, Dublin and Roscommon, some of over 50 health care professionals who arrived in to Dublin Airport on a flight from India. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Some 55 healthcare workers arrived into Ireland from India on Tuesday as part of a special repatriation flight, organised by the Indian government.
The workers, most of whom are nurses, flew from New Delhi on Monday and arrived into Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport on Tuesday evening.
The flight was organised as part of the Vande Bharat mission, which seeks to repatriate stranded Indians.
Pharmacist Krishna Priya Kodumadu Venkittaraman from Tamilnadu one of over 50 health care professionals who arrived in to Dublin Airport on a flight from India. Photograph: Alan Betson
Akshara Anu James, who works as a nurse in a Dubli n Hospital, one of over 50 health care professionals who arrived in to Dublin Airport on a flight from India.Photograph: Alan Betson
The medics will now undergo 14 days of quarantine, before they are able to begin their duties.
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Krishna Priya Kodumadu Venkittaraman, from Tamilnadu in India, worked part-time as a pharmacy technician in Ireland for eight months.
Pharmacist Krishna Priya Kodumadu Venkittaraman from Tamilnadu one of over 50 health care professionals who arrived in to Dublin Airport on a flight from India. Photograph: Alan Betson
When she secured a full-time job in February, she decided to fly home to visit her family for two weeks before taking up her post, but ended up stranded in India for more than two months.
“Almost two months I was stuck. It was really stressful, thinking about and worrying about the things going wrong here. There was no option to travel. So this is a repatriation for the Indian government to take back stranded Indians from Dublin to India so we had an opportunity to come back on that flight,” she said.
“The embassy gave me a mail stating permission to travel so it helped me with crossing the borders and reaching here.”
Ms Priya Dodumadu Venkittaraman, who is also a final year student in UCD, said she was "very worried" about the people of Ireland during the coronavirus pandemic and wanted to return to help.
“I definitely like it [MY JOB]because I am a pharmacy professional, we get lots of respect in this country compared to what I get in my country. I like everything about Ireland -the culture, the university and, it’s very good exposure for us.”
Akshara Anu Jaines, who has worked as a nurse in Ireland for the past three years, was also stranded in India for longer than expected following a holiday.
Akshara Anu James, who works as a nurse in a Dubli n Hospital, one of over 50 health care professionals who arrived in to Dublin Airport on a flight from India.Photograph: Alan Betson
“It was my usual vacation and I went to India but the next day when I reached India, it was completely locked down. It was nearly three months when I was in India,” she said.
“There was no option to come back so it took some time for us to come back. I enjoy it a lot. That’s the reason I’m coming back here. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t come back, I would have stayed in India. The people are very nice.”
Princy Philip has worked as a nurse in Ireland for nine and a half years, and will be working in Ireland for the first time.
“I want to work here because it’s a beautiful place and also the people here are very co-operative, I heard that from my friends,” she said.
"I'm going to work in a nursing home in Kildare. You can take care of the old age people. I like to help like that."


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Church of England rules Irish inscription on grave stone must have translation

The Church of England has ruled that an Irish-language inscription on a Coventry gravestone must have a translation with it to ensure the phrase is not mistaken as being a political statement .
The family of Irish-born Margaret Keene want the words “ In ár gcroíthe go deo ” on the stone above her grave at St Giles burial ground at Exhall , Coventry .
Translated the words mean “ in our hearts for ever.
” She died in July 2018 at the age of 73 .
Stephen Eyre QC in his role as a judge of the Church of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecclestiastical court ) ruled that without a translation the inscription would not be understood by many visiting the church yard .
“ Given the passions and feelings connected with the use of Irish Gaelic there is a sad risk that the phrase would be regarded as some form of slogan or that its inclusion without translation would of itself be seen as a political statement .
“ That is not appropriate and it follows that the phrase “ In ár gcroíthe go deo ” must be accompanied by a translation.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but had made her life in the UK but had remained proud of her Irish heritgage .
The application to the Consistory Court for the inscription without any translation came from Mrs Keene ’ s daughter , Caroline Newey .
The judge said she had argued that there was no need for a translation and that “ the Irish language is regarded not just as a means of communication but as a vehicle of symbolic value.
” “ Mrs Newey says that the use of that language without translation is not a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keane ’ s identity and is to honour ... [ her ] native tongue , ” he said .
However , he said that the inscription would be “ incomprehensible ” to most who read it and ruled that there must be a translation .

The family of Irish-born Margaret Keene want the words “In ár gcroíthe go deo” on the stone above her grave at St Giles burial ground at Exhall, Coventry. Photograph: iStock
The Church of England has ruled that an Irish-language inscription on a Coventry gravestone must have a translation with it to ensure the phrase is not mistaken as being a political statement.
The family of Irish-born Margaret Keene want the words “In ár gcroíthe go deo” on the stone above her grave at St Giles burial ground at Exhall, Coventry. Translated the words mean “in our hearts for ever.” She died in July 2018 at the age of 73.
Stephen Eyre QC in his role as a judge of the Church of England’s Consistory Court (an ecclestiastical court) ruled that without a translation the inscription would not be understood by many visiting the church yard.
“Given the passions and feelings connected with the use of Irish Gaelic there is a sad risk that the phrase would be regarded as some form of slogan or that its inclusion without translation would of itself be seen as a political statement.
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“That is not appropriate and it follows that the phrase “In ár gcroíthe go deo” must be accompanied by a translation.”
He said Mrs Keane was born in the Ireland but had made her life in the UK but had remained proud of her Irish heritgage.
The application to the Consistory Court for the inscription without any translation came from Mrs Keene’s daughter, Caroline Newey.
The judge said she had argued that there was no need for a translation and that “the Irish language is regarded not just as a means of communication but as a vehicle of symbolic value.”
“Mrs Newey says that the use of that language without translation is not a political statement but is a recognition of Mrs Keane’s identity and is to honour ... [her] native tongue,” he said.
However, he said that the inscription would be “incomprehensible” to most who read it and ruled that there must be a translation.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Less than half of fathers entitled to paternity leave took time off work

Almost half of fathers entitled to paternity benefit in 2018 did not take it according to new data released by the Central Statistics Office .
In its first release on the topic , the agency also found that the following year , the rate of paternity benefit was just less than 60 per cent that of maternity benefit .
Paternity benefit became available from September 2016 .
By 2019 , it was paid to 3.1 men per 100 employees , a slight increase on the 2018 rate of 2.9 .
In sectoral terms , the highest rate of paternity benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration roles and in defence .
The lowest rate was in the accommodation and food services industries .
The rates were highest in large enterprises with 250 or more employees .
However , overall just 45 per cent of entitled fathers took advantage of the support in 2018 .
“ This is the first CSO release to examine employment data of people who received maternity and paternity benefits and is an example of policy-relevant research projects the CSO are developing , ” said statistician Dermot Kinane .
In regards to maternity , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received benefit did not return to work in 2019 , while overall there has been a modest decline among recipients , from 5.8 per cent in 2016 to 5.3 per cent last year .
Over half ( 54 per cent ) of women in receipt of maternity benefit in 2019 received a top-up payment from their employer .
Similarly to men , the public administration and defence sectors had the highest rate of maternity benefit at 8.3 per 100 employees in 2019 , while the lowest rate was in accommodation and food services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rates were also highest in large enterprises with 250 or more employees .
“ The likelihood of a woman returning to paid employment drops with each additional child , particularly for those who have had four or more children , ” said Mr Kinane .
Last year , Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said almost 25,000 fathers had benefited annually from the paternity leave scheme since its introduction .
“ The first year of a child ’ s life is one of the most important in terms of the child building a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .

In 2019, paternity benefit was paid to 3.1 men per 100 employees, a slight increase on the 2018 rate of 2.9. File photograph: Getty Images
Almost half of fathers entitled to paternity benefit in 2018 did not take it according to new data released by the Central Statistics Office.
In its first release on the topic, the agency also found that the following year, the rate of paternity benefit was just less than 60 per cent that of maternity benefit.
Paternity benefit became available from September 2016. By 2019, it was paid to 3.1 men per 100 employees, a slight increase on the 2018 rate of 2.9.
In sectoral terms, the highest rate of paternity benefit in 2019 was amongst employees in public administration roles and in defence. The lowest rate was in the accommodation and food services industries.
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The rates were highest in large enterprises with 250 or more employees.
However, overall just 45 per cent of entitled fathers took advantage of the support in 2018.
"This is the first CSO release to examine employment data of people who received maternity and paternity benefits and is an example of policy-relevant research projects the CSO are developing," said statistician Dermot Kinane.
In regards to maternity, the data shows one in ten women who received benefit did not return to work in 2019, while overall there has been a modest decline among recipients, from 5.8 per cent in 2016 to 5.3 per cent last year.
Over half (54 per cent) of women in receipt of maternity benefit in 2019 received a top-up payment from their employer.
Similarly to men, the public administration and defence sectors had the highest rate of maternity benefit at 8.3 per 100 employees in 2019, while the lowest rate was in accommodation and food services, at just 2.5 per 100 employees.
Rates were also highest in large enterprises with 250 or more employees.
“The likelihood of a woman returning to paid employment drops with each additional child, particularly for those who have had four or more children,” said Mr Kinane.
Last year, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said almost 25,000 fathers had benefited annually from the paternity leave scheme since its introduction.
“The first year of a child’s life is one of the most important in terms of the child building a relationship and a bond with both parents,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Big drop in Garda use of Covid-19 powers despite bank holiday weekend

Gardaí used their Covid-19 policing powers just 13 times in the past week , a significant drop on the level of enforcement in previous weeks .
Over the bank holiday weekend , despite significant numbers leaving their homes for recreational purposes , enforcement was only required on six occasions .
It has also emerged that very few suspects were being arrested , with the vast majority having their name and contact details taken by gardaí pending further action .
Gardaí used their enforcement powers 289 times between April 8th , when the new powers came into effect , and last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those incidents resulted in at least one arrest and on 43 of those occasions the arrests were made under the public health measures .
It means when gardaí have decided to take enforcement action against people flouting the public health regulations , about one in seven suspects have been arrested with the remainder having their details taken .
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said while some spitting attacks had continued against members of the force , there was overwhelming compliance shown by the hundreds of thousands of people gardaí had engaged with on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that of the 289 enforcement cases to date , some 76 cases had already resulted in a criminal charge or summons being issued with the remainder still under investigation .
Some incidents involved charges against several people .
Under the powers granted to them since April 9th for their Covid-19 policing operation , gardaí can stop people and ask people about their movements .
If members of the public are found to be more than 5km from home without a valid reason , such as for shopping or to perform an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return home .
It is only when people refuse to comply that enforcement arises .
The number of enforcement actions in the week to last Saturday , at 13 , compares to 22 in the previous week , 49 the week before and 53 the week before that .
Breaches of the Health ( Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest ) Act 2020 carry a penalty of up to six months in prison and a €2,500 fine .
Also in the week to last Saturday , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberately spat at or coughed at , bringing to 88 such attacks since the Covid-19 policing operation began .
Gardaí have used spit hoods , placed over a suspect ’ s head to prevent them spitting , a total of 66 times ; with use of the hoods slowing markedly .
As well as the actions taken against people for breaking the public health regulations , there had been 1,878 other crimes detected by gardai during the course of the Covid19 policing operation .
These included public order offences , drugs and weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offences .
“ Many individuals , families and small groups took advantage of the good weather over the weekend to enjoy the bank holiday weekend and avail of physical exercise .
Most did so with the best efforts to comply with public health guidelines , ” Mr Harris said .
He added the Garda would continue to monitor beauty spots , parks and other public amenities .
The approach would remain focused on engaging with people , explaining the rules , encouraging them to comply and only using enforcement as a last resort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Garda National Vetting Bureau ( GNVB ) had processed 29,090 vetting applications for Covid-19-related roles across the health system and voluntary sector .
There was an average turnaround time of one day for a vetting application .

Gardaí used their Covid-19 policing powers just 13 times in the past week, a significant drop on the level of enforcement in previous weeks.
Over the bank holiday weekend, despite significant numbers leaving their homes for recreational purposes, enforcement was only required on six occasions.
It has also emerged that very few suspects were being arrested, with the vast majority having their name and contact details taken by gardaí pending further action.
Gardaí used their enforcement powers 289 times between April 8th, when the new powers came into effect, and last Saturday, May 30th.
READ MORE
Some 61 of those incidents resulted in at least one arrest and on 43 of those occasions the arrests were made under the public health measures. It means when gardaí have decided to take enforcement action against people flouting the public health regulations, about one in seven suspects have been arrested with the remainder having their details taken.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said while some spitting attacks had continued against members of the force, there was overwhelming compliance shown by the hundreds of thousands of people gardaí had engaged with on foot patrols and at Covid-19 checkpoints.
He added that of the 289 enforcement cases to date, some 76 cases had already resulted in a criminal charge or summons being issued with the remainder still under investigation. Some incidents involved charges against several people.
Under the powers granted to them since April 9th for their Covid-19 policing operation, gardaí can stop people and ask people about their movements. If members of the public are found to be more than 5km from home without a valid reason, such as for shopping or to perform an urgent family task, they are directed to return home. It is only when people refuse to comply that enforcement arises.
The number of enforcement actions in the week to last Saturday, at 13, compares to 22 in the previous week, 49 the week before and 53 the week before that.
Breaches of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 carry a penalty of up to six months in prison and a €2,500 fine.
Also in the week to last Saturday, there were eight attacks during which gardaí were deliberately spat at or coughed at, bringing to 88 such attacks since the Covid-19 policing operation began. Gardaí have used spit hoods, placed over a suspect’s head to prevent them spitting, a total of 66 times; with use of the hoods slowing markedly.
As well as the actions taken against people for breaking the public health regulations, there had been 1,878 other crimes detected by gardai during the course of the Covid19 policing operation. These included public order offences, drugs and weapons crime, drinking driving and other motoring offences.
"Many individuals, families and small groups took advantage of the good weather over the weekend to enjoy the bank holiday weekend and avail of physical exercise. Most did so with the best efforts to comply with public health guidelines," Mr Harris said.
He added the Garda would continue to monitor beauty spots, parks and other public amenities. The approach would remain focused on engaging with people, explaining the rules, encouraging them to comply and only using enforcement as a last resort.
From March 12th to June 1st the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) had processed 29,090 vetting applications for Covid-19-related roles across the health system and voluntary sector. There was an average turnaround time of one day for a vetting application.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Coronavirus: Speed limits to be cut to 30km/h across Dublin City Council roads

Speed limits will be cut to 30km/h across Dublin city and suburbs , including on most major arterial routes , under new Covid-19 traffic laws to be presented to city councillors on Wednesday .
Dublin City Council had planned to introduce the 30km/h limit in all residential areas by September .
However , it now plans to extend the limit to almost all major approach roads to the city to “ protect the larger numbers of pedestrians , cyclists and vulnerable road users ” accessing the city .
The low speed limit will apply to roads which previously allowed speeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Royal and Grand Canals and the Rathmines , Ranelagh , Harold ’ s Cross and Donnybrook Roads on the southside of the city and Phibsborough Road , Dorset Street , Manor Street and Gardiner Street on the northside .
Only a handful of major approach roads , such as the N3 and N1 will retain higher 50km/h and 60km/h limits , but as they near the city their speeds will drop to the lower 30km/h limit .
A speed of 80km/h has only been permitted on a section of the Chapelizod Bypass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The council has already begun introducing extensive traffic calming and pedestrian , cyclist and public transport priority measures under its “ mobility intervention programme ” designed to facilitate the reopening of the city as Covid-19 restrictions ease .
While the council has described these measures as temporary , the 30km/h restrictions are being proposed under bylaws , which would mean they would remain in place permanently , unless new bylaws were introduced to rescind them .
Unlike the other measures in the mobility programme , such as the removal of traffic from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road space to cyclists and walkers , the speed limit bylaws will require the approval of councillors .
However , previous applications of the lower limit have met with strong public support .
More than 900 submissions were made to the council last year on the extension of the 30km/h limit to all residential areas , almost 700 of which supported the lower limits .
The council said its proposal to reduce the speed limit was “ in line with other European cities ” which had taken similar measures “ in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyclists and vulnerable road users moving around in these areas and on the road carriageway due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and social distancing requirements ” .
The council hopes to have the new limit in place by the end of the year .

The low speed limit will apply to roads which previously allowed speeds of 50km/h and 80km/h . Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Speed limits will be cut to 30km/h across Dublin city and suburbs, including on most major arterial routes, under new Covid-19 traffic laws to be presented to city councillors on Wednesday.
Dublin City Council had planned to introduce the 30km/h limit in all residential areas by September. However, it now plans to extend the limit to almost all major approach roads to the city to "protect the larger numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users" accessing the city.
The low speed limit will apply to roads which previously allowed speeds of 50km/h and 80km/h and will include the Royal and Grand Canals and the Rathmines, Ranelagh, Harold's Cross and Donnybrook Roads on the southside of the city and Phibsborough Road, Dorset Street, Manor Street and Gardiner Street on the northside.
Only a handful of major approach roads, such as the N3 and N1 will retain higher 50km/h and 60km/h limits, but as they near the city their speeds will drop to the lower 30km/h limit. A speed of 80km/h has only been permitted on a section of the Chapelizod Bypass and the entry to the M1 motorway.
READ MORE
The council has already begun introducing extensive traffic calming and pedestrian, cyclist and public transport priority measures under its “mobility intervention programme” designed to facilitate the reopening of the city as Covid-19 restrictions ease.
While the council has described these measures as temporary, the 30km/h restrictions are being proposed under bylaws, which would mean they would remain in place permanently, unless new bylaws were introduced to rescind them.
Unlike the other measures in the mobility programme, such as the removal of traffic from College Green, and the reallocation of road space to cyclists and walkers, the speed limit bylaws will require the approval of councillors.
However, previous applications of the lower limit have met with strong public support. More than 900 submissions were made to the council last year on the extension of the 30km/h limit to all residential areas, almost 700 of which supported the lower limits.
The council said its proposal to reduce the speed limit was “in line with other European cities” which had taken similar measures “in order to protect the larger numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users moving around in these areas and on the road carriageway due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and social distancing requirements”.
The council hopes to have the new limit in place by the end of the year.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Domestic violence reduction programmes show ‘disappointing’ results

Programmes targeting repeat domestic violence offenders have disappointing outcomes while similar interventions for sexual offenders show only modest results , according to new research .
The findings are contained in a evidence review commissioned by the Department of Justice into methods of preventing reoffending .
Prof Ian O ’ Donnell of University College Dublin studied recidivism rates and prevention programmes around the world and identified several risk factors for reoffending including previous convictions , unemployment and drug abuse .
Offenders who believe they have been treated fairly by the justice system also less likely to reoffend , Prof O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespect and disregard , leading to further alienation , resistance and noncompliance.
” According to the most recent statistics , in Ireland 45.8 per cent of released prisoners commit another crime within three years of release .
For offenders managed by the Probation Service the figure is 43.3 per cent .
Prof O ’ Donnell found suspended sentences or community service can be more effective in reducing reoffending compared to short prison terms .
The number of people sentenced to fewer than three months in prison has risen sharply in Ireland in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also have a positive impact on reducing reoffending , the study found .
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was found to have a significant impact on reducing reoffending when it is delivered in prison and in the community .
However educational programmes aimed at preventing recidivism in domestic violence offenders show “ disappointing ” results , Prof O ’ Donnell said .
In one the studies , involving 52 men convicted of domestic violence in the UK , only “ limited psychological change ” was evident after they went through a “ pro-feminist psychoeducational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement while others regressed , suggesting the programme may have increased their risk of reoffending .
Another study in Sweden involving 340 men convicted of intimate partner violence found a rehabilitation programme resulted in no statistically significant reduction in recidivism rates .
The report said it is difficult to discern reoffending rates for sexual offenders as they are typically among the least likely cohorts to reoffend .
A 2004 study of of 419 adult male sex offenders found 24.6 per cent were reconvicted of a sexual offence in the 21 years after their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a violent but non-sexual offence .
“ As a group , sex offenders have received a great deal of attention and some treatment programmes have led to statistically significant – but modest – reductions in recidivism , ” Prof O ’ Donnell ’ s report states .

Prof Ian O’Donnell: “Procedural unfairness communicates disrespect and disregard, leading to further alienation, resistance and noncompliance.”
Programmes targeting repeat domestic violence offenders have disappointing outcomes while similar interventions for sexual offenders show only modest results, according to new research.
The findings are contained in a evidence review commissioned by the Department of Justice into methods of preventing reoffending.
Prof Ian O'Donnell of University College Dublin studied recidivism rates and prevention programmes around the world and identified several risk factors for reoffending including previous convictions, unemployment and drug abuse.
Offenders who believe they have been treated fairly by the justice system also less likely to reoffend, Prof O’Donnell said. “Procedural unfairness communicates disrespect and disregard, leading to further alienation, resistance and noncompliance.”
READ MORE
According to the most recent statistics, in Ireland 45.8 per cent of released prisoners commit another crime within three years of release. For offenders managed by the Probation Service the figure is 43.3 per cent.
Prof O’Donnell found suspended sentences or community service can be more effective in reducing reoffending compared to short prison terms. The number of people sentenced to fewer than three months in prison has risen sharply in Ireland in recent years.
Structured early release and parole can also have a positive impact on reducing reoffending, the study found.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was found to have a significant impact on reducing reoffending when it is delivered in prison and in the community.
However educational programmes aimed at preventing recidivism in domestic violence offenders show “disappointing” results, Prof O’Donnell said.
In one the studies, involving 52 men convicted of domestic violence in the UK, only “limited psychological change” was evident after they went through a “pro-feminist psychoeducational rehabilitation programme.”
Some men showed no improvement while others regressed, suggesting the programme may have increased their risk of reoffending.
Another study in Sweden involving 340 men convicted of intimate partner violence found a rehabilitation programme resulted in no statistically significant reduction in recidivism rates.
The report said it is difficult to discern reoffending rates for sexual offenders as they are typically among the least likely cohorts to reoffend. A 2004 study of of 419 adult male sex offenders found 24.6 per cent were reconvicted of a sexual offence in the 21 years after their release while 21.7 per cent were convicted of a violent but non-sexual offence.
“As a group, sex offenders have received a great deal of attention and some treatment programmes have led to statistically significant – but modest – reductions in recidivism,” Prof O’Donnell’s report states.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Counselling for musicians whose incomes have ‘fallen off a cliff’

Covid-19 has led to a “ really dire time ” for those who work in the music industry with many wondering if and when they can get back to playing live again , singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy has said .
Ms McEvoy , who is the chair of the Irish Music Rights Organisation ( IMRO ) , said revenues from music have “ gone off a cliff ” as most artists depend on touring for their incomes since royalties from streaming and physical product sales have tailed off in recent decades .
IMRO is one of a number of organisations behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and financial services to musicians .
The idea for a counselling service for musicians was in train before the pandemic began .
The service was due to launch later this year , but its launch has been accelerated because of the pandemic which has shut down live music in most parts of the world .
McEvoy , best known as the writer of the song A Woman ’ s Heart , said the stress of having to make a living is inhibiting the creative ability of musicians to use the lockdown to write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all those working in the industry including promoters , sound and lighting people and those who run music venues .
Ms McEvoy said most artists do not make enough from royalties and that any hard copies of CDs that are sold are usually done at gigs .
“ It ’ s absolutely crucial to be out there and on the road and , if you can ’ t be , you are in severe trouble .
Being a musician at the best of times is tricky , ” she said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first activities to be closed down as a result of coronavirus and may be one of the last to open up .
There were real fears too that many smaller venues that were already struggling before the coronavirus pandemic will not reopen and so the options for artists touring will be more limited , she suggested .
Minding Creative Minds will offer a dedicated phone line , a counselling service and both legal and financial advice to musicians free of charge .
It was initiated by First Fortnight which uses the creative industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Recorded Music Association , Recorded Artists , Actors & Performers , and Universal Music Ireland are also involved along with IMRO in funding the service .
The extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the incomes of even successful acts was outlined by The Coronas manager Jim Lawless .
He said the band derives between 80 and 90 per cent of its income from playing live .
Speaking at the virtual launch of Event Fuel , a new music venue in Camden Street , Dublin , Mr Lawless said the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our entire plans for the next 18 months just disappeared overnight .
It ’ s going to be the new normal .
We are just going to have to get used to it and if you don ’ t get used to it , you just won ’ t exist ” .
Mr Lawless added that the band had “ pretty much written off ” 2020 for live concerts .
He said the whole music industry was trying to figure out how to make up for the loss of income from live music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be just one band or one event company .
It is going to take the industry to come together and solve those problems , ” he said .

Covid-19 has led to a “really dire time” for those who work in the music industry with many wondering if and when they can get back to playing live again, singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy has said.
Ms McEvoy, who is the chair of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), said revenues from music have "gone off a cliff" as most artists depend on touring for their incomes since royalties from streaming and physical product sales have tailed off in recent decades.
IMRO is one of a number of organisations behind Minding Creative Minds which will provide counselling and financial services to musicians.
The idea for a counselling service for musicians was in train before the pandemic began. The service was due to launch later this year, but its launch has been accelerated because of the pandemic which has shut down live music in most parts of the world.
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McEvoy, best known as the writer of the song A Woman’s Heart, said the stress of having to make a living is inhibiting the creative ability of musicians to use the lockdown to write.
She said the stress is extended to all those working in the industry including promoters, sound and lighting people and those who run music venues.
Royalties
Ms McEvoy said most artists do not make enough from royalties and that any hard copies of CDs that are sold are usually done at gigs.
“It’s absolutely crucial to be out there and on the road and, if you can’t be, you are in severe trouble. Being a musician at the best of times is tricky,” she said.
She added that live music was among the first activities to be closed down as a result of coronavirus and may be one of the last to open up.
There were real fears too that many smaller venues that were already struggling before the coronavirus pandemic will not reopen and so the options for artists touring will be more limited, she suggested.
Minding Creative Minds will offer a dedicated phone line, a counselling service and both legal and financial advice to musicians free of charge.
It was initiated by First Fortnight which uses the creative industries to tackle mental health issues. The Irish Recorded Music Association, Recorded Artists, Actors & Performers, and Universal Music Ireland are also involved along with IMRO in funding the service.
The extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the incomes of even successful acts was outlined by The Coronas manager Jim Lawless. He said the band derives between 80 and 90 per cent of its income from playing live.
Speaking at the virtual launch of Fuel, a new music venue in Camden Street, Dublin, Mr Lawless said the lockdown meant "our entire cash flow, our entire plans for the next 18 months just disappeared overnight. It's going to be the new normal. We are just going to have to get used to it and if you don't get used to it, you just won't exist".
Mr Lawless added that the band had “pretty much written off” 2020 for live concerts. He said the whole music industry was trying to figure out how to make up for the loss of income from live music.
“It’s not going to be just one band or one event company. It is going to take the industry to come together and solve those problems,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Two men remanded in custody after being charged with aggravated burglary

Two men have been remanded in custody after they were charged with an aggravated burglary in Cork where a woman in her 60s was allegedly threatened by two intruders armed with weapons .
Stephen McCarthy ( 28 ) and his brother , Richard ( 22 ) with addresses at the Halting Site , Spring Lane , Ballyvolane , Cork were both charged with aggravated burglary at the house at Ballinderry Park , Mayfield , Cork on June 1st .
On Tuesday at Cork District Court , Det Sgt Kieran O ’ Sullivan gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court that both men made no reply when the charge was put to them after caution .
Defence solicitors , Frank Buttimer for Stephen McCarthy and Vicki Buckley for Richard McCarthy both applied for bail for their clients but Det Sgt O ’ Sullivan said that gardaí were objecting to bail for accused .
He said gardaí believed the accused would not stand trial and would interfere with witnesses if granted bail , given the seriousness of the charge which carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment if convicted on indictment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against both accused was very strong and , faced with the prospect of up to life imprisonment if convicted , he believed that they would not stand trial if granted bail .
Det Sgt O ’ Sullivan then gave an outline of the alleged facts in the case said that in effect the two men were caught red-handed .
He said the State would allege the two accused entered a house in Ballinderry Park , armed with the wooden leg of a table and a shovel and did so without the consent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the weapons .
He said gardaí had harvested CCTV footage from the area which showed both men intoxicated and aggressive in the Ballinderry Park area just before they were captured on CCTV entering the house carrying the weapons .
He said that gardaí had also taken a witnessed statement from the injured party in which she identified the two accused – who were both known to her – as the men who had entered her home and threatened her .
He said neighbours had alerted gardaí when they heard a commotion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused in the house and they were arrested at the scene , so they were effectively caught red-handed .
Mr Buttimer put it to Det Sgt O ’ Sullivan there had been some “ untoward contact ” between his client , Stephen McCarthy and the Duggan family who lived in the house in a green area and he had responded by entering the house .
Det Sgt O ’ Sullivan said he could not comment on that but he agreed that whatever initial complaint there was came first from the neighbours and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a complaint of burglary .
Ms Buckley for Richard McCarthy said there was no issue between her client and the Duggans , he would not disappear and would sign daily at his local Garda station if granted bail but Det Sgt O ’ Sullivan said this was not acceptable .
After hearing the submissions , Judge Olann Kelleher refused both men bail and remanded them in custody to appear again on June 9th by video link while he also granted both men free legal aid after hearing they were on social welfare @

Two men have been remanded in custody after they were charged with an aggravated burglary in Cork where a woman in her 60s was allegedly threatened by two intruders armed with weapons.
Stephen McCarthy (28) and his brother, Richard (22) with addresses at the Halting Site, Spring Lane, Ballyvolane, Cork were both charged with aggravated burglary at the house at Ballinderry Park, Mayfield, Cork on June 1st.
On Tuesday at Cork District Court, Det Sgt Kieran O’Sullivan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to both accused and told the court that both men made no reply when the charge was put to them after caution.
Defence solicitors, Frank Buttimer for Stephen McCarthy and Vicki Buckley for Richard McCarthy both applied for bail for their clients but Det Sgt O'Sullivan said that gardaí were objecting to bail for accused.
READ MORE
He said gardaí believed the accused would not stand trial and would interfere with witnesses if granted bail, given the seriousness of the charge which carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment if convicted on indictment.
He said gardaí believed the evidence against both accused was very strong and, faced with the prospect of up to life imprisonment if convicted, he believed that they would not stand trial if granted bail.
Det Sgt O’Sullivan then gave an outline of the alleged facts in the case said that in effect the two men were caught red-handed.
He said the State would allege the two accused entered a house in Ballinderry Park, armed with the wooden leg of a table and a shovel and did so without the consent of a woman living there whom they threatened with the weapons.
He said gardaí had harvested CCTV footage from the area which showed both men intoxicated and aggressive in the Ballinderry Park area just before they were captured on CCTV entering the house carrying the weapons.
He said that gardaí had also taken a witnessed statement from the injured party in which she identified the two accused – who were both known to her – as the men who had entered her home and threatened her.
He said neighbours had alerted gardaí when they heard a commotion and gardaí responded quickly and found the two accused in the house and they were arrested at the scene, so they were effectively caught red-handed.
Mr Buttimer put it to Det Sgt O’Sullivan there had been some “untoward contact” between his client, Stephen McCarthy and the Duggan family who lived in the house in a green area and he had responded by entering the house.
Det Sgt O’Sullivan said he could not comment on that but he agreed that whatever initial complaint there was came first from the neighbours and it was only afterwards that the house owner made a complaint of burglary.
Ms Buckley for Richard McCarthy said there was no issue between her client and the Duggans, he would not disappear and would sign daily at his local Garda station if granted bail but Det Sgt O’Sullivan said this was not acceptable.
After hearing the submissions, Judge Olann Kelleher refused both men bail and remanded them in custody to appear again on June 9th by video link while he also granted both men free legal aid after hearing they were on social welfare.


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Coronavirus: Eight further deaths and 10 new cases reported in the State

A further eight deaths of people diagnosed with Covid-19 have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency team .
This brings to 1,658 the number of deaths in the Republic .
Some 10 new laboratory confirmed cases were reported by NPHET on Tuesday , bringing the total number of cases to 25,066 .
While this is the lowest daily figure since March 11th , Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned against “ over-interpretation ” of the figure due to the bank holiday weekend .
Dr Holohan said the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin attended by thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to life ” .
Now was “ not the time ” to organise or attend such mass gatherings due to the risk of transmitting Covid-19 , he said .
People should follow public health advice and exercise their judgement on “ impromptu ” mass gatherings , he said .
“ We have no public health advice on protest ; our advice is on gatherings , ” he told the NPHET briefing on Tuesday .
Mass gatherings were banned in March as part of the restrictions imposed by the Government to curb the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 new cases over the past week , about half occurred in that week , and about half of these were not linked to known clusters in care facilities , meat plants or other locations .
This means about quarter of new cases are arising in the community with no know link to other cases .
Dr Holohan said 54 per cent of last week ’ s cases involved people aged between 24-55 years , and were spread across 21 counties in Ireland .
“ While we are doing well , the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country , ” he said .
“ NPHET will meet on Thursday and submit further recommendations to Government for consideration.
” Almost half of people tested are taking longer than four days from onset of symptoms to being swabbed , according to deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn , who urged people to know the symptoms of Covid-19 and get medical attention as soon as they appear .
Asked whether the wearing of face-masks should be made mandatory , Dr Holohan said the evidence for this approach was not strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1,493 had underlying conditions ; 819 were male and 866 were female .
There were 36 patients with Covid-19 in intensive care on Tuesday morning , down from a high of 160 at the peak of the epidemic .
The number of clusters of the disease in residential care facilities increased by four since Friday , to 472 ; of these , 258 , an increase of one , were in nursing homes .
A total of 1,049 people have died in residential care facilities , including 917 in nursing homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out , including 22,621 in the past week - barely one-fifth of available capacity .
Just 1.7 per cent were positive .
Earlier the Government urged people to stick with ‘ tough ’ measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus so that some restrictions can be eased as planned on June 8th .
At the Government ’ s morning Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday , assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said people should continue adhering to travel and social distancing guidelines .
She asked people to “ keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ We know it has been tough .
However as we approach the end of phase one of the roadmap , we can see that the efforts everyone has made are continuing to benefit our communities .
Hopefully that gives us a very good chance of moving to phase two as scheduled , ” Ms Canavan said .
In phase two , which is due begin next Monday , the 5km restriction on movement will be widened to 20km but unnecessary journeys should still be avoided .
Visits to homes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed by no more than a small number of people for a short period of time .
Up to four people may visit another household for a short period while maintaining strict social distancing .
Ms Canavan said it was clear that many people did not travel outside their locality over the Bank Holiday weekend .
Meanwhile , the number of people claiming the Government ’ s special weekly pandemic payment has dropped by 36,000 since last week as more people return to employment .
Ms Canavan said there are now 543,000 unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The overall value of the weekly payments is now around €190 million .
Ms Canavan also said Irish Water is urging the public to conserve water after an increase in water usage in the past week and over the Bank Holiday weekend .
“ First of all I must emphasise that we all have to prioritise hand-washing but Irish Water is today again appealing to the public and to businesses to make every effort to conserve water by discontinuing non-essential usage such as the operation of power-washers , by using a watering can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by taking showers over a bath and by fixing any dripping taps were it is possible to do so.
” She said it was “ very likely ” that a hosepipe ban would be needed .
“ It is now very likely that a water conservation order , what we know as a hosepipe ban , will be necessary to conserve water supplies as demand for water continues to soar and the drought conditions continue .
”

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health has urged the public to stick with ‘tough’ restrictions for now. Eight further deaths and 10 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the State. Video: RTE News Now
A further eight deaths of people diagnosed with Covid-19 have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency team. This brings to 1,658 the number of deaths in the Republic.
Some 10 new laboratory confirmed cases were reported by NPHET on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 25,066.
While this is the lowest daily figure since March 11th, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan cautioned against “over-interpretation” of the figure due to the bank holiday weekend.
Dr Holohan said the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin attended by thousands of people at the weekend posed “a risk to life”.
READ MORE
Now was “not the time” to organise or attend such mass gatherings due to the risk of transmitting Covid-19, he said.
People should follow public health advice and exercise their judgement on “impromptu” mass gatherings, he said.
“We have no public health advice on protest; our advice is on gatherings,” he told the NPHET briefing on Tuesday.
Mass gatherings were banned in March as part of the restrictions imposed by the Government to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Community cases
Of the approximately 500 new cases over the past week, about half occurred in that week, and about half of these were not linked to known clusters in care facilities, meat plants or other locations.
This means about quarter of new cases are arising in the community with no known link to other cases.
Dr Holohan said 54 per cent of last week’s cases involved people aged between 24-55 years, and were spread across 21 counties in Ireland.
“While we are doing well, the potential for spread remains present across all regions of the country,” he said. “NPHET will meet on Thursday and submit further recommendations to Government for consideration.”
Almost half of people tested are taking longer than four days from onset of symptoms to being swabbed, according to deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, who urged people to know the symptoms of Covid-19 and get medical attention as soon as they appear.
Asked whether the wearing of face-masks should be made mandatory, Dr Holohan said the evidence for this approach was not strong enough.
Of those who have died, 1,493 had underlying conditions; 819 were male and 866 were female.
There were 36 patients with Covid-19 in intensive care on Tuesday morning, down from a high of 160 at the peak of the epidemic.
The number of clusters of the disease in residential care facilities increased by four since Friday, to 472; of these, 258, an increase of one, were in nursing homes.
A total of 1,049 people have died in residential care facilities, including 917 in nursing homes.
To date, 348,416 tests have been carried out, including 22,621 in the past week - barely one-fifth of available capacity. Just 1.7 per cent were positive.
Tough measures
Earlier the Government urged people to stick with ‘tough’ measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus so that some restrictions can be eased as planned on June 8th.
At the Government's morning Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday, assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said people should continue adhering to travel and social distancing guidelines. She asked people to "keep it up for a few more days".
“We know it has been tough. However as we approach the end of phase one of the roadmap, we can see that the efforts everyone has made are continuing to benefit our communities. Hopefully that gives us a very good chance of moving to phase two as scheduled,” Ms Canavan said.
In phase two, which is due begin next Monday, the 5km restriction on movement will be widened to 20km but unnecessary journeys should still be avoided.
Visits to homes of over 70s and medically vulnerable will be allowed by no more than a small number of people for a short period of time.
Up to four people may visit another household for a short period while maintaining strict social distancing.
Ms Canavan said it was clear that many people did not travel outside their locality over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, the number of people claiming the Government’s special weekly pandemic payment has dropped by 36,000 since last week as more people return to employment.
Ms Canavan said there are now 543,000 unemployed recipients of the weekly €350 payment.
The overall value of the weekly payments is now around €190 million.
Ms Canavan also said Irish Water is urging the public to conserve water after an increase in water usage in the past week and over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“First of all I must emphasise that we all have to prioritise hand-washing but Irish Water is today again appealing to the public and to businesses to make every effort to conserve water by discontinuing non-essential usage such as the operation of power-washers, by using a watering can rather than a hose in the garden, by taking showers over a bath and by fixing any dripping taps were it is possible to do so.”
She said it was “very likely” that a hosepipe ban would be needed.
“It is now very likely that a water conservation order, what we know as a hosepipe ban, will be necessary to conserve water supplies as demand for water continues to soar and the drought conditions continue.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-02--Gardaí investigate Dublin Black Lives Matter protest over Covid-19 rule breach

Gardaí are investigating Monday ’ s Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin with a view to potentially prosecuting organisers for their role in such a large public gathering during the Covid-19 lockdown .
The Irish Times understands a number of people who took on supervisory or organiser roles at the protest in the city centre and Dublin 4 were spoken to by gardaí on duty and had their names and contact details taken .
They are now being investigated under the Covid-19 regulations , one of which prohibits the organising of large events during the lockdown period .
In reply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation was underway and was being conducted under section 5 of the Health Act 1947 ( Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions ) ( Covid-19 ) ( Amendment ) ( No 3 ) Regulations 2020 which “ places restrictions on the holding of an event ” .
“ An Garda Síochána is investigating [ a ] potential breach of these regulations .
.
.
and the advices of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken .
“ The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all citizens to comply with public health guidelines and regulations , in particular essential journeys , in order to continue to save lives.
” Asked about the protest Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said it posed “ a risk to life ” .
Now was “ not the time ” to organise or attend such mass gatherings due to the risk of transmitting Covid-19 , he said .
People should follow public health advice and exercise their judgement on “ impromptu ” mass gatherings , he said .
“ We have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice is on gatherings , ” he told a briefing on Tuesday .
A number of senior officers said they were aware of plans to hold another Black Lives Matter event next Saturday .
But they explained because permits were never required to hold an event , gardaí would not have the power to stop next weekend ’ s protest .
Garda sources told The Irish Times that a number of people assumed leadership duties at the protest and though they were cooperative and assisted the Garda , the holding of the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations and public health advice and that holding the event was an offence .
The regulations state “ a person shall not hold an event in a relevant geographic area unless the event is a relevant event and the number of participants in the event is limited to not more than is reasonably necessary having regard to the nature of the purposes for which the event is held ” .
The same regulations also state people can not “ participate in an event in a relevant geographical area unless the event is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant participant ” .
Because thousands of people attended the event , Garda sources said it would be “ unrealistic ” to seek to prosecute all of them or even a very large number .
However , the Garda was gathering information and liaising with the DPP on a number of people who took on leadership roles .
The event was advertised widely on social media .
Because no groups or individuals were clearly identified before the event as having arranged it , it is unclear if the DPP could be satisfied that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda were indeed the organisers .
Garda Headquarters has estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 people attended the protest , though a more precise number was difficult to determine as the protest swelled along the route from Dublin ’ s O ’ Connell Street to the US embassy in Ballsbridge .
Garda sources said when gardaí on duty on Monday asked the protestors to take a specific route towards the embassy once they arrived in Dublin 4 , those requested followed the instructions .
“ They tried to socially distance at the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social distancing seemed to be abandoned immediately , ” said one Garda officer who observed the protest .
Others said most of those who gathered were in breach of a variety of public health regulations , including travelling more than 5km to make a non-essential journey , which can result in a prosecution punishable by fines and/or a term of imprisonment of up to six months .
Travelling to a protest is not deemed an essential journey .
Gardaí pointed out that the protestors also had failed to socially distance , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than four people .
Anyone convicted of organising an event could face fines of up to €2,000 and/or a term of imprisonment of up to six months .
Asked previously about a large protest taking place during a lock-down period , the Policing Authority had said : “ While we don ’ t typically comment on the policing of individual incidents , we continue to seek evidence of fair and consistent application of the law and Garda policy as part of our work .
”

Over 5,000 people gathered on the streets of Dublin to support the “black lives matter” movement in the wake of protests in the Unites States over the death of George Floyd. Video: Karl Hayden/Dara Dara Mac Dónaill/Sorcha Pollak
Gardaí are investigating Monday’s Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin with a view to potentially prosecuting organisers for their role in such a large public gathering during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Irish Times understands a number of people who took on supervisory or organiser roles at the protest in the city centre and Dublin 4 were spoken to by gardaí on duty and had their names and contact details taken. They are now being investigated under the Covid-19 regulations, one of which prohibits the organising of large events during the lockdown period.
In reply to queries, Garda headquarters confirmed an investigation was underway and was being conducted under section 5 of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations 2020 which “places restrictions on the holding of an event”.
“An Garda Síochána is investigating [a] potential breach of these regulations. . . and the advices of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought in respect of any further actions to be taken.
READ MORE
“The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with public health guidelines and regulations, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives.”
Asked about the protest Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said it posed “a risk to life”.
They tried to socially distance at the start but the crowd was too big and the social distancing seemed to be abandoned immediately
Now was “not the time” to organise or attend such mass gatherings due to the risk of transmitting Covid-19, he said.
People should follow public health advice and exercise their judgement on “impromptu” mass gatherings, he said.
“We have no public health advice on protest; our advice is on gatherings,” he told a briefing on Tuesday.
Permits
A number of senior officers said they were aware of plans to hold another Black Lives Matter event next Saturday. But they explained because permits were never required to hold an event, gardaí would not have the power to stop next weekend’s protest.
Garda sources told The Irish Times that a number of people assumed leadership duties at the protest and though they were cooperative and assisted the Garda, the holding of the event was in clear breach of Covid-19 lockdown regulations and public health advice and that holding the event was an offence. The regulations state “a person shall not hold an event in a relevant geographic area unless the event is a relevant event and the number of participants in the event is limited to not more than is reasonably necessary having regard to the nature of the purposes for which the event is held”.
The same regulations also state people cannot “participate in an event in a relevant geographical area unless the event is a relevant event and the person is a relevant participant”.
Because thousands of people attended the event, Garda sources said it would be “unrealistic” to seek to prosecute all of them or even a very large number. However, the Garda was gathering information and liaising with the DPP on a number of people who took on leadership roles .
The event was advertised widely on social media. Because no groups or individuals were clearly identified before the event as having arranged it, it is unclear if the DPP could be satisfied that some of the people identified by the Garda were indeed the organisers.
Garda Headquarters has estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 people attended the protest, though a more precise number was difficult to determine as the protest swelled along the route from Dublin’s O’Connell Street to the US embassy in Ballsbridge.
Garda sources said when gardaí on duty on Monday asked the protestors to take a specific route towards the embassy once they arrived in Dublin 4, those requested followed the instructions. “They tried to socially distance at the start but the crowd was too big and the social distancing seemed to be abandoned immediately,” said one Garda officer who observed the protest.
Others said most of those who gathered were in breach of a variety of public health regulations, including travelling more than 5km to make a non-essential journey, which can result in a prosecution punishable by fines and/or a term of imprisonment of up to six months. Travelling to a protest is not deemed an essential journey.
Gardaí pointed out that the protestors also had failed to socially distance, while contravening the prohibition on gatherings outdoors involving more than four people.
Anyone convicted of organising an event could face fines of up to €2,000 and/or a term of imprisonment of up to six months.
Asked previously about a large protest taking place during a lock-down period, the Policing Authority had said: “While we don’t typically comment on the policing of individual incidents, we continue to seek evidence of fair and consistent application of the law and Garda policy as part of our work.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Covid-19: Harris urges people not to think it’s ‘mission accomplished’ ahead of next phase

Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he is concerned at the level of coronavirus cases that are being reported because of close contact with others .
Ahead of the second planned easing of restrictions next Monday , he indicated that he wants to proceed with the phased plan rather than accelerating elements of it at this time .
Mr Harris said “ overall the metrics are positive in relation to the virus ” with the number of people in intensive care with Covid-19 down from 99 on May 2nd to 36 or 37 on June 2nd and the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this idea that the virus has gone away , mission accomplished , is an enemy of the progress we have made , ” he told reporters in Dublin on Wednesday .
The Minister said the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) would consider all the issues and report to Government .
“ One of the figures I will be interested in seeing tomorrow is the reproduction rate , ” he said .
“ Once that R number stays below one it means we are suppressing the virus .
“ Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a position again where we haven ’ t been in many weeks where the virus is growing .
The figure that concerns me a little bit is the number of confirmed cases now that come from close contacts.
” He said that recent figures show that more than 50 per cent of Covid-19 cases are a result of close contact with an infected person .
“ That basically means at the moment we are largely keeping a majority of the cases confined to close contacts but obviously as we start to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number .
So we have to proceed with caution.
” Mr Harris said his “ gut feeling ” is that the next phase of the plan to reopen the country was at the right pace , with the next stage allowing people to travel up to 20km , from home to visit other households while maintaining social distancing and the reopening of retail outlets .
“ My gut as of now is that if we can successfully get through phase one , and then successfully get through phase two , that would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us before we get into phase three and four , which is where we see a significant reopening of quite of a lot things , ” he said .
“ There are some things in phase two that will result in a lot more movement .
Once you get to 20km that ’ s actually a lot of movement .
“ There are also some measures in phase two that allow people to meet indoors with social distancing and there also measures that allow us to visit people cocooning or shielding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right balance.
” Mr Harris said there was a public health rationale to the 20km limit .
“ There are parts of our country where we haven ’ t seen a Covid case in quite a number of days and some I believe in a couple of weeks .
If we all start getting in our cars and travelling there , the virus will go there too.
” The Minister also urged anyone who is considering organising a protest not to do so .
“ Now is a time where there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough of all of us , and we have to stick with it , ” he said .
Mr Harris also said he wanted to remind people that if they are getting on public transport or shopping then they should wear face coverings as an additional hygiene measures .

Minister for Health Simon Harris said the idea that ‘the virus has gone away, mission accomplished, is an enemy of the progress we have made’. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins.
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said he is concerned at the level of coronavirus cases that are being reported because of close contact with others.
Ahead of the second planned easing of restrictions next Monday, he indicated that he wants to proceed with the phased plan rather than accelerating elements of it at this time.
Mr Harris said “overall the metrics are positive in relation to the virus” with the number of people in intensive care with Covid-19 down from 99 on May 2nd to 36 or 37 on June 2nd and the number in hospital also down sharply.
“But this idea that the virus has gone away, mission accomplished, is an enemy of the progress we have made,” he said.
READ MORE
The Minister said the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) would consider all the issues and report to the Government.
“One of the figures I will be interested in seeing tomorrow is the reproduction rate,” he said. “Once that R number stays below one it means we are suppressing the virus.
“Once it goes over one we’re in a position again where we haven’t been in many weeks where the virus is growing. The figure that concerns me a little bit is the number of confirmed cases now that come from close contacts.”
Close contact
He said recent figures show that more than 50 per cent of Covid-19 cases are a result of close contact with an infected person.
“That basically means at the moment we are largely keeping a majority of the cases confined to close contacts but obviously as we start to move again our close contacts will grow in number. So we have to proceed with caution.”
The Cabinet will meet twice this week - a routine meeting on Thursday in the Dublin Castle Conference Centre and a second on Friday in Government Buildings to decide whether to give the go ahead for the second phase of the coronavirus roadmap. The first meeting will see all members of the Cabinet gather in the same venue for the first time since the crisis began.
Mr Harris said his “gut feeling” is that the next phase of the plan to reopen the country was at the right pace, with the next stage allowing people to travel up to 20km from home to visit other households while maintaining social distancing and the reopening of retail outlets.
“My gut as of now is that if we can successfully get through phase one, and then successfully get through phase two, that would be a real confidence building block for all of us before we get into phase three and four, which is where we see a significant reopening of quite of a lot things,” he said.
“There are some things in phase two that will result in a lot more movement. Once you get to 20km that’s actually a lot of movement.
“There are also some measures in phase two that allow people to meet indoors with social distancing and there also measures that allow us to visit people cocooning or shielding. My sense is it is roughly speaking the right balance.”
Rationale
Mr Harris said there was a public health rationale to the 20km limit.
“There are parts of our country where we haven’t seen a Covid case in quite a number of days and some I believe in a couple of weeks. If we all start getting in our cars and travelling there, the virus will go there too.”
The Minister also urged anyone who is considering organising a protest not to do so.
“Now is a time where there is real human tragedy, social distancing is tough of all of us, and we have to stick with it,” he said.
Mr Harris also said he wanted to remind people that if they are getting on public transport or shopping then they should wear face coverings as an additional hygiene measures.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--End ‘shameful stand-off’ over pension for Troubles’ victims, Johnson told

The North ’ s victims ’ commissioner has written to the UK prime minister asking for an end to the “ shameful stand-off ” which has delayed the introduction of a pension scheme for victims of the Troubles .
In open letter to Boris Johnson , which was also sent to the Northern Executive , the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors Judith Thompson said the legislation to set up the scheme must be implemented “ immediately ” .
“ It is simply not good enough to continue to make a political football out of victims and survivors with an unseemly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Legislation to provide a pension scheme for people who suffered physical or mental injury “ through no fault of their own ” as a result of the Troubles was introduced by the North ’ s Secretary of State in January , and was due to open for applications on May 29th .
Payments will range from £2,000 to £10,000 per year and will cover injuries sustained between 1966 and 2010 .
Anyone injured in the UK , or British or Northern Ireland citizens injured in Europe , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme has stalled , with the Northern Executive and the UK government deadlocked over who should pay the estimated £100 million cost .
The Executive maintains that it is Westminster ’ s responsibility , as the legislation was introduced in the UK parliament .
The UK government insists the scheme should be paid for out of Northern Ireland ’ s block grant – the money the Northern Executive receives from Westminster to fund public services in the North .
Last month it emerged that the government department in Northern Ireland which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet been designated .
In her letter , Ms Thompson said it was “ cruel , callous and insulting that this shameful stand-off played out in public is undoing the acknowledgement of pain , suffering and loss that the victims ’ payment was to deliver .
“ It has become the ultimate insult to those victims and survivors who campaigned for years to be acknowledged , respected and valued , ” she said .
“ It is not good enough.
” Given that the scheme is open to victims from across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not therefore be the sole fiscal responsibility of the Northern Executive .
However , she demanded the Executive designate a department to administer the scheme immediately .
“ Twenty-two years after the Belfast Agreement was signed , we are still seeing lives devastated by legacy issues , pain passed down through families , and communities torn apart by mental health crises , substance misuse , domestic and sectarian violence , ” she wrote .
“ This law , passed in Westminster , will do something to make life better for those who suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this legislation is implemented immediately.
” Victims and survivors groups in Northern Ireland have criticised the failure to introduce the scheme .
Last month Alan McBride , of the WAVE Injured Group , took a first step towards a legal action against the Executive over the failure to introduce a scheme as required by the legislation .
The former secretary of state for Northern Ireland Lord Peter Hain , told the House of Lords on Tuesday that he had met members of the group who were understandably “ devastated ” by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ is the cause of the impasse then there needs to be an urgent adult conversation to resolve it , ” he said .
“ Either way it is completely unacceptable that the law is being flouted in this way , and I ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland , as the sponsor of 2019 Act , to have urgent discussions with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland to resolve this shameful impasse .
”

In open letter to Boris Johnson, Commissioner for Victims and Survivors Judith Thompson said the legislation to set up the scheme must be implemented ‘immediately’. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The North’s victims’ commissioner has written to the UK prime minister asking for an end to the “shameful stand-off” which has delayed the introduction of a pension scheme for victims of the Troubles.
In open letter to Boris Johnson, which was also sent to the Northern Executive, the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors Judith Thompson said the legislation to set up the scheme must be implemented "immediately".
“It is simply not good enough to continue to make a political football out of victims and survivors with an unseemly squabble over who is going to pay,” she said.
Legislation to provide a pension scheme for people who suffered physical or mental injury “through no fault of their own” as a result of the Troubles was introduced by the North’s Secretary of State in January, and was due to open for applications on May 29th.
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Payments will range from £2,000 to £10,000 per year and will cover injuries sustained between 1966 and 2010. Anyone injured in the UK, or British or Northern Ireland citizens injured in Europe, are potentially eligible to apply.
However, the scheme has stalled, with the Northern Executive and the UK government deadlocked over who should pay the estimated £100 million cost.
The Executive maintains that it is Westminster’s responsibility, as the legislation was introduced in the UK parliament. The UK government insists the scheme should be paid for out of Northern Ireland’s block grant – the money the Northern Executive receives from Westminster to fund public services in the North.
Responding to Ms Thompson’s letter, a spokesman for the UK government said it had fulfilled its legal obligation by making legislation establishing the victims’ payment scheme, and the Northern Executive “must now deliver.”
He said the UK government “understands the deep frustration of those who were injured in the Troubles and their families and remains extremely disappointed by the current delay.”
However he said the “discussions” about funding “are not preventing the Executive from being able to take vital steps to unlock its implementation, which it must do urgently,” the spokesman said.
Last month it emerged that the government department in Northern Ireland which will oversee the administration of the scheme has not yet been designated.
In her letter, Ms Thompson said it was “cruel, callous and insulting that this shameful stand-off played out in public is undoing the acknowledgement of pain, suffering and loss that the victims’ payment was to deliver.
“It has become the ultimate insult to those victims and survivors who campaigned for years to be acknowledged, respected and valued,” she said. “It is not good enough.”
Given that the scheme is open to victims from across the UK, Ms Thompson said it should not therefore be the sole fiscal responsibility of the Northern Executive.
However, she demanded the Executive designate a department to administer the scheme immediately.
"Twenty-two years after the Belfast Agreement was signed, we are still seeing lives devastated by legacy issues, pain passed down through families, and communities torn apart by mental health crises, substance misuse, domestic and sectarian violence," she wrote.
“This law, passed in Westminster, will do something to make life better for those who suffered the most. It is our expectation that this legislation is implemented immediately.”
Victims and survivors groups in Northern Ireland have criticised the failure to introduce the scheme. Last month Alan McBride, of the WAVE Injured Group, took a first step towards a legal action against the Executive over the failure to introduce a scheme as required by the legislation.
The former secretary of state for Northern Ireland Lord Peter Hain, told the House of Lords on Tuesday that he had met members of the group who were understandably "devastated" by the delay.
If the dispute over funding “is the cause of the impasse then there needs to be an urgent adult conversation to resolve it,” he said.
“Either way it is completely unacceptable that the law is being flouted in this way, and I ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as the sponsor of 2019 Act, to have urgent discussions with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland to resolve this shameful impasse.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Covid-19: Doctors seeing ‘angst and loneliness’ in older people forced to cocoon

Doctors are encountering “ angst and loneliness ” among older people forced to cocoon for long periods during the coronavirus pandemic , with a consultant saying more than half of his patients are suffering from depression and anxiety .
Dr Rónán Collins , a consultant in geriatrics at Tallaght Hospital , said many patients were reporting that their memory had declined as a result of social isolation and issues with their mobility due to doing less exercise .
He said the restrictions introduced to slow the spread of the virus were “ building up a collateral damage ” and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make judicious decisions ” with how they go about their lives .
Dr Collins said he was opposed to “ age-related cocooning ” and that health authorities needed to consider the broader risks posed by the restrictions .
“ I don ’ t think you can treat everyone over-70 as a homogeneous group , ” he told RTÉ Radio One .
“ Many over 70s are working , they have businesses , they are active members of society , and while older age in itself is a risk for mortality from Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk factor for death from Covid-19 .
“ The majority of older people who do contract this illness survive it .
“ I think we can get swayed by the mortality and the very sad story in our nursing homes , but it must be remembered that the population who may be resident in nursing homes is not reflective of any age specific population in general.
” While he agreed with a slow and cautious approach to easing the lockdown restrictions , Dr Collins said wider goals in society needed to be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death rate from Covid-19 ” .
“ Clearly if we have a very deep recession , that will bring healthcare problems itself , and if we have a very deep recession and economic crash , we will have no money to have health services , ” he said .
“ So there are longer term implications here in the goals and roads we take.
” Allowing grandchildren to see grandparents would be a welcome move , he said , with studies in Australia and China suggesting younger children “ do not particularly transmit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to say there are no cases ” but that “ transmission is particularly low ” , Dr Collins added .
Dr Mary Favier , president of the Irish College of General Practitioners and a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team , said family doctors are also witnessing the impact of “ angst and loneliness ” on older people forced to cocoon for prolonged periods .
She said the advice to them as restrictions are eased will be to choose a small “ pod of people up to six ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with outside .
“ We are going to have to move to a situation in society where individual groups assess their own risk… because it is going to be a long issue , ” she added .
Dr Favier said some older people were “ raring to go ” while others might be little more cautious and need “ gentle encouragement to get out there and re-engage with society ” .
She said testing and tracing for Covid-19 in Ireland “ is not as good as it could be ” but that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks .

Doctors are encountering ‘angst and loneliness’ among older people forced to cocoon for long periods during the coronavirus pandemic, the president of the Irish College of General Practitioners has said. Photograph: Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images.
Doctors are encountering “angst and loneliness” among older people forced to cocoon for long periods during the coronavirus pandemic, with a consultant saying more than half of his patients are suffering from depression and anxiety.
Dr Rónán Collins, a consultant in geriatrics at Tallaght Hospital, said many patients were reporting that their memory had declined as a result of social isolation and issues with their mobility due to doing less exercise.
He said the restrictions introduced to slow the spread of the virus were “building up a collateral damage” and people of all ages should be trusted “to make judicious decisions” with how they go about their lives.
Dr Collins said he was opposed to “age-related cocooning” and that health authorities needed to consider the broader risks posed by the restrictions.
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“I don’t think you can treat everyone over-70 as a homogeneous group,” he told RTÉ Radio One.
“Many over 70s are working, they have businesses, they are active members of society, and while older age in itself is a risk for mortality from Covid-19 , it is not the greatest single risk factor for death from Covid-19.
“The majority of older people who do contract this illness survive it.
“I think we can get swayed by the mortality and the very sad story in our nursing homes, but it must be remembered that the population who may be resident in nursing homes is not reflective of any age specific population in general.”
Wider goals
While he agreed with a slow and cautious approach to easing the lockdown restrictions, Dr Collins said wider goals in society needed to be taken into account “other than just the death rate from Covid-19”.
“Clearly if we have a very deep recession, that will bring healthcare problems itself, and if we have a very deep recession and economic crash, we will have no money to have health services,” he said. “So there are longer term implications here in the goals and roads we take.”
Allowing grandchildren to see grandparents would be a welcome move, he said, with studies in Australia and China suggesting younger children “do not particularly transmit this virus”. That “is not to say there are no cases” but that “transmission is particularly low”, Dr Collins added.
Dr Mary Favier, president of the Irish College of General Practitioners and a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team, said family doctors are also witnessing the impact of “angst and loneliness” on older people forced to cocoon for prolonged periods.
Pod
She said the advice to them as restrictions are eased will be to choose a small “pod of people up to six” with whom they can start to slowly socialise with outside.
“We are going to have to move to a situation in society where individual groups assess their own risk… because it is going to be a long issue,” she added.
Dr Favier said some older people were “raring to go” while others might be little more cautious and need “gentle encouragement to get out there and re-engage with society”.
She said testing and tracing for Covid-19 in Ireland “is not as good as it could be” but that it had improved in the past two or three weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Gardaí move against cyber crime, prostitution gang in Dublin

Gardaí believe an international crime gang based in Dublin has run at least €1.5 million from the proceeds of crime through a series of so-called mule bank accounts and bogus company accounts in the Republic .
The cash was the proceeds of crime including internet scams , organised prostitution and thefts .
The suspects arrested are Romanian nationals living in Dublin .
A series of searches was carried out on Wednesday morning in north and west Dublin by members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau ( GNECB ) assisted by Romanian-speaking gardaí and Garda members seconded to the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Gardaí identified a number of bogus companies established by a criminal organisation and a large number of bank accounts set up in both false names and money mules , ” a Garda statement said .
“ Gardaí have established that about €1.5 million was laundered through these accounts.
” Mule accounts are those held by people but which are used by crime gangs to receive and move money after the account holder has been coerced or agrees to allow access to their accounts for a fee .
The money under investigation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on scams that seek to extract money from victims ’ payment cards by sending bogus text messages or making deception-based phone calls to people .
At the eight properties searched on Wednesday gardaí seized documentation related to shell companies and bank accounts linked to them along with various forms of identification , mobile phones and cash .
The phones were confiscated for examination to determine if they contain any information of evidential value .
Four men were arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences include money laundering and obstruction .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and from Romania , with two of the men detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act , allowing gardaí to detain them for questioning for up to seven days without charge .
One of the men is being detained on suspicion of obstructing gardaí and the fourth is being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act .
The arrested men were taken for questioning to Clontarf , Ballymun , Swords and Raheny stations in Dublin .

The cash is believed to be the proceeds of crime including internet scams, organised prostitution, thefts and fraud. Photograph: Garda Press
Gardaí believe an international crime gang based in Dublin has run at least €1.5 million from the proceeds of crime through a series of so-called mule bank accounts and company accounts in the Republic.
The cash is believed to be the proceeds of crime including internet scams, organised prostitution, thefts and fraud. On Wednesday gardaí arrested five men who are Romanian nationals living in Dublin. Gardai are also investigating members of the group for claiming fraudulent Covid-19 benefits of €350 per week.
As much as €50,000 may have been claimed in bogus Covid-19 payments by 15 people linked to the group under investigation. Some €40,000 on deposit has been frozen as part of the Garda inquiry and €30,000 in cash was seized during the searches.
Luxury goods have also been seized by gardaí, including a sizeable quantity of expensive whiskey and champagne.
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Gardai are investigating money moving through about 70 bank accounts and eight companies, including those linked to the car trade. The investigation to date has discovered 18 bank accounts in the name of one person.
A series of searches was carried out on Wednesday morning in north and west Dublin by members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau assisted by Romanian-speaking gardaí and Garda members seconded to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
“Gardaí identified a number of bogus companies established by a criminal organisation and a large number of bank accounts set up in both false names and money mules,” a Garda statement said. “Gardaí have established that about €1.5 million was laundered through these accounts.”
Mule accounts are those held by people but which are used by crime gangs to receive and move money after the account holder has been coerced or agrees to allow access to their accounts for a fee.
Some of the money under investigation by the Garda represents the proceeds of cyber-crimes based on scams that seek to extract money from victims’ payment cards by sending bogus text messages or making deception-based phone calls to people.
At the eight properties searched on Wednesday gardaí seized documentation related to companies and bank accounts linked to them along with various forms of identification, 10 mobile phones, smart watches, a laptop and tablet and cash. The phones and other devices were confiscated for examination to determine if they contained any information of evidential value.
Five men were arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences include money laundering and obstruction. All five are in their 20s or 30s and from Romania, with two of the men detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, allowing gardaí to detain them for questioning for up to seven days without charge.
One of the men is being detained on suspicion of obstructing gardaí while the fourth and fifth suspects were being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The arrested men were taken for questioning to Clontarf, Ballymun, Swords, Raheny and Store St stations in Dublin.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Co Mayo community grieves for Ben Duffy (5) after Lough Mask tragedy

The community of Tourmakeady , Co Mayo , gathered online this morning for prayers for Ben Duffy ( 5 ) whose body was taken from Lough Mask on Tuesday morning .
The youngster had been playing with family members just yards from his home on the shores of the famous fishing lake on Monday when he appeared to have been swept away on an inflatable dinghy .
Fr John Kenny , parish priest of Partry and Tourmakeady , had cancelled his usual online prayer meeting at 11am , entitled “ Elevenses , ” on Tuesday , telling parishioners first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family that he will be found ” .
Later Fr Kenny posted : “ There will be no # Elevenses this morning June 2nd .
Please Pray for Ben Duffy and his Family , I am with them now ” .
Fr Kenny said parishioners they were welcome to join him for Wednesday ’ s Elevenses .
After Ben went missing , locals said a search was quickly organised , but when rescue teams got to the dinghy it was upturned , and the boy was not there .
The Coast Guard helicopter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – had conducted an aerial survey of the lake on Monday evening , while search teams worked on the ground .
Gardaí in Castlebar – who were assisted by Coast Guard , Civil Defence , Lough Mask Water Rescue and local divers – confirmed the search was ended after Ben ’ s body was found shortly after 8am on Monday .
Ben was the youngest child of Allan and Treacy Duffy whose home is just a short distance from where he had been playing with family members .
He had three brothers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenny on Wednesday were not successful , but on Tuesday he told the Mayo News d the whole community was in a state of shock .
“ Yesterday evening , it went from a sunny summer ’ s day with a holiday atmosphere buzz around the place to people screaming for help and devastation for the family .
“ The community is stunned and shocked by what happened and are so upset for the family .
The Duffys are involved in everything , the soccer , the Gaelic , the music , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes on in the parish .
“ They are a well-loved family , and little Ben was the youngest of five and just five years old , ” he said .

The remains of Ben Duffy (5) are taken from Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, by hearse. Photograph: Paul Mealey
The community of Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, gathered online this morning for prayers for Ben Duffy (5) whose body was taken from Lough Mask on Tuesday morning.
The youngster had been playing with family members just yards from his home on the shores of the famous fishing lake on Monday when he appeared to have been swept away on an inflatable dinghy.
Fr John Kenny, parish priest of Partry and Tourmakeady, had cancelled his usual online prayer meeting at 11am, entitled “Elevenses,” on Tuesday, telling parishioners first to “please pray for Ben’s family that he will be found”.
Later Fr Kenny posted : “There will be no #Elevenses this morning June 2nd. Please Pray for Ben Duffy and his Family, I am with them now”.
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Fr Kenny said parishioners they were welcome to join him for Wednesday's Elevenses.
After Ben went missing, locals said a search was quickly organised, but when rescue teams got to the dinghy it was upturned, and the boy was not there.
The Coast Guard helicopter – based in Shannon, Co Clare – had conducted an aerial survey of the lake on Monday evening, while search teams worked on the ground.
Gardaí in Castlebar – who were assisted by Coast Guard, Civil Defence, Lough Mask Water Rescue and local divers – confirmed the search was ended after Ben’s body was found shortly after 8am on Monday.
Ben was the youngest child of Allan and Treacy Duffy whose home is just a short distance from where he had been playing with family members. He had three brothers and one sister.
Attempts to contact Fr Kenny on Wednesday were not successful, but on Tuesday he told the Mayo News d the whole community was in a state of shock.
“Yesterday evening, it went from a sunny summer’s day with a holiday atmosphere buzz around the place to people screaming for help and devastation for the family.
“The community is stunned and shocked by what happened and are so upset for the family. The Duffys are involved in everything, the soccer, the Gaelic, the music, the dancing, the fundraising, everything that goes on in the parish.
“They are a well-loved family, and little Ben was the youngest of five and just five years old,” he said.