theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Man seriously injured following incident on O’Connell street on Saturday

A man was injured following an incident on O ’ Connell street on Saturday afternoon .
The 18-year-old was removed @ @ @ @ @ is being treated for his injuries which are described as serious .
The suspect offender @ @ @ @ @ initial enquiries by members gardaí , the suspect , aged 18 , was arrested a @ @ @ @ @ was taken to Store Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 , @ @ @ @ @ .
He was released in the early hours of Sunday morning and investigations are ongoing @ @ @ @ @ are appealing to any persons who may have witnessed the assault on O ’ Connell @ @ @ @ @ Saturday afternoon between 3.30pm and 4pm to contact them at Store Street Garda station , @ @ @ @ @ 666 111 or any Garda station .

A man was injured following an incident on O’Connell street on Saturday afternoon.
The 18-year-old was removed to The Mater Hospital and is being treated for his injuries which are described as serious.
The suspect offender fled the scene and after initial enquiries by members gardaí, the suspect, aged 18, was arrested a short time later. He was taken to Store Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4, Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
He was released in the early hours of Sunday morning and investigations are ongoing.
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Gardaí in Store Street are appealing to any persons who may have witnessed the assault on O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 on Saturday afternoon between 3.30pm and 4pm to contact them at Store Street Garda station, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Three new cases identified in Northern Ireland

Three new cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland have been registered bringing the total number in the North to seven @ @ @ @ @ are all adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously @ @ @ @ @ North ’ s Department of Health reported on Saturday night .
The North ’ s @ @ @ @ @ staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had , with the @ @ @ @ @ of the virus ” .
“ Further positive tests have been expected and the advice @ @ @ @ @ .
Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase , ” added the department .
@ @ @ @ @ line “ with established protocols , presumptive positive Northern Ireland test results are sent to @ @ @ @ @ verification ” .

A nurse during a demonstration of the Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures set-up beside Antrim Area Hospital, Co Antrim in Northern Ireland. File Photograph: Michael Cooper/PA Wire
Two football teams in Northern Ireland have been told to take precautionary measures after a player tested positive for coronavirus after a match.
In a statement, Hanover Football Club in Co Armagh confirmed that one of its players was diagnosed with Covid-19 after Saturday’s game. The footballer was one of three people to have contracted coronavirus as confirmed by health officials on Saturday evening.
The latest three cases are all adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously confirmed positive case. It takes the total number of coronavirus cases in the region to seven.
The Portadown club said they were only made aware of the player’s positive test following their game against Co Tyrone club Coagh United reserves. In a statement they said that, immediately after the confirmation, the club contacted all Hanover FC players as well as Coagh United and those involved in the Mid Ulster Football League.
READ MORE
“(We are) liaising with the NHS via their helpline for advice which has now been passed on to all in question,” the statement added. “We also immediately cancelled a planned function and have arranged for a deep clean to be performed by qualified contractors. “Again we wish to stress that this was something we had no prior knowledge (of) but, following swift actions upon discovery, we hope that this will help ensuring all those in direct contact with the person in questions remains unaffected.”
Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: “My thoughts are with the player who has contracted this virus and I wish him a speedy recovery and return to full health again. “Hanover FC are to be commended for their swift actions and openness on this sensitive matter.”
The North’s Public Health Agency said “staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had, with the objective of preventing further spread of the virus”.
“Further positive tests have been expected and the advice to the public remains unchanged. Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase,” added the department.
The department said that in line “with established protocols, presumptive positive Northern Ireland test results are sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification”. – Additional reporting from PA


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Robbery, polar exploration and a cryptic classified ad

At the police courts in Dublin , a case of “ robbery with violence ” came up in the northern division before Mr Wall .
Three women – Julia Mulhall , Kate Kelly and Clara Gleeson – were accused of taking ( “ by force ” ) the purse of a man identified as Lowe .
The purse contained more than £7 in gold , silver and copper .
The report , published on this day in 1895 , gives little detail about the women – only that they resided at Dubin ’ s Montgomery Street – modern-day Foley Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was commonly called , was a well-known red light district .
Prison register entries for the three women shed a little more light ; Kelly ( 37 ) and Mulhall ( 23 ) were from Dublin , while Gleeson ( 24 ) was from Derry .
“ Pros ” is the abbreviation listed in the occupation column for all three women , who were released on September 6th having each served six months of hard labour for the robbery .
Elsewhere in the edition , much space was devoted to new land legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill was published , in full , on page 5 that day .
Introduced by chief secretary for Ireland John Morley , it was an attempt to “ further amend the law relating to the occupation and ownership of land in Ireland , and for other purposes thereto ” .The Irish Times , for its part , considered the Bill “ to be of a very bold and drastic nature ” .
The paper that day expressed some scepticism over a “ hare-brained ” polar expedition planned by Swedish explorer Salomon August Andrée @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ To the public it will appear that this is a wreckless casting away of valuable life , ” reads commentry on page four .
“ In the present condition of aeronautic knowledge a balloon is an unmanageable machine , not by any means one of those governable air ships of romance whereof we have heard so much recently in exaggerated fiction.
” A telegram from Northamton warned of the threat of a great strike in the shoe trade , while the weather at home was shaping up to be rainy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the familiar-sounding outlook .
On the same page , a “ splendid meeting ” of unionists in Aberdeen earned much space .
In foreign news , the latest updates from the First Sino-Japanese War indicated some 2,000 Chinese soldiers had been killed during the previous day ’ s fighting .
In Britain , meanwhile , a petition had been signed by more than 400 “ of the most influential and representative names among the Roman Catholic body of Great Britain ” in a bid , said the report , to remove obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambridge universities .
The classifieds were , as was usual in those decades , plentiful and prominent .
On page 2 , a quite typical notice seeking employment was featured : “ A young lady wishes to obtain employment as Companion or Lady Help : willing to assist in housework generally or take entire charge of young children.
” A small advertisement , issued by H Carrington Esq of Letterbreen , Enniskillen , promised the purchaser “ a secret of success in life ” .
The gentleman would , in one lesson by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ art of easy , well-bred self possession on all occasions : sense of diffidence and awkwardness removed at once and for ever ; no failure ; fee 2s 6d.
” The following notice , however , is the most interesting in the day ’ s edition – certainly the most cryptic : “ Just learned accidentally your whereabouts .
Does this explain your suggestion ( if yours ) to visit , which has puzzled me exceedingly ?
Surely all the efforts to make opportunities proved desire to speak ; but when was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas , leaves us without strength or courage , but a chance to speak , with some encouragement , would be irresistible - L .
”

At the police courts in Dublin, a case of “robbery with violence” came up in the northern division before Mr Wall. Three women – Julia Mulhall, Kate Kelly and Clara Gleeson – were accused of taking (“by force”) the purse of a man identified as Lowe. The purse contained more than £7 in gold, silver and copper.
The report, published on this day in 1895, gives little detail about the women – only that they resided at Dubin’s Montgomery Street – modern-day Foley Street. The Monto, as the area was commonly called, was a well-known red light district.
Prison register entries for the three women shed a little more light; Kelly (37) and Mulhall (23) were from Dublin, while Gleeson (24) was from Derry. “Pros” is the abbreviation listed in the occupation column for all three women, who were released on September 6th having each served six months of hard labour for the robbery.
Elsewhere in the edition, much space was devoted to new land legislation; the Land Law (Ireland) Bill was published, in full, on page 5 that day. Introduced by chief secretary for Ireland John Morley, it was an attempt to "further amend the law relating to the occupation and ownership of land in Ireland, and for other purposes thereto".The Irish Times, for its part, considered the Bill "to be of a very bold and drastic nature".
READ MORE
The paper that day expressed some scepticism over a “hare-brained” polar expedition planned by Swedish explorer Salomon August Andrée, who intended to travel by balloon.
“To the public it will appear that this is a wreckless casting away of valuable life,” reads commentry on page four. “In the present condition of aeronautic knowledge a balloon is an unmanageable machine, not by any means one of those governable air ships of romance whereof we have heard so much recently in exaggerated fiction.”
‘Splendid meeting’
A telegram from Northamton warned of the threat of a great strike in the shoe trade, while the weather at home was shaping up to be rainy and windy. “Not settled weather” was the familiar-sounding outlook. On the same page, a “splendid meeting” of unionists in Aberdeen earned much space.
In foreign news, the latest updates from the First Sino-Japanese War indicated some 2,000 Chinese soldiers had been killed during the previous day’s fighting. In Britain, meanwhile, a petition had been signed by more than 400 “of the most influential and representative names among the Roman Catholic body of Great Britain” in a bid, said the report, to remove obstacles that prevented Catholics from attending Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The classifieds were, as was usual in those decades, plentiful and prominent. On page 2, a quite typical notice seeking employment was featured: “A young lady wishes to obtain employment as Companion or Lady Help: willing to assist in housework generally or take entire charge of young children.”
A small advertisement, issued by H Carrington Esq of Letterbreen, Enniskillen, promised the purchaser "a secret of success in life". The gentleman would, in one lesson by correspondence, share the "secret and art of easy, well-bred self possession on all occasions: sense of diffidence and awkwardness removed at once and for ever; no failure; fee 2s 6d."
The following notice, however, is the most interesting in the day’s edition – certainly the most cryptic: “Just learned accidentally your whereabouts. Does this explain your suggestion (if yours) to visit, which has puzzled me exceedingly? Surely all the efforts to make opportunities proved desire to speak; but when was the chance given? Illness, almost since Christmas, leaves us without strength or courage, but a chance to speak, with some encouragement, would be irresistible - L.”
Full edition: March 8th, 1895


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Delegates at Alliance conference glowing after party’s breakout year

At the Alliance party conference ’ s annual conference at the Stormont Hotel on Saturday there was no escaping the viral topic of the day .
Press officer Scott Jamison had to put out a notice that party leader Naomi Long would not be attending “ after being diagnosed with a severe chest infection and being instructed to remain housebound under doctor ’ s orders ” .
With all these concerns about who was in contact with whom , he offered assurance that she did not have the coronavirus .
It must have been a double pain for Long to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the keynote speech was delivered instead by party leader and MP for North Down , Stephen Farry .
After all this was the party ’ s golden anniversary annual conference .
Some of the trailblazers who were about for the foundation of Alliance in April 1970 such as Jim and Maire Hendron , Robin Glendinning and Denis Loretto were at the conference , quietly delighted with the standing of the party they started .
It was a day for its leader to bask in the limelight , to take the kudos , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well knows her profession can be a fickle business - and to urge members to achieve greater successes .
But it wasn ’ t to be .
Farry did a decent job but even he would admit he doesn ’ t carry the energy and charisma of Long .
She was missed .
Nonetheless , the Alliance delegates had a glow about them .
For years , apart from a couple of brief periods when it seemed the centre-ground might flourish , the party vote was stuck on about 8 per cent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw its vote surge to 17 per cent in local , European and Westminster elections with Long elected to Europe , Farry taking North Down and a raft of new councillors coming on board .
Alliance , running with the zeitgeist , had captured a fairly strong mood for change and engineered a little shift away from the old unionist and nationalist certainties .
That also was reflected in the recent University of Liverpool survey which found that 18.6 per cent of the December general election Alliance vote came from DUP voters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of the new vigour of Alliance also was evident in a strong speech from Sorcha Eastwood , who in the December election put some pressure on the previously unassailable Jeffrey Donaldson in Lagan Valley .
“ Gone are the days of foregone conclusions , ” she thundered to the delegates ’ delight .
“ Gone are the days of safe seats…we are snapping at their heels.
” In this context it was absolutely fair for Farry to state that the party had shattered the “ old canard ” of a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And his added comment that “ we have proven that we can win anywhere in Northern Ireland and we have drawn votes from right across the community ” also was on the mark , though there are still a few pockets where it would be difficult for the party to penetrate .
Farry told delegates how Alliance still kept faith with Europe ; how Boris Johnson “ for now ” was pursuing a “ reckless hard Brexit ” ; how Alliance wanted reform at Stormont ; how the British government must provide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeed ; how Alliance ’ s justice minister and leader , the unfortunately absent Long , would crack down on the paramilitaries and organised crime .
He was also generous about Tánaiste Simon Coveney ’ s work in helping restore Stormont , comments which were warmly and spontaneously applauded by the conference .
There were no great headlines from the day but there could have been .
Farry ’ s speech sent to the press had the line that Alliance didn ’ t “ believe that there is currently the case for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual incidence of Alliance radically shifting from its normal centre-ground position .
But before we could say “ hold the front page ” the aforementioned Jamison was over frantically explaining that there had been a typo , and what Alliance didn ’ t believe was that there was “ currently a case for Border poll ” .
All in all , while there was an element of Hamlet without the prince , it was a big day for the party .
Alliance , unlike its leader , was in the rudest of good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to the future .

Alliance party deputy leader Stephen Farry is applauded after making his keynote address to the party’s annual conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast. Photograph: PA Wire.
At the Alliance party conference's annual conference at the Stormont Hotel on Saturday there was no escaping the viral topic of the day.
Press officer Scott Jamison had to put out a notice that party leader Naomi Long would not be attending "after being diagnosed with a severe chest infection and being instructed to remain housebound under doctor's orders".
With all these concerns about who was in contact with whom, he offered assurance that she did not have the coronavirus.
It must have been a double pain for Long to be watching from her sick bed as the keynote speech was delivered instead by party leader and MP for North Down, Stephen Farry.
READ MORE
After all this was the party’s golden anniversary annual conference. Some of the trailblazers who were about for the foundation of Alliance in April 1970 such as Jim and Maire Hendron, Robin Glendinning and Denis Loretto were at the conference, quietly delighted with the standing of the party they started.
It was a day for its leader to bask in the limelight, to take the kudos, to enjoy the popularity - because as Long well knows her profession can be a fickle business - and to urge members to achieve greater successes.
But it wasn’t to be. Farry did a decent job but even he would admit he doesn’t carry the energy and charisma of Long. She was missed.
Nonetheless, the Alliance delegates had a glow about them. For years, apart from a couple of brief periods when it seemed the centre-ground might flourish, the party vote was stuck on about 8 per cent.
But last year it broke out and saw its vote surge to 17 per cent in local, European and Westminster elections with Long elected to Europe, Farry taking North Down and a raft of new councillors coming on board.
Shift away
Alliance, running with the zeitgeist, had captured a fairly strong mood for change and engineered a little shift away from the old unionist and nationalist certainties. That also was reflected in the recent University of Liverpool survey which found that 18.6 per cent of the December general election Alliance vote came from DUP voters and 11.6 per cent from Sinn Féin voters.
Some of the new vigour of Alliance also was evident in a strong speech from Sorcha Eastwood, who in the December election put some pressure on the previously unassailable Jeffrey Donaldson in Lagan Valley.
“Gone are the days of foregone conclusions,” she thundered to the delegates’ delight. “Gone are the days of safe seats…we are snapping at their heels.”
In this context it was absolutely fair for Farry to state that the party had shattered the "old canard" of a vote for Alliance being a wasted vote. And his added comment that "we have proven that we can win anywhere in Northern Ireland and we have drawn votes from right across the community" also was on the mark, though there are still a few pockets where it would be difficult for the party to penetrate.
Keeping faith
Farry told delegates how Alliance still kept faith with Europe; how Boris Johnson "for now" was pursuing a "reckless hard Brexit"; how Alliance wanted reform at Stormont; how the British government must provide the finance to allow the Northern Executive to succeed; how Alliance's justice minister and leader, the unfortunately absent Long, would crack down on the paramilitaries and organised crime.
He was also generous about Tánaiste Simon Coveney’s work in helping restore Stormont, comments which were warmly and spontaneously applauded by the conference.
There were no great headlines from the day but there could have been. Farry’s speech sent to the press had the line that Alliance didn’t “believe that there is currently the case for a border”.
Now here was an unusual incidence of Alliance radically shifting from its normal centre-ground position. But before we could say “hold the front page” the aforementioned Jamison was over frantically explaining that there had been a typo, and what Alliance didn’t believe was that there was “currently a case for Border poll”.
All in all, while there was an element of Hamlet without the prince, it was a big day for the party. Alliance, unlike its leader, was in the rudest of good health, brimming with confidence and looking forward to the future.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Footballers take precautions after coronavirus confirmation

Players from two Northern Ireland football clubs have been advised to take precautionary action as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the North rose to seven at the weekend .
On Saturday the North ’ s Department of Health reported that three more people had reported positive for Covid-19 .
All three are adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously confirmed positive case , the health department reported .
One of those tested positive had earlier on Saturday played in a football match in the Mid-Ulster Football League .
He was not aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man had played for Hanover football club from Portadown in Co Armagh in a game against Coagh United reserves from Co Tyrone .
The club issued a statement on Saturday night confirming one of its players had tested positive .
“ Hanover FC had no knowledge of the testing prior to confirmation of the positive test at 6.30 pm this \ [ Saturday ] evening , ” it said .
It said that immediately after getting the news it “ took all precautionary action ” by contacting the Hanover players , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The club said it also was liaising with the health authorities and that details of the coronavirus help line was “ passed on to all in question ” .
“ We also immediately cancelled a planned function and have arranged for a deep clean to be performed by qualified contractors , ” the club said .
It added : “ Again we wish to stress that this was something we had no prior knowledge \ [ of ] but , following swift actions upon discovery , we hope that this will help ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in questions remains unaffected.
” In relation to the three new cases the North ’ s Public Health Agency said “ staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had , with the objective of preventing further spread of the virus ” .

In relation to the three new coronavirus cases the North’s Public Health Agency said ‘staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had, with the objective of preventing further spread of the virus’.
Players from two Northern Ireland football clubs have been advised to take precautionary action as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the North rose to seven at the weekend.
On Saturday the North's Department of Health reported that three more people had reported positive for Covid-19.
All three are adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously confirmed positive case, the health department reported.
One of those tested positive had earlier on Saturday played in a football match in the Mid-Ulster Football League. He was not aware at that time he had the coronavirus.
READ MORE
The man had played for Hanover football club from Portadown in Co Armagh in a game against Coagh United reserves from Co Tyrone.
The club issued a statement on Saturday night confirming one of its players had tested positive.
“Hanover FC had no knowledge of the testing prior to confirmation of the positive test at 6.30 pm this \[Saturday] evening,” it said.
It said that immediately after getting the news it “took all precautionary action” by contacting the Hanover players, Coagh United and the Mid-Ulster league.
The club said it also was liaising with the health authorities and that details of the coronavirus help line was “passed on to all in question”.
“We also immediately cancelled a planned function and have arranged for a deep clean to be performed by qualified contractors,” the club said.
It added: “Again we wish to stress that this was something we had no prior knowledge \[of] but, following swift actions upon discovery, we hope that this will help ensuring all those in direct contact with the person in questions remains unaffected.”
In relation to the three new cases the North's Public Health Agency said "staff are working quickly to identify contacts the individuals may have had, with the objective of preventing further spread of the virus".


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Unions say they will not accept unilateral HSE decisions to outsource services

Trade unions have told the HSE they will not accept a ban on industrial action or unilateral decisions to outsource services as proposed in a plan by health managers last Friday for dealing with the coronavirus outbreak .
Trade unions have , however , welcomed the move by the HSE to lift restrictions on staff recruitment in the face of a potential major surge in demand for health services as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak .
In proposals circulated to unions on Friday , health service managers said they would seek provision to move staff to different locations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any form of industrial action , either official or unofficial , as part of plans to deal with the coronavirus outbreak .
The HSE said that if a national public health emergency was declared in relation to Covid-19 the cancellation of annual and discretionary leave would , if necessary , be considered by the National Crisis Management Team .
The HSE said some or all identified non-essential services may have to be cancelled or postponed in order to deal with the effects of the infection .
“ Employees in positions that are curtailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be deemed available to be redeployed to assist in other essential service areas that are experiencing staffing shortages , ” the proposals stated .
“ If necessary employees may be required to work different hours or in a different location.
” The HSE also proposed that some work could be outsourced where it was not feasible to redeploy its own personnel to carry out such roles .
Trade unions indicated that they did not want a conflict with management over the proposals and there were no plans for industrial action , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no-strike clause with no end date .
Informed sources also said there was concern at the absence of a commitment by the HSE to bring work outsourced during the Covid-19 outbreak back into the public service after the emergency situation had ended .
The trade union Fórsa said on Sunday that unions were working closely with the HSE in a rapidly developing situation , and all parties were “ equally focused on responding in the most effective way possible ” .
However , it said the health staff panel representing all unions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action and the provision for outsourcing were not acceptable .
It said unions told HSE they would not agree to any unilateral outsourcing and any such proposal must be in line with the provisions of the current public service agreement .
It said unions also contended that there should be clearer language with regard to the activation/cessation of the circumstances given rise to the protocol on redeployment .
The HSE said on Sunday that it was its policy “ to maximise the re deployment of critical skills across our services and ensure maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of best practice emergency planning.
” Siptu said it welcomed written confirmation from the HSE that all barriers to the recruitment of health staff had now been fully lifted in an effort to support critical clinical services in dealing with Covid-19 .

Trade unions have welcomed the HSE move to lift restrictions on staff recruitment in the face of a potential surge in Covid-19 cases. Photograph: Getty Images
Trade unions have told the HSE they will not accept a ban on industrial action or unilateral decisions to outsource services as proposed in a plan by health managers last Friday for dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
Trade unions have, however, welcomed the move by the HSE to lift restrictions on staff recruitment in the face of a potential major surge in demand for health services as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
In proposals circulated to unions on Friday, health service managers said they would seek provision to move staff to different locations, to change working hours and to suspend any form of industrial action, either official or unofficial, as part of plans to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The HSE said that if a national public health emergency was declared in relation to Covid-19 the cancellation of annual and discretionary leave would, if necessary, be considered by the National Crisis Management Team.
READ MORE
The HSE said some or all identified non-essential services may have to be cancelled or postponed in order to deal with the effects of the infection.
“Employees in positions that are curtailed or temporarily suspended [non-essential services] will be deemed available to be redeployed to assist in other essential service areas that are experiencing staffing shortages,” the proposals stated.
“If necessary employees may be required to work different hours or in a different location.”
The HSE also proposed that some work could be outsourced where it was not feasible to redeploy its own personnel to carry out such roles.
Trade unions indicated that they did not want a conflict with management over the proposals and there were no plans for industrial action, but they could not sign up to a no-strike clause with no end date.
Informed sources also said there was concern at the absence of a commitment by the HSE to bring work outsourced during the Covid-19 outbreak back into the public service after the emergency situation had ended.
Equally focused
The trade union Fórsa said on Sunday that unions were working closely with the HSE in a rapidly developing situation, and all parties were “equally focused on responding in the most effective way possible”.
However, it said the health staff panel representing all unions on Friday had said the ban on industrial action and the provision for outsourcing were not acceptable.
It said unions told HSE they would not agree to any unilateral outsourcing and any such proposal must be in line with the provisions of the current public service agreement.
It said unions also contended that there should be clearer language with regard to the activation/cessation of the circumstances given rise to the protocol on redeployment.
The HSE said on Sunday that it was its policy “to maximise the re deployment of critical skills across our services and ensure maximum flexibility of critical resources. This is part of best practice emergency planning.”
Siptu said it welcomed written confirmation from the HSE that all barriers to the recruitment of health staff had now been fully lifted in an effort to support critical clinical services in dealing with Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Gardaí investigating ‘tragic accident’ in Westport, Co Mayo

Investigating gardaí are not treating the death of a man in his 30s in Westport , Co Mayo , as suspicious .
The body of the young man was discovered in the water at the Quay , Westport shortly before 9am on Sunday morning .
One Garda source said the matter appeared to be a “ tragic accident ” and the man may have been out socialising on Saturday night .
The body was recovered from the water and taken to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital , with the local coroner to carry out a postmortem on Monday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí are not currently treating the death as suspicious , but will await the outcome of a postmortem to determine the course of their investigation ” .
Meanwhile , a woman in her 40s has been killed in a road traffic collision in Killarney , Co Kerry , on Sunday .
Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on the N22 at Brennans Glen , Killarney , shortly after 2pm .
The woman was a passenger in one of the cars and was pronounced dead at the scene of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car , a man and woman in their 70s , were taken to University Hospital Kerry for treatment .
The woman is understood to be in a critical condition , while the man ’ s injuries were described by gardaí as non-life threatening .
Two women in their early 20s in the second car were also injured in the collision .
They were taken separately by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick , where their injuries are understood to be non-life threatening .
Gardaí are appealing for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Killarney Garda station on 064-6671160 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 .
The stretch of road where the crash occurred remains sealed off pending an examination by forensic collision investigators , with local traffic diversions in place .

A general view of the Quay in Westport, Co Mayo, where the fatality occurred. Photograph: Google Street View
The man in his 30s who died in Westport at the weekend has been named locally as Sean Hynes from Ballina.
Mr Hynes’ body was discovered in the water by Westport Quay in Co Mayo shortly before 9am on Sunday morning. It is believed he may have fallen into the water accidently while out socialising.
A Garda source said the matter appeared to be a “tragic accident”.
His body was recovered from the water and taken to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital, with the local coroner to carry out a postmortem on Monday morning.
READ MORE
A Garda spokesman said “investigating gardaí are not currently treating the death as suspicious, but will await the outcome of a postmortem to determine the course of their investigation”.
Local Mayo councillor Mark Duffy said the community was in shock following the incident and that his thoughts and prayers went out to Mr Hynes’ family.
“It is extremely difficult news for anyone in the community to receive today and we send our heartfelt condolences to the family,” he said.
Road death in Kerry
In Co Kerry, a woman in her 40s died in a road traffic collision in Killarney.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on the N22 at Brennans Glen, Killarney, shortly after 2pm on Sunday.
The woman was a passenger in one of the cars and was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. The other two occupants of the car, a man and woman in their 70s, were taken to University Hospital Kerry for treatment.
The woman was understood to be in a critical condition, while the man’s injuries were described by gardaí as non-life threatening.
Two women in their early 20s in the second car were also injured in the collision. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Deportations of people illegally in State rise sharply to nearly 300

The number of people deported from Ireland last year who were here illegally or who had failed in their asylum application rose significantly to 293 .
That was almost as many deportations as had taken place in the previous two years , when 140 ( 2017 ) and 163 ( 2018 ) people were removed from the country .
Of the 596 deportations that took place in the past three years , almost one in five – or 118 cases – involved people from Pakistan , according to figures from the Department of Justice .
The next largest category involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by Nigeria with 75 cases .
In total , 40 people from Albania have been returned to their country since 2017 with another 34 cases involving citizens of Georgia .
People from those two countries had been the subject of a targeted operation at Dublin Airport towards the end of last year , getting stopped before even leaving their aeroplanes .
The deportation figures also detail how 33 Brazilians , 25 Bangladeshis , 19 Algerian , 17 Indian , and 16 Malaysian nationals have been removed from the State since 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to €1.7 million in the period between the start of 2017 and June of last year .
However , the department said it could apply for 75 per cent of the cost of those flights to be recouped from the European Union Asylum , Migration , and Integration Fund meaning a potential refund of €1.285 million from the EU .
A department spokesman said every person served with a notification of intention to deport , following an asylum refusal or because they were illegally present in the state , was given an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that arrangement , migrants can avail of free flights and a small financial grant to help them get re-established in their home country .
Those who qualify for the scheme can get €600 per individual or €1,000 per family to support “ reintegration ” through training or business grants .
A spokesman said : “ It is only where voluntary return is not availed of will enforced deportation be considered , as a last resort .
”

The number includes those who failed in their asylum application. File photograph: Getty
The number of people deported from Ireland last year who were here illegally or who had failed in their asylum application rose significantly to 293.
That was almost as many deportations as had taken place in the previous two years, when 140 (2017) and 163 (2018) people were removed from the country.
Of the 596 deportations that took place in the past three years, almost one in five – or 118 cases – involved people from Pakistan, according to figures from the Department of Justice.
The next largest category involved citizens of China with 87 cases, followed by Nigeria with 75 cases.
READ MORE
In total, 40 people from Albania have been returned to their country since 2017 with another 34 cases involving citizens of Georgia.
People from those two countries had been the subject of a targeted operation at Dublin Airport towards the end of last year, getting stopped before even leaving their aeroplanes.
The deportation figures also detail how 33 Brazilians, 25 Bangladeshis, 19 Algerian, 17 Indian, and 16 Malaysian nationals have been removed from the State since 2017.
State spending on these deportation flights came to €1.7 million in the period between the start of 2017 and June of last year.
Cost of flights
However, the department said it could apply for 75 per cent of the cost of those flights to be recouped from the European Union Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund meaning a potential refund of €1.285 million from the EU.
A department spokesman said every person served with a notification of intention to deport, following an asylum refusal or because they were illegally present in the state, was given an opportunity of “voluntary return”.
Under that arrangement, migrants can avail of free flights and a small financial grant to help them get re-established in their home country.
Those who qualify for the scheme can get €600 per individual or €1,000 per family to support “reintegration” through training or business grants.
A spokesman said: “It is only where voluntary return is not availed of will enforced deportation be considered, as a last resort.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Direct provision accommodation costs increased 66% last year

A sharp increase in the cost of providing emergency beds for asylum seekers last year resulted in State spending on direct provision accommodation rising by two-thirds to more than €129 million .
Figures provided by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan show the cost of running the direct provision system went up by €51.4 million last year .
Provisional data show the number of applications for asylum increased by 30 per cent to 4,782 .
According to the International Protection Office ( IPO ) , people from Albania last year accounted for the highest number of asylum applicants at 976 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People from Georgia made up 13.3 per cent of the total ( 635 applications ) , followed by applicants from Zimbabwe 444 , Nigeria 386 and South Africa .
The additional numbers have placed significant pressure on the department to source accommodation .
It spent more than €27.1 million on hotel and guest house beds in the 11 months to the end of November last .
Mr Flanagan said the number of decisions taken on applications for asylum increased by 82.5 per cent last year when compared to the 2018 total .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on asylum applications with a success rate for applicants of 37.3 per cent ( 1,115 ) compared to a success rate of 65 per cent a year earlier .
A breakdown of the overall €129.4 million spend was provided in a written Dáil reply to Green Party TD for Dublin West Roderic O ’ Gorman .
Mr Flanagan said accommodation accounted for €126.1 million of the total cost of direct provision .
Some €1.2 million was spent on miscellaneous items including grants to organisations ; €579,000 went on transport costs ; and additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , oil and water for State-owned centres .
Mr Flanagan told Mr O ’ Gorman that there were “ 5,645 persons being provided accommodation by my department in the 39 accommodation centres located nationwide ” as of March 1st .
He said that due to the unexpected rise in applications last year , “ these centres are at full operational capacity and , therefore , a further 1,633 persons are residing in 36 additional commercial accommodation premises , hotels and guest houses ” .
“ Every effort is being made to re-accommodate applicants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodation centre as quickly as possible , ” he added .
Mr Flanagan also said there were 1,013 people living in direct provision who have obtained asylum but have been unable to secure housing .
“ Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation , ” he added .
Mr Flanagan said 837 people granted asylum left the direct provision system last year and that a further 191 had done so to date this year .

Figures provided by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan show the cost of running the direct provision system went up by €51.4 million last year. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
A sharp increase in the cost of providing emergency beds for asylum seekers last year resulted in State spending on direct provision accommodation rising by two-thirds to more than €129 million.
Figures provided by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan show the cost of running the direct provision system went up by €51.4 million last year.
Provisional data show the number of applications for asylum increased by 30 per cent to 4,782.
According to the International Protection Office (IPO), people from Albania last year accounted for the highest number of asylum applicants at 976, some 20.4 per cent of the total.
READ MORE
People from Georgia made up 13.3 per cent of the total (635 applications), followed by applicants from Zimbabwe 444 , Nigeria 386 and South Africa.
The additional numbers have placed significant pressure on the department to source accommodation. It spent more than €27.1 million on hotel and guest house beds in the 11 months to the end of November last.
Asylum applications
Mr Flanagan said the number of decisions taken on applications for asylum increased by 82.5 per cent last year when compared to the 2018 total.
The IPO last year made 2,894 rulings on asylum applications with a success rate for applicants of 37.3 per cent (1,115) compared to a success rate of 65 per cent a year earlier.
A breakdown of the overall €129.4 million spend was provided in a written Dáil reply to Green Party TD for Dublin West Roderic O’Gorman. Mr Flanagan said accommodation accounted for €126.1 million of the total cost of direct provision.
Some €1.2 million was spent on miscellaneous items including grants to organisations; €579,000 went on transport costs; and additional costs of €1.32 million included providing gas, oil and water for State-owned centres.
Mr Flanagan told Mr O’Gorman that there were “5,645 persons being provided accommodation by my department in the 39 accommodation centres located nationwide” as of March 1st.
Unexpected rise
He said that due to the unexpected rise in applications last year, “these centres are at full operational capacity and, therefore, a further 1,633 persons are residing in 36 additional commercial accommodation premises, hotels and guest houses”.
“Every effort is being made to re-accommodate applicants from these temporary locations to a dedicated accommodation centre as quickly as possible,” he added.
Mr Flanagan also said there were 1,013 people living in direct provision who have obtained asylum but have been unable to secure housing.
“Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation,” he added.
Mr Flanagan said 837 people granted asylum left the direct provision system last year and that a further 191 had done so to date this year.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--‘Maintain social distancing’: How does that work in Coppers?

It is late on Friday night and queues are forming outside the string of nightclubs on Dublin ’ s Harcourt Street .
Groups of friends chatter loudly and finish the last of their beer cans before going in .
The HSE ’ s advice is clear : “ Maintain social distancing , ie leave at least 1m ( 3ft ) distance between yourself and other people , particularly those who are coughing , sneezing .
.
.
Avoid touching your eyes , nose and mouth .
.
.
Wash your hands frequently.
” That ’ s all good in theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Copper Face Jacks ?
The popular venue made a joke Instagram post on Thursday calling itself a “ No shift zone ” in the midst of the coronavirus scare .
The club said : “ Could you all just fist bump or something until this all blows over ?
” “ I think it ’ s serious but we ’ re still getting on with our lives and enjoying hanging out with our friends , ” says clubgoer Daniel Vaz , who is originally from Lisbon and has been living in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some precautions but we don ’ t want to be isolated at home.
” Next door , in Dicey ’ s , people are continuing to party , as usual , and in the packed smoking area , there are plenty of hugs and kisses going around .
Dubliner John Cochrane is “ using a lot more hand sanitiser ” but apart from that , he isn ’ t worried at all .
“ I think fear is a much bigger problem , but maybe that ’ s just me .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s my dad I ’ d be worried about because it could kill him .
“ I ’ m going to Paris next week for the rugby game and I ’ m not going to call that off over fear .
It ’ s probably an Irish thing – everyone who asks me about it , I ’ m like , ‘ Ah , it ’ ll be grand ’ .
” His friend , Kevin Gannon , is on the same page .
“ Life goes on , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things as if the whole thing doesn ’ t exist .
I ’ m washing my hands a bit more and having about three showers a day – a new high for me – but you just have to get on with it.
” Despite the nonchalant attitude of customers , Rangan Arulchelvan , managing director of the Russell Court Hotel – which houses Krystle nightclub , Bond nightclub and Dicey ’ s pub – said his business “ definitely started to feel the hit ” since last Thursday , with numbers down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can usually guarantee 80 per cent in your target but this was a big drop .
We had to send staff home .
We don ’ t know how it ’ s going to go in the next couple of weeks but we ’ ve been monitoring the situation and we hired an extra medic last week .
We have masks and sanitiser and he ’ ll be able to do temperature checks.
” Seán O ’ Scinéir , one of the medics on-site in Dicey ’ s , said “ extra vigilance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d be foolish to think people won ’ t transmit or come in with symptoms , especially with the outbreaks in universities , so we have to be ready.
” A few minutes pass in the women ’ s bathroom and about two-thirds stop to wash their hands , but none of them follows the HSE advice of “ at least 15 seconds ” , or the step-by-step instructions to rub the top of your hands , between your fingers and under your fingernails .
Why is that ?
“ To be honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ f**k about the coronavirus , ” one girl says on her way out .
Meanwhile , a queue forms outside the Bond club .
It ’ s a similar story from Almaz Monsálvez ( 19 ) , who is originally from Spain and moved here last year .
“ I ’ m not worried about the coronavirus and I ’ m not changing my behaviour .
If I have to die , I ’ ll die , but I ’ m not going to worry – that ’ s wasting time .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do because I don ’ t want it to.
” Her friend Kacey ( 24 ) chimes in : “ I do think it ’ s sad , but I ’ m not afraid .
.
.
It ’ s going to pass by and people will forget about it until another thing comes along .
I ’ m a genuinely hygienic person anyway .
I work in a waitressing job and wash my hands about 15 times a day.
” Nobody at the Harcourt Street clubs seems to have a problem with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the St Patrick ’ s Day festival go ahead , despite it being strongly criticised by some doctors .
According to Mr Arulchelvan , the only concerns clubgoers have expressed thus far are about the possibility of venues closing next weekend .
John Paul Cosgrave ( 20 ) from Monaghan is representative of this relaxed approach .
Enjoying his night in Dicey ’ s , he says he is “ a bit concerned ” but that he has “ kind of just got a laid-back attitude about the whole thing .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it .
”

It is late on Friday night and queues are forming outside the string of nightclubs on Dublin’s Harcourt Street. Groups of friends chatter loudly and finish the last of their beer cans before going in.
The HSE’s advice is clear: “Maintain social distancing, ie leave at least 1m (3ft) distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing . . . Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth . . . Wash your hands frequently.”
That’s all good in theory but how does it work among revellers in Copper Face Jacks?
People queuing outside clubs on Harcourt Street, Dublin, last Friday night. Photograph: Jade Wilson
The popular venue made a joke Instagram post on Thursday calling itself a “No shift zone” in the midst of the coronavirus scare. The club said: “Could you all just fist bump or something until this all blows over?”
READ MORE
“I think it’s serious but we’re still getting on with our lives and enjoying hanging out with our friends,” says clubgoer Daniel Vaz, who is originally from Lisbon and has been living in Dublin for five years. “We take some precautions but we don’t want to be isolated at home.”
Next door, in Dicey’s, people are continuing to party, as usual, and in the packed smoking area, there are plenty of hugs and kisses going around.
Dubliner John Cochrane is “using a lot more hand sanitiser” but apart from that, he isn’t worried at all. “I think fear is a much bigger problem, but maybe that’s just me. I don’t mind if I get it, it’s my dad I’d be worried about because it could kill him.
Nonchalant attitude
“I’m going to Paris next week for the rugby game and I’m not going to call that off over fear. It’s probably an Irish thing – everyone who asks me about it, I’m like, ‘Ah, it’ll be grand’.”
His friend, Kevin Gannon, is on the same page. “Life goes on, you know? I’m going about things as if the whole thing doesn’t exist. I’m washing my hands a bit more and having about three showers a day – a new high for me – but you just have to get on with it.”
Despite the nonchalant attitude of customers, Rangan Arulchelvan, managing director of the Russell Court Hotel – which houses Krystle nightclub, Bond nightclub and Dicey’s pub – said his business “definitely started to feel the hit” since last Thursday, with numbers down over 50 per cent.
“You can usually guarantee 80 per cent in your target but this was a big drop. We had to send staff home. We don’t know how it’s going to go in the next couple of weeks but we’ve been monitoring the situation and we hired an extra medic last week. We have masks and sanitiser and he’ll be able to do temperature checks.”
Seán O’Scinéir, one of the medics on-site in Dicey’s, said “extra vigilance” was needed. “You’d be foolish to think people won’t transmit or come in with symptoms... so we have to be ready.”
Seán O’Scinéir, one of the medics on-site in Dicey’s, Harcourt Street, Dublin. He said ‘extra vigilance’ was needed. Photograph: Jade Wilson
A few minutes pass in the women’s bathroom and about two-thirds stop to wash their hands, but none of them follows the HSE advice of “at least 15 seconds”, or the step-by-step instructions to rub the top of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails. Why is that?
“To be honest, I don’t give a f**k about the coronavirus,” one girl says on her way out.
‘I’m not afraid’
Meanwhile, a queue forms outside the Bond club. It’s a similar story from Almaz Monsálvez (19), who is originally from Spain and moved here last year.
“I’m not worried about the coronavirus and I’m not changing my behaviour. If I have to die, I’ll die, but I’m not going to worry – that’s wasting time. This virus hasn’t changed anything I do because I don’t want it to.”
Her friend Kacey (24) chimes in: “I do think it’s sad, but I’m not afraid . . . It’s going to pass by and people will forget about it until another thing comes along. I’m a genuinely hygienic person anyway. I work in a waitressing job and wash my hands about 15 times a day.”
Nobody at the Harcourt Street clubs seems to have a problem with the Government’s decision to allow the St Patrick’s Day festival go ahead, despite it being strongly criticised by some doctors. According to Mr Arulchelvan, the only concerns clubgoers have expressed thus far are about the possibility of venues closing next weekend.
John Paul Cosgrave (20) from Monaghan is representative of this relaxed approach. Enjoying his night in Dicey’s, he says he is “a bit concerned” but that he has “kind of just got a laid-back attitude about the whole thing. There’s no point in worrying unless I get it.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Irish universities face financial black hole over coronavirus

Irish universities face losing tens of millions of euro in tuition fees from the impact of coronavirus due to large numbers of international students from China and elsewhere being forced to cancel or postpone enrolments .
Sources across several universities say contingency plans being drawn up include delaying international student entry or providing online courses for these students until the virus threat subsides .
Irish universities have become increasingly reliant on revenue from international tuition fees due to a reduction in State investment per student over the past decade or so .
The bulk of most university income is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large proportion of this .
For example , fees for non-EU undergraduate students range between €10,000-€20,000 for students studying business , engineering and science , while they climb to between €40,000-€55,000 for those studying medicine .
“ There are significant concerns in the system right now , ” said one senior higher-education source .
It has the potential to get significantly worse .
The longer this goes on , the more serious the implications are.
” Another said international student recruitment was already suffering , which would place universities under acute pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This wasn ’ t so much an issue in the past when most funding came from the State , but we don ’ t have that luxury anymore , ” said another source .
One source said options such as delaying the academic year for international students were being considered .
Another involves allowing students to begin their course online for a discounted fee .
Another source said it is planning to switch its international student recruitment to markets where the impact of coronavirus has been less severe .
Latest figure indicate there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish universities whose tuition fees generate in excess of €200 million annually .
In a report prepared for the Irish Universities Association last year , Indecon estimated that international students also generated an additional €120 million in non-tution fee expenditure .
Many universities and colleges are also worried at a potential drop off in summer students learning English .
These people typically occupy on-campus accommodation between June and August .
Some sources say many from Italy and Spain are holding off making bookings , or cancelling existing bookings .
Many English language schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fall-off in international student numbers .
It is estimated that more than 120,000 international English-language students attend language schools here , placing Ireland fifth place globally in terms of actual numbers of students per head of population .
Trinity College Dublin , meanwhile , has told staff and students that a member of the college community who was diagnosed with coronavirus appears to have made a good recovery .
In a message sent on Sunday afternoon , it said : “ At this time , no other case has been diagnosed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biomedical Sciences Institute is functioning as normal except for a few rooms on the fourth floor .
“ The college remains open for the moment and most students should attend classes and other activities as normal on Monday.
” In a series of protective measures , it has instructed any students or staff returning from “ high-risk ” areas to avoid coming into college for 14 days .
Travel to affected areas has also been banned .
It also appealed to the college community not to “ engage with or contribute to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is unhelpful and causes unnecessary anxiety ” .

Fees for non-EU undergraduate students range between €10,000-€20,000 in engineering and science, while they climb to between €40,000-€55,000 for those studying medicine.
Irish universities face losing tens of millions of euro in tuition fees from the impact of coronavirus due to large numbers of international students from China and elsewhere being forced to cancel or postpone enrolments.
Sources across several universities say contingency plans being drawn up include delaying international student entry or providing online courses for these students until the virus threat subsides.
Irish universities have become increasingly reliant on revenue from international tuition fees due to a reduction in State investment per student over the past decade or so.
The bulk of most university income is now generated privately and international fees account for a large proportion of this.
READ MORE
For example, fees for non-EU undergraduate students range between €10,000-€20,000 for students studying business, engineering and science, while they climb to between €40,000-€55,000 for those studying medicine.
Post-graduate non-EU students typically pay between €10,000 and €35,000.
“There are significant concerns in the system right now,” said one senior higher-education source. It has the potential to get significantly worse. The longer this goes on, the more serious the implications are.”
Another said international student recruitment was already suffering, which would place universities under acute pressure in the coming academic year.
“This wasn’t so much an issue in the past when most funding came from the State, but we don’t have that luxury anymore,” said another source.
One source said options such as delaying the academic year for international students were being considered. Another involves allowing students to begin their course online for a discounted fee.
Another source said it is planning to switch its international student recruitment to markets where the impact of coronavirus has been less severe.
Latest figure indicate there are an estimated 32,000 international students attending Irish universities whose tuition fees generate in excess of €200 million annually.
In a report prepared for the Irish Universities Association last year, Indecon estimated that international students also generated an additional €120 million in non-tution fee expenditure.
Bookings down
Many universities and colleges are also worried at a potential drop off in summer students learning English. These people typically occupy on-campus accommodation between June and August.
Some sources say many from Italy and Spain are holding off making bookings, or cancelling existing bookings.
Many English language schools are also worried about the prospect of a fall-off in international student numbers.
It is estimated that more than 120,000 international English-language students attend language schools here, placing Ireland fifth place globally in terms of actual numbers of students per head of population.
Trinity College Dublin, meanwhile, has told staff and students that a member of the college community who was diagnosed with coronavirus appears to have made a good recovery.
In a message sent on Sunday afternoon, it said: "At this time, no other case has been diagnosed to our knowledge. Most of the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute is functioning as normal except for a few rooms on the fourth floor.
“The college remains open for the moment and most students should attend classes and other activities as normal on Monday.”
In a series of protective measures, it has instructed any students or staff returning from “high-risk” areas to avoid coming into college for 14 days . Travel to affected areas has also been banned.
It also appealed to the college community not to “engage with or contribute to the circulation of rumours on social media as this is unhelpful and causes unnecessary anxiety”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Irish residents advised against ‘non-essential travel’ to northern Italy

The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish people against non-essential travel to parts of northern Italy , including Milan and Venice , after emergency measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak were announced .
The department ’ s updated travel advice covers areas of Italy , where an estimated 16 million people live , that have been put in effective quarantine following a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases .
The emergency measures say people should not enter or leave Lombardy , Italy ’ s richest region , and 14 provinces in four other regions , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Piacenza , Reggio Emilia and Rimini .
The move came in response to the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increasing by more than 1,200 in a 24-hour period this weekend - the largest increase since the country ’ s outbreak began two weeks ago .
Deaths attributed to the virus increased to 233 and the number of patients in intensive care as a result of the outbreak has risen to 567 ( up 23 per cent ) .
The unprecedented restrictions are to remain in force until April 3rd after being signed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night .
Mr Conte said nobody would be allowed to move in or out of the areas covered by the restrictions , or within them , unless they had proven , work-related reasons for doing so , or health issues .
“ We are facing a national emergency ... we have to limit the spread of the virus and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed , ” he said .
In its updated travel advice , the department said that until “ further notice , we are advising that citizens do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to the other provinces that have been placed in isolation ” .
“ For the moment , we are advising against non-essential travel to the regions of Emilia Romagna , Veneto , Piedmont , and Le Marche.
” It said tourist attractions , ski resorts , museums , bars and nightclubs would be closed in these areas until April 3rd .
“ Restaurants and cafés will have limited opening hours and movements within and around isolated areas will be subject to police checks , ” the department said .
“ The elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have been advised by the Italian government to remain indoors.
” When an official advisory against travel is in place , those who have booked holidays to the area and have travel insurance could be able to claim for losses incurred .
People who have booked with tour operators should also be able to obtain refunds or reschedule their trips .
The impact that the Italian measures will have in the short-term was unclear on Sunday evening and the main airports in the affected regions appeared to be operating normally , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Milan on Sunday .
Neither Ryanair or Aer Lingus responded to queries as to what impact the quarantining of northern Italy would have on their flights to the region .
Nor did the airlines say how many people departing from northern Italy travelled to Dublin this weekend , which was when three Six Nations matches between Irish and Italian teams were due to take place before being cancelled as a result of the virus .
Many Italian fans still travelled to Dublin having made their bookings with more than 10 flights from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Passengers disembark a train that arrived in Naples from Milan on Sunday. The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish people against non-essential travel to parts of northern Italy, including Milan and Venice, after emergency measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak were announced. Photograph: Cesare Abbate/EPA.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish people against non-essential travel to parts of northern Italy, including Milan and Venice, after emergency measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak were announced.
The department’s updated travel advice covers areas of Italy, where an estimated 16 million people live, that have been put in effective quarantine following a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.
The emergency measures say people should not enter or leave Lombardy, Italy's richest region, and 14 provinces in four other regions, which include cities such as Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini.
The move came in response to the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increasing by more than 1,200 in a 24-hour period this weekend - the largest increase since the country’s outbreak began two weeks ago.
READ MORE
Deaths attributed to the virus increased to 233 and the number of patients in intensive care as a result of the outbreak has risen to 567 (up 23 per cent).
Unprecedented
The unprecedented restrictions are to remain in force until April 3rd after being signed into law by prime minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday night.
Mr Conte said nobody would be allowed to move in or out of the areas covered by the restrictions, or within them, unless they had proven, work-related reasons for doing so, or health issues.
“We are facing a national emergency ... we have to limit the spread of the virus and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed,” he said.
In its updated travel advice, the department said that until “further notice, we are advising that citizens do not travel to the region of Lombardy, and to the other provinces that have been placed in isolation”.
"For the moment, we are advising against non-essential travel to the regions of Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Piedmont, and Le Marche."
It said tourist attractions, ski resorts, museums, bars and nightclubs would be closed in these areas until April 3rd.
“Restaurants and cafés will have limited opening hours and movements within and around isolated areas will be subject to police checks,” the department said. “The elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, have been advised by the Italian government to remain indoors.”
Insurance
When an official advisory against travel is in place, those who have booked holidays to the area and have travel insurance could be able to claim for losses incurred.
People who have booked with tour operators should also be able to obtain refunds or reschedule their trips.
The impact that the Italian measures will have in the short-term was unclear on Sunday evening and the main airports in the affected regions appeared to be operating normally, with three flights scheduled to and from Dublin and Milan on Sunday.
Neither Ryanair or Aer Lingus responded to queries as to what impact the quarantining of northern Italy would have on their flights to the region. Nor did the airlines say how many people departing from northern Italy travelled to Dublin this weekend, which was when three Six Nations matches between Irish and Italian teams were due to take place before being cancelled as a result of the virus.
Many Italian fans still travelled to Dublin having made their bookings with more than 10 flights from northern Italy arriving on Friday and Saturday.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Ursula Halligan ‘blanked’ by Papal Nuncio in letter

Journalist Ursula Halligan has criticised the Papal Nuncio to Ireland after he “ blanked ” her in his reply to a letter informing him of a demonstration to take place demanding equal status for women and men in the Catholic Church .
About 30 people attended the demonstration at the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin on Sunday which coincided with International Women ’ s Day .
After the demonstration , Ms Halligan and co-coordinator Colm Holmes delivered a letter to the Papal Nuncio , Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo , on behalf of We Are Church Ireland .
Speaking afterwards , Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written to Archbishop Okolo to inform him about the demonstration , but that his reply was addressed only to Mr Holmes .
“ Myself and Colm wrote to the Papal Nuncio , ” she said .
“ We let him know this was happening and we offered to meet him .
I signed it as the joint co-ordinator with Colm and he only responded to Colm .
He blanked me , it ’ s extraordinary.
” The letter to Archbishop Okolo , who is the papacy ’ s diplomatic representative in Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd before it was delivered .
The two letters were also published online showing the Papal Nuncio ’ s had replied only to Mr Holmes by name .
The Archbishop ’ s office was approached for comment but none was available on Sunday .
“ We are sending a strong message to Pope Francis , ” she said .
“ Women have had enough , many of us are walking away .
Those of us who stay , proclaim our equality and work for change .
We believe in church structures that share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God .
We believe in a church where women are not invisible , silenced or ignored but share equally in all ministries .
“ We believe in non-sexist language at Sunday Mass where God is referred to as Mother as well as Father .
We believe in church structures that are transparent and accountable and that those guilty of sex abuse and covering it up are speedily brought to justice .
“ In every other walk of life , women ’ s dignity and equality is being recognised ; why should that stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halligan said the church excludes half of its members from leadership positions because they are female , and that this makes it “ an old boy ’ s club ” .
“ The people of God – if it is to be truly the people of God – has to include women , and not as subordinate helpmates to men but as their full and equal partners .
We are here today to ask you for nothing .
Our dignity and equality are God given .
They are not yours to give.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group called the Catholic Women ’ s Council has been formed and is on a “ pilgrimage of activism ” that will culminate in a major event in Rome next year .
Also speaking after the event , Sr Cora Richardson ( 85 ) said she had direct experience of the patriarchal structure of the church .
“ Women have no real say in the Catholic Church and we object to that , ” she said .
“ Women make up half or more than half of the Catholic Church and they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidelined .
That ’ s why we ’ re standing up to let people know .
“ I tell women they should be equal everywhere , not just in the church .
If the women all walked out of the church – and they are walking out – I think the church would collapse .
”

Members of We Are Church and the Catholic Women’s Council are pictured during a protest outside the Apostolic Nunciature on the Navan Road in Dublin on International Women’s Day. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Journalist Ursula Halligan has criticised the Papal Nuncio to Ireland after he "blanked" her in his reply to a letter informing him of a demonstration to take place demanding equal status for women and men in the Catholic Church.
About 30 people attended the demonstration at the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin on Sunday which coincided with International Women’s Day.
After the demonstration, Ms Halligan and co-coordinator Colm Holmes delivered a letter to the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, on behalf of We Are Church Ireland.
Speaking afterwards, Ms Halligan said she and Mr Holmes had written to Archbishop Okolo to inform him about the demonstration, but that his reply was addressed only to Mr Holmes.
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“Myself and Colm wrote to the Papal Nuncio,” she said. “We let him know this was happening and we offered to meet him. I signed it as the joint co-ordinator with Colm and he only responded to Colm. He blanked me, it’s extraordinary.”
The letter to Archbishop Okolo, who is the papacy’s diplomatic representative in Ireland, was read by Ms Halligan to the crowd before it was delivered. The two letters were also published online showing the Papal Nuncio’s had replied only to Mr Holmes by name.
The correspondence between We Are Church and the Papal Nuncio. Photographs: We Are Church/Facebook
The Archbishop’s office was approached for comment but none was available on Sunday.
"We are sending a strong message to Pope Francis, " she said. "Women have had enough, many of us are walking away. Those of us who stay, proclaim our equality and work for change. We believe in church structures that share decision making with all the people of God. We believe in a church where women are not invisible, silenced or ignored but share equally in all ministries.
“We believe in non-sexist language at Sunday Mass where God is referred to as Mother as well as Father. We believe in church structures that are transparent and accountable and that those guilty of sex abuse and covering it up are speedily brought to justice.
“In every other walk of life, women’s dignity and equality is being recognised; why should that stop at the church door?”
‘Subordinate helpmates’
Ms Halligan said the church excludes half of its members from leadership positions because they are female, and that this makes it “an old boy’s club”.
“The people of God – if it is to be truly the people of God – has to include women, and not as subordinate helpmates to men but as their full and equal partners. We are here today to ask you for nothing. Our dignity and equality are God given. They are not yours to give.”
Ms Halligan added that a new umbrella group called the Catholic Women’s Council has been formed and is on a “pilgrimage of activism” that will culminate in a major event in Rome next year.
Also speaking after the event, Sr Cora Richardson (85) said she had direct experience of the patriarchal structure of the church.
“Women have no real say in the Catholic Church and we object to that,” she said. “Women make up half or more than half of the Catholic Church and they have no real say. They are just sidelined. That’s why we’re standing up to let people know.
“I tell women they should be equal everywhere, not just in the church. If the women all walked out of the church – and they are walking out – I think the church would collapse.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Military aircraft breach Irish airspace during Russian interception

Two unidentified military aircraft entered Irish airspace on Saturday when British RAF fighters scrambled to intercept Russian bombers off the northwest coast of Ireland , aviation authorities have confirmed .
The Russian aircraft were identified as Tupolev TU-95 “ Bear ” bombers , which are also deployed as long-range maritime patrol planes .
It is unclear how many comprised the formation .
In response to the incursion six Typhoons launched from RAF Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland , and RAF Coningsby , in eastern England , and headed towards Derry and Donegal to intercept .
The RAF fighters were launched “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ mid-afternoon ” , according to a Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) spokeswoman .
After making contact four Typhoons closed on the Russian aircraft before withdrawing , while another two forced them to alter course .
Quick-reaction aircraft from Nato allies Norway and France were also involved .
The Irish Aviation Authority ( IAA ) confirmed two “ unidentified ” military aircraft entered Irish airspace during the incident .
“ All aircraft entering Irish controlled airspace are monitored and tracked from an operational point of view and also for reasons of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Irish Times .
“ The IAA is aware of two unidentified military aircraft tracking through north Atlantic airspace for a period on Saturday afternoon , March 7th .
Once the aircraft appeared on our systems .
.
.
the IAA monitored [ them ] until they left Irish airspace.
” The spokesman could not immediately clarify if Irish airspace referred to sovereign airspace or a wider Irish-controlled area in the north Atlantic .
Details of the operation remained unconfirmed during Saturday until the RAF fighters returned to base .
Both RAF Coningsby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two designated quick-reaction-alert stations that protect UK airspace .
An airforce spokeswoman later characterised the interception as a “ routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and co-ordinated with several other Nato allies ” .
She said the Russian aircraft were prevented from entering British airspace north of Ireland .
RAF Lossiemouth tweeted that the Russian aircraft at no point entered “ UK sovereign airspace ” but had “ entered the [ country ’ s ] area of interest ” .
After a similar incident when Typhoons scrambled twice in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the European Union – in response to Russian Bear bombers approaching British airspace , the MoD said Russian aircraft “ frequently attempt to test Nato ’ s level of readiness ” as well as conduct “ intelligence-gathering missions ” .

The Russian aircraft were identified as Tupolev TU-95 ‘Bear’ bombers, which are also deployed as long-range maritime patrol planes. Photograph: Ministry of Defence
Two unidentified military aircraft entered Irish airspace on Saturday when British RAF fighters scrambled to intercept Russian bombers off the northwest coast of Ireland, aviation authorities have confirmed.
The Russian aircraft were identified as Tupolev TU-95 “Bear” bombers, which are also deployed as long-range maritime patrol planes. It is unclear how many comprised the formation.
In response to the incursion six Typhoons launched from RAF Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland, and RAF Coningsby, in eastern England, and headed towards Derry and Donegal to intercept .
Cockpit footage from one of our #QRA Typhoons, showing one of the Russian aircraft #TeamLossie intercepted yesterday.
It truly was a team effort, both within the @RoyalAirForce and as part of @NATO.
Find out more ▶ https://t.co/HDou9Ziq1F pic.twitter.com/FPe20PJo1F — RAF Lossiemouth (@RAFLossiemouth) March 8, 2020
The RAF fighters were launched “early in the morning” and again in “mid-afternoon”, according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman.
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After making contact four Typhoons closed on the Russian aircraft before withdrawing, while another two forced them to alter course.
Quick-reaction aircraft from Nato allies Norway and France were also involved.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed two “unidentified” military aircraft entered Irish airspace during the incident.
“All aircraft entering Irish controlled airspace are monitored and tracked from an operational point of view and also for reasons of safety,” an authority spokesman told The Irish Times.
“The IAA is aware of two unidentified military aircraft tracking through north Atlantic airspace for a period on Saturday afternoon, March 7th. Once the aircraft appeared on our systems . . . the IAA monitored [them] until they left Irish airspace.”
The spokesman could not immediately clarify if Irish airspace referred to sovereign airspace or a wider Irish-controlled area in the north Atlantic. Details of the operation remained unconfirmed during Saturday until the RAF fighters returned to base.
Both RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth are the United Kingdom’s two designated quick-reaction-alert stations that protect UK airspace.
An airforce spokeswoman later characterised the interception as a “routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and co-ordinated with several other Nato allies”. She said the Russian aircraft were prevented from entering British airspace north of Ireland.
RAF Lossiemouth tweeted that the Russian aircraft at no point entered “UK sovereign airspace” but had “entered the [country’s] area of interest”.
After a similar incident when Typhoons scrambled twice in one day last August – before the UK left the European Union – in response to Russian Bear bombers approaching British airspace, the MoD said Russian aircraft “frequently attempt to test Nato’s level of readiness” as well as conduct “intelligence-gathering missions”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--How did a fishing tackle shop survive for 60 years in Temple Bar?

Rory ’ s Fishing Tackle is not only the oldest shop in Dublin ’ s Temple Bar ; it was the only shop in the area for a long time .
When it first opened , there was nothing else in Temple Bar other than warehouses and apartments .
The shop marked 60 years in operation at 17A Temple Bar this week , probably the choicest address in what is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city .
The facade remains untouched since it first opened , only the windows have been changed .
When the eponymous Rory Harkin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rates were a combined £16 a week .
Luckily he had the foresight to buy the premises outright in 1989 just as Temple Bar was taking off as Dublin ’ s party district .
“ If we had to rent this premises , we wouldn ’ t be able to afford it , ” he says .
Harkin has had numerous approaches about the building over the years , mostly from pub chains offering to buy him out , but he he has refused all advances .
Fishing was a hobby that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
“ From the time I could walk , all I wanted to do was go fishing .
That ’ s why I carry on , ” Harkin says .
The torch has been passed on to his daughter , Mary who is continuing on the family tradition .
“ I ’ m lucky .
My hobby is my job .
What else would I be doing at this stage ?
” she says .
“ Like for any other business , it ’ s not getting any easier with businesses going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat them , join them and their website does a brisk trade in specialist fishing equipment .
Famous visitors have come over the years including US president Bill Clinton , actor Tom Cruise , Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and , of course , the fishing-mad former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Jack Charlton .
A photograph on one of the shop ’ s wall features the late singer Amy Winehouse wearing a a Rory ’ s ‘ go fishing ’ T-shirt , an unlikely fashion accessory that has been worn by many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rod from the other .
Rory also sells archery equipment but gave up selling shotguns after a break-in 30 years ago .
“ Guns are too much hassle .
When you go to bed at night , at least you can sleep , ” he says .
More people have passed the shop than have entered it over the years .
People visit Temple Bar for many reasons ; fishing is not usually one of them .
“ People do come in and say , ‘ what the heck is a tackle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Rory says .
After 60 years in situ , he believes the correct question should be what the other businesses are doing in the area .

Rory’s Tackle Shop, the oldest original shop based in Temple Bar, Dublin celebrates 60 years in business. The shop was opened by Rory Harkin in 1959 and is now run by his daughter Mary. Video: Bryan O’Brien
Rory's Fishing Tackle is not only the oldest shop in Dublin's Temple Bar; it was the only shop in the area for a long time.
When it first opened, there was nothing else in Temple Bar other than warehouses and apartments.
The shop marked 60 years in operation at 17A Temple Bar this week, probably the choicest address in what is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city.
The facade remains untouched since it first opened, only the windows have been changed.
READ MORE
When the eponymous Rory Harkin started out in the shop the rent and rates were a combined £16 a week. Luckily he had the foresight to buy the premises outright in 1989 just as Temple Bar was taking off as Dublin's party district.
Rory Harkin examines some of his stock in his shop in Dublin’s Temple Bar. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
“If we had to rent this premises, we wouldn’t be able to afford it,” he says.
Harkin has had numerous approaches about the building over the years, mostly from pub chains offering to buy him out, but he he has refused all advances.
Fishing was a hobby that became a passion for him over the years.
“From the time I could walk, all I wanted to do was go fishing. That’s why I carry on,” Harkin says.
Torch passed
The torch has been passed on to his daughter, Mary who is continuing on the family tradition.
“I’m lucky. My hobby is my job. What else would I be doing at this stage?” she says. “Like for any other business, it’s not getting any easier with businesses going online.”
If you can't beat them, join them and their website does a brisk trade in specialist fishing equipment.
Famous visitors have come over the years including US president Bill Clinton, actor Tom Cruise, Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and, of course, the fishing-mad former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Jack Charlton.
A photograph on one of the shop's wall features the late singer Amy Winehouse wearing a a Rory's 'go fishing' T-shirt, an unlikely fashion accessory that has been worn by many who would not know one end of a rod from the other.
Rory also sells archery equipment but gave up selling shotguns after a break-in 30 years ago. “Guns are too much hassle. When you go to bed at night, at least you can sleep,” he says.
More people have passed the shop than have entered it over the years. People visit Temple Bar for many reasons; fishing is not usually one of them.
“People do come in and say, ‘what the heck is a tackle fishing shop doing in Temple Bar’?” Rory says.
After 60 years in situ, he believes the correct question should be what the other businesses are doing in the area.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Seven people injured after burglars found in Dublin flat

Seven residents of a south Dublin apartment block were injured on Saturday after interrupting burglars who were armed with a @ @ @ @ @ happened in a complex in the Leopardstown area at around 3pm .
A Garda spokesman @ @ @ @ @ in their 40s , entered an apartment but were noticed by residents who heard them @ @ @ @ @ “ The men were detained by the residents and a number of the residents were @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ All seven residents were injured during the incident and a @ @ @ @ @ attention.
” Gardaí were alerted to the incident and arrived at the scene as the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Gardaí arrested both men and seized a hammer and property from them that @ @ @ @ @ , ” the spokesman said .
The two men were taken to Dundrum Garda station @ @ @ @ @ Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , 1984 .

Seven residents of a south Dublin apartment block were injured on Saturday after interrupting burglars who were armed with a hammer. File photograph: Collins.
Seven residents of a south Dublin apartment block were injured on Saturday after interrupting burglars who were armed with a hammer.
The aggravated burglary happened in a complex in the Leopardstown area at around 3pm.
A Garda spokesman said two men, aged in their 40s, entered an apartment but were noticed by residents who heard them from the next room.
“The men were detained by the residents and a number of the residents were assaulted during the incident,” he said. “All seven residents were injured during the incident and a number of them sought medical attention.”
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Gardaí were alerted to the incident and arrived at the scene as the burglars were attempting to flee.
“Gardaí arrested both men and seized a hammer and property from them that was taken from the apartment,” the spokesman said.
The two men were taken to Dundrum Garda station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Man arrested after machine pistol found in car on N11 in Dublin

A machine pistol was seized on Saturday evening when gardaí stopped a vehicle on a major road in south Dublin @ @ @ @ @ when the vehicle was halted on the N11 Dublin to Wexford road at Shankill by @ @ @ @ @ Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Emergency Response Unit .
A man in his 40s @ @ @ @ @ and is being detained under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences Against the @ @ @ @ @ south Dublin garda station .
Det Chief Supt Angela Willis , head of the Garda @ @ @ @ @ Bureau said : “ The seizure of firearms and the arrest of those who are @ @ @ @ @ to be a priority for the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau who remain @ @ @ @ @ disrupting those involved and bringing them before the courts .
”

A machine pistol was seized on Saturday evening when gardaí stopped a vehicle on a major road in south Dublin. Image: Garda Press Office.
A machine pistol was seized on Saturday evening when gardaí stopped a vehicle on a major road in south Dublin.
The gun was discovered when the vehicle was halted on the N11 Dublin to Wexford road at Shankill by officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Emergency Response Unit.
A man in his 40s was arrested following the discovery and is being detained under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939/98 at a south Dublin garda station.
Det Chief Supt Angela Willis, head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said: “The seizure of firearms and the arrest of those who are prepared to use them continues to be a priority for the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau who remain totally committed to detecting and disrupting those involved and bringing them before the courts.”