theirishtimes--2020-02-06--Controversial Glasnevin memorial wall vandalised again

Glasnevin ’ s necrology wall , unveiled in 2016 to remember all those who died during the Irish revolution , has been vandalised for a second time .
Intruders used sledgehammers and threw paint over the controversial memorial which includes names of all those who died from the Easter Rising in 1916 to the end of the Civil War in 1923 .
The vandals used a sledgehammer to remove the names of some of the British soldiers on the wall who were killed during the Easter Rising , but in doing so they also damaged the names of some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The incident occurred at 3.40am on Tuesday morning .
Gardaí are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident .
A Garda spokesman said : “ Significant damage was caused to the stonework of the memorial plaque and it had also been defaced with paint .
Garda inquires are continuing and the investigation is ongoing.
” “ Glasnevin Trust is currently engaging with the gardaí on the matter and will not be commenting further at this time.
” The wall was inspired by the Ring of Remembrance at Ablain-Saint-Nazaire in France , which was inaugurated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all sides who lost their lives in northern France in the first World War .
The intention with the Glasnevin wall is , according to Glasnevin Trust chairman John Green , to remember everybody in chronological order as to how they died “ based on historical fact , without judgment or hierarchy .
Each will be free to take from the wall what they wish ” .
However , plans to include the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries on the wall may have to be put on hold following this latest attack .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 when vandals threw paint over it .
They damaged the gold inlay lettering for some of the names including Patrick Pearse .

The Glasnevin memorial wall after it was vandalised again. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Glasnevin’s necrology wall, unveiled in 2016 to remember all those who died during the Irish revolution, has been vandalised for a second time.
Intruders used sledgehammers and threw paint over the controversial memorial, which was to include names of all those who died from the Easter Rising in 1916, to the end of the Civil War in 1923. The list currently stops at 1918.*
Intruders used sledgehammers and threw paint over the controversial memorial which includes names of all those who died from the Easter Rising in 1916 to the end of the Civil War in 1923.
The vandals used a sledgehammer to remove the names of some of the British soldiers on the wall who were killed during the Easter Rising, but in doing so they also damaged the names of some of the Irish Volunteers who were killed.
READ MORE
The incident occurred at 3.40am on Tuesday morning. Gardaí are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.
A Garda spokesman said: “Significant damage was caused to the stonework of the memorial plaque and it had also been defaced with paint. Garda inquires are continuing and the investigation is ongoing.”
Glasnevin Cemetery issued a short statement confirming that the incident occurred.
“Glasnevin Trust is currently engaging with the gardaí on the matter and will not be commenting further at this time.”
Ring of Remembrance
The wall was inspired by the Ring of Remembrance at Ablain-Saint-Nazaire in France, which was inaugurated in 2014 and remembers 580,000 soldiers from all sides who lost their lives in northern France in the first World War.
The intention with the Glasnevin wall is, according to Glasnevin Trust chairman John Green, to remember everybody in chronological order as to how they died "based on historical fact, without judgment or hierarchy. Each will be free to take from the wall what they wish".
However, plans to include the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries on the wall may have to be put on hold following this latest attack.
The memorial was also attacked in April 2017 when vandals threw paint over it. They damaged the gold inlay lettering for some of the names including Patrick Pearse.
*This article was amended on February 7th, 2020


theirishtimes--2020-02-06--Emigration of medical staff blamed on wide range of problems

A failure to transfer tasks such as taking blood , administering drips and performing ECGs from doctors to more junior staff is driving high medical emigration , according to a new report .
Bullying and harassment , low morale and burnout , and negative media coverage are also raised by trainee doctors as issues of concern , according to the Department of Health report .
“ Doctors were afraid to complain [ about bullying and harassment ] , due to the likely negative impact on their careers of doing so , ” according to trainee doctors whose views were canvassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained in the latest report into progress made in implementing the recommendations of a 2014 working group on medical training and career structure , chaired by DCU president Prof Brian MacCraith .
The trainee doctors said they were concerned , among many issues , about the need for pay parity for consultants , and out-of-pocket expenditure they face of €2,000-€4,000 a year .
They also expressed concern about the provision of “ rest rooms ” in the new national children ’ s hospital , needed for “ fatigue management ” , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for junior doctors .
A lack of payment for overtime work , and of funding for training , were also mentioned .
“ Negative comments in the media regarding issues re obstetrics and gynaecology , and the absence of support for staff from corporate HSE ” was also raised as an issue of concern .
Trainees said the failure to progress the transfer of tasks to other health staff had a particularly negative impact on interns , and in certain specialities .
“ This and similar failures have led to a significant number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional staff would be needed to perform tasks such as IV cannulation , phlebotomy , ECGs , which are often carried out by junior doctors .
A working group has proposed this work be carried out by healthcare assistants working in hospitals from 8am to 8pm at weekends , and from 8pm to 8am during the week .
“ It is recognised this would be a significant policy decision and would require additional resources.
” It is also proposed to take in up to 200 doctors a year from developing countries for two-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argues , would reduce Ireland ’ s dependence on junior doctors who are not on training schemes to become consultants .
The International Medical Graduate Medical Training Initiative will enhance Ireland ’ s reputation for medical training as well as helping developing countries attain self-sufficiency in their domestic health workforce , the report says .
However , the proposal requires adequate resourcing and significant policy decisions before progress can be made , it adds .

Trainees said the failure to progress the transfer of tasks to other health staff had a particularly negative impact on interns, and in certain specialities. Photograph: Alan Betson
A failure to transfer tasks such as taking blood, administering drips and performing ECGs from doctors to more junior staff is driving high medical emigration, according to a new report.
Bullying and harassment, low morale and burnout, and negative media coverage are also raised by trainee doctors as issues of concern, according to the Department of Health report.
“Doctors were afraid to complain [about bullying and harassment], due to the likely negative impact on their careers of doing so,” according to trainee doctors whose views were canvassed for the report.
Their concerns are contained in the latest report into progress made in implementing the recommendations of a 2014 working group on medical training and career structure, chaired by DCU president Prof Brian MacCraith.
READ MORE
The trainee doctors said they were concerned, among many issues, about the need for pay parity for consultants, and out-of-pocket expenditure they face of €2,000-€4,000 a year.
They also expressed concern about the provision of “rest rooms” in the new national children’s hospital, needed for “fatigue management”, as well as a lack of access to computers for junior doctors. A lack of payment for overtime work, and of funding for training, were also mentioned.
“Negative comments in the media regarding issues re obstetrics and gynaecology, and the absence of support for staff from corporate HSE” was also raised as an issue of concern.
Pressure on interns
Trainees said the failure to progress the transfer of tasks to other health staff had a particularly negative impact on interns, and in certain specialities. “This and similar failures have led to a significant number of doctors emigrating.”
The report says additional staff would be needed to perform tasks such as IV cannulation, phlebotomy, ECGs, which are often carried out by junior doctors. A working group has proposed this work be carried out by healthcare assistants working in hospitals from 8am to 8pm at weekends, and from 8pm to 8am during the week.
“It is recognised this would be a significant policy decision and would require additional resources.”
It is also proposed to take in up to 200 doctors a year from developing countries for two-year training periods. This, the report argues, would reduce Ireland’s dependence on junior doctors who are not on training schemes to become consultants.
The International Medical Graduate Medical Training Initiative will enhance Ireland’s reputation for medical training as well as helping developing countries attain self-sufficiency in their domestic health workforce, the report says.
However, the proposal requires adequate resourcing and significant policy decisions before progress can be made, it adds.


theirishtimes--2020-02-06--Council approves demolition of one of Dublin’s biggest churches

The demolition of one of Dublin ’ s biggest Catholic churches , and its replacement with a new facility 10 times smaller , has been approved by Dublin City Council .
The Church of the Annunciation in Finglas West was built in the late 1960s for a capacity of almost 3,500 parishioners , during a church-building boom initiated by the then archbishop of Dublin , John Charles McQuaid .
The new church will seat just over 300 , with the residual land to be used for senior citizens ’ housing .
However , documents show the parish also plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres , which is several times larger than the church site , to Dublin City Council .
The larger site , known as St Fergal ’ s Field , is sandwiched between three schools .
The council had initially hoped to use the field for housing , but is now in negotiations with the Health Service Executive to use the land for a primary care centre .
Three years ago , the church announced plans to demolish the vast building due to falling attendance numbers .
It could also no longer afford the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concrete and steel structure having deteriorated to the point that it gave rise to safety concerns .
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin celebrated the final Mass in the Church in October 2018 , and an application was lodged with the council the following May for the demolition of the building and the construction of the new , small church and a parish centre .
However , the decision to grant permission for the work took more than eight months , following concerns raised by the council planners over the future use of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the parish , planners said the application had included “ sparse information in relation to the intended future use of the remaining part of the site ” that would not be required for the new , smaller church .
“ The development description and accompanying planning report both state that the residual site area will be the subject of a separate future application , and the architectural design statement states that this area will be used for the development of accommodation for senior citizens , although no further information is provided.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fergal ’ s Field and how “ the retention of existing functional open space , eg school playing fields ” would be addressed .
The parish owns St Brigid ’ s , a girls ’ primary school to the south of the field , and St Fergal ’ s Boys National School to the north .
Coláiste Eoin , a post-primary school not owned by the parish , is also immediately north of the field .
In response to the planners , the parish said the field had been “ derelict for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
A letter attached to the response confirms representatives of the parish “ are in advanced negotiations ” with the council to buy both the surplus church lands and St Fergal ’ s Field .
In the region of 50 senior citizens ’ apartments are proposed for the former Church site .
St Fergal ’ s Field could have accommodated more than 100 apartments , but it is understood that the council dropped plans for homes on the site due to problems with access to roads and concerns over potential local opposition @

The demolition of one of Dublin's biggest Catholic churches, and its replacement with a new place of worship only a tenth of the size, has been approved by Dublin City Council.
The Church of the Annunciation in Finglas West was built in the late 1960s for a capacity of almost 3,500 parishioners, during a church-building boom initiated by the then archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid.
The new church will seat just over 300, with the residual land to be used for senior citizens' housing. However, documents show the parish also plans to sell a neighbouring site of almost six acres, which is several times larger than the church site, to Dublin City Council.
The larger site, known as St Fergal’s Field, is sandwiched between three schools. The council had initially hoped to use the field for housing, but is now in negotiations with the Health Service Executive to use the land for a primary care centre.
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Three years ago, the church announced plans to demolish the vast building due to falling attendance numbers. It could also no longer afford the upkeep of the building, with the concrete and steel structure having deteriorated to the point that it gave rise to safety concerns.
Final Mass
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin celebrated the final Mass in the Church in October 2018, and an application was lodged with the council the following May for the demolition of the building and the construction of the new, small church and a parish centre.
However, the decision to grant permission for the work took more than eight months, following concerns raised by the council planners over the future use of the residual church lands.
In a letter to the parish, planners said the application had included “sparse information in relation to the intended future use of the remaining part of the site” that would not be required for the new, smaller church.
“The development description and accompanying planning report both state that the residual site area will be the subject of a separate future application, and the architectural design statement states that this area will be used for the development of accommodation for senior citizens, although no further information is provided.”
The final Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Finglas West in October 2018, celebrated by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times
‘Open space’
The letter also makes reference to St Fergal’s Field and how “the retention of existing functional open space, eg school playing fields” would be addressed.
The parish owns St Brigid’s, a girls’ primary school to the south of the field, and St Fergal’s Boys National School to the north. Coláiste Eoin, a post-primary school not owned by the parish, is also immediately north of the field.
In response to the planners, the parish said the field had been “derelict for several years and is subject to anti-social behaviour”.
A letter attached to the response confirms representatives of the parish “are in advanced negotiations” with the council to buy both the surplus church lands and St Fergal’s Field.
In the region of 50 senior citizens’ apartments are proposed for the former Church site. St Fergal’s Field could have accommodated more than 100 apartments, but it is understood that the council dropped plans for homes on the site due to problems with access to roads and concerns over potential local opposition.


theirishtimes--2020-02-06--Department of Justice ‘not fit for purpose’ before recent reforms

The Department of Justice and Equality was “ not fit for purpose ” prior to a recently completed overhaul , according to its most senior civil servant .
The reform of the department , which took place in the wake of several policing controversies such as the Maurice McCabe saga and the penalty points scandal , was completed in September of last year .
The reform programme was “ the most radical restructuring of a department in the history of the State , ” Secretary General Aidan O ’ Driscoll told a conference on Wednesday .
It involved splitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a section dealing with civil matters , similar to the functions of home affairs departments in other European countries .
Sections were further broken down into broad subject areas such as “ transparency ” , “ legislation ” and “ service delivery ” .
These replaced the previous operational categorisations such as policing or prisons .
The reform process , which Mr O ’ Driscoll said has gone relatively smoothly , is expected to be used as a template for the restructuring of other government departments .
The traditional structure of the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr O ’ Driscoll said , but “ in our view it was no longer fit for purpose in a changed world ” .
In 2018 , it was decided the department needed to be transformed in a “ fundamental way , ” he told justice sector officials .
“ Crucially we needed to become much more open and transparent , ” he said .
“ And we ’ ve done it in a very short time tine and in the context of a rapidly moving and even volatile external environment and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard earned.
” The restructuring involved reassigning some 450 civil servants to the newly created sections .
Much of the focus was making policing and public safety the responsibility of multiple agencies including the Probation and Prison services as well as the Garda , he said .
The sector still faces “ enormous challenges , ” Mr O ’ Driscoll said .
“ I don ’ t want to give the impression that everything is rosy in the garden.
” The growing sophistication of criminal gangs is a particular problem , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new technology to commit crimes .
“ We have also terrorist challenges and we have all the challenges that arise from our inequality in our society.
” Immigration is one of the areas in the department which has undergone significant reform , Mr O ’ Driscoll said .
The department has seen “ significant increases ” in its workload in the area including through border control and asylum applications .
There is currently a “ welcome and robust ” debate over the future of the direct provision system and this is a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is a lot of focus on the asylum sector and less on the “ much larger ” number of people who arrive in Ireland through other mechanisms to “ work , stay and play ” .
One of the priorities for the department is to speed up immigration processes , he said .
Another priority is the review of current legislation regarding hate speech and hate crime .
A public consultation on the issue has now completed with the receipt of about 200 submissions and 3,000 survey responses .

The Department of Justice and Equality was "not fit for purpose" prior to a recently completed overhaul, according to its most senior civil servant.
The reform of the department, which took place in the wake of several policing controversies such as the Maurice McCabe saga and the penalty points scandal, was completed in September of last year.
The reform programme was “the most radical restructuring of a department in the history of the State,” Secretary General Aidan O’Driscoll told a conference on Wednesday.
It involved splitting the department into a criminal affairs section and a section dealing with civil matters, similar to the functions of home affairs departments in other European countries.
READ MORE
Sections were further broken down into broad subject areas such as “transparency”, “legislation” and “service delivery”. These replaced the previous operational categorisations such as policing or prisons.
The reform process, which Mr O’Driscoll said has gone relatively smoothly, is expected to be used as a template for the restructuring of other government departments.
The traditional structure of the department served the State well for decades, Mr O’Driscoll said, but “in our view it was no longer fit for purpose in a changed world”.
In 2018, it was decided the department needed to be transformed in a “fundamental way,” he told justice sector officials.
“Crucially we needed to become much more open and transparent,” he said.
"And we've done it in a very short time tine and in the context of a rapidly moving and even volatile external environment and an Ireland where trust in institutions is very hard earned."
Gangs and new technology
The restructuring involved reassigning some 450 civil servants to the newly created sections. Much of the focus was making policing and public safety the responsibility of multiple agencies including the Probation and Prison services as well as the Garda, he said.
The sector still faces “enormous challenges,” Mr O’Driscoll said. “I don’t want to give the impression that everything is rosy in the garden.”
The growing sophistication of criminal gangs is a particular problem, he said, adding that they are increasingly using new technology to commit crimes.
“We have also terrorist challenges and we have all the challenges that arise from our inequality in our society.”
Immigration is one of the areas in the department which has undergone significant reform, Mr O’Driscoll said.
The department has seen “significant increases” in its workload in the area including through border control and asylum applications.
There is currently a “welcome and robust” debate over the future of the direct provision system and this is a positive thing, Mr O’Driscoll said.
There is a lot of focus on the asylum sector and less on the “much larger” number of people who arrive in Ireland through other mechanisms to “work, stay and play”.
One of the priorities for the department is to speed up immigration processes, he said.
Another priority is the review of current legislation regarding hate speech and hate crime.
A public consultation on the issue has now completed with the receipt of about 200 submissions and 3,000 survey responses.


theirishtimes--2020-02-06--Are we alone in the Milky Way galaxy?

Are we alone in the Milky Way galaxy?

Whether or not we are alone in the universe is one of the biggest questions confronting science .
The fact that we have detected no evidence of alien intelligent life indicates that , on the face of it , alien technological societies are either non-existent or vanishingly rare in our Milky Way galaxy .
However , in a most interesting article in Scientific American , January 2020 , astrobiologist Caleb Scharf suggests the reason we have no evidence of alien civilisation is because we live on an out-of-the-way planet during a lull in the periodic waves of spacefaring explorations by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Way galaxy is at least 10 billion years old and 100,000 light years across , contains up to 300 billion stars and more than 10 billion planets with temperate , possibly life-friendly surface conditions .
We know our solar system formed 4.5 billion years and life began on Earth about 3.8 billion years ago .
In 1950 , Italian physicist Enrico Fermi ( 1901-1954 ) calculated that alien technological civilisations have had enough time , even travelling at a modest fraction of the speed of light , to colonise all habitable regions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reasonably asked : “ But , where are all the aliens ?
” Of course , as Scharf points out , aliens may have visited Earth and set up home here millions of years ago and then either died out or left .
If true , we would probably never know because time since would have erased all signs of alien technological life on Earth .
Speculations about spacefaring aliens rely on assumptions that we can not be sure are true but that nevertheless seem reasonable : A .
Such speculation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , extrapolating from what we know of life on Earth , it seems very likely that intelligent life has also commonly arisen elsewhere in the universe .
B .
If aliens exist they must be motivated to travel or else we could never see them .
However , many alien civilisations would be motivated to travel deep into the galaxy if they resemble us humans .
We are already probing our solar system out of curiosity and will undoubtedly venture further when the enabling technology is developed .
Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to curiosity , eg to escape a planet rendered uninhabitable by environmental degradation .
C. Alien civilisations hoping to travel significant galactic distances must possess some pretty awesome technology .
Scharf points out that even to travel at 10 per cent of the speed of light requires , for example , fusion-bomb propulsion or enormous laser-driven light sails .
But our human experience is that such technology would be developed over time .
D. We also assume , but can not know for sure , that aliens ( and humans ) would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , possibly lasting for centuries .
One possible reason that Earth apparently has not been visited by aliens to-date is that we may be located in a lonely part of the galaxy with very few other inhabitable planets in our galactic neighbourhood .
Spacefaring aliens seeking out habitable planets across the galaxy would surely head for regions known to be rich in such planets – archipelagos of life-friendly planets – probably in waves of exploration .
Stars in our galaxy move about like molecules in a gas and we may have to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ archipelago of life-friendly planets before anticipating the arrival of aliens .
Scharf likens our possible situation on Earth to that of Pitcairn Island in the Southern Pacific Ocean , one of the loneliest habitable places on earth , separated from its nearest neighbour islands by hundreds of miles of open water .
On January 19th , 1790 , 19 mutineers from HMS Bounty , 18 Tahitians and one baby arrived on Pitcairn Island .
Before the Bounty mutineers arrived , Pitcairn Island had been uninhabited since the 1400s , when Polynesians lived there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural resources ran low and conflicts interrupted trade and supply lines with other islands .
After the Bounty mutineers arrived , 18 more years passed before another ship visited Pitcairn Island .
And so , Scharf ’ s take-home message is that even if the galaxy is teeming with alien life , it is not necessarily surprising that Earth has not been visited yet .
William Reville is an emeritus professor of biochemistry at UCC

Our Milky Way galaxy is at least 10 billion years old and 1000,000 light years across, contains up to 300 billion stars and more than 10 billion planets with temperate, possibly life-friendly surface conditions. Photograph: Babek Tafreshi/SSPL/Getty Images
Whether or not we are alone in the universe is one of the biggest questions confronting science. The fact that we have detected no evidence of alien intelligent life indicates that, on the face of it, alien technological societies are either non-existent or vanishingly rare in our Milky Way galaxy.
However, in a most interesting article in Scientific American, January 2020, astrobiologist Caleb Scharf suggests the reason we have no evidence of alien civilisation is because we live on an out-of-the-way planet during a lull in the periodic waves of spacefaring explorations by alien civilisations.
We know our Milky Way galaxy is at least 10 billion years old and 100,000 light years across, contains up to 300 billion stars and more than 10 billion planets with temperate, possibly life-friendly surface conditions. We know our solar system formed 4.5 billion years and life began on Earth about 3.8 billion years ago.
In 1950, Italian physicist Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) calculated that alien technological civilisations have had enough time, even travelling at a modest fraction of the speed of light, to colonise all habitable regions of the Milky Way galaxy. Fermi famously and reasonably asked: "But, where are all the aliens?"
READ MORE
Of course, as Scharf points out, aliens may have visited Earth and set up home here millions of years ago and then either died out or left. If true, we would probably never know because time since would have erased all signs of alien technological life on Earth.
Spacefaring aliens
Speculations about spacefaring aliens rely on assumptions that we cannot be sure are true but that nevertheless seem reasonable:
A. Such speculation is only meaningful if alien civilisations actually exist. However, extrapolating from what we know of life on Earth, it seems very likely that intelligent life has also commonly arisen elsewhere in the universe.
B. If aliens exist they must be motivated to travel or else we could never see them. However, many alien civilisations would be motivated to travel deep into the galaxy if they resemble us humans. We are already probing our solar system out of curiosity and will undoubtedly venture further when the enabling technology is developed. Of course, necessity would provide motivation to travel in addition to curiosity, eg to escape a planet rendered uninhabitable by environmental degradation.
C. Alien civilisations hoping to travel significant galactic distances must possess some pretty awesome technology. Scharf points out that even to travel at 10 per cent of the speed of light requires, for example, fusion-bomb propulsion or enormous laser-driven light sails. But our human experience is that such technology would be developed over time.
D. We also assume, but cannot know for sure, that aliens (and humans) would be able to survive long-term space travel, possibly lasting for centuries.
One possible reason that Earth apparently has not been visited by aliens to-date is that we may be located in a lonely part of the galaxy with very few other inhabitable planets in our galactic neighbourhood. Spacefaring aliens seeking out habitable planets across the galaxy would surely head for regions known to be rich in such planets – archipelagos of life-friendly planets – probably in waves of exploration. Stars in our galaxy move about like molecules in a gas and we may have to wait until our solar system moves into an archipelago of life-friendly planets before anticipating the arrival of aliens.
Pitcairn Island
Scharf likens our possible situation on Earth to that of Pitcairn Island in the Southern Pacific Ocean, one of the loneliest habitable places on earth, separated from its nearest neighbour islands by hundreds of miles of open water. On January 19th, 1790, 19 mutineers from HMS Bounty, 18 Tahitians and one baby arrived on Pitcairn Island.
Before the Bounty mutineers arrived, Pitcairn Island had been uninhabited since the 1400s, when Polynesians lived there, but that community died out when natural resources ran low and conflicts interrupted trade and supply lines with other islands. After the Bounty mutineers arrived, 18 more years passed before another ship visited Pitcairn Island.
And so, Scharf’s take-home message is that even if the galaxy is teeming with alien life, it is not necessarily surprising that Earth has not been visited yet.
William Reville is an emeritus professor of biochemistry at UCC


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Explosive device found in Lurgan described as ‘terrorist attack’

An explosive device has been made safe in Co Armagh .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) @ @ @ @ @ the Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan on Tuesday evening .
Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said @ @ @ @ @ it was “ a terrorist attack by dissident republicans.
” He said it was fortunate @ @ @ @ @ were continuing .
The North ’ s Minister of Justice , Naomi Long , said @ @ @ @ @ regard for human life and are motivated by a need to create fear and disruption @ @ @ @ @ Thankfully , due to the professionalism and expertise of security personnel , a potentially serious @ @ @ @ @ I commend all involved for their vigilance , ” she said .

The device was found in the Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan on Tuesday evening. File photograph: Paul McErlane
An explosive device has been made safe in Co Armagh.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was discovered in the Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan on Tuesday evening.
Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said the police assessment was that it was "a terrorist attack by dissident republicans."
He said it was fortunate nobody had beenhurt andpolice inquiries were continuing.
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The North's Minister of Justice, Naomi Long, said those responsible "have no regard for human life and are motivated by a need to create fear and disruption in our community.
“Thankfully, due to the professionalism and expertise of security personnel, a potentially serious incident has been averted. I commend all involved for their vigilance,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Cork man robbed post office to pay off €50,000 drug debt

A man who robbed a Cork post office to get money to pay a €50,000 drug debt to criminals has been jailed for 2½ years .
John Paul Carey ( 32 ) from Brooklodge Grove , Glanmire , Co Cork pleaded guilty on Wednesday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Little Island post office in Cork on May 23rd , 2019 .
Det Garda Edmond O ’ Donoghue told the court that Carey , a heroin addict , was under intense pressure at the time to pay off a €50,000 debt to Dublin criminals after they threatened him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals had fired a number of gunshots at his partner ’ s house and had threatened to pipe bomb the property unless Carey came up with money to pay off the debt .
Carey decided with two other males to carry out a robbery at Little Island post office .
On the day in question , Carey and another male went into the post office armed with a wheel brace and imitation firearm .
They demanded money from a female member of staff and got away with €300 in €5 notes .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven by a third man which gardaí later found abandoned .
Det Garda O ’ Donoghue said that gardaí arrested Carey later that day in Glanmire Shopping Centre and he co-operated with investigators , showing them where he had disposed of the imitation firearm .
“ When arrested , he was in a car with two known criminals from Dublin , paying over the money to them , ” said Det Garda O ’ Donoghue , who confirmed Carey has been in custody since he was arrested and charged with the offence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her client became addicted to heroin after a family tragedy .
She said he had turned his life around in prison and was now on a methadone programme .
Det Garda O ’ Donoghue acknowledged that Carey had written a letter of apology to the female member of staff working in the post office on the day , who was traumatised by the experience .
Judge James McCourt said he accepted Carey ’ s early guilty plea as a mitigating factor as was his assistance to investigating gardaí .
He also said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duress at the time given his drugs debt and the threats he received .
Judge McCourt noted Carey ’ s remorse as evidenced by his letter of apology to the woman .
He also noted that there was a positive probation report on how he was addressing his drug addiction .
Judge McCourt said he believed the appropriate sentence was 4½ years but he would suspend the final two years in light of the mitigating factors .

John Paul Carey (32) pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Little Island post office in Cork. File photograph: Collins Courts
A man who robbed a Cork post office to get money to pay a €50,000 drug debt to criminals has been jailed for 2½ years.
John Paul Carey (32) from Brooklodge Grove, Glanmire, Co Cork pleaded guilty on Wednesday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Little Island post office in Cork on May 23rd, 2019.
Det Garda Edmond O’Donoghue told the court that Carey, a heroin addict, was under intense pressure at the time to pay off a €50,000 debt to Dublin criminals after they threatened him and his partner.
He said the criminals had fired a number of gunshots at his partner’s house and had threatened to pipe bomb the property unless Carey came up with money to pay off the debt.
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Carey decided with two other males to carry out a robbery at Little Island post office. On the day in question, Carey and another male went into the post office armed with a wheel brace and imitation firearm.
They demanded money from a female member of staff and got away with €300 in €5 notes. They made their getaway in a black Mondeo driven by a third man which gardaí later found abandoned.
Det Garda O’Donoghue said that gardaí arrested Carey later that day in Glanmire Shopping Centre and he co-operated with investigators, showing them where he had disposed of the imitation firearm.
“When arrested, he was in a car with two known criminals from Dublin, paying over the money to them,” said Det Garda O’Donoghue, who confirmed Carey has been in custody since he was arrested and charged with the offence.
Defence barrister Paula McCarthy BL said that her client became addicted to heroin after a family tragedy. She said he had turned his life around in prison and was now on a methadone programme.
Apology
Det Garda O’Donoghue acknowledged that Carey had written a letter of apology to the female member of staff working in the post office on the day, who was traumatised by the experience.
Judge James McCourt said he accepted Carey’s early guilty plea as a mitigating factor as was his assistance to investigating gardaí.
He also said he accepted that Carey had been under considerable duress at the time given his drugs debt and the threats he received.
Judge McCourt noted Carey’s remorse as evidenced by his letter of apology to the woman. He also noted that there was a positive probation report on how he was addressing his drug addiction.
Judge McCourt said he believed the appropriate sentence was 4½ years but he would suspend the final two years in light of the mitigating factors.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Council orders contractors to make roads safe for cyclists

Dublin City Council has taken action against a contractor at a city construction site over an oil spill which had the potential to cause a danger to cyclists on the public road .
The Dublin Cycling Campaign , a voluntary group that lobbies for improved conditions for cyclists , has in recent days highlighted the danger of greasy roads in the city .
The group has mapped reports of cyclists falling , or their bikes slipping due to oil or grease on the roads and found the incidents happened around constructions sites in the city .
Injuries ranged from cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fractures .
There are 10 junctions around the city where the campaign says there have been multiple slips and falls reported , including seven on Macken Street in the docklands , six on Thomas Street and Thomas Court and three at Rialto roundabout .
The campaign ’ s analysis of the timing of the incidents showed there was an increase in incidents on three dates – January 23rd , 29th and 30th – days when Met Éireann ’ s weather station in the Phoenix Park recorded no rainfall and temperatures did not dip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s research , the council said it would arrange to have the 10 junctions that were listed as being in a hazardous condition inspected immediately .
“ Additionally , Dublin City Council ’ s waste management services has committed to prioritising the cleaning of these junctions with a mechanical road sweeper , as part of their ongoing street cleaning activities.
” In relation to one of the oil spillage instances recorded in January 2020 the council said it had “ evidence to suggest that the oil spillage related to construction activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said the road was treated by the council ’ s maintenance services “ expeditiously ” and in addition it had served the contractor responsible with a “ Notice of Offence ” under the 1993 Road Act .
The relevant provision of the act makes it an offence to deposit any material on a public road which could cause a “ hazard or potential hazard to persons using ” the road .
Penalties range from fines of up to €5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months , or both .
Campaign chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ swift action ” in investigating the areas highlighted .
“ The data we gathered enabled the council to act and we ’ re relieved to see these hazardous road surfaces receiving the attention they deserve , ” he said .
“ Construction contractors have been put on notice by Dublin City Council ’ s enforcement action .
Any construction contractors who are currently negligent need to literally clean up their act before any more people cycling are injured .
”

There are 10 junctions around the city where the Dublin Cycling Campaign says there have been multiple slips and falls reported. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Dublin City Council has taken action against a contractor at a city construction site over an oil spill which had the potential to cause a danger to cyclists on the public road.
The Dublin Cycling Campaign, a voluntary group that lobbies for improved conditions for cyclists, has in recent days highlighted the danger of greasy roads in the city.
The group has mapped reports of cyclists falling, or their bikes slipping due to oil or grease on the roads and found the incidents happened around constructions sites in the city. Injuries ranged from cuts and bruises to more serious cases including fractures.
There are 10 junctions around the city where the campaign says there have been multiple slips and falls reported, including seven on Macken Street in the docklands, six on Thomas Street and Thomas Court and three at Rialto roundabout.
READ MORE
The campaign’s analysis of the timing of the incidents showed there was an increase in incidents on three dates – January 23rd, 29th and 30th – days when Met Éireann’s weather station in the Phoenix Park recorded no rainfall and temperatures did not dip below freezing.
In response to the group’s research, the council said it would arrange to have the 10 junctions that were listed as being in a hazardous condition inspected immediately.
“Additionally, Dublin City Council’s waste management services has committed to prioritising the cleaning of these junctions with a mechanical road sweeper, as part of their ongoing street cleaning activities.”
In relation to one of the oil spillage instances recorded in January 2020 the council said it had “evidence to suggest that the oil spillage related to construction activity from an adjacent construction site”.
It said the road was treated by the council’s maintenance services “expeditiously” and in addition it had served the contractor responsible with a “Notice of Offence” under the 1993 Road Act. The relevant provision of the act makes it an offence to deposit any material on a public road which could cause a “hazard or potential hazard to persons using” the road. Penalties range from fines of up to €5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Campaign chairman Kevin Baker welcomed the council's "swift action" in investigating the areas highlighted.
“The data we gathered enabled the council to act and we’re relieved to see these hazardous road surfaces receiving the attention they deserve,” he said.
“Construction contractors have been put on notice by Dublin City Council’s enforcement action. Any construction contractors who are currently negligent need to literally clean up their act before any more people cycling are injured.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Men arrested after gang attack outside Wheatfield Prison

Two men were in hospital last night and a number of others were in Garda custody after a significant disturbance @ @ @ @ @ Dublin .
At about 3pm on Wednesday a group of men set upon two men @ @ @ @ @ prison on Cloverhill Rd , west Dublin .
Gardaí believe the men were known to @ @ @ @ @ was targeted .
The attackers left their victims seriously injured before fleeing in a car @ @ @ @ @ a vehicle carrying a number of men was stopped by gardaí on Kennelsfort road , @ @ @ @ @ the prison .
“ A number of arrests were made at scene , and all @ @ @ @ @ across Dublin Garda Stations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , ” the @ @ @ @ @ the arrested men were travelling in was taken away by the Garda for forensic examination @ @ @ @ @ appealed for anyone in the area between 2.30pm and 3.15pm to come forward , especially @ @ @ @ @ footage at the time .

Gardaí believe the attack outside Wheatfield Prison in west Dublin was targeted. Photograph: Alan Betson
Two men were in hospital last night and a number of others were in Garda custody after a significant disturbance outside Wheatfield Prison, west Dublin.
At about 3pm on Wednesday a group of men set upon two men on the grounds of the prison on Cloverhill Rd, west Dublin.
Gardaí believe the men were known to each and that the attack was targeted. The attackers left their victims seriously injured before fleeing in a car.
A short time later a vehicle carrying a number of men was stopped by gardaí on Kennelsfort road, Palmerstown, about 2km from the prison.
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“A number of arrests were made at scene, and all individuals arrested have been detained across Dublin Garda Stations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act,” the Garda said.
The car the arrested men were travelling in was taken away by the Garda for forensic examination. Gardaí in Lucan have appealed for anyone in the area between 2.30pm and 3.15pm to come forward, especially those who were recording dashcam footage at the time.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--UCD to increase campus rent by 12% over three years

University College Dublin ( UCD ) will increase rents for its on-campus student accommodation by 12 per cent over the next three years , the maximum increase permitted under rent cap laws .
The increase would see the cost of student accommodation on the Belfield campus rise to between €8,000 and €9,900 per year over the next three years .
Under legislation aimed at tackling rising rents , increases are capped at 4 per cent per year in rent pressure zones , such as Dublin and other cities .
In a statement , UCD said the rent increases were required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student accommodation , as well as help fund plans to build additional campus housing .
The south Dublin university has plans to build an extra 3,000 student beds , over 900 of which are to be ready for the start of the next college year in September 2020 .
The most expensive student accommodation rooms would increase from €8,815 a year to nearly €10,000 under the plans .
While accommodation in the other student housing blocks on the Belfield campus would increase from €7,114 to €8,000 for the academic year .
The decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent for the next three years was strongly criticised by the UCD students ’ union .
Joanna Siewierska , head of the UCD students ’ union , said it was “ shocking to see Ireland ’ s largest , public university use student accommodation to make a profit , and do nothing to help students manage the crippling rents in Dublin.
” Ms Siewierska said the decision showed the “ utter disconnect from the student experience and profit-driven decision making mindset ” of the university ’ s management .
The students ’ union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dublin choosing to study in UCD , due to the high price of rents in the capital , she said .
“ UCD is using rents on campus to raise funds to build further extortionately priced accommodation .
It is a clear sign that UCD is only interested in recruiting students who can afford to pay incredibly high rents to attend it , or become crippled by debt , ” she said .
A spokeswoman for UCD said the university would review the level of rent increases after the three years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even freeze them , if financially possible ” .
“ The university is currently constructing new residences and a student village .
This development is costing in the region of €500m and is funded largely through bank loans , ” she said .
“ These new residences will command a higher rent averaging €257 per week for 38 weeks , ” she said .
This would equate to €9,766 for the academic year .
Rent from student accommodation went in part to fund support services , such as duty managers for the residences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland ’ s seven universities unsuccessfully lobbied to have college-owned student accommodation exempt from legislation enacted last year to extend rent caps to purpose-built student housing .

UCD campus in Belfield, south Dublin. The university said the rent increases were required to help fund plans to build additional campus housing. File photograph: Alan Betson
University College Dublin (UCD) will increase rents for its on-campus student accommodation by 12 per cent over the next three years, the maximum increase permitted under rent cap laws.
The increase would see the cost of student accommodation on the Belfield campus rise to between €8,000 and €9,900 per year over the next three years.
Under legislation aimed at tackling rising rents, increases are capped at 4 per cent per year in rent pressure zones, such as Dublin and other cities.
In a statement, UCD said the rent increases were required to pay for the maintenance of current student accommodation, as well as help fund plans to build additional campus housing.
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The south Dublin university has plans to build an extra 3,000 student beds, over 900 of which are to be ready for the start of the next college year in September 2020.
The most expensive student accommodation rooms would increase from €8,815 a year to nearly €10,000 under the plans. While accommodation in the other student housing blocks on the Belfield campus would increase from €7,114 to €8,000 for the academic year.
Criticism
The decision to increase on-campus rent by 4 per cent for the next three years was strongly criticised by the UCD students’ union.
Joanna Siewierska, head of the UCD students' union, said it was "shocking to see Ireland's largest, public university use student accommodation to make a profit, and do nothing to help students manage the crippling rents in Dublin."
Ms Siewierska said the decision showed the “utter disconnect from the student experience and profit-driven decision making mindset” of the university’s management.
The students’ union was already seeing fewer students from outside of Dublin choosing to study in UCD, due to the high price of rents in the capital, she said.
“UCD is using rents on campus to raise funds to build further extortionately priced accommodation. It is a clear sign that UCD is only interested in recruiting students who can afford to pay incredibly high rents to attend it, or become crippled by debt,” she said.
Review
A spokeswoman for UCD said the university would review the level of rent increases after the three years, and would “reduce the increases or even freeze them, if financially possible”.
“The university is currently constructing new residences and a student village. This development is costing in the region of €500m and is funded largely through bank loans,” she said.
“These new residences will command a higher rent averaging €257 per week for 38 weeks,” she said. This would equate to €9,766 for the academic year.
Rent from student accommodation went in part to fund support services, such as duty managers for the residences, the university spokeswoman said.
Previously Ireland’s seven universities unsuccessfully lobbied to have college-owned student accommodation exempt from legislation enacted last year to extend rent caps to purpose-built student housing.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--House key match leads to identification of body five years on

The body of a man discovered in a wooded area of Galway has finally been identified after two people came forward with detailed information to solve a five-year-old mystery .
The deceased was found by a man walking his dog near a bird sanctuary in the coastal area of Rusheen Bay Woods in September 2014 .
It prompted an exhaustive investigation and public appeals for help given no identification , and only a few personal possessions , was found on the body .
The deceased was believed to have been in his mid-40s .
Fingerprinting and dental examinations were conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created by Dr Christopher Rynn at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee , Scotland .
But , in the end , it was a simple house key that closed the case .
On Wednesday , gardaí said two Polish men , who had only become aware of previous garda appeals for information , had recently come forward .
They told them another Polish man had briefly lived with them in a house in Galway in late September 2014 .
He advised them to rent his room out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not come home .
They later changed the locks but kept the old mechanism .
As a result , investigating gardaí were able to match the key found on the body to the lock supplied by the men .
“ This led to a definite line of enquiry as to the person ’ s identity , and this past week a DNA comparison was conducted via Interpol in Poland , confirming the man to be a Polish national , ” gardaí said .
The man ’ s death was not treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has not been publicly named .
Given that initial efforts to find out who he was had turned up nothing , State arrangements were made to bury him anonymously in Bohermore Cemetery , Co Galway .
His family have since been contacted .
The breakthrough finally brings an end to an open investigation that had received much publicity and which had prompted trawls of local and international missing person ’ s databases .
When the man was found , his few possessions included the single silver key with an “ ERA ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euro , a gold American watch and clothing believed to have been bought in the United States or Canada .
Gardaí have now learned that he travelled from Poland to the US in the early 1990s and then to Ireland in 2014 shortly before his death .
“ Great credit is due to the dedicated gardaí who have been working this case to establish the identity of this man since 2014 , ” said Superintendent Patrick McHugh .
“ The circumstances of this case are both sad and tragic .
The family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals who came forward to provide us with the key to solving this matter .
“ Taking the crucial step of contacting the Gardaí has ensured that this man ’ s family are now aware of the whereabouts of their loved one .
”

The body of a man discovered in a wooded area of Galway has finally been identified after two people came forward with detailed information to solve a five-year-old mystery.
The deceased was found by a man walking his dog near a bird sanctuary in the coastal area of Rusheen Bay Woods in September 2014.
It prompted an exhaustive investigation and public appeals for help given no identification, and only a few personal possessions, was found on the body.
The deceased was believed to have been in his mid-40s. Fingerprinting and dental examinations were conducted, and a detailed facial reconstruction was created by Dr Christopher Rynn at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee, Scotland.
READ MORE
But, in the end, it was a simple house key that closed the case.
On Wednesday, gardaí said two Polish men, who had only become aware of previous garda appeals for information, had recently come forward.
They told them another Polish man had briefly lived with them in a house in Galway in late September 2014. He advised them to rent his room out after a certain period of time if he did not come home.
They later changed the locks but kept the old mechanism. As a result, investigating gardaí were able to match the key found on the body to the lock supplied by the men.
The key found on an unidentified man in Galway in 2014 that ultimately led to his recent identification. Photograph: The Irish Times
"This led to a definite line of enquiry as to the person's identity, and this past week a DNA comparison was conducted via Interpol in Poland, confirming the man to be a Polish national," gardaí said.
The man's death was not treated as suspicious and although now identified, he has not been publicly named. Given that initial efforts to find out who he was had turned up nothing, State arrangements were made to bury him anonymously in Bohermore Cemetery, Co Galway. His family have since been contacted.
The breakthrough finally brings an end to an open investigation that had received much publicity and which had prompted trawls of local and international missing person’s databases.
When the man was found, his few possessions included the single silver key with an "ERA" inscription, money in both sterling and euro, a gold American watch and clothing believed to have been bought in the United States or Canada.
Gardaí have now learned that he travelled from Poland to the US in the early 1990s and then to Ireland in 2014 shortly before his death.
“Great credit is due to the dedicated gardaí who have been working this case to establish the identity of this man since 2014,” said Superintendent Patrick McHugh.
"The circumstances of this case are both sad and tragic. The family and An Garda Síochána are grateful to the individuals who came forward to provide us with the key to solving this matter.
“Taking the crucial step of contacting the Gardaí has ensured that this man’s family are now aware of the whereabouts of their loved one.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Five members of Albanian family lose appeal over deportation

Five members of an Albanian family have lost their appeals over being refused subsidiary protection here , resulting in their deportation .
A three judge Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday the five had advanced no “ stateable ” grounds to overturn the High Court ’ s rejection of their judicial review proceedings challenging refusal of subsidiary protection by the Minister for Justice .
The appeals were by a husband and wife , who came here in 2005 , and their son , his wife and their child , who came here in 2008 .
They sought asylum on dates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fear of persecution in Albania arising from being members of the Gabel ethnic group there .
Among various claims , the husband claimed his brother had married a non-Roma woman in August 2004 and was killed the same month by her family who disapproved of the marriage .
He claimed a member of the Gabel ethnic group could not go to the police as they would be mistreated and that families extract revenge through blood feuds .
After being refused asylum , the applicants later sought subsidiary protection based on similar grounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were subsequently deported to Albania in 2013 .
Giving the COA judgment , Ms Justice Máire Whelan noted a deportation order means the affected individual can not re-enter the State .
The appeal was therefore not moot or pointless and the applicants had a right of access to the courts , she said .
She also noted there have been changes in the applicable law since the orders .
She said the substance of each decision refusing subsidiary protection was based primarily on country of origin information from “ credible ” sources including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had noted a 2010 US State Department report stated , while the Romani people suffered significant societal abuse and discrimination in Albania , the Albanian government has taken positive steps in relation to the protection of minorities .
He had decided the applicants were not at risk of serious harm if returned to Albania .
Ms Justice Whelan said the High Court also correctly concluded that findings by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal of lack of credibility were an additional distinct material ground in each case which supported the Minister ’ s refusal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rationale for the decisions and she was satisfied the High Court correctly concluded the appellants had failed to establish the refusals were either irrational or unreasonable .
The High Court rightly focussed on the fact none of the applicants had sought to contest the inferences drawn and conclusions reached by the tribunal in the cases , she said .
She was satisfied there was “ clear evidence ” before the Minister in the form of country of origin information which enabled him to make the decisions , draw the inferences and reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stateable ground was identified to contend the High Court ’ s refusal of judicial review was irrational or otherwise unreasonable , she held .

The appeals were by a husband and wife, who came here in 2005, and their son, his wife and their child, who came here in 2008. Photograph: Collins Courts.
Five members of an Albanian family have lost their appeals over being refused subsidiary protection here, resulting in their deportation.
A three judge Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday the five had advanced no “stateable” grounds to overturn the High Court’s rejection of their judicial review proceedings challenging refusal of subsidiary protection by the Minister for Justice.
The appeals were by a husband and wife, who came here in 2005, and their son, his wife and their child, who came here in 2008. They sought asylum on dates in 2005 and 2008 on grounds of a fear of persecution in Albania arising from being members of the Gabel ethnic group there.
Among various claims, the husband claimed his brother had married a non-Roma woman in August 2004 and was killed the same month by her family who disapproved of the marriage. He claimed a member of the Gabel ethnic group could not go to the police as they would be mistreated and that families extract revenge through blood feuds.
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After being refused asylum, the applicants later sought subsidiary protection based on similar grounds. Those were refused and all five were subsequently deported to Albania in 2013.
Giving the COA judgment, Ms Justice Máire Whelan noted a deportation order means the affected individual cannot re-enter the State. The appeal was therefore not moot or pointless and the applicants had a right of access to the courts, she said.
She also noted there have been changes in the applicable law since the orders. She said the substance of each decision refusing subsidiary protection was based primarily on country of origin information from "credible" sources including the US State Department.
The Minister had noted a 2010 US State Department report stated, while the Romani people suffered significant societal abuse and discrimination in Albania, the Albanian government has taken positive steps in relation to the protection of minorities.
He had decided the applicants were not at risk of serious harm if returned to Albania.
Ms Justice Whelan said the High Court also correctly concluded that findings by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal of lack of credibility were an additional distinct material ground in each case which supported the Minister's refusal.
Each refusal decision incorporated extensive evidence outlining the rationale for the decisions and she was satisfied the High Court correctly concluded the appellants had failed to establish the refusals were either irrational or unreasonable.
The High Court rightly focussed on the fact none of the applicants had sought to contest the inferences drawn and conclusions reached by the tribunal in the cases, she said.
She was satisfied there was “clear evidence” before the Minister in the form of country of origin information which enabled him to make the decisions, draw the inferences and reach the conclusions which he did.
No stateable ground was identified to contend the High Court’s refusal of judicial review was irrational or otherwise unreasonable, she held.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Heavy rain and wind set to sweep the country on election day

Election day is likely to be very wet and windy as Storm Ciara heads towards the country .
The Atlantic storm , the third of the season , will make landfall along the west coast during Sunday , but it will be preceded by very bad weather on Friday and Saturday .
Met Éireann head of forecasting Evelyn Cusack says they are monitoring the progress of the storm which has been named by the UK Met Office .
She said heavy rain and wind will be at its strongest during the morning and afternoon of polling day .
She anticipates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orange weather warning for Sunday closer to the time .
She states that the strong winds will coincide with very high spring tides and there is a possibility of coastal flooding along the Atlantic seaboard from Donegal to Cork .
“ We expect gale force eight ( 62-74 km/h ) to storm force 10 ( 89-102 km/h ) at sea on Sunday , ” she said .
Wednesday and Thursday will likely be the calm before the storm with high pressure dominating , but this will give way to rain on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will deteriorate over the weekend with heavy rain and strong and gusty southerly winds which will move across the country on Saturday .
Gales can be expected during Saturday evening and into Saturday night and winds will be strongest along the northwest coast .
A yellow weather warning has been issued for the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland for Sunday with gusts of up to 120 km/h expected in coastal areas .
Forecaster Alex Deakin warned of “ high and damaging wind ” and that Ciara could be a “ nasty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage , coastal flooding and travel disruption over the weekend .

Heavy rain and wind will be at its strongest during the morning and afternoon of polling day. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Election day is likely to be very wet and windy as Storm Ciara heads towards the country.
The Atlantic storm, the third of the season, will make landfall along the west coast during Sunday, but it will be preceded by very bad weather on Friday and Saturday.
Met Éireann head of forecasting Evelyn Cusack says they are monitoring the progress of the storm which has been named by the UK Met Office.
She said heavy rain and wind will be at its strongest during the morning and afternoon of polling day.
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She anticipates Met Éireann will issue a yellow or orange weather warning for Sunday closer to the time.
She states that the strong winds will coincide with very high spring tides and there is a possibility of coastal flooding along the Atlantic seaboard from Donegal to Cork.
“We expect gale force eight (62-74 km/h) to storm force 10 (89-102 km/h) at sea on Sunday,” she said.
Wednesday and Thursday will likely be the calm before the storm with high pressure dominating, but this will give way to rain on Friday night and temperatures dropping to freezing.
Conditions will deteriorate over the weekend with heavy rain and strong and gusty southerly winds which will move across the country on Saturday.
Gales can be expected during Saturday evening and into Saturday night and winds will be strongest along the northwest coast.
A yellow weather warning has been issued for the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland for Sunday with gusts of up to 120 km/h expected in coastal areas. Forecaster Alex Deakin warned of "high and damaging wind" and that Ciara could be a "nasty storm".
He expects some structural damage, coastal flooding and travel disruption over the weekend.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Mother tells court of exhaustion caring for profoundly disabled son

A mother has told the High Court of the physical and mental exhaustion in caring for her nine-year-old brain damaged son who is spastic quadriplegic , can not speak and is almost blind .
Mark Kearney Clifford , from Arcnacloughy , Ballylickey , Bantry , Co Cork , is “ most profoundly disabled ” , the court was told as it approved a further substantial interim payment under a settlement of his action over the circumstances of his birth at Cork University Maternity Hospital .
Through his mother Grace Kearney , the boy had sued the HSE over the circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was claimed there was failure to perform a Caesarean section in sufficient time or at all to prevent the baby from suffering from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy .
It was also alleged there was failure to cause the CTG scan or other pre-natal monitoring results to be properly interpreted or otherwise reviewed by an experienced consultant in time or at all .
On Wednesday , when approving the interim payment for the next five years , Mr Justice Kevin Cross thanked Mark ’ s parents and their families for the boy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the future .
In a letter to the judge , Grace Kearney said her son has taught herself and her husband Darren “ to take every day as it comes and be grateful for the love we are surrounded by , but it has also left us both mentally and physically exhausted.
” She added : “ I am tired of the fighting for justice for Mark .
Darren and I want to leave the court today and return home to be the best parents to Mark and his siblings that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands of looking after Mark who suffers daily epileptic seizures and needs 24 hour care .
“ Mark ’ s needs require that one of us is predominantly taking care of him , while the other parent is looking after the needs of our three other children .
Simple things like sitting down and eating meals together and bedtime routines are unattainable .
It is very isolating when you are so caught up in juggling to be the best carers we can be to Mark , while also trying to function as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the family ’ s lives had changed forever after Mark ’ s birth , he has brought “ so much joy and love to our family .
He has taught us so much , but his condition has also brought so much pain and devastation.
” She added : “ I am grateful for the little boy we have in Mark as he has brought us more love then we knew possible , but every day I grieve for the baby I didn ’ t bring home .
The little boy who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every milestone is a reminder of what we lost .
“ We are so proud of Mark and all his achievements and we make sure to cuddle and kiss him every day always reminding him of just how loved he is.
” Her only wish now , she said , is to be able “ to close this chapter ” and try and get on with “ the life we have been dealt without the worry and stress the proceedings have brought .
“ I can assure you that , as parents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing son Mark and we will do everything in our power to ensure he is happy , loved and cared for , as he so deserves for the rest of his life .
He is our life and he could not be more loved.
” Dr John O ’ Mahony SC , for the boy , said it was a profoundly tragic case but the care given to Mark by his parents and grandparents was fantastic .

A mother has told the High Court of the physical and mental exhaustion in caring for her nine-year-old brain damaged son who is spastic quadriplegic, cannot speak and is almost blind.
Mark Kearney Clifford, from Arcnacloughy, Ballylickey, Bantry, Co Cork, is "most profoundly disabled", the court was told as it approved a further substantial interim payment under a settlement of his action over the circumstances of his birth at Cork University Maternity Hospital.
Through his mother Grace Kearney, the boy had sued the HSE over the circumstances of his birth on March 13th 2010. It was claimed there was failure to perform a Caesarean section in sufficient time or at all to prevent the baby from suffering from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.
It was also alleged there was failure to cause the CTG scan or other pre-natal monitoring results to be properly interpreted or otherwise reviewed by an experienced consultant in time or at all.
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The claims are denied.
On Wednesday, when approving the interim payment for the next five years, Mr Justice Kevin Cross thanked Mark’s parents and their families for the boy’s care and wished them the best for the future.
In a letter to the judge, Grace Kearney said her son has taught herself and her husband Darren “to take every day as it comes and be grateful for the love we are surrounded by, but it has also left us both mentally and physically exhausted.”
She added: “I am tired of the fighting for justice for Mark. Darren and I want to leave the court today and return home to be the best parents to Mark and his siblings that we can be.”
She spoke of the demands of looking after Mark who suffers daily epileptic seizures and needs 24 hour care.
“Mark’s needs require that one of us is predominantly taking care of him, while the other parent is looking after the needs of our three other children. Simple things like sitting down and eating meals together and bedtime routines are unattainable. It is very isolating when you are so caught up in juggling to be the best carers we can be to Mark, while also trying to function as a normal family unit.”
She said, while the family’s lives had changed forever after Mark’s birth, he has brought “so much joy and love to our family. He has taught us so much, but his condition has also brought so much pain and devastation.”
She added: “I am grateful for the little boy we have in Mark as he has brought us more love then we knew possible, but every day I grieve for the baby I didn’t bring home. The little boy who should have called mamma and dadda. Every milestone is a reminder of what we lost.
“We are so proud of Mark and all his achievements and we make sure to cuddle and kiss him every day always reminding him of just how loved he is.”
Her only wish now, she said, is to be able “to close this chapter” and try and get on with “the life we have been dealt without the worry and stress the proceedings have brought.
“I can assure you that, as parents, we are devoted to our beautiful, amazing son Mark and we will do everything in our power to ensure he is happy, loved and cared for, as he so deserves for the rest of his life . He is our life and he could not be more loved.”
Dr John O’Mahony SC, for the boy, said it was a profoundly tragic case but the care given to Mark by his parents and grandparents was fantastic.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Couple preparing for first same-sex marriage ceremony in Northern Ireland

A couple set to have the first same-sex marriage ceremony in Northern Ireland have revealed the lucky coincidence that has turned them into history makers .
Sharni Edwards ( 27 ) , and Robyn Peoples ( 26 ) , will get married in Co Antrim next Tuesday .
The day marks their sixth anniversary as a couple and they had booked a civil partnership ceremony for the date months before the landmark law change .
Ms Edwards , from Brighton , and Ms Peoples , from Belfast , have now turned the event into a wedding ceremony .
Ms Peoples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an “ amazing whirlwind ” .
“ It ’ s the biggest coincidence , ” she said .
“ We didn ’ t set out to be the first or have all this attention , but we are grateful to be able to set the way for the rest of our community.
” The senior care assistant said she never thought the day would come , due to the reluctance of many local politicians to lift the prohibition .
Same-sex marriage was eventually legalised as a result of a law passed last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and acted on the controversial issue during the powersharing impasse at Stormont .
Ms Edwards said she did not even know the law was different in Northern Ireland until she moved to Belfast from England .
“ Every year you just felt knocked back and knocked back no matter how many marches and protests there were , but finally we are there , ” said the waitress .
“ Before I met Robyn I didn ’ t know myself , because obviously it ’ s legal in the rest of the UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until I came over and she opened my eyes .
“ When I found out , I couldn ’ t comprehend it , I couldn ’ t understand why Northern Ireland was so behind .
Now the bill ’ s been passed to see history being made it ’ s just amazing.
” The couple paid a visit to a Belfast mural dedicated to murdered author Lyra McKee as they spoke about their wedding plans on Wednesday .
Ms McKee , who was shot dead by dissident republicans as she observed a riot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vocal campaigner for same-sex marriage .
The couple are planning an intimate wedding ceremony followed by a big party .
They will catch a flight at 6am the next morning for a two-week honeymoon in Cyprus .
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International said the wedding would be a momentous occasion not only for the couple but for the tens of thousands of people who were involved in the campaign for a law change .
“ It ’ s big day for them but it ’ s also a big day for the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Campaigners for that right have had to fight longer and harder here in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK and Ireland but we won that campaign and next Tuesday Robyn and Sharni walking down the aisle is the big day , the success day for that campaign when we know we have finally secured those rights for everybody in Northern Ireland.
” – PA

Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards, who are poised to become the first couple to have a same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, at the Lyra McKee mural in Belfast. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
A couple set to have the first same-sex marriage ceremony in Northern Ireland have revealed the lucky coincidence that has turned them into history makers.
Sharni Edwards (27), and Robyn Peoples (26), will get married in Co Antrim next Tuesday.
The day marks their sixth anniversary as a couple and they had booked a civil partnership ceremony for the date months before the landmark law change.
Ms Edwards, from Brighton, and Ms Peoples, from Belfast, have now turned the event into a wedding ceremony.
READ MORE
Ms Peoples described the build-up to the high-profile wedding as an “amazing whirlwind”.
“It’s the biggest coincidence,” she said. “We didn’t set out to be the first or have all this attention, but we are grateful to be able to set the way for the rest of our community.”
The senior care assistant said she never thought the day would come, due to the reluctance of many local politicians to lift the prohibition.
Same-sex marriage was eventually legalised as a result of a law passed last year by Westminster MPs who stepped in and acted on the controversial issue during the powersharing impasse at Stormont.
Ms Edwards said she did not even know the law was different in Northern Ireland until she moved to Belfast from England.
“Every year you just felt knocked back and knocked back no matter how many marches and protests there were, but finally we are there,” said the waitress.
“Before I met Robyn I didn’t know myself, because obviously it’s legal in the rest of the UK, so I didn’t know myself until I came over and she opened my eyes.
“When I found out, I couldn’t comprehend it, I couldn’t understand why Northern Ireland was so behind. Now the bill’s been passed to see history being made it’s just amazing.”
The couple paid a visit to a Belfast mural dedicated to murdered author Lyra McKee as they spoke about their wedding plans on Wednesday.
Ms McKee, who was shot dead by dissident republicans as she observed a riot in Derry last April, was a vocal campaigner for same-sex marriage.
The couple are planning an intimate wedding ceremony followed by a big party. They will catch a flight at 6am the next morning for a two-week honeymoon in Cyprus.
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International said the wedding would be a momentous occasion not only for the couple but for the tens of thousands of people who were involved in the campaign for a law change.
“It’s big day for them but it’s also a big day for the campaign for equal marriage in Northern Ireland,” he said. “Campaigners for that right have had to fight longer and harder here in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK and Ireland but we won that campaign and next Tuesday Robyn and Sharni walking down the aisle is the big day, the success day for that campaign when we know we have finally secured those rights for everybody in Northern Ireland.” – PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Burglar found hiding on golf course after Cork crime spree jailed

A member of a Dublin crime gang who was found hiding on a golf course by a sniffer dog after being pursued by gardaí following a series of burglaries in Cork , has been jailed for eight years .
Laurence Connors ( 28 ) , of Cherryfield Way Halting Site in Tallaght , pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday to four offences arising out of a crime spree on September 12th last .
Connors pleaded guilty to burglary at a house at Eyrecourt , Rochestown and to endangerment of Garda Joseph Halpin and Garda Dinah Birnbaum when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car at Rochestown .
He also pleaded guilty to possessing , knowing it to be stolen property , a safe , €8,625 in cash , €650 in coins , and jewellery , watches and foreign currency valued at a total of €27,085 on the N40 South Link in Cork .
Det Supt Mick Comyns told the court that Connors was part of a three-man gang that left Dublin early that morning in an Audi that was stolen in Essex , England just over a week earlier and fitted with false number plates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspiciously in the Rochestown area at around 2.30pm and Garda Halpin and Garda Birnbaum arrived on the scene and caught the gang breaking into a house .
Connors was sitting in the driver ’ s seat of the car as two masked men emerged from the house carrying a safe .
After they got into the car , Connors drove the Audi at the garda car , ramming it twice , Det Supt Comyns said .
Connors took off at speed and drove down on to the N40 South Link and headed towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked off the northward bore so he went up a service road .
He turned off the N40 in the direction of Carrigaline but then tried to reverse back on to the N40 , getting stuck on an embankment .
Connors and his two associates then abandoned the car and fled across the motorway .
They entered some marshland and moved in the direction of Mahon Golf Club as gardaí mounted a major search .
A garda sniffer dog found Connors hiding in undergrowth near where a bag with jewellery stolen earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Connors had 36 previous convictions including for theft , burglary , possession of stolen property , attempting to pervert the course of justice and possessing drugs for sale or supply .
Donal O ’ Sullivan BL , defending , said his client ’ s guilty plea had spared the State a two week trial that would have involved 44 witnesses and he asked Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin to be as lenient as possible to his client .
The judge acknowledged that Connors had spared the need for a lengthy trial but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professional , determined , organised crime gang ” .
He noted that the gang had come to Cork in a stolen car with a supply of false number plates as well as tools to remove a safe from a house and cleaning items and disinfectants to ensure they left no DNA evidence .
He said the group had come to Cork fully equipped to not just to carry out a burglary but to go on an crime spree .
However , they were thwarted by gardaí after the Rochestown burglary .
Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driver of the car , twice rammed a garda car and said Garda Halpin and Garda Birnbaum were fortunate to have avoided serious injury .
He said the maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years and sentenced Connors to 10 years with the final two years suspended .
He also disqualified Connors from driving for 10 years .

A member of a Dublin crime gang who was found hiding on a golf course by a sniffer dog after being pursued by gardaí following a series of burglaries in Cork, has been jailed for eight years.
A member of a Dublin crime gang who was found hiding on a golf course by a sniffer dog after being pursued by gardaí following a series of burglaries in Cork, has been jailed for eight years.
Laurence Connors (28), of Cherryfield Way Halting Site in Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday to four offences arising out of a crime spree on September 12th last.
Connors pleaded guilty to burglary at a house at Eyrecourt, Rochestown and to endangerment of Garda Joseph Halpin and Garda Dinah Birnbaum when he drove at and hit their patrol car at Rochestown.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing, knowing it to be stolen property, a safe, €8,625 in cash, €650 in coins, and jewellery, watches and foreign currency valued at a total of €27,085 on the N40 South Link in Cork.
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Det Supt Mick Comyns told the court that Connors was part of a three-man gang that left Dublin early that morning in an Audi that was stolen in Essex, England just over a week earlier and fitted with false number plates.
An off-duty garda saw the gang acting suspiciously in the Rochestown area at around 2.30pm and Garda Halpin and Garda Birnbaum arrived on the scene and caught the gang breaking into a house.
Connors was sitting in the driver’s seat of the car as two masked men emerged from the house carrying a safe. After they got into the car, Connors drove the Audi at the garda car, ramming it twice, Det Supt Comyns said.
Connors took off at speed and drove down on to the N40 South Link and headed towards the Jack Lynch Tunnel but gardaí had blocked off the northward bore so he went up a service road.
Stuck
He turned off the N40 in the direction of Carrigaline but then tried to reverse back on to the N40, getting stuck on an embankment. Connors and his two associates then abandoned the car and fled across the motorway.
They entered some marshland and moved in the direction of Mahon Golf Club as gardaí mounted a major search. A garda sniffer dog found Connors hiding in undergrowth near where a bag with jewellery stolen earlier in Ballinhassig was found.
Det Supt Comyns said that Connors had 36 previous convictions including for theft, burglary, possession of stolen property, attempting to pervert the course of justice and possessing drugs for sale or supply.
Donal O’Sullivan BL, defending, said his client’s guilty plea had spared the State a two week trial that would have involved 44 witnesses and he asked Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin to be as lenient as possible to his client.
The judge acknowledged that Connors had spared the need for a lengthy trial but said he clearly was involved in “a professional, determined, organised crime gang”. He noted that the gang had come to Cork in a stolen car with a supply of false number plates as well as tools to remove a safe from a house and cleaning items and disinfectants to ensure they left no DNA evidence.
He said the group had come to Cork fully equipped to not just to carry out a burglary but to go on an crime spree. However, they were thwarted by gardaí after the Rochestown burglary.
Judge Ó Donnabháin noted that Connors, as the driver of the car, twice rammed a garda car and said Garda Halpin and Garda Birnbaum were fortunate to have avoided serious injury.
He said the maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years and sentenced Connors to 10 years with the final two years suspended. He also disqualified Connors from driving for 10 years.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Mattie McGrath pushes ahead with legal challenge over Tipperary poll

Independent candidate Mattie McGrath is proceeding with a High Court action aimed at ensuring the vote in his Tipperary constituency proceeds in Saturday ’ s general election .
Lawyers representing McGrath told Mr Justice Charles Meenan on Wednesday afternoon , despite media reports the Tipperary poll will go ahead on Saturday , he is maintaining the action in the absence of official confirmation the election will proceed in the constituency .
The State , represented by Frank Callanan SC , with Michael Binchy BL , said issues raised by Mr McGrath were under active consideration by the Attorney General .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ question following the death of independent candidate Marese Skehan earlier this week .
As a result of her death , the returning officer for Tipperary , James Seymour , issued a countermand postponing the election in Tipperary to a later date .
Mr McGrath , an Independent candidate , claims , while Mr Seymour ’ s bona fides are not in any way in question , the decision to countermand the poll , made under Section 62 of the 1992 Electoral Act , is unlawful and in breach of the Constitution .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disenfranchised and precluded from having their TDs take part in discussions over the formation of the next government .
He also claims a danger of a skewed vote if they are not allowed to vote in the general election on Saturday .
He argues postponing the election in Tipperary to some unknown date would prejudice Independent candidates as larger political parties could “ descend upon the constituency and devote disproportionate resources , and canvassing personnel ” to Tipperary .
He claims any new date for the election in Tipperary might not take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constitution after the Dail has been dissolved .
That 30 day limit , he argues , expires on February 13th and he does not believe it will be possible for any new poll in the constituency to take place by that date .
The politician , represented by Micheal P O ’ Higgins SC , has initiated judicial review proceedings against Mr Seymour , the Minister for Housing , Planning and Local Government , Ireland and the Attorney .
He wants the returning officer ’ s decision quashed and is also challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral Act .
On Wednesday , Mr O ’ Higgins said his side needed time to finalise paperwork and asked that the matter be heard that afternoon .
He accepted the matter may be resolved in the next 24 hours but , as things stood , wanted it to proceed in the absence of any official confirmation the vote in the five seat Tipperary constituency will take place on Saturday .
Mr Callanan said his side did not have any documents in the case and , while broadly aware of the issues raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could consider their response .

Mattie McGrath pictured speaking to the media on leaving the Four Courts after a High Court action. Photograph: Collins Courts
Independent candidate Mattie McGrath is proceeding with a High Court action aimed at ensuring the vote in his Tipperary constituency proceeds in Saturday's general election.
Lawyers representing McGrath told Mr Justice Charles Meenan on Wednesday afternoon, despite media reports the Tipperary poll will go ahead on Saturday, he is maintaining the action in the absence of official confirmation the election will proceed in the constituency.
The State, represented by Frank Callanan SC, with Michael Binchy BL, said issues raised by Mr McGrath were under active consideration by the Attorney General.
The ballot in Tipperary was called into question following the death of independent candidate Marese Skehan earlier this week. As a result of her death, the returning officer for Tipperary, James Seymour, issued a countermand postponing the election in Tipperary to a later date.
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Mr McGrath, an Independent candidate, claims, while Mr Seymour’s bona fides are not in any way in question, the decision to countermand the poll, made under Section 62 of the 1992 Electoral Act, is unlawful and in breach of the Constitution.
He claims the people of Tipperary would be disenfranchised and precluded from having their TDs take part in discussions over the formation of the next government.
He also claims a danger of a skewed vote if they are not allowed to vote in the general election on Saturday. He argues postponing the election in Tipperary to some unknown date would prejudice Independent candidates as larger political parties could “descend upon the constituency and devote disproportionate resources, and canvassing personnel” to Tipperary.
He claims any new date for the election in Tipperary might not take place within the 30 days allowed for in the constitution after the Dail has been dissolved. That 30 day limit, he argues, expires on February 13th and he does not believe it will be possible for any new poll in the constituency to take place by that date.
The politician, represented by Micheal P O'Higgins SC, has initiated judicial review proceedings against Mr Seymour, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Ireland and the Attorney. He wants the returning officer's decision quashed and is also challenging the constitutionality of sections of the 1992 Electoral Act.
On Wednesday, Mr O’Higgins said his side needed time to finalise paperwork and asked that the matter be heard that afternoon. He accepted the matter may be resolved in the next 24 hours but, as things stood, wanted it to proceed in the absence of any official confirmation the vote in the five seat Tipperary constituency will take place on Saturday.
Mr Callanan said his side did not have any documents in the case and, while broadly aware of the issues raised, wanted it adjourned to Thursday so they could consider their response.
Mr Justice Meenan adjourned the matter to Thursday afternoon.


theirishtimes--2020-02-05--Tens of thousands protest in Dublin over ‘crisis’ in childcare sector

Tens of thousands of childcare workers and parents marched through Dublin ’ s city centre on Wednesday as part of a “ day of protest ” over pay and conditions in the sector .
The Together for Early Years Alliance says underfunding of the sector has reached crisis point and is resulting in poorly-paid staff and unsustainable services .
It has called on the next government to increase funding in order to reduce fees for parents , increase pay for educators and support the sustainability of services or face the prospect of further demonstrations .
Organisers estimated that close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childcare facilities closed on Wednesday to facilitate staff to take part in the protests .
While the action caused disruption for working parents , many mothers and fathers opted to march in solidarity with childcare workers .
Brian Farrelly and his son Oisín ( 4 ) , who attends Rainbow day care centre on Dublin ’ s Manor Street , marched with a homemade placard of a rainbow which read : “ We support our childcare workers.
” “ I totally support them .
These guys are paid a pittance and provide so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t help but thank them enough .
There are only so many boxes of chocolates you can buy them on occasions .
They need to be properly supported for their work , ” he said .
Liz Campbell , owner of Mini-Me Childcare , said her small facility in Co Kilkenny faces closure in March due to “ underfunding and over-regulation ” .
“ I ’ m in operation 18 years .
I ’ ve the same staff , very low turnover .
Three full-time , five part-time .
“ Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] scheme , I ’ ve been undercut by €18,000 per year .
I ’ ve 15 children in total .
I ’ m losing €45 per week for each child in the ECCE [ early childhood care and education ] scheme .
My staff are on the minimum wage .
Isha Kidd , a childcare worker at John Johnston Montessori in Castleknock , said that while her employer was “ very , very good ” , the wider sector is in crisis .
“ I ’ m paid €12 per hour for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get a mortgage .
I have a level eight [ degree ] course .
I ’ m still where I was seven years ago – and still paying education loans back.
” The protest was organised by Together for Early Years , a coalition of groups including Sitpu , Federation of Early Childhood Providers , Association of Childhood Professionals , Seas Suas and National Community Childcare Forum .
Among the group ’ s demands are the introduction of a living wage for early years educators , an improved funding model and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Federation of Childhood Providers , said she expected the protest would be the “ first of many ” unless the next government tackles funding issues .
“ We ’ re being forced to fight back .
We ’ re doing this for parents , children and the providers .
We need proper levels of EU funding.
” Siptu ’ s Darragh O ’ Connor said the situation was at crisis point and it will seek to put pressure on the next government to address issues such as low earnings and high @ @ @

Tens of thousands of childcare providers, teachers, and parents have taken part in a protest in Dublin calling for greater government investment in the sector. Video: Bryan O’Brien
Tens of thousands of childcare workers and parents marched through Dublin’s city centre on Wednesday as part of a “day of protest” over pay and conditions in the sector.
The Together for Early Years Alliance says underfunding of the sector has reached crisis point and is resulting in poorly-paid staff and unsustainable services.
It has called on the next government to increase funding in order to reduce fees for parents, increase pay for educators and support the sustainability of services or face the prospect of further demonstrations.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 6 The childcare march passing down O’Connell Street, Dublin. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Organisers estimated that close to half of the country’s 4,200 childcare facilities closed on Wednesday to facilitate staff to take part in the protests.
READ MORE
Solidarity
While the action caused disruption for working parents, many mothers and fathers opted to march in solidarity with childcare workers.
Brian Farrelly and his son Oisín (4), who attends Rainbow day care centre on Dublin's Manor Street, marched with a homemade placard of a rainbow which read: "We support our childcare workers."
“I totally support them. These guys are paid a pittance and provide so much value to my children. I can’t help but thank them enough. There are only so many boxes of chocolates you can buy them on occasions. They need to be properly supported for their work,” he said.
Liz Campbell, owner of Mini-Me Childcare, said her small facility in Co Kilkenny faces closure in March due to "underfunding and over-regulation".
“I’m in operation 18 years. I’ve the same staff, very low turnover. Three full-time, five part-time.
“Since they brought in the government [subsidies] scheme, I’ve been undercut by €18,000 per year. I’ve 15 children in total. I’m losing €45 per week for each child in the ECCE [early childhood care and education] scheme. My staff are on the minimum wage.
Isha Kidd, a childcare worker at John Johnston Montessori in Castleknock, said that while her employer was "very, very good", the wider sector is in crisis.
“I’m paid €12 per hour for 38 weeks a year. I can’t get a mortgage. I have a level eight [degree] course. I’m still where I was seven years ago – and still paying education loans back.”
Coalition
The protest was organised by Together for Early Years, a coalition of groups including Sitpu, Federation of Early Childhood Providers, Association of Childhood Professionals, Seas Suas and National Community Childcare Forum.
Among the group’s demands are the introduction of a living wage for early years educators, an improved funding model and less red tape.
Elaine Dunne, of the Federation of Childhood Providers, said she expected the protest would be the "first of many" unless the next government tackles funding issues.
“We’re being forced to fight back. We’re doing this for parents, children and the providers. We need proper levels of EU funding.”
Siptu's Darragh O'Connor said the situation was at crisis point and it will seek to put pressure on the next government to address issues such as low earnings and high childcare fees.