theirishtimes--2020-11-07--The Pleiades is the star of the November sky with a partial lunar eclipse at month’s end

Chances are you will come across a few products during the month that are named after a celestial object .
One noticeable brand is Subaru cars .
Their badge consists of six stars , with one now more prominent , and is the insignia adopted by a conglomeration established by six Japanese manufacturers in the 1950s .
Subaru also just happens to be the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus .
The compact swarm is often better known as the Seven Sisters and is now visible above the eastern skyline after dark , with five or six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first glance .
Some observers have suggested it looks like a tiny version of The Plough , which is a very good description .
While a few additional stars may be picked out with the unaided eye , it is with binoculars that the Pleiades are truly spectacular .
The field is strewn with numerous glittering shards of cut crystal and the blue-white light of these suns hints at their youth .
The cluster is roughly 115 million years old and lies about 445 light years away so the light we see this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first to sketch the Pleiades through a telescope in the winter of 1609/10 .
A drawing in his great work Siderius Nuncius shows a couple of dozen stars .
We now know of more than a thousand individuals in the group , all of which were born in the same region of space .
In time , the gravitational influence of our galaxy will disrupt the cluster and the Pleiads will go their separate ways .
Long exposure photographs show a scene wreathed in gas and dust illuminated by starlight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interstellar cloud as the cluster ’ s own embryonic material dissipated long ago .
Because they lie close to the celestial equator the Pleiades are visible the world over and are woven into diverse myths , as well as having descriptive names such as those listed in An Gúm ’ s Foclóir Réalteolaíochta like an tÉillín ( “ brood ” or “ clutch ” ) , an Streoillín ( “ straggling line ” ) , and an Tréidín ( “ flock ” ) .
Indeed , the resemblance to a flight of birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Pleiades were often associated with the onset of months of cold or feast days for souls of the dead , as their culmination at midnight was on the cusp of winter and , for Druids , the festival of Samhain .
The cluster ’ s appearance is still gauged by some native peoples to predict whether it will be too wet or dry to plant crops , while they were also said to delineate the sailing season in Mediterranean regions .
Easy to overlook in Taurus is another prominent star cluster called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a V-shaped pattern pointing away from the orange star Aldebaran , which is itself not a member as it is only half as distant .
The Hyades are much older than the Pleiades and are a laboratory for testing theories of stellar evolution .
In Greek myth , the Pleiades are the daughters of Atlas and Pleione , with six of the seven marrying gods .
The remaining daughter Merope was said to have faded away after her wedding to a mortal .
Interestingly , we find reference to this “ lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Some have suggested the star suffered a genuine loss of brightness in the past , but other tales mention a different Pleiad missing .
The riddle still endures , just as the beautiful Sisters continue to captivate and enchant these evenings .
Last quarter moon falls on November 8th , the new moon on the 15th and first quarter on the 22nd , with full moon on the 30th coinciding with a partial penumbral lunar eclipse .
These types of eclipses are more subtle as the moon only dips into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shadow cast in space .
The eclipse commences at 7.32am on the morning of the 30th but you will not notice anything until close to moonset at 8.12am .
That is more of a hope to be honest and counts on the moon ’ s glare being muted when low down , which may help emphasise any very slight staining near the top of its disk .
We will miss the eclipse maximum at 9.42am as it occurs after moonset from here .
Mercury is visible in the morning sky right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south-eastern skyline around 6.45am on the 10th .
It can be found to the lower left of Venus and near Spica at this time but is a bit brighter than the star .
The Moon also acts as a guide when close by on the mornings of the 13th and 14th .
Venus rises three hours before the Sun during the month and dominates the eastern sky before the first blushes of dawn appear .
It seems to narrow the gap daily to Mercury but gets no closer than 12 degrees away ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm ’ s length ) on the 13th .
Their separation stays static for about a week before widening again as Mercury dives sunward .
Mars is receding in the rear-view mirror so to speak , as Earth has now overtaken it on our faster orbit .
But the planet still smoulders bright orange in the eastern sky as soon as darkness falls and remains on view until the early hours .
The gibbous moon is near Mars on the evening of the 25th .
Jupiter and Saturn fit in the same low-power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only half that distance apart by the end of the month as the gap between them slowly narrows .
The two planets can be found in the southwest these evenings and set after 8pm .
Look for them to the upper right of the Moon on the 19th .
Two meteor showers active during November are the Leonids and northern Taurids .
Rates from the former are normally very low during its peak on the 16th but reach storm levels every 33 years or so when the associated parent comet returns to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2032 .
The northern Taurids reach maximum on the night of November 11th and generally exhibit low rates too .
But they can spring surprises and sometimes yield slow moving bright fireballs .
A new launch date for the next Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station was set shortly after October ’ s article was published .
The mission is now slated to lift off on November 11th and will ferry four additional members of the latest Expedition crew to the station .
Morning passes of the ISS run until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evening sky from the 20th .
Predictions for your location can be calculated on Heavens Above .
Chang ’ e , named for the Chinese Moon goddess , is China ’ s lunar exploration series that first began in 2007 when Chang ’ e 1 reached lunar orbit .
Chang ’ e 5 is a robotic sample return mission that is scheduled to launch at the end of November .
Current plans are to collect about 2kg of material from below the Moon ’ s surface for later return to Earth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an interest in the history and lore of the sky along with astronomical phenomena observable with the unaided eye .
He is a member of the Irish Astronomical Society

Chances are you will come across a few products during the month that are named after a celestial object. One noticeable brand is Subaru cars. Their badge consists of six stars, with one now more prominent, and is the insignia adopted by a conglomeration established by six Japanese manufacturers in the 1950s. Subaru also just happens to be the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus.
The compact swarm is often better known as the Seven Sisters and is now visible above the eastern skyline after dark, with five or six of its brightest members easily seen at first glance. Some observers have suggested it looks like a tiny version of The Plough, which is a very good description.
While a few additional stars may be picked out with the unaided eye, it is with binoculars that the Pleiades are truly spectacular. The field is strewn with numerous glittering shards of cut crystal and the blue-white light of these suns hints at their youth.
The Pleiades cluster is roughly 115 million years old and lies about 445 light years away. Photograph: Getty Images
The cluster is roughly 115 million years old and lies about 445 light years away so the light we see this month started its journey just before Galileo was the first to sketch the Pleiades through a telescope in the winter of 1609/10. A drawing in his great work Siderius Nuncius shows a couple of dozen stars.
READ MORE
We now know of more than a thousand individuals in the group, all of which were born in the same region of space. In time, the gravitational influence of our galaxy will disrupt the cluster and the Pleiads will go their separate ways. Long exposure photographs show a scene wreathed in gas and dust illuminated by starlight, but this a chance encounter with an interstellar cloud as the cluster’s own embryonic material dissipated long ago.
Because they lie close to the celestial equator the Pleiades are visible the world over and are woven into diverse myths, as well as having descriptive names such as those listed in An Gúm’s Foclóir Réalteolaíochta like an tÉillín (“brood” or “clutch”), an Streoillín (“straggling line”), and an Tréidín (“flock”). Indeed, the resemblance to a flight of birds is noted by many early cultures.
The Pleiades were often associated with the onset of months of cold or feast days for souls of the dead, as their culmination at midnight was on the cusp of winter and, for Druids, the festival of Samhain. The cluster’s appearance is still gauged by some native peoples to predict whether it will be too wet or dry to plant crops, while they were also said to delineate the sailing season in Mediterranean regions.
Easy to overlook in Taurus is another prominent star cluster called the Hyades. This more scattered group has a V-shaped pattern pointing away from the orange star Aldebaran, which is itself not a member as it is only half as distant. The Hyades are much older than the Pleiades and are a laboratory for testing theories of stellar evolution.
In Greek myth, the Pleiades are the daughters of Atlas and Pleione, with six of the seven marrying gods. The remaining daughter Merope was said to have faded away after her wedding to a mortal. Interestingly, we find reference to this "lost" Pleiad in stories from all over the world. Some have suggested the star suffered a genuine loss of brightness in the past, but other tales mention a different Pleiad missing. The riddle still endures, just as the beautiful Sisters continue to captivate and enchant these evenings.
Last quarter moon falls on November 8th, the new moon on the 15th and first quarter on the 22nd, with full moon on the 30th coinciding with a partial penumbral lunar eclipse.
These types of eclipses are more subtle as the moon only dips into the more diffuse outer parts of Earth’s shadow cast in space.
The eclipse commences at 7.32am on the morning of the 30th but you will not notice anything until close to moonset at 8.12am. That is more of a hope to be honest and counts on the moon’s glare being muted when low down, which may help emphasise any very slight staining near the top of its disk. We will miss the eclipse maximum at 9.42am as it occurs after moonset from here.
Mercury is visible in the morning sky right throughout November but is highest above the south-eastern skyline around 6.45am on the 10th. It can be found to the lower left of Venus and near Spica at this time but is a bit brighter than the star. The Moon also acts as a guide when close by on the mornings of the 13th and 14th.
Venus rises three hours before the Sun during the month and dominates the eastern sky before the first blushes of dawn appear. It seems to narrow the gap daily to Mercury but gets no closer than 12 degrees away (a little more than a fist-width at arm’s length) on the 13th. Their separation stays static for about a week before widening again as Mercury dives sunward.
Mars is receding in the rear-view mirror so to speak, as Earth has now overtaken it on our faster orbit. But the planet still smoulders bright orange in the eastern sky as soon as darkness falls and remains on view until the early hours. The gibbous moon is near Mars on the evening of the 25th.
Jupiter and Saturn fit in the same low-power binocular field-of-view in early November but are only half that distance apart by the end of the month as the gap between them slowly narrows. The two planets can be found in the southwest these evenings and set after 8pm. Look for them to the upper right of the Moon on the 19th.
Two meteor showers active during November are the Leonids and northern Taurids. Rates from the former are normally very low during its peak on the 16th but reach storm levels every 33 years or so when the associated parent comet returns to the inner solar system, which next happens in 2032.
The northern Taurids reach maximum on the night of November 11th and generally exhibit low rates too. But they can spring surprises and sometimes yield slow moving bright fireballs.
Spaceflight
A new launch date for the next Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station was set shortly after October’s article was published. The mission is now slated to lift off on November 11th and will ferry four additional members of the latest Expedition crew to the station.
Morning passes of the ISS run until November 9th after which it switches to the evening sky from the 20th. Predictions for your location can be calculated on Heavens Above.
Chang’e, named for the Chinese Moon goddess, is China’s lunar exploration series that first began in 2007 when Chang’e 1 reached lunar orbit. Chang’e 5 is a robotic sample return mission that is scheduled to launch at the end of November. Current plans are to collect about 2kg of material from below the Moon’s surface for later return to Earth.
John Flannery is a long-time amateur astronomer with an interest in the history and lore of the sky along with astronomical phenomena observable with the unaided eye. He is a member of the Irish Astronomical Society


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Eleven retailers may face prosecution over alleged Covid-19 breaches

Eleven retail outlets could face prosecution for allegedly breaching Covid-19 public health restrictions , Gardai have said .
Files are to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) for 11 incidents up to October 31st where premises have “ continued with suspected breaches of regulations ” .
In a statement the Garda said where premises continued with suspected breaches of Level 5 regulations files will be sent to the DPP .
Gardai said checks of retail premises across the State have shown the vast majority are compliant or came into compliance when requested to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
Figures released on Saturday show breaches of public health guidelines under the Government ’ s Living with Covid-19 strategy between October 22nd-31st .
Under the Level 5 restrictions only non-retail outlets can open for a six week period .
Shops which can open until the beginning of December include supermarkets , pharmacies , health and hardware stores , shops selling PPE , fuel providers , shops selling things deemed essential for the welfare of animals and shops selling products necessary for the “ essential upkeep and functioning of places of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlets which can operate a click and collect system , home delivery or phone ordering can also continue to trade although people will not be able to visit the shops to browse the aisles .
Figures released by the Garda show have also been 13 incidents where individuals were suspected of breaching travel restriction regulations and files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) .
There was one incident of the non-wearing of a face mask reported during the first 10 days of Level 5 restrictions , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the DPP , bringing the total number to eight since it became a regulation .
On five occasions there has been a failure to provide contact tracing details on passenger landing forms .
Since October 22nd , gardai have operated 132 checkpoints on major roads and approximately 1,000 other checkpoints on secondary and minor roads per day .
Average traffic volumes for private cars is currently down 50 per cent from pre-Covid levels , according to Transport Infrastructure Ireland ( TII ) .
Some categories of crime , such as burglary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level 5 restrictions while others remain at similar levels .
John Twomey , Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security , said it is welcome to see “ continuing high levels of compliance ” with the Level 5 public health guidelines .
“ We know it is not easy , but it is vital that we all work together to maintain this in the weeks ahead to further reduce the spread of Covid-19 , ” he said .
“ Compliance among retail premises also remains very high .
This is appreciated .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially in breach of the regulations .
We will continue to focus our attention on those retailers .
“ I would like to remind the public that gardaí around the country are here to help at this difficult time , particularly those who are vulnerable or feel isolated .
If you know of someone who , for instance , needs their shopping done , their pension collected or checked on please contact your local Garda station .
We are here to help .
”

Gardai said checks of retail premises across the State have shown the vast majority are compliant. Photograph: iStock
Eleven retail outlets could face prosecution for allegedly breaching Covid-19 public health restrictions, Gardai have said.
Files are to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for 11 incidents up to October 31st where premises have "continued with suspected breaches of regulations".
In a statement the Garda said where premises continued with suspected breaches of Level 5 regulations files will be sent to the DPP.
Gardai said checks of retail premises across the State have shown the vast majority are compliant or came into compliance when requested to do so since the Level 5 restrictions were introduced last month.
READ MORE
Figures released on Saturday show breaches of public health guidelines under the Government’s Living with Covid-19 strategy between October 22nd-31st.
Under the Level 5 restrictions only non-retail outlets can open for a six week period. Shops which can open until the beginning of December include supermarkets, pharmacies, health and hardware stores, shops selling PPE, fuel providers, shops selling things deemed essential for the welfare of animals and shops selling products necessary for the “essential upkeep and functioning of places of residence and businesses”.
All retail outlets which can operate a click and collect system, home delivery or phone ordering can also continue to trade although people will not be able to visit the shops to browse the aisles.
Figures released by the Garda show have also been 13 incidents where individuals were suspected of breaching travel restriction regulations and files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
There was one incident of the non-wearing of a face mask reported during the first 10 days of Level 5 restrictions, which has resulted in a file being sent to the DPP, bringing the total number to eight since it became a regulation.
On five occasions there has been a failure to provide contact tracing details on passenger landing forms.
Since October 22nd, gardai have operated 132 checkpoints on major roads and approximately 1,000 other checkpoints on secondary and minor roads per day.
Average traffic volumes for private cars is currently down 50 per cent from pre-Covid levels, according to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Some categories of crime, such as burglary, have fallen since the introduction of the Level 5 restrictions while others remain at similar levels.
John Twomey, Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security, said it is welcome to see "continuing high levels of compliance" with the Level 5 public health guidelines.
“ We know it is not easy, but it is vital that we all work together to maintain this in the weeks ahead to further reduce the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
“Compliance among retail premises also remains very high. This is appreciated. However, there are still some retailers who are potentially in breach of the regulations. We will continue to focus our attention on those retailers.
“I would like to remind the public that gardaí around the country are here to help at this difficult time, particularly those who are vulnerable or feel isolated. If you know of someone who, for instance, needs their shopping done, their pension collected or checked on please contact your local Garda station. We are here to help.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Man charged over aggravated burglary at Dundalk property

A man in his mid-20s has been charged in relation to an aggravated burglary at a property in Dundalk , @ @ @ @ @ Gardai received reports of an assault at a residential property in Muirhevnamor at 9pm .
@ @ @ @ @ received injuries to his hand and was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ not serious .
A man in his mid-20s was arrested at the scene and was @ @ @ @ @ where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , 1984 .
@ @ @ @ @ and is due to appear before Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice @ @ @

A man (20) received injuries to his hand and was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. File photograph: Alan Betson
A man in his mid-20s has been charged in relation to an aggravated burglary at a property in Dundalk, Co Louth last night.
Gardai received reports of an assault at a residential property in Muirhevnamor at 9pm. A man (20) received injuries to his hand and was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. His condition is described as not serious.
A man in his mid-20s was arrested at the scene and was taken to Dundalk Garda station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
He has since been charged and is due to appear before Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice at 10.30am.


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Aaron Brady released without charge over alleged witness intimidation in murder case

Aaron Brady , the convicted killer of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe , was released back to prison without charge on @ @ @ @ @ arrested over allegations of witness intimidation related to the murder trial .
Brady was last @ @ @ @ @ for the murder of the garda in Co Louth in 2013 .
Gardai attached to @ @ @ @ @ Criminal Investigation arrested Brady at Portlaoise Prison on Friday as part of its ongoing investigation @ @ @ @ @ intimidation , perverting the course of justice and the unlawful use of mobile phones in @ @ @ @ @ to the trial .
There have been seven arrests in relation to the investigation .

Aaron Brady was last month sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a garda in Co Louth in 2013. Photograph: Collins
Aaron Brady, the convicted killer of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, was released back to prison without charge on Saturday morning after he was arrested over allegations of witness intimidation related to the murder trial.
Brady was last month sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of the garda in Co Louth in 2013.
Gardai attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Brady at Portlaoise Prison on Friday as part of its ongoing investigation into allegations of "witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice and the unlawful use of mobile phones in the prison environment" related to the trial.
There have been seven arrests in relation to the investigation.


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Europe’s eels at risk from lucrative illegal trafficking

‘ He stood at night , ” wrote Seamus Heaney , “ when eels/ Moved through the grass like hatched fears/ Towards the water .
To stand/ In one place as the field flowed/ Past , a jellied road ... ” Heaney ’ s young fisherman , standing in fields around Lough Neagh , had a rather spooky time .
In Dublin ’ s Blackrock Park , however , as told to Eye on Nature , a reader taking her dog for an early morning walk was just perplexed to see “ hundreds and hundreds ” of eels bunched together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wriggling out through the grass towards the sea .
Even eels in Ireland ’ s suburban park ponds , grown to sufficient maturity , are drawn into the mass migration of their species , swimming off to spawn in the Sargasso Sea , some 6,000km away .
Living on Connacht ’ s stormy coast , I have imagined the eels alerted by microseisms , the barometric tremors travelling ahead of low pressure .
Their omen of heavy rain reaches up into lakes and streamlets to the eels waiting on their journey , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salt .
Once seaborne , they do not , it seems , take the straight bearings their purpose might dictate .
Satellite tagging of hundreds of European eels , including some leaving from Ireland , showed them meandering and pausing , even doubling back , along the way .
This adds yet more mystery to the timing of the Sargasso spawning season and its yield of larvae , returning as millions of tiny “ glass eels ” , transparent elvers , to the freshwaters of Europe and North America .
The dislocation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , linked perhaps to climate change and its impact on the Gulf Stream , has been showing some recovery .
But the dramatic decline in eel return before 2007 has brought lockdown conservation measures and made glass eels the most trafficked wild creatures in the world .
In March this year , a UK seafood salesman was found guilty of smuggling some five million glass eels worth more than £53 million ( €59m ) to Hong Kong between 2015 and 2017 .
Their huge illegal traffic from Europe to Asia was estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year , or some 350 million fish .
The UK-based Sustainable Eel Group computes that the final eel fillets produced from them are worth €2.27 billion at the point of consumption .
While eels come and go through every estuary in Ireland , those of the Shannon and the Bann have been especially important for commercial fishery .
The big co-operative fishery at Northern Ireland ’ s Lough Neagh , trapping silver eels mainly for export to the Netherlands , has replenished the lake ’ s stock by flying in annual millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain .
Just as these are maturing into saleable eels , the lake ’ s fishermen fear that Brexit will lose the Dutch market and end the EU ’ s permission for the import of glass eels .
The Republic has no comparable fishery and the major obstacle to eel migration through the Shannon is the Ardnacrusha power station .
This has made the ESB responsible for trapping , transporting and monitoring the eels to aid their passage to and from the sea .
The continuing loss of eels in hydroelectric turbines has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 , the EU set out a recovery framework in which 40 per cent of Europe ’ s silver eels must be allowed to escape to the sea – a target still largely unfulfilled .
Ireland ’ s national eel management plan brought a ban on eel fishing in 2009 that deprived some 200 licensed fishermen of their livelihood .
Their hardship has been relieved by compensatory payments from an “ eel fisherpersons support scheme ” backed by EU funding .
As further encouragement , the local knowledge and eel expertise of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( IFI ) in a programme of catch-and-release sampling for research and stock assessment .
A pilot survey of glass eels in the Shannon estuary gave the first indication of a sustained recovery .
In 2014 , Dr Will O ’ Connor of the European Eel Foundation described a “ massive run ” of millions in early April .
Since then , the IFI teams have monitored glass eel runs in rivers such as the Boyne , Fane and Moy , yellow eel populations in lakes across the country , and the volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Boyne , Barrow and Blackwater .
In the latter operations , the IFI was offering €400 a night for at least 20 nights for two tax-compliant , well-insured fisherpersons .
For the summer lake surveys of yellow eels , the IFI has supplied chains of fyke nets , long funnels of netting , baited and staked out in the water as the equivalent of lobster pots .
Last May , however , brought science news that could supplant this traditional technology .
Eels , like other aquatic organisms , shed traces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a co-operative study with a team from the University of West England , DNA data from sampling of five Irish lakes compared well to estimates from the fyke-net catches of eels .
Indeed , the shore-based , “ non-invasive ” DNA methods may give a better picture of lakes with low eel populations .

'He stood at night," wrote Seamus Heaney, "when eels/ Moved through the grass like hatched fears/ Towards the water. To stand/ In one place as the field flowed/ Past, a jellied road ..."
Heaney's young fisherman, standing in fields around Lough Neagh, had a rather spooky time. In Dublin's Blackrock Park, however, as told to Eye on Nature, a reader taking her dog for an early morning walk was just perplexed to see "hundreds and hundreds" of eels bunched together at the rim of the lake and wriggling out through the grass towards the sea.
Even eels in Ireland's suburban park ponds, grown to sufficient maturity, are drawn into the mass migration of their species, swimming off to spawn in the Sargasso Sea, some 6,000km away.
Living on Connacht’s stormy coast, I have imagined the eels alerted by microseisms, the barometric tremors travelling ahead of low pressure. Their omen of heavy rain reaches up into lakes and streamlets to the eels waiting on their journey, their bellies silvered, their systems ready-proofed against salt.
READ MORE
Once seaborne, they do not, it seems, take the straight bearings their purpose might dictate. Satellite tagging of hundreds of European eels, including some leaving from Ireland, showed them meandering and pausing, even doubling back, along the way.
This adds yet more mystery to the timing of the Sargasso spawning season and its yield of larvae, returning as millions of tiny “glass eels”, transparent elvers, to the freshwaters of Europe and North America.
The dislocation of this life cycle over the past 30 years, linked perhaps to climate change and its impact on the Gulf Stream, has been showing some recovery. But the dramatic decline in eel return before 2007 has brought lockdown conservation measures and made glass eels the most trafficked wild creatures in the world.
In March this year, a UK seafood salesman was found guilty of smuggling some five million glass eels worth more than £53 million (€59m) to Hong Kong between 2015 and 2017.
Their huge illegal traffic from Europe to Asia was estimated by Europol in 2018 at 100 tonnes a year, or some 350 million fish. The UK-based Sustainable Eel Group computes that the final eel fillets produced from them are worth €2.27 billion at the point of consumption.
The major obstacle to eel migration through the Shannon is the Ardnacrusha power station
While eels come and go through every estuary in Ireland, those of the Shannon and the Bann have been especially important for commercial fishery.
The big co-operative fishery at Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh, trapping silver eels mainly for export to the Netherlands, has replenished the lake’s stock by flying in annual millions of glass eels from France and mainland Britain. Just as these are maturing into saleable eels, the lake’s fishermen fear that Brexit will lose the Dutch market and end the EU’s permission for the import of glass eels.
The Republic has no comparable fishery and the major obstacle to eel migration through the Shannon is the Ardnacrusha power station. This has made the ESB responsible for trapping, transporting and monitoring the eels to aid their passage to and from the sea.
The continuing loss of eels in hydroelectric turbines has long been an EU concern. In 2007, the EU set out a recovery framework in which 40 per cent of Europe’s silver eels must be allowed to escape to the sea – a target still largely unfulfilled.
Ireland’s national eel management plan brought a ban on eel fishing in 2009 that deprived some 200 licensed fishermen of their livelihood. Their hardship has been relieved by compensatory payments from an “eel fisherpersons support scheme” backed by EU funding.
As further encouragement, the local knowledge and eel expertise of the fishermen was recruited by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in a programme of catch-and-release sampling for research and stock assessment.
A pilot survey of glass eels in the Shannon estuary gave the first indication of a sustained recovery. In 2014, Dr Will O'Connor of the European Eel Foundation described a "massive run" of millions in early April.
Since then, the IFI teams have monitored glass eel runs in rivers such as the Boyne, Fane and Moy, yellow eel populations in lakes across the country, and the volume of silver eels escaping from rivers such as the Boyne, Barrow and Blackwater. In the latter operations, the IFI was offering €400 a night for at least 20 nights for two tax-compliant, well-insured fisherpersons.
For the summer lake surveys of yellow eels, the IFI has supplied chains of fyke nets, long funnels of netting, baited and staked out in the water as the equivalent of lobster pots. Last May, however, brought science news that could supplant this traditional technology.
Eels, like other aquatic organisms, shed traces of distinctive DNA into the water. In a co-operative study with a team from the University of West England, DNA data from sampling of five Irish lakes compared well to estimates from the fyke-net catches of eels. Indeed, the shore-based, "non-invasive" DNA methods may give a better picture of lakes with low eel populations.


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Should I be worried about these mushrooms growing in my garden? Readers’ nature queries

I found these mushrooms in our garden in Connemara .
There are quite a few groups of them .
Should I be worried ?
– Jackie Uí Chionnam , Ráisín na MainIoch , Co Galway They are shaggy ink caps , also called lawyer ’ s wig .
They are edible when young and the gills are still pink , before black appears .
I snapped this day-flying moth in the middle of October ; please let me know its name .
– Bobby Carty , Belmullet , Co Mayo It ’ s the silver Y moth , occasionally tinged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repotting some plants when we spotted this bee in a nest at the bottom of a pot .
It was vibrating and alive .
Was it hibernating ?
– Odran Cafferkey , Whitechurch , Co Cork It is likely a bumblebee queen hibernating .
This looks like the lavender beetle you featured earlier , though without the pyjama stripes .
Is it in the same family ?
– Melissa Newman , Strokestown , Co Roscommon It looks like the bloody-nosed beetle , so-called because it exudes a drop of red liquid when alarmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I found these on Dollymount beach ; they are about 3 inches long .
Can you tell what they are ?
– Gráinne Walsh , Clontarf , Dublin They are sea squirts and are found all around the coast .
I found this beautifully coloured , mussel-looking , squid-like creature on the beach at Carrowniskey , Louisburgh .
I ’ ve never seen anything like it before .
– John Geary Rosmoney Westport , Co Mayo They are buoy-making barnacles , a bit like goose necked barnacles .
They are at home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and are sometimes stranded on western coasts after southwesterly winds .
Eye on Nature had reports for the first time this year .
When cleaning the nesting box I found that the blue tit had built under a wasps ’ nest .
– Thomas Sweeney , Bray , Co Wicklow Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Please include a postal address .

I found these mushrooms in our garden in Connemara. There are quite a few groups of them. Should I be worried? – Jackie Uí Chionnam, Ráisín na MainIoch, Co Galway
They are shaggy ink caps, also called lawyer's wig. They are edible when young and the gills are still pink, before black appears.
A silver Y moth in Mayo
I snapped this day-flying moth in the middle of October; please let me know its name. – Bobby Carty, Belmullet, Co Mayo
It's the silver Y moth, occasionally tinged with purple like yours.
A bumblebee queen in Cork
We were repotting some plants when we spotted this bee in a nest at the bottom of a pot. It was vibrating and alive. Was it hibernating? – Odran Cafferkey, Whitechurch, Co Cork
It is likely a bumblebee queen hibernating.
A bloody-nosed beetle in Roscommon
This looks like the lavender beetle you featured earlier, though without the pyjama stripes. Is it in the same family? – Melissa Newman, Strokestown, Co Roscommon
It looks like the bloody-nosed beetle, so-called because it exudes a drop of red liquid when alarmed. It is a leaf beetle.
READ MORE
Sea squirts in Mayo
I found these on Dollymount beach; they are about 3 inches long. Can you tell what they are? – Gráinne Walsh, Clontarf, Dublin
They are sea squirts and are found all around the coast.
Buoy making barnacles in Mayo
I found this beautifully coloured, mussel-looking, squid-like creature on the beach at Carrowniskey, Louisburgh. I've never seen anything like it before. – John Geary Rosmoney Westport, Co Mayo
They are buoy-making barnacles, a bit like goose necked barnacles. They are at home in warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific, and are sometimes stranded on western coasts after southwesterly winds. Eye on Nature had reports for the first time this year.
A blue tit nest in Wicklow
When cleaning the nesting box I found that the blue tit had built under a wasps' nest. – Thomas Sweeney, Bray, Co Wicklow
[ viney@anu.ie ]


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Ballina, home of Biden’s great-great-great grandfather, pops champagne

As America turned slowly blue , Ballina held its breath .
Was it really possible that Joe Biden , considered a native son of this Co Mayo town , albeit five generations removed , was about to become the next American president ?
It was .
On Saturday , the election was called for Biden , and Ballina was ready to celebrate .
The first Champagne cork was popped by Biden ’ s distant cousins in the town ’ s Market Square , watched by a few hundred delighted townspeople , two hours before CNN made the call .
Someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 57 Buick Electra coupe with Elvis cushions in the back window .
A speaker played Biden ’ s campaign song , Bruce Springsteen ’ s “ We Take Care of Our Own , ” and the walk-on music from former President Bill Clinton ’ s winning campaign , “ Don ’ t Stop ( Thinking about Tomorrow ) .
” Pride in Biden is strong in this town .
His great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt was born in Ballina and emigrated to Scranton , Pennsylvania , just after the famine , according to historians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it has produced not one but two presidents .
former Irish president Mary Robinson , was born a few hundred yards from Market Square , in a house by the salmon-rich River Moy .
She won election on November 7th , 1990 ?
exactly 30 years before Biden ’ s victory .
“ It ’ s amazing to think of it , ” said Aileen Horkin , an elementary schoolteacher in town .
“ I can tell any child in my school that they can grow up to be a president.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and t RTE , not even these doom-laden fans of Mayo ’ s heartbreaking football team could see a way for their boy to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory .
They would have to prepare a party for when the election was called .
But where , and with Ireland under a strict coronavirus lockdown , how ?
The first question was easily answered .
As the sun set on Friday , a beautiful , crisp late-autumn day , the Ballina Community Clean Up group began to assemble under the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a giant , oddly Warhol-like Biden billboard that beams down on the Market Square .
It was erected two months ago in what seem to have been guerrilla circumstances .
“ We had it up before the county council knew , ” confided Linda O ’ Hora , a member of the group who helped to paint and assemble the tribute in a local warehouse .
“ Anything over 25 meters square would need planning permission from the council , ” said David O ’ Malley , a local lawyer and informal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That painting is 24.98.
” Anyway , he said , the image was on a private wall .
Next , the planners had to decide how to decorate .
A lone string of stars-and-stripes bunting was located , and run across to a neighboring building .
More would have to be found .
Horkin , wearing a Biden-Harris 2020 T-shirt , had brought some old Christmas decorations and was trying to work out how to repurpose them .
“ You can ’ t buy anything now because of the Covid lockdown , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are shut.
” Scouts were dispatched to track down the owners of the local joke shop and the theatrical costume store , which were rumored to have stockpiles of bunting and US.-themed paraphernalia , as well as lots of unsold Donald Trump Halloween masks .
Horkin recalled that two children from her school had come in at Halloween dressed as the presidential rivals .
“ We should get them to do it again , ” she suggested .
By the next morning , the streets of Ballina had sprouted American and Irish flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out posters of Biden in county colors , with the legend “ Go Mayo , Joe.
” A steady stream of parents led their children up to the wall , to have their picture taken under the president-elect .
Gerry Luskin , a local restaurateur and president of Ballina Chamber of Commerce , said there were long-standing links between Ballina and Biden ’ s hometown of Scranton .
Many people from Mayo emigrated to Scranton , and Ballina and Scranton are sister cities .
“ There are a lot of ordinary people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ When his great-great-great grandfather went to Scranton , a lot of other people followed , and they worked in the railroad and the coal mining and things like that.
” Biden ’ s ancestor was a government official and a surveyor , and he was deeply involved in famine relief , according to historians .
“ When we saw Lackawanna County turn blue on CNN , we said that ’ s all the Ballina people who went there , ” Horkin said of the county containing Scranton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent of the votes in Lackawanna County , and his victory in Pennsylvania propelled him to clinch the presidency .
Luskin recalled being a junior chef at nearby Ashford Castle when Ronald Reagan stayed there during his own presidential pilgrimage to the ancestral soil in 1984 .
But he said he thought Reagan , like several other presidential visitors to Ireland , mainly had an eye on shoring up his Irish American vote .
Biden , he said , has real and affectionate links to Ballina .
Apart from an official visit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has made several other informal trips to the town .
In 2017 , he broke ground on the building of the region ’ s new hospice , of which he is a patron .
Joe Blewitt , a 41-year-old plumber and Biden ’ s third cousin , has met him several times in Ballina .
Blewitt was a guest at the tearful White House ceremony where President Barack Obama surprised Biden , then his vice president , with the Presidential Medal of Freedo for his service to the country .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a van that bore the legend “ Joe Biden for the White House and Joe Blewitt for Your House.
” “ He ’ s a lovely man , ” said Blewitt as his daughters Emily , 9 , and Lauren , 7 , smiled and shivered in the cold .
“ A really nice man .
He knows how to handle himself.
” “ He ’ s real presidential material , ” he added .
“ When he came back in 2017 to turn the sod for the hospice , we had lunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d no security this time , and we just talked about all sorts .
He could be all day talking and telling stories .
He has a few good ones .
He ’ s a long time at it.
” Are there many other Blewitts left in Mayo ?
“ Too many , ” joked a voice in the background .
Derek Leonard , owner of Harrison ’ s pub , bemoaned that any celebrations would take place under a lockdown .
But , like many other business-owners in the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than made up for by future trade from visitors exploring the roots of an American president .
It is believed that the house in which Biden ’ s great-great-great grandfather was born and raised , now gone , stood in a disused lane behind Harrison ’ s pub , Leonard said .
“ It ’ s full of rubble right now , but I ’ ll clear that out , ” he said .
“ And we ’ ll put up a plaque , even if I have to do it myself.
” @ @ @

FROM 2020: US presidential hopeful Joe Biden's Irish cousin Laurita Blewitt talks about his Irish connections and plans for returning to Ireland as president.
As America turned slowly blue, Ballina held its breath. Was it really possible that Joe Biden, considered a native son of this Co Mayo town , albeit five generations removed, was about to become the next American president? It was.
On Saturday, the election was called for Biden, and Ballina was ready to celebrate. The first Champagne cork was popped by Biden’s distant cousins in the town’s Market Square, watched by a few hundred delighted townspeople, two hours before CNN made the call.
Someone drove up in a cherry red ‘57 Buick Electra coupe with Elvis cushions in the back window. A speaker played Biden’s campaign song, Bruce Springsteen’s “We Take Care of Our Own,” and the walk-on music from former President Bill Clinton’s winning campaign, “Don’t Stop (Thinking about Tomorrow).”
Pride in Biden is strong in this town. His great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt was born in Ballina and emigrated to Scranton, Pennsylvania, just after the famine, according to historians.
READ MORE
Now, the town can boast that it has produced not one but two presidents. former Irish president Mary Robinson, was born a few hundred yards from Market Square, in a house by the salmon-rich River Moy. She won election on November 7th, 1990 – exactly 30 years before Biden's victory.
“It’s amazing to think of it,” said Aileen Horkin, an elementary schoolteacher in town. “I can tell any child in my school that they can grow up to be a president.”
On Friday evening, glued to CNN and RTE, not even these doom-laden fans of Mayo's heartbreaking football team could see a way for their boy to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They would have to prepare a party for when the election was called. But where, and with Ireland under a strict coronavirus lockdown, how?
The first question was easily answered. As the sun set on Friday, a beautiful, crisp late-autumn day, the Ballina Community Clean Up group began to assemble under the town’s newest piece of street art, a giant, oddly Warhol-like Biden billboard that beams down on the Market Square. It was erected two months ago in what seem to have been guerrilla circumstances.
“We had it up before the county council knew,” confided Linda O’Hora, a member of the group who helped to paint and assemble the tribute in a local warehouse.
“Anything over 25 meters square would need planning permission from the council,” said David O’Malley, a local lawyer and informal legal adviser to the group. “That painting is 24.98.” Anyway, he said, the image was on a private wall. Next, the planners had to decide how to decorate.
A lone string of stars-and-stripes bunting was located, and run across to a neighboring building. More would have to be found. Horkin, wearing a Biden-Harris 2020 T-shirt, had brought some old Christmas decorations and was trying to work out how to repurpose them.
“You can’t buy anything now because of the Covid lockdown,” she said. “All the stores are shut.” Scouts were dispatched to track down the owners of the local joke shop and the theatrical costume store, which were rumored to have stockpiles of bunting and US.-themed paraphernalia, as well as lots of unsold Donald Trump Halloween masks. Horkin recalled that two children from her school had come in at Halloween dressed as the presidential rivals. “We should get them to do it again,” she suggested.
By the next morning, the streets of Ballina had sprouted American and Irish flags, while print shops were busy turning out posters of Biden in county colors, with the legend “Go Mayo, Joe.” A steady stream of parents led their children up to the wall, to have their picture taken under the president-elect.
Gerry Luskin, a local restaurateur and president of Ballina Chamber of Commerce, said there were long-standing links between Ballina and Biden’s hometown of Scranton. Many people from Mayo emigrated to Scranton, and Ballina and Scranton are sister cities.
“There are a lot of ordinary people in Ballina who also have relations in Scranton,” he said. “When his great-great-great grandfather went to Scranton, a lot of other people followed, and they worked in the railroad and the coal mining and things like that.”
Biden's ancestor was a government official and a surveyor, and he was deeply involved in famine relief, according to historians. "When we saw Lackawanna County turn blue on CNN, we said that's all the Ballina people who went there," Horkin said of the county containing Scranton. Biden won more than 53 per cent of the votes in Lackawanna County, and his victory in Pennsylvania propelled him to clinch the presidency.
Luskin recalled being a junior chef at nearby Ashford Castle when Ronald Reagan stayed there during his own presidential pilgrimage to the ancestral soil in 1984. But he said he thought Reagan, like several other presidential visitors to Ireland, mainly had an eye on shoring up his Irish American vote.
Biden, he said, has real and affectionate links to Ballina. Apart from an official visit in 2016, when Biden was vice president, he has made several other informal trips to the town. In 2017, he broke ground on the building of the region’s new hospice, of which he is a patron.
Joe Blewitt, a 41-year-old plumber and Biden's third cousin, has met him several times in Ballina. Blewitt was a guest at the tearful White House ceremony where President Barack Obama surprised Biden, then his vice president, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service to the country.
He arrived at the square in Ballina in a van that bore the legend “Joe Biden for the White House and Joe Blewitt for Your House.”
“He’s a lovely man,” said Blewitt as his daughters Emily, 9, and Lauren, 7, smiled and shivered in the cold. “A really nice man. He knows how to handle himself.” “He’s real presidential material,” he added. “When he came back in 2017 to turn the sod for the hospice, we had lunch with him and his brother, and he’d no security this time, and we just talked about all sorts. He could be all day talking and telling stories. He has a few good ones. He’s a long time at it.”
Are there many other Blewitts left in Mayo? “Too many,” joked a voice in the background. Derek Leonard, owner of Harrison’s pub, bemoaned that any celebrations would take place under a lockdown.
But, like many other business-owners in the town, he hoped this would be more than made up for by future trade from visitors exploring the roots of an American president. It is believed that the house in which Biden’s great-great-great grandfather was born and raised, now gone, stood in a disused lane behind Harrison’s pub, Leonard said. “It’s full of rubble right now, but I’ll clear that out,” he said. “And we’ll put up a plaque, even if I have to do it myself.” –New York Times


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Man (53) held as gardaí seize €110,000 in cash in north Dublin

A man in his 50 has been arrested in relation to the seizure of around €110,000 in cash and a vehicle in Coolock , north Dublin on Friday .
The search was undertaken by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau ( GNDOCB ) and the Garda Dog Unit as part of an ongoing investigation targeting organised crime .
A man ( 53 ) was arrested and is currently being detained on suspicion of involvement in the activities of a criminal organisation to facilitate money laundering of the proceeds of drug trafficking .
He was being held on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be detained for up to seven days .
Assistant Commissioner John O ’ Driscoll , who heads Organised and Serious Crime within An Garda Síochána , said it continued to pursue organised crime groups that supplied illicit drugs within communities .
“ We again today have made a significant impact as we attempt to dismantle organised crime groups , by locating and seizing suspected proceeds of their criminal activity and the drugs they sell , ” he said on Saturday .
“ In this week alone , we have seized drugs to of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a value of over €230,000 , while also making arrests resulting in six suspects being charged with serious criminal offences associated with organised and serious crime , all of which helps prevent further damage being inflicted within our communities .
”

Cash in euro and other currency estimated at around €110,000 in total seized in Coolock, north Dublin on Friday. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
A man in his 50 has been arrested in relation to the seizure of around €110,000 in cash and a vehicle in Coolock, north Dublin on Friday.
The search was undertaken by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Garda Dog Unit as part of an ongoing investigation targeting organised crime.
A man (53) was arrested and is currently being detained on suspicion of involvement in the activities of a criminal organisation to facilitate money laundering of the proceeds of drug trafficking.
He was being held on Saturday night at Coolock Garda station and can be detained for up to seven days.
READ MORE
Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll, who heads Organised and Serious Crime within An Garda Síochána, said it continued to pursue organised crime groups that supplied illicit drugs within communities.
“We again today have made a significant impact as we attempt to dismantle organised crime groups, by locating and seizing suspected proceeds of their criminal activity and the drugs they sell,” he said on Saturday.
“In this week alone, we have seized drugs to of a value of about €1million and cash to a value of over €230,000, while also making arrests resulting in six suspects being charged with serious criminal offences associated with organised and serious crime, all of which helps prevent further damage being inflicted within our communities.”


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Avian flu confirmed in Co Limerick peregrine falcon

A wild bird in Co Limerick has been confirmed with a subtype of avian influenza , the Department of Agriculture has said .
The peregrine falcon has contracted avian influenza subtype H5N8 and was submitted to the Limerick Regional Veterinary Laboratory as part of the Department ’ s wild bird AI surveillance programme .
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds , no human infections with this virus have been reported worldwide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low .
Further tests are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the same highly pathogenic strain that is currently present in Great Britain , the Netherlands and Germany .
The results of these tests will not be available until late next week .
The Department said it remains in close contact with industry stakeholders and that strict bio-security measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks .
“ Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks , and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office , ” @ @ @

A wild bird in Co Limerick has been confirmed with a subtype of avian influenza, the Department of Agriculture has said.
The peregrine falcon has contracted avian influenza subtype H5N8 and was submitted to the Limerick Regional Veterinary Laboratory as part of the Department’s wild bird AI surveillance programme.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported worldwide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low.
Further tests are being carried out to determine whether the virus is the same highly pathogenic strain that is currently present in Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. The results of these tests will not be available until late next week.
READ MORE
The Department said it remains in close contact with industry stakeholders and that strict bio-security measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks.
“Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office,” it said.


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Boy (16) charged over hit and run that killed Deliveroo cyclist

A 16-year-old boy has been remanded in custody after he was charged over a fatal hit-and-run in which Deliveroo cyclist Thiago Osorio Cortes was killed in Dublin city centre .
Mr Cortes ( 28 ) from Rio de Janeiro , in Brazil , was cycling on North Wall Quay when he was struck by a car at about 10.30pm on August 31st last .
Mr Cortes , who was a student , was delivering food for Deliveroo at the time of the collision .
He was taken by ambulance to the Mater hospital , where he was later pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had also recovered a light grey Ford Focus during their investigation .
A teenage boy was arrested on Friday and detained in Store Street Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , 1984 .
He appeared at an evening sitting of Dublin District Court on Saturday , charged with dangerous driving causing death of Mr Cortes and failing to report the occurrence of an injury to gardaí .
He was remanded in custody to the Oberstown detention centre and will appear again on Tuesday at the Children ’ s Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is a minor .
The court heard the boy had no previous convictions , was not working , was not in receipt of social welfare and was supported by his mother .
Section 93 of the Children Act states that no report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name , address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings .
Mr Cortes had lived in Dublin with his fiancée @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was studying English .
Mr Cortes , who was from Brazil , was delivering food by bicycle for Deliveroo at the time he was hit by the car and had started the job just weeks before he was killed .

Deliveroo cyclist Thiago Cortes who was killed in a hit and run incident in Dublin on the night of August 31st.
A 16-year-old boy has been remanded in custody after he was charged over a fatal hit-and-run in which Deliveroo cyclist Thiago Osorio Cortes was killed in Dublin city centre.
Mr Cortes (28) from Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, was cycling on North Wall Quay when he was struck by a car at about 10.30pm on August 31st last.
Mr Cortes, who was a student, was delivering food for Deliveroo at the time of the collision.
He was taken by ambulance to the Mater hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Gardaí had appealed for witnesses and had also recovered a light grey Ford Focus during their investigation.
READ MORE
A teenage boy was arrested on Friday and detained in Store Street Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He appeared at an evening sitting of Dublin District Court on Saturday, charged with dangerous driving causing death of Mr Cortes and failing to report the occurrence of an injury to gardaí.
He was remanded in custody to the Oberstown detention centre and will appear again on Tuesday at the Children’s Court.
He cannot be named because he is a minor.
The court heard the boy had no previous convictions, was not working, was not in receipt of social welfare and was supported by his mother.
Section 93 of the Children Act states that no report shall be published or included in a broadcast which reveals the name, address or school of any child concerned in the proceedings or includes any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child concerned in the proceedings.
Mr Cortes had lived in Dublin with his fiancée Theresa Dantas for the past two years and was studying English.
Mr Cortes, who was from Brazil, was delivering food by bicycle for Deliveroo at the time he was hit by the car and had started the job just weeks before he was killed.


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Higgins congratulates Biden on ‘historic’ US Election win

President Michael D Higgins has congratulated Democrat Joe Biden on his win in the 2020 US presidential election .
The Democrat passed the 270 electoral college votes required to beat US president Donald Trump on Saturday after securing the state of Pennsylvania .
“ Today , I have conveyed my best wishes to president-elect Joe Biden , wishing him and the American people every good fortune for his term in office and congratulating him , and congratulating vice-president-elect Kamala Harris on her historic achievement , ” said the President in a statement on Saturday .
Mr Higgins said he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the warmest memories ” of Mr Biden ’ s two visits to Áras an Uachtaráin .
“ The bonds between the peoples of Ireland and the United States are close and strong , and I look forward to our two countries working together to rebuild the much-needed trust in the methods and institutions of national and international solidarity and co-operation .
“ That solidarity is indispensable , if we are to address the urgent challenges of our time , including such diverse issues as the need to address the cause and consequences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global poverty , hunger , migration and the digitisation of our economies , all issues on which the president-elect has expressed a commitment .
“ On behalf of the people of Ireland , I wish president-elect Biden and vice-president-elect Harris every success in the years ahead.
” Taoiseach Micheál Martin also congratulated Mr Biden on Saturday , shortly after his victory was confirmed .
“ On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland , I offer warmest congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as the 46th president of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ Ireland takes pride in Joe Biden ’ s election , just as we are proud of all the generations of Irish women and Irish men and their ancestors whose toil and genius have enriched the diversity that powers America , ” he said .
“ Joe Biden has always been a stalwart friend and supporter of Ireland , including of the prosperity , stability and opportunity made possible by the Good Friday Agreement , to which he has pledged his ongoing steadfast support .
“ I also wish to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice-president and recognise the tremendous significance of her election to the role , ” said Mr Martin , adding that he was “ greatly ” looking forward to working with the new administration .
The town of Ballina in Co Mayo , Mr Biden ’ s ancestral home , is celebrating his election .
The town has been decked out in the famous stars and stripes in anticipation of his success .
Ballina local Joe Blewitt , a cousin of Mr Biden , was in no doubt that he would prevail .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of the large number of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Blewitt had told the PA news agency : “ I think we ’ re all pretty confident that ’ s he ’ s going to get across the line .
It ’ s just a pity that it ’ s dragging out so long.
” Mr Trump has attempted to frustrate the process , calling for vote counting to be stopped and launching a number of lawsuits .
Mr Blewitt said : “ Joe Biden is talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all the health officials and he ’ s setting up a plan .
“ The other man is still talking about himself .
That was always the case with him .
It wasn ’ t about the people , it was about himself.
” Mr Blewitt , a heating and plumbing contractor , was invited to the White House in 2017 , when Mr Biden was awarded the congressional medal of honour from then president Barack Obama .
He is hoping he will be able to make it over again for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hopefully we can go back over in January — if he can remove the other man.
” The pair are in regular contact too , with Mr Blewitt remarking : “ They ’ re sound , they ’ re good people and he ’ s a really nice fella .
He ’ s good to talk to.
” The festival atmosphere in Ballina on Saturday was a mark of how much Mr Biden ’ s victory means to the town .
“ He was here when he was vice-president and the hype @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unbelievable .
They ’ re so proud of him .
“ Now he ’ ll be the president of the United States , they ’ re delighted , they ’ re absolutely delighted .
To think one of their own is one of the most powerful men in the world , ” said Mr Blewitt .
Businesses all over the town , many of them closed due to lockdown restrictions , were all decked out in posters and American flags , while locals sipped champagne in celebration .
- Additional reporting : @

Then US vice-president Joe Biden with President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin during a visit in June 2016. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
US president-elect Joe Biden is "steadfast" in his support for the Belfast Agreement and will work with the Government to protect it, the Taoiseach has said.
Micheál Martin told The Irish Times there was “no doubt” the US president-elect had a “genuine, outstanding commitment to Ireland” and was “probably the most Irish president since John F Kennedy in terms of his background, he’s never made any secret about that that.
“But he’s also steadfast in his support of the Good Friday [Belfast]Agreement and I think will work with us in the spirit of successive US administrations in continuing to build peace on the island of Ireland and [TO]maintain and nurture it and in particular to protect the institutions of the Good Friday [Belfast] Agreement,” the Taoiseach said.
He was speaking in Enniskillen at an event to mark both Remembrance Sunday and the 33rd anniversary of the IRA bombing of the memorial event in the town.
READ MORE
On Saturday he congratulated Mr Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris .
“Ireland takes pride in Joe Biden’s election, just as we are proud of all the generations of Irish women and Irish men and their ancestors whose toil and genius have enriched the diversity that powers America,” he said. He recognised the “significance” of Ms Harris’s election as the first woman vice president.
President Michael D Higgins said he had conveyed his best wishes to Mr Biden and Ms Harris.
Mr Higgins said he and his wife, Sabina, had “the warmest memories” of Mr Biden’s two visits to Áras an Uachtaráin.
“The bonds between the peoples of Ireland and the United States are close and strong, and I look forward to our two countries working together to rebuild the much-needed trust in the methods and institutions of national and international solidarity and co-operation.
“That solidarity is indispensable, if we are to address the urgent challenges of our time, including such diverse issues as the need to address the cause and consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, global poverty, hunger, migration and the digitisation of our economie.
The election of Joe Biden “offers a different context” to the Brexit negotiations , Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said on RTE Radio.
He said Mr Biden’s election “changes the context of so much in our world” because he “recognises the value of agreement, of institutions and all of that on a global level”.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Biden campaign was “very clear in its support for Ireland, for the Good Friday Agreement”.
The really interesting point in the US election was that “ it really mattered who politics served, who was listened to and who was ignored, who had the inside track and who was left on the outside.”
In Northern Ireland, First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted her congratulations. “The United States administration whether Democrat or Republican, has always been willing to help & support us. A tremendously important relationship as we mark our centenary & plan for Northern Ireland’s second century.” Deputy First Minister Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill congratulated the pair noting Ms Harris was the first woman vice president - Additional reporting: PA


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--Coronavirus: Five further deaths and 335 new cases reported in the State

There were five further deaths and 335 new cases reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) on Saturday .
There has been a total of 1,945 COVID-19 related deaths and a total of 64,855 confirmed cases of in the State .
Of the cases notified today ; 155 are men / 177 are women , 64 per cent are under 45 years of age There were 72 in Dublin , 41 in Donegal , 26 in Mayo , 25 in Cork , 23 in Kerry , and the remaining 148 cases are spread across 19 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 284 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised , of which 40 are in ICU .
23 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours .
Dr Tony Holohan , chief medical officer said ; “ The commitment to the spirit of the public health advice shown by people across Ireland since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic is to be commended .
This includes wearing a face mask where social distancing is difficult , in shops and on public transport.
” “ However , it is also vital that they are worn correctly and safely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth and nose with the face mask .
Remember , visors do not offer the same benefits as face masks .
I want to particularly highlight that it is very important that those who work in settings such as retail avoid the use of visors and instead use face masks .
Face masks offer far better protection , and they should be worn by everyone who can wear them .
Wearing one prevents someone who does not know they have Covid-19 from spreading it to another person .
“ They are a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , alongside staying at home and avoiding meeting people outside your household.
” Meanwhile there have been 15 further deaths related to Covid-19 and an additional 528 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland .
It brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland to 774 , according to figures from the Department of Health .
There are 391 confirmed Covid-19 inpatients in the hospital system , with 53 of those in intensive care .
There are now 22 beds available in ICU , and 101 beds in the wider hospital system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people arriving into Northern Ireland from Denmark must self-isolate after the UK introduced a travel ban on the country following an outbreak of Covid-19 in mink .
A mutated form of the coronavirus in the mammals , which are widely bred for their fur , has led to a nationwide cull in Denmark and sent parts of the country into lockdown .
While the mutated strain is not believed to be more dangerous , public health officials fear it could undermine the efficacy of a future vaccine .
The UK Government announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-British national or resident travellers who have been in or transited through Denmark in the last 14 days will be denied entry into the UK .
Any UK citizens arriving into Northern Ireland from the country since October 23 are now legally required to self-isolate for two weeks , along with all members of their household .
The inclusion of all household members in the restriction means these self-isolation rules are stricter than normal travel-related quarantine requirements .

There have been 15 further deaths related to Covid-19 and an additional 528 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.
There were five further deaths and 335 new cases reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) on Saturday.
There has been a total of 1,945 COVID-19 related deaths and a total of 64,855 confirmed cases of in the State.
Of the cases notified today; 155 are men / 177 are women, 64 per cent are under 45 years of age
There were 72 in Dublin, 41 in Donegal, 26 in Mayo, 25 in Cork, 23 in Kerry, and the remaining 148 cases are spread across 19 other counties.
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As of 2pm on Saturday 284 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 40 are in ICU. 23 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer said; “The commitment to the spirit of the public health advice shown by people across Ireland since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic is to be commended. This includes wearing a face mask where social distancing is difficult, in shops and on public transport.”
“However, it is also vital that they are worn correctly and safely. Ensure you are fully covering both your mouth and nose with the face mask. Remember, visors do not offer the same benefits as face masks. I want to particularly highlight that it is very important that those who work in settings such as retail avoid the use of visors and instead use face masks. Face masks offer far better protection, and they should be worn by everyone who can wear them. Wearing one prevents someone who does not know they have Covid-19 from spreading it to another person.
“They are a key element of our defence against this virus, alongside staying at home and avoiding meeting people outside your household.”
Meanwhile there have been 15 further deaths related to Covid-19 and an additional 528 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.
It brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland to 774, according to figures from the Department of Health.
There are 391 confirmed Covid-19 inpatients in the hospital system, with 53 of those in intensive care.
There are now 22 beds available in ICU, and 101 beds in the wider hospital system, officials said.
The latest figures come as people arriving into Northern Ireland from Denmark must self-isolate after the UK introduced a travel ban on the country following an outbreak of Covid-19 in mink.
A mutated form of the coronavirus in the mammals, which are widely bred for their fur, has led to a nationwide cull in Denmark and sent parts of the country into lockdown.
While the mutated strain is not believed to be more dangerous, public health officials fear it could undermine the efficacy of a future vaccine.
The UK Government announced that from 4am on Saturday, all non-British national or resident travellers who have been in or transited through Denmark in the last 14 days will be denied entry into the UK.
Any UK citizens arriving into Northern Ireland from the country since October 23 are now legally required to self-isolate for two weeks, along with all members of their household.
The inclusion of all household members in the restriction means these self-isolation rules are stricter than normal travel-related quarantine requirements.
-PA


theirishtimes--2020-11-07--All passengers from Denmark to restrict movements amid concern over Covid-19 mink strain

All passengers arriving into the State from Denmark will have to restrict their movments for 14 days without exceptions following an outbreak of a new strain of the coronavirus connected to Danish mink farms , the Department of Health has confirmed .
There will be no exemptions for people travelling from Denmark with even essential workers being asked to restrict movements.The HSE will also conduct serial testing of Irish mink farm workers and their household contacts .
In a statement , the Department of Health said the mutation of the virus which had appeared in Denmark had not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three active mink farms operating in Ireland - in Donegal , Laois and Kerry – but no minks have been imported into Ireland in 2020 , said the department .
Testing at all three mink farms will be carried out to see if the virus is present in these settings and surveillance of the farms will continue , it said .
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said : “ People will have to self-isolate for 14 days no matter what .
People coming from Denmark , there isn ’ t huge numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , similar to what ’ s going on in the UK.
” “ We will treat Denmark differently .
We won ’ t provide European exceptions .
The same standard European approach won ’ t apply for Denmark , ” he said .
The decision to further restrict travellers from Denmark follows a meeting on Friday between health officials , the Health Protection Surveillance Centre , the National Virus Reference Laboratory ( NVRL ) and the Department of Agriculture to discuss the transmission of the virus from humans to mink and vice-versa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTE Radio on Saturday that travellers from Denmark would be “ treated differently ” under the EU traffic light travel system but that the Irish State was not following the UK which has introduced legal requirements for people arriving from Denmark to quarantine .
Asked what travel measures would be taken in response to the spread of the mutated coronavirus strain from Danish mink farms , a DFA spokeswoman told The Irish Times that Denmark would continue to be flagged as a red country through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be reviewed every Thursday .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was contacted by the Northern Irish health minister Robin Swann after the North announced changes in travel regulations to include a new legal requirement for people to self-isolate for two weeks if they had returned from Denmark since October 23rd .
First Minister Arlene Foster said she spoke with the Taoiseach about implementing a joint approach .
It follows the UK ’ s announcement of a ban on visitors from Denmark arriving into all UK airports or ports in response to concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farms .
UK citizens will still be able to return from Denmark but must self-isolate upon arrival .
In a statement on Saturday , the North ’ s department of health underlined that any person who had travelled from Denmark to the UK , including Northern Ireland , in the past fortnight was now legally required to self-isolate for 14 days along with all other members of their household .
Dr de Gascún noted that his main concern was the mutated strain of the virus , which has appeared in Denmark , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolled out over the next six to 12 months .
The new strain of the virus is not as susceptible to antibodies that could neutralise the virus , he added .
However , given the relatively low number of travellers arriving from Denmark , Dr De Gascún said the Government did not expect the mink outbreak would become a significant issue but that the situation would be reassessed if there was an escalation .
Denmark has announced strict new lockdown rules and a nationwide mink cull after authorities discovered a mutated coronavirus strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now imposed a total ban on visitors from Denmark , with the exception of hauliers and freight .
It said there would be no exemptions to the quarantine policy and that any person who had returned from Denmark in the last two weeks would be contacted to ensure they complete the self-isolation period .
Denmark is one of six countries to discover a strain of the virus which has been associated with farmed minks .
The Netherlands , Spain , Sweden , Italy and the US have also reported the mink farm related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said self-isolation was now a “ mandatory requirement ” for those who had travelled from Denmark and that the rules applied to all members of the affected household .
Dr McBride said the situation in Denmark was an “ emerging picture ” but that a “ precautionary approach ” was required at this early stage .
He said the department was liaising closely with colleagues in Britain and the Republic on the issue and that Mr Swann had been in contact with Stephen Donnelly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with international partners to understand the changes in the virus that have been reported in Denmark , ” he said “ A programme of further research in the UK will inform risk assessments.
” In Denmark , more than 17 million minks are to be culled and there will be “ population-wide mass testing ” of the virus in the region of North Jutland where eight human cases have been linked to the mink farming industry .

All passengers arriving into the State from Denmark will have to restrict their movments for 14 days without exceptions following an outbreak of a new strain of the coronavirus connected to Danish mink farms, the Department of Health has confirmed.
There will be no exemptions for people travelling from Denmark with even essential workers being asked to restrict movements.The HSE will also conduct serial testing of Irish mink farm workers and their household contacts.
In a statement, the Department of Health said the mutation of the virus which had appeared in Denmark had not yet been identified in Ireland. There are currently three active mink farms operating in Ireland - in Donegal, Laois and Kerry – but no minks have been imported into Ireland in 2020, said the department. Testing at all three mink farms will be carried out to see if the virus is present in these settings and surveillance of the farms will continue, it said.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “People will have to self-isolate for 14 days no matter what. People coming from Denmark, there isn’t huge numbers, but we are following the health advice, similar to what’s going on in the UK.”
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“We will treat Denmark differently. We won’t provide European exceptions. The same standard European approach won’t apply for Denmark,” he said.
The decision to further restrict travellers from Denmark follows a meeting on Friday between health officials, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) and the Department of Agriculture to discuss the transmission of the virus from humans to mink and vice-versa.
NVRL director Dr Cillian De Gascún told RTE Radio on Saturday that travellers from Denmark would be “treated differently” under the EU traffic light travel system but that the Irish State was not following the UK which has introduced legal requirements for people arriving from Denmark to quarantine.
Asked what travel measures would be taken in response to the spread of the mutated coronavirus strain from Danish mink farms, a DFA spokeswoman told The Irish Times that Denmark would continue to be flagged as a red country through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s traffic light mapping system and would be reviewed every Thursday.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly was contacted by the Northern Irish health minister Robin Swann after the North announced changes in travel regulations to include a new legal requirement for people to self-isolate for two weeks if they had returned from Denmark since October 23rd.
First Minister Arlene Foster said she spoke with the Taoiseach about implementing a joint approach.
It follows the UK’s announcement of a ban on visitors from Denmark arriving into all UK airports or ports in response to concerns over outbreaks of coronavirus on Danish mink farms. UK citizens will still be able to return from Denmark but must self-isolate upon arrival.
In a statement on Saturday, the North's department of health underlined that any person who had travelled from Denmark to the UK, including Northern Ireland, in the past fortnight was now legally required to self-isolate for 14 days along with all other members of their household.
Dr de Gascún noted that his main concern was the mutated strain of the virus, which has appeared in Denmark, could impact vaccines which are set to be rolled out over the next six to 12 months. The new strain of the virus is not as susceptible to antibodies that could neutralise the virus, he added.
However, given the relatively low number of travellers arriving from Denmark, Dr De Gascún said the Government did not expect the mink outbreak would become a significant issue but that the situation would be reassessed if there was an escalation.
Denmark has announced strict new lockdown rules and a nationwide mink cull after authorities discovered a mutated coronavirus strain in the animals.
The UK has now imposed a total ban on visitors from Denmark, with the exception of hauliers and freight. It said there would be no exemptions to the quarantine policy and that any person who had returned from Denmark in the last two weeks would be contacted to ensure they complete the self-isolation period.
Denmark is one of six countries to discover a strain of the virus which has been associated with farmed minks. The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Italy and the US have also reported the mink farm related strain of the virus.
Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said self-isolation was now a “mandatory requirement” for those who had travelled from Denmark and that the rules applied to all members of the affected household.
Dr McBride said the situation in Denmark was an “emerging picture” but that a “precautionary approach” was required at this early stage. He said the department was liaising closely with colleagues in Britain and the Republic on the issue and that Mr Swann had been in contact with Stephen Donnelly.
“The UK authorities are working closely with international partners to understand the changes in the virus that have been reported in Denmark,” he said “A programme of further research in the UK will inform risk assessments.”
In Denmark, more than 17 million minks are to be culled and there will be “population-wide mass testing” of the virus in the region of North Jutland where eight human cases have been linked to the mink farming industry.


theirishtimes--2020-11-08--Covid-19 tests for air travel should be in place by December 1st - Minister

Covid-19 testing measures which could enable people to travel in and out of Irish airports by Christmas should be in place by December 1st , the Minister for Transport has said .
Eamon Ryan said testing capacity would be introduced at airports and ports by early December but cautioned that “ now was not the time ” to make a call on whether Irish people living abroad should come home for Christmas .
From Monday , the State will become part of the EU traffic light system for international travel which refers to regions rather than individual countries .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions can enter the State without restricting their movements or undergoing testing .
Greenland is currently the only green country on the list .
Mr Ryan told RTÉ Radio on Saturday that Irish measures around international travel were in line with other countries and that Ireland was now “ deliberately following the European approach ” .
Asked whether spare testing capacity could be moved to airports to be used on people arriving into the country , Mr Ryan said the Government did not want to “ impinge on the capability ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Minister said the Government was working with Dublin Airport Authority to develop testing capacity but that it “ isn ’ t something you can just switch on overnight ” .
However , when asked if testing infrastructure would be in place at airports by December 1st , Mr Ryan replied that it would before warning that the Government would not yet make a call on whether people should travel home for Christmas .
“ We ’ ll make that call in early December , not now , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced it was opening two Covid-19 testing centres at Cork and Shannon Airports from November 12th .
The company said it would allow for test results within just a few hours under pre-departure tests for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU ’ s traffic light system .
Prices for the service start at €149 per test .
Speaking also on Saturday , Dr Cillian de Gascún , director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory , said it was “ far too early ” to make a definitive decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be with their families at Christmas .
Dr de Gascún said the Government hoped to see virus levels drop internationally before making a decision given many people would be travelling from continental Europe and the US .
A situation where people must limit their close contacts to a small group of people may also be considered over the Christmas period , he said .
Asked whether the State might introduce rapid testing at ports , Dr De Gascún said preliminary research into the fast acting tests showed they were not as reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to detect the virus .
He added that rapid testing “ isn ’ t a silver bullet ” but one component among a variety of measures needed while living with Covid-19 .
Dr De Gascún urged people to continue to avoid non-essential international travel as Ireland enters the European traffic light system .
Under Level 5 of the Government ’ s Covid-19 framework , in place until December 1st , residents in Ireland are advised against non-essential international travel .
Under the EU traffic light system , passengers arriving from an orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 test up to three days before travel and have a negative result do not need to restrict their movements upon arrival in their destination .
Norway , Finland , parts of Greece and the Azores are currently classified as orange regions .
Passengers who arrive from red regions , which accounts for most of Europe at present , must restrict their movement for 14 days .
Essential workers , including healthcare workers and transport workers along with those travelling for “ imperative business or family reasons ” and medical reasons are exempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel abroad on a daily basis , diplomats , NGO staff , passengers in transit , seafarers and journalists , when performing their duties , are also exempt .
A statement from the Department of Transport said “ further intensive work ” was under way to develop an approach for people arriving from red regions and that these plans would be considered by Government on Tuesday .
The department noted that passengers arriving from Denmark must take additional precautions aimed at limiting the spread of the newly discovered Covid-19 variant which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements for 14 days upon arrival in Ireland .
Even those undertaking an “ essential ” journey must quarantine for a fortnight upon arrival in Ireland , said the department .

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan says now is ‘not the time’ to make a call on whether Irish people living abroad should come home for Christmas. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
From Monday, the State is part of the EU traffic-light system for international travel which refers to regions rather than individual countries.
Under the system, those arriving from green regions can enter the State without restricting their movements or undergoing testing.
Greenland is currently the only green country on the list.
Under the EU traffic light system, passengers arriving from an orange region who have taken the standard PCR Covid-19 test up to three days before travel and have a negative result do not need to restrict their movements upon arrival in their destination. Norway, Finland, parts of Greece and the Azores are currently classified as orange regions.
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Passengers who arrive from red regions, which accounts for most of Europe at present, must restrict their movement for 14 days.
The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has also said that Covid-19 testing measures which could enable people to travel in and out of Irish airports over Christmas should be in place by December 1st.
He said testing capacity would be introduced at airports and ports but cautioned that “now was not the time” to make a call on whether Irish people living abroad should plan to come home for Christmas.
Mr Ryan told RTÉ Radio’s Saturday with Katie Hannon that Ireland was now “deliberately following the European approach”.
Asked whether spare testing capacity could be moved to airports for people arriving into the country, Mr Ryan said the Government did not want to “impinge on the capability” of the HSE to cover domestic health management needs.
The Minister said the Government was working with Dublin Airport Authority to develop testing capacity but that it “isn’t something you can just switch on overnight”.
However, when asked if testing infrastructure would be in place at airports by December 1st, Mr Ryan replied it would, before warning that the Government would not yet make a call on whether people should travel home for Christmas. “We’ll make that call in early December, not now,” he said.
On Sunday, Irish healthcare company RocDoc announced it was opening two Covid-19 testing centres, at Cork and Shannon Airports, from November 12th.
Test results
The company said it would allow for test results within just a few hours under pre-departure tests for passengers flying out of the airport in accordance with the EU’s traffic-light system.
Prices for the service start at €149 per test.
Dr Cillian de Gascún, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, said over the weekend it was “far too early” to make a definitive decision as to whether people should travel home to be with their families at Christmas.
Dr de Gascún said the Government hoped to see virus levels drop internationally before making a decision given that many people would be travelling from continental Europe and the US.
A situation where people must limit their close contacts to a small group of people may also be considered over the Christmas period, he said.
Asked whether the State might introduce rapid testing at ports, Dr De Gascún said preliminary research into the fast acting tests showed they were not as reliable as PCR testing system which is currently used to detect the virus.
He added that rapid testing “isn’t a silver bullet” but one component among a variety of measures needed while living with Covid-19.
Dr De Gascún urged people to continue to avoid non-essential international travel as Ireland enters the European traffic light system. Under Level 5 of the Government’s Covid-19 framework, in place until December 1st, residents in Ireland are advised against non-essential international travel.
Traffic-light system
Under the EU traffic light system essential workers, including healthcare workers and transport workers along with those travelling for “imperative business or family reasons” and medical reasons, are exempt from restricting their movements. Students who travel abroad on a daily basis, diplomats, NGO staff, passengers in transit, seafarers and journalists, when performing their duties, are also exempt.
A statement from the Department of Transport said “further intensive work” was under way to develop an approach for people arriving from red regions and that these plans would be considered by Government on Tuesday.
The department noted that passengers arriving from Denmark must take additional precautions aimed at limiting the spread of the newly discovered Covid-19 variant which has been connected to mink farms and restrict their movements for 14 days upon arrival in Ireland.
Even those undertaking an “essential” journey must quarantine for a fortnight upon arrival in Ireland, said the department.


theirishtimes--2020-11-08--Eight gardaí suspended as part of corruption investigation

Eight gardaí have been suspended as part of a major Garda investigation into corruption in public office in the Munster region .
A Garda spokesman confirmed the garda members were suspended earlier on Saturday , as a result of an ongoing investigation , which is being led by an Assistant Commissioner , Special Crime Operations ( SCO ) .
The suspensions come after lengthy enquiries by a team of officers attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation .
The investigation is focused on claims that gardaí did not pursue Garda enquiries into alleged road traffic offences and public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Further to an ongoing investigation led by the Assistant Commissioner , Special Crime Operations ( SCO ) , involving personnel attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation ( GNBCI ) , eight members of An Garda Síochána have been suspended , ” a Garda spokesman said .
“ This element of the investigation is focused on corruption in public office.
” “ As this is an ongoing investigation , An Garda Síochána will not be commenting on the rank or the location of the members of An Garda Síochána @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman added .
A number of Garda stations have been searched as part of the inquiry .
According to sources some gardaí have been informally interviewed by investigators and have claimed they were directed to abandon prosecutions .
A wider investigation into alleged Garda corruption is continuing in the Munster region which has led to a number of gardai being arrested and questioned on suspicion of serious corrupton offences .

A Garda spokesman confirmed that the eight members were suspended earlier on Saturday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Eight gardaí have been suspended as part of a major Garda investigation into corruption in public office in the Munster region.
A Garda spokesman confirmed the garda members were suspended earlier on Saturday, as a result of an ongoing investigation, which is being led by an Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations (SCO).
The suspensions come after lengthy enquiries by a team of officers attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI). It was the largest number of gardaí ever suspended at once.
The investigation is focused on claims that gardaí did not pursue Garda enquiries into alleged road traffic offences and public order allegations against a number of parties.
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“Further to an ongoing investigation led by the Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations (SCO), involving personnel attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), eight members of An Garda Síochána have been suspended,” a Garda spokesman said.
“This element of the investigation is focused on corruption in public office.”
“As this is an ongoing investigation, An Garda Síochána will not be commenting on the rank or the location of the members of An Garda Síochána who have been suspended,” the spokesman added.
A number of Garda stations have been searched as part of the inquiry.
According to sources, some gardaí have been informally interviewed by investigators and have claimed they were directed to abandon prosecutions.
A number of gardaí have made voluntary statements.
Three other gardaí had previously been suspended as part of the same investigation, bringing the total number of suspensions to eleven.
NBCI detectives are examining why the gardaí in question allegedly cancelled fixed charge penalty notices against certain individuals, including members of a local GAA club.
Last year a superintendent was arrested and interviewed on suspicion of cancelling dozens of fixed charge penalty notices while, as part of the same investigation, an inspector was arrested for drug offences.
The member of garda rank was also questioned about an alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The alleged offending came to light during a wider investigation into alleged Garda corruption in the Munster region. This investigation is continuing and has already led to a number of gardaí being arrested and questioned on suspicion of serious corruption offences.