theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Music festival at risk due to row over lands on Russborough estate, court told

A dispute between a farmer and the foundation that owns Russborough estate in Co Wicklow has placed a music festival scheduled for next June at risk , the High Court has heard .
The Alfred Beit Foundation , a charitable trust established by the late Sir Alfred and Lady Clementine Beit that owns and operates Russborough , and farmer David Egar have brought proceedings against each other over use of lands on the 220-acre estate , home to a world-renowned art collection .
For many years , Mr Egar , Main Street , Blessington , Co Wicklow has farmed over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , he launched proceedings against the foundation claiming he has rights of a tenant and seeking a lengthy lease over the lands .
He says he has farmed the lands for 40 years , initially with the consent of Sir Alfred Beit , and more recently with the foundation .
Arising from what he claims are new restrictions proposed by the foundation ’ s trustees , his farming activities will be adversely controlled and his interests diminished , he claims He claims his leasehold interests in the lands at Russborough will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will be pushed out and wants his position to be formally recognised .
He also seeks damages and an injunction preventing the foundation farming various lands at Russborough and directing it to execute a commercial property lease of 35 years in respect of the lands .
The foundation disputes the claims , and in separate proceedings against Mr Egar , claims he was allowed use the lands under written annual 11-month licences requiring him to vacate the lands at the end of February of each year .
It claims it had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lands but he was unwilling to accept the terms of that agreement .
His action against it is unstateable and an abuse of process , the foundation claims .
It seeks damages and various orders including an injunction preventing him trespassing on the lands or interfering with the Kaleidoscope Music and Arts Festival due to take place in June .
It claims the festival requires to use lands on the estate that have been used by Mr Egar , and also needs to use lands adjoining the estate that are farmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is not prepared to consent to those lands being used by the festival ’ s organisers with the effect the festival will not be able to get the required event licence from Wicklow Co Council .
When the dispute was mentioned at the High Court on Tuesday , Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds adjourned the actions to a date later this month .

A dispute between a farmer and the foundation that owns Russborough estate in Co Wicklow has placed a music festival scheduled for next June at risk, the High Court has heard.
The Alfred Beit Foundation, a charitable trust established by the late Sir Alfred and Lady Clementine Beit that owns and operates Russborough, and farmer David Egar have brought proceedings against each other over use of lands on the 220-acre estate, home to a world-renowned art collection.
For many years, Mr Egar, Main Street, Blessington, Co Wicklow has farmed over 100 acres on the estate. Earlier this year, he launched proceedings against the foundation claiming he has rights of a tenant and seeking a lengthy lease over the lands. He says he has farmed the lands for 40 years, initially with the consent of Sir Alfred Beit, and more recently with the foundation.
Arising from what he claims are new restrictions proposed by the foundation’s trustees, his farming activities will be adversely controlled and his interests diminished, he claims
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He claims his leasehold interests in the lands at Russborough will be restricted by the foundation, fears he will be pushed out and wants his position to be formally recognised.
He also seeks damages and an injunction preventing the foundation farming various lands at Russborough and directing it to execute a commercial property lease of 35 years in respect of the lands.
The foundation disputes the claims, and in separate proceedings against Mr Egar, claims he was allowed use the lands under written annual 11-month licences requiring him to vacate the lands at the end of February of each year.
It claims it had been willing to offer Mr Egar a lease on the lands but he was unwilling to accept the terms of that agreement. His action against it is unstateable and an abuse of process, the foundation claims.
It seeks damages and various orders including an injunction preventing him trespassing on the lands or interfering with the Kaleidoscope Music and Arts Festival due to take place in June.
It claims the festival requires to use lands on the estate that have been used by Mr Egar, and also needs to use lands adjoining the estate that are farmed by Mr Egar.
It is claimed he is not prepared to consent to those lands being used by the festival’s organisers with the effect the festival will not be able to get the required event licence from Wicklow Co Council.
When the dispute was mentioned at the High Court on Tuesday, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds adjourned the actions to a date later this month.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Assistance of 20 gardaí needed to calm situation after man threw a punch, court told

A father of three who threw a punch at a man as he was leaving a courthouse leading to “ a volatile situation ” which needed the assistance of 20 gardaí “ to calm it down ” will be sentenced later .
Garda Richard Finan said that he was standing outside the main entrance to Blanchardstown District Court when he saw Devon Hennessey ( 24 ) approach another man and punch him in the face “ without prior warning or provocation ” .
Garda Finan told Elva Duffy BL , prosecuting , that he was aware at that time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Hennessey and this other man and he immediately intervened and tried to restrain Hennessey .
He said Hennessey resisted him and tried to go back to the other man shouting at him “ you are a dead man ” .
A number of other gardaí had to assist to continue to physically restrain Hennessey , while other associates of his tried to get involved in the situation .
Garda Finan agreed with Ms Duffy that “ 15 to 20 members of gardaí were needed to calm down the situation that became increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing threats made by other individuals to this man while Hennessey continued to shout both at the man and gardaí as he was being placed in the patrol car .
Hennessey , of Sheephill Avenue , Blanchardstown , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder on November 9th , 2017 .
He has five previous convictions for road traffic offences .
Oisin Clarke BL , defending , told Judge Melanie Greally that his client claims that the man made “ a vile comment ” about Hennessey ’ s son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He handed in a letter to the court from Hennessey which he said outlined the comment the other man made .
He said his client is a father of three and his son has a disability which leads to him becoming tired and requires Hennessey to carry him .
He said Hennessey is not working at the moment and cares for his family full time .
Garda Finan agreed with Mr Clarke that Hennessey initially told him that the other man had made some comment to him about his son but said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this comment when given the opportunity to do so during Garda interview .
Mr Clarke described it as “ an unfortunate incident that obviously got out of control ” .
He said his client “ reacted in the heat of the moment ” and accepted that his behaviour led to the overall incident .
Judge Greally asked Garda Finan if there was “ currently hostility between the parties ” .
“ The other side of the factions have moved away from the area .
I don ’ t believe there has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied .
Judge Greally adjourned sentencing to May 5th next and ordered a report from the Probation Service to establish if Hennessey would be suitable for community service .
She said she appreciates that Hennessey has “ a substantial commitment to his family ” .

A father of three who threw a punch at a man as he was leaving a courthouse leading to “a volatile situation” which needed the assistance of 20 gardaí “to calm it down” will be sentenced later.
Garda Richard Finan said that he was standing outside the main entrance to Blanchardstown District Court when he saw Devon Hennessey (24) approach another man and punch him in the face “without prior warning or provocation”.
Garda Finan told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, that he was aware at that time, that there were “background issues” between Hennessey and this other man and he immediately intervened and tried to restrain Hennessey.
He said Hennessey resisted him and tried to go back to the other man shouting at him “you are a dead man”.
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A number of other gardaí had to assist to continue to physically restrain Hennessey, while other associates of his tried to get involved in the situation.
Garda Finan agreed with Ms Duffy that “15 to 20 members of gardaí were needed to calm down the situation that became increasingly volatile”.
He accepted there were ongoing threats made by other individuals to this man while Hennessey continued to shout both at the man and gardaí as he was being placed in the patrol car.
Hennessey, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder on November 9th, 2017. He has five previous convictions for road traffic offences.
Oisin Clarke BL, defending, told Judge Melanie Greally that his client claims that the man made “a vile comment” about Hennessey’s son which “sparked this off”. He handed in a letter to the court from Hennessey which he said outlined the comment the other man made.
He said his client is a father of three and his son has a disability which leads to him becoming tired and requires Hennessey to carry him. He said Hennessey is not working at the moment and cares for his family full time.
Garda Finan agreed with Mr Clarke that Hennessey initially told him that the other man had made some comment to him about his son but said that Hennessey didn’t say anything else about this comment when given the opportunity to do so during Garda interview.
Mr Clarke described it as “an unfortunate incident that obviously got out of control”.
He said his client “reacted in the heat of the moment” and accepted that his behaviour led to the overall incident.
Judge Greally asked Garda Finan if there was “currently hostility between the parties”.
“The other side of the factions have moved away from the area. I don’t believe there has been any more incidences,” Garda Finan replied.
Judge Greally adjourned sentencing to May 5th next and ordered a report from the Probation Service to establish if Hennessey would be suitable for community service. She said she appreciates that Hennessey has “a substantial commitment to his family”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Man jailed for 18 months for assault on Waterford football manager

A 31-year-old father of one has been jailed for 18 months for assault causing harm to Waterford FC manager , Alan Reynolds in an unprovoked attack which left Mr Reynolds with a fractured cheekbone and a broken nose .
Dayne Ormond , of Beech Park , Tramore , Co Waterford had denied the charge of assault causing harm to Mr Reynolds ( 45 ) at Main Street , Tramore in the early hours of May 26th , 2018 when he went on trial last July .
But the jury at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court unanimously found him guilty of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was twice remanded on bail before appearing back before Judge Eugene O ’ Kelly for sentence on Tuesday .
Judge O ’ Kelly noted that Ormond had not given evidence at his trial but his defence involved claiming that he had been provoked and then violently assaulted by Mr Reynolds but this had been roundly rejected by the jury .
He said Mr Reynolds had suffered a fractured cheekbone , a broken nose , a broken ankle as well as nerve damage to his teeth arising from the assault by Ormond who kicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he lay on the ground .
He noted Mr Reynolds had outlined in a victim impact statement how he had been affected physically , psychologically and emotionally by the assault including that he now suffered from stress and suffered flashbacks .
He also noted how Mr Reynolds had to have a metal plate inserted in his ankle which meant he could no longer run or jog or play five-a-side football while he was still unsure what impact it would have on his career as a football coach .
Judge O ’ Kelly pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were serious as a result of the level of violence involved and the fact that Ormond kicked him full in the face as he lay on the ground were significant aggravating factors .
He also cited the fact Ormond tried to divert attention away from his role in the assault on Mr Reynolds by pretending he had been the victim of an assault himself when gardaí arrived at the scene as another aggravating factor .
Ormond ’ s lack of empathy and remorse as evident from both a psychological report and a probation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the trial and publicity on himself were yet further aggravating factors , he said .
Judge O ’ Kelly acknowledged Ormond had come up with €10,000 in compensation , had a glowing reference from his employer and had no previous convictions , which were all mitigating factors in his favour .
However the offence was a serious one which merited a custodial sentence and he believed the appropriate sentence was one of two years but he said he would suspend the final six months in light of his lack of previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reynolds told how he went out to the Forge Inn in Tramore between 6.30pm and 7pm with some friends to watch the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid .
He said that after the match he went to the Hi-B nightclub but “ felt too old to be there ” so he left after five to 10 minutes and went to “ Tony ’ s Chipper ” where he met Ormond who “ shouted some stuff at him about Waterford FC ” .
The jury was shown CCTV footage which showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation when they both stopped in the street and then Mr Reynolds pushed past Ormond in an apparent effort to get away from him .
Mr Reynolds told the trial that “ no conversation ” took place but that he simply told Ormond he was “ just going home ” and “ didn ’ t want any hassle ” when Ormond punched him in the eye , which caused him to fall over .
He said that when he tried to get up , Ormond kicked him “ full force ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t remember much more than that , until Ormond began to wake him up , saying , “ The guards are coming , don ’ t say anything ” .
He said he had a fractured cheekbone , broken nose , cuts over his eye which required stitches and a broken ankle , which he claimed was caused by Ormond “ jumping on it ” , although he couldn ’ t confirm this because of his memory loss .

A 31-year-old father of one has been jailed for 18 months for assault causing harm to Waterford FC manager, Alan Reynolds in an unprovoked attack which left Mr Reynolds with a fractured cheekbone and a broken nose.
Dayne Ormond, of Beech Park, Tramore, Co Waterford had denied the charge of assault causing harm to Mr Reynolds (45) at Main Street, Tramore in the early hours of May 26th, 2018 when he went on trial last July.
But the jury at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court unanimously found him guilty of the offence following a four-day trial and he was twice remanded on bail before appearing back before Judge Eugene O’Kelly for sentence on Tuesday.
Judge O’Kelly noted that Ormond had not given evidence at his trial but his defence involved claiming that he had been provoked and then violently assaulted by Mr Reynolds but this had been roundly rejected by the jury.
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He said Mr Reynolds had suffered a fractured cheekbone, a broken nose, a broken ankle as well as nerve damage to his teeth arising from the assault by Ormond who kicked Mr Reynolds full in the face as he lay on the ground.
He noted Mr Reynolds had outlined in a victim impact statement how he had been affected physically, psychologically and emotionally by the assault including that he now suffered from stress and suffered flashbacks.
He also noted how Mr Reynolds had to have a metal plate inserted in his ankle which meant he could no longer run or jog or play five-a-side football while he was still unsure what impact it would have on his career as a football coach.
Judge O’Kelly pointed out that Mr Reynolds’s injuries were serious as a result of the level of violence involved and the fact that Ormond kicked him full in the face as he lay on the ground were significant aggravating factors.
He also cited the fact Ormond tried to divert attention away from his role in the assault on Mr Reynolds by pretending he had been the victim of an assault himself when gardaí arrived at the scene as another aggravating factor.
Ormond’s lack of empathy and remorse as evident from both a psychological report and a probation report where he focused more on the impact of the trial and publicity on himself were yet further aggravating factors, he said.
Judge O’Kelly acknowledged Ormond had come up with €10,000 in compensation, had a glowing reference from his employer and had no previous convictions, which were all mitigating factors in his favour.
However the offence was a serious one which merited a custodial sentence and he believed the appropriate sentence was one of two years but he said he would suspend the final six months in light of his lack of previous convictions.
During the trial, Mr Reynolds told how he went out to the Forge Inn in Tramore between 6.30pm and 7pm with some friends to watch the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
He said that after the match he went to the Hi-B nightclub but “felt too old to be there” so he left after five to 10 minutes and went to “Tony’s Chipper” where he met Ormond who “shouted some stuff at him about Waterford FC”.
The jury was shown CCTV footage which showed Mr Reynolds and Ormond engaged in some conversation when they both stopped in the street and then Mr Reynolds pushed past Ormond in an apparent effort to get away from him.
Mr Reynolds told the trial that “no conversation” took place but that he simply told Ormond he was “just going home” and “didn’t want any hassle” when Ormond punched him in the eye, which caused him to fall over.
He said that when he tried to get up, Ormond kicked him “full force” in the face. He said he didn’t remember much more than that, until Ormond began to wake him up, saying, “The guards are coming, don’t say anything”.
He said he had a fractured cheekbone, broken nose, cuts over his eye which required stitches and a broken ankle, which he claimed was caused by Ormond “jumping on it”, although he couldn’t confirm this because of his memory loss.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Homeless couple stole more than €7,000 worth of clothes to feed drug addiction

A homeless couple who together stole a total of €7,595 of stock from a clothing store in order to feed their drug addiction have received partially suspended sentence .
Keelin Doyle ( 29 ) and Liam Dowds ( 38 ) stole the items in eight separate thefts from River Island on Dublin ’ s Grafton Street in four weeks .
They made no attempt to disguise themselves nor did they threaten staff .
They walked into the store , lifted the merchandise and left without paying .
Doyle was sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seven charges of shoplifting on dates between August 23rd , 2019 and September 13th , 2019 .
The mother of one has nine previous theft convictions .
Dowds , who is originally from Belfast , pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight charges of shoplifting on dates between August 19th , 2019 and September 13th , 2019 .
He worked alone the first time he stole the items from the shop .
Dowds has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence .
Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Doyle to 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months suspended , while she sentenced Dowds to 15 months with the final six months suspended , having taken into account the fact that he has less convictions .
Garda Andrew Keane told Garret Baker BL , prosecuting , the couple were “ caught in the act ” stealing the items on September 15th , 2019 .
They were later nominated as suspects in their earlier thefts after CCTV footage was viewed .
They were arrested and both said they were selling the clothes to get money to feed their drug addictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , defending Doyle , that there was no confrontation with staff in the store .
He accepted a suggestion from Pieter Le Vert BL , defending Dowds , that the couple made no attempt to disguise themselves .
Garda Keane also accepted that the couple have been remanded in custody since their arrest and both look better today than they did in September last year .
Mr Rea said his client ’ s previous offending relates to her drug addiction .
He said she has a young daughter who she hopes to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future .
Mr Le Vert said his client comes from a respectable family in Belfast and had worked all his life until he began taking drugs at the age of 33 when a long-term relationship broke down .
“ He found himself in a situation that he never thought he could envisage , addicted to drugs , “ Mr Le Vert said before he added that Dowds moved to Dublin where he soon became homeless and fully addicted to drugs .
Counsel said Dowds has used his time in custody well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is drug free .
Judge Greally said there was a significant amount of valuable merchandise taken which she said , “ was undoubtedly a source of considerable concern for a shop ” .
“ Shoplifting at that level is something that has to be regarded seriously because of its impact on the viability of business , ” she continued .
She accepted the couple ’ s motivation was their drug addiction .
She said that things seemed to have “ gone awry ” for Dowds , noting the disintegration of his family relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described it as “ a stark tale ” of the impact of drug addiction .

A homeless couple who together stole a total of €7,595 of stock from a clothing store in order to feed their drug addiction have received partially suspended sentence.
Keelin Doyle (29) and Liam Dowds (38) stole the items in eight separate thefts from River Island on Dublin’s Grafton Street in four weeks. They made no attempt to disguise themselves nor did they threaten staff. They walked into the store, lifted the merchandise and left without paying.
Doyle was sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas of guilty from the District Court in relation to seven charges of shoplifting on dates between August 23rd, 2019 and September 13th, 2019. The mother of one has nine previous theft convictions.
Dowds, who is originally from Belfast, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight charges of shoplifting on dates between August 19th, 2019 and September 13th, 2019.
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He worked alone the first time he stole the items from the shop. Dowds has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence.
Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Doyle to 18 months in prison with the final six months suspended, while she sentenced Dowds to 15 months with the final six months suspended, having taken into account the fact that he has less convictions.
Garda Andrew Keane told Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, the couple were “caught in the act” stealing the items on September 15th, 2019. They were later nominated as suspects in their earlier thefts after CCTV footage was viewed.
They were arrested and both said they were selling the clothes to get money to feed their drug addictions.
Gda Keane agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending Doyle, that there was no confrontation with staff in the store.
He accepted a suggestion from Pieter Le Vert BL, defending Dowds, that the couple made no attempt to disguise themselves.
Garda Keane also accepted that the couple have been remanded in custody since their arrest and both look better today than they did in September last year.
Mr Rea said his client’s previous offending relates to her drug addiction. He said she has a young daughter who she hopes to be able to have a proper relationship with in the future.
Mr Le Vert said his client comes from a respectable family in Belfast and had worked all his life until he began taking drugs at the age of 33 when a long-term relationship broke down.
“He found himself in a situation that he never thought he could envisage, addicted to drugs, “ Mr Le Vert said before he added that Dowds moved to Dublin where he soon became homeless and fully addicted to drugs.
Counsel said Dowds has used his time in custody well, is considered an exemplary prisoner and is drug free.
Judge Greally said there was a significant amount of valuable merchandise taken which she said, “was undoubtedly a source of considerable concern for a shop”.
“Shoplifting at that level is something that has to be regarded seriously because of its impact on the viability of business,” she continued.
She accepted the couple’s motivation was their drug addiction.
She said that things seemed to have “gone awry” for Dowds, noting the disintegration of his family relationships since he started abusing drugs. She described it as “a stark tale” of the impact of drug addiction.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--Mount Juliet putting course challenge must be heard before planning appeal – judge

A legal challenge concerning the planning status of the removal of a golf putting course in Mount Juliet in Kilkenny will have to be dealt with before An Bord Pleanála deals with an appeal over the matter , a judge has ruled .
The Mount Juliet Estates Residents Group was last year granted permission by the High Court to seek judicial review of Kilkenny Co Council ’ s decision approving the removal of the putting course .
It had been located north of the Rose Garden Lodges and east of the Walled Garden in Mount Juliet , Thomastown .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marry with and enhance the amenity provided by the main Mount Juliet golf course .
It was modelled as a mini-Augusta in Georgia , US .
The residents claim that , between August and November 2016 , the course was removed without planning permission and the land excavated and levelled to create a flat empty area .
The developers of Mount Juliet , MJBE Investments , then applied for permission , in October 2017 , to put 12 houses on the land .
That was ultimately refused by An Bord Pleanála .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the council to make a declaration the removal of the putting course required planning permission , the council decided it was exempt .
The residents appealed to An Bord Pleanála which held it was not exempt .
Subsequently , MJBE made its own application to the council for retention of the removal of the course and the council granted retention permission in April last year .
The residents then lodged an appeal to the board against that decision .
Separately , they brought a judicial review case claiming the council erred in law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and environment impact assessment requirements in its decision .
The council and MJBE asked the High Court to put a stay on the residents ’ judicial review pending the board ’ s decision on the residents ’ appeal .
On Tuesday , Mr Justice Garrett Simons said the justice of the case was best served not by denying the residents judicial review challenge but by ensuring the proceedings receive an expeditious hearing in the next number of weeks .
He said priority is only to be given to an appeal to the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board ’ s jurisdiction .
The grounds of the residents ’ judicial review are ones which , if well founded , affect the board ’ s jurisdiction to deal with the appeal , he said .
The statutory criteria for a stay on the challenge are therefore not met , he said .

A legal challenge concerning the planning status of the removal of a golf putting course in Mount Juliet in Kilkenny will have to be dealt with before An Bord Pleanála deals with an appeal over the matter, a judge has ruled.
The Mount Juliet Estates Residents Group was last year granted permission by the High Court to seek judicial review of Kilkenny Co Council’s decision approving the removal of the putting course. It had been located north of the Rose Garden Lodges and east of the Walled Garden in Mount Juliet, Thomastown.
The putting course was built in 1997 to marry with and enhance the amenity provided by the main Mount Juliet golf course. It was modelled as a mini-Augusta in Georgia, US.
The residents claim that, between August and November 2016, the course was removed without planning permission and the land excavated and levelled to create a flat empty area.
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The developers of Mount Juliet, MJBE Investments, then applied for permission, in October 2017, to put 12 houses on the land. That was ultimately refused by An Bord Pleanála.
The residents say, when they applied to the council to make a declaration the removal of the putting course required planning permission, the council decided it was exempt.
The residents appealed to An Bord Pleanála which held it was not exempt.
Subsequently, MJBE made its own application to the council for retention of the removal of the course and the council granted retention permission in April last year.
The residents then lodged an appeal to the board against that decision.
Separately, they brought a judicial review case claiming the council erred in law and failed to comply with EU habitats and environment impact assessment requirements in its decision.
The council and MJBE asked the High Court to put a stay on the residents’ judicial review pending the board’s decision on the residents’ appeal.
On Tuesday, Mr Justice Garrett Simons said the justice of the case was best served not by denying the residents judicial review challenge but by ensuring the proceedings receive an expeditious hearing in the next number of weeks.
He said priority is only to be given to an appeal to the board in circumstances where the matter is within the board’s jurisdiction.
The grounds of the residents’ judicial review are ones which, if well founded, affect the board’s jurisdiction to deal with the appeal, he said. The statutory criteria for a stay on the challenge are therefore not met, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-10--€116 billion Project Ireland 2040 plan is invalid, environmental group tells court

The €116 billion Project Ireland 2040 plan for the country ’ s development is invalid and must be quashed because proper environmental assessments were not carried out , an environmental group has argued before the High Court .
There was particular failure to adopt adequate measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure sites of special protection and conservation would not be adversely affected , Friends of the Irish Environment claims .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ’ s Government had announced adoption of Project Ireland 2040 to “ media fanfare ” at a special Cabinet meeting in Sligo in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopted in advance of the State meeting obligations under the relevant directives , Neil Steen SC said .
The State is “ hedging its position ” about crucial dates relating to adoption of the plan and assessments and had failed to meet its duty of candour in responses to requests from his side ’ s solicitor Fred Logue concerning those matters , counsel argued .
Mr Steen , with John Kenny BL , was opening FIE ’ s judicial review proceedings on Tuesday before Mr Justice Anthony Barr .
The case is against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Planning and Local Government , Ireland and the Attorney General .
The main relief sought is an order quashing the decision to adopt the plan on grounds of alleged failure to meet the assessment requirements of the strategic environmental assessment ( SEA ) directive and the habitats directive .
Project Ireland was described as the Government ’ s long-term overarching strategy to make Ireland a better country for all its people , counsel outlined .
The evidence indicates finalisation of the plan may have been “ somewhat rushed ” and that significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adoption were not taken , he said .
His case was that some steps were taken after adoption and this was unlawful .
Counsel outlined Project Ireland has two principal components , the National Planning Framework ( NPF ) and the National Development Plan ( NDP ) .
The NPF required assessment under two significant pieces of European environmental legislation , the SEA directive and the habitats directive , as amended , he said .
Friends of the Irish Environment ’ s case was those assessments were not carried out in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also disputed the respondents ’ view the NDP did not require assessment and argued it required to be assessed under the SEA directive .
Mr Steen said , while the respondents argued they took the necessary material “ into account ” , that was insufficient to meet the requirements of the directives .
There was also failure to carry out an adequate assessment of alternative options for the purposes of the SEA directive , he submitted .
That assessment must identify , describe and evaluate not just the likely significant effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also consider the reasonable alternatives to a comparable level of detail as the preferred option .
Arising from the “ relatively perfunctory ” nature of the consideration of alternative options , the reasons given in a series of matrices for selecting the preferred option are not comprehensible , counsel further argued .
“ We can not understand them .
”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s Government had announced adoption of Project Ireland 2040 to “media fanfare” at a special Cabinet meeting in Sligo in February 2018 but the plan could not be adopted in advance of the State meeting obligations under the relevant directives, Neil Steen SC said. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
The €116 billion Project Ireland 2040 plan for the country’s development is invalid and must be quashed because proper environmental assessments were not carried out, an environmental group has argued before the High Court.
There was particular failure to adopt adequate measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure sites of special protection and conservation would not be adversely affected, Friends of the Irish Environment claims.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s Government had announced adoption of Project Ireland 2040 to “media fanfare” at a special Cabinet meeting in Sligo in February 2018 but the plan could not be adopted in advance of the State meeting obligations under the relevant directives, Neil Steen SC said.
The State is “hedging its position” about crucial dates relating to adoption of the plan and assessments and had failed to meet its duty of candour in responses to requests from his side’s solicitor Fred Logue concerning those matters, counsel argued. Mr Steen, with John Kenny BL, was opening FIE’s judicial review proceedings on Tuesday before Mr Justice Anthony Barr.
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The case is against the Government, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Ireland and the Attorney General. The main relief sought is an order quashing the decision to adopt the plan on grounds of alleged failure to meet the assessment requirements of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) directive and the habitats directive.
Project Ireland was described as the Government’s long-term overarching strategy to make Ireland a better country for all its people, counsel outlined. The evidence indicates finalisation of the plan may have been “somewhat rushed” and that significant steps that should have been taken before adoption were not taken, he said.
His case was that some steps were taken after adoption and this was unlawful. Counsel outlined Project Ireland has two principal components, the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the National Development Plan (NDP). The NPF required assessment under two significant pieces of European environmental legislation, the SEA directive and the habitats directive, as amended, he said.
Friends of the Irish Environment’s case was those assessments were not carried out in accordance with the requirements of the two directives. It also disputed the respondents’ view the NDP did not require assessment and argued it required to be assessed under the SEA directive.
Mr Steen said, while the respondents argued they took the necessary material “into account”, that was insufficient to meet the requirements of the directives. There was also failure to carry out an adequate assessment of alternative options for the purposes of the SEA directive, he submitted.
That assessment must identify, describe and evaluate not just the likely significant effects of implementation of plan or programme but must also consider the reasonable alternatives to a comparable level of detail as the preferred option.
Arising from the “relatively perfunctory” nature of the consideration of alternative options, the reasons given in a series of matrices for selecting the preferred option are not comprehensible, counsel further argued. “We cannot understand them.”
The case continues on Wednesday.


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Dublin-Maynooth train stopped after fire breaks out in undercarriage

A commuter train from Dublin ’ s Pearse Station to Maynooth had to be stopped on Thursday after a fire @ @ @ @ @ .
The 7.41pm from Pearse to Maynooth was stopped at Broombridge after an automated alert @ @ @ @ @ put out the fire which broke out in the bogies , the small wheel unit @ @ @ @ @ train .
Emergency services attended as a precaution .
The train was taken out of @ @ @ @ @ to Connolly Station .
Customers were accommodated on the next train with delays of 45 @ @ @ @ @ now back to normal .

A view of the scene after a fire broke out on a commuter train to Maynooth. Photograph: Caroline Cleary/The Irish Times
A commuter train from Dublin's Pearse Station to Maynooth had to be stopped on Thursday after a fire broke out in the undercarriage.
The 7.41pm from Pearse to Maynooth was stopped at Broombridge after an automated alert.
A view of the scene after a fire broke out on a commuter train to Maynooth. Photograph: Caroline Cleary/The Irish Times
The driver attended and put out the fire which broke out in the bogies, the small wheel unit in the undercarriage of the train.
Emergency services attended as a precaution. The train was taken out of service at Broombridge and returned to Connolly Station.
READ MORE
Customers were accommodated on the next train with delays of 45 minutes.
The line is now back to normal.


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Prof Katharine Hayhoe: Where to find hope that climate crisis will be addressed

The number one question is the same wherever Prof Katharine Hayhoe goes : what gives you hope that the climate crisis will ever be addressed ?
The answer from one of the world ’ s most influential climate scientists is “ you have to go out and look for it ” , but don ’ t look to politicians , as climate politics is getting more and more contentious .
Nor is it found in the latest science , which confirms global heating happening at a faster rate than previously predicted , with much wider impacts .
Rather it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – states , businesses , churches , universities and individuals – taking action , and especially those showing leadership though those entities .
She was in Ireland this week to give eight different talks over five days – in UCC , NUI Galway , and Queen ’ s University Belfast , with Trinity College and Maynooth University addresses on Friday livestreamed because of coronavirus .
They ranged from “ why facts are not enough ” to “ climate science : what ’ s new ?
” to the role values play in shaping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her presentations show an acute understanding of how climate disruption is affecting Ireland and its response so far .
Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University specialising in climate impact assessments and translating climate projections into actionable information .
She is also a renowned science communicator and an evangelical Christian who retains a fearless ability to speak out .
She concealed her email address online but the vitriol that followed her just shifted to social media , where she continues to deliver her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 100 people a day .
It may be because so many Americans view religion and science as being in conflict with each other .
For Hayhoe , such a juxtaposition doesn ’ t exist .
Her father was a missionary and a science educator , so she grew up seeing them as intrinsically intertwined .
Her verdict is delivered with disarming simplicity : The climate is changing , it is human caused , the impacts are serious and it ’ s time to act .
A thermometer is not liberal or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deny climate change is to deny a truth we have just lived ” .
The most important thing about climate change is to talk about it .
There are three choices ; mitigation ( cut carbon emissions ) ; adaptation to an overheating world , or suffer .
“ The more we mitigate , the less adaptation we have to do and the less suffering.
” The new discipline that must be brought into deliberations is social science , she adds , as inaction has persisted given it was known as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generated heat-trapping ( greenhouse ) gases , and the same soon applied to oil and gas .
So “ It ’ s more about psychology than physics and chemistry , and why we have not taken action ” .
Hope is not enough .
Yes , there is progress , Hayhoe accepts .
For too long it was about pushing a large boulder uphill .
The peak has been negotiated , the boulder is now rolling downhill but not fast enough – though there are millions of hands assisting it .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious blockages such as the 100 corporations responsible for 70 per cent of global carbon emissions ; “ that balance of power and wealth concentrated in the hands of a few who want to maintain fossil fuel use for as long as possible ” .
The battle to end fossil fuels , in her view , is not yet won .
Oil giant BP – generating emissions on a par with Australia – committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 is welcome but “ I don ’ t know if they know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it ’ s a step in the right direction.
” She is not drawn into the issue of US President Donal Trump ’ s denial of climate science , and notes climate change was the number one issue during the second term of Barrack Obama , where tangible results were limited .
Hayhoe is more heartened by those entities across the US who make up the “ we are still in ” the Paris Agreement alliance , and actions such as those in her native Canada and even Ireland on carbon pricing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fossil fuels .
“ There ’ s hope there.
” If Trump is not re-elected , it will send a message to countries , “ the US as a whole is with them again ” .
Already , 58 per cent of Americans are now either “ alarmed ” or “ concerned ” about global warming .
On forcing emissions down , she points to success in electricity generation , from the deployment of technologies across the world that is decarbonising and making power cheaper than using fossil fuels .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she stresses what one does with the carbon is critical .
A lot of people , especially Republicans are raving about the coal-burning plant Petra Nova in Texas but “ the CO2 recovered is used elsewhere to pump into wells to enhance oil and gas recovery so it ’ s net effect is to increase emissions ” .
Forestry is not as good as previously believed but helps capture carbon , while trapping it in soil is good , she says .
On Ireland ’ s performance , Hayhoe notes an EU survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three countries on awareness of the need to reduce emissions and yet is in the top three on willingness to make personal changes and do more , which was ground for optimism – notwithstanding high emissions being currently generated .
On individual action , her take is precise .
“ The reality is that we all make a difference ” but individual choices – like becoming a vegan and not flying – is simply not sufficient .
Do the sums on emissions shows aviation is responsible for just 3 per cent of emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so “ system-wide change is required ” .
She has no time for heaping blame on individuals , when comparing the average person ’ s carbon footprint to those mega-wealthy corporations dominated by oil and gas companies , who for example , continue to actively invest in preventing solar energy being put into electricity grids .
“ Individuals do matter ... ° the most important thing is to use your voice for systemic change , ” Hayhoe believes .
When asked by people what gives her hope , she turns the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They see cause for hope in seeing others act and so act themselves .
But the “ young people and the next generation ” factor constantly comes out top in responses ; “ not that they will fix it , but we will fix it for them because they exist ” .
Her key actions list is : talk about climate change to those you know to help people understand the relevance to them , to collectively address “ the identity politics barrier ” and to inspire with readily available positive solutions @

Katharine Hayhoe concealed her email address online but the vitriol that followed her just shifted to social media, where she continues to deliver her message in spite of having to block up to 100 people a day. Photograph: Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The number one question is the same wherever Prof Katharine Hayhoe goes: what gives you hope that the climate crisis will ever be addressed?
The answer from one of the world’s most influential climate scientists is “you have to go out and look for it”, but don’t look to politicians, as climate politics is getting more and more contentious.
Nor is it found in the latest science, which confirms global heating happening at a faster rate than previously predicted, with much wider impacts.
Rather it’s to be found in the countries – states, businesses, churches, universities and individuals – taking action, and especially those showing leadership though those entities.
READ MORE
She was in Ireland this week to give eight different talks over five days – in UCC, NUI Galway, and Queen's University Belfast, with Trinity College and Maynooth University addresses on Friday livestreamed because of coronavirus.
They ranged from “why facts are not enough” to “climate science: what’s new?” to the role values play in shaping conversations on this existential threat to humankind. Her presentations show an acute understanding of how climate disruption is affecting Ireland and its response so far.
Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University specialising in climate impact assessments and translating climate projections into actionable information.
She is also a renowned science communicator and an evangelical Christian who retains a fearless ability to speak out. She concealed her email address online but the vitriol that followed her just shifted to social media, where she continues to deliver her message in spite of having to block up to 100 people a day.
It may be because so many Americans view religion and science as being in conflict with each other. For Hayhoe, such a juxtaposition doesn’t exist. Her father was a missionary and a science educator, so she grew up seeing them as intrinsically intertwined.
Her verdict is delivered with disarming simplicity: The climate is changing, it is human caused, the impacts are serious and it’s time to act. A thermometer is not liberal or conservative. She endorses the view “to deny climate change is to deny a truth we have just lived”.
The most important thing about climate change is to talk about it. There are three choices; mitigation (cut carbon emissions); adaptation to an overheating world, or suffer. “The more we mitigate, the less adaptation we have to do and the less suffering.”
The new discipline that must be brought into deliberations is social science, she adds, as inaction has persisted given it was known as far back as the 1850s that burning coal generated heat-trapping (greenhouse) gases, and the same soon applied to oil and gas. So “It’s more about psychology than physics and chemistry, and why we have not taken action”.
Hope is not enough. Yes, there is progress, Hayhoe accepts. For too long it was about pushing a large boulder uphill. The peak has been negotiated, the boulder is now rolling downhill but not fast enough – though there are millions of hands assisting it.
It’s an issue of implementation and overcoming obvious blockages such as the 100 corporations responsible for 70 per cent of global carbon emissions; “that balance of power and wealth concentrated in the hands of a few who want to maintain fossil fuel use for as long as possible”.
The battle to end fossil fuels, in her view, is not yet won. Oil giant BP – generating emissions on a par with Australia – committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 is welcome but "I don't know if they know how they are going to do it. But it's a step in the right direction."
She is not drawn into the issue of US President Donal Trump’s denial of climate science, and notes climate change was the number one issue during the second term of Barrack Obama, where tangible results were limited.
Hayhoe is more heartened by those entities across the US who make up the "we are still in" the Paris Agreement alliance, and actions such as those in her native Canada and even Ireland on carbon pricing (implementing carbon taxes) and divestment from fossil fuels. "There's hope there."
If Trump is not re-elected, it will send a message to countries, “the US as a whole is with them again”. Already, 58 per cent of Americans are now either “alarmed” or “concerned” about global warming.
On forcing emissions down, she points to success in electricity generation, from the deployment of technologies across the world that is decarbonising and making power cheaper than using fossil fuels.
On the big bet on carbon capture technology, she stresses what one does with the carbon is critical. A lot of people, especially Republicans are raving about the coal-burning plant Petra Nova in Texas but "the CO2 recovered is used elsewhere to pump into wells to enhance oil and gas recovery so it's net effect is to increase emissions".
Forestry is not as good as previously believed but helps capture carbon, while trapping it in soil is good, she says.
On Ireland’s performance, Hayhoe notes an EU survey showing the country was in the bottom three countries on awareness of the need to reduce emissions and yet is in the top three on willingness to make personal changes and do more, which was ground for optimism – notwithstanding high emissions being currently generated.
On individual action, her take is precise. “The reality is that we all make a difference” but individual choices – like becoming a vegan and not flying – is simply not sufficient. Do the sums on emissions shows aviation is responsible for just 3 per cent of emissions; animal production generates 14 per cent, so “system-wide change is required”.
She has no time for heaping blame on individuals, when comparing the average person’s carbon footprint to those mega-wealthy corporations dominated by oil and gas companies, who for example, continue to actively invest in preventing solar energy being put into electricity grids.
“Individuals do matter...° the most important thing is to use your voice for systemic change,” Hayhoe believes.
When asked by people what gives her hope, she turns the question around and polls people in her lectures. They see cause for hope in seeing others act and so act themselves. But the “young people and the next generation” factor constantly comes out top in responses; “not that they will fix it, but we will fix it for them because they exist”.
Her key actions list is: talk about climate change to those you know to help people understand the relevance to them, to collectively address “the identity politics barrier” and to inspire with readily available positive solutions.


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Hunt continues for known criminals suspected in Killiney hit and run

Gardaí were last night continuing the hunt for suspects whose robbery getaway car was driven onto a pavement and killed Jacqueline McGovern .
The 54-year-old special needs assistant was killed when she was hit by the raiders in a car in Killiney , south Co Dublin , on Tuesday night .
A female friend of Ms McGovern was walking with her and was also injured in the crash but is expected to survive .
That woman also worked as a special needs assistant and gardaí said she was lucky to be alive after the driver of the car apparently lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in her 50s , and Ms McGovern were colleagues at Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls National School in Cabinteely .
Ms McGovern , a married mother of three adult children from Killiney , was still alive when the emergency services reached her at the crash scene at about 9.30pm on Tuesday .
She was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to St Vincent ’ s Hospital where she was pronounced dead .
Just moments before the fatal collision two men threatened staff at a Centra store on Barnhill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before being driven away at speed by another man in a waiting car .
The fleeing driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle at the junction of Ballinclea Road and Avondale Road , Killiney , where the women were struck .
Gardaí believe they know who the raiders are and they are confident they will apprehend them , though the search for them was continuing last night .
The Garda investigators working on the case have gathered CCTV footage of the suspects and their vehicle , and have also interviewed witnesses who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not yet been interviewed , Garda sources said significant progress had been made with the inquiry .
The men suspected of raiding the shop and then speeding away before hitting the two women are from south Co Dublin .
They are in their 20s and are known for robberies and assaults .
The vehicle they used was so badly damaged in the crash it could not be driven any further .
The men abandoned it and escaped the scene on foot .

The driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle at the junction of Ballinclea Road and Avondale Road, Killiney, where the women were struck. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Gardaí were last night continuing the hunt for suspects whose robbery getaway car was driven onto a pavement and killed Jacqueline McGovern.
The 54-year-old special needs assistant was killed when she was hit by the raiders in a car in Killiney, south Co Dublin, on Tuesday night.
A female friend of Ms McGovern was walking with her and was also injured in the crash but is expected to survive.
That woman also worked as a special needs assistant and gardaí said she was lucky to be alive after the driver of the car apparently lost control.
READ MORE
The injured woman, who is in her 50s, and Ms McGovern were colleagues at Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls National School in Cabinteely.
Ms McGovern, a married mother of three adult children from Killiney, was still alive when the emergency services reached her at the crash scene at about 9.30pm on Tuesday.
She was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to St Vincent’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Just moments before the fatal collision two men threatened staff at a Centra store on Barnhill Road, Dalkey. They stole money before being driven away at speed by another man in a waiting car.
The fleeing driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle at the junction of Ballinclea Road and Avondale Road, Killiney, where the women were struck.
Gardaí believe they know who the raiders are and they are confident they will apprehend them, though the search for them was continuing last night.
The Garda investigators working on the case have gathered CCTV footage of the suspects and their vehicle, and have also interviewed witnesses who saw the men.
While the suspects have not yet been interviewed, Garda sources said significant progress had been made with the inquiry.
The men suspected of raiding the shop and then speeding away before hitting the two women are from south Co Dublin. They are in their 20s and are known for robberies and assaults.
The vehicle they used was so badly damaged in the crash it could not be driven any further. The men abandoned it and escaped the scene on foot.


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Confirmations, funerals, weddings and Baptisms scaled back

The obligation on Catholics to physically attend Sunday Mass has been removed by Ireland ’ s Catholic bishops for now and all Confirmations are postponed .
Attendance at church funerals , weddings and Baptisms are being limited to 100 people but churches are to remain open .
Dublin ’ s two Protestant cathedrals , St Patrick ’ s and Christ Church , are closed to visitors and tourists .
Mosques across Ireland are to close “ where congregations exceed 100 during Friday prayers and the five daily prayers ” as announced by the Irish Council of Imams .
The council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island , also encouraged people “ to cancel functions and gatherings until this pandemic is terminated ” .
The Catholic bishops have asked that people be informed of local possibilities to participate in Mass through local radio and online .
“ It may be possible for some parishes to facilitate attendance at Mass while still observing the health authority ’ s limit of 100 people , ” they also said on Thursday .
Catholic churches are to remain open every day as “ in these difficult and uncertain times , people find strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said , calling on people “ to pray more intensely for each other and especially for those who have succumbed to the illness ” .
Included should be “ doctors , nurses and medical staff and other carers , including clergy – that the Lord will protect them as they place their own wellbeing at risk in the service of all ” , they said .
On Friday , the Church of Ireland ’ s Dublin archdiocese will put resources for Sunday services on the diocesan website for those who feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church services in their parishes are cancelled .
They will also give information for those who wish to watch services online .
However Archbishop Michael Jackson hoped “ the Cathedral Eucharist will go ahead on Sunday morning at 11am .
This service is livestreamed by Christchurch Cathedral ” .
St Patrick ’ s Cathedral said it intended to remain open for services for as long as possible .
But it would observe strictly the guidelines regarding social distancing and would ensure no more than 100 people are in the cathedral at the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cultural Centre of Ireland at Dublin ’ s Clonskeagh Dr Nooh Al Kaddo , and Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa , announced “ cancellation of Friday congregational prayer , effective immediately until further notice ” .

The obligation on Catholics to physically attend Sunday Mass has been removed by Ireland’s Catholic bishops for now and all Confirmations are postponed. Attendance at church funerals, weddings and Baptisms are being limited to 100 people but churches are to remain open.
All non-essential Catholic pastoral gatherings, meetings, retreats, seminars are cancelled.
Dublin's two Protestant cathedrals, St Patrick's and Christ Church, are closed to visitors and tourists. Mosques across Ireland are to close "where congregations exceed 100 during Friday prayers and the five daily prayers"as announced by the Irish Council of Imams.
The council, which represents 35 Imams across the island, also encouraged people “to cancel functions and gatherings until this pandemic is terminated”.
READ MORE
The Catholic bishops have asked that people be informed of local possibilities to participate in Mass through local radio and online.
“It may be possible for some parishes to facilitate attendance at Mass while still observing the health authority’s limit of 100 people,” they also said on Thursday.
Catholic churches are to remain open every day as “in these difficult and uncertain times, people find strength, consolation and hope in prayer”, they said, calling on people “to pray more intensely for each other and especially for those who have succumbed to the illness”. Included should be “doctors, nurses and medical staff and other carers, including clergy – that the Lord will protect them as they place their own wellbeing at risk in the service of all”, they said.
Open for services
On Friday, the Church of Ireland’s Dublin archdiocese will put resources for Sunday services on the diocesan website for those who feel attending church is a risk or where church services in their parishes are cancelled. They will also give information for those who wish to watch services online.
However Archbishop Michael Jackson hoped "the Cathedral Eucharist will go ahead on Sunday morning at 11am. This service is livestreamed by Christchurch Cathedral".
St Patrick’s Cathedral said it intended to remain open for services for as long as possible. But it would observe strictly the guidelines regarding social distancing and would ensure no more than 100 people are in the cathedral at the one time.
Chief executive of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland at Dublin's Clonskeagh Dr Nooh Al Kaddo, and Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa, announced "cancellation of Friday congregational prayer, effective immediately until further notice".


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Seatruck Ferries to restrict HGV drivers on Irish Sea

Truck drivers have complained that they can not get clear directions about Covid-19 safety rules from the Government on how they can be protected on the road in order to safeguard Irish supply chains .
The Irish Road Hauliers ’ Association ( IRHA ) has sought clarity from the Department of Transport on whether drivers can get single cabins on ferries , or be allowed to sleep in their trucks , which they can not do now .
The association also wants measures to protect drivers and cargoes if a driver falls ill on the road .
Tachograph rules must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are forced to drive for longer .
Incoming IRHA president Eugene Drennan said some ferries were now attempting to provide single cabins .
However , he said truckers have looked for for clarity from the State for three weeks , without success .
Guarantees about cleanliness onboard ferries and in ports is needed , said Mr Drennan : “ It ’ s very important that we can reassure our drivers that we have backup ; if you get ill , Europe can get you out of that cab.
” Meanwhile , Seatruck Ferries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Warrenpoint/Heysham is to stop carrying HGV drivers and passengers onboard .
The temporary restrictions would “ significantly impact on the Irish Sea supply chains ” , it said , though industry sources believed other ferry routes have spare capacity .
Seatruck sailings will carry dropped trailers .
or unaccompanied trailers and cabs trade vehicles , ” it said .
Supply companies which normally send driver-accompanied vehicles on Seatruck Ferries services were offered the option of continuing to send their traffic , but on an unaccompanied “ trailer-only basis ” .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drop and collect unaccompanied trailers should follow the normal and well-published Government guidelines to avoid further spread of the virus ” .
Irish Ferries said they were continuing to operate haulier services as normal .
A spokesman for Stena Line said the company would waive charges for any passengers wishing to change their booking dates .
The company will also offer each HGV driver a private cabin , but there would be no restrictions on passengers or lorry drivers for the moment .

The Irish Road Hauliers’ Association has sought clarity from the Department of Transport on whether drivers can get single cabins on ferries or be allowed to sleep in their trucks. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Truck drivers have complained that they cannot get clear directions about Covid-19 safety rules from the Government on how they can be protected on the road in order to safeguard Irish supply chains.
The Irish Road Hauliers’ Association (IRHA) has sought clarity from the Department of Transport on whether drivers can get single cabins on ferries, or be allowed to sleep in their trucks, which they cannot do now.
The association also wants measures to protect drivers and cargoes if a driver falls ill on the road. Tachograph rules must be relaxed, too, if drivers are forced to drive for longer.
Incoming IRHA president Eugene Drennan said some ferries were now attempting to provide single cabins. However, he said truckers have looked for for clarity from the State for three weeks, without success.
READ MORE
Guarantees about cleanliness onboard ferries and in ports is needed, said Mr Drennan: "It's very important that we can reassure our drivers that we have backup; if you get ill, Europe can get you out of that cab."
Unaccompanied trailers
Meanwhile, Seatruck Ferries, which operates routes Dublin/Liverpool, Dublin/Heysham and Warrenpoint/Heysham is to stop carrying HGV drivers and passengers onboard.
The temporary restrictions would “significantly impact on the Irish Sea supply chains”, it said, though industry sources believed other ferry routes have spare capacity.
Seatruck sailings will carry dropped trailers. or unaccompanied trailers and cabs trade vehicles,” it said.
Supply companies which normally send driver-accompanied vehicles on Seatruck Ferries services were offered the option of continuing to send their traffic, but on an unaccompanied “trailer-only basis”.
The company said “HGV drivers attending our terminals to drop and collect unaccompanied trailers should follow the normal and well-published Government guidelines to avoid further spread of the virus”.
Irish Ferries said they were continuing to operate haulier services as normal. A spokesman for Stena Line said the company would waive charges for any passengers wishing to change their booking dates.
The company will also offer each HGV driver a private cabin, but there would be no restrictions on passengers or lorry drivers for the moment.


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Medics raise concerns about staffing levels as HSE stocks up on ventilators

The HSE is stocking up on new ventilators to prepare for more people in respiratory distress from coronavirus , but medics have raised concerns about staffing levels to manage them .
In addition , the Irish medtech industry , one of the largest suppliers of ventilators in the world , are bidding to cut the risk of Covid-19 interrupting production of medical equipment .
A ventilator allows an affected patient ’ s lungs to rest and recover by supplying oxygen and simulating the actions of breathing .
Without such support , patients with severe respiratory disease may not survive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy where a well-funded health system has struggled to cope has heightened fears about the Irish health system ’ s ability to deal with a sharp increase in cases .
The HSE would not disclose the number of ventilators in the Irish system but said that it had purchased an additional 12 portable ventilators and 60 intensive care unit ( ICU ) ventilators , though a series of doctors put the number at 250 .
Dr Tony Holohan , the State ’ s chief medical officer at the Department of Health , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra State funding to buy more equipment , expand capacity and hire more staff .
This was part of the Government ’ s strategy to reduce and push the peak of infections out as far as possible so that the health system has the “ greatest capacity ” to manage the worst of the crisis .
One of Dublin ’ s main hospitals has 16 ICU beds with 16 ventilators and five back-up ventilators in storage , according to sources .
It has ordered six more at €30,000 each , though delivery will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital has 10 operating rooms , each of which has its own ventilator .
Eight of these rooms have an associated anaesthetic room , each with a ventilator .
If elective procedures fall away freeing up operating theatres , the hospital would have another 12-16 ventilators available for severe Covid-19 cases requiring ventilators as they fight infections .
Including sister hospitals , this hospital could triple its availability of ventilators .
Doctors say the bigger challenge will come in finding enough staff to use them .
“ We will run out of appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before we run out of ventilators , ” said Michael O ’ Dwyer , head of department of anaesthesia and critical care at St Vincent ’ s University Hospital in Dublin .
“ Qualified staff are limited to ICU medical and nursing staff and anaesthetic medical staff , and these have been in short supply for some time and take years to train up.
” Warning of the dangers ahead , Prof John Crown , consultant oncologist , said : “ The situation could be potentially more difficult here because of the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ventilators have proved vital in Italy .
“ Every ventilator becomes like gold , ” said Dr Daniele Macchini , working in Bergamo hospital in northern Italy .
China has offered to send 1,000 to Italy .
Ironically , nearly half of the ventilators used in acute hospitals around the globe are made in Ireland .
Galway-based Medtronic is one of the biggest manufacturers .
“ The main thing for the medtech industry right now is that you have employees to make the devices and that you don ’ t have disruptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the global supply chain which comes out of Ireland , ” said Nessa Fennelly , acting director of the Irish Medtech Association , which represents the Irish medical devices industry that employs 40,000 people .
A spokesman for Medtronic said the company had seen no disruption to the production of ventilators in light of Covid-19 and “ is meeting all current customer demand globally ” .
Smaller-scale suppliers of medical devices such as nebulisers , which provide fast-acting relief for respiratory conditions , are seeing an unprecedented surge in orders .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normally sell 200 nebulisers a month , we sold 200 last week , ” said Brian Smith , co-owner of Mayo-based medical devices seller Mabtech Services .
“ We have about 400 on order at the minute coming from two different sources in Italy so we don ’ t know whether they will get here or not the way things are changing by the hour.
” The HSE normally orders 30 nebulisers a month from the company but it had doubled its order , he said .
His firm has never sold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiries about them .
Unsure of the future , he said : “ Is it all hysteria or is there more to this virus than we know of ?
I had a fella on to me who was a chemist-doctor and it was frightening that they are now making decisions over who lives or dies in Italy .
”

The HSE is stocking up on new ventilators to prepare for more people in respiratory distress from coronavirus, but medics have raised concerns about staffing levels to manage them.
In addition, the Irish medtech industry, one of the largest suppliers of ventilators in the world, are bidding to cut the risk of Covid-19 interrupting production of medical equipment.
A ventilator allows an affected patient’s lungs to rest and recover by supplying oxygen and simulating the actions of breathing. Without such support, patients with severe respiratory disease may not survive.
The rising number of coronavirus-related deaths in Italy where a well-funded health system has struggled to cope has heightened fears about the Irish health system's ability to deal with a sharp increase in cases.
READ MORE
The HSE would not disclose the number of ventilators in the Irish system but said that it had purchased an additional 12 portable ventilators and 60 intensive care unit (ICU) ventilators, though a series of doctors put the number at 250.
Expand capacity
Dr Tony Holohan, the State's chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said the HSE would use €435 million of extra State funding to buy more equipment, expand capacity and hire more staff.
This was part of the Government’s strategy to reduce and push the peak of infections out as far as possible so that the health system has the “greatest capacity” to manage the worst of the crisis.
One of Dublin’s main hospitals has 16 ICU beds with 16 ventilators and five back-up ventilators in storage, according to sources. It has ordered six more at €30,000 each, though delivery will take three to six weeks.
This hospital has 10 operating rooms, each of which has its own ventilator. Eight of these rooms have an associated anaesthetic room, each with a ventilator.
If elective procedures fall away freeing up operating theatres, the hospital would have another 12-16 ventilators available for severe Covid-19 cases requiring ventilators as they fight infections.
Including sister hospitals, this hospital could triple its availability of ventilators. Doctors say the bigger challenge will come in finding enough staff to use them.
“We will run out of appropriate staff to operate the ventilators we have before we run out of ventilators,” said Michael O’Dwyer, head of department of anaesthesia and critical care at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin.
“Qualified staff are limited to ICU medical and nursing staff and anaesthetic medical staff, and these have been in short supply for some time and take years to train up.”
Warning of the dangers ahead, Prof John Crown, consultant oncologist, said: "The situation could be potentially more difficult here because of the lower baseline provision we had for ICU infrastructure."
Ventilators have proved vital in Italy. “Every ventilator becomes like gold,” said Dr Daniele Macchini, working in Bergamo hospital in northern Italy. China has offered to send 1,000 to Italy.
Ironically, nearly half of the ventilators used in acute hospitals around the globe are made in Ireland. Galway-based Medtronic is one of the biggest manufacturers.
“The main thing for the medtech industry right now is that you have employees to make the devices and that you don’t have disruptions to production because that has big impacts for the global supply chain which comes out of Ireland,” said Nessa Fennelly, acting director of the Irish Medtech Association, which represents the Irish medical devices industry that employs 40,000 people.
Meeting demand
A spokesman for Medtronic said the company had seen no disruption to the production of ventilators in light of Covid-19 and “is meeting all current customer demand globally”.
Smaller-scale suppliers of medical devices such as nebulisers, which provide fast-acting relief for respiratory conditions, are seeing an unprecedented surge in orders.
"It is absolutely mental. We would normally sell 200 nebulisers a month, we sold 200 last week," said Brian Smith, co-owner of Mayo-based medical devices seller Mabtech Services.
“We have about 400 on order at the minute coming from two different sources in Italy so we don’t know whether they will get here or not the way things are changing by the hour.”
The HSE normally orders 30 nebulisers a month from the company but it had doubled its order, he said. His firm has never sold a ventilator before but has started to receive inquiries about them.
Unsure of the future, he said: “Is it all hysteria or is there more to this virus than we know of? I had a fella on to me who was a chemist-doctor and it was frightening that they are now making decisions over who lives or dies in Italy.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Schools, colleges and childcare facilities may shut well beyond March 29th

All schools , pre-schools and further and higher education settings may end up shutting well beyond March 29th to support efforts to contain the coronavirus threat .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Thursday morning that the Government and health authorities decided that a two-week closure was needed in order to delay the spread of the virus .
At a briefing on Thursday evening , Department of Health officials said there was a chance school closures may extend beyond this point depending on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team .
Some well-placed sources have suggested the school shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulting in a five-week closure .
In the meantime , the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert oral and practical exams are set to be postponed .
They were due to take place between March 23rd and April 3rd .
A spokesman for the Department of Education said the State Examinations Commission ( SEC ) is “ actively working with the Department to develop contingency arrangements for the State examinations ” .
“ In the case of orals and practicals that are scheduled for the period of closure , the SEC will work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practicable , ” he added .
These tests comprise the Leaving Cert oral tests in Irish , French , German , Spanish , Italian , Russian and Japanese , along with performance tests in Leaving Cert and Junior Cert music .
Practical tests in junior-cycle home economics were also due to take place .
In addition , higher education institutions are drawing up alternative arrangements for May exams .
University College Dublin , for example , told students on Thursday in most cases – with the exception of a small number of clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final exams , will take place “ at distance ” .
Dublin City University also said its May exams for most students will be replaced with “ alternative assessments ” , while Trinity College Dublin is also drawing up alternative arrangements .
Many universities have moved their physical lectures online and are requesting staff to use video streaming technology to deliver classes in the same way they normally would .
Primary and secondary schools , meanwhile , gave students homework packs and assignments for a two-week period in advance of the school closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also provided online resources for students and online lessons where they are equipped to do so .
Much of this is taking place on online learning platforms such as Office 365 or Schoology , where teachers can set assignments for pupils .
In addition to school closures , many sports and religious events associated with schools have been cancelled or postponed .
For example , the Irish Catholic Bishops has said that all confirmations are now postponed until further notice , while GAA and rugby competitions involving schools have been delayed indefinitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education Joe McHugh TD said he was “ deeply conscious ” of the impact that school and education setting closures have on students , on families and on the wider community .
However , he said this was a necessary and proportionate measure to help contain the threat of Covid-19 .
“ This is the right decision at the right time .
It is taken in the best interests of our children , our young people , our school and college communities and our wider society , ” he said .

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan and Minister for Education Joe McHugh at the announcement of school closures at Government Buildings on Thursday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
All schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings may end up shutting well beyond March 29th to support efforts to contain the coronavirus threat.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Thursday morning that the Government and health authorities decided that a two-week closure was needed in order to delay the spread of the virus.
At a briefing on Thursday evening, Department of Health officials said there was a chance school closures may extend beyond this point depending on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Some well-placed sources have suggested the school shutdown could extend into the Easter holidays, resulting in a five-week closure.
READ MORE
In the meantime, the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert oral and practical exams are set to be postponed. They were due to take place between March 23rd and April 3rd.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is "actively working with the Department to develop contingency arrangements for the State examinations".
“In the case of orals and practicals that are scheduled for the period of closure, the SEC will work with schools to reschedule these as soon as practicable,” he added.
These tests comprise the Leaving Cert oral tests in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese, along with performance tests in Leaving Cert and Junior Cert music. Practical tests in junior-cycle home economics were also due to take place.
May exams
In addition, higher education institutions are drawing up alternative arrangements for May exams.
University College Dublin, for example, told students on Thursday in most cases – with the exception of a small number of clinical programmes – all remaining assessments, including final exams, will take place "at distance".
Dublin City University also said its May exams for most students will be replaced with "alternative assessments", while Trinity College Dublin is also drawing up alternative arrangements.
Many universities have moved their physical lectures online and are requesting staff to use video streaming technology to deliver classes in the same way they normally would.
Primary and secondary schools, meanwhile, gave students homework packs and assignments for a two-week period in advance of the school closures on Thursday afternoon.
Many secondary schools have also provided online resources for students and online lessons where they are equipped to do so.
Much of this is taking place on online learning platforms such as Office 365 or Schoology, where teachers can set assignments for pupils.
In addition to school closures, many sports and religious events associated with schools have been cancelled or postponed.
For example, the Irish Catholic Bishops has said that all confirmations are now postponed until further notice, while GAA and rugby competitions involving schools have been delayed indefinitely.
In a statement, Minister for Education Joe McHugh TD said he was “ deeply conscious” of the impact that school and education setting closures have on students, on families and on the wider community.
However, he said this was a necessary and proportionate measure to help contain the threat of Covid-19.
“This is the right decision at the right time. It is taken in the best interests of our children, our young people, our school and college communities and our wider society,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-12--Life under partial lockdown: Q&A

Life under partial lockdown: Q&A

What is happening now ?
The country has gone into a partial lockdown or at the very least schools , colleges , childcare centres and public facilities in the Republic are closed for at least two weeks in response to the spread of coronavirus .
Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people have been cancelled as have outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people .
Shops , cafes and restaurants will stay open but businesses that can facilitate remote working have been told to let people work from home where possible .
At least two weeks ?
Actually it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of the schools .
According to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar the measures will remain in place until March 29th and will be kept under review .
Why is this happening now ?
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said the unprecedented measures have been taken in the light of a significant increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 , a number of ICU hospitalisation , one death , some clusters of cases , cases in hospital settings and evidence of community transmission .
The key phrase in recent days has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means that authorities are trying to slow down the speed at which the new cases present themselves and push them out over a longer period of time to try and stop the health service being overwhelmed by many people getting ill at the same time .
What has the Government been saying ?
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he knew that some of what was happening would come “ as a real shock and it is going involve big changes in the way we live our lives .
I know that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re doing it for each other , ” he said .
“ Together , we can slow the virus in its tracks and push it back .
Acting together , as one nation , we can save many lives .
Our economy will suffer .
It will bounce back.
” Tánaiste Simon Coveney said thousands of lives could be saved through a collective national response being introduced , which was unprecedented in scale and effect across society .
“ Never before has such drastic action been taken in face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a press briefing .
He said the steps were being taken based on the advice of the best public health experts .
“ The irony is that in order to pull together we are asking people to stay apart .
The closures proposed will disrupt the everyday connectivity that makes us who we are , ” he said .
What impact will this all have on the economy ?
A huge one .
We have already seen a dramatic decline in spending on holidays , hotels , restaurants and more .
Tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector alone are at risk .
In the days ahead , business life will slow as the measures take effect .
It is too soon to say how bad the long-term impact will be .
We don ’ t know how long it will last and we don ’ t know what will happen when the current phase of the crisis passes .
What is the thinking behind the new rules ?
The idea is to reduce the amount of interaction people have with each other in order to slow the march of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or at least one of them , is social distancing .
People need to reduce the number of contacts they have with other people .
That does not mean that you have to lock yourself in your home for the next two weeks – you can still see friends and family .
If , however , people are displaying any symptoms then they will need to cut themselves off from other people to avoid spreading the illness .
There has been panic buying in shops .
Should I be concerned ?
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops as the measures were rolled out with many staples including rice , pasta , tinned goods and toilet paper disappearing .
The Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise have both insisted shops and supply chains will remain open .
The director of Retail Ireland , Arnold Dillon , said supply chains were “ functioning as normal and were well-placed to respond ” .
Why are people so panicked ?
It is a natural response to an unnatural situation .
And of course once some people start panic buying everyone feels like they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empty shelves are not helping .
It is important to remember that shelves will be restocked every evening and restocking will continue into the future .
What about buses and trains and planes ?
Public transport will continue to operate as normal – or at least as normal as can be expected in what are extraordinary times .
According to officials , all the other measures being introduced mean that there is likely to be a significant drop in demand for public transport services .
People can still fly to other countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ another thing entirely .
Does this mean I don ’ t have to go to work ?
No , it doesn ’ t .
People are being encouraged to continue to go to work and people who can work from home are being encouraged to do so and we have been asked to minimise social interaction where possible .
And sport ?
This is a busy time for sport in Ireland , right ?
It was a busy time but as a result of the spread of coronavirus , sport in Ireland will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least March 29th .
The GAA , Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have suspended all activity at club , county and educational levels until March 29th from midnight on Thursday .
Most of them are gone too .
MCD Promotions has postponed all shows and events affected by the public-gathering guidelines for the duration of the measures .
Original tickets will be valid for rescheduled shows .
And Confirmations and Masses and funerals ?
All confirmations due to take place in the days ahead across Ireland have been cancelled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be limited to fewer than 100 people and , while Masses are going ahead , they are likely to be scaled back .
What about the US travel ban on European countries ?
Ireland is not affected .
US president Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on all non-US travellers entering America from Europe .
The US department of homeland security suggested that the ban only applies to countries in the Schengen Area ( the European borderless free travel area ) so Ireland – as well as Romania , Bulgaria and Britain – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we go back to the start ?
How serious is this illness ?
It is very serious , there is no two ways about it .
While the vast majority of people who contract coronavirus will be fine within a couple of weeks , about 15 per cent of people will become very ill while about 5 per cent will get critically ill .
The mortality rate of the illness is fluctuating from country to country and from week to week as it spreads , but with the information we have at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent of those who get the illness may die .
The number falls dramatically among younger people and – so far at least – the percentage of children who have become seriously ill or died is minuscule .
What should I do if I have symptoms ?
Contact your GP urgently and do not leave the house .
The principal symptoms are headache , dry cough , shortness of breath , muscle pain and fever .
If you think you have the illness but are feeling well , the advice is to consult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helpline on 1850 24 1850 for advice .
What else should I do ?

What is happening now?
The country has gone into a partial lockdown or at the very least schools, colleges, childcare centres and public facilities in the Republic are closed for at least two weeks in response to the spread of coronavirus. Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people have been cancelled as have outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people. Shops, cafes and restaurants will stay open but businesses that can facilitate remote working have been told to let people work from home where possible.
At least two weeks?
Actually it is a little bit longer – certainly in the case of the schools. According to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar the measures will remain in place until March 29th and will be kept under review.
Why is this happening now?
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said the unprecedented measures have been taken in the light of a significant increase in the number of cases of Covid-19, a number of ICU hospitalisation, one death, some clusters of cases, cases in hospital settings and evidence of community transmission. The key phrase in recent days has been "flattening the curve". That means that authorities are trying to slow down the speed at which the new cases present themselves and push them out over a longer period of time to try and stop the health service being overwhelmed by many people getting ill at the same time.
What has the Government been saying?
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he knew that some of what was happening would come “as a real shock and it is going involve big changes in the way we live our lives. I know that I am asking people to make enormous sacrifices. We’re doing it for each other,” he said. “Together, we can slow the virus in its tracks and push it back. Acting together, as one nation, we can save many lives. Our economy will suffer. It will bounce back.”
READ MORE
Anything else?
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said thousands of lives could be saved through a collective national response being introduced, which was unprecedented in scale and effect across society. "Never before has such drastic action been taken in face of a public health threat," he told a press briefing . He said the steps were being taken based on the advice of the best public health experts. "The irony is that in order to pull together we are asking people to stay apart. The closures proposed will disrupt the everyday connectivity that makes us who we are," he said.
What impact will this all have on the economy?
A huge one. We have already seen a dramatic decline in spending on holidays, hotels, restaurants and more. Tens of thousands of jobs in the tourism sector alone are at risk. In the days ahead, business life will slow as the measures take effect. It is too soon to say how bad the long-term impact will be. We don’t know how long it will last and we don’t know what will happen when the current phase of the crisis passes.
What is the thinking behind the new rules?
The idea is to reduce the amount of interaction people have with each other in order to slow the march of the disease. The key phrase, or at least one of them, is social distancing. People need to reduce the number of contacts they have with other people. That does not mean that you have to lock yourself in your home for the next two weeks – you can still see friends and family. If, however, people are displaying any symptoms then they will need to cut themselves off from other people to avoid spreading the illness.
There has been panic buying in shops. Should I be concerned?
There was a huge amount of panic buying in shops as the measures were rolled out with many staples including rice, pasta, tinned goods and toilet paper disappearing. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise have both insisted shops and supply chains will remain open. The director of Retail Ireland, Arnold Dillon, said supply chains were "functioning as normal and were well-placed to respond".
Why are people so panicked?
It is a natural response to an unnatural situation. And of course once some people start panic buying everyone feels like they should too. Social media images of empty shelves are not helping. It is important to remember that shelves will be restocked every evening and restocking will continue into the future.
What about buses and trains and planes?
Public transport will continue to operate as normal – or at least as normal as can be expected in what are extraordinary times. According to officials, all the other measures being introduced mean that there is likely to be a significant drop in demand for public transport services. People can still fly to other countries. Whether or not they want to is another thing entirely.
Does this mean I don’t have to go to work?
No, it doesn’t. People are being encouraged to continue to go to work and people who can work from home are being encouraged to do so and we have been asked to minimise social interaction where possible.
And sport? This is a busy time for sport in Ireland, right?
It was a busy time but as a result of the spread of coronavirus, sport in Ireland will come to a complete stop until at least March 29th. The GAA, Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have suspended all activity at club, county and educational levels until March 29th from midnight on Thursday.
What about concerts?
Most of them are gone too. MCD Promotions has postponed all shows and events affected by the public-gathering guidelines for the duration of the measures. Original tickets will be valid for rescheduled shows.
And Confirmations and Masses and funerals?
All confirmations due to take place in the days ahead across Ireland have been cancelled. The Catholic Church has asked that funerals be limited to fewer than 100 people and, while Masses are going ahead, they are likely to be scaled back.
What about the US travel ban on European countries?
Ireland is not affected. US president Donald Trump announced a 30-day ban on all non-US travellers entering America from Europe. The US department of homeland security suggested that the ban only applies to countries in the Schengen Area (the European borderless free travel area) so Ireland – as well as Romania, Bulgaria and Britain – is not included.
Okay, can we go back to the start? How serious is this illness?
It is very serious, there is no two ways about it. While the vast majority of people who contract coronavirus will be fine within a couple of weeks, about 15 per cent of people will become very ill while about 5 per cent will get critically ill. The mortality rate of the illness is fluctuating from country to country and from week to week as it spreads, but with the information we have at this stage it looks like about 2 per cent of those who get the illness may die. The number falls dramatically among younger people and – so far at least – the percentage of children who have become seriously ill or died is minuscule.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
Contact your GP urgently and do not leave the house. The principal symptoms are headache, dry cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain and fever. If you think you have the illness but are feeling well, the advice is to consult the HSE website or ring the HSELive helpline on 1850 24 1850 for advice.
What else should I do?
Keep washing your hands.