theirishtimes--2020-01-13--Traveller families facing eviction have ‘nowhere to go’

Four Traveller families , including 12 children , say they will not leave a vacant site in west Dublin this week as they have “ nowhere to go ” .
The Doherty families , who have been on the site at Balgaddy , Clondalkin since late 2018 , have been ordered by the High Court to leave by January 15th .
There were among a larger group who moved on to the site , owned by South Dublin County Council ( SDCC ) , in November 2018 .
Some had left a Dublin City Council-run Traveller site in Coolock due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while others had come from unauthorised sites in Co Clare .
The council moved to evict the families in January 2019 , saying it had no duty of care to them as they were not from the council area .
The families , however , said they had family connections to Clondalkin and their children were enrolled in local schools .
Following a stand-off between the council and the families and their supporters , including a number of councillors and the Clondalkin Traveller Development Group ( CTDG ) , the eviction plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the High Court several times last year , most recently on November 18th when an order was made that the families leave “ on or before the January 15th 2020 ” .
Among the 12 children on the site is a baby girl , born in a caravan on the site , on January 4th .
Her parents , Anthony and Sandra Doherty , have four other children aged between four and 14 .
There is neither electricity nor toilet facilities .
A hose provides running water .
Bags of rubbish are piled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Local residents have complained to the council about rubbish being burnt on-site .
The families say they try to keep rubbish-burning to a minimum but add it is their only way of getting rid of it as they can not afford the dump .
Anthony ’ s brother , Martin , his wife Shirley and their six youngest children , aged two to 15 , live between two caravans .
Their two eldest sons and their wives live in two others .
Martin Doherty said the family use toilets in the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clondalkin .
“ It is a tough life , but we ’ re Travellers .
We are used to it but in this day and age we shouldn ’ t have to be .
We don ’ t want Dallas .
We just want a bit of a hard stand where we can move on to , a tap and electricity.
” Asked whether they would leave on Wednesday , he said they can ’ t .
“ We would 100 per cent leave if we had somewhere to go , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nowhere .
We ’ re not tearing our children out of school again .
We ’ ll have to stay in the area.
” Four families , the McDonaghs , moved from the site on December 21st to a largely vacant , council-owned emergency site at nearby Lynch ’ s Lane , though without council permission .
Among them are seven children aged three weeks to 16 years .
On January 6th , they were served with an eviction notice by the council , telling them to “ remove ” their caravans “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mile from all Traveller specific development located within the ... council administrative area within one day of the date of service of this notice ” .
In its Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024 , the council said emergency bays are “ for Traveller families who are indigenous to South Dublin County ” .
The site is dilapidated and was , says Patrick McDonagh , “ filthy and full of rubbish ” when they moved there .
He says they cleared the rubbish and have power-hosed the surface .
There is cold running water but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ gladly pay rent ” if they could stay .
An SDCC spokeswoman said : “ The families concerned agreed to vacate the old school site , Balgaddy on or before the 15th January 2020 and a court order is now in place to that effect ... the council ’ s expectation is that the families will make appropriate arrangements to comply with their agreement.
” Of the €13 million allocated by the Department of Housing for Traveller accommodation last year , by November just €4.08 million had been spent by local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocated last year , it had spent €107,000 by November .
Dublin City spent €710,000 of the €1.6 million it was allocated while Clare County Council had spent €326,000 of its €635,000 .
Between 2016 and 2018 , the number of Traveller families living in unauthorised site increased from 536 to 591 .

Traveller families in Clondalkin who have been living on an unauthorised site in Balgaddy have been ordered to leave. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw / The Irish Times
Four Traveller families, including 12 children, say they will not leave a vacant site in west Dublin this week as they have “nowhere to go”.
The Doherty families, who have been on the site at Balgaddy, Clondalkin since late 2018, have been ordered by the High Court to leave by January 15th.
There were among a larger group who moved on to the site, owned by South Dublin County Council (SDCC), in November 2018.
Some had left a Dublin City Council-run Traveller site in Coolock due to overcrowding and disputes with other families, while others had come from unauthorised sites in Co Clare.
READ MORE
The council moved to evict the families in January 2019, saying it had no duty of care to them as they were not from the council area. The families, however, said they had family connections to Clondalkin and their children were enrolled in local schools.
Following a stand-off between the council and the families and their supporters, including a number of councillors and the Clondalkin Traveller Development Group (CTDG), the eviction plans were postponed.
The matter was before the High Court several times last year, most recently on November 18th when an order was made that the families leave “on or before the January 15th 2020”.
Among the 12 children on the site is a baby girl, born in a caravan on the site, on January 4th. Her parents, Anthony and Sandra Doherty, have four other children aged between four and 14.
There is neither electricity nor toilet facilities. A hose provides running water. Bags of rubbish are piled high as there is no refuse collection.
Local residents have complained to the council about rubbish being burnt on-site. The families say they try to keep rubbish-burning to a minimum but add it is their only way of getting rid of it as they cannot afford the dump.
Anthony’s brother, Martin, his wife Shirley and their six youngest children, aged two to 15, live between two caravans. Their two eldest sons and their wives live in two others.
Martin Doherty said the family use toilets in the local garage and wash at a gym in Clondalkin.
‘A tap and electricity’
"It is a tough life, but we're Travellers. We are used to it but in this day and age we shouldn't have to be. We don't want Dallas. We just want a bit of a hard stand where we can move on to, a tap and electricity."
Asked whether they would leave on Wednesday, he said they can’t. “We would 100 per cent leave if we had somewhere to go,” said Martin Doherty. “But we have nowhere. We’re not tearing our children out of school again. We’ll have to stay in the area.”
Four families, the McDonaghs, moved from the site on December 21st to a largely vacant, council-owned emergency site at nearby Lynch’s Lane, though without council permission. Among them are seven children aged three weeks to 16 years.
On January 6th, they were served with an eviction notice by the council, telling them to “remove” their caravans “to at least a distance of one mile from all Traveller specific development located within the ... council administrative area within one day of the date of service of this notice”.
In its Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024, the council said emergency bays are “for Traveller families who are indigenous to South Dublin County”.
‘Gladly pay rent’
The site is dilapidated and was, says Patrick McDonagh, “filthy and full of rubbish” when they moved there. He says they cleared the rubbish and have power-hosed the surface. There is cold running water but no electricity. Mr McDonagh says he would “gladly pay rent” if they could stay.
An SDCC spokeswoman said: “The families concerned agreed to vacate the old school site, Balgaddy on or before the 15th January 2020 and a court order is now in place to that effect...the council’s expectation is that the families will make appropriate arrangements to comply with their agreement.”
Of the €13 million allocated by the Department of Housing for Traveller accommodation last year, by November just €4.08 million had been spent by local authorities.
Of the €131,000 SDCC was allocated last year, it had spent €107,000 by November. Dublin City spent €710,000 of the €1.6 million it was allocated while Clare County Council had spent €326,000 of its €635,000.
Between 2016 and 2018, the number of Traveller families living in unauthorised site increased from 536 to 591.


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--All the focus in politics now on the first fortnight in February

The 32nd Dáil will have lasted almost four years by the time of the general election , a much longer period than most believed when the last election threw up its inconclusive result on February 26th , 2016 .
Given the novel and at times fragile governing construct that contest threw up – Fianna Fáil underpinning a Fine Gael-led minority Government in a confidence and supply agreement – TDs have laboured for years in the belief that an election could come at any time .
After those years of uncertainty , they now know an election will be held within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his call and , while not being definitive , clearly indicated on RTÉ ’ s This Week that he will dissolve the Dáil in the coming days for an early February general election .
The signs that Varadkar was moving in this direction were evident since before Christmas , when he began to carve out the space to allow himself to go to the country earlier than his previous suggested date of May 2020 .
He slowly shifted his language from the previous strict adherence to his line that polling day should fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an election when it was the right time for the country .
He then asked the impossible of Micheál Martin , asking that the Fianna Fáil leader should get his TDs to actually vote with the Government rather than abstain , as outlined in the confidence and supply agreement .
Knowing his Fine Gael-minority government was on its last legs due to dwindling Dáil numbers , he prepared the ground for the announcement he is expected to make this week .
Perhaps the Taoiseach was content to allow events of recent days – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and general uncertainty building momentum towards an election – play out .
The past week has brought Varadkar to the destination he had likely settled on weeks ago : a general election campaign he hopes will be bookended by Brexit , what he on Sunday called “ the big job of this Government ” .
He will travel to Belfast on Monday to meet British prime minister Boris Johnson , and Ursula von der Leyen , the new president of the European Commission , is in Dublin on Wednesday .
If Varadkar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UK will leave the EU one week out from polling day , and the issue will feature heavily in the final week of the campaign , when many voters make up their minds .
The RTÉ interview offered some clues to how Varadkar will run the campaign : attacking Fianna Fáil on its record on the economy while offering praise for those he may hope to coax into coalition if he is successful in the election .
On the issue of hospital beds , he said Fine Gael had “ reversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fianna Fáil between 2007 and 2011 , and added that he had worked with Brendan Howlin in the Fine Gael-Labour coalition of 2011-2016 to increase investment .
His interview also prompted action across political parties and among Independent TDs and candidates .
Many TDs had already begun a heavy canvass schedule , but others had held back .
Decisions on whether to actually run at all will also be made by others in the coming days , with two members of the Independent Alliance considering their future .
Minister of State for Disability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulting his family and local organisation on whether he will stand again in Dublin Bay North , with sources close to the political veteran saying he is “ 50-50 ” .
Minister of State for Skills John Halligan is also said to be considering whether to retire from political life and not seek to hold on to his Waterford seat .
Fianna Fáil is expected to make a few further ticket changes this week , such as the addition of a candidate in Cork North Central , and the party announced that Dara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be director of elections .
Fine Gael ’ s executive council will also add more candidates in some constituencies as all political focus now turns to the first fortnight in February .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar slowly shifted his language from the previous strict adherence to his line that polling day should fall in May to saying he would call an election when it was the right time for the country. Photograph: Getty Images
The 32nd Dáil will have lasted almost four years by the time of the general election, a much longer period than most believed when the last election threw up its inconclusive result on February 26th, 2016.
Given the novel and at times fragile governing construct that contest threw up – Fianna Fáil underpinning a Fine Gael-led minority Government in a confidence and supply agreement – TDs have laboured for years in the belief that an election could come at any time.
After those years of uncertainty, they now know an election will be held within weeks.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has made his call and, while not being definitive, clearly indicated on RTÉ's This Week that he will dissolve the Dáil in the coming days for an early February general election.
READ MORE
The signs that Varadkar was moving in this direction were evident since before Christmas, when he began to carve out the space to allow himself to go to the country earlier than his previous suggested date of May 2020.
He slowly shifted his language from the previous strict adherence to his line that polling day should fall in May to saying he would call an election when it was the right time for the country.
He then asked the impossible of Micheál Martin, asking that the Fianna Fáil leader should get his TDs to actually vote with the Government rather than abstain, as outlined in the confidence and supply agreement.
Knowing his Fine Gael-minority government was on its last legs due to dwindling Dáil numbers, he prepared the ground for the announcement he is expected to make this week.
Uncertainty
Perhaps the Taoiseach was content to allow events of recent days – with Independent TDs shying away from supporting him and general uncertainty building momentum towards an election – play out.
The past week has brought Varadkar to the destination he had likely settled on weeks ago: a general election campaign he hopes will be bookended by Brexit, what he on Sunday called “the big job of this Government”.
He will travel to Belfast on Monday to meet British prime minister Boris Johnson, and Ursula von der Leyen, the new president of the European Commission, is in Dublin on Wednesday.
If Varadkar opts for a February 7th election date, the UK will leave the EU one week out from polling day, and the issue will feature heavily in the final week of the campaign, when many voters make up their minds.
The RTÉ interview offered some clues to how Varadkar will run the campaign: attacking Fianna Fáil on its record on the economy while offering praise for those he may hope to coax into coalition if he is successful in the election.
On the issue of hospital beds, he said Fine Gael had "reversed" the cuts in health implemented by Fianna Fáil between 2007 and 2011, and added that he had worked with Brendan Howlin in the Fine Gael-Labour coalition of 2011-2016 to increase investment.
His interview also prompted action across political parties and among Independent TDs and candidates. Many TDs had already begun a heavy canvass schedule, but others had held back.
Considering their future
Decisions on whether to actually run at all will also be made by others in the coming days, with two members of the Independent Alliance considering their future.
Minister of State for Disability Issues Finian McGrath is understood to be consulting his family and local organisation on whether he will stand again in Dublin Bay North, with sources close to the political veteran saying he is “50-50”.
Minister of State for Skills John Halligan is also said to be considering whether to retire from political life and not seek to hold on to his Waterford seat.
Fianna Fáil is expected to make a few further ticket changes this week, such as the addition of a candidate in Cork North Central, and the party announced that Dara Calleary, its deputy leader, will be director of elections.
Fine Gael’s executive council will also add more candidates in some constituencies as all political focus now turns to the first fortnight in February.


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--Women’s sheds to receive State funding for first time

The Government has announced State funding for women ’ s sheds for the first time .
Men ’ s sheds @ @ @ @ @ last decade , and they see local groups of retired or semi-retired men come together @ @ @ @ @ Recent years have also seen the development of women ’ s sheds and the announcement @ @ @ @ @ Michael Ring is the first time they will receive State funding .
Mr Ring is @ @ @ @ @ 500,000 for 339 men ’ s and 33 women ’ s sheds to help purchase @ @ @ @ @ .
Examples of how the funding will be used include € 1,000 to the Deise @ @ @ @ @ Dungarvan , Co Waterford , for portable sound equipment and projection equipment .
“ Since @ @ @ @ @ years ago , the impact of the men ’ s sheds movement has been phenomenal @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ ve no doubt that the emergence of women ’ s sheds @ @ @ @ @ thing for community life in Ireland .
”

Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring is allocating a total of € 500,000 for 339 men’s and 33 women’s sheds to help purchase equipment and carry out works. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times
The Government has announced State funding for women’s sheds for the first time.
Men’s sheds have taken hold over the last decade, and they see local groups of retired or semi-retired men come together to undertake community work.
Recent years have also seen the development of women's sheds and the announcement from Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring is the first time they will receive State funding.
Mr Ring is allocating a total of € 500,000 for 339 men’s and 33 women’s sheds to help purchase equipment and carry out works.
READ MORE
Examples of how the funding will be used include € 1,000 to the Deise Women's Shed in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, for portable sound equipment and projection equipment.
"Since its establishment less than 10 years ago, the impact of the men's sheds movement has been phenomenal," Mr Ring said. "I've no doubt that the emergence of women's sheds can only be a good thing for community life in Ireland. "


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--'Punishment passing': Drivers intimidating cyclists by driving too close

Before cycling home one evening recently , Suzanne switched on the small video camera she attaches to her helmet when cycling around Dublin .
Shortly after 7pm she turned on to Blackhall Place and headed towards Stoneybatter .
“ I used to take that route all the time so I know it well .
It was 7.05pm so the bus lane wasn ’ t operational , any traffic could use it .
The traffic was light and there was another cyclist behind me.
” The camera footage , which Suzanne later posted on Twitter , shows a Dublin Bus pulling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach a stop .
Suzanne then overtakes the bus but moments later the same vehicle speeds by , passing dangerously close .
“ As I passed his window the first time I told him I was recording and would report him to gardaí , ” says Suzanne , who prefers not to give her surname .
“ He then hurtled by my elbow while the outside lane was totally empty .
I realised that punishment pass thing exists ; it ’ s the first time it ’ s happened to me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a deliberate close pass in order to intimidate or cause fear for a cyclist , ” she says .
“ Under new legislation it ’ s an offence to cause an inconvenience or endanger a cyclist when overtaking .
The first time he passed me it was an inconvenience , the second time I was endangered.
” Suzanne made a complaint to Dublin Bus and received a response from the company ’ s data protection unit that they were aware of her camera footage and following up on the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was under investigation and said all complaints reported to the company were taken “ very seriously ” .
If a breach is found , appropriate action is taken internally , he said .
Suzanne , however , remains sceptical that anything will come of her report .
Late last year , she submitted camera footage and made a report to gardaí of dangerous driving by another motorist but has had no response .
She is a regular cyclist and bought her camera last year after five years of “ close calls ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle lawfully anyway but I ’ d be extra careful now because I ’ m recording my own journey .
So I ’ m actually policing myself .
It improves cyclist behaviour if more journeys are being filmed.
” Conn Donovan , secretary of the Cork cycling campaign , says the Garda should follow the lead of the Welsh police who introduced Operation Snap in 2017 .
This allows the public to upload camera footage of driving offences and has resulted in hundreds of motorists being fined and prosecuted .
A similar online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of English counties .
“ Gardaí won ’ t take any action unless you go in to the station and make a formal complaint , ” says Donovan .
“ The two times I did this the guards asked would I be happy to go to court with the complaints .
It ’ s almost like they ’ re trying to dissuade you bringing it forward .
A lot of people give up at that stage .
They think I ’ m not hurt , nobody ’ s dead and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court to give evidence .
In the UK you can just upload the footage on to a data portal.
” Donovan says he has experienced reluctance from gardaí to follow up on complaints from cyclists .
On one occasion , he says , he was told that if motorists received fines for driving in cycle lanes it could negatively affect police community relations , while another time he says he was told the resources simply were not available to follow up on his complaint .
“ It really depends on the attitude of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you have someone with experience of cyclists being knocked over they can be quite understanding , but others do not have an appreciation for the risks we face.
” Cyclist Sam McCormack , who regularly tweets photos of vehicles parked in segregated cycle lanes across Cork city , also believes gardaí do not take reports of illegal parking seriously .
McCormack has contacted the authorities and city council numerous times about taxis waiting for customers in cycle lanes but says they rarely follow up .
“ It ’ s got to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like second-class citizens .
We ’ re really frustrated at the lack of action , especially when it ’ s from gardaí.
” Eight cyclists died on Irish roads last year , including 19-year-old UCD student and chairman of Labour Youth Cormac Ó Braonáin who died after colliding with a late-night Luas at Peter ’ s Place near Charlemont Bridge in south Dublin shortly before Christmas .
In early November , Indian data analyst Neeraj Jain died after his bike collided with a cement truck at the junction of Dublin ’ s South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St James ’ s Hospital .
While the number of cyclist deaths last year dropped from nine in 2018 and 14 in 2017 , cycle lobby groups continue to warn of the many dangers facing cyclists , primarily because of the lack of cycle infrastructure .
This , they argue , is further aggravated by the failure of many motorists to pay attention to vulnerable road users .
Messages disseminated by the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána are also problematic , says Kieran Ryan from the Dublin Cycling Campaign .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing the roads and because of that we all have an equal responsibility .
But we don ’ t all bring the same level of risk .
People in vehicles are in charge of machines that with the flick of their ankle could end someone ’ s life.
” The focus of campaigns on high-vis cycle gear and helmets has created a “ victim-blaming culture ” , Ryan believes .
“ It ’ s a culture where the vulnerable road user is the first person to be blamed while the attitude towards drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supt Eddie Golden of the National Roads and Policing Bureau agrees all cyclists should be protected , but underlines that members of the force have an “ unbiased view in relation to all road users ” .
“ When we apply the law we apply it equally .
Everybody is supposed to be paying attention and has to look out for themselves , ” he says .
“ It ’ s all about defensive cycling .
You must try to predict where the danger would be and not put yourself into danger.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distracted drivers ” using their phones is on the rise , but noted that pedestrians and cyclists can also be distracted by electronic devices .
He says gardaí who carry out patrols on bicycles must undergo a week ’ s training before taking to the road .
There are 177 mountain bikes used by gardaí and 800 members have completed this training since 2016 .
The Garda has not yet concluded the investigations into the deaths of Jain and Ó Braonáin but say the circumstances of each collision will be fully examined , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , weather conditions and driver actions ” and have continued their appeal for witnesses to get in touch .
“ The victims and the victims ’ families are the priority , ” says Supt Golden .
“ If we could re-educate some drivers in the way they drive , it would help .
But from An Garda , it ’ s equal enforcement against everybody .
With every road user it ’ s about doing the right thing at the right time .
”

Before cycling home one evening recently, Suzanne switched on the small video camera she attaches to her helmet when cycling around Dublin. Shortly after 7pm she turned on to Blackhall Place and headed towards Stoneybatter.
“I used to take that route all the time so I know it well. It was 7.05pm so the bus lane wasn’t operational, any traffic could use it. The traffic was light and there was another cyclist behind me.”
The camera footage, which Suzanne later posted on Twitter, shows a Dublin Bus pulling in sharply in front of the cyclists to reach a stop. Suzanne then overtakes the bus but moments later the same vehicle speeds by, passing dangerously close.
“As I passed his window the first time I told him I was recording and would report him to gardaí,” says Suzanne, who prefers not to give her surname.
READ MORE
“He then hurtled by my elbow while the outside lane was totally empty. I realised that punishment pass thing exists; it’s the first time it’s happened to me. Lots of cyclists recognise it, it’s a deliberate close pass in order to intimidate or cause fear for a cyclist,” she says.
“Under new legislation it’s an offence to cause an inconvenience or endanger a cyclist when overtaking. The first time he passed me it was an inconvenience, the second time I was endangered.”
I cycle lawfully anyway but I'd be extra careful now because I'm recording my own journey
Suzanne made a complaint to Dublin Bus and received a response from the company’s data protection unit that they were aware of her camera footage and following up on the incident.
A Dublin Bus spokesman confirmed the incident was under investigation and said all complaints reported to the company were taken “very seriously”. If a breach is found, appropriate action is taken internally, he said.
Suzanne, however, remains sceptical that anything will come of her report. Late last year, she submitted camera footage and made a report to gardaí of dangerous driving by another motorist but has had no response.
She is a regular cyclist and bought her camera last year after five years of “close calls” with vehicles on the road. “I cycle lawfully anyway but I’d be extra careful now because I’m recording my own journey. So I’m actually policing myself. It improves cyclist behaviour if more journeys are being filmed.”
Conn Donovan, secretary of the Cork cycling campaign, says the Garda should follow the lead of the Welsh police who introduced Operation Snap in 2017. This allows the public to upload camera footage of driving offences and has resulted in hundreds of motorists being fined and prosecuted. A similar online reporting tool has since been launched across a number of English counties.
“Gardaí won’t take any action unless you go in to the station and make a formal complaint,” says Donovan. “The two times I did this the guards asked would I be happy to go to court with the complaints. It’s almost like they’re trying to dissuade you bringing it forward. A lot of people give up at that stage. They think I’m not hurt, nobody’s dead and I don’t want to go to court to give evidence. In the UK you can just upload the footage on to a data portal.”
It really depends on the attitude of the individual member of An Garda
Donovan says he has experienced reluctance from gardaí to follow up on complaints from cyclists. On one occasion, he says, he was told that if motorists received fines for driving in cycle lanes it could negatively affect police community relations, while another time he says he was told the resources simply were not available to follow up on his complaint.
“It really depends on the attitude of the individual member of An Garda. If you have someone with experience of cyclists being knocked over they can be quite understanding, but others do not have an appreciation for the risks we face.”
Cyclist Sam McCormack, who regularly tweets photos of vehicles parked in segregated cycle lanes across Cork city, also believes gardaí do not take reports of illegal parking seriously.
McCormack has contacted the authorities and city council numerous times about taxis waiting for customers in cycle lanes but says they rarely follow up.
“It’s got to the stage where we’re being treated like second-class citizens. We’re really frustrated at the lack of action, especially when it’s from gardaí.”
Eight cyclists died on Irish roads last year, including 19-year-old UCD student and chairman of Labour Youth Cormac Ó Braonáin who died after colliding with a late-night Luas at Peter's Place near Charlemont Bridge in south Dublin shortly before Christmas.
In early November, Indian data analyst Neeraj Jain died after his bike collided with a cement truck at the junction of Dublin's South Circular Road and Brookfield Road, near St James's Hospital.
People in vehicles are in charge of machines that with the flick of their ankle could end someone's life
While the number of cyclist deaths last year dropped from nine in 2018 and 14 in 2017, cycle lobby groups continue to warn of the many dangers facing cyclists, primarily because of the lack of cycle infrastructure. This, they argue, is further aggravated by the failure of many motorists to pay attention to vulnerable road users.
Messages disseminated by the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána are also problematic, says Kieran Ryan from the Dublin Cycling Campaign. "There's this false equivalence with sharing the roads and because of that we all have an equal responsibility. But we don't all bring the same level of risk. People in vehicles are in charge of machines that with the flick of their ankle could end someone's life."
The focus of campaigns on high-vis cycle gear and helmets has created a “victim-blaming culture”, Ryan believes. “It’s a culture where the vulnerable road user is the first person to be blamed while the attitude towards drivers seems to be more of sympathy.”
When we apply the law we apply it equally. Everybody is supposed to be paying attention
Supt Eddie Golden of the National Roads and Policing Bureau agrees all cyclists should be protected, but underlines that members of the force have an “unbiased view in relation to all road users”.
“When we apply the law we apply it equally. Everybody is supposed to be paying attention and has to look out for themselves,” he says. “It’s all about defensive cycling. You must try to predict where the danger would be and not put yourself into danger.”
Supt Golden admits the number of “distracted drivers” using their phones is on the rise, but noted that pedestrians and cyclists can also be distracted by electronic devices.
He says gardaí who carry out patrols on bicycles must undergo a week’s training before taking to the road. There are 177 mountain bikes used by gardaí and 800 members have completed this training since 2016.
The Garda has not yet concluded the investigations into the deaths of Jain and Ó Braonáin but say the circumstances of each collision will be fully examined, including “roadworthiness of vehicles, road conditions, weather conditions and driver actions” and have continued their appeal for witnesses to get in touch.
“The victims and the victims’ families are the priority,” says Supt Golden. “If we could re-educate some drivers in the way they drive, it would help. But from An Garda, it’s equal enforcement against everybody. With every road user it’s about doing the right thing at the right time.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--‘Only 14’ secure beds available to at-risk children, report warns

Almost half the secure beds provided for the most at-risk children in the State are closed because of “ staffing problems ” a hard-hitting report published on Monday morning warns .
Children whose behaviour poses “ a real and substantial risk of harm to life , health , safety development or welfare ” are not getting timely access to the therapeutic care to which they are legally entitled .
The Childcare Law Reporting Project ( CCLRP ) , in its latest tranche of reports , says among the “ most concerning ” cases its reporters are attending are those involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child is detained in a special unit providing specialised care and education where they have very high needs .
There are 26 secure care beds in the State “ and only 14 of them are available mainly due to staffing problems ” it says .
The project , established in 2012 under the Child Care Act to report on and examine child-care proceedings before the courts , cites a recent case in which a High Court judge criticised failure by Tusla , the Child and Family Agency , to open all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tusla was defending its failure to apply for an order for secure care for a teenage boy who needed it , saying no bed was available yet .
“ I understand the union position , ” said the judge .
“ I understand the recruitment difficulties , but the agency is well-funded , expertly run and should be in a position to sort out this glitch in order to make use of what are hugely impressive facilities , which I have seen myself.
” In all , 57 reports are published on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation , which are forcing courts to make young people with severe behavioural disorders such as anorexia nervosa wards of court to access treatment they need abroad .
They also reveal a disproportionate number of children from ethnic minorities in care proceedings , and mental health problems among parents leading to child protection cases .
In one case , before the District C ourt last autumn , a teenage boy whose behaviour , his guardian ad litem believed , posed a risk to his own life and welfare was living in a hostel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a judicial review of Tusla ’ s failure to consider an application for secure care .
The agency had told the High Court previously it would consider him for secure care .
The judge directed Tusla to give the guardian €35,000 to find secure care , which was found in the private sector .
Another case , involving a young Muslim mother , highlighted complexities of working with vulnerable parents from culturally diverse backgrounds .
The mother , who had a very low IQ , gave birth in a hospital .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her brothers “ appeared at the hospital ... and said she had brought shame on the family ” , the report said .
Her baby was taken into foster care on discharge from hospital .
Hearing an application for a care order for the infant , the court was told the woman said she was travelling to her country of origin to marry her first cousin .
There was a concern this was a forced marriage and the infant ’ s guardian ad litem told the court the mother , who seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the “ honour killing capital of the world ” .
A full care order for the baby was granted .
The mother ’ s whereabouts are not reported .
Such cases emphasised “ the need for specialist training [ in cultural issues ] for child protection staff , ” the report says Dr Carol Coulter , director if the CCLRP , said the High Court involving secure care involved a “ small cohort of extremely vulnerable and troubled children ” and raised legal and policy issues .
“ The lack of secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources provided so that they can be properly staffed – with incentives if necessary .
”

There are 26 secure care beds in the State “and only 14 of them are available mainly due to staffing problems” the report says. Photograph: iStock
Almost half the secure beds provided for the most at-risk children in the State are closed because of “staffing problems” a hard-hitting report published on Monday morning warns.
Children whose behaviour poses “a real and substantial risk of harm to life, health, safety development or welfare” are not getting timely access to the therapeutic care to which they are legally entitled.
The Childcare Law Reporting Project (CCLRP), in its latest tranche of reports, says among the “most concerning” cases its reporters are attending are those involving applications for secure care – where a child is detained in a special unit providing specialised care and education where they have very high needs.
There are 26 secure care beds in the State “and only 14 of them are available mainly due to staffing problems” it says.
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The project, established in 2012 under the Child Care Act to report on and examine child-care proceedings before the courts, cites a recent case in which a High Court judge criticised failure by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to open all of the beds available.
In the case, Tusla was defending its failure to apply for an order for secure care for a teenage boy who needed it, saying no bed was available yet.
“I understand the union position,” said the judge. “I understand the recruitment difficulties, but the agency is well-funded, expertly run and should be in a position to sort out this glitch in order to make use of what are hugely impressive facilities, which I have seen myself.”
In all, 57 reports are published on Monday morning also highlighting gaps in mental health legislation, which are forcing courts to make young people with severe behavioural disorders such as anorexia nervosa wards of court to access treatment they need abroad. They also reveal a disproportionate number of children from ethnic minorities in care proceedings, and mental health problems among parents leading to child protection cases.
In one case, before the District C ourt last autumn, a teenage boy whose behaviour, his guardian ad litem believed, posed a risk to his own life and welfare was living in a hostel for homeless.
The guardian was seeking a judicial review of Tusla’s failure to consider an application for secure care. The agency had told the High Court previously it would consider him for secure care.
The judge directed Tusla to give the guardian €35,000 to find secure care, which was found in the private sector.
‘Shame on the family’
Another case, involving a young Muslim mother, highlighted complexities of working with vulnerable parents from culturally diverse backgrounds.
The mother, who had a very low IQ, gave birth in a hospital. She was unmarried and said she had been raped. Her brothers “appeared at the hospital...and said she had brought shame on the family”, the report said.
Her baby was taken into foster care on discharge from hospital.
Hearing an application for a care order for the infant, the court was told the woman said she was travelling to her country of origin to marry her first cousin. There was a concern this was a forced marriage and the infant’s guardian ad litem told the court the mother, who seemed unconcerned at the risks, was travelling to the “honour killing capital of the world”.
A full care order for the baby was granted. The mother’s whereabouts are not reported.
Such cases emphasised “the need for specialist training [in cultural issues] for child protection staff,” the report says
Dr Carol Coulter, director if the CCLRP, said the High Court involving secure care involved a "small cohort of extremely vulnerable and troubled children" and raised legal and policy issues.
“The lack of secure beds must be resolved and the necessary resources provided so that they can be properly staffed – with incentives if necessary.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--Warsaw protest over judicial independence ‘humbling’

An Irish Supreme Court judge has described a demonstration of dozens European judges in Warsaw in defence of their Polish colleagues as a “ humbling ” experience .
An estimated 30,000 people took to the streets of Warsaw on Saturday in a silent march against reforms of the judicial system many fear undermine independence of judges and the rule of law in Poland .
Many thousands more lined the route , chanting “ thank you !
” as the judges passed , many in their official robes .
Marching in his civilian clothes , Mr Justice John MacMenamin acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of Judges of Ireland ( AJI ) and bringing a message of support from the Chief Justice Frank Clarke – was unprecedented on several levels .
“ It was a very humbling experience , and startling to feel the level of public support , ” said Mr Justice MacMenamin .
“ It was fairly unprecedented to have a procession of judges just saying , ‘ let judges do their job fairly and objectively ’ .
” He said the AJI had “ thought deeply ” before deciding to participate in the Warsaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misapprehension ” that attending meant the Irish judiciary had crossed a political line .
“ We are operating in the normal area of judges , ” he said .
The march was the latest twist in a four-year battle for control of Polish courts sparked by a programme of reforms by the ruling national conservative Law and Justice ( PIS ) party .
Critics argue the reforms , which the PIS says are overdue and designed to tackle cronyism among other issues , are an ill-disguised attempt to intimidate judges and politicise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by whom , judges are appointed have brought Warsaw into conflict with Brussels .
Opponents say a new body to discipline judges has spread fear in the judicial system that undermines court independence .
On Tuesday , according to weekend reports , the commission will ask the European Court to suspend operation of the disciplinary chamber .
At a pre-march gathering , judges from the Netherlands to Romania all echoed the same message : an attack on Polish judges is an attack on the rule of law across Europe .
Welcoming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the Polish supreme court , who has waged war against the government reforms and defied its attempts to forcibly retire her and other colleagues critical of the measures .
She said she had spent her professional life believing that “ judges should speak through their rulings ” .
“ But this is an extraordinary situation , ” she said .
“ The executive in Poland is taking all the power from judges and is destroying the rule of law .
But judges are sworn to uphold the rule of law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Polish judges marching on Saturday said the presence of their European colleagues was good for morale – but most doubted it would influence the PiS party .
The Polish government largely ignored the march , though deputy justice minister Marcin Warchol tweeted it “ endangers the independence of the courts and the judges ” .
Wiktor , a 23 year-old Polish student watching the march , said it was “ no mystery that these court reforms are a power grab by the government ” .
“ It ’ s heartening to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
For European judges the Polish stand-off is of pan-European significance because any doubts about the independence of courts here could undermine mutual trust in the EU judicial system as a whole mean see cross-border legal business EU grinds to a halt .
As one judge murmured to another as the march got under way : “ In terms of systemic risk , this is as big as the euro crisis .
”

Supreme Court judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin participates in the Thousand Scarlet Robes March at the weekend in Warsaw, Poland. Photograph: Getty
An Irish Supreme Court judge has described a demonstration of dozens European judges in Warsaw in defence of their Polish colleagues as a "humbling" experience.
An estimated 30,000 people took to the streets of Warsaw on Saturday in a silent march against reforms of the judicial system many fear undermine independence of judges and the rule of law in Poland.
Many thousands more lined the route, chanting “thank you!” as the judges passed, many in their official robes.
Marching in his civilian clothes, Mr Justice John MacMenamin acknowledged that his presence in Warsaw – representing the Association of Judges of Ireland (AJI) and bringing a message of support from the Chief Justice Frank Clarke – was unprecedented on several levels.
READ MORE
“It was a very humbling experience, and startling to feel the level of public support,” said Mr Justice MacMenamin. “It was fairly unprecedented to have a procession of judges just saying, ‘let judges do their job fairly and objectively’.”
He said the AJI had “thought deeply” before deciding to participate in the Warsaw march and said it was a “misapprehension” that attending meant the Irish judiciary had crossed a political line.
“We are operating in the normal area of judges,” he said.
The march was the latest twist in a four-year battle for control of Polish courts sparked by a programme of reforms by the ruling national conservative Law and Justice (PIS) party.
Critics argue the reforms, which the PIS says are overdue and designed to tackle cronyism among other issues, are an ill-disguised attempt to intimidate judges and politicise the courts.
The reforms over how, and by whom, judges are appointed have brought Warsaw into conflict with Brussels. Opponents say a new body to discipline judges has spread fear in the judicial system that undermines court independence.
A judge holds a Polish flag during the Thousand Scarlet Robes March. Photograph: Getty
Supreme Court judge John MacMenamin flankded by Yavuz Aydin, a former Turkish judge who lost his job in a purge of judges. Photograph: AP
On Tuesday, according to weekend reports, the commission will ask the European Court to suspend operation of the disciplinary chamber.
At a pre-march gathering, judges from the Netherlands to Romania all echoed the same message: an attack on Polish judges is an attack on the rule of law across Europe.
‘Extraordinary situation’
Welcoming the judges was Prof Malgorzata Gersdorf, first president of the Polish supreme court, who has waged war against the government reforms and defied its attempts to forcibly retire her and other colleagues critical of the measures.
She said she had spent her professional life believing that “judges should speak through their rulings”.
“But this is an extraordinary situation,” she said. “The executive in Poland is taking all the power from judges and is destroying the rule of law. But judges are sworn to uphold the rule of law, they have a duty to defend it.”
Polish judges marching on Saturday said the presence of their European colleagues was good for morale – but most doubted it would influence the PiS party.
The Polish government largely ignored the march, though deputy justice minister Marcin Warchol tweeted it "endangers the independence of the courts and the judges".
Wiktor, a 23 year-old Polish student watching the march, said it was “no mystery that these court reforms are a power grab by the government”.
“It’s heartening to know there is European support for our struggle,” he said.
For European judges the Polish stand-off is of pan-European significance because any doubts about the independence of courts here could undermine mutual trust in the EU judicial system as a whole mean see cross-border legal business EU grinds to a halt.
As one judge murmured to another as the march got under way: “In terms of systemic risk, this is as big as the euro crisis.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--Belmullet aims to become Ireland’s ‘next Dingle’

Belmullet in Co Mayo , which has seen an increase in the number of tourists since it was included on the Wild Atlantic Way , wants to become Ireland ’ s “ next Dingle ” , according to local campaigners .
Last month , Fáilte Ireland awarded Belmullet a € 500,000 grant to help improve its tourist offering , following its designation as an “ emerging destination town ” by Mayo County Council .
+ Offaly man David Tyrrell , who has lived in Belmullet for a decade and manages the 90-room Broadhaven Bay Hotel , believes the Mayo town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist potential .
“ I remember when the Erris region was awarded the Best Place to go Wild [ 2014 ] by the Irish Times – Belmullet was a town that wasn ’ t ever really known or mentioned before , ” he said .
“ This recognition had an immediate impact on the tourist machine here , because we got huge press out of it and that opened doors in Ireland and internationally , ” he said .
Praising the town ’ s prospects , Pádraig Conroy , who runs McDonnell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local roads must be improved if Belmullet is to reach its potential .
The road between Castlebar and Belmullet is inadequate , he said .
“ Even after 30 years I have to totally concentrate driving it and would nearly avoid it , it is so bad.
” By contrast , he said , the road from Mulranny to Belmullet is “ like a motorway ” .
Irish language road signs are a problem , and should be bilingual , said Mr Conroy .
“ Beal Átha an Muirthead is of no benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find Belmullet .
I ’ m a native Irish speaker , it is nearly my first language , but I still want to see the signs that say Belmullet in English.
” Belmullet has major attractions on its doorstep , including the Céide Fields , top-class golf courses and the famous Blacksod Lighthouse , says Fine Gael councillor , Gerry Coyle .
“ It delayed the timing of the D-Day Normandy landings by a day , saving thousands of lives , thanks to a fog-warning alert .
It deserves its very own peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European history , ” he said .

Belmullet in Co Mayo, which has seen an increase in the number of tourists since it was included on the Wild Atlantic Way, wants to become Ireland's "next Dingle", according to local campaigners.
Last month, Fáilte Ireland awarded Belmullet a € 500,000 grant to help improve its tourist offering, following its designation as an "emerging destination town" by Mayo County Council. +
Offaly man David Tyrrell, who has lived in Belmullet for a decade and manages the 90-room Broadhaven Bay Hotel, believes the Mayo town on the Erris peninsula has enormous untapped tourist potential.
“I remember when the Erris region was awarded the Best Place to go Wild [2014]by the Irish Times – Belmullet was a town that wasn’t ever really known or mentioned before,” he said.
READ MORE
"This recognition had an immediate impact on the tourist machine here, because we got huge press out of it and that opened doors in Ireland and internationally," he said.
Praising the town’s prospects, Pádraig Conroy, who runs McDonnell’s pub on Barrack Street, believes local roads must be improved if Belmullet is to reach its potential.
The road between Castlebar and Belmullet is inadequate, he said.
"Even after 30 years I have to totally concentrate driving it and would nearly avoid it, it is so bad." By contrast, he said, the road from Mulranny to Belmullet is "like a motorway".
Irish language road signs are a problem, and should be bilingual, said Mr Conroy. “Beal Átha an Muirthead is of no benefit to a German or Italian looking to find Belmullet. I’m a native Irish speaker, it is nearly my first language, but I still want to see the signs that say Belmullet in English.”
Belmullet has major attractions on its doorstep, including the Céide Fields, top-class golf courses and the famous Blacksod Lighthouse, says Fine Gael councillor, Gerry Coyle.
“It delayed the timing of the D-Day Normandy landings by a day, saving thousands of lives, thanks to a fog-warning alert. It deserves its very own peace park because it changed the course of European history,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--Homeless mentally ill man in battle to prevent deportation

A legal battle aimed at stopping the deportation of a young homeless man with significant mental health issues will resume before the High Court later this month .
Psychiatrists have described the 21-year-old Nigerian man as unfit to travel .
He is currently detained in the care of a mental health service and can not access homeless services while the deportation order remains in being .
The core issue in his case concerns whether the Minister for Justice has a duty to consider the consequences of deportation for him , his family , society and the State ’ s mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State has a particular duty to protect the rights of weak and vulnerable citizens such as those suffering from a mental health disorder .
A deportation order was made almost a year ago for the man arising from his criminal behaviour and was served on him after he completed a year-long prison sentence .
After he came to Ireland as a four-year-old unaccompanied minor in March 2002 , he was reunited with his mother , who was already here and had applied for asylum .
After she got asylum status in May 2002 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was refused in 2003 due to lack of appropriate documentation to confirm the identity of the child and his relationship to her .
A further family re-unification application was refused , for the same reason , in September 2013 .
The man was then in the care of Crosscare , a non-governmental organisation supporting migrants .
In 2016 , Crosscare secured a Stamp 4 permission ( permission to stay here for a specified period ) for the man .
That permission was not renewed after March 2018 due to his criminality .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister in November 2018 and the man was invited to make submissions in that regard .
The solicitor representing him in the criminal matter made submissions on his behalf in early February 2019 , outlining her concerns about him and the consequences of making a deportation order .
After being informed on February 8th , 2019 , that a deportation order had been made , following which the man was moved to Mountjoy Prison to await deportation , the solicitor wrote directly to the Minister asking that the deportation order be revoked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be deported while he was awaiting medical treatment in relation to his mental health .
When no undertaking was provided , High Court judicial review proceedings were initiated in late February 2019 .
The court heard the man ’ s solicitor could not receive proper instructions from him concerning why a deportation order should not be made .
She noted his mental health was also an issue in the criminal case .
She referred to three medical reports dated in January and February 2019 , which were produced to the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Minister in the deportation procedure .
The High Court was told a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital had provided a letter confirming the solicitor ’ s statement that her client had been deemed unfit to travel .
The psychiatrist had said she understood this information would be forwarded to Irish Prison Service Operations and shared with the Garda National Immigration Bureau .
The case is due back before the High Court towards the end of this month .

The case is due back before the High Court towards the end of this month. Photograph: Alan Betson
A legal battle aimed at stopping the deportation of a young homeless man with significant mental health issues will resume before the High Court later this month.
Psychiatrists have described the 21-year-old Nigerian man as unfit to travel. He is currently detained in the care of a mental health service and cannot access homeless services while the deportation order remains in being.
The core issue in his case concerns whether the Minister for Justice has a duty to consider the consequences of deportation for him, his family, society and the State’s mental health initiatives.
It is argued the State has a particular duty to protect the rights of weak and vulnerable citizens such as those suffering from a mental health disorder.
READ MORE
A deportation order was made almost a year ago for the man arising from his criminal behaviour and was served on him after he completed a year-long prison sentence.
After he came to Ireland as a four-year-old unaccompanied minor in March 2002, he was reunited with his mother, who was already here and had applied for asylum.
Asylum status
After she got asylum status in May 2002, she applied for family reunification but was refused in 2003 due to lack of appropriate documentation to confirm the identity of the child and his relationship to her.
A further family re-unification application was refused, for the same reason, in September 2013. The man was then in the care of Crosscare, a non-governmental organisation supporting migrants.
In 2016, Crosscare secured a Stamp 4 permission (permission to stay here for a specified period) for the man. That permission was not renewed after March 2018 due to his criminality.
A proposal to deport was issued by the Minister in November 2018 and the man was invited to make submissions in that regard.
The solicitor representing him in the criminal matter made submissions on his behalf in early February 2019, outlining her concerns about him and the consequences of making a deportation order.
After being informed on February 8th, 2019, that a deportation order had been made, following which the man was moved to Mountjoy Prison to await deportation, the solicitor wrote directly to the Minister asking that the deportation order be revoked.
She also sought an undertaking the man would not be deported while he was awaiting medical treatment in relation to his mental health.
Unfit to travel
When no undertaking was provided, High Court judicial review proceedings were initiated in late February 2019.
The court heard the man’s solicitor could not receive proper instructions from him concerning why a deportation order should not be made. She noted his mental health was also an issue in the criminal case. She referred to three medical reports dated in January and February 2019, which were produced to the criminal court, but had not been before the Minister in the deportation procedure.
The High Court was told a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital had provided a letter confirming the solicitor’s statement that her client had been deemed unfit to travel.
The psychiatrist had said she understood this information would be forwarded to Irish Prison Service Operations and shared with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
The case is due back before the High Court towards the end of this month.


theirishtimes--2020-01-13--Up to 1,000 electric bikes to be available for hire in Dublin

Up to 1,000 electric bicycles will be available for hire on Dublin streets in the coming months with two separate companies due to launch similar operations in early Spring .
Dublin City Council has said that two Irish companies , BleeperBike and Moby , will be licensed to hire out “ pedelecs ” ( electrically assisted pedal cycles ) throughout the capital .
Unlike Dublin Bikes , the e-bikes will not be tied to specific docking stations but will be locked like regular bicycles at designated locations throughout the city .
Customers will be able to electronically unlock the bikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also allow them to locate available bikes .
BleeperBike has already been in the market for more than a year , pioneering dockless bike rental in Dublin with some 450 non-electric bikes available throughout the city .
Its founder and chief executive Hugh Cooney said it will introduce 150-200 e-bikes initially and will gradually increase the number as demand increases .
The BleeperBike fleet will have replaceable batteries which can be switched for a fresh one when they have exhausted their charge .
The second licensee , Moby , is an Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric-powered mobility devices .
It won the second licence last summer to operate a dockless on-street hire service for e-bikes .
According to Dublin City Council , Moby ’ s fleet of e-bikes , with bright yellow livery , is being tested ahead of its launch .
The fleet will be comprised wholly of “ pedelec ” cycles .
While the company could not be reached for comment on how many cycles it will make available , reports have suggested it would launch with about 250 bicycles .
Mr Cooney of BleeperBike said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the same as for its current service .
It operates from UCD on the southside to DCU on the northside , as well as along the coast to Howth and Malahide .
The average journey length for a pedal cycle was about 3.5km , he said , but he expected electric-assisted bikes to be used for longer journeys , typically five to seven kilometres .
The price point for e-bike rental was still being worked out , but Mr Cooney said it would be at least double the charge of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of € 1 per journey on its service .
Mr Cooney said he welcomed the fact that Moby was also entering the market .
He said two operators in competition , both Irish-owned , would raise the profile of the service .
He said the experiences in other cities throughout Europe showed e-bikes have had a transformative effect on urban and commuter travel .
He pointed to countries like Germany where e-bikes now outsell traditional push cycles .
“ Inside the M50 there is potential for a fleet of 5,000 shared e-bikes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Irish operation of car share company Uber lobbied Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan to introduce an e-bike share scheme in 2018 .
However , the council had already issued licences to BleeperBike , and to another company Urbo , to set up dockless sharing schemes for push bicycles .
However , Urbo subsequently withdrew from the scheme .
The council then sought new licence applications allowing e-bikes for the first time .
The licences were then awarded to Bleeperbike and Moby .
It is understood Uber did not apply for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-established in cities throughout Europe and the United States .
The two big players in the US are Uber , and its rival car-sharing company , Lyft , both of which have invested heavily in sharing operations for power-assisted travel , including e-scooters .

Customers will be able to electronically unlock the bikes using an app on their smartphone which will also allow them to locate available bikes. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Up to 1,000 electric bicycles will be available for hire on Dublin streets in the coming months with two separate companies due to launch similar operations in early Spring.
Dublin City Council has said that two Irish companies, BleeperBike and Moby, will be licensed to hire out “pedelecs” (electrically assisted pedal cycles) throughout the capital.
Unlike Dublin Bikes, the e-bikes will not be tied to specific docking stations but will be locked like regular bicycles at designated locations throughout the city.
Customers will be able to electronically unlock the bikes using an app on their smartphone which will also allow them to locate available bikes.
READ MORE
BleeperBike has already been in the market for more than a year, pioneering dockless bike rental in Dublin with some 450 non-electric bikes available throughout the city.
Its founder and chief executive Hugh Cooney said it will introduce 150-200 e-bikes initially and will gradually increase the number as demand increases.
The BleeperBike fleet will have replaceable batteries which can be switched for a fresh one when they have exhausted their charge.
The second licensee, Moby, is an Irish tech company best known for its innovative electric-powered mobility devices. It won the second licence last summer to operate a dockless on-street hire service for e-bikes.
According to Dublin City Council, Moby’s fleet of e-bikes, with bright yellow livery, is being tested ahead of its launch. The fleet will be comprised wholly of “pedelec” cycles.
While the company could not be reached for comment on how many cycles it will make available, reports have suggested it would launch with about 250 bicycles.
Mr Cooney of BleeperBike said that the operational area for the e-bikes will be the same as for its current service. It operates from UCD on the southside to DCU on the northside, as well as along the coast to Howth and Malahide.
Average journey 3.5km
The average journey length for a pedal cycle was about 3.5km, he said, but he expected electric-assisted bikes to be used for longer journeys, typically five to seven kilometres.
The price point for e-bike rental was still being worked out, but Mr Cooney said it would be at least double the charge of a push-bike. BleeperBike currently charges a minimum of € 1 per journey on its service.
Mr Cooney said he welcomed the fact that Moby was also entering the market. He said two operators in competition, both Irish-owned, would raise the profile of the service. He said the experiences in other cities throughout Europe showed e-bikes have had a transformative effect on urban and commuter travel.
He pointed to countries like Germany where e-bikes now outsell traditional push cycles. “Inside the M50 there is potential for a fleet of 5,000 shared e-bikes in the long-term,” he said.
The Irish operation of car share company Uber lobbied Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan to introduce an e-bike share scheme in 2018. However, the council had already issued licences to BleeperBike, and to another company Urbo, to set up dockless sharing schemes for push bicycles.
However, Urbo subsequently withdrew from the scheme. The council then sought new licence applications allowing e-bikes for the first time.
The licences were then awarded to Bleeperbike and Moby. It is understood Uber did not apply for a licence.
E-bike sharing schemes are well-established in cities throughout Europe and the United States. The two big players in the US are Uber, and its rival car-sharing company, Lyft, both of which have invested heavily in sharing operations for power-assisted travel, including e-scooters.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Producing more milk with less emissions

Producing more milk with less emissions

Ireland ’ s dairy herd has increased by about 50 per cent since 2015 along with a parallel increase in emissions of methane , a strong greenhouse gas emitted by cows that it is more potent than CO2 , although the latter persists much longer in the atmosphere .
Irish scientists were tasked to find ways to reduce our methane emissions even as milk production increased .
They have come up with some promising ideas .
The Irish Farmers ’ Association estimated there were 1.4 million dairy cows in Ireland in 2017 .
These cows are fed on grass , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it interacts with microbes and produces methane .
Some 34 per cent of Ireland ’ s emissions come from agriculture and 60 per cent of that is due to methane .
The Government Climate Action Plan has set a target of reducing emissions from agriculture by 10 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030 .
This reduction must take place as the national dairy herd population is likely to increase further in size as dairy farmers seek to increase their herd populations and their profitability – and global demand is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reducing emissions are not impossible , but it ’ s going to be tough , ” says James Humphreys , research officer at Teagasc ’ s Grassland Research Innovation Centre in Moorepark who advises dairy farmers .
“ We need a breakthrough on reducing methane emissions from livestock , ” he adds .
One way to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows is to interfere with the action of the methane-producing bacteria residing in the cow ’ s gut .
This is the goal of the Methlab project , led by Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principal investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland at UCC .
“ It is well known that some lactic acid bacteria which are commonly used in food fermentations have the ability to produce antimicrobial compounds , or bacteriocins , which can kill other bacteria , ” she says .
“ So the idea is that we want to identify lactic acid bacteria and use them as silage inoculants or animal probiotics to give to the animal whereby they have been shown to have an effective ability to reduce methane emissions as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Methlab is funded by FACCE ERA-GAS , an EU fund supporting research for monitoring and regulating greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry .
It began three years ago and has partners in Ireland at Teagasc , APC Microbiome and UCC , as well as in France , The Netherlands and New Zealand .
Lactic acid bacteria ( LAB ) are already commonly used as feed supplements or silage inoculants to increase production and improve animal health .
Methlab is different , however , as the LAB will also be refined to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dairy cows – the rumen – which produce methane are called methanogens .
Methlab scientists have now characterised and identified those LAB capable of targeting the methanogens , and these are being commercially manufactured by an Italian company Sacco .
“ We have already demonstrated that the LAB that we have selected has an ability to reduce methane production by the methanogen strains that are the ones responsible for the methane production in the rumen , ” Stanton adds .
“ We know that , but that ’ s ex-vivo .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal yet ; phase three is proving it in vivo.
” Animal trials will take place this year in research facilities at the University of Wageningen in The Netherlands .
The cows will be fed silage containing the Methlab-produced LAB .
Their emissions of methane will be monitored directly by chambers that the animals wear on their backs .
The scientists will compare the methane emissions of cows fed Methlabanti-methanogen bacteria with those who did not ingest the bacteria .
Meanwhile , at the Teagasc Animal Grasslands Research Centre dairy cows will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether this has any impact on the yield and quality of the milk animals produce .
They are hoping for a win-win , where emissions of methane are reduced , while yield and quality are improved .
Some scientists , like Sinead McParland , a research geneticist based at Teagasc Moorepark , have examined whether genetics can reduce methane , given individual cows are reported as naturally producing different emission levels .
“ We know that it is heritable , so we know there is variation from parent to offspring , ” explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s variable , so we have an idea that there are ‘ good emitters ’ and ‘ bad emitters ’ – or animals emitting more than each other to , say , produce the same amount of milk.
” Dairy cows are bred according to the Economic Breeding Index ( EBI ) .
This selects the animals that are the most profitable in the herd .
Irish farmers have been selecting their animals this way since 2001 , and the majority now do so .
McParland wants to capture the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to genetically select the low emitters as part of the EBI .
The main obstacle to this is the difficulty of collecting emissions data on all cows out in the field .
“ Capturing methane emissions from animals is really very labour intensive , ” says McParland .
“ We are really only able to do it in a research environment such as in Teagasc Moorepark or through the use of respiration chambers for example.
” However , there may be another way .
At the moment , milk samples are regularly taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent to a laboratory where the different types of fat and protein are analysed .
This then allows scientists to compare the energy a cow has taken in , in her diet , to the milk quality produced .
The same milk sample data could be used to predict how much methane a given animal will produce , he says .
“ Initial research has shown us that this is potentially viable .
My research is now looking at doing this on the national herd.
” “ When you are selecting through genetics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diet .
It is not costing you any extra money and as a nation we can say that we are selecting more environmentally-friendly animals.
” The VistaMilk SFI Research Centre in Fermoy was set up to combine Ireland ’ s expertise in information and communication technology with agriculture know-how .
This means generating new knowledge that can facilitate the increases in agricultural production , efficiency and profits , while also reducing environmental footprints .
Centre director Donagh Berry believes big gains can be made , for example , by applying genetics .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 13 per cent of the differences in how much methane a cow produces is due to the genetics of the cow .
“ We can make phenomenal progress ; we have shown this because the cow of today is very , very different to the cow of 20 , 30 or 50 years ago , ” he notes .
Another way to reduce methane emissions is changing the diet .
“ From a nutritional supplementation perspective , there are options there that could potentially reduce the methane by 20 to 30 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is important that this be done , he adds , without damaging the taste or the quality of the milk produced .
Despite all the promising science , the big unknown is just how big will Ireland ’ s dairy herd grow in the next decade .
Experts believe the herd will continue to increase as farmers seek to increase profitability , making it very difficult to reduce our agricultural emissions as set out in ambitious targets laid out for 2030 .

Ireland’s dairy herd has increased by about 50 per cent since 2015 along with a parallel increase in emissions of methane, a strong greenhouse gas emitted by cows that it is more potent than CO2, although the latter persists much longer in the atmosphere.
Irish scientists were tasked to find ways to reduce our methane emissions even as milk production increased. They have come up with some promising ideas.
The Irish Farmers’ Association estimated there were 1.4 million dairy cows in Ireland in 2017. These cows are fed on grass, which digests inside the animals’ stomachs where it interacts with microbes and produces methane. Some 34 per cent of Ireland’s emissions come from agriculture and 60 per cent of that is due to methane.
The Government Climate Action Plan has set a target of reducing emissions from agriculture by 10 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030. This reduction must take place as the national dairy herd population is likely to increase further in size as dairy farmers seek to increase their herd populations and their profitability – and global demand is likely to remain strong.
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"The targets for reducing emissions are not impossible, but it's going to be tough," says James Humphreys, research officer at Teagasc's Grassland Research Innovation Centre in Moorepark who advises dairy farmers. "We need a breakthrough on reducing methane emissions from livestock," he adds.
Targeting bacteria
One way to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows is to interfere with the action of the methane-producing bacteria residing in the cow's gut. This is the goal of the Methlab project, led by Prof Catherine Stanton, scientist with Teagasc and principal investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland at UCC.
“It is well known that some lactic acid bacteria which are commonly used in food fermentations have the ability to produce antimicrobial compounds, or bacteriocins, which can kill other bacteria,” she says.
Catherine Stanton
“So the idea is that we want to identify lactic acid bacteria and use them as silage inoculants or animal probiotics to give to the animal whereby they have been shown to have an effective ability to reduce methane emissions as a result of their ability to produce antimicrobial compounds.”
Methlab is funded by FACCE ERA-GAS, an EU fund supporting research for monitoring and regulating greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry. It began three years ago and has partners in Ireland at Teagasc, APC Microbiome and UCC, as well as in France, The Netherlands and New Zealand.
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are already commonly used as feed supplements or silage inoculants to increase production and improve animal health. Methlab is different, however, as the LAB will also be refined to reduce methane.
The bacteria in the stomach of dairy cows – the rumen – which produce methane are called methanogens. Methlab scientists have now characterised and identified those LAB capable of targeting the methanogens, and these are being commercially manufactured by an Italian company Sacco.
“We have already demonstrated that the LAB that we have selected has an ability to reduce methane production by the methanogen strains that are the ones responsible for the methane production in the rumen,” Stanton adds. “We know that, but that’s ex-vivo. We haven’t done it in the animal yet; phase three is proving it in vivo.”
Animal trials will take place this year in research facilities at the University of Wageningen in The Netherlands. The cows will be fed silage containing the Methlab-produced LAB. Their emissions of methane will be monitored directly by chambers that the animals wear on their backs.
The scientists will compare the methane emissions of cows fed Methlabanti-methanogen bacteria with those who did not ingest the bacteria.
Meanwhile, at the Teagasc Animal Grasslands Research Centre dairy cows will be fed the LAB and monitored to see whether this has any impact on the yield and quality of the milk animals produce. They are hoping for a win-win, where emissions of methane are reduced, while yield and quality are improved.
Genetics factor
Some scientists, like Sinead McParland, a research geneticist based at Teagasc Moorepark, have examined whether genetics can reduce methane, given individual cows are reported as naturally producing different emission levels.
“We know that it is heritable, so we know there is variation from parent to offspring,” explains McParland. “We have an idea that it’s variable, so we have an idea that there are ‘good emitters’ and ‘bad emitters’ – or animals emitting more than each other to, say, produce the same amount of milk.”
Dairy cows are bred according to the Economic Breeding Index (EBI). This selects the animals that are the most profitable in the herd. Irish farmers have been selecting their animals this way since 2001, and the majority now do so.
McParland wants to capture the emissions cows are producing individually, and to genetically select the low emitters as part of the EBI. The main obstacle to this is the difficulty of collecting emissions data on all cows out in the field.
“Capturing methane emissions from animals is really very labour intensive,” says McParland. “We are really only able to do it in a research environment such as in Teagasc Moorepark or through the use of respiration chambers for example.”
However, there may be another way. At the moment, milk samples are regularly taken from cows during their routine milking and sent to a laboratory where the different types of fat and protein are analysed. This then allows scientists to compare the energy a cow has taken in, in her diet, to the milk quality produced.
The same milk sample data could be used to predict how much methane a given animal will produce, he says . “Initial research has shown us that this is potentially viable. My research is now looking at doing this on the national herd.”
“When you are selecting through genetics you are not adding anything into the diet. It is not costing you any extra money and as a nation we can say that we are selecting more environmentally-friendly animals.”
Information technology
The VistaMilk SFI Research Centre in Fermoy was set up to combine Ireland's expertise in information and communication technology with agriculture know-how. This means generating new knowledge that can facilitate the increases in agricultural production, efficiency and profits, while also reducing environmental footprints.
Centre director Donagh Berry believes big gains can be made, for example, by applying genetics. "We know, for example, that around 13 per cent of the differences in how much methane a cow produces is due to the genetics of the cow.
Teagasc geneticists Dr Donagh Berry. Photograph: O’Gorman Photography
“We can make phenomenal progress; we have shown this because the cow of today is very, very different to the cow of 20, 30 or 50 years ago,” he notes.
Another way to reduce methane emissions is changing the diet. “From a nutritional supplementation perspective, there are options there that could potentially reduce the methane by 20 to 30 per cent,” says Berry. Yet, it is important that this be done, he adds, without damaging the taste or the quality of the milk produced.
Despite all the promising science, the big unknown is just how big will Ireland’s dairy herd grow in the next decade. Experts believe the herd will continue to increase as farmers seek to increase profitability, making it very difficult to reduce our agricultural emissions as set out in ambitious targets laid out for 2030.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--M7 upgrade: Speed restrictions to be lifted on new three-lane carriageway

Speed restrictions on the new three-lane carriageway on the M7 motorway in Co Kildare will be lifted in mid February , according to the latest project update from Kildare County Council .
The M7 Naas widening scheme was originally due to have been completed last April , with the Sallins bypass and Osberstown interchange due to be completed later this year .
Kildare County Council said last August that the the M7 elements of the work would be delayed until Christmas .
But in the latest update issued on Tuesday , the council said the works would now be completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the temporary 80 km/h speed limit remains in place on the M7 .
Final works on the M7 include drainage at Junction 10 Newhall and at a number of verge locations at Newhall and Lewistown .
The council said “ pending completion of these works , and in the interests of both worker and public safety , the temporary 80 km/h speed limit is being maintained.
” The council said , however , that traffic on the M7 would not be able to use the new interchange at Osberstown to access Naas until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lanes of the upgraded M7 are currently operating at a reduced speed limit of 80km/h from junction eight Johnstown to the M7/M9 interchange at junction 11 .
Transport Infrastructure Ireland ( TII ) said the M7 remains an “ active construction site ” .
Construction began on widening a 13.5km stretch of the M7 in January of 2018 .
It was originally anticipated by the contractors SIAC and Colas that all three lanes would be in operation in both directions by last April .
Figures from TII show 14,500 speeding fines have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 18 months to last August .
Local District Court Judge Desmond Zaidan and the Courts Service have both raised concerns over how to deal with the increase in cases arising from the speed checks .
The M7 is used by some 78,000 vehicles per day .
The upgrade project also involved the replacement and relocation of the existing ramps at Junction 10 Naas South Newhall to the main Naas Newbridge dual carriageway , the construction of a new interchange at Osberstown and a new Sallins bypass .

Works on sections of the M7 upgrade are ongoing. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Speed restrictions on the new three-lane carriageway on the M7 motorway in Co Kildare will be lifted in mid February, according to the latest project update from Kildare County Council.
The M7 Naas widening scheme was originally due to have been completed last April, with the Sallins bypass and Osberstown interchange due to be completed later this year.
Kildare County Council said last August that the the M7 elements of the work would be delayed until Christmas.
But in the latest update issued on Tuesday, the council said the works would now be completed by mid- February.
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The announcement means the temporary 80 km/h speed limit remains in place on the M7.
Final works on the M7 include drainage at Junction 10 Newhall and at a number of verge locations at Newhall and Lewistown.
The council said “pending completion of these works, and in the interests of both worker and public safety, the temporary 80 km/h speed limit is being maintained.”
The council said, however, that traffic on the M7 would not be able to use the new interchange at Osberstown to access Naas until the Sallins bypass opens.
All three lanes of the upgraded M7 are currently operating at a reduced speed limit of 80km/h from junction eight Johnstown to the M7/M9 interchange at junction 11.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said the M7 remains an "active construction site".
Construction began on widening a 13.5km stretch of the M7 in January of 2018. It was originally anticipated by the contractors SIAC and Colas that all three lanes would be in operation in both directions by last April.
Figures from TII show 14,500 speeding fines have been issued along the road over a period of about 18 months to last August.
Local District Court Judge Desmond Zaidan and the Courts Service have both raised concerns over how to deal with the increase in cases arising from the speed checks.
The M7 is used by some 78,000 vehicles per day.
The upgrade project also involved the replacement and relocation of the existing ramps at Junction 10 Naas South Newhall to the main Naas Newbridge dual carriageway, the construction of a new interchange at Osberstown and a new Sallins bypass.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Intellectually disabled man cannot return to ‘squalid’ home, judge directs

An intellectually disabled man was removed to hospital by court order after having been found living with his elderly sister in “ squalid ” and “ substandard ” conditions at their home , the High Court heard .
The house , in a rural area , was described as cold , dilapidated and neglected , with mould on the walls and insanitary bathroom and toilet conditions .
The man ’ s bedroom was described as dirty and cluttered and he was sleeping in a sleeping bag on his bed rather than sheets .
The man is a ward of court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been appointed to represent his interests .
Concern about his situation and about refusals by his sister to permit social workers access to the house was expressed by a senior social worker in a letter to the wards of court office last October .
The matter then came before Mr Justice Peter Kelly as president of the High Court managing the wards of court list .
He made orders for a court-appointed medical visitor to go to the house with a view to assessing the man and also appointed Patricia Hickey , general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint committee of the man .
The medical visitor was refused access to the house but , having looked through the windows , she had concerns about the living conditions .
Further orders permitted the doctor to return just before Christmas , accompanied by two gardaí and a HSE safeguarding team leader .
After the sister refused to answer the door , a garda got in a side window .
The sister then permitted access and the doctor assessed the man and spoke with his sister .
In her report to the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurse was visiting the man for many years and she was surprised the “ first note of concern ” was expressed by the senior social worker .
She was also shocked the community intervention team had not reported or documented any evidence of poor health or hygiene over the years .
She considered the living conditions totally unsuitable for the man and that he needs long-term residential care .
On foot of her concerns for his physical health , he was removed to hospital where he remains for the time being .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Kelly , having been told on Tuesday there are also concerns about her capacity and living skills , directed an inquiry into whether she too should be made a ward of court .
On the current state of affairs , the judge said the man ’ s going home to “ very substandard ” conditions is “ not a possibility ” .
There was also an issue whether the sister should remain in a dwelling which was “ quite squalid ” .
“ I am not very happy at the prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in midwinter.
” He adjourned the matter to next week so that photographs of the conditions at the house can be provided .
Katherine Kelleher , solicitor for the HSE , agreed the home conditions were very poor and substandard but noted a senior social worker with considerable experience of situations of rural poverty had said she had seen “ far worse ” .
Ms Kelleher said the HSE is concerned about the sister ’ s decisions concerning her brother .
The social worker who wrote to the wards of court office had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused access , she added .
The HSE considered the man will probably need long-term care , probably nursing-home care .
Ms Hickey said she had concerns the man is quite young for nursing-home care and wanted the HSE to explore other options .
Issues arose concerning why the man ’ s situation was not brought to the attention of her office earlier , she added .

Mr Justice Kelly, having been told on Tuesday there are also concerns about man’s sister’s capacity and living skills, directed an inquiry into whether she too should be made a ward of court. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
An intellectually disabled man was removed to hospital by court order after having been found living with his elderly sister in “squalid” and “substandard” conditions at their home, the High Court heard.
The house, in a rural area, was described as cold, dilapidated and neglected, with mould on the walls and insanitary bathroom and toilet conditions. The man’s bedroom was described as dirty and cluttered and he was sleeping in a sleeping bag on his bed rather than sheets.
The man is a ward of court for many years and his sister had been appointed to represent his interests. Concern about his situation and about refusals by his sister to permit social workers access to the house was expressed by a senior social worker in a letter to the wards of court office last October.
The matter then came before Mr Justice Peter Kelly as president of the High Court managing the wards of court list. He made orders for a court-appointed medical visitor to go to the house with a view to assessing the man and also appointed Patricia Hickey, general solicitor for wards of court, as joint committee of the man.
READ MORE
The medical visitor was refused access to the house but, having looked through the windows, she had concerns about the living conditions.
Further orders permitted the doctor to return just before Christmas, accompanied by two gardaí and a HSE safeguarding team leader. After the sister refused to answer the door, a garda got in a side window. The sister then permitted access and the doctor assessed the man and spoke with his sister.
In her report to the court, the doctor said a public health nurse was visiting the man for many years and she was surprised the “first note of concern” was expressed by the senior social worker. She was also shocked the community intervention team had not reported or documented any evidence of poor health or hygiene over the years. She considered the living conditions totally unsuitable for the man and that he needs long-term residential care.
On foot of her concerns for his physical health, he was removed to hospital where he remains for the time being.
His sister is still at home but Mr Justice Kelly, having been told on Tuesday there are also concerns about her capacity and living skills, directed an inquiry into whether she too should be made a ward of court.
On the current state of affairs, the judge said the man’s going home to “very substandard” conditions is “not a possibility”. There was also an issue whether the sister should remain in a dwelling which was “quite squalid”.
“I am not very happy at the prospect of this lady living in these awful conditions in midwinter.”
He adjourned the matter to next week so that photographs of the conditions at the house can be provided.
Katherine Kelleher, solicitor for the HSE, agreed the home conditions were very poor and substandard but noted a senior social worker with considerable experience of situations of rural poverty had said she had seen “far worse”.
Ms Kelleher said the HSE is concerned about the sister’s decisions concerning her brother. The social worker who wrote to the wards of court office had made several attempts to visit but was refused access, she added.
The HSE considered the man will probably need long-term care, probably nursing-home care. Ms Hickey said she had concerns the man is quite young for nursing-home care and wanted the HSE to explore other options. Issues arose concerning why the man’s situation was not brought to the attention of her office earlier, she added.