theirishtimes--2020-06-23--It all adds up: the ever-growing goals of googology

In 1920 , a kindergarten class was asked to describe the biggest number that they could imagine .
One child proposed to “ write down digits until you get tired ” .
A more concrete idea was to write a one followed by 100 zeros .
This number , which scientists would express as 10 to the power 100 , was given the name “ googol ” by its inventor .
A googol has no particular mathematical importance , but it has come to represent large numbers in general and the name – in modified form – was adopted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The idea was to express the boundless ambition of the company to index the entire world wide web .
The search for ever-larger numbers has been given the evocative name googology , and it is an active field of research for both recreational mathematicians and some professionals .
Large numbers occur in various branches of science , most notably astronomy and cosmology .
Rapid advances in computing also require big numbers to describe calculation speeds and memory sizes .
Some decades ago we had speeds measured in Mops , or millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petaflops ( 10 to the power 15 operations ) and speeds continue to increase exponentially .
Soon the prefixes exa , zetta and yotta will be common ; the number of operations performed by a one-yottaflop computer is one followed by 24 zeros , or a trillion-trillion .
The growth in memory size is equally impressive .
From kilobytes ( thousands of bytes ) of storage , we moved through megabytes , gigabytes and terabytes – onward and upward .
How can we understand such enormous quantities ?
Popular descriptions often involve counting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This method was used by Archimedes ; indeed , he considered not just a beach but the entire universe as known to him .
Some authors refer to the number of litres of water flowing over the Niagara Falls , or the raindrops falling to earth every year .
An egg-cup of water has about Avogadro ’ s number of molecules , or six followed by 23 zeros .
The observable universe has been estimated to contain 10 to the power 80 atoms .
But it can be difficult to grasp the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple to visualise a collection of one million objects .
Consider a bunch of little cubes , each of side-length one centimetre : think of dice or sugar lumps .
Line up 100 cubes in a row and add 99 more lines to form a layer of 10,000 cubes .
Now stack 100 layers to get a block , like a large Rubik ’ s cube , with side-length of one metre , comprising a million little cubes .
Continue by lining up 1,000 such Rubik cubes , add more rows to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it off with 999 further layers .
The result is a cube of edge-length 1 km with a billion blocks , each containing a million little cubes .
In total , we have 10 to the power 15 sugar-lumps , or a peta-lump .
As long as we just count collections , the numbers are constrained .
When we consider rearrangements , the number of possibilities becomes “ astronomical ” .
Take a row of 100 sugar lumps but now number them from one to 100 .
How many different ways are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line can be any one of them , giving 100 options .
Next can be any of 99 , and so on .
The total number of possibilities is the product of the first 100 counting numbers , a quantity called factorial-one-hundred .
It has 158 decimal digits , far more than a google .
Peter Lynch is emeritus professor at UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics , University College Dublin – he blogs at thatsmaths.com

How can we understand such enormous quantities? Popular descriptions often involve counting the grains of sand on a beach. Some mathematicians refer to the number of litres of water flowing over the Niagara Falls, or the raindrops falling to earth every year.
In 1920, a kindergarten class was asked to describe the biggest number that they could imagine. One child proposed to “write down digits until you get tired”. A more concrete idea was to write a one followed by 100 zeros. This number, which scientists would express as 10 to the power 100, was given the name “googol” by its inventor.
A googol has no particular mathematical importance, but it has come to represent large numbers in general and the name – in modified form – was adopted by the behemoth we all know as Google. The idea was to express the boundless ambition of the company to index the entire world wide web.
The search for ever-larger numbers has been given the evocative name googology, and it is an active field of research for both recreational mathematicians and some professionals.
Large numbers occur in various branches of science, most notably astronomy and cosmology. Rapid advances in computing also require big numbers to describe calculation speeds and memory sizes. Some decades ago we had speeds measured in Mops, or millions of operations per second.
READ MORE
Now we have petaflops (10 to the power 15 operations) and speeds continue to increase exponentially. Soon the prefixes exa, zetta and yotta will be common; the number of operations performed by a one-yottaflop computer is one followed by 24 zeros, or a trillion-trillion.
The growth in memory size is equally impressive. From kilobytes (thousands of bytes) of storage, we moved through megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes – onward and upward.
Enormous
How can we understand such enormous quantities? Popular descriptions often involve counting the grains of sand on a beach. This method was used by Archimedes; indeed, he considered not just a beach but the entire universe as known to him. Some authors refer to the number of litres of water flowing over the Niagara Falls, or the raindrops falling to earth every year.
An egg-cup of water has about Avogadro’s number of molecules, or six followed by 23 zeros. The observable universe has been estimated to contain 10 to the power 80 atoms. But it can be difficult to grasp the significance of these numbers.
It is simple to visualise a collection of one million objects. Consider a bunch of little cubes, each of side-length one centimetre: think of dice or sugar lumps. Line up 100 cubes in a row and add 99 more lines to form a layer of 10,000 cubes. Now stack 100 layers to get a block, like a large Rubik’s cube, with side-length of one metre, comprising a million little cubes.
Continue by lining up 1,000 such Rubik cubes, add more rows to get a layer with 1,000 rows and top it off with 999 further layers. The result is a cube of edge-length 1 km with a billion blocks, each containing a million little cubes. In total, we have 10 to the power 15 sugar-lumps, or a peta-lump.
As long as we just count collections, the numbers are constrained. When we consider rearrangements, the number of possibilities becomes “astronomical”. Take a row of 100 sugar lumps but now number them from one to 100. How many different ways are there to arrange them?
The first in line can be any one of them, giving 100 options. Next can be any of 99, and so on. The total number of possibilities is the product of the first 100 counting numbers, a quantity called factorial-one-hundred. It has 158 decimal digits, far more than a google.
Peter Lynch is emeritus professor at UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics, University College Dublin – he blogs at thatsmaths.com


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Man (23) charged with criminal damage to book of condolence for Det Garda Colm Horkan

A 23-year-old man accused defacing a book of condolence for Detective Garda Colm Horkan has been remanded in continuing custody pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions .
The book had been left out on the counter at Dublin ’ s Blanchardstown garda station for the public to sign following the death of Detective Garda Horkan who was shot a number of times while responding to an incident in Castlerea , Co Roscommon last week .
Jason Hennessy from Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown is charged with criminal damage to the book of condolence which was allegedly defaced on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the station following his arrest .
He was refused bail on Monday at Blanchardstown District Court and appeared at Cloverhill District Court via video-link on Tuesday .
Judge Victor Blake noted from defence solicitor Amanda Connolly and the court sergeant that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were not yet available .
Judge Blake remanded him in continuing custody to appear again on July 7 next .
Garda Sergeant Alan Lynch had told Judge Gerard Jones at Blanchardstown court on Monday that the book had been left out on Friday morning for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the late Det Garda Hokan .
It was supposed to be given later to the Horkan family .

The book had been left out on the counter at Dublin’s Blanchardstown garda station for the public to sign following the death of Detective Garda Horkan. Photograph: An Garda Síochána/PA Wire
A 23-year-old man accused defacing a book of condolence for Detective Garda Colm Horkan has been remanded in continuing custody pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The book had been left out on the counter at Dublin's Blanchardstown garda station for the public to sign following the death of Detective Garda Horkan who was shot a number of times while responding to an incident in Castlerea, Co Roscommon last week.
Jason Hennessy from Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown is charged with criminal damage to the book of condolence which was allegedly defaced on Friday afternoon, and with violent behaviour at the station following his arrest.
He was refused bail on Monday at Blanchardstown District Court and appeared at Cloverhill District Court via video-link on Tuesday.
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Judge Victor Blake noted from defence solicitor Amanda Connolly and the court sergeant that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were not yet available.
Judge Blake remanded him in continuing custody to appear again on July 7 next.
Garda Sergeant Alan Lynch had told Judge Gerard Jones at Blanchardstown court on Monday that the book had been left out on Friday morning for members of the public to pay tribute to the late Det Garda Hokan. It was supposed to be given later to the Horkan family.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Supreme Court to rule later on ‘important and difficult’ climate case

A seven-judge Supreme Court will give judgment on a later date on an appeal concerning the adequacy of a national plan to reduce rising greenhouse gas emissions .
Friends of the Irish Environment ( FIE ) claims the National Mitigation Plan 2017-22 lacks urgent measures to substantially reduce emissions and thus breaches rights to life , bodily integrity and a healthy environment under the Constitution and European Convention of Human Rights .
The plan is also inconsistent with the State ’ s obligations under Section 4 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to achieve Ireland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by end 2050 , FIE argues .
The State claims the group ’ s case is an “ attack on policy choices ” made by government and an impermissible attempt to have the court prescribe government policy on emissions .
When the two-day appeal concluded on Tuesday , Chief Justice Frank Clarke , sitting with Judges Mary Irvine , Donal O ’ Donnell , John MacMenamin , Elizabeth Dunne , Iseult O ’ Malley and Marie Baker , said it would rule on a later date on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In its appeal against the Government , Ireland and Attorney General , FIE contends the plan fails to set out measures to substantially reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and further reductions in the short to medium term .
It says such measures are required under the 2015 Act and EU and international agreements and the failure to provide for them breaches the rights to life , bodily integrity and a healthy environment .
FIE secured the “ leapfrog ” appeal directly to the Supreme Court after the High Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include the availability of judicial challenge to the legality of the plan and the broader environmental rights asserted under the Constitution , European Convention of Human Rights and/or from Ireland ’ s international obligations .
In submissions for the State , Eileen Barrington SC said FIE ’ s case involves a “ misunderstanding ” of the National Mitigation Plan and is not justiciable because it concerns policy choices by government .
FIE is pursuing an “ agenda approach ” which does not fit into the constitutional framework , she said .
FIE argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that poses a risk of harmful climate change by not imposing emissions targets of between 25 and 40 per cent .
“ If that is not policy , what is ?
” she asked .
FIE had not contended Ireland breached a “ binding ” domestic , EU or international standard or obligation by not giving effect to such a policy but still wanted the court to set aside the plan , Ms Barrington said .
A time issue arose because the National Mitigation Plan runs to 2022 and is the first step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2050 .
FIE is seeking relief regarding a prescribed policy focussed on 2020 and presented its case as if the plan is a “ full response ” by the State to climate change when the plan is part of a “ jigsaw ” of interconnecting and evolving measures .
Climate change is a “ global challenge ” and FIE is conflating science with the NMP to argue any deficiencies on Ireland ’ s part will worsen the risks , she said .
Ireland ’ s emissions are a “ tiny part ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , and Ireland delivers its obligations through EU commitments .
Rory Mulcahy SC , also for the State , said FIE lacks the necessary legal standing to assert the plan breaches constitutional and European rights .
While FIE appeared to argue its “ bona fides ” was sufficient to assert constitutional rights , that was not so .
The State is not suggesting Ireland ’ s international obligations concerning climate change do not matter , he said .
Because FIE had framed a case of breach of constitutional and ECHR rights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the claimed effect on rights and the State ’ s obligations but there was “ nothing in the evidence even remotely to show that ” .
Closing the case for FIE , Brian Kennedy SC argued it has legal standing to assert constitutional and ECHR rights due to the direct impact on citizens from the level of emissions the State is permitting to occur .
He disagreed the appeal is confined to particular provisions of section 4 of the 2015 Act , providing for making a national plan specifying how Ireland proposes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland did not meet the “ fairly lax ” EU target of reducing emissions by 20 per cent between 1990 and 2020 in the sense of reducing actual emissions by 20 per cent but was rather deemed to have reached it because it traded carbon credits , he said .
That left Ireland facing greater expense in meeting 2030 and 2050 targets and FIE could not see how the plan would lead to Ireland becoming a low carbon economy by 2050 , he said .

The Supreme Court is sitting in the dining hall at the King’s Inns on Constitution Hill Dublin 7. Photograph: Collins Courts
A seven-judge Supreme Court will give judgment on a later date on an appeal concerning the adequacy of a national plan to reduce rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) claims the National Mitigation Plan 2017-22 lacks urgent measures to substantially reduce emissions and thus breaches rights to life, bodily integrity and a healthy environment under the Constitution and European Convention of Human Rights.
The plan is also inconsistent with the State’s obligations under Section 4 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to achieve Ireland’s transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by end 2050, FIE argues.
The Chief Justice of Ireland Mr Justice Frank Clarke presides over a session of the Supreme Court in the dining hall at the King’s Inns on Constitution Hill Dublin 7. Photograph: Collins Courts
The State claims the group’s case is an “attack on policy choices” made by government and an impermissible attempt to have the court prescribe government policy on emissions.
READ MORE
When the two-day appeal concluded on Tuesday, Chief Justice Frank Clarke, sitting with Judges Mary Irvine, Donal O'Donnell, John MacMenamin, Elizabeth Dunne, Iseult O'Malley and Marie Baker, said it would rule on a later date on this "important and difficult case".
In its appeal against the Government, Ireland and Attorney General, FIE contends the plan fails to set out measures to substantially reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and further reductions in the short to medium term.
It says such measures are required under the 2015 Act and EU and international agreements and the failure to provide for them breaches the rights to life, bodily integrity and a healthy environment.
The Chief Justice of Ireland Mr Justice Frank Clarke presides over a session of the Supreme Court in the dining hall at the King’s Inns on Constitution Hill Dublin 7. Photograph: Collins Courts
FIE secured the "leapfrog" appeal directly to the Supreme Court after the High Court rejected its case. The issues raised include the availability of judicial challenge to the legality of the plan and the broader environmental rights asserted under the Constitution, European Convention of Human Rights and/or from Ireland's international obligations.
In submissions for the State, Eileen Barrington SC said FIE’s case involves a “misunderstanding” of the National Mitigation Plan and is not justiciable because it concerns policy choices by government.
FIE is pursuing an “agenda approach” which does not fit into the constitutional framework, she said.
FIE argued Ireland has put itself on a trajectory that poses a risk of harmful climate change by not imposing emissions targets of between 25 and 40 per cent. “If that is not policy, what is?” she asked .
FIE had not contended Ireland breached a “binding” domestic, EU or international standard or obligation by not giving effect to such a policy but still wanted the court to set aside the plan, Ms Barrington said.
A time issue arose because the National Mitigation Plan runs to 2022 and is the first step of a process designed to run to 2050. FIE is seeking relief regarding a prescribed policy focussed on 2020 and presented its case as if the plan is a “full response” by the State to climate change when the plan is part of a “jigsaw” of interconnecting and evolving measures.
Climate change is a "global challenge" and FIE is conflating science with the NMP to argue any deficiencies on Ireland's part will worsen the risks, she said. Ireland's emissions are a "tiny part" of global emissions, 0.13 per cent in 2015, and Ireland delivers its obligations through EU commitments.
Rory Mulcahy SC, also for the State, said FIE lacks the necessary legal standing to assert the plan breaches constitutional and European rights. While FIE appeared to argue its “bona fides” was sufficient to assert constitutional rights, that was not so.
The State is not suggesting Ireland’s international obligations concerning climate change do not matter, he said. Because FIE had framed a case of breach of constitutional and ECHR rights, it must show the plan will have the claimed effect on rights and the State’s obligations but there was “nothing in the evidence even remotely to show that”.
Closing the case for FIE, Brian Kennedy SC argued it has legal standing to assert constitutional and ECHR rights due to the direct impact on citizens from the level of emissions the State is permitting to occur.
He disagreed the appeal is confined to particular provisions of section 4 of the 2015 Act, providing for making a national plan specifying how Ireland proposes to transition to a low carbon economy.
Ireland did not meet the “fairly lax” EU target of reducing emissions by 20 per cent between 1990 and 2020 in the sense of reducing actual emissions by 20 per cent but was rather deemed to have reached it because it traded carbon credits, he said.
That left Ireland facing greater expense in meeting 2030 and 2050 targets and FIE could not see how the plan would lead to Ireland becoming a low carbon economy by 2050, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Base of Seán Russell statue painted in rainbow colours

The controversial statue of former IRA leader Seán Russell in Fairview , north Dublin is the latest piece of public artwork to be tampered with .
The base of the memorial to Russell in Fairview Park was painted in the colours of the rainbow flag , often used by the LGBT community and its allies , on Monday night .
The paint has since been cleaned off .
Russell is frequently described as a Nazi collaborator .
It is claimed he plotted with Hitler ’ s regime during the second World War , having met with then-Nazi foreign minister Joachim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss assistance for the IRA .
It is not the first time the statue ’ s appearance has been altered since it was unveiled in 1951 .
Gardaí and Dublin City Council officials are investigating the latest incident .
“ This latest act is giving all the wrong signals .
I just can ’ t understand what goes through people ’ s mind .
It ’ s completely mindless and goes beyond my understanding , ” Mr Brabazon said .
“ Vandalism is not the way to go .
There is a democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is through Dublin City Council .
They can ’ t just take the law into their own hands .
Every time statues , or indeed any type of public artwork , has to be cleaned by the local authority due to vandalism , it costs the taxpayer money .
“ This is money that the Council could use for funding sports facilities for local residents but they doesn ’ t seem to enter these thugs ’ heads .
Public artwork should not be used for any political messages.
” However , Independent councillors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no political message should be taken from the colours painted on the statue .
“ The vandalism is the highest act of stupidity and they are nothing more than half-wits .
It is deplored by us .
This isn ’ t cool and there seems to be a lack of parenting , ” Mr Flynn said .
“ The vandalism obviously took a large amount of time to carry out and possibly 10 to 12 thugs were involved.
” Cllr Flynn currently has a motion before the Council arts section , requesting information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain in place .
Meanwhile , a Council spokesperson said : “ Dublin City Council has a duty of care for all our public sculptures and statues .
The Council is taking immediate action to remove the paint from the statue and plinth.
” Security cameras located in the area are to be examined by gardaí and DCC .
Parts of the Tree of Life , located at an entrance to St Anne ’ s Park in Raheny , north Dublin , were damaged by fire in the early hours of Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wooden sculpture .
A statue of the singer Luke Kelly on Sheriff Street has been repeatedly daubed with paint .
Earlier this month Taoiseach Leo Varadkar referenced the Russell statue when asked on RTÉ 2FM about the pulling down of statues of historical figures in Britain who profited from the slave trade .
“ We have a few of our own statues we may need to take down , ” he said .
However , he stressed that any statues that come down should be taken down legally .
Gardaí in Clontarf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact them with any information they may have on 01-6664800 .

The controversial statue of former IRA leader Seán Russell in Fairview, north Dublin is the latest piece of public artwork to be tampered with.
The base of the memorial to Russell in Fairview Park was painted in the colours of the rainbow flag, often used by the LGBT community and its allies, on Monday night. The paint has since been cleaned off.
Russell is frequently described as a Nazi collaborator. It is claimed he plotted with Hitler’s regime during the second World War, having met with then-Nazi foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop in 1940, supposedly to discuss assistance for the IRA.
It is not the first time the statue’s appearance has been altered since it was unveiled in 1951.
READ MORE
Gardaí and Dublin City Council officials are investigating the latest incident.
Numerous local politicians, including Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon, have condemned the latest incident .
“This latest act is giving all the wrong signals. I just can’t understand what goes through people’s mind. It’s completely mindless and goes beyond my understanding,” Mr Brabazon said.
“Vandalism is not the way to go. There is a democratic way to make objections heard and that is through Dublin City Council. They can’t just take the law into their own hands. Every time statues, or indeed any type of public artwork, has to be cleaned by the local authority due to vandalism, it costs the taxpayer money.
“This is money that the Council could use for funding sports facilities for local residents but they doesn’t seem to enter these thugs’ heads. Public artwork should not be used for any political messages.”
However, Independent councillors Christy Burke and Mannix Flynn, said no political message should be taken from the colours painted on the statue.
“The vandalism is the highest act of stupidity and they are nothing more than half-wits. It is deplored by us. This isn’t cool and there seems to be a lack of parenting,” Mr Flynn said.
“The vandalism obviously took a large amount of time to carry out and possibly 10 to 12 thugs were involved.”
Cllr Flynn currently has a motion before the Council arts section, requesting information as to whether the Russell statue is to remain in place.
Meanwhile, a Council spokesperson said: “Dublin City Council has a duty of care for all our public sculptures and statues. The Council is taking immediate action to remove the paint from the statue and plinth.”
Security cameras located in the area are to be examined by gardaí and DCC.
Dublin sculpture
Parts of the Tree of Life, located at an entrance to St Anne’s Park in Raheny, north Dublin, were damaged by fire in the early hours of Monday morning.
Work has begun on restoring the wooden sculpture.
A statue of the singer Luke Kelly on Sheriff Street has been repeatedly daubed with paint.
Earlier this month Taoiseach Leo Varadkar referenced the Russell statue when asked on RTÉ 2FM about the pulling down of statues of historical figures in Britain who profited from the slave trade.
“We have a few of our own statues we may need to take down,” he said.
However, he stressed that any statues that come down should be taken down legally.
Gardaí in Clontarf are appealing to members of the public to contact them with any information they may have on 01-6664800.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Coronavirus: Three more deaths and 10 new cases confirmed in the State

Three further Covid-19-related deaths have been reported in the Republic as well as 10 new confirmed cases .
The latest figures reported on Tuesday evening by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) bring the total number of deaths to 1,720 and the total number of cases to 25,391 , as of midnight on Monday .
It said 18,368 tests for the virus have been carrried out in the past week , of which 97 were positive .
This indicates a positivity rate of 0.5 per cent .
More than 400,000 tests for the virus have been carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ While we now have a robust testing system in place , the success of this system is dependent on people isolating and coming forward to their GP as soon as they experience symptoms , ” Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said .
“ Cough , fever , shortness of breath , change in smell or taste , flu like symptoms should be treated as Covid-19 until a GP assessment or test deems otherwise , ” he said .
Meanwhile Northern Ireland reported no new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North ’ s health minister , Robin Swann , said it was a “ clear indication that Covid-19 is in retreat in Northern Ireland ” .
However the North ’ s Department of Health reported that one more person with coronavirus had died , bringing the total number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 546 .
In total , 4,871 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the outbreak .

The North’s health minister, Robin Swann, said it was a “clear indication that Covid-19 is in retreat in Northern Ireland.” Photograph: iStock
Three further Covid-19-related deaths have been reported in the Republic as well as 10 new confirmed cases.
The latest figures reported on Tuesday evening by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) bring the total number of deaths to 1,720 and the total number of cases to 25,391, as of midnight on Monday.
It said 18,368 tests for the virus have been carrried out in the past week, of which 97 were positive. This indicates a positivity rate of 0.5 per cent. More than 400,000 tests for the virus have been carried out since the start of the pandemic.
“While we now have a robust testing system in place, the success of this system is dependent on people isolating and coming forward to their GP as soon as they experience symptoms,” Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said.
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“Cough, fever, shortness of breath, change in smell or taste, flu like symptoms should be treated as Covid-19 until a GP assessment or test deems otherwise,” he said.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland reported no new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday for the second time since mid-March.
The North’s health minister, Robin Swann, said it was a “clear indication that Covid-19 is in retreat in Northern Ireland”.
However the North’s Department of Health reported that one more person with coronavirus had died, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related fatalities to 546.
In total, 4,871 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the outbreak.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Man sent photos of child abuse to FBI agent online, court hears

A man was caught in possession of hundreds of images of children being sexually abused after sending illicit material to an undercover FBI agent , a court has heard .
Dermot Whelan ( 67 ) of The Crescent , Belgard Heights , Tallaght , Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the image on two computer devices at his address on July 21st , 2014 .
Whelan also pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing child pornography at his address on an unknown date between October 20th , 2012 and July 21st , 2014 .
He has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Pieter Le Vert BL , prosecuting , that the case originated with a member of the FBI working undercover and monitoring certain internet chat rooms which were suspected of being places where possessors of child abuse images congregated .
Det Garda Scanlon said that in 2012 , the FBI agent placed an advertisement designed to appeal to people interested in such material .
The agent received a response from an email address which sent them 25 images of children .
The FBI agent contacted Yahoo who determined that the email address was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search warrant for the accused ’ s address and seized a number of electronic devices .
A laptop seized was found to have accessed a number of websites containing child pornography .
Three explicit child abuse videos were discovered on the laptop .
Also found on the laptop were 53 explicit images of children and 182 child exposure images .
Further images of children were discovered on a desktop computer .
In interview with gardaí , Whelan said he thought child pornography was disgusting and that under no circumstances would he harm a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the material being found on the computers the fact that he had bought them second hand .
In a subsequent interview , Whelan admitted he had viewed child pornography and sent it on to others via email .
He said that at the time he thought it was okay because he was not buying it or contributing to it .
Whelan said he was sexually aroused by the images .
He said this was something he deeply regrets and that he has not viewed pornography of any kind since the offences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SC , defending , that the manner of possession was that the files were viewed and thus went into a “ temp file ” , meaning that only a minority of the images were actually downloaded .
Mr Dwyer said his client has removed Wi-Fi from his home and has undergone therapy .
He said that without admissions made by Whelan , it is likely his client would not have been charged with distributing child pornography .
Counsel submitted that this was less serious offending than is often seen in cases like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of material involved .
He said this may be a case that does not require his client ’ s immediate incarceration .
Judge Elma Sheahan remanded the accused on continuing bail and adjourned the matter for finalisaiton on July 9th .

Dermot Whelan said he was sexually aroused by the images, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
A man was caught in possession of hundreds of images of children being sexually abused after sending illicit material to an undercover FBI agent, a court has heard.
Dermot Whelan (67) of The Crescent, Belgard Heights, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the image on two computer devices at his address on July 21st, 2014.
Whelan also pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing child pornography at his address on an unknown date between October 20th, 2012 and July 21st, 2014. He has no previous convictions.
Detective Garda Trevor Scanlon told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that the case originated with a member of the FBI working undercover and monitoring certain internet chat rooms which were suspected of being places where possessors of child abuse images congregated.
READ MORE
Det Garda Scanlon said that in 2012, the FBI agent placed an advertisement designed to appeal to people interested in such material. The agent received a response from an email address which sent them 25 images of children.
The FBI agent contacted Yahoo who determined that the email address was located in Ireland. Gardaí obtained a search warrant for the accused’s address and seized a number of electronic devices.
A laptop seized was found to have accessed a number of websites containing child pornography. Three explicit child abuse videos were discovered on the laptop.
Also found on the laptop were 53 explicit images of children and 182 child exposure images. Further images of children were discovered on a desktop computer.
In interview with gardaí, Whelan said he thought child pornography was disgusting and that under no circumstances would he harm a child. He offered as an excuse for the material being found on the computers the fact that he had bought them second hand.
In a subsequent interview, Whelan admitted he had viewed child pornography and sent it on to others via email. He said that at the time he thought it was okay because he was not buying it or contributing to it.
Whelan said he was sexually aroused by the images. He said this was something he deeply regrets and that he has not viewed pornography of any kind since the offences.
Det Garda Scanlon agreed with James Dwyer SC, defending, that the manner of possession was that the files were viewed and thus went into a “temp file”, meaning that only a minority of the images were actually downloaded.
Mr Dwyer said his client has removed Wi-Fi from his home and has undergone therapy. He said that without admissions made by Whelan, it is likely his client would not have been charged with distributing child pornography.
Counsel submitted that this was less serious offending than is often seen in cases like this, particularly with regard to the volume of material involved. He said this may be a case that does not require his client’s immediate incarceration.
Judge Elma Sheahan remanded the accused on continuing bail and adjourned the matter for finalisaiton on July 9th.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Hair salons will be more like operating theatres, says David Marshall

David Marshall ’ s hair salon opened on Dubln ’ s South Great George ’ s Street in November 1974 and the coronavirus pandemic was the first time it had to close down .
The business survived the 2008 financial crash and the “ dour ” 1970s , but Marshall says resuming business post-lockdown will be another significant challenge .
When the salon reopens on Monday , the veteran hairstylist says it will “ reflect an operating theatre ” more than a hairdresser ’ s .
“ I will be making sure that our environment is absolutely spotless .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be all of the equipment that is required .
They will have a faceguard mask , the usual paraphernalia that goes with PPE , ” he says .
“ Every client will get a fresh gown and towel , then it will be discarded immediately , or put through the wash. Clients will get a mask too .
Each staff member will only work in that station and they will only work at one client at a time until that client comes and goes and then the next client will come in.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the salon at any one time will be reduced by “ at least half ” , he says , with a maximum of seven or eight clients , down from between 15 and 20 in pre-Covid times .
The 15 employees will be working on a rota system so the salon can have longer opening hours – from 9am to 8pm– and the store will be open six days a week instead of the usual five .
For a long time , Marshall operated from two locations – his current location and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to close his Dawson Street salon in 2011 , a decision , he says , he is thankful for now as it makes social distancing “ easier to manage ” with only one premises .
Marshall and his daughter Laura , who is the “ new face ” of the business , are in the process of contacting clients to organise appointments .
He says that demand is “ like Christmas ” , but that it won ’ t look like the festive season .
“ I have a couple of pages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
Everybody , hopefully , will be catered for equally in the best possible way .
But we have preference bookings a little bit , and our very best clients will get those priority bookings , ” he explains .
Despite the demand for hair services , he predicts the business will still face financial challenges post-pandemic , like many other SMEs .
“ We ’ re in for a tough time , ” he says .
“ VAT coupled with what needs to be paid back due to Covid-19 , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coffin for many businesses .
I don ’ t see the future being that bright for smaller businesses.
” He adds : “ We still have to cover our rent , and our utility bills are still coming in , not to the same extent , but obviously rent has to be paid unless you can negotiate with your landlord .
I have yet to sit down with my landlord but hopefully he will be kind to us.
” There have been anecdotal reports that the closure of hairdressers due to coronavirus restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators , a move which Marshall describes as “ dangerous ” , due to the risk the virus poses .
He adds that people doing “ nixers ” will ultimately have a negative impact on smaller businesses .
“ If you ’ re in business like we are , you have to pay your taxes , you have to pay your employees , you have to run it legitimately .
If people are going out and doing it for cash , they ’ re taking clients out of the shop and that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business , ” he says .
However , he doesn ’ t believe such operators will eclipse the need for salons in the future .
“ I always believe the salon experience is the best .
You don ’ t want to be having your hair shampooed in the bath or in the kitchen .
Of course it will survive , but it ’ s not helping when you have all of this undercutting [ of prices ] , ” he adds .
Concerns about the economy and an oncoming recession are prevalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more than just getting a haircut ” and that it is an industry that “ does well in recession time ” .
“ People go out and get their hair done to make themselves feel better , it gets you out of the house , ” he adds .
Despite the challenges ahead – both financially and operationally – he and his staff are looking forward to getting back to business .
“ This is the longest holiday I ’ ve had in 40 years .
It does become part of you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can ’ t wait to get back to it .
This is what we do .
It ’ s part of your DNA , ” he adds .

David Marshall’s hair salon opened on Dubln’s South Great George’s Street in November 1974 and the coronavirus pandemic was the first time it had to close down.
The business survived the 2008 financial crash and the "dour" 1970s, but Marshall says resuming business post-lockdown will be another significant challenge.
When the salon reopens on Monday, the veteran hairstylist says it will “reflect an operating theatre” more than a hairdresser’s.
“I will be making sure that our environment is absolutely spotless. There will be hand sanitisers everywhere, there will be all of the equipment that is required. They will have a faceguard mask, the usual paraphernalia that goes with PPE,” he says.
READ MORE
“Every client will get a fresh gown and towel, then it will be discarded immediately, or put through the wash. Clients will get a mask too. Each staff member will only work in that station and they will only work at one client at a time until that client comes and goes and then the next client will come in.”
The number of clients allowed into the salon at any one time will be reduced by “at least half”, he says, with a maximum of seven or eight clients, down from between 15 and 20 in pre-Covid times.
The 15 employees will be working on a rota system so the salon can have longer opening hours – from 9am to 8pm– and the store will be open six days a week instead of the usual five.
If people are going out and doing it for cash, they're taking clients out of the shop and that is going to have a knock on any business
For a long time, Marshall operated from two locations – his current location and on Dawson Street.
The last recession led him to close his Dawson Street salon in 2011, a decision, he says, he is thankful for now as it makes social distancing “easier to manage” with only one premises.
Marshall and his daughter Laura, who is the “new face” of the business, are in the process of contacting clients to organise appointments.
He says that demand is “like Christmas”, but that it won’t look like the festive season.
“I have a couple of pages full of people wanting to get back in. Everybody, hopefully, will be catered for equally in the best possible way. But we have preference bookings a little bit, and our very best clients will get those priority bookings,” he explains.
A tough time
Despite the demand for hair services, he predicts the business will still face financial challenges post-pandemic, like many other SMEs.
“We’re in for a tough time,” he says. “VAT coupled with what needs to be paid back due to Covid-19, that could be the final nail in the coffin for many businesses. I don’t see the future being that bright for smaller businesses.”
He adds: “We still have to cover our rent, and our utility bills are still coming in, not to the same extent, but obviously rent has to be paid unless you can negotiate with your landlord. I have yet to sit down with my landlord but hopefully he will be kind to us.”
There have been anecdotal reports that the closure of hairdressers due to coronavirus restrictions resulted in some people opting for underground operators, a move which Marshall describes as “dangerous”, due to the risk the virus poses.
He adds that people doing “nixers” will ultimately have a negative impact on smaller businesses.
“If you’re in business like we are, you have to pay your taxes, you have to pay your employees, you have to run it legitimately. If people are going out and doing it for cash, they’re taking clients out of the shop and that is going to have a knock on any business,” he says.
However, he doesn’t believe such operators will eclipse the need for salons in the future.
“I always believe the salon experience is the best. You don’t want to be having your hair shampooed in the bath or in the kitchen. Of course it will survive, but it’s not helping when you have all of this undercutting [of prices],” he adds.
Concerns about the economy and an oncoming recession are prevalent but Marshall says the salon experience “is more than just getting a haircut” and that it is an industry that “does well in recession time”.
“People go out and get their hair done to make themselves feel better, it gets you out of the house,” he adds.
Despite the challenges ahead – both financially and operationally – he and his staff are looking forward to getting back to business.
“This is the longest holiday I’ve had in 40 years. It does become part of you. I love the whole thing. We can’t wait to get back to it. This is what we do. It’s part of your DNA,” he adds.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Dublin and Cork airports may see up to 1,000 jobs lost over coronavirus

Dublin and Cork airports may see significant staff downsizing with 750 to 1,000 jobs likely to be lost , the chief executive of Daa has said .
* Dalton Philips said that staff at the airports have been “ heroic ” , that everyone had taken a 20 per cent wage cut but that there would be significant downsizing .
However , he said Daa , which operates both Dublin and Cork airports , wanted to maintain relationships with its staff as he anticipated that in two to three years the aviation industry would recover .
Measures being offered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced hours and a voluntary severance scheme .
“ I think the staff have been exemplary , ” he said .
Speaking on RTÉ ’ s radio ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney show , Mr Philips said air travel will be a safe but stressful experience , for the near future .
It is going to take two to three years for numbers travelling to return to pre-Covid levels , he said .
Passenger numbers at present are down 98 per cent and will be 30 per cent to 40 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philips said he expected passenger numbers to increase to 4,000 per day in the next week , normally they would be over 100,000 per day .
Prior to the pandemic Dublin and Cork airports would have been served by 50 airlines , that dropped to seven airlines and the airports were down to 800 passengers per day , he said .
“ Sunday was our busiest day since the start of the pandemic .
We had 4,000 passengers – we would normally have about 115,000 passengers going through Dublin airport alone so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent reduction .
It ’ s obviously having a devastating impact on the whole ecosystem.
” Mr Philips said that the airport experience will be a different experience for passengers .
“ When you come to the terminal you ’ ll have to be wearing a face mask , you can ’ t be accompanied into the terminal because of social distancing requirements , there ’ ll be one way traffic routes through check in , when you get to security , it will unfortunately be a slower process because of the social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the other side the retail shops will be open , but again social distancing requirements will be in place and down to the gate .
We ’ ll obviously be doing extensive cleaning and you will be able to see that ongoing and it ’ s almost like something out of Ghostbusters –electric static guns that are now in operation across the terminals that kill bacteria for up to 28 days – a lot of different cleaning regimes , but unfortunately it is going to be a slower process.
” The advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight remains the same , he said , 90 minutes before a short haul flight , but as traffic builds that could change .
People accompanying passengers will not be allowed into the terminal .
The same goes for meeting people arriving in the country .
At the moment security lines take a maximum of 30 minutes , but capacity has been reduced by 70 per cent .
Pre-coronavirus , Dublin airport would have processed 6,000 passengers through security , at present only 2,000 are being processed .
“ I think people understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been very good willed and good natured about it.
” While the airport can not insist that people wear face coverings in the terminal , Mr Philips said they are “ strongly recommending ” that passengers do so , pointing out that they will have to wear one if flying .
“ It is really our recommendation that people travel with them on.
” At present passengers could not be turned away if they do not wear a face covering into the terminal , but if a level of compliance is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having “ to put someone on the door.
” Face masks will be on sale at the airport , he said .
*This article was amended on June 23rd 2020 to correct an error

Dalton Philips said that staff at the airport have been “heroic”, that everyone had taken a 20 per cent wage cut. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh
Dublin and Cork airports may see significant staff downsizing with 750 to 1,000 jobs likely to be lost, the chief executive of Daa has said. *
Dalton Philips said that staff at the airports have been "heroic", that everyone had taken a 20 per cent wage cut but that there would be significant downsizing. However, he said Daa, which operates both Dublin and Cork airports, wanted to maintain relationships with its staff as he anticipated that in two to three years the aviation industry would recover.
Measures being offered to staff include taking a career break, reduced hours and a voluntary severance scheme. “I think the staff have been exemplary, ”he said.
Speaking on RTÉ’s radio’s Today with Sarah McInerney show, Mr Philips said air travel will be a safe but stressful experience, for the near future .
READ MORE
It is going to take two to three years for numbers travelling to return to pre-Covid levels, he said.
Passenger numbers at present are down 98 per cent and will be 30 per cent to 40 per cent lower next year than 2019. Mr Philips said he expected passenger numbers to increase to 4,000 per day in the next week, normally they would be over 100,000 per day.
Prior to the pandemic Dublin and Cork airports would have been served by 50 airlines, that dropped to seven airlines and the airports were down to 800 passengers per day, he said.
“Sunday was our busiest day since the start of the pandemic. We had 4,000 passengers – we would normally have about 115,000 passengers going through Dublin airport alone so you’re talking about a 98 per cent reduction. It’s obviously having a devastating impact on the whole ecosystem.”
Mr Philips said that the airport experience will be a different experience for passengers. “When you come to the terminal you’ll have to be wearing a face mask, you can’t be accompanied into the terminal because of social distancing requirements, there’ll be one way traffic routes through check in, when you get to security, it will unfortunately be a slower process because of the social distancing requirements.
“When you come out the other side the retail shops will be open, but again social distancing requirements will be in place and down to the gate. We’ll obviously be doing extensive cleaning and you will be able to see that ongoing and it’s almost like something out of Ghostbusters –electric static guns that are now in operation across the terminals that kill bacteria for up to 28 days – a lot of different cleaning regimes, but unfortunately it is going to be a slower process.”
The advice about the time to arrive before a flight remains the same, he said, 90 minutes before a short haul flight, but as traffic builds that could change. People accompanying passengers will not be allowed into the terminal. The same goes for meeting people arriving in the country.
At the moment security lines take a maximum of 30 minutes, but capacity has been reduced by 70 per cent. Pre-coronavirus, Dublin airport would have processed 6,000 passengers through security, at present only 2,000 are being processed.
“I think people understand this is beyond our control and people have been very good willed and good natured about it.”
While the airport cannot insist that people wear face coverings in the terminal, Mr Philips said they are “strongly recommending” that passengers do so, pointing out that they will have to wear one if flying. “It is really our recommendation that people travel with them on.”
At present passengers could not be turned away if they do not wear a face covering into the terminal, but if a level of compliance is not observed then they may have to consider having “to put someone on the door.” Face masks will be on sale at the airport, he said.
*This article was amended on June 23rd 2020 to correct an error


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Car driving tests unlikely to resume before late July

More than 56,000 applicants for driving test look set to have to wait until late July at the earliest for a test date because of the challenge of maintaining social distancing between inspectors and candidates .
Under the Government ’ s revised timetable for easing the Covid-19 restrictions published last Friday , driving tests are allowed to resume and driving schools may reopen as part of phase 3 , which begins on Monday next , June 29th .
However , the department on Tuesday said “ the resumption of driver testing raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in particular social distancing rules , as it requires the driver tester and the candidate to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes , in a very confined space.
” A spokeswoman for the department said : “ based on the protocol , it is likely that car driving tests may only be able to recommence in phase 4 of the Government ’ s roadmap ” which is due to begin on July 20th .
It is possible bus , truck and motorbike testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The spokeswoman added : “ Dates for the resumption of the driving test , and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of the service will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities .
“ There will be an announcement as soon as this is done .
”

The Department of Transport said ‘the resumption of driver testing raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the [return to work safety] protocol’.
More than 56,000 applicants for driving test look set to have to wait until late July at the earliest for a test date because of the challenge of maintaining social distancing between inspectors and candidates.
Under the Government’s revised timetable for easing the Covid-19 restrictions published last Friday, driving tests are allowed to resume and driving schools may reopen as part of phase 3, which begins on Monday next, June 29th.
However, the department on Tuesday said “the resumption of driver testing raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the [return to work safety] protocol and in particular social distancing rules, as it requires the driver tester and the candidate to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes, in a very confined space.”
A spokeswoman for the department said: “based on the protocol, it is likely that car driving tests may only be able to recommence in phase 4 of the Government’s roadmap” which is due to begin on July 20th.
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It is possible bus, truck and motorbike testing may resume as part of phase 3.
The spokeswoman added: “Dates for the resumption of the driving test, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of the service will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.
“There will be an announcement as soon as this is done.”
Fórsa trade union which represents driving testers said talks were underway between the Road Safety Authority, examiners and the Department of Transport and there may be scope for an early restart of tests for drivers of buses, trucks and motorbikes.
But he said it would not be easy to find a solution to the problem of how to comply with the social distancing protocol when inside a car.
“We don’t know what that solution is” spokesman Niall Shanahan said. Mr Shanahan said testers had been asked about returning to work and most said they were happy to go back once they had assurances on the safety protocols, from health authorities.
Mr Shanahan said Fórsa’s concern was for the health and safety authorities to have approve d whatever solution emerges.
Of the 56,000 learner drivers who are now waiting for tests 36,511 have completed their mandatory pre-test driving lessons with an instructor while another 19,817 had not taken all their lessons before the Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.
In 2018 Fórsa reached agreement with the Road Safety Authority on the establishment of a panel of additional driver testers to deal with a six month backlog when numbers awaiting tests reached almost 83,000. While this strategy may be an option to clear the backlog, additional drivers would be faced with the same problem of social distancing.
NCT
Applus which manages the National Car Testing Service said it too was awaiting further announcements on when the full range of NCT centres would open, but hoped this would be in Phase 3..
Some 15 NCT centres reopened as part of phase 2 on the June 8th. They were Little Island and Blarney in Cork; Northpoint 1 and 2, Deansgrange and Fonthill in Dublin; and centres in Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Letterkenny, Athlone, Ballina, Naas, Drogheda and Derrybeg. An additional four NCT centres reopened on the 22nd June - Ennis, Enniscorthy, Killarney and Abbeyfeale .
Applus said “the reopening of the remaining centres is subject to the Government’s approval of the start of phase 3 of the Road Map to ease Covid19 restrictions .
The NCT service has applied a four month extension for all vehicles due to undergo testing during the Covid restrictions. A spokeswoman said motorists were being encouraged to check their new test due date on the Check NCT Due Date section on the NCTS website, before booking their test to ensure they aren’t booking their test unnecessarily early.
In Northern Ireland infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced a phased return of MOT and driver testing services in the coming weeks.
From 20 July, the North will resume MOT testing for priority vehicle groups, including those vehicles that are not able to avail of Temporary Exemption Certificates . This includes taxis and buses due a first time test and vehicles not previously registered in Northern Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Homeless woman in serious condition following Cork assault

A 37-year old-homeless woman is in a serious condition in hospital after being found unconscious on a street in Cork city following an assault .
Gardaí were alerted at about 9.30pm on Monday night when they received a call from several members of the public that there was a woman unconscious on Railway Street between Kent Railway Station and Horgan ’ s Quay .
The emergency services were alerted and the woman , who had a serious wound to her head , was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital ( CUH ) where tests scans showed she had suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman remained in a critical condition in a coma overnight and although she remained in a coma Tuesday morning , doctors believe her condition has improved slightly and she was today described as serious but stable .
It is understood that the woman , who is originally from Knocknaheeny on Cork ’ s northside and has family living in the Douglas area on the city ’ s southside , had been living rough on the streets in recent times .
Gardaí cordoned off the scene where the woman was found and it remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a forensic examination of the area early this morning .
Detectives began harvesting CCTV footage from the area and have begun examining footage of Railway Street as well Kent Railway Station and Alfred Street as well as from Anderson ’ s Quay near the Cork Simon centre .
Gardaí have received reports of the woman being involved in an altercation with a male on Railway Street a short time earlier and while they stopped and spoke to a man in his 30s on Railway Street , he was not arrested .
Gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Railway Street or the surrounding areas of Kent Railway Station , Horgan ’ s Quay or Alfred Street between 8pm and 10 pm on Monday night to contact them .
They are particularly anxious to speak to any motorists who were in the area during the relevant times and may have dash cam footage to contact them at Mayfield Garda Station on 021-4558510 .
The assault on the woman is but the latest violent incident involving homeless people and follows the deaths of three men availing of services for the homeless in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hourihane ( 53 ) a native of the Sheep ’ s Head Peninsula in west Cork , died at CUH in the early hours of October 13th , 2019 following an assault on a green area on the Mardyke where he had been living in a tent .
Gardaí have since arrested and questioned two men , aged 37 and 26 , and a woman in her 30s in connection with the killing and a file is currently being prepared on the matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , James Duncan ( 40 ) from Knocknaheeny died after spending several weeks in a coma in CUH following an assault while attending a soup kitchen on Patrick Street on September 12th .
Gardaí later arrested a 46-year-old Englishman for questioning about the assault but he was released without charge and gardaí have begun preparing a file on the matter for the DPP .
And then on December 28th , 2019 , the dismembered remains of homeless man Frankie Dunne ( 64 ) , were found in the grounds of Castlegreine House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s southside .
Gardaí later travelled to Romania in January to interview a 29-year-old suspect about the killing of Mr Dunne , who was originally from Churchfield on Cork ’ s northside , and officers are currently preparing a file on the killing for the DPP .
Earlier on August 15th , 2019 , gardaí began an investigation after a homeless woman in her 30s reported to Cork Simon that she had been sexually assaulted on the old railway siding off Brian Boru Street , not far from the scene of Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff contacted gardaí and the woman was taken to the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital where she was examined and treated at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and gardaí later took a statement from her .

Gardaí have received reports of the woman being involved in an altercation with a male on Railway Street before the assault. File photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images
A 37-year old-homeless woman is in a serious condition in hospital after being found unconscious on a street in Cork city following an assault.
Gardaí were alerted at about 9.30pm on Monday night when they received a call from several members of the public that there was a woman unconscious on Railway Street between Kent Railway Station and Horgan's Quay.
The emergency services were alerted and the woman, who had a serious wound to her head, was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where tests scans showed she had suffered a bleed to the brain.
The woman remained in a critical condition in a coma overnight and although she remained in a coma Tuesday morning, doctors believe her condition has improved slightly and she was today described as serious but stable.
READ MORE
It is understood that the woman, who is originally from Knocknaheeny on Cork's northside and has family living in the Douglas area on the city's southside, had been living rough on the streets in recent times.
Gardaí cordoned off the scene where the woman was found and it remained protected overnight before garda technical experts carried out a forensic examination of the area early this morning.
Detectives began harvesting CCTV footage from the area and have begun examining footage of Railway Street as well Kent Railway Station and Alfred Street as well as from Anderson’s Quay near the Cork Simon centre.
Gardaí have received reports of the woman being involved in an altercation with a male on Railway Street a short time earlier and while they stopped and spoke to a man in his 30s on Railway Street, he was not arrested.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who was on Railway Street or the surrounding areas of Kent Railway Station, Horgan’s Quay or Alfred Street between 8pm and 10 pm on Monday night to contact them.
They are particularly anxious to speak to any motorists who were in the area during the relevant times and may have dash cam footage to contact them at Mayfield Garda Station on 021-4558510.
Assaults on homeless people
The assault on the woman is but the latest violent incident involving homeless people and follows the deaths of three men availing of services for the homeless in the city in the past year.
Timmy Hourihane (53) a native of the Sheep's Head Peninsula in west Cork, died at CUH in the early hours of October 13th, 2019 following an assault on a green area on the Mardyke where he had been living in a tent.
Gardaí have since arrested and questioned two men, aged 37 and 26, and a woman in her 30s in connection with the killing and a file is currently being prepared on the matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
On October 25th, 2019, another man, James Duncan (40) from Knocknaheeny died after spending several weeks in a coma in CUH following an assault while attending a soup kitchen on Patrick Street on September 12th.
Gardaí later arrested a 46-year-old Englishman for questioning about the assault but he was released without charge and gardaí have begun preparing a file on the matter for the DPP.
And then on December 28th, 2019, the dismembered remains of homeless man Frankie Dunne (64), were found in the grounds of Castlegreine House on the Boreenmanna Road on the city's southside.
Gardaí later travelled to Romania in January to interview a 29-year-old suspect about the killing of Mr Dunne, who was originally from Churchfield on Cork's northside, and officers are currently preparing a file on the killing for the DPP.
Earlier on August 15th, 2019, gardaí began an investigation after a homeless woman in her 30s reported to Cork Simon that she had been sexually assaulted on the old railway siding off Brian Boru Street, not far from the scene of Monday night's assault.
Cork Simon staff contacted gardaí and the woman was taken to the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital where she was examined and treated at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and gardaí later took a statement from her.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Nurses using annual leave to cover childcare, INMO says

Most nurses and midwives with childcare needs are using up annual leave to care for their children , a survey carried out by their trade union has found .
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) said its members felt let down and abandoned over the failure of the Government to find a solution for frontline healthcare workers who needed childcare arrangements .
The INMO said nearly a quarter - 22 per cent - were using paid childminders of some sort .
It said the majority of these were paying over €100 a week above the usual charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The findings of the survey of more than 1,800 INMO members with childcare needs , which were presented to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Tuesday , found : - 62 per cent have taken annual leave to care for children , - 22 per cent are using paid childminders while at work , - 10 per cent are using grandparents to care for children , - 69 per cent did not have a partner available to provide childcare - often because they are a single parent , or their partner is another essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular solution to childcare problems among respondents in the survey was for parents to source their own childcare and be reimbursed by the employer .
The INMO has urged the Oireachtas committee to recommend a range of measures , including : - Reimbursement of any additional childcare costs incurred during Covid-19 , - Compensation for annual leave used to care for children , - A scheme to pay healthcare workers for any childcare they source themselves , - Priority access for nurses and midwives in access to preschools , crèches , and childminding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children of essential workers .
INMO general secretary , Phil Ní Sheaghdha , said there had been praise for healthcare workers over the past three months but when this died down , many would be left out of pocket and without any annual leave .
“ We have long sought a solution to the childcare problem facing our members .
They want to do their jobs , while also knowing that their children are being looked after .
This is not an unreasonable demand .
“ Nobody doubts that childcare in a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far that difficulty has landed on those who are taking the greatest risks during the pandemic .
“ One in ten Covid-19 cases in this country are nurses .
We must support them better.
” INMO president , Martina Harkin-Kelly , said : “ Our nursing and midwifery members feel let down as parents .
“ There has been an abject failure to provide adequate childcare support .
Our members want to do their jobs as professionals without impediment .
”

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary of the INMO, said many nurses and midwives would be out of pocket or with little or no remaining annual leave as a result of childcare difficulties during the pandemic. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Most nurses and midwives with childcare needs are using up annual leave to care for their children, a survey carried out by their trade union has found.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said its members felt let down and abandoned over the failure of the Government to find a solution for frontline healthcare workers who needed childcare arrangements.
The INMO said nearly a quarter - 22 per cent - were using paid childminders of some sort.
It said the majority of these were paying over €100 a week above the usual charges so that they could attend work.
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The findings of the survey of more than 1,800 INMO members with childcare needs, which were presented to the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Tuesday, found:
- 62 per cent have taken annual leave to care for children,
- 22 per cent are using paid childminders while at work,
- 10 per cent are using grandparents to care for children,
- 69 per cent did not have a partner available to provide childcare - often because they are a single parent, or their partner is another essential worker.
The INMO said the most popular solution to childcare problems among respondents in the survey was for parents to source their own childcare and be reimbursed by the employer.
The INMO has urged the Oireachtas committee to recommend a range of measures, including:
- Reimbursement of any additional childcare costs incurred during Covid-19,
- Compensation for annual leave used to care for children,
- A scheme to pay healthcare workers for any childcare they source themselves,
- Priority access for nurses and midwives in access to preschools, crèches, and childminding,
- Reopening of schools to facilitate children of essential workers.
INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said there had been praise for healthcare workers over the past three months but when this died down, many would be left out of pocket and without any annual leave.
“Our members say they feel abandoned.”
“We have long sought a solution to the childcare problem facing our members. They want to do their jobs, while also knowing that their children are being looked after. This is not an unreasonable demand.
“Nobody doubts that childcare in a pandemic is a difficult issue, but so far that difficulty has landed on those who are taking the greatest risks during the pandemic.
“One in ten Covid-19 cases in this country are nurses. We must support them better.”
INMO president, Martina Harkin-Kelly, said: “Our nursing and midwifery members feel let down as parents.
“There has been an abject failure to provide adequate childcare support. Our members want to do their jobs as professionals without impediment.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Weather set to improve with highs of 25 degrees forecast later this week

The weather is set to take a turn for the better tomorrow with temperatures as high as 25 degrees forecasted in parts of the country later this week .
Tuesday will continue to be a cloudy day , with outbreaks of rain or drizzle in many areas and some heavy rainfall in the southwest , Met Éireann has said .
Highest temperatures will generally be 14 and 17 degrees but it will be warmer in the east with highs of 17 to 19 degrees .
It will warm up on Wednesday , with a mostly cloudy start and some further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Overall , there will be a lot of dry weather with good sunshine in most areas during the day , with highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees generally but a degree or two cooler along Atlantic coasts .
Wednesday night will be mostly dry with some light drizzle in places , mainly in the north .
It will be a mild night with lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees .
Thursday will be warm with sunny spells , with highest temperatures of between 20 and 25 degrees .
Some mist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be a mostly dry day , with some isolated showers developing during the day .
Generally , it will be clear on Thursday night , but further showers will move in from the south with heavy falls with thundery downpours possible .
On Friday , the showers will track northwards , mainly affecting the eastern half of the country with a continued risk of heavy and thundery downpours with spot flooding .
The showers will clear during the evening but rain will then begin to move in from the west , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be warm , with highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees and light to moderate southerly breezes .
The weather will continue to be warm on Saturday , with highs of between 15 and 20 degrees , but there will be a wet start to the day .
By the afternoon , there will be showers coming in from the Atlantic which will merge into longer spells of rain .
Showers will continue to move in from the Atlantic on Sunday but they will be lighter and more scattered .
The highest temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Current indications suggest that the start of next week will be more settled with mostly dry conditions .

The weather is set to take a turn for the better tomorrow with temperatures as high as 25 degrees forecasted in parts of the country later this week. Photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times
The weather is set to take a turn for the better tomorrow with temperatures as high as 25 degrees forecasted in parts of the country later this week.
Tuesday will continue to be a cloudy day, with outbreaks of rain or drizzle in many areas and some heavy rainfall in the southwest, Met Éireann has said.
Highest temperatures will generally be 14 and 17 degrees but it will be warmer in the east with highs of 17 to 19 degrees.
It will warm up on Wednesday, with a mostly cloudy start and some further patchy light rain and drizzle in places.
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Overall, there will be a lot of dry weather with good sunshine in most areas during the day, with highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees generally but a degree or two cooler along Atlantic coasts.
Wednesday night will be mostly dry with some light drizzle in places, mainly in the north. It will be a mild night with lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees.
Thursday will be warm with sunny spells, with highest temperatures of between 20 and 25 degrees. Some mist will linger in the morning, and it will be a mostly dry day, with some isolated showers developing during the day.
Generally, it will be clear on Thursday night, but further showers will move in from the south with heavy falls with thundery downpours possible.
On Friday, the showers will track northwards, mainly affecting the eastern half of the country with a continued risk of heavy and thundery downpours with spot flooding.
The showers will clear during the evening but rain will then begin to move in from the west, affecting all areas overnight.
It will be warm , with highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees and light to moderate southerly breezes.
The weather will continue to be warm on Saturday, with highs of between 15 and 20 degrees, but there will be a wet start to the day. By the afternoon, there will be showers coming in from the Atlantic which will merge into longer spells of rain.
Showers will continue to move in from the Atlantic on Sunday but they will be lighter and more scattered. The highest temperatures will between 14 and 18 degrees.
Current indications suggest that the start of next week will be more settled with mostly dry conditions.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Cork to mark 35th anniversary of Air India bombing with online ceremony

Ireland is to mark the 35th anniversary of the Air India bombing by participating in an online commemoration ceremony on Tuesday .
Mayor of Co Cork , Cllr Ian Doyle will participate in a YouTube remembrance ceremony following an invite from families of the victims of the 1985 terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182 from Montreal in Canada to New Delhi in India .
Three hundred and twenty-nine passengers and crew were killed in the atrocity off the west Cork coast .
A commemorative event has been held annually at a memorial garden near Ahakista on the Sheep ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is attended by the families of those who died on Flight 182 .
However , due to current travel restrictions to curtail the Covid-19 pandemic , the families of those who died in the attack have not been able to travel from Canada and elsewhere to remember their loved ones in west Cork .
“ It is deeply saddening that the families of those who were so tragically killed on June 23rd 35 years ago can not visit the memorial in Ahakista in west Cork to mourn their loved ones , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the suffering caused that day and the senseless loss of so many is impossible to fathom .
While nothing can remedy that loss , we acknowledge it and carry it together as a community.
” All 307 passengers and 22 crew were killed when at 8.13am on June 23rd , 1985 , a bomb placed by Sikh terrorists exploded on board the Boeing 747 , named Kanishka , about 160km off the southwest coast of Ireland .
Relatives of those killed in the attack later came to Ireland and chose a spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Head Peninsula which is the closest landmass to the site of the atrocity for a memorial garden on land donated by Cork Co Council .
Mayor Doyle said the council is committed to maintaining the garden which is dedicated to all those who died on the flight and has over the years become a cherished place for the families to visit and to remember their loved ones .
Mayor Doyle will join Ambassador of India to Ireland , Mr Sandeep Kumar and Chargée d ’ Affaires of the Canadian Embassy to Canadian citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the online commemorative event .
They will be joined online from Canada in the virtual event by Dr Padmini Turlapti , who lost her two sons , Sanjay ( 14 ) and Deepak ( 11 ) in the atrocity and who will speak on behalf of all the bereaved families .
The families have asked Cork Co Council to lay a wreath on their behalf in advance of the actual anniversary and record the laying of the wreath for inclusion in the video and council staff have already done so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Mounted Police have requested that the council lay a wreath on behalf of the government of Canada , while Mayor Doyle requested the same on behalf of the people of Cork .
A wreath will also be laid on behalf of the Government of India at the memorial wall bearing the names of all those who died .
The virtual commemoration will include a prayer by Church of Ireland rector Canon Paul Willoughby and a Catholic reading from a member of the laity as well as a musical recording by children from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video will be released at 10am on Tuesday and hosted on the Air India Memorial ’ channel , set up by the Air India Victims ’ Families Association at https : //www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6jttcCqiQMGeTCzt_E4wg .

Reet Subraman, who lost an aunt, with her son Devin during the Air India disaster 30th anniversary commemoration. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
Ireland is to mark the 35th anniversary of the Air India bombing by participating in an online commemoration ceremony on Tuesday.
Mayor of Co Cork, Cllr Ian Doyle will participate in a YouTube remembrance ceremony following an invite from families of the victims of the 1985 terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182 from Montreal in Canada to New Delhi in India. Three hundred and twenty-nine passengers and crew were killed in the atrocity off the west Cork coast.
A commemorative event has been held annually at a memorial garden near Ahakista on the Sheep's Head Peninsula in west Cork, which is attended by the families of those who died on Flight 182.
However, due to current travel restrictions to curtail the Covid-19 pandemic, the families of those who died in the attack have not been able to travel from Canada and elsewhere to remember their loved ones in west Cork.
READ MORE
“It is deeply saddening that the families of those who were so tragically killed on June 23rd 35 years ago cannot visit the memorial in Ahakista in west Cork to mourn their loved ones,” said Mayor Doyle.
“The bereavement and the suffering caused that day and the senseless loss of so many is impossible to fathom. While nothing can remedy that loss, we acknowledge it and carry it together as a community.”
All 307 passengers and 22 crew were killed when at 8.13am on June 23rd, 1985, a bomb placed by Sikh terrorists exploded on board the Boeing 747, named Kanishka, about 160km off the southwest coast of Ireland.
Relatives of those killed in the attack later came to Ireland and chose a spot at Akakista on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula which is the closest landmass to the site of the atrocity for a memorial garden on land donated by Cork Co Council.
Mayor Doyle said the council is committed to maintaining the garden which is dedicated to all those who died on the flight and has over the years become a cherished place for the families to visit and to remember their loved ones.
Mayor Doyle will join Ambassador of India to Ireland, Mr Sandeep Kumar and Chargée d'Affaires of the Canadian Embassy to Canadian citizens living in Ireland, Ms Sabine Nolke, in the online commemorative event.
They will be joined online from Canada in the virtual event by Dr Padmini Turlapti, who lost her two sons, Sanjay (14) and Deepak (11) in the atrocity and who will speak on behalf of all the bereaved families.
The families have asked Cork Co Council to lay a wreath on their behalf in advance of the actual anniversary and record the laying of the wreath for inclusion in the video and council staff have already done so.
Both the Canadian Embassy and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have requested that the council lay a wreath on behalf of the government of Canada, while Mayor Doyle requested the same on behalf of the people of Cork.
A wreath will also be laid on behalf of the Government of India at the memorial wall bearing the names of all those who died.
The virtual commemoration will include a prayer by Church of Ireland rector Canon Paul Willoughby and a Catholic reading from a member of the laity as well as a musical recording by children from nearby Ahakista National School.
The YouTube video will be released at 10am on Tuesday and hosted on the Air India Memorial' channel, set up by the Air India Victims' Families Association at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6jttcCqiQMGeTCzt_E4wg.


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Lough Derg summer pilgrimage cancelled for first time in 192 years over Covid-19

The annual summer pilgrimage to Lough Derg , the lake island retreat in Co Donegal , is being suspended for the first time in 192 years due to Covid-19 , the organisers have confirmed .
The pilgrimage season was suspended for safety reasons because pilgrims who walk bare-footed on the island touch stones with their bare feet and hands and congregate in a small space .
Father Laurence ( La ) Flynn , the prior of Lough Derg since 2013 , said that confined space on the island , both indoors and outdoors , was the deciding factor behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilgrims travel to Station Island , or St Patrick ’ s Purgatory .
The island dates back to the early Christian period as a holy site with the first monks settling there in the fifth century and the location becoming a place of pilgrimage since the the ninth century .
The decision to cancel had “ not been an easy call to make ” remembering the scores of local season workers and young people who rely on summer work on the island , said Fr Flynn .
“ There is nothing we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Three Day Pilgrimage , ” he said .
“ The Lough Derg team have examined every aspect of the relevant Government guidelines and following a thorough analysis the reality was clear : the traditional pilgrimage will not be possible .
”

Pilgrims walk bare-footed on the island and touch stones with their bare feet and hands and congregate in a small space. Photograph: loughderg.org
The annual summer pilgrimage to Lough Derg, the lake island retreat in Co Donegal, is being suspended for the first time in 192 years due to Covid-19, the organisers have confirmed.
The pilgrimage season was suspended for safety reasons because pilgrims who walk bare-footed on the island touch stones with their bare feet and hands and congregate in a small space.
Father Laurence (La) Flynn, the prior of Lough Derg since 2013, said that confined space on the island, both indoors and outdoors, was the deciding factor behind the decision.
Every year more than 5,000 pilgrims travel to Station Island, or St Patrick’s Purgatory. The island dates back to the early Christian period as a holy site with the first monks settling there in the fifth century and the location becoming a place of pilgrimage since the the ninth century.
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The decision to cancel had “not been an easy call to make” remembering the scores of local season workers and young people who rely on summer work on the island, said Fr Flynn.
“There is nothing we would wish for more than to welcome pilgrims for the Three Day Pilgrimage,” he said.
“The Lough Derg team have examined every aspect of the relevant Government guidelines and following a thorough analysis the reality was clear: the traditional pilgrimage will not be possible.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-23--Public childcare would be good for parents and children, Dáil research finds

The introduction of universal , public childcare could improve affordability , accessibility and quality in the sector , according to analysis produced by the Oireachtas research unit .
Such a development would be a “ dramatic policy shift for Ireland ” , given the dominance of private childcare institutions in the State , it says .
The desktop report was produced by the Oireachtas Library & Research service , which is charged with producing impartial briefings on policy issues for the Oireachtas .
It is based on an analysis of available evidence , including from schemes elsewhere in Europe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not extensive , “ the available research has identified positive outcomes of public ECEC [ Early Childhood Education and Care ] programmes for parents and children ” .
In Germany , for example , it was associated with a reduction in child abuse and neglect , an increase in childbirth rates , improvements in children ’ s social and emotional development and an increase in maternal life satisfaction .
The document finds that the evidence suggests the introduction of a universal , public childcare system in Ireland “ may boost affordability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhance maternal and child wellbeing ” .
The document does not examine the financial implications of such a policy , but identifies “ key challenges ” to universal provision as “ the market-driven approach to [ childcare ] provision and the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak ” .
Ireland ’ s childcare sector is characterised by some of the highest fees for parents in Europe , as well as low wages and below-average levels of State investment .
Meanwhile , the Dáil committee on Covid-19 will on Tuesday hear of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector .
Industry group Early Childhood Ireland ( ECI ) will call on the Government to “ ramp up ” investment in the National Childcare Scheme , saying that the answer to the crisis is “ not direct payments to parents or tax-breaks to offset costs ” .
It will also call for the ring-fencing of funding used during the pandemic to support wages .
Teresa Heeney , the ECI chief executive , will tell the committee that “ central government needs urgently to engage with the sector and develop a plan on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a written submission , Seas Suas , a representative group for independent childcare providers , says “ the response to this childcare crisis continues to be short-sighted , confusing and lacking in detail ” .
Siptu official Paul Bell will say the failure to set up a childcare scheme for essential workers “ was a major setback to healthcare workers who were desperate for some relief and support ” .
The secretary general of the Department of Children is also expected to tell the committee the sector is in “ uncharted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that estimating demand for childcare between June 29th and early September is a “ significant challenge ” .
“ Overall we anticipate that demand for places will rise progressively over the summer and autumn but we are in uncharted waters this year , and we can not be definitive about uptake.
” This will bring “ challenges ” to the sector ’ s funding model .
Meanwhile DCU Professor of Early Childhood Education Mathias Urban , who leads the university ’ s centre for early childhood research , said the current model of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fragmented system which is very expensive and doesn ’ t produce good results for children , families or the State.
” “ The question is how we move towards a public conversation about what we as a society see as the purpose of investment in early childhood education , ” he said .
A spokesman for the Department of Children said the government is working to develop a new funding model , and has appointed an independently chaired expert group to oversee the work .
“ This group is tasked with examining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in delivering quality , affordable , sustainable and inclusive services and considering how additional resourcing can be delivered for the sector to achieve these objectives , drawing on international practice in this area , ” the spokesman said .
The project is set to run to 2021 .
There were an additional two deaths from coronavirus in the State documented on Monday , bringing the death toll to 1,717 , according to the latest figures from the Department of Health .
Four more people were confirmed as having caught Covid-19 , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease in the State to 25,383 .
This is the lowest daily figure of new confirmed cases since March 9th when the pandemic was in its early stages in this country .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan noted that more than one-third of new cases in the past 14 days had been in people under the age of 35 .

Ireland’s childcare sector is characterised by some of the highest fees for parents in Europe, as well as low wages and below-average levels of State investment. File photograph: iStockPhoto
The introduction of universal, public childcare could improve affordability, accessibility and quality in the sector, according to analysis produced by the Oireachtas research unit.
Such a development would be a “dramatic policy shift for Ireland”, given the dominance of private childcare institutions in the State, it says.
The desktop report was produced by the Oireachtas Library & Research service, which is charged with producing impartial briefings on policy issues for the Oireachtas. It is based on an analysis of available evidence, including from schemes elsewhere in Europe.
It finds that while the evidence base is not extensive, “the available research has identified positive outcomes of public ECEC [Early Childhood Education and Care] programmes for parents and children”.
READ MORE
In Germany, for example, it was associated with a reduction in child abuse and neglect, an increase in childbirth rates, improvements in children’s social and emotional development and an increase in maternal life satisfaction.
The document finds that the evidence suggests the introduction of a universal, public childcare system in Ireland “may boost affordability, accessibility and quality of childcare services and enhance maternal and child wellbeing”.
‘Key challenges’
The document does not examine the financial implications of such a policy, but identifies “key challenges” to universal provision as “the market-driven approach to [childcare] provision and the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak”.
Ireland’s childcare sector is characterised by some of the highest fees for parents in Europe, as well as low wages and below-average levels of State investment.
Meanwhile, the Dáil committee on Covid-19 will on Tuesday hear of the impact of the pandemic on the childcare sector. Industry group Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) will call on the Government to “ramp up” investment in the National Childcare Scheme, saying that the answer to the crisis is “not direct payments to parents or tax-breaks to offset costs”. It will also call for the ring-fencing of funding used during the pandemic to support wages.
Siptu official Paul Bell: The failure to set up a childcare scheme for essential workers “was a major setback to healthcare workers who were desperate for some relief and support”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Teresa Heeney, the ECI chief executive, will tell the committee that “central government needs urgently to engage with the sector and develop a plan on how funding needs will be met”.
‘Relief and support’
In a written submission, Seas Suas, a representative group for independent childcare providers, says “the response to this childcare crisis continues to be short-sighted, confusing and lacking in detail”.
Siptu official Paul Bell will say the failure to set up a childcare scheme for essential workers “was a major setback to healthcare workers who were desperate for some relief and support”.
The secretary general of the Department of Children is also expected to tell the committee the sector is in “uncharted waters”. Fergal Lynch will say that estimating demand for childcare between June 29th and early September is a “significant challenge”.
“Overall we anticipate that demand for places will rise progressively over the summer and autumn but we are in uncharted waters this year, and we cannot be definitive about uptake.”
This will bring “challenges” to the sector’s funding model.
Meanwhile DCU Professor of Early Childhood Education Mathias Urban, who leads the university’s centre for early childhood research, said the current model of childcare provision “has led to a fragmented system which is very expensive and doesn’t produce good results for children, families or the State.”
“The question is how we move towards a public conversation about what we as a society see as the purpose of investment in early childhood education,” he said.
A spokesman for the Department of Children said the government is working to develop a new funding model, and has appointed an independently chaired expert group to oversee the work. “This group is tasked with examining the current model of funding, its effectiveness in delivering quality, affordable, sustainable and inclusive services and considering how additional resourcing can be delivered for the sector to achieve these objectives, drawing on international practice in this area,” the spokesman said. The project is set to run to 2021.
There were an additional two deaths from coronavirus in the State documented on Monday, bringing the death toll to 1,717, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health. Four more people were confirmed as having caught Covid-19, bringing the total number of known cases of the disease in the State to 25,383. This is the lowest daily figure of new confirmed cases since March 9th when the pandemic was in its early stages in this country.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan noted that more than one-third of new cases in the past 14 days had been in people under the age of 35.