theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Co Meath creche closes after five Covid-19 cases confirmed

A Co Meath creche has been temporarily closed after five Covid-19 cases were confirmed .
Three children and two staff members at the Daoine Óga Community Childcare Centre in Navan tested positive for the disease in the past week .
Management had closed three of the creche ’ s eight rooms in response to the cluster , but the entire centre has now closed following a recommendation from a public health officer .
The centre is to reopen on August 18th .
The three affected children were said to be asymptomatic while the two adults have demonstrated mild Covid-19 symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split into pods of up to eight since it reopened in June .
Local Sinn Féin councillor Eddie Fennessy is awaiting results for his two-year old son , Ned , who has underlying health issues and was tested at a centre in Slane on Monday .
“ The outbreak is in a creche where scores of children attend daily so the potential for mass transmission is high , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not qualified to give a medical assessment on how to manage a pandemic but I can tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is downright dangerous for almost a week to pass before you test people who ’ ve been in direct contact with an infected person.
” Maynooth University immunologist Prof Paul Moynagh said delays in testing some children at the centre were “ concerning ” .
Prof Moynagh said waiting almost a week to test close contacts of confirmed cases meant the process would be of “ little or no value ” .
“ It is very concerning if direct contacts of confirmed cases are not being immediately contacted and tested as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE , ” he said .
“ If the test and trace system is not done with speed , it is wholly ineffective.
” The creche ’ s chief executive Marie Daly said parents and staff were notified of the decision to close on Monday evening .
“ We have always followed all guidelines and advice given to us from all the relevant bodies since the first staff member tested positive , and we have always kept staff and parents up to date with the situation , ” she said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news after investing in protective equipment and other Covid-19 measures .
“ We have done everything we can to try and stop this virus coming into this building and the worrying thing is that all the children who contracted the virus are asymptomatic .
Everyone is worried but the parents and pre-school inspectors have been extremely supportive to us.
” The HSE said it could not comment on individual cases or outbreaks as it would breach its duty of confidentiality to the individuals concerned .
In a statement it said that if HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , a control team is convened to advise on control measures .
The HSE said there is no delay in testing GP referred cases .

A Co Meath creche has been temporarily closed after five Covid-19 cases were confirmed.
Three children and two staff members at the Daoine Óga Community Childcare Centre in Navan tested positive for the disease in the past week.
Management had closed three of the creche’s eight rooms in response to the cluster, but the entire centre has now closed following a recommendation from a public health officer. The centre is to reopen on August 18th.
The three affected children were said to be asymptomatic while the two adults have demonstrated mild Covid-19 symptoms. Children using the creche had been split into pods of up to eight since it reopened in June.
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Local Sinn Féin councillor Eddie Fennessy is awaiting results for his two-year old son, Ned, who has underlying health issues and was tested at a centre in Slane on Monday.
“The outbreak is in a creche where scores of children attend daily so the potential for mass transmission is high,” he said. “I’m not qualified to give a medical assessment on how to manage a pandemic but I can tell you one thing for sure – it is downright dangerous for almost a week to pass before you test people who’ve been in direct contact with an infected person.”
Maynooth University immunologist Prof Paul Moynagh said delays in testing some children at the centre were “concerning” .
Prof Moynagh said waiting almost a week to test close contacts of confirmed cases meant the process would be of “little or no value”.
“It is very concerning if direct contacts of confirmed cases are not being immediately contacted and tested as part of the test and trace system operated by the HSE,” he said. “If the test and trace system is not done with speed, it is wholly ineffective.”
The creche’s chief executive Marie Daly said parents and staff were notified of the decision to close on Monday evening.
“We have always followed all guidelines and advice given to us from all the relevant bodies since the first staff member tested positive, and we have always kept staff and parents up to date with the situation,” she said, adding that it was “extremely devastating” news after investing in protective equipment and other Covid-19 measures.
“We have done everything we can to try and stop this virus coming into this building and the worrying thing is that all the children who contracted the virus are asymptomatic. Everyone is worried but the parents and pre-school inspectors have been extremely supportive to us.”
The HSE said it could not comment on individual cases or outbreaks as it would breach its duty of confidentiality to the individuals concerned.
In a statement it said that if HSE public health staff determine there is an outbreak, a control team is convened to advise on control measures. The HSE said there is no delay in testing GP referred cases.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Prison watchdog calls for unannounced cell searches after heroin find

The State ’ s prison watchdog has called for regular unannounced drug searches at prisons after 22 separate heroin wraps were found in a prison cell at Mountjoy prison where a prisoner was found unresponsive two years ago .
After being found unresponsive in his cell at 8.05am on June 15th 2018 , the 31-year-old man never regained consciousness and died 10 days later on June 25th at the Mater hospital .
Following his removal to hospital , gardaí searched the cell and found 22 small heroin wraps .
In her report concerning the death in custody of the prisoner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended the Irish Prison Service ( IPS ) should carry out regular routine and unannounced cell searches for illicit material .
The IPS accepted the recommendation and stated , “ Insofar as resources allow , targeted – cell specific – and general area searches of prisons occur with the aim of retrieving contraband ” .
Last year , authorities at Mountjoy made 237 separate drug seizures at the prison and 221 in 2018 .
The prisoner had been jailed in February 2018 for a drug-related offence and was due for release on November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not seek any treatment for drug problems during his time in custody and on committal he denied any history of illicit drug use and he was not identified as anyone who required intervention .
The man requested to be put on protection for his own safety and was placed on B3 Wing of Mountjoy which accommodates prisoners on protection .
Ms Gilheaney recommended that the IPS should improve the regime for protection prisoners and make every effort to safeguard their mental health by maximising opportunities for social interactions with other prisoners , staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mountjoy reduce the number of prisoners on protection at the prison .
The IPS responded that a reduction in the numbers of prisoners on protection would necessitate the removal of a prisoner ’ s entitlement to self request protection .
The IPS stated it is actively considering this part of a review of the relevant prison rule .
The man ’ s mother informed a prison governor that she learned on Facebook that her son had died .
In response , “ Governor A ” reported a number of prisoners may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted family members prior to official notification from the prison chaplain .
The governor stated that unfortunately due to the prevalence of illicit mobile phones it was difficult to prevent a reoccurrence .
The deceased man ’ s family had queried how he could have obtained drugs in prison and suspected a particular visitor may have brought them in for him .
However , the investigation was unable to ascertain how drugs were in the possession of the deceased man .
The family queried why the cameras on the B3 Wing landing were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was nothing to suggest that the inoperable cameras contributed in any way to the prisoner ’ s death , “ this is a very serious matter ” .
In response , the IPS stated that it has recently reviewed its CCTV surveillance policy .

Patricia Gilheaney recommended that the IPS should improve the regime for protection prisoners and make every effort to safeguard their mental health. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times
The State’s prison watchdog has called for regular unannounced drug searches at jails after 22 separate heroin wraps were found in a cell at Mountjoy prison where an inmate was found unresponsive two years ago.
After being found unresponsive in his cell at 8.05am on June 15th 2018, the 31-year-old man never regained consciousness and died 10 days later on June 25th at the Mater hospital.
Following his removal to hospital, gardaí searched the cell and found 22 small heroin wraps.
In her report concerning the death in custody of the prisoner, Inspector of Prisons, Patricia Gilheaney recommended the Irish Prison Service (IPS) should carry out regular routine and unannounced cell searches for illicit material.
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The IPS accepted the recommendation and stated, “Insofar as resources allow, targeted – cell specific – and general area searches of prisons occur with the aim of retrieving contraband”.
Last year, authorities at Mountjoy made 237 separate drug seizures at the prison and 221 in 2018.
The prisoner had been jailed in February 2018 for a drug-related offence and was due for release on November 8th, 2018.
The man did not seek any treatment for drug problems during his time in custody and on committal he denied any history of illicit drug use and he was not identified as anyone who required intervention.
The man requested to be put on protection for his own safety and was placed on B3 Wing of Mountjoy which accommodates prisoners on protection.
Ms Gilheaney recommended that the IPS should improve the regime for protection prisoners and make every effort to safeguard their mental health by maximising opportunities for social interactions with other prisoners, staff and visitors.
Ms Gilheaney also recommended that Mountjoy reduce the number of prisoners on protection at the prison.
The IPS responded that a reduction in the numbers of prisoners on protection would necessitate the removal of a prisoner’s entitlement to self request protection.
The IPS stated it is actively considering this part of a review of the relevant prison rule.
The man’s mother informed a prison governor that she learned on Facebook that her son had died.
In response, “Governor A” reported a number of prisoners may have put information on Facebook and may have contacted family members prior to official notification from the prison chaplain. The governor stated that unfortunately due to the prevalence of illicit mobile phones it was difficult to prevent a reoccurrence.
The deceased man’s family had queried how he could have obtained drugs in prison and suspected a particular visitor may have brought them in for him.
However, the investigation was unable to ascertain how drugs were in the possession of the deceased man.
The family queried why the cameras on the B3 Wing landing were not working and Ms Gilheaney stated while there was nothing to suggest that the inoperable cameras contributed in any way to the prisoner’s death, “this is a very serious matter”.
In response, the IPS stated that it has recently reviewed its CCTV surveillance policy.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Expired driving licences to remain valid for seven months

Driving licences that expired after March 1st will remain valid for an additional seven months due to the disruption the Covid-19 pandemic has caused to the renewal service .
The Road Safety Authority said this means anyone whose driving licence expired on March 10th will have it extended to October 10th next .
A person whose licence expires on August 15th will have a new expiry date of March 15th next .
The authority , which operates the National Driver Licence Service ( NDLS ) on behalf of the Department of Transport , said it hopes to extend its online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to the appropriate legislation and technical solutions being in place ” .
The department also confirmed that the exemption from having a current medical report for those aged 70 years and over , without specific medical conditions , is being extended .
The exemption is being put in place until December 31st and means that no medical report is required for over 70s unless they have one of the conditions specifically listed in the licence renewal application form .
The NDLS will be communicating with those who have appointments booked in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension to request them to cancel the appointment on www.NDLS.ie .
The change to the period of validity for driving licences follows the recent extension of the period of validity of learner permits .
All learner permits that expired between March 1st and June 30th have been extended by four months .
For permits expiring between July 1st and October 31st , including those already extended , the validity period of those permits has also been extended for four months .

Driving licences that expired after March 1st will remain valid for an additional seven months due to the disruption Covid-19 pandemic has caused to the renewal service.
Driving licences that expired after March 1st will remain valid for an additional seven months due to the disruption the Covid-19 pandemic has caused to the renewal service.
The Road Safety Authority said this means anyone whose driving licence expired on March 10th will have it extended to October 10th next. A person whose licence expires on August 15th will have a new expiry date of March 15th next.
The authority, which operates the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) on behalf of the Department of Transport, said it hopes to extend its online services over the coming months, "subject to the appropriate legislation and technical solutions being in place".
The department also confirmed that the exemption from having a current medical report for those aged 70 years and over, without specific medical conditions, is being extended.
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The exemption is being put in place until December 31st and means that no medical report is required for over 70s unless they have one of the conditions specifically listed in the licence renewal application form.
The NDLS will be communicating with those who have appointments booked in August and September who have been granted an extension to request them to cancel the appointment on www.NDLS.ie.
The change to the period of validity for driving licences follows the recent extension of the period of validity of learner permits. All learner permits that expired between March 1st and June 30th have been extended by four months.
For permits expiring between July 1st and October 31st, including those already extended, the validity period of those permits has also been extended for four months.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Teenager charged over death of Kimberly O’Connor in car crash

A teenager has appeared in court over the death of a 16-year-old who was killed when the car in which she was a front passenger crashed just 50 yards from her family home in Cork city earlier this year .
The 17-year-old-boy , who can not be named because he is a juvenile , was charged in relation to the death of Kimberly O ’ Connor in the crash on Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny on February 19th .
Ms O ’ Connor , a Transition Year student at Terence MacSwiney Community College in Knocknaheeny , was a in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near her home .
The teenage boy was charged with nine motoring offences when he appeared before Judge Olann Kelleher at a vacation sitting of Cork District Court .
He was charged with one offence of dangerous driving causing the death of Kimberly O ’ Connor and serious bodily to another passenger in the car , Christopher Dowdall ( 19 ) .
He was also charged with four offences of failing to stop , failing to remain at the scene , failing to report an occurrence and failing to give appropriate information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition he was charged with driving without a driving licence , failing to produce a driving licence , driving without insurance and failing to produce an insurance certificate , all on the same occasion .
Det Garda Brian Holland gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution and told the court the teenager made no reply to any of the nine charges when they were put to him .
He said gardaí had no objection to the teenager being granted bail on certain conditions and the boy ’ s solicitor , Emma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abide by those .
Det Garda Holland said gardaí were seeking that the teenager to reside at his home address in Cork city and keep a curfew there between 9pm and 7am , that he would not consume any intoxicants and would sign on every Monday and Friday at Gurranebraher Garda Station .
Det Garda Holland said gardaí were further seeking the teenager would have no contact directly or indirectly , including via social media , with the family of the late Kimberly O ’ Connor .
The gardaí also wanted the accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car or mechanically propelled vehicle as part of his bail conditions .
Judge Kelleher asked the teenager if he understood the bail terms and he warned him if he was seen by gardaí driving a car or breaching any other of the bail terms , he risked being put into custody .
Sgt John Kelleher said gardaí had received the DPP ’ s directions on the matter and the DPP had directed the matter be dealt with on indictment before a judge and jury at circuit court level .
Solicitor , Emma Leahy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was consenting to a long remand and Judge Kelleher remanded him to appear at Cork Children ’ s Court on September 18th Judge Kelleher granted free legal aid to the teenager , who was accompanied in the court by his mother and two grandparents .

Det Garda Holland said gardaí were seeking that the teenager would have no contact directly or indirectly, including via social media, with the family of the late Kimberly O’Connor (above).
A teenager has appeared in court over the death of a 16-year-old who was killed when the car in which she was a front passenger crashed just 50 yards from her family home in Cork city earlier this year.
The 17-year-old-boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, was charged in relation to the death of Kimberly O’Connor in the crash on Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny on February 19th.
Ms O’Connor, a Transition Year student at Terence MacSwiney Community College in Knocknaheeny, was a in the Seat Toledo when it hit a wall near her home.
The teenage boy was charged with nine motoring offences when he appeared before Judge Olann Kelleher at a vacation sitting of Cork District Court.
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He was charged with one offence of dangerous driving causing the death of Kimberly O’Connor and serious bodily to another passenger in the car, Christopher Dowdall (19).
He was also charged with four offences of failing to stop, failing to remain at the scene, failing to report an occurrence and failing to give appropriate information, all relating to the fatal crash.
In addition he was charged with driving without a driving licence, failing to produce a driving licence, driving without insurance and failing to produce an insurance certificate, all on the same occasion.
Det Garda Brian Holland gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court the teenager made no reply to any of the nine charges when they were put to him.
He said gardaí had no objection to the teenager being granted bail on certain conditions and the boy’s solicitor, Emma Leahy confirmed her client was willing to abide by those.
Det Garda Holland said gardaí were seeking that the teenager to reside at his home address in Cork city and keep a curfew there between 9pm and 7am, that he would not consume any intoxicants and would sign on every Monday and Friday at Gurranebraher Garda Station.
Det Garda Holland said gardaí were further seeking the teenager would have no contact directly or indirectly, including via social media, with the family of the late Kimberly O’Connor. The gardaí also wanted the accused to give an undertaking not drive any car or mechanically propelled vehicle as part of his bail conditions.
Judge Kelleher asked the teenager if he understood the bail terms and he warned him if he was seen by gardaí driving a car or breaching any other of the bail terms, he risked being put into custody.
Sgt John Kelleher said gardaí had received the DPP’s directions on the matter and the DPP had directed the matter be dealt with on indictment before a judge and jury at circuit court level.
Solicitor, Emma Leahy said her client understood the bail terms and was consenting to a long remand and Judge Kelleher remanded him to appear at Cork Children’s Court on September 18th
Judge Kelleher granted free legal aid to the teenager, who was accompanied in the court by his mother and two grandparents.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--North sees over 6,000 proposed redundancies since March

More than 6,000 proposed redundancies have been recorded in Northern Ireland since the beginning of March , according to figures released on Tuesday by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) .
Vacancy data also showed a “ sizeable fall in demand for labour ” , NISRA noted , with April showing the lowest number of vacancy postings since records began in 2014 , while the average number of hours worked fell to the lowest on record between April and June .
The data contained in NISRA ’ s Labour Market Report , which is released monthly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic on the North ’ s economy .
It is required by law that the Department for the Economy is notified of a proposal to make redundant 20 or more employees .
According to NISRA , the number of proposed redundancies reached almost 2,000 in July , following almost 2,500 in June .
A further 163 were proposed between August 1st and August 10th .
However , true figures are likely to be higher , as companies are not required to notify the Department for the Economy of redundancies of fewer than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manufacturing , wholesale , retail and transportation sectors .
More than 8,750 redundancies were proposed in the year until the end of July , more than double the number recorded in the previous 12 months and the highest on record .
The number of confirmed redundancies - 3,112 - in the most recent 12 months was 74 per cent higher than in the previous 12 months , when there were 1,785 confirmed redundancies .
A total of 610 redundancies took place last month .
There is a difference between the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice period employers must give staff .
The number of vacancies notified to the Department of Communities from April to June fell to 7,900 , less than half the previous quarter .
Earnings for the same period fell by 1.5 per cent to £1,681 ( €1,868 ) on average per month .
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose by 500 , with NISRA noting it was the third consecutive month the claimant count was above 60,000 .
These were “ levels previously seen in 2012 and 2013 , ” it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the quarter and the year , but at 71.7 per cent remains relatively high and above rates in 2018 , ” NISRA found .
“ However , within those included in the employed total , 21 per cent were temporarily away from work and 40 per cent were working fewer than their usual hours .
“ This has had a large impact on the number of hours worked across the economy ; the average number of hours worked per week is now the lowest on record at 27.1 hours per week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 20 per cent over the year , ” the agency found .

More than 8,750 redundancies were proposed in the North in the year until the end of July
More than 6,000 proposed redundancies have been recorded in Northern Ireland since the beginning of March, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
Vacancy data also showed a “sizeable fall in demand for labour”, NISRA noted, with April showing the lowest number of vacancy postings since records began in 2014, while the average number of hours worked fell to the lowest on record between April and June.
The data contained in NISRA’s Labour Market Report, which is released monthly, shows the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the North’s economy.
It is required by law that the Department for the Economy is notified of a proposal to make redundant 20 or more employees.
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According to NISRA, the number of proposed redundancies reached almost 2,000 in July, following almost 2,500 in June. A further 163 were proposed between August 1st and August 10th.
However, true figures are likely to be higher, as companies are not required to notify the Department for the Economy of redundancies of fewer than 20 employees.
The redundancies were mainly in the manufacturing, wholesale, retail and transportation sectors.
More than 8,750 redundancies were proposed in the year until the end of July, more than double the number recorded in the previous 12 months and the highest on record.
The number of confirmed redundancies - 3,112 - in the most recent 12 months was 74 per cent higher than in the previous 12 months, when there were 1,785 confirmed redundancies.
A total of 610 redundancies took place last month. There is a difference between the number of proposed and confirmed reduncancies because of the notice period employers must give staff.
The number of vacancies notified to the Department of Communities from April to June fell to 7,900, less than half the previous quarter.
Earnings for the same period fell by 1.5 per cent to £1,681 (€1,868) on average per month.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose by 500, with NISRA noting it was the third consecutive month the claimant count was above 60,000. These were “levels previously seen in 2012 and 2013,” it said.
“The headline employment rate decreased over the quarter and the year, but at 71.7 per cent remains relatively high and above rates in 2018,” NISRA found.
“However, within those included in the employed total, 21 per cent were temporarily away from work and 40 per cent were working fewer than their usual hours.
“This has had a large impact on the number of hours worked across the economy; the average number of hours worked per week is now the lowest on record at 27.1 hours per week, a decrease of 6.8 hours per week or 20 per cent over the year,” the agency found.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Covid-19 outbreak recorded on ward at Naas General Hospital

A Covid-19 outbreak has been recorded on a ward at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare , with efforts now under way to trace the extent of the cluster .
Hospital managers were informed that an outbreak had been confirmed in a 31-bed ward shortly after 4.30pm on Monday .
It is believed that the source of the outbreak may have been a member of the hospital ’ s cleaning staff , who tested positive for the disease in recent days .
In an email to hospital managers , consultant microbiologist Dr Sarah Bergin said the facility needed to trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to patients ” on the affected ward since Monday of last week .
Dr Bergin said the hospital would need to compile a list of staff who were based on the ward , and others who had “ significant interaction with patients where appropriate PPE was not used ” since August 3rd .
The correspondence was circulated to medical staff in the hospital on Monday evening .
Co Kildare has been at the centre of a spike in Covid-19 cases in the past week , in part linked to several large clusters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week introduced restrictions on Kildare , Offaly , and Laois , putting the three counties into an effective partial lockdown for two weeks .
Up until Monday there was no confirmed coronavirus cases in Naas General Hospital , or any suspected Covid-19 cases in its critical care beds .
As of 8pm on Monday there were eight suspected cases in the hospital , according to a Health Service Executive ( HSE ) daily operations report .
It is not known how many of these suspected cases are linked to the aforementioned outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of suspected cases in the State , according to the HSE report .
There are currently 14 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the entire acute hospital system , but a further 144 suspected cases .
A spokeswoman for the HSE said “ all protocols and national guidelines are being followed by Naas General Hospital ” .
She added the health service “ can not comment on individual cases or outbreaks to protect privacy and confidentiality ” .
There had been 104 outbreaks in acute hospitals from the start of the pandemic up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) .
Prior to the recent case in Naas General Hospital , there had only been one outbreak in a hospital since the end of May .
More than 300 additional cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Co Kildare in the past fortnight , according to figures provided by the Department of Health on Monday .
The county has had almost twice as many new cases as any other in the State in the past two weeks .
The 14-day incidence of Covid-19 in Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of population , almost eight times the national average .

A Covid-19 outbreak has been recorded on a ward at Naas General Hospital, with efforts now under way to trace the extent of the cluster. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
A ward at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare has been closed due to a suspected Covid-19 outbreak, with a number of staff currently self-isolating as a result.
Hospital managers were informed of the suspected outbreak in the 31-bed ward shortly after 4.30pm on Monday.
It is believed that the source may have been a member of the hospital’s cleaning staff, who tested positive for the disease in recent days.
In an email to hospital managers, consultant microbiologist Dr Sarah Bergin said the facility needed to trace all staff "that had significant exposure to patients" on the affected ward since Monday of last week.
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Dr Bergin said the hospital would need to compile a list of staff who were based on the ward, and others who had “significant interaction with patients where appropriate PPE was not used” since August 3rd.
The correspondence was circulated to medical staff in the hospital on Monday evening.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Naas General Hospital said the affected ward had been closed to new admissions.
“The hospital outbreak control team were convened and are undertaking testing and contact tracing of both staff and patients to ensure the protection of public health,” she said.
On Tuesday evening, test results for patients came back as negative, and staff identified as close contacts of the initial case are currently self-isolating, she said.
Co Kildare has been at the centre of a spike in Covid-19 cases in the past week, in part linked to several large clusters in meat processing plants. The Government last week introduced restrictions on counties Kildare, Offaly, and Laois in response to the spike, putting the three counties into an effective partial lockdown for two weeks.
Up until Monday, there had been no current confirmed coronavirus cases present in Naas General Hospital, or any suspected Covid-19 cases in its critical care beds.
Suspected cases
As of 8pm on Monday, there were eight suspected cases in the hospital, according to a Health Service Executive (HSE) daily operations report. It is not known how many of these suspected cases are linked to the aforementioned outbreak.
Naas General Hospital had the fourth highest number of suspected cases in the hospital system in the State, according to the HSE report.
There are currently 14 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the entire acute hospital system.
There had been 104 outbreaks in acute hospitals from the start of the pandemic up to Friday evening, according to data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Prior to the recent case in Naas General Hospital, there had only been one outbreak in a hospital since the end of May.
More than 300 additional cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Co Kildare in the past fortnight, according to figures provided by the Department of Health on Monday. The 14-day incidence of Covid-19 in Co Kildare currently stood at 138.4 cases per 100,000 of population, almost eight times the national average.
Spread into community
Public health officials are closely watching to see if clusters of cases in meat plants in the midlands have been contained to the facilities, or whether the virus has begun to spread in the community. In recent days the numbers of additional cases in Co Kildare attributed to community transmission have been relatively low.
James Lawless, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, said news of an outbreak in Naas General Hospital was concerning.
“The question mark is was this confined to the meat plants, or is it in the community . . . How many latent cases are walking around the streets?” he said.
In the best case scenario the increase in cases would bottom out following testing of meat plant staff, he said. In the worst case clusters in the plants would have seen workers transmit the virus elsewhere, which could be the “beginning of a second wave in the community”, he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Scientists find link between strokes and winter air pollution in Dublin

Scientists have found that air pollution in the winter is associated with more hospitalisations in Dublin due to strokes .
The study , led by researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences , has prompted a call for a national ban of solid fuel burning .
During winter months in Ireland , particularly in Dublin , higher levels of particulate matter ( known as PM2.5 and PM10 ) , coarse particles , sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are found in the air .
The sources of these are solid fuel burning , such as coal , peat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic – especially diesel engines .
After accounting for other factors , such as temperature , humidity , day of the week and time , the researchers found there was “ a statistically significant rise in the number of hospitalisations for strokes in Dublin zero to two days after a rise in air pollution ” .
For higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide , the researchers found both had an associated 3.5 per cent higher risk of stroke .
Higher levels of coarse particles correlated with a 3.2 per cent higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2.4 per cent higher risk .
The study published in the latest issue of the journal Cerebrovascular Diseases marks the first time there has been a link demonstrated between short-term air pollution and stroke in Ireland .
“ Every year , more than 10,000 people in Ireland have a stroke .
Our research adds evidence that there needs to be a national ban on solid fuel burning to help in our efforts to reduce this number , ” said Dr Colm Byrne , the study ’ s lead author , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Stroke Medicine .
There was no significant association for all air pollutants found in the smaller urban area of Cork , but analysis of available studies showed a significant association between hospitalisations for strokes and higher levels nitrogen dioxide and fine particles in the air .
“ Because Ireland has relatively low air pollution when compared internationally , this highlights the need to introduce additional policy changes to reduce air pollution in all countries , ” said Prof David Williams , professor of stroke medicine at RCSI .
The research was carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennett , Prof Anne Hickey and Prof David Williams at RCSI in collaboration with Dr Paul Kavanagh from the HSE Health Intelligence Unit and Prof Brian Broderick and Prof Margaret O ’ Mahony from TCD Department of Environmental Engineering .

Scientists have found that air pollution in the winter is associated with more hospitalisations in Dublin due to strokes. File photograph: Getty
Scientists have found that air pollution in the winter is associated with more hospitalisations in Dublin due to strokes.
The study, led by researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, has prompted a call for a national ban of solid fuel burning.
During winter months in Ireland, particularly in Dublin, higher levels of particulate matter (known as PM2.5 and PM10), coarse particles, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are found in the air. The sources of these are solid fuel burning, such as coal, peat, and wood, as well as road traffic – especially diesel engines.
After accounting for other factors, such as temperature, humidity, day of the week and time, the researchers found there was “a statistically significant rise in the number of hospitalisations for strokes in Dublin zero to two days after a rise in air pollution”.
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For higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, the researchers found both had an associated 3.5 per cent higher risk of stroke. Higher levels of coarse particles correlated with a 3.2 per cent higher risk, and finer particles correlated with a 2.4 per cent higher risk.
The study published in the latest issue of the journal Cerebrovascular Diseases marks the first time there has been a link demonstrated between short-term air pollution and stroke in Ireland.
"Every year, more than 10,000 people in Ireland have a stroke. Our research adds evidence that there needs to be a national ban on solid fuel burning to help in our efforts to reduce this number," said Dr Colm Byrne, the study's lead author, who is based in the RCSI Department of Geriatric and Stroke Medicine.
There was no significant association for all air pollutants found in the smaller urban area of Cork, but analysis of available studies showed a significant association between hospitalisations for strokes and higher levels nitrogen dioxide and fine particles in the air.
"Because Ireland has relatively low air pollution when compared internationally, this highlights the need to introduce additional policy changes to reduce air pollution in all countries," said Prof David Williams, professor of stroke medicine at RCSI.
The research was carried out by Dr Byrne; Prof Kathleen Bennett, Prof Anne Hickey and Prof David Williams at RCSI in collaboration with Dr Paul Kavanagh from the HSE Health Intelligence Unit and Prof Brian Broderick and Prof Margaret O'Mahony from TCD Department of Environmental Engineering .


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Covid-19: Face coverings not mandatory in Michael Healy-Rae’s shop

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has said he does not believe it is the job of shopkeepers to enforce the wearing of face coverings in their outlets .
The Kerry deputy said he would be prepared to point out signs in his shop saying that masks are mandatory , but would not refuse people not wearing coverings entry to the store .
“ A little gentle reminder is ok , ” he told Newstalk ’ s Pat Kenny show on Tuesday .
“ We are not going to be at the door saying you can ’ t come in , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do obey.
” Regulations making face coverings mandatory in shops and other indoor public settings such as hairdressers and museums came into force on Monday .
Similar to the regulations requiring people to wear face masks on public transport , those in breach of the rules can be fined up to €2,500 or face six months imprisonment .
The regulations apply to shops , supermarkets , shopping centres , retail outlets , hairdressers , nail bars , museums , libraries , and cinemas .
The requirement does not extend to restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , credit unions and banks .
Premises providing healthcare services such as opticians or dentists are also exempt .
Mr Healy-Rae , who operates a petrol station and supermarket in Kilgarvan , said he believed it was right that members of the public had been asked to wear coverings .
“ If you forgot you ’ d be embarrassed , by seeing everyone else complying you ’ d be reminded , ” he said .
“ We all make mistakes , so I would take no notice of someone not complying , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like repeat offenders .
We all want to do our best .
“ But I really don ’ t believe it ’ s the place of shopkeepers to enforce .
I want to make my shop attractive , I don ’ t want to have a heavy hand.
” Mr Healy-Rae said he wanted to thank staff in shops across the country - who had two jobs to do - protect themselves and their customers .
Wearing a mask was for the public good , he said , and he had no problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be positive , he added , and the day would come when people could be within 2m of each other again .

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has said he does not believe it is the job of shopkeepers to enforce the wearing of face coverings in their outlets. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times.
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has said he does not believe it is the job of shopkeepers to enforce the wearing of face coverings in their outlets.
The Kerry deputy said he would be prepared to point out signs in his shop saying that masks are mandatory, but would not refuse people not wearing coverings entry to the store.
“A little gentle reminder is ok,” he told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show on Tuesday. “We are not going to be at the door saying you can’t come in, but we are highly recommending to people that they do obey.”
Regulations making face coverings mandatory in shops and other indoor public settings such as hairdressers and museums came into force on Monday.
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Similar to the regulations requiring people to wear face masks on public transport, those in breach of the rules can be fined up to €2,500 or face six months imprisonment.
The regulations apply to shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, retail outlets, hairdressers, nail bars, museums, libraries, and cinemas. The requirement does not extend to restaurants, bars, cafes, or post offices, credit unions and banks. Premises providing healthcare services such as opticians or dentists are also exempt.
‘Repeat offenders’
Mr Healy-Rae, who operates a petrol station and supermarket in Kilgarvan, said he believed it was right that members of the public had been asked to wear coverings.
“If you forgot you’d be embarrassed, by seeing everyone else complying you’d be reminded,” he said.
“We all make mistakes, so I would take no notice of someone not complying, but only the once. I would not like repeat offenders. We all want to do our best.
“But I really don’t believe it’s the place of shopkeepers to enforce. I want to make my shop attractive, I don’t want to have a heavy hand.”
Mr Healy-Rae said he wanted to thank staff in shops across the country - who had two jobs to do - protect themselves and their customers.
Wearing a mask was for the public good, he said, and he had no problem complying himself.
It was important to be positive, he added, and the day would come when people could be within 2m of each other again.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Man released without charge after questioning over Tallaght death

A man in his 30s who was arrested in connection with the death of another man in a suspected hit-and-run in Tallaght , Dublin on Monday has been released without charge .
The man who died in the incident at a housing estate in Tymon Road North in Tallaght has been named locally as Dan Reilly .
At least four shots were fired at a house in Tallaght in the early hours of Monday morning shortly before Mr Reilly was fatally injured in a suspected hit-and-run .
Gardaí suspect the van was being driven by a man known to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Director of Public Prosecutions and gardaí at Tallaght are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the incident to come forward .
Shortly before midnight on Sunday neighbours reported hearing shouting coming from a house on Tymon Road North .
This was followed by the sound of gunfire .
Four gunshots can be heard on video footage recorded at the scene , with at least one of these hitting a house .
A window was shattered but no one was injured .
A short time later Mr Reilly , aged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford Transit van which was then driven at speed through the housing estate .
He suffered serious injuries and was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced dead .
It is understood a gathering had been taking place at the house in the hours before the incident and that the younger man who was later arrested was in attendance .
A significant amount of alcohol had been consumed , sources said .
Mr Reilly was not at the party but arrived after he heard reports of a row breaking out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but sources said this may change depending on interviews and the results of technical analysis of the scene .
A postmortem was carried out on Mr Reilly ’ s remains on Monday but the results have not been released .
“ Right now the death appears to be accidental but that may change , ” a source said .
The van was located a short distance away on Tymonville Drive with a flat tyre and damage to its bodywork .
It has since been removed for forensic analysis .
Gardaí at Tallaght are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a dark-coloured hatchback car that was seen leaving the area around this time .
Witnesses are asked to contact Tallaght Garda station on 01-6666 000 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 , or any garda station .

A man in his 30s who was arrested in connection with the death of another man in a suspected hit-and-run in Tallaght, Dublin on Monday has been released without charge. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
A man in his 30s who was arrested in connection with the death of another man in a suspected hit-and-run in Tallaght, Dublin on Monday has been released without charge.
The man who died in the incident at a housing estate in Tymon Road North in Tallaght has been named locally as Dan Reilly.
At least four shots were fired at a house in Tallaght in the early hours of Monday morning shortly before Mr Reilly was fatally injured in a suspected hit-and-run.
Gardaí suspect the van was being driven by a man known to the deceased.
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A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and gardaí at Tallaght are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Shortly before midnight on Sunday neighbours reported hearing shouting coming from a house on Tymon Road North. This was followed by the sound of gunfire. Four gunshots can be heard on video footage recorded at the scene, with at least one of these hitting a house. A window was shattered but no one was injured.
Serious injuries
A short time later Mr Reilly, aged in his 50s, was struck by a Ford Transit van which was then driven at speed through the housing estate. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
It is understood a gathering had been taking place at the house in the hours before the incident and that the younger man who was later arrested was in attendance. A significant amount of alcohol had been consumed, sources said.
Mr Reilly was not at the party but arrived after he heard reports of a row breaking out there.
A murder investigation has not begun but sources said this may change depending on interviews and the results of technical analysis of the scene. A postmortem was carried out on Mr Reilly’s remains on Monday but the results have not been released. “Right now the death appears to be accidental but that may change,” a source said.
The van was located a short distance away on Tymonville Drive with a flat tyre and damage to its bodywork. It has since been removed for forensic analysis.
Gardaí at Tallaght are appealing for witnesses and are particularly interested in a dark-coloured hatchback car that was seen leaving the area around this time. Witnesses are asked to contact Tallaght Garda station on 01-6666 000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Further Covid-19 cases could see local restrictions extended, expert warns

Restrictions put in place across Kildare , Laois and Offaly will need to be extended if cases of the coronavirus continue to increase in the three counties , an immunology expert has warned .
Prof Tómas Ryan said it may be necessary to extend the partial lockdown to four or six weeks , as he could not see “ how two weeks will be sufficient to contain this ” outbreak .
Following significant spikes in cases tied to clusters of Covid-19 at meat processing plants the Government announced localised restrictions for Kildare , Laois and Offaly last week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of restaurants and pubs serving food , as well as indoor entertainment venues for two weeks .
Prof Ryan , a molecular biologist at Trinity College Dublin ’ s school of biochemistry and immunology , said that “ local lockdowns are better than the whole country ” being restricted .
He said that while more people were wearing face coverings , he felt they were not observing enough social distancing and that the reopening of schools at the end of the month may have to be reconsidered .
Healthcare workers who continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not need to have to cope with a second surge of the virus , he said .
Having a traffic light system of “ green ” and “ red ” zones would allow some counties to open up if they had not had cases for over two weeks , he told Newstalk Breakfast .
“ This system has been used in other countries and it worked very well .
The evidence is that using the green zone system can flatten the curve , ” he said .
Dr Josep Jansa , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , said that Ireland needs to implement more intense contact tracing measures to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 .
He told RTÉ radio ’ s Today with Sarah McInerney an assumption that being outdoors was safe had “ definitely contributed ” to the resurgence in cases across some European countries .
Dr Jansa said evidence gathered in different countries had indicated that children and school settings were not the main driver of the pandemic .
He said it may not be necessary to close schools if some cases of Covid-19 were identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selective , especially now seven months into the pandemic , and if there was one case or an outbreak , then that location needed to be targeted , he added .
Prof James McInerney , a microbiologist at University of Nottingham , said it was unlikely there would be a second wave of the disease in Ireland unless health authorities “ completely take their eye off the ball ” .
Ireland “ is doing a decent job at present ” in suppressing Covid-19 , he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an effective measure , but should only be a last resort , he said .
The R-number , effectively the rate at which the virus spreads , “ dropped like a stone ” the day after lockdown was imposed , from 2.4 to well below 0.5 , he said .
There were a further 57 coronavirus cases reported on Monday , and no new deaths , according to the National Public Health Emergency Team .
Prof McInerney said he was still hopeful about the early production of a vaccine for Covid-19 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tánaiste and Minister for Business Leo Varadkar is to meet publicans on Tuesday , with the Government coming under increasing pressure from the sector for further financial support .
Pubs that do not serve food had been due to reopen from Monday but this was put back for an initial three weeks due to an increase in cases .
The Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 will also meet on Tuesday to discuss the wider issue of economic supports .
Meanwhile , Professor Karina Butler , chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be available for children returning to school next month .
The new vaccine would be offered to children up to 12 years of age , and it is hoped it will reduce the rates of flu during the winter .
“ Up to now , the flu vaccine by injection has been available for those that are considered at higher risk , and now there is a nasal flu vaccine , ” she said .
Reducing fevers and the incidence of flu like symptoms will reduce any confusion with Covid-19 symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most children who get the flu have relatively mild symptoms , but every winter there are children who become “ significantly ill ” , she told Newstalk Breakfast .

Business owners on the Dublin border in Kildare feel 'conned' over the latest lockdown measures. Video: Enda O'Dowd
There has been one new Covid-19 related death and 35 new cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
This is the lowest number of daily cases in almost a fortnight, since July 29th.
However, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn warned the daily number of new cases is likely to “rise and fall” this week.
“It is important to look at the wider trends we see in this disease in Ireland for context, and not simply one day’s figures in isolation,” he said.
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"It will be next week before we see if measures introduced last weekend in Kildare, Laois and Offaly have had the desired effect in suppressing Covid-19 in these areas and minimising community transmission."
There have now been 1,773 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.
Those aged under 45 years accounted for 71 per cent of the 35 new cases.
Some 24 of the 35 cases are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of confirmed cases, while five were identified as community transmission.
Six of the cases were in Carlow, five in Clare, and the remaining 24 were in Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Limerick, Meath, Tipperary, Wexford and the three counties subject to local restrictions – Laois, Kildare and Offaly.
The low number of cases from these three counties suggests efforts to bring outbreaks that originated in four meat processing plants in the region may be working.
On Tuesday night, it emerged that all 210 workers at one of the four plants, Carroll’s Cuisine in Tullamore, Co Offaly, who were tested for Covid-19 on Sunday have received negative results. The staff were tested by HSE public health specialists at the weekend after nine staff at the facility had contracted the disease.
A spokesman for the business said operations at the facility, which ceased on Monday, would remain suspended until after consultations had taken place with HSE staff.
Extending lockdown
Meanwhile, an immunology expert has warned that restrictions put in place across the three counties will need to be extended if cases of the coronavirus increase.
Prof Tómas Ryan said it may be necessary to extend the partial lockdown to four or six weeks, as he could not see "how two weeks will be sufficient to contain this" outbreak.
Following significant spikes in cases tied to the clusters of Covid-19 at meat processing plants the Government announced localised restrictions for Kildare, Laois and Offaly last week. The measures include travel restrictions and the closure of restaurants and pubs serving food, as well as indoor entertainment venues, for two weeks.
Prof Ryan, a molecular biologist at Trinity College Dublin’s school of biochemistry and immunology, said that “local lockdowns are better than the whole country” being restricted.
He said that while more people were wearing face coverings, he felt they were not observing enough social distancing and that the reopening of schools at the end of the month may have to be reconsidered.
Second surge
Healthcare workers who continued to put their lives on the line did not need to have to cope with a second surge of the virus, he said.
Having a traffic light system of “green” and “red” zones would allow some counties to open up if they had not had cases for over two weeks, he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“This system has been used in other countries and it worked very well. The evidence is that using the green zone system can flatten the curve,” he said.
Dr Josep Jansa, of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), said that Ireland needs to implement more intense contact tracing measures to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19.
He told RTÉ Radio’s Today with Sarah McInerney an assumption that being outdoors was safe had “definitely contributed” to the resurgence in cases across some European countries.
Dr Jansa said evidence gathered in different countries had indicated that children and school settings were not the main driver of the pandemic. He said it may not be necessary to close schools if some cases of Covid-19 were identified.
There was a need to be selective, especially now seven months into the pandemic, and if there was one case or an outbreak, then that location needed to be targeted, he added.
Prof James McInerney, a microbiologist at University of Nottingham, said it was unlikely there would be a second wave of the disease in Ireland unless health authorities "completely take their eye off the ball".
Ireland “is doing a decent job at present” in suppressing Covid-19, he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
The decision to lockdown an area or region was an effective measure, but should only be a last resort, he said. The R-number, effectively the rate at which the virus spreads, “dropped like a stone” the day after lockdown was imposed, from 2.4 to well below 0.5, he said.
Prof McInerney said he was still hopeful about the early production of a vaccine for Covid-19 and that preliminary studies have been positive.
Flu vaccine
Meanwhile, Prof Karina Butler, chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, has said that a new nasal flu vaccine will be available for children returning to school next month.
The new vaccine would be offered to children up to 12 years of age, and it is hoped it will reduce the rates of flu during the winter.
“Up to now, the flu vaccine by injection has been available for those that are considered at higher risk, and now there is a nasal flu vaccine,” she said.
Reducing fevers and the incidence of flu-like symptoms will reduce any confusion with Covid-19 symptoms, she said.
Prof Butler said that most children who get the flu have relatively mild symptoms, but every winter there are children who become “significantly ill”, she told Newstalk Breakfast.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Jury resumes deliberations on Aaron Brady’s capital murder charge

The jury in the trial of Aaron Brady , who is accused of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe more than seven years ago , has resumed its deliberations .
The 29-year-old accused was on Monday found guilty of being involved in the robbery in Co Louth that led to Det Garda Donohoe being shot dead .
The jury of five men and seven women resumed its deliberations on the charge of capital murder on Tuesday .
Mr Brady , of New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh , had denied having any involvement in the robbery of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Louth on January 25th , 2013 .
He has also pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe at the same location during the course of the robbery .
During the trial the jury heard that four men jumped over a wall surrounding the credit union car park as employees prepared to leave with the day ’ s takings from several rural credit unions .
The prosecution has alleged that Mr Brady was the gunman who fired a single shot that fatally wounded the detective .
Mr Brady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road in south Armagh when the robbery took place .
Mr Justice White has previously told the trial that there are several possible verdicts in relation to the capital murder charge .
If they are satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brady was the gunman , for capital murder it must also be proven that he knew he was shooting a member of An Garda Síochána acting in accordance with his duty or was reckless as to whether it was a garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooter but are not satisfied that capital murder is proven they can find him guilty of murder or guilty of manslaughter .
Manslaughter , the judge said , is an unlawful killing where the accused person did not intend to kill or cause serious injury .
The defence raised the possibility of manslaughter on the grounds that the shooter may have been attempting to fire a warning shot .

The jury in the trial of Aaron Brady, who is accused of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe more than seven years ago, is to resume its deliberations on Tuesday. Photograph: Collins Courts.
The jury in the trial of Aaron Brady, who is accused of the capital murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe, has risen and will return to the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday.
The five men and seven women have spent 17 hours and 38 minutes deliberating since last Thursday.
On Monday, they returned a verdict of guilty in relation to a charge of robbery against Mr Brady (29), of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh.
The jury of five men and seven women resumed its deliberations on the charge of capital murder on Tuesday.
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Mr Brady, of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, had denied having any involvement in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on January 25th, 2013. He has also pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe at the same location during the course of the robbery.
During the trial the jury heard that four men jumped over a wall surrounding the credit union car park as employees prepared to leave with the day’s takings from several rural credit unions. The prosecution has alleged that Mr Brady was the gunman who fired a single shot that fatally wounded the detective.
Mr Brady told the trial that he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road in south Armagh when the robbery took place.
Mr Justice White has previously told the trial that there are several possible verdicts in relation to the capital murder charge.
If they are satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brady was the gunman, for capital murder it must also be proven that he knew he was shooting a member of An Garda Síochána acting in accordance with his duty or was reckless as to whether it was a garda.
If they accept that he was the shooter but are not satisfied that capital murder is proven they can find him guilty of murder or guilty of manslaughter. Manslaughter, the judge said, is an unlawful killing where the accused person did not intend to kill or cause serious injury.
The defence raised the possibility of manslaughter on the grounds that the shooter may have been attempting to fire a warning shot.


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Covid-19: Nine in 10 teachers fear pandemic has damaged mental health of pupils

Nine in 10 teachers surveyed in Northern Ireland believe the Covid-19 pandemic will damage the mental health and wellbeing of pupils , a children ’ s charity has said .
Pupils will begin returning to classrooms later this month for the first time since lockdown began in March .
Barnardos NI said Stormont needs to invest more in helping schools put mental health at the heart of the education system .
Garry Matthewson , principal of Holy Family Primary School in Derry , said the “ full extent of the damage that has been caused ” would not be known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had the opportunity “ to re-establish , reconnect and develop those relationships again ” .
“ That will be the real challenge , ” he said .
“ We know that for some children , this pandemic has been immensely difficult and we are very keen to get them all back to school safely.
” Pupils going into years seven , 12 and 14 are to return to school on August 24th , with all others returning from August 31st .
The report from Barnardos NI — entitled New Term , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of recommendations to Stormont ministers .
- Prioritising mental health and wellbeing in the curriculum as the system recovers from the shutdown forced by the virus ; - Delivering child-centred guidance , developed in consultation with schools , clearly and directly .
More than 90 per cent of teachers surveyed agreed that Covid-19 had affected the school ’ s ability to support pupils with their mental health .
More than 80 per cent believed lack of direct or face-to-face contact was the main effect , and nearly 90 per cent felt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the mental health of pupils .
The report is based on a recent survey of 167 education professionals across Northern Ireland carried out by the children ’ s charity .
Julie Healy , head of programmes at Barnardos NI , said : “ With the new term on the horizon , schools are preparing to continue their learning in a changed environment and we must act on this opportunity to put children ’ s mental health at the heart of education.
” She said for many children , school is their lifeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to school will offer vital support .
“ Schools can not take on this challenge alone though , and support and guidance from our Government will be crucial , ” Ms Healy said .
“ Based on the findings of our survey , we ’ re calling for the mental health and well being of pupils to be prioritised in the recovery curriculum .
“ We ’ d also like to see clear , child-centred guidance developed in consultation with schools , and increased investment for mental health support in schools.
” @ @

Nine in 10 teachers surveyed in Northern Ireland believe the Covid-19 pandemic will damage the mental health and wellbeing of pupils, a children’s charity has said. Image: iStock.
Nine in 10 teachers surveyed in Northern Ireland believe the Covid-19 pandemic will damage the mental health and wellbeing of pupils, a children’s charity has said.
Pupils will begin returning to classrooms later this month for the first time since lockdown began in March.
Barnardos NI said Stormont needs to invest more in helping schools put mental health at the heart of the education system.
Garry Matthewson, principal of Holy Family Primary School in Derry, said the “full extent of the damage that has been caused” would not be known until every child was back to school and had the opportunity “to re-establish, reconnect and develop those relationships again”.
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“That will be the real challenge,” he said. “We know that for some children, this pandemic has been immensely difficult and we are very keen to get them all back to school safely.”
Pupils going into years seven, 12 and 14 are to return to school on August 24th, with all others returning from August 31st.
Recommendations
The report from Barnardos NI — entitled New Term, New Challenges, New Opportunities — made a series of recommendations to Stormont ministers.
These included:
- Prioritising mental health and wellbeing in the curriculum as the system recovers from the shutdown forced by the virus;
- Increasing funding and investment;
- Delivering child-centred guidance, developed in consultation with schools, clearly and directly.
More than 90 per cent of teachers surveyed agreed that Covid-19 had affected the school’s ability to support pupils with their mental health.
More than 80 per cent believed lack of direct or face-to-face contact was the main effect, and nearly 90 per cent felt the pandemic was likely to have an impact on the mental health of pupils.
The report is based on a recent survey of 167 education professionals across Northern Ireland carried out by the children’s charity.
Changed environment
Julie Healy, head of programmes at Barnardos NI, said: “With the new term on the horizon, schools are preparing to continue their learning in a changed environment and we must act on this opportunity to put children’s mental health at the heart of education.”
She said for many children, school is their lifeline, their safe space, and going back to school will offer vital support.
“Schools cannot take on this challenge alone though, and support and guidance from our Government will be crucial,” Ms Healy said.
“Based on the findings of our survey, we’re calling for the mental health and well being of pupils to be prioritised in the recovery curriculum.
“We’d also like to see clear, child-centred guidance developed in consultation with schools, and increased investment for mental health support in schools.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-11--Ireland among countries urged to consider reinstating Covid-19 restrictions

Ireland and other European countries experiencing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases should consider reinstating selected restrictions to avoid further increases in cases and deaths , according to a new risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Control .
The ECDC says there is a “ true resurgence ” in cases in several countries as a result of physical distancing measures being relaxed .
The assessment comes as the Government plans to roll out a national testing scheme in food processing plants with more than 50 employees .
Officials from the Department of Agriculture met the HSE on Monday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the food companies .
A senior source said the plans will involve weekly testing in all plants in Kildare , Laois and Offaly for an initial period of four weeks .
Alongside this , testing will be directed at companies with more than 50 employees nationally although risk assessments will be carried out on smaller companies and testing may follow there too .
Officials are examining the national testing capacity and turnaround times but a source said the Government hopes to have the new serial testing scheme up and running by next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said an overall plan would be sent to the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) later this week , after engagement with key stakeholders .
The ECDC risk assessment says further incidences of Covid-19 “ can be mitigated if sufficient control measures are reinstalled or reinforced in a timely manner ” .
Alongside a tailored and comprehensive testing strategy , the speed of contact tracing is important to reduce transmission , it says .
Efforts should be made to shorten the time needed for each step in the testing , notification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases , it says countries should be better prepared to control any resurgence given the public health measures in place .
Speaking at a NPHET briefing on Monday , acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said Ireland is still “ in a good place ” relative to many places in the world , despite recent increase in case numbers .
New figures from the ECDC show the incidence of the virus in Ireland rising above that in the UK for the first time on Monday .
Dr Glynn said over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been notified , giving a 14-day incidence of 18.5 per 100,000 .
He said Ireland ’ s rate was much lower than the UK ’ s outside counties Kildare , Laois and Offaly , where a spike in cases has forced the reintroduction of local restrictions .
Warning of “ ups and downs ” in the number of cases to be reported over the coming days , he said it would be next week before officials could assess whether the regional restrictions were working .
A further 57 cases were reported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and no deaths .
The emergency team has brought forward its next meeting to Wednesday to focus on the evolving situation in the midlands .
Meanwhile , Tánaiste and Minister for Business Leo Varadkar is due to meet with publicans on Tuesday , and a meeting with Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is also planned .
Sources say the Government is coming under increasing pressure from pubs to set a date for reopening and to provide extra financial support in the meantime .
Government TDs are also calling for an enhanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North James Lawless said supports “ over and above the July stimulus ” were needed .
He has submitted a list of potential policies to his party colleague , Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath , including a waiver on licensing fees , a rebate or grant for businesses that saw stock spoiled , measures to support the hospitality sector and an extension of the local authority rates referral .
The issue of supports will be discussed at the Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 on Tuesday .

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said while the number of cases was lower than on some days over the past fortnight, it was too early to tell if this was the beginning of a sustained trend downwards. Video: RTE
Ireland and other European countries experiencing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases should consider reinstating selected restrictions to avoid further increases in cases and deaths, according to a new risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Control.
The ECDC says there is a “true resurgence” in cases in several countries as a result of physical distancing measures being relaxed.
The assessment comes as the Government plans to roll out a national testing scheme in food processing plants with more than 50 employees.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture met the HSE on Monday to discuss the new testing regime for workers in the food companies.
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A senior source said the plans will involve weekly testing in all plants in Kildare, Laois and Offaly for an initial period of four weeks.
Alongside this, testing will be directed at companies with more than 50 employees nationally although risk assessments will be carried out on smaller companies and testing may follow there too.
Officials are examining the national testing capacity and turnaround times but a source said the Government hopes to have the new serial testing scheme up and running by next week.
Overall plan
A spokesman for the HSE said an overall plan would be sent to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) later this week, after engagement with key stakeholders.
The ECDC risk assessment says further incidences of Covid-19 “can be mitigated if sufficient control measures are reinstalled or reinforced in a timely manner”.
Alongside a tailored and comprehensive testing strategy, the speed of contact tracing is important to reduce transmission, it says. Efforts should be made to shorten the time needed for each step in the testing, notification and contact-tracing process.
Despite the rise in cases, it says countries should be better prepared to control any resurgence given the public health measures in place.
Speaking at a NPHET briefing on Monday, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said Ireland is still “in a good place” relative to many places in the world, despite recent increase in case numbers. New figures from the ECDC show the incidence of the virus in Ireland rising above that in the UK for the first time on Monday.
Dr Glynn said over the past 14 days, 879 cases have been notified, giving a 14-day incidence of 18.5 per 100,000. He said Ireland’s rate was much lower than the UK’s outside counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly, where a spike in cases has forced the reintroduction of local restrictions.
Regional restrictions
Warning of “ups and downs” in the number of cases to be reported over the coming days, he said it would be next week before officials could assess whether the regional restrictions were working.
A further 57 cases were reported by the NPHET on Monday – lower than expected – and no deaths. The emergency team has brought forward its next meeting to Wednesday to focus on the evolving situation in the midlands.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Minister for Business Leo Varadkar is due to meet with publicans on Tuesday, and a meeting with Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is also planned. Sources say the Government is coming under increasing pressure from pubs to set a date for reopening and to provide extra financial support in the meantime.
Waiver
Government TDs are also calling for an enhanced economic package to support the region. Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North James Lawless said supports “over and above the July stimulus” were needed. He has submitted a list of potential policies to his party colleague, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath, including a waiver on licensing fees, a rebate or grant for businesses that saw stock spoiled, measures to support the hospitality sector and an extension of the local authority rates referral.
The issue of supports will be discussed at the Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 on Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Dublin hospital warns HSE of ‘potentially disastrous’ fire risks

The Royal Hospital Donnybrook warned the Health Service Executive it could be forced to halt admissions and relocate patients if “ potentially disastrous ” fire safety shortcomings were not addressed .
Inspections by the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) uncovered serious issues at the 178-bed south Dublin hospital three years ago .
The hospital is funded by the HSE to provide step-down rehabilitation care and a 66-bed nursing home .
Correspondence between the hospital and the HSE was obtained by The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act .
In a business case appealing for extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE the fire safety failings meant “ patients , residents , staff and visitors are all placed at an unnecessary level of risk ” .
It said it was in danger of being served a fire safety order , and “ criminal prosecution is a possible outcome should the situation not be addressed in a timely manner ” .
The required remedial works would cost €2.3 million , the hospital said .
“ In a worst-case scenario , the hospital could be deemed unsafe and we could be directed to relocate some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ financially catastrophic ” , it said .
In a letter to the HSE dated January 30th , hospital chief executive Conor Leonard warned the fallout would be “ potentially disastrous ” if the hospital was forced to shut .
The hospital ’ s emergency safety systems were “ seriously deficient and may fail to operate when needed ” , an internal note from January said .
Some fire doors in residential wards provided only 30 minutes fire resistance , rather than the required hour , it said .
The emergency lighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event of a fire was “ very poor ” , with many areas not covered , it said .
The HSE has known about the major fire safety risks in the hospital for nearly two years , correspondence shows .
In a letter dated October 22nd , 2018 , Mr Leonard warned it was “ unacceptable ” the hospital was not meeting legal fire safety standards , which was “ compromising the safety of patients , residents , staff , contractors , volunteers and visitors ” .
The hospital applied for €1.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the HSE said funding would not be available until 2023 at the earliest .
The hospital spent €200,000 addressing some of the issues in 2019 , and carried out further works earlier this year .
Following repeated appeals , the HSE released €1.6 million for the fire safety works at the start of July .
Evonne Healy , hospital director of nursing , said the works had commenced on July 20th .

The Royal Hospital Donnybrook warned the Health Service Executive it could be forced to halt admissions and relocate patients if "potentially disastrous" fire safety shortcomings were not addressed.
Inspections by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) uncovered serious issues at the 178-bed south Dublin hospital three years ago.
The hospital is funded by the HSE to provide step-down rehabilitation care and a 66-bed nursing home.
Correspondence between the hospital and the HSE was obtained by The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
READ MORE
In a worst-case scenario, the hospital could be deemed unsafe and we could be directed to relocate some or all patients
In a business case appealing for extra funding in February, the hospital told the HSE the fire safety failings meant “patients, residents, staff and visitors are all placed at an unnecessary level of risk”.
It said it was in danger of being served a fire safety order, and “criminal prosecution is a possible outcome should the situation not be addressed in a timely manner”. The required remedial works would cost €2.3 million, the hospital said.
“In a worst-case scenario, the hospital could be deemed unsafe and we could be directed to relocate some or all patients”, which would be “financially catastrophic”, it said.
In a letter to the HSE dated January 30th, hospital chief executive Conor Leonard warned the fallout would be "potentially disastrous" if the hospital was forced to shut.
‘Deficient’ systems
The hospital’s emergency safety systems were “seriously deficient and may fail to operate when needed”, an internal note from January said. Some fire doors in residential wards provided only 30 minutes fire resistance, rather than the required hour, it said.
The emergency lighting system to guide people to safety in the event of a fire was “very poor”, with many areas not covered, it said.
The HSE has known about the major fire safety risks in the hospital for nearly two years, correspondence shows.
In a letter dated October 22nd, 2018, Mr Leonard warned it was “unacceptable” the hospital was not meeting legal fire safety standards, which was “compromising the safety of patients, residents, staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors”.
The hospital applied for €1.2 million for urgent works in late 2018, but the HSE said funding would not be available until 2023 at the earliest. The hospital spent €200,000 addressing some of the issues in 2019, and carried out further works earlier this year.
Following repeated appeals, the HSE released €1.6 million for the fire safety works at the start of July. Evonne Healy, hospital director of nursing, said the works had commenced on July 20th.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Employers urged to take on apprentices and get €3,000

Employers are being urged to take on apprentices in order to receive a €3,000 payment in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as part of a scheme to be launched on Wednesday by Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris .
The Government plans to increase the number of apprentices in all sectors in what is being described as a “ win-win ” situation for employers and apprentices .
“ Over 18,000 people are currently undertaking an apprenticeship across a wide range of occupations from electrical , construction and engineering roles to healthcare , information technology and financial services .
Our ambition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government provided funding for this new incentive for employers in the July stimulus package , ” Mr Harris said .
He said apprenticeships would play a “ key part in Ireland ’ s recovery and our country ’ s future ” .
“ It is a really exciting option for people of different ages , genders and backgrounds , career changers and school leavers , to forge brilliant careers for themselves.
” Under the new apprenticeship incentivisation scheme , employers can receive a €3,000 incentive payment for each new apprentice registered between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Harris has urged all employers to consider the scheme .
“ It ’ s a win-win : help develop an apprentice ’ s potential while you develop your company.
” Employers will receive €2,000 upfront per apprentice and a further €1,000 after 12 months if the apprentice is still employed .
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has said the new scheme for employers will “ ensure an apprentice pipeline as the labour market recovers , providing skilled , sustainable career opportunities for young people ” .
The Government also plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Live Register through the use of targeted recruitment subsidies .
There are also plans to extend access to Back to Education schemes so that young people in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment , who are not already in education , can sign up for education opportunities at the start of the 2020-21 academic year .

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris says apprenticeships will play a ‘key part in Ireland’s recovery’. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Employers are being urged to take on apprentices in order to receive a €3,000 payment in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as part of a scheme to be launched on Wednesday by Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris.
The Government plans to increase the number of apprentices in all sectors in what is being described as a “win-win” situation for employers and apprentices.
“Over 18,000 people are currently undertaking an apprenticeship across a wide range of occupations from electrical, construction and engineering roles to healthcare, information technology and financial services. Our ambition is to see that number grow and the Government provided funding for this new incentive for employers in the July stimulus package,” Mr Harris said.
He said apprenticeships would play a “key part in Ireland’s recovery and our country’s future”.
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“It is a really exciting option for people of different ages, genders and backgrounds, career changers and school leavers, to forge brilliant careers for themselves.”
Under the new apprenticeship incentivisation scheme, employers can receive a €3,000 incentive payment for each new apprentice registered between March and the end of the year.
Mr Harris has urged all employers to consider the scheme.
“It’s a win-win: help develop an apprentice’s potential while you develop your company.”
Employers will receive €2,000 upfront per apprentice and a further €1,000 after 12 months if the apprentice is still employed.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has said the new scheme for employers will “ensure an apprentice pipeline as the labour market recovers, providing skilled, sustainable career opportunities for young people”.
The Government also plans to encourage employers to hire young jobseekers from the Live Register through the use of targeted recruitment subsidies.
There are also plans to extend access to Back to Education schemes so that young people in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment, who are not already in education, can sign up for education opportunities at the start of the 2020-21 academic year.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Wider Covid-19 testing aims to reach 60,000 people a week

The Government intends to conduct Covid-19 testing on more than 60,000 people each week after deciding to extend widespread testing to meat processing facilities and direct provision centres .
Within weeks , weekly testing will be carried out on the 15,000 workers employed in meat plants in the State , as well as the estimated 6,500 asylum seekers residing in direct provision centres .
With regular tests being carried out for the past two months on the 40,000 residents of private and public nursing homes , it will bring the overall figure to more than 60,000 .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-hour meeting of the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 on Monday .
The meeting received an extensive briefing on the current situation from acting chief medical officer , Dr Ronan Glynn .
Mr Martin said the testing would start in the three counties affected by the current lockdown – Kildare , Offaly and Laois – and would then be extended nationwide .
He said it would be done on a weekly basis initially but signalled it would probably then be carried out fortnightly once the incidence rate began to fall .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure we can keep the pressure on this virus , identify it , isolate it and deal with it , ” he said after the meeting .
More than 300 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Co Kildare in the past fortnight , almost twice as many as any other county .
The 14-day incidence of Covid-19 in Co Kildare stands at 138.4 cases per 100,000 of population , almost eight times the national average .
The other two counties on which regional restrictions were imposed last Friday – Offaly and Laois – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively .
The logistics and funding of the tests has yet to be worked out but there has been engagement this week between the Health Service Executive and employers and unions in the meat industry to discuss the detail .
The Cabinet committee also decided to approve a Government package of economic supports for the regions in lockdown .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar , Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will begin to examine what type of supports can be made available to affected business in the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage with business groups as well as local politicians during this process .
It is understood the supports would be designed in a way that allowed it to be applied to other parts of the country that go into lockdown in the future , senior sources said .
With further localised outbreaks of the disease likely , the aim is to draw up something which can be repeated again .
And with backbench Government TDs calling for further grants or extensions of local authority rates waivers , new policy interventions will be considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any support package would largely be based on existing instruments used to deliver the €7 billion July stimulus programme .
Speaking after a Cabinet committee meeting , Mr Martin said : “ We had an economic assessment from the Minister for Public Expenditure and from the Tánaiste in relation to the business side and again we looked at measures that could be taken to help businesses in the three counties that are subject to the restrictions announced last Friday , and relevant Ministers will be meeting this week with a view to actioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the week.
” The meeting , which lasted two hours , was attended by the Taoiseach , the Tánaiste , and Mr McGrath as well as by Dr Glynn .
A number of other Ministers joined via video link including Stephen Donnelly , Dara Calleary , Simon Coveney , Eamon Ryan and Mr Donohoe .

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the new testing programmes following a two-hour meeting of the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 on Monday. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
The Government intends to conduct Covid-19 testing on more than 60,000 people each week after deciding to extend widespread testing to meat processing facilities and direct provision centres.
Within weeks, weekly testing will be carried out on the 15,000 workers employed in meat plants in the State, as well as the estimated 6,500 asylum seekers residing in direct provision centres.
With regular tests being carried out for the past two months on the 40,000 residents of private and public nursing homes, it will bring the overall figure to more than 60,000.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the new testing programmes following a two-hour meeting of the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 on Monday. The meeting received an extensive briefing on the current situation from acting chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn.
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Mr Martin said the testing would start in the three counties affected by the current lockdown – Kildare, Offaly and Laois – and would then be extended nationwide. He said it would be done on a weekly basis initially but signalled it would probably then be carried out fortnightly once the incidence rate began to fall.
“We are doing this with a view to making sure we can keep the pressure on this virus, identify it, isolate it and deal with it,” he said after the meeting.
More than 300 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Co Kildare in the past fortnight, almost twice as many as any other county.
The 14-day incidence of Covid-19 in Co Kildare stands at 138.4 cases per 100,000 of population, almost eight times the national average.
The other two counties on which regional restrictions were imposed last Friday – Offaly and Laois – have 14-day incidences of 109 and 83.8 respectively.
The logistics and funding of the tests has yet to be worked out but there has been engagement this week between the Health Service Executive and employers and unions in the meat industry to discuss the detail.
Economic supports
The Cabinet committee also decided to approve a Government package of economic supports for the regions in lockdown.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will begin to examine what type of supports can be made available to affected business in the three counties. The Ministers are expected to engage with business groups as well as local politicians during this process.
It is understood the supports would be designed in a way that allowed it to be applied to other parts of the country that go into lockdown in the future, senior sources said.
With further localised outbreaks of the disease likely, the aim is to draw up something which can be repeated again.
And with backbench Government TDs calling for further grants or extensions of local authority rates waivers, new policy interventions will be considered this week, though Government sources said any support package would largely be based on existing instruments used to deliver the €7 billion July stimulus programme.
Speaking after a Cabinet committee meeting, Mr Martin said: “We had an economic assessment from the Minister for Public Expenditure and from the Tánaiste in relation to the business side and again we looked at measures that could be taken to help businesses in the three counties that are subject to the restrictions announced last Friday, and relevant Ministers will be meeting this week with a view to actioning some response in relation to that by the end of the week.”
The meeting, which lasted two hours, was attended by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and Mr McGrath as well as by Dr Glynn. A number of other Ministers joined via video link including Stephen Donnelly, Dara Calleary, Simon Coveney, Eamon Ryan and Mr Donohoe.


theirishtimes--2020-08-12--Watchdog may gain greater powers on Covid workplace inspections

The Government is to examine giving greater legal powers to the health and safety watchdog in relation to Covid-19 inspections in the workplace , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said .
It comes after Government TDs called for a “ loophole ” to be closed whereby employers had no legal obligation to report cases of the disease in the workplace to the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) .
Following a meeting with the HSA chief executive on Tuesday evening , a spokeswoman for Mr Varadkar said he had discussed “ how the authority and other regulators and inspectorates could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed of , and carry out , Covid-related inspections where a cluster occurs in the workplace ” .
The spokeswoman said this was Mr Varadkar ’ s “ preferred approach ” , over the current situation where the HSA “ has to be asked to get involved by the HSE or the Department of Health ” .
It comes after Fianna Fáil Kildare North TD James Lawless called for action to address what he said was a “ loophole ” meaning employers do not have a legal obligation to report the disease as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety laws passed in 2005 , employers were obliged to report diseases as “ personal injuries ” to the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) .
However , regulations passed by the previous government in 2016 removed disease as a qualifying personal injury which needed to be notified to the watchdog .
Mr Lawless said he feared that some employers might try to avoid reporting a Covid-19 case in a bid to avoid adverse publicity .
Trips or falls in a factory must be reported to the HSA , said Mr Lawless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in saying they don ’ t feel well , they have symptoms of Covid or , even worse , they have a diagnosis ” there is no obligation to report the case .
The regulations should be changed to cover Covid-19 “ at a minimum ” , but also other infectious diseases , he said .
“ Now the focus is coronavirus , but who ’ s to say there ’ s not going to be something else in two years ?
” Mr Varadkar ’ s spokeswoman said while Covid is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not reportable as an occupational illness to the HSA “ as coronavirus can be picked up anywhere and there is no reliable way of knowing whether a person picked it up at home , at work , at a social gathering or somewhere else ” , making it different to a workplace injury .
She added that employers are not routinely told an employee has tested positive as it is considered to be private medical information .
She said over 10,000 Covid compliance inspections had taken place since May and “ most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .

Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless fears that some employers might try to avoid reporting a Covid-19 case in a bid to avoid adverse publicity. Photograph: Tom Honan
The Government is to examine giving greater legal powers to the health and safety watchdog in relation to Covid-19 inspections in the workplace, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said.
It comes after Government TDs called for a "loophole" to be closed whereby employers had no legal obligation to report cases of the disease in the workplace to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
Following a meeting with the HSA chief executive on Tuesday evening, a spokeswoman for Mr Varadkar said he had discussed “how the authority and other regulators and inspectorates could be given greater legal authority to be informed of, and carry out, Covid-related inspections where a cluster occurs in the workplace”.
The spokeswoman said this was Mr Varadkar’s “preferred approach”, over the current situation where the HSA “has to be asked to get involved by the HSE or the Department of Health”.
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It comes after Fianna Fáil Kildare North TD James Lawless called for action to address what he said was a "loophole" meaning employers do not have a legal obligation to report the disease as an occupational illness.
Personal injuries
Under health and safety laws passed in 2005, employers were obliged to report diseases as “personal injuries” to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). However, regulations passed by the previous government in 2016 removed disease as a qualifying personal injury which needed to be notified to the watchdog.
Mr Lawless said he feared that some employers might try to avoid reporting a Covid-19 case in a bid to avoid adverse publicity.
Trips or falls in a factory must be reported to the HSA, said Mr Lawless, but if “a worker arrives in saying they don’t feel well, they have symptoms of Covid or, even worse, they have a diagnosis” there is no obligation to report the case.
The regulations should be changed to cover Covid-19 “at a minimum”, but also other infectious diseases, he said.
“Now the focus is coronavirus, but who’s to say there’s not going to be something else in two years?”
Mr Varadkar’s spokeswoman said while Covid is a reportable disease to the Government, it is not reportable as an occupational illness to the HSA “as coronavirus can be picked up anywhere and there is no reliable way of knowing whether a person picked it up at home, at work, at a social gathering or somewhere else”, making it different to a workplace injury.
She added that employers are not routinely told an employee has tested positive as it is considered to be private medical information. She said over 10,000 Covid compliance inspections had taken place since May and “most are unannounced or done at short notice”.