theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Vaccine compensation scheme should be set up ‘urgently’ , report says

A vaccine compensation scheme ought to be established as “ a matter of urgency ” , an expert group has told the Government .
The group , chaired by Mr Justice Charles Meenan , was set up in 2018 to examine alternative systems for dealing with clinical negligence claims arising from the CervicalCheck scandal .
The report , which was published on Wednesday , “ accepts that there is a strong moral argument that the State , which actively encourages vaccination , should accept responsibility for those who suffer harm as a result ” .
“ There are also pragmatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation scheme , namely : to maintain vaccination uptake rates , inspire confidence amongst the population and to maintain the supply of vaccines from manufacturers who may be concerned about liability and costs , ” it continued .
The report added that the urgency with which the compensation scheme ought to be established “ has been highlighted by recent publicity and public commentary concerning certain vaccines ” .
Members of the expert group expressed different views as to what the appropriate level of compensation ought to be .
One view was that awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line with awards that would be made by a court .
A more widely held view was that the awards ought to be below the level of an award that would be made by a court where liability was established .
The reason for this was that an ex gratia scheme would relieve claimants of the heavy onus of having to prove liability , but at the same time they would not lose their entitlement to bring court proceedings .
“ In order to be effective , the awards made by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reasonable , based on proven loss , ” it said .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee have received the report and both will return to Government following further consideration of the recommendations proposed .
Earlier this week , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said both Ministers were working on a vaccine compensation scheme after he was challenged about the indemnity offered to pharmaceutical companies developing the Covid-19 vaccine .
He said the Cabinet agreed a compensation scheme would be developed after considering the Meenan report .
More generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ firmly ” of the view that the current legal system “ urgently requires reform ” .
“ Many of the defects in our current system stem from the fact that the system , essentially , treats all personal injuries claims in the same way , ” it said .
“ For example , there is no proper differentiation between a claim arising out of a road traffic accident and a claim arising from catastrophic injuries suffered by a baby during birth.
” The group also considered the role of the HSE in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the needs of persons affected by clinical negligence .
The HSE provides support to children with complex medical conditions , including those arising from catastrophic birth injuries , based on need rather than cause of injury and independent of any establishment of negligence .
However , what is provided is subject to funding constraints and the availability of services geographically .
The group said it was of the view that a wider availability of supports and care packages , to those who suffer injury or disability as a result of alleged clinical negligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims .
Such supports and care packages would be available irrespective of how the injury or disability was caused .
“ Unfortunately , financial constraints can often act as a barrier to providing these supports , ” it said .
“ It is the case that the HSE can not match , in its support and care packages , that which would be provided for in a court award .
However , the expert group is of the view that it must be the aim to close the gap between what the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ award .
”

A vaccine compensation scheme ought to be established as “a matter of urgency”, an expert group has told the Government.
The group, chaired by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, was set up in 2018 to examine alternative systems for dealing with clinical negligence claims arising from the CervicalCheck scandal.
The report, which was published on Wednesday, “accepts that there is a strong moral argument that the State, which actively encourages vaccination, should accept responsibility for those who suffer harm as a result”.
“There are also pragmatic reasons to support the establishment of a compensation scheme, namely: to maintain vaccination uptake rates, inspire confidence amongst the population and to maintain the supply of vaccines from manufacturers who may be concerned about liability and costs,” it continued.
READ MORE
The report added that the urgency with which the compensation scheme ought to be established “has been highlighted by recent publicity and public commentary concerning certain vaccines”.
Members of the expert group expressed different views as to what the appropriate level of compensation ought to be.
One view was that awards made by a compensation scheme should be in line with awards that would be made by a court. A more widely held view was that the awards ought to be below the level of an award that would be made by a court where liability was established.
The reason for this was that an ex gratia scheme would relieve claimants of the heavy onus of having to prove liability, but at the same time they would not lose their entitlement to bring court proceedings.
“In order to be effective, the awards made by an ex gratia compensation scheme would have to be reasonable, based on proven loss,” it said.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee have received the report and both will return to Government following further consideration of the recommendations proposed.
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said both Ministers were working on a vaccine compensation scheme after he was challenged about the indemnity offered to pharmaceutical companies developing the Covid-19 vaccine.
He said the Cabinet agreed a compensation scheme would be developed after considering the Meenan report.
More generally, the expert group said it was “firmly” of the view that the current legal system “urgently requires reform”.
“Many of the defects in our current system stem from the fact that the system, essentially, treats all personal injuries claims in the same way,” it said.
“For example, there is no proper differentiation between a claim arising out of a road traffic accident and a claim arising from catastrophic injuries suffered by a baby during birth.”
The group also considered the role of the HSE in the provision of care packages that address the needs of persons affected by clinical negligence.
The HSE provides support to children with complex medical conditions, including those arising from catastrophic birth injuries, based on need rather than cause of injury and independent of any establishment of negligence.
However, what is provided is subject to funding constraints and the availability of services geographically.
The group said it was of the view that a wider availability of supports and care packages, to those who suffer injury or disability as a result of alleged clinical negligence, could have the effect of reducing claims.
Such supports and care packages would be available irrespective of how the injury or disability was caused.
“Unfortunately, financial constraints can often act as a barrier to providing these supports,” it said.
“It is the case that the HSE cannot match, in its support and care packages, that which would be provided for in a court award. However, the expert group is of the view that it must be the aim to close the gap between what the HSE can offer and what a court would award.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Gardaí presence in rape crisis centres may encourage reporting

Gardaí are hoping to place officers in rape crisis centres from next year to encourage victims to formally report crimes , a senior member of the force ’ s protective services bureau has said .
Det Chief Supt Declan Daly , speaking at the publication of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland ’ s ( RCNI ) annual statistics on Wednesday , said low levels of reporting and high attrition rates from criminal justice process were causes of ongoing concern .
“ Attrition in relation to sexual crime is an issue we will be focusing strongly on next year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity , if they choose to pursue a case , [ and reassurance ] that they have the best services and supports .
“ We know people are reluctant to report sexual crimes but I also know that every time we engage with those people…that we can give them that assurance and empower them to make that report .
“ Next year hopefully we will begin that project where we will be embedded with the NGO sector .
So every two weeks we may have guards sitting in NGO offices or on phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a project we ’ re developing now , to see if it ’ s viable .
I believe it is.
” The event , held online , heard 1,298 people availed of counselling at one of the RCNI ’ s seven centres last year .
There were 12,069 counselling appointments and 10,706 helpline contacts .
Dr Clíona Saidléar , RCNI executive director , said the two major determinants of how sexual violence was experienced were gender and age .
While boys and girls aged under 13 experienced sexual assault in about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and older , it was a predominantly female experience .
“ The time between sexual violence happening and accessing a rape crisis support service is 31 years , ” said Dr Saidléar .
“ Obviously that is the entire rest of their childhood and on through important key moments in their adult lives .
This is critical , that we haven ’ t got to them , that it ’ s taken 31 years and it really speaks to how we must engage better to reach those children at the time.
” Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prolonged period – “ a matter of years ” , said the report .
Among 13-17 year olds “ it ’ s predominantly girls , and the abuse moves from sexual assault to rape and its duration moves from prolonged years to hours ” , she said .
“ The median age of the perpetrator is now 20 and that reflects a lot of peer abuse , child-on-child violence .
The gap between violence happening and accessing a support service is six years…which is a long time in a child and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults over 18 , victims again are predominantly women , the crime is rape and it ’ s lasting an hour or number of hours .
The median age of the perpetrator is 30 .
Within this cohort there is a “ significant population ” , comprising about 25 per cent of it , who experienced sexual violence within a context of domestic violence or coercive control .
“ The vast majority of adults who were subjected to sexual violence over years disclosed that the abuse had been perpetrated by their partner/ex-partner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and comes with significant levels of additional forms of violence , including physical and emotional , ” said Dr Saidléar .

Some 1,298 people availed of counselling at one of the seven Rape Crisis Network of Ireland centres last year. Photograph: RCNI
Gardaí are hoping to place officers in rape crisis centres from next year to encourage victims to formally report crimes, a senior member of the force’s protective services bureau has said.
Det Chief Supt Declan Daly, speaking at the publication of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland's (RCNI) annual statistics on Wednesday, said low levels of reporting and high attrition rates from criminal justice process were causes of ongoing concern.
“Attrition in relation to sexual crime is an issue we will be focusing strongly on next year. We have to give every victim an opportunity, if they choose to pursue a case, [and reassurance] that they have the best services and supports.
“We know people are reluctant to report sexual crimes but I also know that every time we engage with those people…that we can give them that assurance and empower them to make that report.
READ MORE
“Next year hopefully we will begin that project where we will be embedded with the NGO sector. So every two weeks we may have guards sitting in NGO offices or on phones encouraging people to come forward. That’s a project we’re developing now, to see if it’s viable. I believe it is.”
The event, held online, heard 1,298 people availed of counselling at one of the RCNI’s seven centres last year. There were 12,069 counselling appointments and 10,706 helpline contacts.
Gender and age
Dr Clíona Saidléar, RCNI executive director, said the two major determinants of how sexual violence was experienced were gender and age.
While boys and girls aged under 13 experienced sexual assault in about equal numbers, for people aged 13 and older, it was a predominantly female experience.
“The time between sexual violence happening and accessing a rape crisis support service is 31 years,” said Dr Saidléar. “Obviously that is the entire rest of their childhood and on through important key moments in their adult lives. This is critical, that we haven’t got to them, that it’s taken 31 years and it really speaks to how we must engage better to reach those children at the time.”
Some children under 13 experienced sexual assault over a prolonged period – “a matter of years”, said the report.
Among 13-17 year olds “it’s predominantly girls, and the abuse moves from sexual assault to rape and its duration moves from prolonged years to hours”, she said.
“The median age of the perpetrator is now 20 and that reflects a lot of peer abuse, child-on-child violence. The gap between violence happening and accessing a support service is six years…which is a long time in a child and a young adult’s life.”
Among adults over 18, victims again are predominantly women, the crime is rape and it’s lasting an hour or number of hours. The median age of the perpetrator is 30. Within this cohort there is a “significant population”, comprising about 25 per cent of it, who experienced sexual violence within a context of domestic violence or coercive control.
“The vast majority of adults who were subjected to sexual violence over years disclosed that the abuse had been perpetrated by their partner/ex-partner. This abuse is over a period of years and comes with significant levels of additional forms of violence, including physical and emotional,” said Dr Saidléar.


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Covid-19: All pupils at Kerry school told to remain at home after 17 confirmed cases

All pupils and staff at a school in Co Kerry , are to be tested for Covid-19 with all children asked to remain at home until December 30th after 17 confirmed cases .
According to a letter to parents from HSE South , 17 cases at Scoil Mhuire Killorglin , a mixed primary school of 386 pupils , have been recorded so far “ and contact tracing is ongoing ” .
“ In the Irish experience with Covid-19 thus far , it has been uncommon to see an outbreak of this scale among a school population , ” the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to implement appropriate Covid control measures .
And cases and close contacts have been isolating .
“ Following further review today , based on current evidence the decision has been taken to extend testing to the remainder of the school population , ( children and staff ) , ” the letter states .
“ Any child not previously identified as a case or a close contact is now advised to restrict their movements until Wednesday , December 30th , ” the letter advises .
The children are being referred for two tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the HSE .
There were 62 cases of Covid-19 detected in schools last week following mass testing of more than 1,700 students and staff in just in excess of 100 schools , new figures show .
The positivity rate in schools has also climbed from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent in the space of a week .
This rate is now slightly higher than when schools closed for the mid-term break at the end of October .
The figures are contained in the HSE ’ s weeklyCovid-19 mass testing report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6th to December 12th .
This latest weekly report shows that 1,774 close school contacts of positive cases were tested across a total of 105 schools last week .
On foot of mass testing of these close contacts , a total of 62 positive cases were detected .
Of these , most were at primary level ( 49 ) , followed by second level ( 12 ) , and in special education ( 1 ) .
The positivity rates were highest at primary level ( 3.6 per cent ) , followed by second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special education ( 1.6 per cent ) .
When broken down by age , the vast majority ( 87 per cent ) of the cases were among children , while the remainder were among over-18s .
The cases in the report include many of the 16 cases detected in Claremorris Boys National School in Co Mayo .
The school made headlines last week when the school principal announced it was to close for safety reasons .
However , it was ordered by reopen on Monday of this week by the Department of Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not recommended that it close .
The decision has sparked a debate over whether school boards of management should be allowed to close schools if they feel the setting is no longer safe .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on Wednesday that it was only right that these decisions were made by public health experts rather than schools themselves .
The weekly HSE report also provides a breakdown of numbers over the year to date .
They show second-level schools have the lowest positivity rates ( 1.9 per cent ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent ) and special schools ( 3.1 per cent ) .
Childcare facilities have the highest positivity rates ( 3.8 per cent ) .

All pupils and staff at Scoil Mhuire Killorglin are to be tested for Covid-19
All pupils and staff at a school in Co Kerry, are to be tested for Covid-19 with all children asked to remain at home until December 30th after 17 confirmed cases.
According to a letter to parents from HSE South, 17 cases at Scoil Mhuire Killorglin, a mixed primary school of 386 pupils, have been recorded so far “and contact tracing is ongoing”.
“In the Irish experience with Covid-19 thus far, it has been uncommon to see an outbreak of this scale among a school population,” the letter states.
School management had implemented and continued to implement appropriate Covid control measures. And cases and close contacts have been isolating.
READ MORE
“Following further review today, based on current evidence the decision has been taken to extend testing to the remainder of the school population, (children and staff),” the letter states.
“Any child not previously identified as a case or a close contact is now advised to restrict their movements until Wednesday, December 30th,” the letter advises. The children are being referred for two tests, a number of days apart, by the HSE.
There were 62 cases of Covid-19 detected in schools last week following mass testing of more than 1,700 students and staff in just in excess of 100 schools, new figures show.
The positivity rate in schools has also climbed from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent in the space of a week.
This rate is now slightly higher than when schools closed for the mid-term break at the end of October.
The figures are contained in the HSE's weeklyCovid-19 mass testing report for schools and childcare facilities for December 6th to December 12th.
This latest weekly report shows that 1,774 close school contacts of positive cases were tested across a total of 105 schools last week.
On foot of mass testing of these close contacts, a total of 62 positive cases were detected.
Of these, most were at primary level (49), followed by second level (12), and in special education (1).
The positivity rates were highest at primary level (3.6 per cent), followed by second level (3.4 per cent) and special education (1.6 per cent).
When broken down by age, the vast majority (87 per cent) of the cases were among children, while the remainder were among over-18s.
Co Mayo school
The cases in the report include many of the 16 cases detected in Claremorris Boys National School in Co Mayo.
The school made headlines last week when the school principal announced it was to close for safety reasons.
However, it was ordered by reopen on Monday of this week by the Department of Education on the basis that public health authorities had not recommended that it close.
The decision has sparked a debate over whether school boards of management should be allowed to close schools if they feel the setting is no longer safe.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil on Wednesday that it was only right that these decisions were made by public health experts rather than schools themselves.
The weekly HSE report also provides a breakdown of numbers over the year to date.
They show second-level schools have the lowest positivity rates (1.9 per cent), followed by primary schools (2.6 per cent) and special schools (3.1 per cent). Childcare facilities have the highest positivity rates (3.8 per cent).


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Legislation for investigations into child sex abuse ‘unfit for purpose’

The legislation underpinning Tusla ’ s investigations into child sex abuse ( CSA ) is “ arguably unfit for purpose ” and potentially “ fails to protect children ” , the Government ’ s special rapporteur on child protection has warned .
Dr Conor O ’ Mahony , in his first annual report since he took up the role last year , said there was “ no legislative guidance ” on balancing the rights of alleged victims and alleged perpetrators , leaving Tusla at risk of conducting “ ineffective investigations ” .
He raised serious concerns about the potential of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights and a dearth of therapeutic services for child victims of sexual assault .
The 152-page report , published by the Department of Children on Wednesday , examines Section 3 of the 1991 Childcare Act .
The section , the only legal provision for Tusla investigations into alleged CSA , says it “ shall be a function of the agency [ ie Tusla ] to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection ” .
“ In the performance of this function , the agency shall take such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and co-ordinate information from all relevant sources relating to children in its area.
” Dr O ’ Mahony ’ s report said the lack of guidance on how investigations should proceed has left Tusla filling these gaps “ on the job ” .
Numerous court challenges to investigations , brought by alleged abusers , have resulted in Tusla having to second-guess court decisions on its investigations – giving rise to “ a risk of defensive practice ” and “ ineffective investigations that fail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report .
Among its recommendations is that the 1991 Act be amended to expressly empower and oblige Tusla to receive and assess abuse complaints , to share information , and to make plans to protect children at immediate and potential future risk .
On informing alleged abusers of a disclosure about them , especially in cases where the allegation is historical , this function should be transferred to the National Vetting Bureau , said Dr O ’ Mahony , noting that it operates under robust legislative provisions on when and how this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and parents ’ rights in voluntary care arrangements – where a child is signed into care without a court order – are highlighted .
For children , these include the “ potentially unlimited duration of voluntary care agreements , absence of independent oversight , weak mechanisms for ascertaining the views of children , inferior resource allocation , and potential instability ” where the arrangement can be stopped at any time by the parent .
Other recommendations are that parents have access to legal advice , that voluntary care agreements expire after three to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care have an advocate or guardian ad litem .
The report also recommends it be mandatory to ascertain the views ( if any ) of all children in care proceedings , that the age of criminal consent be increased from 12 to 14 years , and that a referendum be held on a constitutional right to housing .
A section details “ significant risks to parental rights ” where “ voluntary care agreements might not always be based on free and informed consent ” .
Drawing on material from ongoing investigation into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Applied Social Studies in UCC , it says social workers may tell a parent that if they don ’ t sign their child into care voluntarily , they will get a care order in court .
One solicitor said : “ Nearly every client who signs a document , they ’ re saying , ‘ I had no choice .
I had no choice.
’ ” While social workers rejected these suggestions , the UCC investigation says : “ the majority…in our focus groups acknowledged that the effect of the conversation might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had little choice ” .

Dr Conor O’Mahony, in his first annual report, raises serious concerns about the potential of social workers to breach vulnerable parents’ rights.
The legislation underpinning Tusla’s investigations into child sex abuse (CSA) is “arguably unfit for purpose” and potentially “fails to protect children”, the Government’s special rapporteur on child protection has warned.
Dr Conor O’Mahony, in his first annual report since he took up the role last year, said there was “no legislative guidance” on balancing the rights of alleged victims and alleged perpetrators, leaving Tusla at risk of conducting “ineffective investigations”.
He raised serious concerns about the potential of social workers to breach vulnerable parents’ rights and a dearth of therapeutic services for child victims of sexual assault.
The 152-page report, published by the Department of Children on Wednesday, examines Section 3 of the 1991 Childcare Act. The section, the only legal provision for Tusla investigations into alleged CSA, says it "shall be a function of the agency [ie Tusla] to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection".
READ MORE
“In the performance of this function, the agency shall take such steps as it considers requisite to identify children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and co-ordinate information from all relevant sources relating to children in its area.”
Dr O’Mahony’s report said the lack of guidance on how investigations should proceed has left Tusla filling these gaps “on the job”.
Court challenges
Numerous court challenges to investigations, brought by alleged abusers, have resulted in Tusla having to second-guess court decisions on its investigations – giving rise to “a risk of defensive practice” and “ineffective investigations that fail to uncover crucial information”, according to the report.
Among its recommendations is that the 1991 Act be amended to expressly empower and oblige Tusla to receive and assess abuse complaints, to share information, and to make plans to protect children at immediate and potential future risk.
On informing alleged abusers of a disclosure about them, especially in cases where the allegation is historical, this function should be transferred to the National Vetting Bureau, said Dr O'Mahony, noting that it operates under robust legislative provisions on when and how this should happen.
Care arrangements
Risks to the children and parents’ rights in voluntary care arrangements – where a child is signed into care without a court order – are highlighted. For children, these include the “potentially unlimited duration of voluntary care agreements, absence of independent oversight, weak mechanisms for ascertaining the views of children, inferior resource allocation, and potential instability” where the arrangement can be stopped at any time by the parent.
Other recommendations are that parents have access to legal advice, that voluntary care agreements expire after three to 12 months, and children in voluntary care have an advocate or guardian ad litem.
The report also recommends it be mandatory to ascertain the views (if any) of all children in care proceedings, that the age of criminal consent be increased from 12 to 14 years, and that a referendum be held on a constitutional right to housing.
A section details “significant risks to parental rights” where “voluntary care agreements might not always be based on free and informed consent”. Drawing on material from ongoing investigation into the voluntary care system by the School of Applied Social Studies in UCC, it says social workers may tell a parent that if they don’t sign their child into care voluntarily, they will get a care order in court.
One solicitor said: “Nearly every client who signs a document, they’re saying, ‘I had no choice. I had no choice.’”
While social workers rejected these suggestions, the UCC investigation says: “the majority…in our focus groups acknowledged that the effect of the conversation might be to leave the parents feeling like they had little choice”.


theirishtimes--2020-12-16--Teenager sentenced to life in prison for murdering his friend

A teenager who pleaded guilty to murdering his friend who had called him a “ rat ” has been sentenced to detention for life with a review after 10 years .
The 17-year-old , who can not e named because he is a minor , pleaded guilty in August to the murder of Glen ‘ Ossie ’ Osborne ( 20 ) at Ballybough House , Ballybough , Dublin on April 15th this year .
Mr Osborne ’ s partner gave birth to their first child two months after his death .
The convicted boy will remain at Oberstown Detention Centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be transferred to an adult prison .
At the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday , Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered reports to be drawn up by relevant health professionals on the boy ’ s 18th birthday and every two years following his transfer to adult prison .
The judge who reviews the case in 2030 will have access to those reports before deciding whether to continue his imprisonment .
Mr Justice McDermott said that the most significant aggravating factor in the murder was that the teen had armed himself with a knife before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he brought a knife and contemplated to use it , and the fact he used it on another human being he knew to be unarmed , who was his friend and who was unaware this was to happen , was an aggravating factor in this case.
” The most significant mitigating factor , the judge said , was that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity , indicating “ a willingness to face up to his responsibility and to take on board what he has done.
” He noted the boy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and said the guilty plea shows an “ appreciation of the appalling damage he has inflicted on Glen Osborne ’ s family ” .
He added that in some cases expressions of remorse can be of a token nature but “ not in this case.
” “ It is serious and deep rooted and I think he sincerely means it , ” the judge added .
The judge noted from various reports that the defendant has a problem with drugs having begun using at 12 or 13 years of age .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuse and is very prone to being angry ” .
He suffers , the judge said , from behavioural issues , boundary issues and anger issues which need to be addressed and are a “ big concern ” .
He further described the boy as impetuous and said he has a deficiency in his judgment .
He also noted that he had a “ chaotic lifestyle ” and difficulties within his family growing up .
Mr Justice McDermott said that given the fact that the boy had struck a fatal blow with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life .
He added that the attack had “ many of the hallmarks of immaturity and stupidity , lack of judgement and proportionality ” but was not of “ the most egregious or malicious ” type such as a meticulously planned killing .
Therefore , he said , he could allow a review of the life sentence after 10 years .
Members of the boy ’ s family began crying as the judge spoke .
Mr Justice McDermott said he expects the probation service to work with professionals in the system to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s development over the coming years until his review in 2030 .

A teenager who pleaded guilty to murdering his friend who had called him a “rat” has been sentenced to detention for life with a review after 10 years.
The 17-year-old, who cannot e named because he is a minor, pleaded guilty in August to the murder of Glen 'Ossie' Osborne (20) at Ballybough House, Ballybough, Dublin on April 15th this year.
Mr Osborne’s partner gave birth to their first child two months after his death.
The convicted boy will remain at Oberstown Detention Centre until his 18th birthday when he will be transferred to an adult prison.
READ MORE
At the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered reports to be drawn up by relevant health professionals on the boy’s 18th birthday and every two years following his transfer to adult prison.
The judge who reviews the case in 2030 will have access to those reports before deciding whether to continue his imprisonment.
Mr Justice McDermott said that the most significant aggravating factor in the murder was that the teen had armed himself with a knife before confronting Mr Osborne.
“The fact he brought a knife and contemplated to use it, and the fact he used it on another human being he knew to be unarmed, who was his friend and who was unaware this was to happen, was an aggravating factor in this case.”
The most significant mitigating factor, the judge said, was that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, indicating “a willingness to face up to his responsibility and to take on board what he has done.”
Appalling damage
He noted the boy’s genuine “sorrow, regret and remorse,” and said the guilty plea shows an “appreciation of the appalling damage he has inflicted on Glen Osborne’s family”.
He added that in some cases expressions of remorse can be of a token nature but “not in this case.” “It is serious and deep rooted and I think he sincerely means it,” the judge added.
The judge noted from various reports that the defendant has a problem with drugs having begun using at 12 or 13 years of age. He also has a “very short fuse and is very prone to being angry”.
He suffers, the judge said, from behavioural issues, boundary issues and anger issues which need to be addressed and are a “big concern”. He further described the boy as impetuous and said he has a deficiency in his judgment. He also noted that he had a “chaotic lifestyle” and difficulties within his family growing up.
Mr Justice McDermott said that given the fact that the boy had struck a fatal blow with a knife, the appropriate sentence is one of life. He added that the attack had “many of the hallmarks of immaturity and stupidity, lack of judgement and proportionality” but was not of “the most egregious or malicious” type such as a meticulously planned killing.
Therefore, he said, he could allow a review of the life sentence after 10 years.
Members of the boy’s family began crying as the judge spoke.
Mr Justice McDermott said he expects the probation service to work with professionals in the system to furnish a plan for the boy’s development over the coming years until his review in 2030.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Face masks beneficial and show no evidence of significant harm, says Hiqa

Direct evidence to support the effectiveness of face masks in the community is “ very limited ” but an increasing amount of indirect evidence suggests their use may be beneficial , according to the State ’ s health watchdog .
“ Data on the potential undesirable effects of face masks usage is also limited , however consideration of the potential harms associated with their use must be balanced against the harms associated with Covid-19 , ” the Health Information and Quality Authority says .
Face masks should be used to protect against Covid-19 wherever physical distancing can not be maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government .
To reduce transmission of the virus , consideration should be given to extending recommendations for face-mask use to crowded settings or where physical distancing can not be maintained , indoors and outdoors , it says .
Any recommendation should probably be advisory rather than mandated , and be accompanied by clear communication , it adds .
Updating its previous advice to Government from last August , Hiqa says the evidence suggested a beneficial effect in reduction transmission from face-mask use and a lack of evidence of significant harm .
Irish recommendations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries , though some countries have recommended face-mask use outdoors .
“ The evidence points towards face-mask use in the community reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 , ” said Dr Máirín Ryan , Hiqa ’ s deputy CEO and director of health technology assessment .
“ There is no consistent evidence that face-mask use leads to a false sense of security or reduced adherence to other public health measures .
There are , however , reports of discomfort and skin irritation related to face-mask use.
” Further research is required to understand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so communication strategies can be enhanced , the report says .
Hiqa ’ s recommendations were submitted last month , leading the Government to recommend from November 27th that face masks should be worn in crowded workplaces , places of worship and busy crowded outdoor spaces .

Government recommended from November 27th that face masks should be worn in crowded workplaces, places of worship and busy crowded outdoor spaces. Photograph: iStock
Direct evidence to support the effectiveness of face masks in the community is “very limited” but an increasing amount of indirect evidence suggests their use may be beneficial, according to the State’s health watchdog.
“Data on the potential undesirable effects of face masks usage is also limited, however consideration of the potential harms associated with their use must be balanced against the harms associated with Covid-19,” the Health Information and Quality Authority says.
Face masks should be used to protect against Covid-19 wherever physical distancing cannot be maintained, Hiqa recommends in newly-published advice to Government.
Hospital Report
To reduce transmission of the virus, consideration should be given to extending recommendations for face-mask use to crowded settings or where physical distancing cannot be maintained, indoors and outdoors, it says.
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Any recommendation should probably be advisory rather than mandated, and be accompanied by clear communication, it adds.
Updating its previous advice to Government from last August, Hiqa says the evidence suggested a beneficial effect in reduction transmission from face-mask use and a lack of evidence of significant harm.
Irish recommendations are “largely in line” with other countries, though some countries have recommended face-mask use outdoors.
“The evidence points towards face-mask use in the community reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2,” said Dr Máirín Ryan, Hiqa’s deputy CEO and director of health technology assessment. “There is no consistent evidence that face-mask use leads to a false sense of security or reduced adherence to other public health measures. There are, however, reports of discomfort and skin irritation related to face-mask use.”
Further research is required to understand and identify factors affecting adherence to face-mask guidance so communication strategies can be enhanced, the report says.
Hiqa’s recommendations were submitted last month, leading the Government to recommend from November 27th that face masks should be worn in crowded workplaces, places of worship and busy crowded outdoor spaces.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Irish scientists discover how rare earth mineral is formed

Irish scientists have discovered how a rare earth mineral in huge demand across the globe , because of its use in the green energy and tech industries , is formed .
The breakthrough by researchers at Trinity College Dublin has important economic implications as there are no substitute alternatives to these rare earth elements ( REEs ) .
They are indispensable due to their ability to form small and very powerful magnets essential for smart devices and low-carbon energy generation such as electronics , wind turbines and hybrid cars .
Most REEs are exploited in carbonatite deposits – the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China – but scientists still study intensely how and why they are formed ; a consequence of complicated mineralogy , element composition and geological history .
There are more than 250 known REE-bearing minerals , but only three are economically viable and exploited commercially .
Bastnäsite is probably the primary valuable mineral for REEs in the world and was the focus of the Trinity team ’ s study .
By considering how water containing REEs interacted with calcite , a mineral that is ubiquitous in nature and often present in hydrothermal environments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which bastnäsite is formed .
“ The fact that we need more REEs urges us to find out more about the geochemical behaviour of these precious elements .
Simply , we need to know a lot more about REEs , and how and why they form , if we want more of them , ” explained PhD Candidate Adrienn Maria Szucs – first author of a study published by the journal Crystal Growth & Design .
“ The crystallisation pathway we discovered reveals that in some rare earth-bearing deposits the origin of bastnäsite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interaction of calcite with rare earth-rich fluids .
This is not the only reaction that forms bastnäsite but the discovery is particularly important because calcite is found everywhere and is also the most stable calcium carbonate in nature , ” she added .
This suggests it should be possible to support formation of bastnäsite under the right conditions , Ms Szucs said .
Principal investigator on the research Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco , assistant professor in manomineralogy at Trinity , said its significance should be seen in context of demand for REEs in high-tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had generated significant geopolitical competition because many REEs have become very valuable , he added .
“ Unfortunately , extracting and refining REEs is both financially and environmentally expensive , so work like this is important for bettering our understanding of formation mechanisms of bastnäsite , which in turn helps us improve existing extraction and refinement methods , ” Dr Rodriguez-Blanco said .
This research was supported with funding from Trinity ’ s Provost PhD Awards ; Science Foundation Ireland , Geological Survey of Ireland , the EPA and by the Horizon 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project .

Irish scientists have discovered how a rare earth mineral in huge demand across the globe, because of its use in the green energy and tech industries, is formed.
The breakthrough by researchers at Trinity College Dublin has important economic implications as there are no substitute alternatives to these rare earth elements (REEs).
They are indispensable due to their ability to form small and very powerful magnets essential for smart devices and low-carbon energy generation such as electronics, wind turbines and hybrid cars.
Most REEs are exploited in carbonatite deposits – the largest known carbonatite is the Bayan Obo in China – but scientists still study intensely how and why they are formed; a consequence of complicated mineralogy, element composition and geological history.
READ MORE
There are more than 250 known REE-bearing minerals, but only three are economically viable and exploited commercially. Bastnäsite is probably the primary valuable mineral for REEs in the world and was the focus of the Trinity team’s study.
Bastnäsite – a rare earth metal in huge demand.
By considering how water containing REEs interacted with calcite, a mineral that is ubiquitous in nature and often present in hydrothermal environments, the team discovered a new pathway by which bastnäsite is formed.
"The fact that we need more REEs urges us to find out more about the geochemical behaviour of these precious elements. Simply, we need to know a lot more about REEs, and how and why they form, if we want more of them," explained PhD Candidate Adrienn Maria Szucs – first author of a study published by the journal Crystal Growth & Design.
“The crystallisation pathway we discovered reveals that in some rare earth-bearing deposits the origin of bastnäsite could be simply a consequence of the interaction of calcite with rare earth-rich fluids. This is not the only reaction that forms bastnäsite but the discovery is particularly important because calcite is found everywhere and is also the most stable calcium carbonate in nature,” she added.
This suggests it should be possible to support formation of bastnäsite under the right conditions, Ms Szucs said.
Principal investigator on the research Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco, assistant professor in manomineralogy at Trinity, said its significance should be seen in context of demand for REEs in high-tech products “shooting up”.
This had generated significant geopolitical competition because many REEs have become very valuable, he added.
“Unfortunately, extracting and refining REEs is both financially and environmentally expensive, so work like this is important for bettering our understanding of formation mechanisms of bastnäsite, which in turn helps us improve existing extraction and refinement methods,” Dr Rodriguez-Blanco said.
This research was supported with funding from Trinity's Provost PhD Awards; Science Foundation Ireland, Geological Survey of Ireland, the EPA and by the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme's MetalIntelligence project.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Journalist and author Kate Holmquist died by drowning, inquest told

An inquest into the death of the journalist and author , Kate Holmquist , has heard the 62-year-old American native died as a result of drowning .
Ms Holmquist , an Irish Times feature writer , had been reported missing by her family on August 4th , 2019 after she had not returned to her home at Lower Albert Road , Sandycove , Co Dublin .
A sitting of Dublin Coroner ’ s Court on Thursday heard her body was discovered on the morning of August 5th , 2019 by a man out walking on Dollymount Strand .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holmquist ’ s husband , Ferdia MacAnna , said his wife had suffered from mental health issues , depression and addiction since 2003 .
Mr MacAnna , a musician , writer and film director , said he and two of the couple ’ s three children had not seen her since they left to go into Dublin city centre on the evening of August 3rd , 2019 .
He said there was no reply when he knocked on her door after they returned home but he left her alone .
Mr MacAnna said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she was not in her room the following morning but became worried when she had not returned that evening and could not be contacted by phone .
He and his family began searches along the seafront after he had checked his wife ’ s bedroom again and found a note she had left which indicated she was “ feeling suicidal ” .
An autopsy on Ms Holmquist ’ s body showed she had no underlying physical conditions which could have contributed to her death .
The coroner , Dr Cróna Gallagher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumed a “ high level ” of medications as well as a “ toxic level ” of alcohol .
Given Ms Holmquist ’ s past struggles and the note left for her family , Dr Gallagher returned a verdict of death by suicide .

An inquest into the death of the journalist and author, Kate Holmquist, has heard the 62-year-old American native died as a result of drowning.
Ms Holmquist, an Irish Times feature writer, had been reported missing by her family on August 4th, 2019, after she had not returned to her home at Lower Albert Road, Sandycove, Co Dublin.
A sitting of Dublin Coroner's Court on Thursday heard her body was discovered on the morning of August 5th, 2019, by a man out walking on Dollymount Strand.
In a statement read out in court, Ms Holmquist’s husband, Ferdia MacAnna, said his wife had suffered from mental health issues, depression and addiction since 2003.
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Mr MacAnna, a musician, writer and film director, said he and two of the couple’s three children had not seen her since they left to go into Dublin city centre on the evening of August 3rd, 2019.
He said there was no reply when he knocked on her door after they returned home but he left her alone.
Mr MacAnna said he assumed his wife had gone out when she was not in her room the following morning but became worried when she had not returned that evening and could not be contacted by phone. He and his family began searches along the seafront after he had checked his wife’s bedroom again and found a note she had left which indicated she was “feeling suicidal”.
An autopsy on Ms Holmquist’s body showed she had no underlying physical conditions which could have contributed to her death.
The coroner, Dr Cróna Gallagher, said a toxicology report revealed she had consumed a “high level” of medications as well as a “toxic level” of alcohol.
Given Ms Holmquist’s past struggles and the note left for her family, Dr Gallagher returned a verdict of death by suicide.
If you are affected by any issue in this article, please contact Pieta House on 1800-247247 or the Samaritans on 116123 (free) or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Man charged over fatal Mayo crash after extradition from US

A man from the west of Ireland extradited from the US overnight , appeared before Castlebar District Court on Thursday morning on a charge of dangerous driving causing death .
Francis Carr , Cappaghduff , Tourmakeady , Co Mayo , was the driver of a car involved in a crash 3½ years ago which claimed the lives of his passengers , Orla O ’ Malley ( 18 ) , Cross , Co Mayo , and Seán Halloran ( 20 ) , Clonbur , Co Galway .
Ms O ’ Malley , a student nurse , was a back-seat passenger and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the car which crashed into a wall at Churchfield , Tourmakeady , in the early hours of June 4th , 2017 .
The trio had been returning from a Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta GAA event in Tourmakeady when the crash occurred .
Subsequent to the crash , Mr Carr , who was seriously injured , left for the US .
He has not returned since .
However , he was arrested on foot of an extradition warrant this summer and held in custody since .
He was extradited from the US overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Dublin Airport early on Thursday .
Sgt Margaret O ’ Connor told Judge Fiona Lydon the accused said “ no reply ” when charged .
Vincent Deane , state solicitor for Mayo , said the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the matter .
Mr Deane asked for a return for trial to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court on January 26th .
Solicitor Tom Walsh , for Mr Carr , told the court there was no application for bail .
The accused was prepared to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walsh requested and was granted free legal aid for his client who , he said , was a young man who had been in the custody of the American authorities for a considerable period of time and had no employment in Ireland .

Francis Carr, Cappaghduff, Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, was the driver of a car involved in a crash in 2017 in which, Orla O’Malley (18) and Seán Halloran (20) died. File photograph: Dave Meehan
A man from the west of Ireland extradited from the US overnight, appeared before Castlebar District Court on Thursday morning on a charge of dangerous driving causing death.
Francis Carr, Cappaghduff, Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, was the driver of a car involved in a crash 3½ years ago which claimed the lives of his passengers, Orla O'Malley (18), Cross, Co Mayo, and Seán Halloran (20), Clonbur, Co Galway.
Ms O'Malley, a student nurse, was a back-seat passenger and Mr Halloran was in the front seat of the car which crashed into a wall at Churchfield, Tourmakeady, in the early hours of June 4th, 2017.
The trio had been returning from a Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta GAA event in Tourmakeady when the crash occurred.
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Subsequent to the crash, Mr Carr, who was seriously injured, left for the US. He has not returned since.
However, he was arrested on foot of an extradition warrant this summer and held in custody since.
He was extradited from the US overnight and was arrested when his flight arrived at Dublin Airport early on Thursday.
Sgt Margaret O'Connor told Judge Fiona Lydon the accused said "no reply" when charged.
Vincent Deane, state solicitor for Mayo, said the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment in the matter.
Mr Deane asked for a return for trial to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court on January 26th.
Solicitor Tom Walsh, for Mr Carr, told the court there was no application for bail. The accused was prepared to remain in custody, he said.
Mr Walsh requested and was granted free legal aid for his client who, he said, was a young man who had been in the custody of the American authorities for a considerable period of time and had no employment in Ireland.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Brexit threatens to damage Irish fishing grounds, committee hears

Fears have been raised over the potential for significant ecological damage to fishing grounds if a no-deal Brexit drives more EU boats away from UK waters and into those off the Irish coast .
The Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine has been told that recent successes in increasing fish stocks could be reversed in such a scenario .
The Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation ( ISWFPO ) said vessels from mainland Europe are “ anxious ” to fish in more accessible waters along the continental shelf , mainly to the west of Ireland .
“ Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... that , following the expulsion of the 400 European vessels from UK Waters in a no deal scenario this will , potentially double or even triple fishing effort in Irish Waters , something [ we ] believe our fishing fleet will not survive , ” it said .
With regard to ecological sensitivities , it said accredited scientific studies are needed to address “ what may be the repercussions of the displacement of hundreds of vessels from British waters into Irish waters ” .
“ To permit this damaging of Ireland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the work carried out in the past 11 years by [ fishermen ] working with scientists where STECF ( the European Commission ’ s Scientific , Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries ) claim the majority of stocks have risen by 50 per cent.
” Fears among those in the industry continue to rise as Brexit trade talks limp on .
Earlier this week European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said fisheries negotiations continue to prove “ very difficult ” .
“ In all honesty , it sometimes feels that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this question .
But we must continue to try , ” she said .
With Ireland heavily reliant on access to UK waters , Patrick Murphy , chief executive of the ISWFPO said historical changes to fishing rights have already demonstrated the potential outcome of such upheaval .
When he started fishing , he told the committee on Thursday , there were about 30 boats in Balitmore , Co Cork whereas today there are none .
“ That is the sacrifice that happened in the past .
If I see that happening again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiped out , even Union Hall could suffer greatly , ” he told the committee .
“ These are jobs in the local communities that are not going to be replaced with anything else anytime soon .
So that will mean less people in the garages , mechanics ; less people in the schools ... more closures of shops .
It would be an annihilation of our coastal communities.
” This was reflected in data supplied to the committee by the Killybegs Fishermen ’ s Organisation ( KFO ) illustrating how the sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – 82 per cent in Killybegs , Co Donegal , and 86 per cent in Castletownbere , Co Cork .
It said an industry worth €1.22 billion could be cut to as low as €600 million with the potential for 6,000 job losses over two years , about 37 per cent .
In 2019 , it said , Ireland exported €86 million worth of seafood produce to the UK , but imported €231 million .
However , over a ten year period from 2006 to 2016 , the UK ’ s fishing sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of its activity .
Chief executive Sean O ’ Donoghue said while the fleet could still catch what was required for the domestic market without UK territorial access , this represented just 10 per cent of the annual catch .

The Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine has been told that recent successes in increasing fish stocks could be reversed. File photograph: Getty
Fears have been raised over the potential for significant ecological damage to fishing grounds if a no-deal Brexit drives more EU boats away from UK waters and into those off the Irish coast.
The Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine has been told that recent successes in increasing fish stocks could be reversed in such a scenario.
The Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO) said vessels from mainland Europe are "anxious" to fish in more accessible waters along the continental shelf, mainly to the west of Ireland.
“Following Brexit [there is a] fear...that, following the expulsion of the 400 European vessels from UK Waters in a no deal scenario this will, potentially double or even triple fishing effort in Irish Waters, something [we] believe our fishing fleet will not survive,” it said.
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With regard to ecological sensitivities, it said accredited scientific studies are needed to address “what may be the repercussions of the displacement of hundreds of vessels from British waters into Irish waters”.
"To permit this damaging of Ireland's biologically sensitive area will potentially undo all of the work carried out in the past 11 years by [fishermen] working with scientists where STECF (the European Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries) claim the majority of stocks have risen by 50 per cent."
Fears among those in the industry continue to rise as Brexit trade talks limp on. Earlier this week European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said fisheries negotiations continue to prove "very difficult".
“In all honesty, it sometimes feels that we will not be able to resolve this question. But we must continue to try,” she said.
With Ireland heavily reliant on access to UK waters, Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the ISWFPO said historical changes to fishing rights have already demonstrated the potential outcome of such upheaval.
When he started fishing, he told the committee on Thursday, there were about 30 boats in Balitmore, Co Cork whereas today there are none.
"That is the sacrifice that happened in the past. If I see that happening again then the likes of Ballycotton could be wiped out, even Union Hall could suffer greatly," he told the committee.
“These are jobs in the local communities that are not going to be replaced with anything else anytime soon. So that will mean less people in the garages, mechanics; less people in the schools...more closures of shops. It would be an annihilation of our coastal communities.”
This was reflected in data supplied to the committee by the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO) illustrating how the sector accounts for vast bulks of local economies – 82 per cent in Killybegs, Co Donegal, and 86 per cent in Castletownbere, Co Cork.
It said an industry worth €1.22 billion could be cut to as low as €600 million with the potential for 6,000 job losses over two years, about 37 per cent.
In 2019, it said, Ireland exported €86 million worth of seafood produce to the UK, but imported €231 million. However, over a ten year period from 2006 to 2016, the UK’s fishing sector was dependant on EU markets for 74 per cent of its activity.
Chief executive Sean O’Donoghue said while the fleet could still catch what was required for the domestic market without UK territorial access, this represented just 10 per cent of the annual catch.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Covid-19: Nursing homes residents advised to avoid external visits this Christmas

The State ’ s 30,000 nursing home residents are advised to avoid visits to private homes over Christmas due to the risk from Covid-19 during the pandemic , the Government has advised .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said there may be “ significant risk of the unwitting introduction of Covid-19 into nursing homes ” from external visits by residents , “ particularly as there may be increased spread of infection in the community at Christmas.
” He advised that nursing home residents “ should not undertake such external visits ” .
“ An external visit to a private home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few people and it won ’ t be possible to be sure that everyone who comes to the house has been checked for Covid-19 symptoms and is careful about social distancing , ” Mr Donnelly said .
The Minister said he appreciated that this “ may be disappointing for some residents and their family member ” and he acknowledged that 2020 “ has been a most difficult year for families.
” “ However , this must be considered in the context of the current rate of transmission and the ongoing risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary question asked by Fine Gael TD Fergus O ’ Dowd .
He cited the latest risk assessment from the European Centre for Disease Control for people in long-term residential care , which said that the risk of Covid-19 infection in the EU and the UK is “ currently considered very high for residents of these services.
” Under current rules , the Government permits up to one visit by one person to a nursing home resident under the current Level 3 restrictions .
This same restrictions remain in place for Level 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks by one person to a resident is permitted under Level 5 .
“ We must be vigilant in ensuring that residents who may be very vulnerable to adverse outcomes as a result of Covid-19 continue to be protected through these public health measures , ” Mr Donnelly said .
“ I encourage all nursing homes to facility visits in line with public health advice , and to communicate with family and friends.
” Nursing home residents have borne the brunt of the pandemic , accounting for more than half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with older people most vulnerable to the disease .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) will meet on Thursday after chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned on Wednesday that the virus was “ moving in the wrong direction.
” There have been “ significant ” increases in the positivity rates and incidence rates of the virus since public health restrictions were eased at the start of this month .

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly (centre) said he appreciated that this ‘may be disappointing for some residents and their family member’. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The State’s 30,000 nursing home residents are advised to avoid visits to private homes over Christmas due to the risk from Covid-19 during the pandemic, the Government has advised.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said there may be "significant risk of the unwitting introduction of Covid-19 into nursing homes" from external visits by residents, "particularly as there may be increased spread of infection in the community at Christmas."
He advised that nursing home residents “should not undertake such external visits”.
Hospital Report
“An external visit to a private home over Christmas will usually mean meeting quite a few people and it won’t be possible to be sure that everyone who comes to the house has been checked for Covid-19 symptoms and is careful about social distancing,” Mr Donnelly said.
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The Minister said he appreciated that this “may be disappointing for some residents and their family member” and he acknowledged that 2020 “has been a most difficult year for families.”
"However, this must be considered in the context of the current rate of transmission and the ongoing risk," he said in response to a parliamentary question asked by Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd.
He cited the latest risk assessment from the European Centre for Disease Control for people in long-term residential care, which said that the risk of Covid-19 infection in the EU and the UK is “currently considered very high for residents of these services.”
Under current rules, the Government permits up to one visit by one person to a nursing home resident under the current Level 3 restrictions. This same restrictions remain in place for Level 4, while up to one visit every two weeks by one person to a resident is permitted under Level 5.
“We must be vigilant in ensuring that residents who may be very vulnerable to adverse outcomes as a result of Covid-19 continue to be protected through these public health measures,” Mr Donnelly said.
“I encourage all nursing homes to facility visits in line with public health advice, and to communicate with family and friends.”
Nursing home residents have borne the brunt of the pandemic, accounting for more than half of the deaths from the virus in the State with older people most vulnerable to the disease.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) will meet on Thursday after chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned on Wednesday that the virus was "moving in the wrong direction."
There have been “significant” increases in the positivity rates and incidence rates of the virus since public health restrictions were eased at the start of this month.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Widespread disruption to Luas lines caused by electrical fault

An electrical fault has caused the suspension of the two main Luas lines during rush hour .
The fault is @ @ @ @ @ two lines meet and ESB crews have been called to deal with the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ Line is only operating between Tallaght and Smithfield and not from Smithfield to Connolly Station @ @ @ @ @ been advised that there is no service between St Stephens Green and Dominick St at @ @ @ @ @ are operating from Brides Glen to St Stephens Green only and from Dominick to Broombridge @ @

The fault is at Marlborough Street where the two lines meet and ESB crews have been called to deal with the incident. Photograph: iStock
An electrical fault has caused the suspension of the two main Luas lines during rush hour.
The fault is at Marlborough Street where the two lines meet and ESB crews have been called to deal with the incident.
As a result the Red Line is only operating between Tallaght and Smithfield and not from Smithfield to Connolly Station.
Green Line passengers have been advised that there is no service between St Stephens Green and Dominick St at present.
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Green Line services are operating from Brides Glen to St Stephens Green only and from Dominick to Broombridge only.
Tickets are valid on Dublin Bus.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Covid-19: Nphet to meet amid concerns over ‘explosive concoction’ after Christmas socialising

The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) will meet on Thursday amid warnings that the number of Covid-19 infections in Ireland is going in the wrong direction .
The head of the HSE Paul Reid urged people to protect themselves over the Christmas period , saying that would be the best present they could give to Ireland ’ s health system .
Chief medical officer Tony Holohhan on Wednesday said there were “ significant and concerning indicators that this disease in moving in the wrong direction.
” He said these include an increase in positivity rates , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased to 339 new daily cases while the seven day incidence rate is 48.7 per 100,000 .
“ These trends are all the more troubling because of the delicate and precarious situation we are in - as a country , we are heading into a period of potential widespread inter-household and inter-generational mixing , ” he said .
On Wednesday it was announced that a further 431 new Covid-19 cases and six further coronavirus-related deaths had taken place in the State .
On Thursday morning Mr Reid urged people to exercise caution over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts to a minimum .
“ We want people to look forward to Christmas , it is important for their mental health , ” he said .
But he added that he was concerned that there would be “ an explosive concoction ” that would have a major impact after Christmas which is peak time for demand on health services .
Restriction on travelling outside the county where you live will be lifted on Friday and Mr Reid called on people to keep contacts and household visits to a minimum .
Restrictions had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people “ some measure of relief ” but the public needed to continue to practice measures such as mask wearing , hand washing and social distancing , Mr Reid told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
He said he was concerned about the lag effect .
He did not want to have to curtail the easing of restrictions earlier .
It was up to everyone to modify their behaviour so that did not have to happen .
He also said that the HSE would offer whatever supports it could to Northern Ireland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response to a question about the possibility of closing schools this week until after Christmas following a number of outbreaks in schools , Mr Reid said that keeping schools open was important for the welfare of children .
Positivity rates in school were much lower than in the community , so they should remain open , he said .
The total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the State is now at 2,140 and the total number of confirmed cases is 77,197 .
The situation has also deteriorated in Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ambulances outside hospitals because of the lack of beds and increasing incidence of the virus .

The Government will consider a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) that inter-county travel be restricted after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve.
Nphet wants people to be asked to stay within their county boundaries again to prevent further spread of Covid-19 in light of the increase in new cases.
Under the existing plan to relax restrictions over the festive period, people were permitted to travel between counties again from Friday, allowing people to travel to see relatives and loved ones over Christmas.
Hospital Report
If accepted, the restriction would shorten the amount of time people can spend with family and friends outside their county over the Christmas period.
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Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Nphet has recommended to Government that the period of relaxed Covid-19 restrictions be shortened to the end of the year as virus cases rise.
“The anticipated period of going from tomorrow to the 6th of January would be shortened,” he told RTÉ’s Six One.
Hospitality sector
He said the measures being recommended would involve the hospitality sector as well as reducing the number of households which can mingle during visits from three to two.
A further three deaths of Covid-19 patients have been reported by Nphet. This brings to 2,143 the total number of deaths in the pandemic.
Nphet also reported 484 confirmed cases of the disease, bringing to 77,678 the total number of cases in the Republic.
Mr Martin said he had spoken to chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, who was concerned that Covid-19 numbers were rising across all age cohorts.
“Nphet will be recommending to Government that we would bring in restrictions before the end of the year that in other words the anticpated period going from tomorrow to January 6th would be shortened and also that Nphet will be recommending restrictions in relation to hospitality before the end of the year, so concerned are they in relation to the rising numbers, and also restricting household visits to one before the end of the year, that’s one household could visit another,” Mr Martin said.
Asked if Government would be minded to accept the recommendations, he said: “I think Government will take it very seriously...we will be in a position to make a decision on Tuesday and give people plenty of notice”.
Meawhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told RTÉ’s Prime Time Cabinet was meeting on Tuesday to discuss Nphet’s recommendations, as well as advice from other sources, but that it would not be a return to Level 5.
Leo Varadkar on RTÉ’s Prime Time. Photograph: RTÉ
“The kind of restrictions we would thinking about reimposing would be between Christmas and New Years would be restrictions around hospitality - essentially closing hospitality again - and limiting visits of one household to another household but not a total ban on household visits,” he said.
“For example, retail and personal services would stay open.”
He said the Government did not want to make a decision on reimposing restrictions prior to Tuesday as it gives them additional time to consider advice and to see the numbers of positive cases in the coming days.
“Bear in mind, we’d still be giving seven to 10 days’ notice to those businesses even if that decision is not made until Tuesday,” he added.
He acknowledged that the need to reimpose restrictions between New Years and Christmas is “devastating news”.
“ I know not just for the hospitality sector in particular, but also for people who had planned the season, who are looking forward to seeing people over the New Year and that may not now be possible,” he said.
“Unless the numbers stabilise over the next number of days, then we will have to bring forward from the 6th of January the point at which we need to reimpose restrictions.”
He added: “I know that’s a really hard thing to hear and a really difficult decision for people to take but if we don’t do that and wait until January 6th, the restrictions we reimpose might have to be tougher and might have to go on for longer and we don’t want that.”
Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, tweeted: "Proposed restrictions on Restaurants & Hospitality before the end of 2020 will have a devastating economic impact on Businesses & Employees".
Of the new cases reported on Thursday, 150 are in Dublin, 45 in Wexford, 40 in Cork, 32 in Donegal, 29 in Limerick, with the remaining 188 cases spread across 20 other counties.
R number
The reproduction number, a measure of how many other people a case infects, now stands at between 1.1 and 1.3, according to Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling advisory group.
If this continues, there could be 700 to 1,200 cases a day by the second week in January, he said.
On Thursday afternoon, there were 200 Covid-19 patients in hospital, including 31 in ICU. There were 30 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the five-day moving average is now 387 cases per day.
He said the virus was spreading throughout the country, in all age groups.
“We are now getting reports of substantial outbreaks in social settings, including workplace settings, Christmas parties and funerals. I cannot stress enough how important it is to limit your interactions now. The consequences of not doing so will be exponential growth in January, a substantial increase in hospitalisations and risk to life.”
‘Precarious’
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has told the Dáil the reproduction rate of the Covid-19 virus has risen to between 1.1 and 1.3 from between 0.9 and 1 last week.
Mr Donnelly, describing the situation as “precarious”, said that with a rate of anything above 1.2 “the cases can rise very, very quickly”.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
He said the positivity in testing is up and the referrals for PCR testing are up and that doctors are recording flu-like symptoms in their surgeries.
He warned that all the lead indicators “are all pointing to a serious increase in cases and we’ve seen the number of personal contacts rise”.
The number of contacts per person who tests positive has risen from 2.8 recent to 3.6 today.
He said that “Ireland has done the best in the western world as a nation and as a body of politics in working together to drive the virus down and keep people alive.
The Minister who was opening a Dáil debate on the Covid-19 taskforce, said he had had a long conversation with the Chief and Deputy Chief Medical Officers before the debate and it was “very sobering”.
He said Ireland was in the privileged position of seeing friends and family at Christmas and he appealed to the public to act on the advice of Dr Ronan Glynn to reduce the number of contacts they planned to have over the festive season.
Earlier, the head of the HSE Paul Reid urged people to protect themselves over the Christmas period, saying that would be the best present they could give to Ireland’s health system.
Concerning
Chief medical officer Tony Holohan on Wednesday said there were “significant and concerning indicators that this disease in moving in the wrong direction.”
He said these include an increase in positivity rates, and the 5 day moving average has now increased to 339 new daily cases while the seven day incidence rate is 48.7 per 100,000.
“These trends are all the more troubling because of the delicate and precarious situation we are in - as a country, we are heading into a period of potential widespread inter-household and inter-generational mixing,” he said.
On Wednesday it was announced that a further 431 new Covid-19 cases and six further coronavirus-related deaths had taken place in the State.
On Thursday morning Mr Reid urged people to exercise caution over the Christmas period and keep their social contacts to a minimum.
“We want people to look forward to Christmas, it is important for their mental health,” he said.
But he added that he was concerned that there would be “an explosive concoction” that would have a major impact after Christmas which is peak time for demand on health services.
Minimal contacts
Restriction on travelling outside the county where you live will be lifted on Friday and Mr Reid called on people to keep contacts and household visits to a minimum.
Restrictions had been eased with the aim of giving people “some measure of relief” but the public needed to continue to practice measures such as mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing, Mr Reid told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
He said he was concerned about the lag effect. He did not want to have to curtail the easing of restrictions earlier. It was up to everyone to modify their behaviour so that did not have to happen.
He also said that the HSE would offer whatever supports it could to Northern Ireland and they were monitoring the situation there closely.
In response to a question about the possibility of closing schools this week until after Christmas following a number of outbreaks in schools, Mr Reid said that keeping schools open was important for the welfare of children. Positivity rates in school were much lower than in the community, so they should remain open, he said.
The total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the State is now at 2,140 and the total number of confirmed cases is 77,197.
The situation has also deteriorated in Northern Ireland where patients were being treated in rows of ambulances outside hospitals because of the lack of beds and increasing incidence of the virus.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--On what day of the week is Christmas? Use the Doomsday Rule

An old nursery rhyme begins “ Monday ’ s child is fair of face/Tuesday ’ s child is full of grace ” .
Perhaps character and personality were determined by the weekday of birth .
More likely , the rhyme was to help children learn the days of the week .
But how can we determine the day on which we were born without the aid of computers or calendars ?
Is there a recipe or rule – an algorithm – giving the answer ?
The English mathematician John Horton Conway , stricken down by Covid last April , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most original and ingenious ideas , contributing to several branches of mathematics .
In 1973 , Conway developed a scheme he called the Doomsday Rule , to determine the weekday for any given date .
Conway was inspired by Lewis Carroll , author of the Alice books , who had devised a perpetual calendar , but Conway ’ s method went far beyond Carroll ’ s in power and versatility .
The Doomsday algorithm involves only simple arithmetic , although it is too intricate to describe in detail here .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to practice the technique so as to produce an answer rapidly .
Conway himself programmed his computer to generate 10 dates at random ; he had to convert them to weekdays before he could log on to the machine .
He became so skilful that he could give the weekdays for the 10 dates in about 15 seconds .
The calculation of weekdays involves modular arithmetic , something we use all the time without realising it : times are given on a 12-hour clock so , to find the time seven hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add 7 to 10 and automatically subtract 12 to get five o ’ clock ; the numbers “ wrap around ” at midday and midnight .
In math-speak , 17 is congruent to 5 modulo 12 .
In a similar way , since the weekdays continually cycle , we use modulo 7 arithmetic when we say that Tuesday is five days after Thursday .
To give a flavour of the Doomsday algorithm , let ’ s consider a special case : for any given year , on what weekday does Christmas Day fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember the day-numbers corresponding to the seven days of the week .
Then four easy calculations yield a number giving the required weekday .
The day-numbers from Sunday through to Saturday are recalled without effort using the mnemonic : Noneday , Oneday , Twosday , Treblesday , Foursday , Fiveday , Sixaday .
Thus , 0 is the number for Sunday , 1 for Monday , and so on to 6 for Saturday .
You can append Sevenday for Sunday if you like , since 7 is congruent to 0 modulo 7 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the day-number , given any year of the 21st century .
Step 1 : Subtract 2000 from the year .
Step 2 : Add a quarter to the result ( neglecting fractions ) .
Step 3 : Divide by 7 .
Step 4 : Add 1 to the remainder .
The result is the day-number for Christmas Day .
A specific example will clarify the process .
Suppose you are asked for the weekday of Christmas Day in the year 2050 .
( 1 ) Subtracting 2000 you get 50 ; ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fractions ) you get 62 ; ( 3 ) Dividing by 7 gives remainder 6 .
( 4 ) Adding one , you get 7 , which is equal to 0 modulo 7 .
Thus , the day number is 0 , corresponding to Sunday .
The method outlined works for any day this century .
For dates in the 20th century , we subtract 1900 in step 1 and add 2 instead of 1 in step 4 .
Thus , Christmas Day in 1950 was on a Monday .
The full Doomsday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With some practice and a minimum of mental arithmetic , you can amuse your family after Christmas dinner .
Given their date of birth , you can tell , within a few seconds , the weekday on which they were born , and whether they are fair of face , full of grace , or whatever .
A collection of That ’ s Maths articles , That ’ s Maths II : A Ton of Wonders , has just been published .
Seehttp : //logicpress.ie/2020-3/ Peter Lynch is emeritus professor at UCD School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at thatsmaths.com

An old nursery rhyme begins “Monday’s child is fair of face/Tuesday’s child is full of grace”. Perhaps character and personality were determined by the weekday of birth.
More likely, the rhyme was to help children learn the days of the week. But how can we determine the day on which we were born without the aid of computers or calendars? Is there a recipe or rule – an algorithm – giving the answer?
The English mathematician John Horton Conway, stricken down by Covid last April, was extraordinarily inventive. He conceived some of the most original and ingenious ideas, contributing to several branches of mathematics.
In 1973, Conway developed a scheme he called the Doomsday Rule, to determine the weekday for any given date. Conway was inspired by Lewis Carroll, author of the Alice books, who had devised a perpetual calendar, but Conway's method went far beyond Carroll's in power and versatility.
READ MORE
The Doomsday algorithm involves only simple arithmetic, although it is too intricate to describe in detail here. It also requires the user to learn some rules and to practice the technique so as to produce an answer rapidly.
Conway himself programmed his computer to generate 10 dates at random; he had to convert them to weekdays before he could log on to the machine. He became so skilful that he could give the weekdays for the 10 dates in about 15 seconds.
Modular arithmic
The calculation of weekdays involves modular arithmetic, something we use all the time without realising it: times are given on a 12-hour clock so, to find the time seven hours after 10 o’clock, we add 7 to 10 and automatically subtract 12 to get five o’clock; the numbers “wrap around” at midday and midnight. In math-speak, 17 is congruent to 5 modulo 12. In a similar way, since the weekdays continually cycle, we use modulo 7 arithmetic when we say that Tuesday is five days after Thursday.
To give a flavour of the Doomsday algorithm, let’s consider a special case: for any given year, on what weekday does Christmas Day fall? All that is required is to remember the day-numbers corresponding to the seven days of the week.
Then four easy calculations yield a number giving the required weekday. The day-numbers from Sunday through to Saturday are recalled without effort using the mnemonic: Noneday, Oneday, Twosday, Treblesday, Foursday, Fiveday, Sixaday. Thus, 0 is the number for Sunday, 1 for Monday, and so on to 6 for Saturday. You can append Sevenday for Sunday if you like, since 7 is congruent to 0 modulo 7.
Four simple steps
Here are the four simple steps to get the day-number, given any year of the 21st century. Step 1: Subtract 2000 from the year. Step 2: Add a quarter to the result (neglecting fractions). Step 3: Divide by 7. Step 4: Add 1 to the remainder. The result is the day-number for Christmas Day.
A specific example will clarify the process. Suppose you are asked for the weekday of Christmas Day in the year 2050. (1) Subtracting 2000 you get 50; (2) adding one quarter (no fractions) you get 62; (3) Dividing by 7 gives remainder 6. (4) Adding one, you get 7, which is equal to 0 modulo 7.
Thus, the day number is 0, corresponding to Sunday. The method outlined works for any day this century. For dates in the 20th century, we subtract 1900 in step 1 and add 2 instead of 1 in step 4. Thus, Christmas Day in 1950 was on a Monday.
The full Doomsday algorithm is well described on Wikipedia. With some practice and a minimum of mental arithmetic, you can amuse your family after Christmas dinner. Given their date of birth, you can tell, within a few seconds, the weekday on which they were born, and whether they are fair of face, full of grace, or whatever.
A collection of That's Maths articles, That's Maths II: A Ton of Wonders, has just been published. Seehttp://logicpress.ie/2020-3/
Peter Lynch is emeritus professor at UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics – he blogs at thatsmaths.com


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Sharing hate speech on social media to become criminal offence under new plan

The sharing of hate speech on social media is to become a criminal offence under Government proposals to combat racism and bigotry .
This will mean that the sharing or retweeting of hateful speech on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will be a crime , even if the person sharing it was not the author .
Under the Government plan , to be published on Thursday by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee , there will be protections for social-media companies from prosecution .
For example , it will be a defence for a company to show it had existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was complying with these .
The proposed Bill will involve the complete repeal of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 , which the Department of Justice viewed as ineffective at combating hate speech .
The planned law will , for the first time , provide protection to trans and disabled people alongside ethnic and religious minorities , immigrants and other members of the LGBT community .
“ I am determined to tackle these crimes and to ensure that those who seek to divide our communities and spread hatred and fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice system , ” Ms McEntee says in the foreword to the report .
A public consultation , on which the report is based , found “ considerable disquiet ” over public figures using the media and online platforms “ to promote racist stereotypes and harmful myths in order to generate attention for their campaigns ” .
“ Participants were strongly of the view that there is a greater need for protection from hate speech on social media , ” it says .
There will be a high bar for hate-speech prosecutions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech .
“ Good faith ” contributions to public debates , academia and the arts would be exempt .
While the old legislation protected only groups from incitement to hatred , the new law will protect individuals and groups .
Hate speech would also not necessarily have to be threatening or abusive in nature .
“ So , a broadcast or speech which is clearly designed to incite hatred , but is couched in polite or coded language , would be covered by the new offence , ” the report states .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for crimes classified as “ hate crimes ” such as assaults involving racism or homophobia .

Under Government proposals, the sharing or retweeting of hateful speech on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter would be a crime, even if the person sharing it was not the author. Photograph: Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images
The sharing of hate speech on social media is to become a criminal offence under Government proposals to combat racism and bigotry.
This will mean that the sharing or retweeting of hateful speech on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will be a crime, even if the person sharing it was not the author.
Under the Government plan, to be published on Thursday by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, there will be protections for social-media companies from prosecution. For example, it will be a defence for a company to show it had existing measures in place to prevent hate speech and was complying with these.
The proposed Bill will involve the complete repeal of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, which the Department of Justice viewed as ineffective at combating hate speech.
READ MORE
The planned law will, for the first time, provide protection to trans and disabled people alongside ethnic and religious minorities, immigrants and other members of the LGBT community.
“I am determined to tackle these crimes and to ensure that those who seek to divide our communities and spread hatred and fear are dealt with effectively by our criminal justice system,” Ms McEntee says in the foreword to the report.
A public consultation, on which the report is based, found “considerable disquiet” over public figures using the media and online platforms “to promote racist stereotypes and harmful myths in order to generate attention for their campaigns”.
“Participants were strongly of the view that there is a greater need for protection from hate speech on social media,” it says.
High bar
There will be a high bar for hate-speech prosecutions and the law will include protections for free speech. “Good faith” contributions to public debates, academia and the arts would be exempt.
While the old legislation protected only groups from incitement to hatred, the new law will protect individuals and groups.
Hate speech would also not necessarily have to be threatening or abusive in nature.
“So, a broadcast or speech which is clearly designed to incite hatred, but is couched in polite or coded language, would be covered by the new offence,” the report states.
The planned Bill will also include stiffer sentences for crimes classified as “hate crimes” such as assaults involving racism or homophobia.


theirishtimes--2020-12-17--Covid-19 restrictions to ease despite growing concern about rising infection on both sides of Border

Covid-19 restrictions will be eased from Friday despite growing concern over infection numbers on both sides of the Border ahead of the Christmas holidays .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he expected the R number , a key indicator of the spread of the disease , would on Thursday be confirmed as having risen above 1 .
This means that each infected person is passing Covid-19 on to at least one other .
“ It ’ s a concern .
The numbers today were high , ” he said after 431 new cases and six deaths were confirmed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as anticipated , that cases are on the rise in the Republic.
” However , he said the plans to allow people to travel outside their county and gather in other people ’ s homes from Friday would still go ahead .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said there were “ significant and concerning indicators that this disease is moving in the wrong direction ” .
He said the rise in cases and the proportion of tests coming back positive were “ troubling trends ” given the State was “ heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inter-generational mixing ” .
“ This is an ideal opportunity for the virus to spread and impact on those most vulnerable to its severest effects , ” he said .
Senior public health sources expressed concern at more than 400 daily cases having been reported for a second time since Sunday .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) has previously advised that a three-week intervention would be needed when case numbers “ approach 400 per day ” , although much depends on the rate of growth of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ of course ” be concern , but that Ireland was still performing well compared with other European countries .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Wednesday night ’ s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting there was a need to “ keep an eye ” on infections here and that he was concerned about the levels being seen in Northern Ireland .
Weekly meetings of Cabinet and senior officials on Brexit and Covid-19 would continue over the Christmas period , he said .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly spoke to his Stormont counterpart Robin Swann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donnelly said if Northern Ireland requested help , “ this would of course be provided ” .
A North South Ministerial Council meeting will take place on Friday .
The North ’ s lockdown ended last Friday with retail and much of the hospitality sector allowed to reopen , with further relaxations to come for the period from December 23rd to December 27th .
However , a total of 457 patients were on Wednesday receiving treatment for Covid-19 in the North ’ s hospitals , with 32 people in intensive care and 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 510 cases were reported on Wednesday .
Mr Swann said a series of “ decisive ” and “ robust ” interventions would be proposed to try to deal with heavy demands on the health service .
Nphet recommended against non-essential travel to and from Northern Ireland , and may repeat the warning after its meeting on Thursday .
The number of people seeking beds in Irish hospitals has been rising , with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ’ s trolley watch survey on Wednesday counting 293 people in emergency departments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday was 316 , the worst level of overcrowding seen since the start of the pandemic .
Anne O ’ Connor , HSE chief operations officer , said the health service was “ not in terrible trouble ” but that an increase in Covid-19 cases would translate into “ issues in our hospitals ” and then in critical care .
“ There is no doubt our system will be under pressure in January , ” she told RTÉ ’ s News at One .

Covid-19 restrictions will be eased from Friday despite growing concern over infection numbers on both sides of the Border ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he expected the R number, a key indicator of the spread of the disease, would on Thursday be confirmed as having risen above 1. This means that each infected person is passing Covid-19 on to at least one other.
“It’s a concern. The numbers today were high,” he said after 431 new cases and six deaths were confirmed. “The lead indicators we have suggest, as anticipated, that cases are on the rise in the Republic.”
Hospital Report
However, he said the plans to allow people to travel outside their county and gather in other people’s homes from Friday would still go ahead.
READ MORE
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said there were "significant and concerning indicators that this disease is moving in the wrong direction".
He said the rise in cases and the proportion of tests coming back positive were “troubling trends” given the State was “heading into a period of potential widespread inter-household and inter-generational mixing”.
“This is an ideal opportunity for the virus to spread and impact on those most vulnerable to its severest effects,” he said.
Senior public health sources expressed concern at more than 400 daily cases having been reported for a second time since Sunday. The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has previously advised that a three-week intervention would be needed when case numbers “approach 400 per day”, although much depends on the rate of growth of the disease.
A Government source said there would "of course" be concern, but that Ireland was still performing well compared with other European countries.
Northern Ireland
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Wednesday night's Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting there was a need to "keep an eye" on infections here and that he was concerned about the levels being seen in Northern Ireland.
Weekly meetings of Cabinet and senior officials on Brexit and Covid-19 would continue over the Christmas period, he said.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly spoke to his Stormont counterpart Robin Swann on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for Mr Donnelly said if Northern Ireland requested help, "this would of course be provided".
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly says the lead indicators suggest, as anticipated, that cases are on the rise in the Republic. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
A North South Ministerial Council meeting will take place on Friday.
The North’s lockdown ended last Friday with retail and much of the hospitality sector allowed to reopen, with further relaxations to come for the period from December 23rd to December 27th.
However, a total of 457 patients were on Wednesday receiving treatment for Covid-19 in the North’s hospitals, with 32 people in intensive care and 25 on ventilators. Eight more Covid-19 deaths and 510 cases were reported on Wednesday.
Interventions
Mr Swann said a series of “decisive” and “robust” interventions would be proposed to try to deal with heavy demands on the health service.
Nphet recommended against non-essential travel to and from Northern Ireland, and may repeat the warning after its meeting on Thursday.
The number of people seeking beds in Irish hospitals has been rising, with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s trolley watch survey on Wednesday counting 293 people in emergency departments and in wards awaiting admission. The figure on Tuesday was 316, the worst level of overcrowding seen since the start of the pandemic.
Anne O’Connor, HSE chief operations officer, said the health service was “not in terrible trouble” but that an increase in Covid-19 cases would translate into “issues in our hospitals” and then in critical care.
“There is no doubt our system will be under pressure in January,” she told RTÉ’s News at One.