theirishtimes--2020-09-01--‘Massive catch-up’ needed for main cancer screening programmes

Fewer than 100,000 people were checked under the State ’ s three cancer screening programmes in the first half of the year due to Covid-19 restrictions , new figures reveal .
This compares to 500,000 people screened in all of 2019 , and suggests that significantly fewer people will be screened for bowel , cervical and breast cancer this year .
The figures were released to Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane , who said a “ massive screening catch-up programme ” was needed .
However , in a letter to Mr Cullinane , the National Screening Service said measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are unable to screen people at the same numbers we did pre-Covid-19 ” .
The service said it was assessing capacity “ to understand the impact of new processes and procedures ” .
CervicalCheck , which recommenced at the start of July , screened 39,312 people in the first six months of the year , compared to 206,315 across all of 2019 .
Even if it were to screen people at last year ’ s average rate of 17,192 per month , it would still fall short of the 2019 total .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 and 21,821 in the first half of this year .
Some 38,153 people attended BreastCheck appointments in the first three months of the year , and there was no screening in April , May or June .
Last year , 170,957 people were seen in the programme .
“ The importance of catching cancer early is indisputable , and the Covid-19 pandemic has caused complications in delivering cancer care , ” Mr Cullinane said .
“ While screening is not a diagnostic test , it is hugely important in our fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cancer Society said that screening , while indeed not a diagnostic test , was a “ central plank ” of Ireland ’ s cancer strategy .
“ The impact of the pandemic is being layered on top of long-term challenges and waiting lists that pre-existed Covid .
Government must commit to building a stronger , more sustainable cancer system that enables the provision of timely access to care for anyone who needs it , ” the spokeswoman said .
There are different timelines for the restarting of the three services .
In CervicalCheck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeat appointment , or their first screening , were prioritised first , followed by those due routine screening .
Some 600 patients due colonoscopies under BowelCheck , which restarted in early August , have largely either had the procedures rescheduled or completed .
BreastCheck is due to resume in September or October , with just over 100,000 invites to issue , which will be sent to those waiting the longest first .
The Health Service Executive said it would take “ some months ” to catch up .

Sinn Féin spokesman on health David Cullinane: “The importance of catching cancer early is indisputable, and the Covid-19 pandemic has caused complications in delivering cancer care.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Fewer than 100,000 people were checked under the State’s three cancer screening programmes in the first half of the year due to Covid-19 restrictions, new figures reveal.
This compares to 500,000 people screened in all of 2019, and suggests that significantly fewer people will be screened for bowel, cervical and breast cancer this year.
The figures were released to Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane, who said a "massive screening catch-up programme" was needed.
However, in a letter to Mr Cullinane, the National Screening Service said measures to protect staff and participants mean “we are unable to screen people at the same numbers we did pre-Covid-19”. The service said it was assessing capacity “to understand the impact of new processes and procedures”.
READ MORE
CervicalCheck, which recommenced at the start of July, screened 39,312 people in the first six months of the year, compared to 206,315 across all of 2019. Even if it were to screen people at last year’s average rate of 17,192 per month, it would still fall short of the 2019 total.
Early diagnosis
Similarly, BowelScreen saw 122,724 people in 2019 and 21,821 in the first half of this year. Some 38,153 people attended BreastCheck appointments in the first three months of the year, and there was no screening in April, May or June. Last year, 170,957 people were seen in the programme.
“The importance of catching cancer early is indisputable, and the Covid-19 pandemic has caused complications in delivering cancer care,” Mr Cullinane said. “While screening is not a diagnostic test, it is hugely important in our fight against cancer.”
A spokeswoman for the Irish Cancer Society said that screening, while indeed not a diagnostic test, was a "central plank" of Ireland's cancer strategy.
‘Timely access’
“The impact of the pandemic is being layered on top of long-term challenges and waiting lists that pre-existed Covid. Government must commit to building a stronger, more sustainable cancer system that enables the provision of timely access to care for anyone who needs it,” the spokeswoman said.
There are different timelines for the restarting of the three services. In CervicalCheck those who were called for an early repeat appointment, or their first screening, were prioritised first, followed by those due routine screening.
Some 600 patients due colonoscopies under BowelCheck, which restarted in early August, have largely either had the procedures rescheduled or completed. BreastCheck is due to resume in September or October, with just over 100,000 invites to issue, which will be sent to those waiting the longest first. The Health Service Executive said it would take “some months” to catch up.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Teachers with underlying health issues worried on safety – ASTI

Teachers with underlying health issues , who are worried about the risks of returning to teach children and young adults , need further reassurance that all possible measures are being taken to ensure their safety , the Association of Secondary Teachers ( ASTI ) has said .
Speaking on Monday as hundreds of primary and secondary schools around the country reopened their doors to students for the first time in nearly six months , ASTI president Ann Piggott warned that many educators remained deeply concerned about the spread of Covid-19 in school settings .
A recent snapshot survey carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter of secondary schools didn ’ t have warm water while more than eight out of 10 had poor ventilation , she said .
The union has also heard of teachers correcting copy books and eating lunches in their cars in recent days because staff rooms were no longer available , she added .
“ Teachers want to be back in school but we need to ensure funding so that buildings can cope with changes while students who must stay home have access to wifi and a computer .
Teachers now have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re telling us they want a Perspex screen around their desk .
We would also like to see temperature checks and fast-tracked testing in schools.
” Some teachers remained very worried about their health , said Ms Piggott who has spoken to cancer survivors and one teacher who had a lung removed .
“ Teachers who are in very high-risk groups are in some cases being forced back into work without clarification on support from the HSE , ” she said .
Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) general secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who under normal circumstances would have remained in their jobs a few more years , were retiring early rather than risking contracting the virus .
Those with vulnerable family members at home were also concerned about carrying Covid-19 from the school to their loved ones , he added .
Mr Gillespie said he expected “ lots of teething problems ” over the coming weeks as schools adjust to new practices and he hoped to see rapid Covid-19 testing introduced for teachers as soon as possible .
However , he said he had “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s awareness of the gravity of the health situation .
Pairic Clerkin , chief executive of the Irish Primary Principals ’ Network ( IPPN ) , said feedback from members in recent days revealed “ a great relief ” that schools were back open .
Mr Clerkin paid tribute to the principals who gave up their summer holidays to ensure schools were ready for the students ’ return .
Asked to comment on social media reports of large crowds of parents and students gathering at school gates for drop-off and pick-up , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to settle into a routine but the vast majority of parents were “ very aware and supportive ” of social distancing measures and the use of face coverings .
Hugh Cronin , principal of St Catherine ’ s National School in Ballymoe , Co Cork , said he had received “ 100 per cent positive feedback ” from parents and staff since the school reopened last Thursday , describing the opening as “ a joyous occasion ” .
Mr Cronin , who worked 12-14 hour days through the summer to ensure the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the start of the school year “ actually felt like getting my summer holidays ” .
“ Work was relentless before that , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ We ’ ve all been learning from this and it comes down to mutual respect .
It ’ s been a huge cultural change for the school but the children have accepted it straight away .
It ’ s been about keeping the lines of communication open .
We want to be sure our staff feel safe and comfortable in @ @ @ @ @

A recent snapshot survey carried out by the ASTI found a quarter of secondary schools didn’t have warm water while more than eight out of 10 had poor ventilation. Photograph: Alan Betson
Teachers with underlying health issues, who are worried about the risks of returning to teach children and young adults, need further reassurance that all possible measures are being taken to ensure their safety, the Association of Secondary Teachers (ASTI) has said.
Speaking on Monday as hundreds of primary and secondary schools around the country reopened their doors to students for the first time in nearly six months, ASTI president Ann Piggott warned that many educators remained deeply concerned about the spread of Covid-19 in school settings.
A recent snapshot survey carried out by the teachers’ union found a quarter of secondary schools didn’t have warm water while more than eight out of 10 had poor ventilation, she said. The union has also heard of teachers correcting copy books and eating lunches in their cars in recent days because staff rooms were no longer available, she added.
“Teachers want to be back in school but we need to ensure funding so that buildings can cope with changes while students who must stay home have access to wifi and a computer. Teachers now have to move from room to room and they’re telling us they want a Perspex screen around their desk. We would also like to see temperature checks and fast-tracked testing in schools.”
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Some teachers remained very worried about their health, said Ms Piggott who has spoken to cancer survivors and one teacher who had a lung removed. “Teachers who are in very high-risk groups are in some cases being forced back into work without clarification on support from the HSE,” she said.
Early retirement
Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Michael Gillespie said some older teachers, who under normal circumstances would have remained in their jobs a few more years, were retiring early rather than risking contracting the virus. Those with vulnerable family members at home were also concerned about carrying Covid-19 from the school to their loved ones, he added.
Mr Gillespie said he expected “lots of teething problems” over the coming weeks as schools adjust to new practices and he hoped to see rapid Covid-19 testing introduced for teachers as soon as possible. However, he said he had “huge confidence” in young people’s awareness of the gravity of the health situation.
Pairic Clerkin, chief executive of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), said feedback from members in recent days revealed “a great relief” that schools were back open. Mr Clerkin paid tribute to the principals who gave up their summer holidays to ensure schools were ready for the students’ return.
Asked to comment on social media reports of large crowds of parents and students gathering at school gates for drop-off and pick-up, Mr Clerkin said schools needed a few days to settle into a routine but the vast majority of parents were “very aware and supportive” of social distancing measures and the use of face coverings.
Hugh Cronin, principal of St Catherine's National School in Ballymoe, Co Cork, said he had received "100 per cent positive feedback" from parents and staff since the school reopened last Thursday, describing the opening as "a joyous occasion".
Mr Cronin, who worked 12-14 hour days through the summer to ensure the primary school was ready for its 116 students, said the start of the school year “actually felt like getting my summer holidays”.
“Work was relentless before that,” he told The Irish Times. “We’ve all been learning from this and it comes down to mutual respect. It’s been a huge cultural change for the school but the children have accepted it straight away. It’s been about keeping the lines of communication open. We want to be sure our staff feel safe and comfortable in the school too.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Cabinet to hear plans for 1,000 new college places

The number of college places is to increase by more than a thousand this year with a particular focus on high-demand areas such as health and education .
Under plans to be brought before Cabinet on Tuesday by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris , each third-level institution will receive a quota of additional places .
This quota will be based on their most recent intake of undergraduates .
The initiative is a response to the expected higher demand for college places this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Officials expect many students who had planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ireland .
The economic crisis caused by the pandemic is also expected to cause many young people to go on to third-level education instead of going straight into the workplace .
It is understood the capacity of many high-demand courses will see an increase of about 5 per cent .
Third-level institutions have already been instructed to find room for increased capacity in their oversubscribed courses .
Post-primary teaching and dentistry are expected to see an increase in capacity , along with veterinary and other medical courses .
However the amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these courses is limited by factors such as training facilities in third-level institutions and the number of clinical placements for doctors , nurses and vets available for graduates every year .
Another challenge will be accommodating extra students while still abiding by the strict social distancing rules which are expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future .
Officials said they are being careful to avoid “ unbalancing ” the third-level system by attracting more students into degree courses at the expense of further education and other sectors .
Mr Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places is in addition to the already-announced 1,415 new places being introduced under the Human Capital Initiative ( HCI ) .
The HCI aims to create more college graduates in identified high-growth areas of the economy where there is a dearth of skilled labour .
Meanwhile , the Cabinet meeting will also hear plans from Minister for Education Norma Foley on how Ireland will avoid repeating the mistakes made in the UK in assigning calculated grades to Leaving Cert students .
It is understood Irish officials have refined the calculated grades system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disadvantaged students were found to have been disproportionately downgraded compared to students in better-off areas .
The changes here include assigning a much greater weight to estimated marks for individual students and assigning marks in the form of percentages rather than grade bands , which officials say will allow for greater accuracy .

The economic crisis caused by the pandemic is also expected to cause many young people to go on to third-level education instead of going straight into the workplace. File photograph: Getty
The number of college places is to increase by more than a thousand this year with a particular focus on high-demand areas such as health and education.
Under plans to be brought before Cabinet on Tuesday by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, each third-level institution will receive a quota of additional places. This quota will be based on their most recent intake of undergraduates.
The initiative is a response to the expected higher demand for college places this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Officials expect many students who had planned to study abroad will now apply for places in Ireland.
The economic crisis caused by the pandemic is also expected to cause many young people to go on to third-level education instead of going straight into the workplace.
READ MORE
It is understood the capacity of many high-demand courses will see an increase of about 5 per cent.
Third-level institutions have already been instructed to find room for increased capacity in their oversubscribed courses.
Limiting factors
Post-primary teaching and dentistry are expected to see an increase in capacity, along with veterinary and other medical courses.
However the amount of expansion which can take place in many of these courses is limited by factors such as training facilities in third-level institutions and the number of clinical placements for doctors, nurses and vets available for graduates every year.
Minister for Further and Higher Education: Each third-level institution will receive a quota of additional places. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Another challenge will be accommodating extra students while still abiding by the strict social distancing rules which are expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Officials said they are being careful to avoid “unbalancing” the third-level system by attracting more students into degree courses at the expense of further education and other sectors.
High-growth areas
Mr Harris’s plan for 1,000 new college places is in addition to the already-announced 1,415 new places being introduced under the Human Capital Initiative (HCI). The HCI aims to create more college graduates in identified high-growth areas of the economy where there is a dearth of skilled labour.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting will also hear plans from Minister for Education Norma Foley on how Ireland will avoid repeating the mistakes made in the UK in assigning calculated grades to Leaving Cert students.
It is understood Irish officials have refined the calculated grades system in light of controversy in the UK where disadvantaged students were found to have been disproportionately downgraded compared to students in better-off areas.
The changes here include assigning a much greater weight to estimated marks for individual students and assigning marks in the form of percentages rather than grade bands, which officials say will allow for greater accuracy.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Public awareness was vital for smoky coal ban, says campaigner

In the winter mornings of 1980 when Dublin was regularly enveloped in smog , Prof Luke Clancy would get up and drive from his home in Sandymount to St James ’ s Hospital .
As the suburbs gave way to the city , the smoke thickened .
But it was far more than a lack of visibility that began to disturb Prof Clancy .
His patients were dying at a disturbing rate in the deep winter months when black vapours filled the sky and plumed in through the hospital windows .
“ Patients were dying whom I expected to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were doing all the right things and yet they were dying , ” he says .
In fact , recalls the consultant respiratory physician who had recently returned from working in the UK , twice as many people as expected were succumbing to heart and lung illness .
The answer to the mystery hung in the air .
Although Prof Clancy would face pushback from the political establishment , industry and even his own colleagues , he would go on to campaign for a ban on smoky coal that would , when introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A paper he co-authored on the experience at his hospital identified “ excess mortality ” in the winter of 1981-1982 .
It peaked in January with 120 deaths compared with a monthly average of 54 and a January mean mortality rate of 64 .
The major cause of death was respiratory in nature – no bacteriological or viral epidemics had occurred .
At the same time , there were reports of increasing air pollution .
“ I was looking at 100 excess deaths in James ’ s [ during winters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I looked at the excess deaths in other hospitals and it had doubled and nobody even noticed .
Old people were dying [ and the view was ] ‘ Sure , they do die.
’ ” Poor air quality has serious short and long-term health implications .
The main source of it in Ireland , according to the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) , is solid fuel burning which emits PM2.5 particles .
In Dublin , increasing use of smoky coal was blamed for the fog .
Prof Clancy says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the fitting of fireplaces in corporation housing as a response to the Middle East oil crisis of the previous decade .
An article in The Irish Times in December , 1981 , quoted an official from An Foras Forbartha who said the switch from oil to coal and peat in the capital led to a 45 per cent increase in smoke levels in the winters between 1978 and 1980 .
Linking this phenomenon to a deterioration in public health , Prof Clancy set out to campaign for the coal ban .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on unproven science , and the assumption of extremely costly solutions .
However , buoyed by public support , prohibition was ultimately introduced in 1990 .
A study of its effects published 12 years later in the Lancet medical journal , of which Prof Clancy was the lead author , established major and virtually instant health benefits .
It found there were about 116 fewer respiratory and 243 fewer cardiovascular deaths a year , much higher rewards than predicted .
Non-trauma age-standardised death rates decreased by about 5.7 per cent in the 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period before .
“ We adjusted death rates in Dublin county borough for those in the rest of Ireland , ” the paper stated .
“ Results of these regression analyses show that there were substantial reductions in Dublin death rates after the ban on coal sales , even after adjustment for measured causes of death [ climate and respiratory epidemics ] and long-term national trends in mortality and its risk factors.
” Average black smoke concentrations in Dublin declined by 70 per cent .
Today , Prof Clancy says the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this area of pollution – has been cited about 8,000 times and is used in China by those seeking to justify controls on air pollution .
The Asthma Society of Ireland says the ban has resulted in more than 350 fewer annual deaths .
Dr Dermot Nolan , of the society ’ s medical advisory group and asthma lead at the Irish College of General Practitioners ( ICGP ) , points to broader public health benefits .
Asthma rates in Ireland , which had been rising in the 1980s and 1990s , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can , to some degree , be traced back to the ban and general overall improvement in air quality .
“ Particularly in babies and young children [ whose ] lungs are far more susceptible to pollutants , ” he says .
Doctors in practices and emergency departments , he added , are noticing fewer cases of COPD ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ) and the use of nebulisers in medical settings has declined substantially since the 1990s .
Prof Clancy stresses that his calls for the ban were ultimately successful because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support .
Long gone are the smog-filled mornings and the days when families , as he describes it , huddled around open fires burning coal , their only source of heat in severe Dublin winters .
“ People die and they die from different things , ” he says today , “ but they aren ’ t dying from smog.
” On a winter ’ s evening at the top of Enniscorthy town , the sound of battling GAA players can be heard under the lights .
But the Oulart the Ballagh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elevation , meaning whatever smoke is in the town curls its way up among the action .
For Breda Flood – club health officer , GAA enthusiast and long-time severe asthma sufferer – it means having to miss games .
Enniscorthy is one of the next string of towns due to benefit from a ban on smoky fuel , with the ban being extended to all cities and towns with a population of more than 10,000 from September 1st , 2020 .
Breda hopes it might free her beloved GAA pitch of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to keep away .
“ It ’ s like the shape of a cauldron , ” the retired school principal says of the local geography , “ and with the smog , it definitely hasn ’ t been a comfortable location , I avoid going there.
” In the past Breda has attended games but remained inside a building at the grounds , the enemy outside .
She likens it to standing beside someone smoking a cigarette , the threat of a sudden change in her breathing .
“ I would feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The feeling is like an irritating cough that will not go away .
In 2019 , the Gorey Guardian newspaper reported that the absence of a smoky coal ban in the county ’ s towns could prove fatal to those suffering from respiratory problems .
Wexford County Council ’ s senior executive environmental scientist , it said , warned of the dangers of going outside in New Ross , Enniscorthy and Gorey on cold , frosty nights when people burn the fuel .
Although she lives in a rural area near Enniscorthy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat of the urban centres .
Having been diagnosed with asthma in 1984 , the condition has had a major impact on her life .
She hopes the ban in September will address much of the threat .
“ Enniscorthy was a particular black spot because they didn ’ t have the smoky coal ban , ” she says of her activities there .
Last year she organised the Darkness Into Light walk for mental health awareness in the town but was unable to take part , opting instead for an alternative in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I was lucky that I didn ’ t live there [ Enniscorthy ] and I was able to come home to a rural base .
I do know some people with asthma who live there and it ’ s been very difficult for them .
It ’ s just one part of the equation , just one extra burden.
” She believes that because of the coronavirus pandemic , people may get a better sense of what it is like to have to constantly consider where you should and should not go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , the winter evening GAA games will still be there .
And she hopes to go and watch .

Breda Flood in Co Wexford, a long-time severe asthma sufferer, has had to miss her beloved GAA games due to the air quality in Enniscorthy. Photograph: Patrick Browne
In the winter mornings of 1980 when Dublin was regularly enveloped in smog, Prof Luke Clancy would get up and drive from his home in Sandymount to St James’s Hospital. As the suburbs gave way to the city, the smoke thickened.
But it was far more than a lack of visibility that began to disturb Prof Clancy. His patients were dying at a disturbing rate in the deep winter months when black vapours filled the sky and plumed in through the hospital windows.
Prof Luke Clancy: His campaign for a ban on smoky coal, when introduced a decade later, saved many lives. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
“Patients were dying whom I expected to live. I was really flabbergasted. We were doing all the right things and yet they were dying,” he says. In fact, recalls the consultant respiratory physician who had recently returned from working in the UK, twice as many people as expected were succumbing to heart and lung illness. The answer to the mystery hung in the air.
Although Prof Clancy would face pushback from the political establishment, industry and even his own colleagues, he would go on to campaign for a ban on smoky coal that would, when introduced a decade later, save many lives.
READ MORE
A paper he co-authored on the experience at his hospital identified “excess mortality” in the winter of 1981-1982. It peaked in January with 120 deaths compared with a monthly average of 54 and a January mean mortality rate of 64.
The major cause of death was respiratory in nature – no bacteriological or viral epidemics had occurred. At the same time, there were reports of increasing air pollution.
“I was looking at 100 excess deaths in James’s [during winters in the 1980s],” he says. “I looked at the excess deaths in other hospitals and it had doubled and nobody even noticed. Old people were dying [and the view was] ‘Sure, they do die.’”
Poor air quality has serious short and long-term health implications. The main source of it in Ireland, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is solid fuel burning which emits PM2.5 particles.
In Dublin, increasing use of smoky coal was blamed for the fog. Prof Clancy says that in the city much of this was due to the fitting of fireplaces in corporation housing as a response to the Middle East oil crisis of the previous decade.
An article in The Irish Times in December, 1981, quoted an official from An Foras Forbartha who said the switch from oil to coal and peat in the capital led to a 45 per cent increase in smoke levels in the winters between 1978 and 1980.
Linking this phenomenon to a deterioration in public health, Prof Clancy set out to campaign for the coal ban. His views were dismissed as being based on unproven science, and the assumption of extremely costly solutions. However, buoyed by public support, prohibition was ultimately introduced in 1990.
A study of its effects published 12 years later in the Lancet medical journal, of which Prof Clancy was the lead author, established major and virtually instant health benefits.
It found there were about 116 fewer respiratory and 243 fewer cardiovascular deaths a year, much higher rewards than predicted. Non-trauma age-standardised death rates decreased by about 5.7 per cent in the 72 months after the ban compared with the same period before.
The Asthma Society of Ireland says the ban has resulted in more than 350 fewer annual deaths
“We adjusted death rates in Dublin county borough for those in the rest of Ireland,” the paper stated. “Results of these regression analyses show that there were substantial reductions in Dublin death rates after the ban on coal sales, even after adjustment for measured causes of death [climate and respiratory epidemics] and long-term national trends in mortality and its risk factors.”
Average black smoke concentrations in Dublin declined by 70 per cent.
Today, Prof Clancy says the paper – the first of its kind in this area of pollution – has been cited about 8,000 times and is used in China by those seeking to justify controls on air pollution.
The Asthma Society of Ireland says the ban has resulted in more than 350 fewer annual deaths.
Dr Dermot Nolan, of the society’s medical advisory group and asthma lead at the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), points to broader public health benefits.
Asthma rates in Ireland, which had been rising in the 1980s and 1990s, have begun to fall – a pattern that can, to some degree, be traced back to the ban and general overall improvement in air quality.
“Particularly in babies and young children [whose] lungs are far more susceptible to pollutants,” he says.
Doctors in practices and emergency departments, he added, are noticing fewer cases of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and the use of nebulisers in medical settings has declined substantially since the 1990s.
Prof Clancy stresses that his calls for the ban were ultimately successful because they rode on the tide of public awareness and support. Long gone are the smog-filled mornings and the days when families, as he describes it, huddled around open fires burning coal, their only source of heat in severe Dublin winters.
“People die and they die from different things,” he says today, “but they aren’t dying from smog.”
Case study: ‘Enniscorthy is a particular black spot’
On a winter’s evening at the top of Enniscorthy town, the sound of battling GAA players can be heard under the lights. But the Oulart the Ballagh pitch at Bellfield is at a high elevation, meaning whatever smoke is in the town curls its way up among the action.
For Breda Flood – club health officer, GAA enthusiast and long-time severe asthma sufferer – it means having to miss games.
Breda Flood at the cliff walk in Cahore, Co Wexford: She hopes the ban in September will address much of the threat to her health. Photograph: Patrick Browne
I do know some people with asthma who live there [in Enniscorthy] and it's been very difficult for them
Enniscorthy is one of the next string of towns due to benefit from a ban on smoky fuel, with the ban being extended to all cities and towns with a population of more than 10,000 from September 1st, 2020. Breda hopes it might free her beloved GAA pitch of its marauding pollution, and her of the need to keep away.
“It’s like the shape of a cauldron,” the retired school principal says of the local geography, “and with the smog, it definitely hasn’t been a comfortable location, I avoid going there.”
In the past Breda has attended games but remained inside a building at the grounds, the enemy outside. She likens it to standing beside someone smoking a cigarette, the threat of a sudden change in her breathing.
“I would feel unsafe,” she says simply. The feeling is like an irritating cough that will not go away.
In 2019, the Gorey Guardian newspaper reported that the absence of a smoky coal ban in the county’s towns could prove fatal to those suffering from respiratory problems. Wexford County Council’s senior executive environmental scientist, it said, warned of the dangers of going outside in New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey on cold, frosty nights when people burn the fuel.
Although she lives in a rural area near Enniscorthy, Breda knows all too well about the threat of the urban centres. Having been diagnosed with asthma in 1984, the condition has had a major impact on her life. She hopes the ban in September will address much of the threat.
“Enniscorthy was a particular black spot because they didn’t have the smoky coal ban,” she says of her activities there. Last year she organised the Darkness Into Light walk for mental health awareness in the town but was unable to take part, opting instead for an alternative in nearby Courtown on the breezy coast.
“I was lucky that I didn’t live there [Enniscorthy] and I was able to come home to a rural base. I do know some people with asthma who live there and it’s been very difficult for them. It’s just one part of the equation, just one extra burden.”
She believes that because of the coronavirus pandemic, people may get a better sense of what it is like to have to constantly consider where you should and should not go. But when the coal ban comes in, the winter evening GAA games will still be there. And she hopes to go and watch.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Tax-free coal from North a burning issue for smokeless fuel

To the naked eye , the two lumps of coal are indistinguishable .
However , when subjected to laboratory analysis , significant differences emerge , despite both being labelled as smokeless .
CPL Industries , one of the largest smokeless coal companies operating in the State , ran lab tests last year on fuel purchased in areas with a smoky coal ban , including Ennis , Letterkenny , Cork city , Tralee and Sligo .
Under the Air Pollution Act , low-smoke solid fuel has to be less than 2 per cent sulphur .
In the CPL tests , time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly higher : 4.62 per cent ; 5.43 per cent ; 4 per cent ; 5.74 per cent .
The tests make clear that some of the coal being marketed in the State as low smoke is anything but , and can contain high levels of harmful particulate .
But how does this happen ?
Fuel industry insiders point in one direction when asked what is driving the trade in smoky coal – the Border .
Tim Minett , chief executive of CPL Industries , the company which ran the tests , believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the Border every year – equivalent to about a third of the market .
These fuels are substantially cheaper to manufacture in the UK , and are being driven into the State via the North , he says .
A parliamentary question answered in July by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe outlines why this is attractive .
Solid fuel sold in the State is subject to the Solid Fuel Carbon Tax ( SFCT ) ; however , there is no carbon tax on solid fuel in Northern Ireland .
Which , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , created the incentive – a price arbitrage opportunity – to bring the fuel into the State , Mr Donohoe told the Dáil .
“ This factor , combined with that jurisdiction ’ s lower VAT rate on solid fuel , lower environmental standards and currency fluctuations , can give rise to significant price differentials which incentivises the sourcing of solid fuel from Northern Ireland.
” Mr Minett estimates that the combined difference gives rise to a benefit of about €100 per tonne over a low-smoke fuel .
He estimates that about 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coal coming across the Border is sold as ordinary coal , which simply undercuts merchants paying carbon tax – but that another 20 per cent is high sulphur fuel illegally sold and marketed as smokeless fuel , undercutting business and public health goals .
The quirks of the Border , and the regulatory regime , make it hard to police the movement of the coal across the Border , according to Paschal Donohoe ’ s Dáil reply in July .
EU single market constraints preclude the use of cross-border movement controls in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that solid fuel coming into the State from Northern Ireland is not subject to cross-border movement controls… Revenue has no authority to stop vehicles and physically inspect loads of solid fuel , ” he said .
Similarly , the taxman can not challenge anyone transporting or possessing solid fuel that originated in Northern Ireland “ as such transportation or possession are not , in themselves , Revenue offences ” .
Indeed , Mr Donohoe told the Dáil that “ there is no smuggling offence , in terms of evasion of SFCT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State from Northern Ireland ” .
Or , in Mr Minett ’ s words : “ At the moment you have people running riot in the market with tax-free coals ; it ’ s a complete distortion for the honest merchant , and for the producers.
” In the meantime , local authorities are responsible for enforcing the ban on the actual sale of smoky coal .
However , Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith , who represents the Border constituency of Cavan-Monaghan , says local authorities lack the resources to police the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get worse due to the impact of Covid on their revenues .
“ The only way I see compliance being achieved is if we have all the agencies working together and putting their shoulder to the wheel , ” he says .
Meanwhile , merchants in his constituency like Tommy Sheehan of North Pole fuels in Cavan , say their business is being undercut by the cross-Border trade .
He estimates that about 50 per cent of his business is threatened , and he will be taking on fewer part-time labourers this winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring up from as far down as Cork for a pallet or two of coal ; they ring a company up there [ across the Border ] , they employ a courier , they put it on their lorries , it ’ s then delivered to a housing estate in Cork or Dublin , ” he says .
The situation is complicated by the absence of a nationwide ban on smoky coal , which advocates say would clarify matters for merchants and those charged with enforcing the ban .
A nationwide ban has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
Eamon Ryan , Minister for the Environment , has promised a consultation on extending the ban .
However , for now , ongoing issues around the sale of smoky coal continue to hang in the air .

To the naked eye, the two lumps of coal are indistinguishable. However, when subjected to laboratory analysis, significant differences emerge, despite both being labelled as smokeless.
CPL Industries, one of the largest smokeless coal companies operating in the State, ran lab tests last year on fuel purchased in areas with a smoky coal ban, including Ennis, Letterkenny, Cork city, Tralee and Sligo.
Under the Air Pollution Act, low-smoke solid fuel has to be less than 2 per cent sulphur. In the CPL tests, time and again, the results came back significantly higher: 4.62 per cent; 5.43 per cent; 4 per cent; 5.74 per cent.
The tests make clear that some of the coal being marketed in the State as low smoke is anything but, and can contain high levels of harmful particulate.
READ MORE
But how does this happen?
Fuel industry insiders point in one direction when asked what is driving the trade in smoky coal – the Border. Tim Minett, chief executive of CPL Industries, the company which ran the tests, believes that up to 100,000 tonnes is coming across the Border every year – equivalent to about a third of the market.
These fuels are substantially cheaper to manufacture in the UK, and are being driven into the State via the North, he says. A parliamentary question answered in July by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe outlines why this is attractive.
Solid fuel sold in the State is subject to the Solid Fuel Carbon Tax (SFCT); however, there is no carbon tax on solid fuel in Northern Ireland. Which, along with several other differences from Northern Ireland, created the incentive – a price arbitrage opportunity – to bring the fuel into the State, Mr Donohoe told the Dáil.
“This factor, combined with that jurisdiction’s lower VAT rate on solid fuel, lower environmental standards and currency fluctuations, can give rise to significant price differentials which incentivises the sourcing of solid fuel from Northern Ireland.”
A ban on smoky coal was first introduced in Dublin in 1990, and has been adopted by many towns and cities across the country. Photograph: Getty Images
Mr Minett estimates that the combined difference gives rise to a benefit of about €100 per tonne over a low-smoke fuel. He estimates that about 80 per cent of the 100,000 tonnes of coal coming across the Border is sold as ordinary coal, which simply undercuts merchants paying carbon tax – but that another 20 per cent is high sulphur fuel illegally sold and marketed as smokeless fuel, undercutting business and public health goals.
Single market constraints
The quirks of the Border, and the regulatory regime, make it hard to police the movement of the coal across the Border, according to Paschal Donohoe’s Dáil reply in July. EU single market constraints preclude the use of cross-border movement controls in the administration of the tax. “This means that solid fuel coming into the State from Northern Ireland is not subject to cross-border movement controls… Revenue has no authority to stop vehicles and physically inspect loads of solid fuel,” he said.
Similarly, the taxman cannot challenge anyone transporting or possessing solid fuel that originated in Northern Ireland “as such transportation or possession are not, in themselves, Revenue offences”.
Indeed, Mr Donohoe told the Dáil that “there is no smuggling offence, in terms of evasion of SFCT, attaching to solid fuel coming into the State from Northern Ireland”. Or, in Mr Minett’s words: “At the moment you have people running riot in the market with tax-free coals; it’s a complete distortion for the honest merchant, and for the producers.”
In the meantime, local authorities are responsible for enforcing the ban on the actual sale of smoky coal. However, Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith, who represents the Border constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, says local authorities lack the resources to police the ban effectively – a situation which will only get worse due to the impact of Covid on their revenues.
“The only way I see compliance being achieved is if we have all the agencies working together and putting their shoulder to the wheel,” he says.
Meanwhile, merchants in his constituency like Tommy Sheehan of North Pole fuels in Cavan, say their business is being undercut by the cross-Border trade. He estimates that about 50 per cent of his business is threatened, and he will be taking on fewer part-time labourers this winter as a result.
“People will ring up from as far down as Cork for a pallet or two of coal; they ring a company up there [across the Border], they employ a courier, they put it on their lorries, it’s then delivered to a housing estate in Cork or Dublin,” he says.
The situation is complicated by the absence of a nationwide ban on smoky coal, which advocates say would clarify matters for merchants and those charged with enforcing the ban. A nationwide ban has been stymied by legal threats from coal companies. Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, has promised a consultation on extending the ban.
However, for now, ongoing issues around the sale of smoky coal continue to hang in the air.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--How can I help my son’s Leaving Cert study get back on track?

My son is due to sit his Leaving Cert next summer .
His work at home since the lockdown in March was patchy .
He has lost focus and motivation , and I ’ m worried he ’ ll won ’ t fulfil his potential .
What can I do to get him back on track ?
In many ways the Leaving Cert class of 2021 are the biggest victims of the closure of schools in mid-March last .
Unlike this year ’ s Leaving Cert class , who at least had the chance to complete mock exams and begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2021 lost out on getting stuck into the core of the curriculum content .
It is not surprising that your son feels a bit disheartened facing back into school .
Both at individual school level and nationally , there was a wide divergence in the quality of remote tuition provided .
There is no point in raking over this issue now , as some teachers lacked both the IT skills , the competence to teach remotely , or in many cases the broadband connectivity to enable them to teach effectively from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that , in as far as it is possible to achieve it , your son and all his fellow Leaving Cert compatriots will get a fair opportunity to perform to the best of their ability in the method of assessment , which will be used at the end of this school year .
Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed recently Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle candidates are to be given greater choice in next year ’ s State exam papers to help ease pressure on students who have lost out on months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , that students completing the Leaving Cert higher level English exam will have a wider selection of poets and other questions in the exam .
Similar changes with greater choice and fewer mandatory questions are being made to all State exams due to be held next year .
A subject-by-subject document outlining the changes for State exam candidates is available on the Department of Education ’ s website .
So , what can you do to support your son ’ s engagement with his learning over the coming months ?
One approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on the challenge he faces in re-engaging with his Leaving Cert studies .
Point out to him that he can reach his potential if he starts back into his subjects , with no recriminations or blame , over what occurred in the second half of the last academic year .
His hopes and dreams for the future will not be constrained by the past , but will be enhanced and enriched if he picks up the reins now and works positively with each of his teachers in the weeks and months ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reinforcement and encouragement going forward in this Covid-19 world .
If we look out for each other , the challenges thrown up by virus will be overcome , and our children will reconnect with their learning and most importantly , their unique world inside their schools in the coming weeks and months .

My son’s school work at home since the lockdown in March has been patchy. Photograph: iStock
My son is due to sit his Leaving Cert next summer. His work at home since the lockdown in March was patchy. He has lost focus and motivation, and I’m worried he’ll won’t fulfil his potential. What can I do to get him back on track?
In many ways the Leaving Cert class of 2021 are the biggest victims of the closure of schools in mid-March last. Unlike this year’s Leaving Cert class, who at least had the chance to complete mock exams and begin to focus on revision, the class of 2021 lost out on getting stuck into the core of the curriculum content.
It is not surprising that your son feels a bit disheartened facing back into school. Both at individual school level and nationally, there was a wide divergence in the quality of remote tuition provided.
There is no point in raking over this issue now, as some teachers lacked both the IT skills, the competence to teach remotely, or in many cases the broadband connectivity to enable them to teach effectively from home.
READ MORE
Policy decisions are being taken to ensure that, in as far as it is possible to achieve it, your son and all his fellow Leaving Cert compatriots will get a fair opportunity to perform to the best of their ability in the method of assessment, which will be used at the end of this school year.
Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed recently Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle candidates are to be given greater choice in next year's State exam papers to help ease pressure on students who have lost out on months of school.
We all need a bit of reinforcement and encouragement going forward in this Covid-19 world
It means, for example, that students completing the Leaving Cert higher level English exam will have a wider selection of poets and other questions in the exam. Similar changes with greater choice and fewer mandatory questions are being made to all State exams due to be held next year.
A subject-by-subject document outlining the changes for State exam candidates is available on the Department of Education’s website.
So, what can you do to support your son’s engagement with his learning over the coming months?
One approach is to have an open dialogue with him on the challenge he faces in re-engaging with his Leaving Cert studies. Point out to him that he can reach his potential if he starts back into his subjects, with no recriminations or blame, over what occurred in the second half of the last academic year.
His hopes and dreams for the future will not be constrained by the past, but will be enhanced and enriched if he picks up the reins now and works positively with each of his teachers in the weeks and months ahead.
We all need a bit of reinforcement and encouragement going forward in this Covid-19 world. If we look out for each other, the challenges thrown up by virus will be overcome, and our children will reconnect with their learning and most importantly, their unique world inside their schools in the coming weeks and months.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--The Secret Teacher: I’m genuinely petrified we aren’t properly prepared

Opening night is almost upon us and we have not had a single rehearsal .
The stage directions have been around for a few weeks and we hear that huge work has been done on the set .
A few people have even been in to see it and one of them was very impressed by what she saw .
Less so by what she experienced , however , as “ it was all just too normal ” .
I have avoided going in as these precious remaining days of leisure won ’ t come around again for some time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be back in the physical classroom with students who have had their longest gap ever from it since they first started school .
Perhaps I ’ m näive , but I would like to think that we will all have a new-found appreciation for how ( relative ! )
physical proximity enriches the teaching and learning experience .
So I want to go back to work , and yet I ’ m genuinely petrified that we aren ’ t adequately prepared .
Nobody seems to have considered the importance of the choreography in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement around the set to go smoothly , regular rehearsals are a must .
I ’ ve been involved in lots of shows during my career , and I find that a good start is to bring the cast together in small groups to ensure that each one knows what it is doing .
Blocking ensures that each individual element works well before the different scenes and movements are let loose on each other .
According to our plans to reopen , the small groups will number in excess of 200 individuals per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It looks as though the early , last-minute , technical and dress rehearsals are all to happen within a few short hours – and only ever for a proportion of the cast and crew at any one time .
What could possibly go wrong ?
What I hear from politicians is that we are going back no matter what .
What I ’ m reading in print and online tells me that school leaders are doing their best and falling into distinct categories .
The group I would like to pay active tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , willing and innovative school management teams .
They are finding ways to make it work , but not being given any room for manoeuvre around the universal simultaneous start .
What is commendable is their vision that schools staying open is the most important thing .
In the current reality , as others are pushing it , the warning that comes to mind is “ marry in haste , repent at leisure ” .
Sensible plans for a blended learning approach are being rejected , despite all the work done during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this .
What has teachers under strain is the lack of rehearsals , coupled with little or no evidence of empathy .
Teachers risk being the real casualty here , and I do not say that lightly .
Teachers have too many questions and genuine concerns , but what we are being fed is a script of messages such as “ how gamely the nurses , doctors , guards and so on stepped up – so why can ’ t you ?
” We can , as it happens , but what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as unwillingness .
What makes our job different is that when we step back into the arena , we will be alone in a room with minors .
That category of society has not once been addressed by political leaders to explain the valid concerns being expressed about their ( lack of ) understanding of how serious this is .
Kilkee on August bank holiday weekend and Salthill a few weeks earlier come to mind .
Furthermore , the conditions in which we will function at school are out of line with what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers are ideally placed to know what this could all look like in reality and yet we are told that it is necessary for the mental health of our young people , and so teachers must step up .
Under this pressure our own mental health quietly deteriorates .
When schools closed there were fewer cases in the country than there are now .
The Tánaiste said recently that it is inevitable that clusters will emerge in schools .
Where is the plan for how to proceed when this happens ?
I say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear and coherent message to the minors we will interact with , in conditions that do not adhere to public health guidelines , it ’ s surely almost a given that some school or other will have to deal with it before very long .
As we approach opening night , feeling nervous and under-rehearsed , please spare teachers a thought .
And do what you can to ensure that the children you send to school have some grasp of how serious the situation is .
That isn ’ t a teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibilities here : it isn ’ t our job because it is blatantly obvious that they need to know it before they get to us .
There is a lot at stake here and there ’ s an eager audience waiting .
An audience ?
Yes , the whole country .
Having been deprived of music festivals , football matches , theatres , concerts and a multitude of other events , all eyes are on the one and only venue that has a licence to let hundreds in .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of schools isn ’ t just the biggest show in town , it ’ s the only one .

Opening night is almost upon us and we have not had a single rehearsal.
The stage directions have been around for a few weeks and we hear that huge work has been done on the set. A few people have even been in to see it and one of them was very impressed by what she saw. Less so by what she experienced, however, as “it was all just too normal”.
I have avoided going in as these precious remaining days of leisure won’t come around again for some time. I’m genuinely keen to be back in the physical classroom with students who have had their longest gap ever from it since they first started school. Perhaps I’m näive, but I would like to think that we will all have a new-found appreciation for how (relative!) physical proximity enriches the teaching and learning experience.
So I want to go back to work, and yet I’m genuinely petrified that we aren’t adequately prepared. Nobody seems to have considered the importance of the choreography in this show, or that for the movement around the set to go smoothly, regular rehearsals are a must.
READ MORE
I’ve been involved in lots of shows during my career, and I find that a good start is to bring the cast together in small groups to ensure that each one knows what it is doing. Blocking ensures that each individual element works well before the different scenes and movements are let loose on each other.
According to our plans to reopen, the small groups will number in excess of 200 individuals per day – apologies, per half-day. It looks as though the early, last-minute, technical and dress rehearsals are all to happen within a few short hours – and only ever for a proportion of the cast and crew at any one time. What could possibly go wrong?
'How gamely the nurses, doctors, guards and so on stepped up – so why can't you?'
What I hear from politicians is that we are going back no matter what. What I’m reading in print and online tells me that school leaders are doing their best and falling into distinct categories. The group I would like to pay active tribute to here is that of the engaged, willing and innovative school management teams. They are finding ways to make it work, but not being given any room for manoeuvre around the universal simultaneous start. What is commendable is their vision that schools staying open is the most important thing. In the current reality, as others are pushing it, the warning that comes to mind is “marry in haste, repent at leisure”. Sensible plans for a blended learning approach are being rejected, despite all the work done during the spring term to equip us so well for this.
What has teachers under strain is the lack of rehearsals, coupled with little or no evidence of empathy. Teachers risk being the real casualty here, and I do not say that lightly. Teachers have too many questions and genuine concerns, but what we are being fed is a script of messages such as “how gamely the nurses, doctors, guards and so on stepped up – so why can’t you?” We can, as it happens, but what we are saying is too easily reported as unwillingness.
What makes our job different is that when we step back into the arena, we will be alone in a room with minors. That category of society has not once been addressed by political leaders to explain the valid concerns being expressed about their (lack of) understanding of how serious this is. Kilkee on August bank holiday weekend and Salthill a few weeks earlier come to mind.
Having been deprived of music festivals, football matches, theatres, concerts ... all eyes are on the one and only venue that has a licence to let hundreds in
Furthermore, the conditions in which we will function at school are out of line with what is permissible elsewhere in society. We teachers are ideally placed to know what this could all look like in reality and yet we are told that it is necessary for the mental health of our young people, and so teachers must step up. Under this pressure our own mental health quietly deteriorates.
When schools closed there were fewer cases in the country than there are now. The Tánaiste said recently that it is inevitable that clusters will emerge in schools. Where is the plan for how to proceed when this happens? I say when, because in the absence of a clear and coherent message to the minors we will interact with, in conditions that do not adhere to public health guidelines, it’s surely almost a given that some school or other will have to deal with it before very long.
As we approach opening night, feeling nervous and under-rehearsed, please spare teachers a thought. And do what you can to ensure that the children you send to school have some grasp of how serious the situation is. That isn’t a teacher’s job – no shirking of responsibilities here: it isn’t our job because it is blatantly obvious that they need to know it before they get to us. There is a lot at stake here and there’s an eager audience waiting.
An audience? Yes, the whole country. Having been deprived of music festivals, football matches, theatres, concerts and a multitude of other events, all eyes are on the one and only venue that has a licence to let hundreds in. It’s a packed house too, because the reopening of schools isn’t just the biggest show in town, it’s the only one.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Locals in Leixlip welcome lifting of Kildare lockdown but regret toll on town

In the hours after the Government announced the lifting of Kildare ’ s lockdown , locals in Leixlip strolled the streets where the strict restrictions had taken their toll .
Vacant shop fronts were in evidence and there were padlocks on the door of the Courtyard Hotel while Town , a recently refurbished gastropub , was still only advertising takeouts .
“ It ’ s been so difficult .
It ’ s the first of September tomorrow .
We thought it would all be over by now , ” said Mark Kennedy .
“ A lot of businesses have closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We know a boutique that has closed down .
There is a lot of derelict buildings around.
” Localised lockdown measures were announced for Counties Kildare , Laois and Offaly on August 7th .
Laois and Offaly emerged from lockdown on August 21st but restrictions remained in place in Kildare until they were lifted with immediate effect on Monday .
No frenzy of activity ensued , however .
There were signs of life in Da Vinci ’ s Italian restaurant on Main Street , where half a dozen diners were in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cojocaru said the staff all live locally , and when the news the lockdown was lifting came through at 5pm , they were ready for action .
“ We are very happy , ” she said .
“ We were able to work with a takeaway , but we were upset with the restaurant being closed .
Everybody was delighted that we could open up with immediate effect.
” Faye Wang , the owner of the Allendale Chinese restaurant , said she was just going to continue her takeaway service , but then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , ‘ I want to come in .
I have been locked down for ages ’ .
I couldn ’ t really say no , ” she said .
“ The lockdown was bad for us because we had to cancel on customers , especially a 40th birthday party .
“ I don ’ t know how to react anymore .
I am hoping that this will be the last time we are locked down .
The first time was tougher because you didn ’ t know if it is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of get used to it.
” Leixlip sits at the border between Kildare and Dublin .
The Salmon Leap Inn is on the Dublin side of the bridge .
And , even on Monday afternoon , there was a very healthy trade .
In normal circumstances , with so many other pubs closed , it should have been boomtime for owner Cathal O Shea , but he said : “ I was reared in a pub .
I hate to see any pub closed down .
I ’ d rather see them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s awkward .
There ’ s so many restrictions and you are trying to go by the guidelines .
“ You can only have half the numbers in the place .
Once all the tables are full , you have to turn them around in an hour and 45 minutes.
” He has doubled the capacity of his pub by turning the car park into an outdoor restaurant with old horseboxes and a fire engine converted into a pizza oven .
Necessity is truly the mother of invention in these strange @ @

In the hours after the Government announced the lifting of Kildare's lockdown, locals in Leixlip strolled the streets where the strict restrictions had taken their toll.
Vacant shop fronts were in evidence and there were padlocks on the door of the Courtyard Hotel while Town, a recently refurbished gastropub, was still only advertising takeouts.
"It's been so difficult. It's the first of September tomorrow. We thought it would all be over by now," said Mark Kennedy.
“A lot of businesses have closed,” said his wife Jill. “We know a boutique that has closed down. There is a lot of derelict buildings around.”
READ MORE
Localised lockdown measures were announced for Counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly on August 7th. Laois and Offaly emerged from lockdown on August 21st but restrictions remained in place in Kildare until they were lifted with immediate effect on Monday.
No frenzy of activity ensued, however.
There were signs of life in Da Vinci’s Italian restaurant on Main Street, where half a dozen diners were in for an early evening meal.
Manager Aurelia Cojocaru said the staff all live locally, and when the news the lockdown was lifting came through at 5pm, they were ready for action.
“We are very happy,” she said. “We were able to work with a takeaway, but we were upset with the restaurant being closed. Everybody was delighted that we could open up with immediate effect.”
Faye Wang, the owner of the Allendale Chinese restaurant, said she was just going to continue her takeaway service, but then a regular customer called.
“He said, ‘I want to come in. I have been locked down for ages’. I couldn’t really say no,” she said.
“The lockdown was bad for us because we had to cancel on customers, especially a 40th birthday party.
“I don’t know how to react anymore. I am hoping that this will be the last time we are locked down. The first time was tougher because you didn’t know if it is going to be lifted. The second time you kind of get used to it.”
Leixlip sits at the border between Kildare and Dublin. The Salmon Leap Inn is on the Dublin side of the bridge. And, even on Monday afternoon, there was a very healthy trade.
In normal circumstances, with so many other pubs closed, it should have been boomtime for owner Cathal O Shea, but he said: "I was reared in a pub. I hate to see any pub closed down. I'd rather see them all open then all closed."
“It’s awkward. There’s so many restrictions and you are trying to go by the guidelines.
“You can only have half the numbers in the place. Once all the tables are full, you have to turn them around in an hour and 45 minutes.”
He has doubled the capacity of his pub by turning the car park into an outdoor restaurant with old horseboxes and a fire engine converted into a pizza oven. Necessity is truly the mother of invention in these strange times.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Gardaí investigate death of man (60s) in Tipperary house fire

Gardaí are investigating a house fire in Tipperary on Monday morning which left one man dead .
At about 4am gardaí and fire services were alerted to a fire at a house in Pintown , Cloncracken , in the town of Roscrea .
The fire was brought under control by members of Tipperary Fire and Rescue who then found the body of a man inside the house .
A doctor was called and the man was pronounced dead at the scene at short time later .
It is understood gardaí believe he died of smoke inhalation .
The man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood to be a retired school teacher aged in his sixties who is originally from the Nenagh area .
The cause of the fire is unknown and gardaí in Roscrea have launched an investigation .
“ Investigating Gardaí have preserved the scene as they work towards establishing the cause of the fire , ” the Garda said in a statement .
The man ’ s body has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem examination by the State Pathologist will take place in the coming days .
The Garda said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident room at Roscrea Garda Station .
“ Anyone with information is asked to contact Roscrea Garda Station on 0505 21700 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station .
”

The cause of the fire is unknown and gardaí in Roscrea have launched an investigation. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty
Gardaí are investigating a house fire in Tipperary on Monday morning which left one man dead.
At about 4am gardaí and fire services were alerted to a fire at a house in Pintown, Cloncracken, in the town of Roscrea.
The fire was brought under control by members of Tipperary Fire and Rescue who then found the body of a man inside the house. A doctor was called and the man was pronounced dead at the scene at short time later. It is understood gardaí believe he died of smoke inhalation.
The man, who has not been named, is understood to be a retired school teacher aged in his sixties who is originally from the Nenagh area.
READ MORE
The cause of the fire is unknown and gardaí in Roscrea have launched an investigation. “Investigating Gardaí have preserved the scene as they work towards establishing the cause of the fire,” the Garda said in a statement.
The man's body has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem examination by the State Pathologist will take place in the coming days.
The Garda said it is appealing for witnesses to contact the incident room at Roscrea Garda Station.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Roscrea Garda Station on 0505 21700, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Social media influencer secures court order over online ‘harassment’

A social media influencer has secured High Court orders requiring Facebook to provide her with information to identify anonymous people she claims are trolling , defaming and stalking her online .
The action against the social media giant was brought by Lisa McGowan , who runs the website Lisa ’ s Lust List .
She claims she and her business are the subject of online harassment and defamatory comments by parties , via social media accounts , whom she has been unable to identify .
In order to sue these posters for defamation she sought orders against Facebook Ireland Ltd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify the person or people behind certain posts on the Facebook and Instagram platforms .
At the High Court on Monday , Ms Justice Niamh Hyland said she was satisfied from the evidence put before the court that Ms McGowan was entitled to an order , known as a “ Norwich Pharmacal ” order .
The order requires Facebook Ireland Ltd to provide her with details the social media company has about account holders Ms McGowan claims are posting controversial posts about her .
The details include the account users ’ identities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers , email addresses , IP address and internet service provider .
Matthew Jolley BL , instructed by John Connellan of Carley and Connellan solicitors for Ms McGowan , said discussions between the parties had resulted in an agreed form of wording for the order sought by his client .
In reply Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook said his side was “ remaining neutral ” in relation to Ms McGowan ’ s application , which he described as a classic “ Norwich Pharmacal ” order .
Counsel welcomed that Ms McGowan accepted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with his client , and added that Facebook would not be seeking its legal costs against her .
After making the order sought , Ms Justice Hyland adjourned the matter generally , with liberty to apply .
The judge also made no order in relation to who should pay the legal costs of the action , meaning both sides will pay their own costs .
In a statement issued outside of court , Ms McGowan welcomed the judge ’ s decision to make the order .
Ms McGowan ’ s site specialises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beauty , health , travel and homeware , mainly produced by Irish-based small to medium-sized enterprises , and has 300,000 followers .
Ms McGowan , from Tullamore , Co Offaly , started her online promotional work after she won the best-dressed lady competition at the Galway Races in 2016 .
In recent weeks she claims she and members of her family have been subjected to online bullying , trolling and harassment .
The publication of these comments , she claims , is “ designed solely to inflict reputation and financial damage ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims she is the victim of what Mr Jolley told the High Court are “ sinister posts ” about her movements , that amount to stalking .
In addition to her intended defamation proceedings , Ms McGowan has also made a complaint about the posts to gardaí .

A social media influencer has secured High Court orders requiring Facebook to provide her with information to identify anonymous people she claims are trolling, defaming and stalking her online.
The action against the social media giant was brought by Lisa McGowan, who runs the website Lisa’s Lust List.
She claims she and her business are the subject of online harassment and defamatory comments by parties, via social media accounts, whom she has been unable to identify.
In order to sue these posters for defamation she sought orders against Facebook Ireland Ltd, which she hopes will help her to identify the person or people behind certain posts on the Facebook and Instagram platforms.
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At the High Court on Monday, Ms Justice Niamh Hyland said she was satisfied from the evidence put before the court that Ms McGowan was entitled to an order, known as a "Norwich Pharmacal" order.
The order requires Facebook Ireland Ltd to provide her with details the social media company has about account holders Ms McGowan claims are posting controversial posts about her.
The details include the account users’ identities, names, postal addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, IP address and internet service provider.
Matthew Jolley BL, instructed by John Connellan of Carley and Connellan solicitors for Ms McGowan, said discussions between the parties had resulted in an agreed form of wording for the order sought by his client.
In reply Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook said his side was "remaining neutral" in relation to Ms McGowan's application, which he described as a classic "Norwich Pharmacal" order.
Legal costs
Counsel welcomed that Ms McGowan accepted that the posts complained of had nothing to do with his client, and added that Facebook would not be seeking its legal costs against her.
After making the order sought, Ms Justice Hyland adjourned the matter generally, with liberty to apply. The judge also made no order in relation to who should pay the legal costs of the action, meaning both sides will pay their own costs.
In a statement issued outside of court, Ms McGowan welcomed the judge’s decision to make the order.
Ms McGowan’s site specialises in promoting products including fashion items, beauty, health, travel and homeware, mainly produced by Irish-based small to medium-sized enterprises, and has 300,000 followers.
Ms McGowan, from Tullamore, Co Offaly, started her online promotional work after she won the best-dressed lady competition at the Galway Races in 2016.
In recent weeks she claims she and members of her family have been subjected to online bullying, trolling and harassment.
The publication of these comments, she claims, is “designed solely to inflict reputation and financial damage” on her and her firm.
She also claims she is the victim of what Mr Jolley told the High Court are “sinister posts” about her movements, that amount to stalking.
In addition to her intended defamation proceedings, Ms McGowan has also made a complaint about the posts to gardaí.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Arts sector ‘hopeful’ for socially distanced music gigs in near future

Arts campaigners have said they are “ hopeful ” socially distanced music events and gigs will be able to be held in the near future , following a meeting with Ministers and senior public health officials on Monday .
Angela Dorgan , chair of the National Campaign for the Arts ( NCFA ) group , said officials ’ main concerns were around people congregating while travelling to venues or in queues outside .
Members of the arts group and the Arts Council met with Minister for Media , Tourism and Arts Catherine Martin , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
Ms Dorgan said the campaign group had been informed there would likely be no changes to limits on gatherings until September 13th .
Current restrictions in place until then limit indoor gatherings to six people , and 15 people outdoors .
Venues deemed “ controlled environments ” , such as museums , cinemas , theatres and art galleries can allow a maximum of 50 people to congregate indoors , as can weddings .
Ms Dorgan said the arts sector had been asked to come up with “ solutions ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events take place , while adhering to social distancing requirements .
Ms Dorgan said she would be “ hopeful ” music gigs could go ahead again in the coming weeks .
“ I am far more confident now than I was before this morning ’ s meeting , ” she said .
The arts sector would be capable of running music events and gigs while ensuring attendees adhered to social distancing , she said .
At the meeting , public health officials expressed reservations around people congregating while travelling to venues or while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of music venues reopening for events if they did not serve alcohol was raised at the meeting , she said .
“ People going to gigs would be something people would love to do .
I don ’ t think you would need to drink , people know this is not normal times , ” she said .
However , as many venues relied on bar takings to break even and pay staff , artists and promoters , the sector would need some financial “ stimulus ” if it was permitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
Ms Martin described the meeting as “ very positive and productive ” .
She said it was agreed that the NCFA and the Arts Council could provide input to health authorities in charting the way forward for a return to safe performances and activities .
“ We understand the importance of the arts community getting back to earning a living and doing what they love , for the benefit of all society , ” she said .
The NCFA and the Arts Council will meet department officials later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she intended to establish a dedicated taskforce for the arts and culture sector in the coming week and would announce details of support packages arising out of the July stimulus package shortly .
Government sources also confirmed the meeting discussed “ taking alcohol out of the picture ” as one potential option to make it easier to broaden the scope for cultural events to take place , but cautioned that no decision and no formal plan was agreed .
Similar restrictions on the sale of alcohol at public events , including some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precedents for such a step , sources said .

The possibility of music venues reopening for events if they did not serve alcohol has been raised.
Arts campaigners have said they are “hopeful” socially distanced music events and gigs will be able to be held in the near future, following a meeting with Ministers and senior public health officials on Monday.
Angela Dorgan, chair of the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) group, said officials' main concerns were around people congregating while travelling to venues or in queues outside.
Members of the arts group and the Arts Council met with Minister for Media, Tourism and Arts Catherine Martin, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn on Monday.
Ms Dorgan said the campaign group had been informed there would likely be no changes to limits on gatherings until September 13th. Current restrictions in place until then limit indoor gatherings to six people, and 15 people outdoors.
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Venues deemed “controlled environments”, such as museums, cinemas, theatres and art galleries can allow a maximum of 50 people to congregate indoors, as can weddings.
Ms Dorgan said the arts sector had been asked to come up with “solutions” that would allow music gigs or similar indoor events take place, while adhering to social distancing requirements.
Serving of alcohol
Ms Dorgan said she would be “hopeful” music gigs could go ahead again in the coming weeks. “I am far more confident now than I was before this morning’s meeting,” she said.
The arts sector would be capable of running music events and gigs while ensuring attendees adhered to social distancing, she said. At the meeting, public health officials expressed reservations around people congregating while travelling to venues or while queuing outside, she said.
The possibility of music venues reopening for events if they did not serve alcohol was raised at the meeting, she said.
“People going to gigs would be something people would love to do. I don’t think you would need to drink, people know this is not normal times,” she said.
However, as many venues relied on bar takings to break even and pay staff, artists and promoters, the sector would need some financial “stimulus” if it was permitted to reopen but not serve alcohol at events, she said.
Safe performances
Ms Martin described the meeting as “very positive and productive”. She said it was agreed that the NCFA and the Arts Council could provide input to health authorities in charting the way forward for a return to safe performances and activities.
“We understand the importance of the arts community getting back to earning a living and doing what they love, for the benefit of all society,” she said.
The NCFA and the Arts Council will meet department officials later this week for further engagement.
The Minister said she intended to establish a dedicated taskforce for the arts and culture sector in the coming week and would announce details of support packages arising out of the July stimulus package shortly.
Government sources also confirmed the meeting discussed “taking alcohol out of the picture” as one potential option to make it easier to broaden the scope for cultural events to take place, but cautioned that no decision and no formal plan was agreed. Similar restrictions on the sale of alcohol at public events, including some sporting occasions, could be seen as precedents for such a step, sources said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Second home schooled Leaving Cert takes court action over calculated grades

A second Leaving Certificate candidate who was home-schooled by a parent has brought High Court proceedings against the Minister for Education ’ s refusal to consider her application for calculated grades .
The latest action has been brought by a 17-year-old student from outside Dublin , who can not be identified for legal reasons .
The candidate was informed by the Minister in recent days that it was not possible to provide her with a calculated grade in any of the six subjects she has studied because of the absence of satisfactory or credible evidence on which to base a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is suing through her mother , disputes that decision .
The latest action comes after 18-year-old Co Mayo student Elijah Burke , who was also home schooled by a parent , won his High Court challenge against the Minister ’ s refusal to grant him a calculated grade for each of the nine subjects he studied .
In his judgement earlier this month Mr Justice Charles Meenan directed the Minister , who had opposed the action , to put steps in place to allow Elijah be assessed for a calculated grade .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bl instructed by solicitor Antony Collier for the student said the 17-year old ’ s action was very similar to Mr Burke ’ s claim .
There was one significant difference , counsel said , and that was the parent in this case is not a qualified teacher .
Elijah Burke was tutored by his mother Martina Burke who is a qualified teacher .
Counsel said that the applicant in this case had been educated at home mainly by her mother , with the assistance of her husband and tutors , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered teachers .
Counsel said that the teen ’ s siblings had been educated at home , and had done well when they had sat their Leaving Certificate examinations .
The court heard that the teen had studied six subjects , and had expected to gain a place at a third-level college .
After the cancellation of the Leaving Cert examinations the teen applied to the Department of Education for a calculated grade .
She claims there is a significant body of work done as part of her studies that could be assessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether she could be awarded a calculated grade .
In a sworn statement the student ’ s mother said the decision to exclude her daughter from the benefits of the calculated grade scheme “ seems to my mind unjust and discriminatory.
” In the action against the Minister the teen seeks orders compelling the Minister to consider and determine within a reasonable time her application for calculated grades .
She also seeks an order quashing the Minister ’ s refusal of August 11th last to grant her a calculated grade .
She further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide the teenager with a calculated grade as she was home schooled by her mother is irrational , arbitrary , unfair and contrary to natural justice .
Permission to bring the application was granted by Mr Justice David Keane .
The application was made in the presence of counsel for the Minister Joseph O ’ Sullivan Bl , who said his client was not opposing the leave application .
The matter will return before the court later this week .
Mr Hennessy said that while there is an urgency about getting the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter will not be heard until after the Leaving Certificate grades are issued on September 7th next .

Counsel said that the applicant in this case had been educated at home mainly by her mother, with the assistance of her husband and tutors, who are not now nor had they ever been registered teachers.
A second Leaving Certificate candidate who was home-schooled by a parent has brought High Court proceedings against the Minister for Education's refusal to consider her application for calculated grades.
The latest action has been brought by a 17-year-old student from outside Dublin, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
The candidate was informed by the Minister in recent days that it was not possible to provide her with a calculated grade in any of the six subjects she has studied because of the absence of satisfactory or credible evidence on which to base a grade estimate.
The student, who is suing through her mother, disputes that decision.
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The latest action comes after 18-year-old Co Mayo student Elijah Burke, who was also home schooled by a parent, won his High Court challenge against the Minister's refusal to grant him a calculated grade for each of the nine subjects he studied.
In his judgement earlier this month Mr Justice Charles Meenan directed the Minister, who had opposed the action, to put steps in place to allow Elijah be assessed for a calculated grade.
At the High Court on Monday Brendan Hennessy Bl instructed by solicitor Antony Collier for the student said the 17-year old's action was very similar to Mr Burke's claim.
There was one significant difference, counsel said, and that was the parent in this case is not a qualified teacher. Elijah Burke was tutored by his mother Martina Burke who is a qualified teacher.
Counsel said that the applicant in this case had been educated at home mainly by her mother, with the assistance of her husband and tutors, who are not now nor had they ever been registered teachers.
Counsel said that the teen’s siblings had been educated at home, and had done well when they had sat their Leaving Certificate examinations.
The court heard that the teen had studied six subjects, and had expected to gain a place at a third-level college. After the cancellation of the Leaving Cert examinations the teen applied to the Department of Education for a calculated grade.
She claims there is a significant body of work done as part of her studies that could be assessed by an independent teacher who could determine whether she could be awarded a calculated grade.
In a sworn statement the student’s mother said the decision to exclude her daughter from the benefits of the calculated grade scheme “seems to my mind unjust and discriminatory.”
In the action against the Minister the teen seeks orders compelling the Minister to consider and determine within a reasonable time her application for calculated grades.
She also seeks an order quashing the Minister’s refusal of August 11th last to grant her a calculated grade.
She further seeks a declaration that the refusal to provide the teenager with a calculated grade as she was home schooled by her mother is irrational, arbitrary, unfair and contrary to natural justice.
Permission to bring the application was granted by Mr Justice David Keane. The application was made in the presence of counsel for the Minister Joseph O'Sullivan Bl, who said his client was not opposing the leave application.
The matter will return before the court later this week.
Mr Hennessy said that while there is an urgency about getting the case heard, it was accepted that the matter will not be heard until after the Leaving Certificate grades are issued on September 7th next.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Teenager admits killing but denies murder of teenager at Dublin park

A 17-year-old has admitted killing but denies the murder of another teenager who was stabbed during an encounter between groups of youths at a Dublin park .
The accused , who can not be identified because he is a minor , will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court .
He is charged with the murder of Azzam Raguragai ( 18 ) on May 10th , 2019 at Finsbury Park , Dundrum , Dublin 14 .
Before a jury of six men and six women was sworn on Monday the teenager pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Director of Public Prosecutions .
Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury that the case arises out of an incident when two groups of teenagers encountered one another at Finsbury Park .
The deceased was in one group , he said , and the accused in the other .
The judge added : “ During the course of that encounter it is alleged that the accused stabbed the deceased.
” Mr Justice McDermott said the case had been the subject of some media coverage and that if any potential juror felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impartial and independent judgment they should not serve on the jury .
The trial will open on Tuesday .

The accused, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Photograph: Alan Betson
A 17-year-old has admitted killing but denies the murder of another teenager who was stabbed during an encounter between groups of youths at a Dublin park.
The accused, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court. He is charged with the murder of Azzam Raguragai (18) on May 10th, 2019 at Finsbury Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14.
Before a jury of six men and six women was sworn on Monday the teenager pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Incident
Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury that the case arises out of an incident when two groups of teenagers encountered one another at Finsbury Park. The deceased was in one group, he said, and the accused in the other. The judge added: “During the course of that encounter it is alleged that the accused stabbed the deceased.”
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Mr Justice McDermott said the case had been the subject of some media coverage and that if any potential juror felt they could not give a fair, impartial and independent judgment they should not serve on the jury.
The trial will open on Tuesday.


theirishtimes--2020-08-31--Woman who won ‘dream’ Mayo cottage for €50 looks forward to remote working

The Dublin-based woman who won the weekend charity raffle for a postcard-pretty holiday cottage in Co Mayo says she first learned of her good fortune when contacted last Saturday morning by a Canadian-based journalist seeking an interview about her win .
She told The Irish Times she assumed the email was “ some sort of scam ” and dismissed it entirely until she scrolled further down through her inbox and realised there was also an email from the cottage owners and the Mayo-based auctioneer assisting with the home transfer .
Then she realised she had in fact secured her “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investment of just €50 .
“ I bought five tickets a couple of weeks after reading about the cottage in The Irish Times earlier this summer but then I forgot about it completely , ” she said .
The home near Foxford , Co Mayo was raffled by the Canada-based Irish owners and raised just short of €1 million which will now be used to fund educational bursaries for frontline healthcare support staff .
The couple are both Covid-19 survivors and decided in June to raffle their house because they wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their decision to raise money for frontline healthcare workers excluding doctor and nurses sprang from a combination of their own recent experience of the virus , seeing friends and family around them affected by cancer , and a lifelong belief that support staff in hospitals do not get the recognition they deserve .
The tickets cost €10 and after a little publicity in this paper , the money rolled in for weeks .
It quickly surpassed the couple ’ s initial target of €250,000 .
Contributions came from all quarters but mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The majority of ticket buyers purchased in small amounts , while a few stretched to 25 tickets for €250 .
The 150-year-old cottage , on the Mayo side of the Ox Mountains , had been placed on the market through local agent CK Auctioneers earlier this year and attracted offers of up to €90,000 .
The new owner ended up paying just €50 for the property .
“ I am definitely going to keep it , it is my dream home , ” she said .
“ I lived in the US for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would own a cottage like this close to the Atlantic but this has come like a bolt out of the blue , ” the winner , who has asked to remain anonymous , said .
She expressed the hope that she would be able to travel from her Dublin home to the cottage a couple of times a month and would also be able to stay there for extended periods .
“ Like most people now I am working remotely so I will be able to do my job from anywhere , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to getting keys to the new cottage and will be able to use it as a holiday home , as will her friends .
“ It is just so brilliant , not only have I won but so much money was raised for charity and it is great so to see the health workers getting the recognition they deserve .

The Dublin-based woman who won the weekend charity raffle for a postcard-pretty holiday cottage in Co Mayo says she first learned of her good fortune when contacted last Saturday morning by a Canadian-based journalist seeking an interview about her win.
She told The Irish Times she assumed the email was “some sort of scam” and dismissed it entirely until she scrolled further down through her inbox and realised there was also an email from the cottage owners and the Mayo-based auctioneer assisting with the home transfer.
Then she realised she had in fact secured her “dream home” way out west after an investment of just €50.
“I bought five tickets a couple of weeks after reading about the cottage in The Irish Times earlier this summer but then I forgot about it completely,” she said.
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Living area.
The home near Foxford, Co Mayo was raffled by the Canada-based Irish owners and raised just short of €1 million which will now be used to fund educational bursaries for frontline healthcare support staff.
The couple are both Covid-19 survivors and decided in June to raffle their house because they wanted to give something back after surviving the virus.
Their decision to raise money for frontline healthcare workers excluding doctor and nurses sprang from a combination of their own recent experience of the virus, seeing friends and family around them affected by cancer, and a lifelong belief that support staff in hospitals do not get the recognition they deserve.
The tickets cost €10 and after a little publicity in this paper, the money rolled in for weeks. It quickly surpassed the couple’s initial target of €250,000.
Contributions came from all quarters but mainly from people with links to Ireland. The majority of ticket buyers purchased in small amounts, while a few stretched to 25 tickets for €250.
The 150-year-old cottage, on the Mayo side of the Ox Mountains, had been placed on the market through local agent CK Auctioneers earlier this year and attracted offers of up to €90,000.
The new owner ended up paying just €50 for the property.
Kitchen.
“I am definitely going to keep it, it is my dream home,” she said. “I lived in the US for 20 years and always dreamed that I would own a cottage like this close to the Atlantic but this has come like a bolt out of the blue,” the winner, who has asked to remain anonymous, said.
She expressed the hope that she would be able to travel from her Dublin home to the cottage a couple of times a month and would also be able to stay there for extended periods. “Like most people now I am working remotely so I will be able to do my job from anywhere,” she said.
Her siblings can also look forward to getting keys to the new cottage and will be able to use it as a holiday home, as will her friends. “It is just so brilliant, not only have I won but so much money was raised for charity and it is great so to see the health workers getting the recognition they deserve.