theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Former Irish Times and Belfast Telegraph journalist Michael Devine dies aged 79

The death has occurred of journalist Michael Devine , a former Irish Times and Belfast Telegraph correspondent .
Mr Devine died in Beaumont hospital overnight on Saturday aged 79 .
He had been suffering from cancer .
His father , also Michael Devine , worked as a journalist for The Irish Times and his son followed him into the newspaper , working there until the early 1970s before moving to the Belfast Telegraph as Dublin correspondent .
A highly respected journalist who was based in Leinster House , he reported on the view from Dublin during the Troubles , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Britain during that time .
He recorded the upheavals in Irish politics over the careers of six taoisigh , as well as major incidents including the kidnapping of Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema in 1975 by the IRA .
A skilled golfer , he was also a member of what was known at the time as the Friday teatime club , when political correspondents met for drinks in Mulligan ’ s pub .
Mr Devine , who lived in Clontarf , is survived by his wife Deirdre who he met when she worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned at the time by The Irish Times , and his three adult children Shane , Joanne and Michelle .

Michael Devine: reported on major incidents such as the kidnapping of Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema by the IRA in 1975
The death has occurred of journalist Michael Devine, a former Irish Times and Belfast Telegraph correspondent. Mr Devine died in Beaumont hospital overnight on Saturday aged 79. He had been suffering from cancer.
His father, also Michael Devine, worked as a journalist for The Irish Times and his son followed him into the newspaper, working there until the early 1970s before moving to the Belfast Telegraph as Dublin correspondent.
A highly respected journalist who was based in Leinster House, he reported on the view from Dublin during the Troubles, the difficult relationship and continuous talks between Ireland and Britain during that time.
Upheavals
He recorded the upheavals in Irish politics over the careers of six taoisigh, as well as major incidents including the kidnapping of Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema in 1975 by the IRA.
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A skilled golfer, he was also a member of what was known at the time as the Friday teatime club, when political correspondents met for drinks in Mulligan’s pub.
Mr Devine, who lived in Clontarf, is survived by his wife Deirdre who he met when she worked for the Sunday Review, a paper owned at the time by The Irish Times, and his three adult children Shane, Joanne and Michelle.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Teachers at Donegal school give sixth-year students a 1980s sendoff

Teachers from a school in Co Donegal have given their sixth-year students a sending off they won ’ t forget .
Staff from Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola , Falcarragh put together an 1980s-themed TikTok video for the class of 2020 , given that normal end-of-year celebrations had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions .
Teachers are seen standing on tables and rocking out to 1980s music in the school .
Principal Maeve Sweeney said “ the staff knew it wasn ’ t going to be a normal end of year so they were looking at ways of how we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them coming out to the school ” .
“ Members of staff , Siobhan Doogan and Mairead Harkin , they came up with this fabulous idea and put it together with the year head .
“ We had a Zoom meeting and worked from there ... everyone was planned to come in for a certain time and we cut things to ensure social distancing .
“ Everyone was following guidelines as we want safety for our staff and also to show we are modelling our behaviour to others as well.
” Ms Sweeney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cards to each student last Friday and a virtual mass was held online , followed by the video .
“ The students were bowled over , they were delighted .
They were also shocked the teachers did it , they saw them in a totally different light , ” Ms Sweeney added .

One of the staff members from Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola in costume for the video for sixth-year students. Photograph: Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola
Teachers from a school in Co Donegal have given their sixth-year students a sending off they won't forget.
Staff from Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola, Falcarragh put together an 1980s-themed TikTok video for the class of 2020, given that normal end-of-year celebrations had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Teachers are seen standing on tables and rocking out to 1980s music in the school.
PCC 80’s Style 🕺🏾🕺🏼PCC 1980’s style 🕺🏽🕺🏾 - We’ve gone back in time for you !! PCC Teachers have gone all out to let you remember them and entertain you on your graduation day 2020...ENJOY🎸 Posted by Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola-0fficial on Friday, May 22, 2020
Principal Maeve Sweeney said "the staff knew it wasn't going to be a normal end of year so they were looking at ways of how we could reach out to the students rather than them coming out to the school".
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"Members of staff, Siobhan Doogan and Mairead Harkin, they came up with this fabulous idea and put it together with the year head.
“We had a Zoom meeting and worked from there... everyone was planned to come in for a certain time and we cut things to ensure social distancing.
“Everyone was following guidelines as we want safety for our staff and also to show we are modelling our behaviour to others as well.”
Ms Sweeney said a team of staff delivered cupcakes and cards to each student last Friday and a virtual mass was held online, followed by the video.
“The students were bowled over, they were delighted. They were also shocked the teachers did it, they saw them in a totally different light,” Ms Sweeney added.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Man (48) charged in connection with Co Cork drugs seizure

A 48-year-old man who was arrested by gardaí after suffering a minor gunshot wound at a garda checkpoint in Co Cork has been charged with a number of drug offences .
Keith Donovan was charged with seven offences relating to seizures of drugs , totalling over €3,000 in value , when he appeared at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Sunday .
Mr Donovan was charged with possession of cocaine , possession of cocaine for sale or supply and permitting possession of cocaine in a car over which he had control at Spa Road , Mallow , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with possession of the prescription sleeping medication Zopiclone and possession of Zopiclone for sale or supply at Monataggart , Donoughmore , Co Cork , on May 22nd .
He also was also charged with two further offences of possessing the prescription opiate Methadone and possessing Methadone for sale or supply , also at Monataggart , on May 22nd .
Insp Tony Sullivan told the court that gardaí had no objection to bail for Mr Donovan with conditions attached .
Det Garda Leahy said gardaí were asking Mr Donovan , a native of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Monataggart , Donoughmore , to reside at that address and abide by a 9pm to 8am curfew .
He said gardaí were asking Mr Donovan to be contactable at all times and to surrender his passport .
They requested that he signs on three times a week at Gurranebraher Garda station once Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed or lifted .
Gardaí were also seeking him to have no contact with his co-accused , Stephen Murphy ( 35 ) from Passage West , who was charged with two offences relating to possession of cocaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patricia Harney warned Mr Donovan that this last condition meant any contact with Mr Murphy via social media would see him forfeit his bail and be taken into custody .
Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said that his client was willing to abide by all conditions .
Insp Sullivan said gardaí were seeking a month ’ s adjournment to Mallow District Court on June 23rd for the DPP ’ s directions .
Judge Harney granted the State application , which Mr Kelleher said was agreeable to his client .
On Saturday , Stephen Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged at Cork District Court with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Mitchelstown Road , Mallow on May 21st .
Gardaí did not object to bail for Mr Murphy but among the bail conditions sought by Det Garda Liam Finn of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad was that he would have no contact , directly or indirectly , with Keith Donovan .
Judge Colm Roberts granted bail to Mr Murphy , who also agreed to reside with his uncle at Ardmore Estate , Passage West and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remanded him to appear again at Cork District Court on June 17th .

The man was charged with seven offences relating to seizures of drugs, totalling over €3,000 in value
A 48-year-old man who was arrested by gardaí after suffering a minor gunshot wound at a garda checkpoint in Co Cork has been charged with a number of drug offences.
Keith Donovan was charged with seven offences relating to seizures of drugs, totalling over €3,000 in value, when he appeared at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Sunday.
Mr Donovan was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale or supply and permitting possession of cocaine in a car over which he had control at Spa Road, Mallow, on May 21st.
Mr Donovan was also charged with possession of the prescription sleeping medication Zopiclone and possession of Zopiclone for sale or supply at Monataggart, Donoughmore, Co Cork, on May 22nd.
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He also was also charged with two further offences of possessing the prescription opiate Methadone and possessing Methadone for sale or supply, also at Monataggart, on May 22nd.
Insp Tony Sullivan told the court that gardaí had no objection to bail for Mr Donovan with conditions attached.
Det Garda Leahy said gardaí were asking Mr Donovan, a native of Gurranebraher in Cork city but now resident at Monataggart, Donoughmore, to reside at that address and abide by a 9pm to 8am curfew.
He said gardaí were asking Mr Donovan to be contactable at all times and to surrender his passport. They requested that he signs on three times a week at Gurranebraher Garda station once Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed or lifted.
Gardaí were also seeking him to have no contact with his co-accused, Stephen Murphy (35) from Passage West, who was charged with two offences relating to possession of cocaine in Mallow, Co Cork.
Judge Patricia Harney warned Mr Donovan that this last condition meant any contact with Mr Murphy via social media would see him forfeit his bail and be taken into custody.
Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said that his client was willing to abide by all conditions. Insp Sullivan said gardaí were seeking a month's adjournment to Mallow District Court on June 23rd for the DPP's directions.
Judge Harney granted the State application, which Mr Kelleher said was agreeable to his client.
On Saturday, Stephen Murphy (35) from Passage West was charged at Cork District Court with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Mitchelstown Road, Mallow on May 21st.
Gardaí did not object to bail for Mr Murphy but among the bail conditions sought by Det Garda Liam Finn of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad was that he would have no contact, directly or indirectly, with Keith Donovan.
Judge Colm Roberts granted bail to Mr Murphy, who also agreed to reside with his uncle at Ardmore Estate, Passage West and keep a curfew there, and he remanded him to appear again at Cork District Court on June 17th.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Drimnagh house fire victims named as men in their 60s

Two men who died in a house fire in Dublin on Saturday have been named locally as Joseph Muldowney and Derek Mangan , both believed to have been in their late 60s .
The fire , in a cottage at Lansdowne Valley , Drimnagh , broke out at about 1pm .
Three units of Dublin Fire Brigade attended and the bodies of the men , discovered inside , were removed for postmortems later on Saturday .
Gardaí were investigating the cause of the fire at the scene on Sunday .
Lansdowne Valley , a cul-de-sac off Slievebloom Park on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to everyone except residents .
Several bunches of flowers were placed at the cordon , including a bunch of white tulips with a card signed , “ From family and friends ” .
Mr Muldowney had grown up in the family home and returned to live there in 2015 after the passing of his brother , who had occupied it previously .
He was described by several neighbours as “ very quiet ” and “ a man who kept to himself ” .
The fire was discovered by a visiting granddaughter of neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said she could smell smoke before she arrived at the cul-de-sac and then saw it coming from the windows and roof .
“ I rang the fire brigade at about 1.20pm .
I was banging on Joe ’ s door and shouting , trying to alert him .
The fire brigade arrived about 1.30pm and it took them a few minutes to get the front door down.
” She said the Muldowneys had lived in the house for several decades and were well-known in the area .
A neighbour , whose father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ He had moved back into the area in the last few years .
He kept himself to himself , wasn ’ t married.
” The neighbour said Mr Muldowney had a group of friends of men of his own age .
“ They ’ d have a few together , did no harm to anyone , and that ’ s the way he was , kept himself to himself really .
I hope it was just some kind of accident.
” Sarah Keogh , a neighbour in her 70s , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Hello ’ .
“ You ’ d see him coming along and you ’ d acknowledge him .
I just think it ’ s so sad what happened .
You wouldn ’ t like that to happen to anyone .
I ’ ve never seen anything so sad , to think of two people dying like that , really and truly .
”

Two men who died in a house fire in Dublin on Saturday have been named locally as Joseph Muldowney and Derek Mangan, both believed to have been in their late 60s.
The fire, in a cottage at Lansdowne Valley, Drimnagh, broke out at about 1pm. Three units of Dublin Fire Brigade attended and the bodies of the men, discovered inside, were removed for postmortems later on Saturday.
Gardaí were investigating the cause of the fire at the scene on Sunday. Lansdowne Valley, a cul-de-sac off Slievebloom Park on the Long Mile Road, was cordoned off to everyone except residents. Several bunches of flowers were placed at the cordon, including a bunch of white tulips with a card signed, "From family and friends".
The scene at the house in Lansdowne Valley, Drimnagh. Photograph: The Irish Times
Mr Muldowney had grown up in the family home and returned to live there in 2015 after the passing of his brother, who had occupied it previously. He was described by several neighbours as “very quiet” and “a man who kept to himself”.
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The fire was discovered by a visiting granddaughter of neighbours of Mr Muldowney at about 1.15pm. She said she could smell smoke before she arrived at the cul-de-sac and then saw it coming from the windows and roof.
‘Banging on Joe’s door’
“I rang the fire brigade at about 1.20pm. I was banging on Joe’s door and shouting, trying to alert him. The fire brigade arrived about 1.30pm and it took them a few minutes to get the front door down.”
Gardaí at the cordoned-off scene of a fatal house fire at Lansdowne Valley, Drimnagh, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
She said the Muldowneys had lived in the house for several decades and were well-known in the area.
A neighbour, whose father was related to Mr Muldowney, said: “He had moved back into the area in the last few years. He kept himself to himself, wasn’t married.” The neighbour said Mr Muldowney had a group of friends of men of his own age. “They’d have a few together, did no harm to anyone, and that’s the way he was, kept himself to himself really. I hope it was just some kind of accident.”
Sarah Keogh, a neighbour in her 70s, said she "only knew him to say, 'Hello'.
“You’d see him coming along and you’d acknowledge him. I just think it’s so sad what happened. You wouldn’t like that to happen to anyone. I’ve never seen anything so sad, to think of two people dying like that, really and truly.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Three men charged with murder of Carlow man in Australia

An Irish teenager who fell to his death from the fourth storey of an apartment on Australia ’ s Gold Coast was trying to escape being robbed at knife-point , police say .
Three men , aged 18 , 20 and 22 , have been charged with murdering Cian English ( 19 ) who was originally from Carlow .
Officers were called to the foot of the View Avenue building at Surfers Paradise about 3.15am on Saturday after a passerby found the teenager ’ s body Police then found a group of teens in one of the units above .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which police believe were stolen from Gold Coast chemist shops .
Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said police will allege three men tried to rob Mr English and a friend at knife-point .
Supt Smith said : “ During the course of that the victim has attempted to escape and has gone over the balcony and died.
” The two groups of people were staying in separate units in the building .
The three men who were arrested have each been charged with one count of murder and two counts of armed robbery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court and the other two men are due to appear at Brisbane magistrates court on Monday .
Mr English moved to Australia several years ago with his family .
His family issued a statement on Sunday asking for privacy .
“ Our family is devastated by this tragedy and respectfully ask for privacy as the police investigation into the circumstances continues , ” it said .

An Irish teenager who fell to his death from the fourth storey of an apartment on Australia's Gold Coast was trying to escape being robbed at knife-point, police say.
Three men, aged 18, 20 and 22, have been charged with murdering Cian English (19) who was originally from Carlow.
Officers were called to the foot of the View Avenue building at Surfers Paradise about 3.15am on Saturday after a passerby found the teenager's body
Police then found a group of teens in one of the units above. Four were semi-conscious after taking prescription drugs which police believe were stolen from Gold Coast chemist shops.
READ MORE
Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said police will allege three men tried to rob Mr English and a friend at knife-point.
Supt Smith said: “During the course of that the victim has attempted to escape and has gone over the balcony and died.”
The two groups of people were staying in separate units in the building.
The three men who were arrested have each been charged with one count of murder and two counts of armed robbery.
The 18-year-old will appear at Beenleigh magistrates court and the other two men are due to appear at Brisbane magistrates court on Monday.
Mr English moved to Australia several years ago with his family.
His family issued a statement on Sunday asking for privacy. “Our family is devastated by this tragedy and respectfully ask for privacy as the police investigation into the circumstances continues,” it said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Coronavirus: One more death in North as total deaths rise to 506

The number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) has risen to 506 after the department reported one further fatality on Sunday .
The total number of people who have tested positive for the virus in Northern Ireland now stands at 4,570 .
Of the 1,080 individuals who were tested in the last 24 hours , 25 tested positive for coronavirus .
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) recorded 664 deaths involving coronavirus up to May 15th , 40 per cent more than the DoH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period .
Northern Ireland produces two sets of figures on coronavirus-related deaths .
The DoH figures include all deaths recorded by Health and Social Care ( HSC ) Trusts where there has been a positive test for coronavirus .
These are mainly hospital deaths .
The NISRA figures are released weekly and are based on death registration .
They cover deaths in all settings and include all fatalities which mention coronavirus on the death certificate , whether or not there was a positive test for Covid-19 .
According to NISRA , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North in the week ending May 15th took place in care homes .
32 – 52.5 per cent – were in care homes , 27 were in hospital , one was in a hospice and one was at a residential address .
It was the fourth week that there have been more deaths in care homes than in hospitals in Northern Ireland .
However , the number of care home fatalities fell for the second week in a row .

The number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the North's Department of Health (DoH) has risen to 506 after the department reported one further fatality on Sunday.
The total number of people who have tested positive for the virus in Northern Ireland now stands at 4,570.
Of the 1,080 individuals who were tested in the last 24 hours, 25 tested positive for coronavirus.
Figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) recorded 664 deaths involving coronavirus up to May 15th, 40 per cent more than the DoH, which noted 472 deaths in the same period.
READ MORE
Northern Ireland produces two sets of figures on coronavirus-related deaths. The DoH figures include all deaths recorded by Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts where there has been a positive test for coronavirus. These are mainly hospital deaths.
The NISRA figures are released weekly and are based on death registration. They cover deaths in all settings and include all fatalities which mention coronavirus on the death certificate, whether or not there was a positive test for Covid-19.
According to NISRA, just over half of the coronavirus-related deaths in the North in the week ending May 15th took place in care homes. 32 – 52.5 per cent – were in care homes, 27 were in hospital, one was in a hospice and one was at a residential address.
It was the fourth week that there have been more deaths in care homes than in hospitals in Northern Ireland. However, the number of care home fatalities fell for the second week in a row.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Northern Ireland: Pandemic shows parties can ‘work together’ – Foster

Tackling the coronavirus pandemic has brought the North ’ s political parties closer together , the First and Deputy First Ministers have said .
In a joint interview with Sky News on Sunday , the DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin ’ s Northern leader Michelle O ’ Neill said the Executive had been faced with the outbreak of the virus shortly after it was restored in January , but their response had demonstrated they could work closely together .
“ We have shown that we can work together in difficult times , ” said Ms Foster .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a good thing that we ’ ve had a global pandemic , but I think it shows that we have come together and that we can work together in the way that we have.
” “ I believe that the past number of months , because of Covid-19 , has probably brought us closer together , ” said Ms O ’ Neill , “ insofar as we are having to work around the clock to take this on.
” She was in government “ to make it work ” ; while both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ it ’ s our job to govern for the people here .
Whilst I make the case for Irish unity and Arlene will make the case for maintaining the link with Britain , that ’ s just politics.
” Ms Foster also said tackling coronavirus in care homes remained a “ critical battlefield ” for the entire Executive .
“ We still very much want to deal with those issues in a pro-active way.
” On Friday a number of frail and elderly residents were relocated from a nursing home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part to its management of the coronavirus outbreak .
According to figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( NISRA ) , just over half of the 664 deaths they recorded until May 15th took place in care homes .
There have been disagreements in the Northern Executive – particularly over the timing of closing schools – as well as over whether the North should follow UK policy and practice in handling the crisis , or seek to align its approach to that of the Irish government .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North ’ s leaders has improved ; as the chairs were being set out to ensure social distancing ahead of an Executive committee meeting earlier this week , Ms Foster joked that she and Ms O ’ Neill had been seeing so much of each other , they were practically the same household .
Yesterday she and Ms O ’ Neill published a joint letter in Northern Ireland ’ s three main newspapers thanking the public for the sacrifices they have made to protect others during the lockdown .
“ I think at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not necessarily a difference in approach , ” said Ms O ’ Neill , “ because I think we all shared the same objective of trying to save lives .
“ We were thrust into this very quickly after the Executive being restored , and that in itself was challenging , but I think that Executive colleagues have worked really closely together to try and turn our way through this as best we can with that one objective , to save lives.
” Both politicians were also on the same page when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s roadmap for exiting lockdown and the plans in Ireland and the UK , stressing that their role was to work on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland .
“ If devolution is to mean anything it is about doing what ’ s right locally for your own people and what we have to do is to listen to the medical and scientific evidence and then make our decisions based on that , ” Ms Foster said .
“ We ’ re elected here , ” said Ms O ’ Neill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent the people that sent us here and to take up government departments and actually make decisions on their behalf , so you can look to London and you can look to Dublin and you can pick good and bad in all approaches , but for me this is about our own response to Covid-19.
” However she added : “ We do live on an island , we have a geographical advantage , it ’ s important that we use it to our people ’ s best advantage in our battle against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing of lockdown restrictions began in Northern Ireland this week .
The current regulations are due to be reviewed on May 28th .
Ms Foster and Ms O ’ Neill revealed their mothers both had been admitted to hospital during the lockdown .
Ms Foster said that the two things she missed most were her hairdresser and congregational singing in church .
“ We miss the ordinary things that you take for granted and after this is over I hope people don ’ t take those sort of things for granted , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their freedom to do all of the things we haven ’ t been able to do over the last eight weeks .
”

First minister Arlene Foster (left) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill walk together as they arrive at Stormont. File photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Tackling the coronavirus pandemic has brought the North’s political parties closer together, the First and Deputy First Ministers have said.
In a joint interview with Sky News on Sunday, the DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin's Northern leader Michelle O'Neill said the Executive had been faced with the outbreak of the virus shortly after it was restored in January, but their response had demonstrated they could work closely together.
“We have shown that we can work together in difficult times,” said Ms Foster. “I’m not saying it’s a good thing that we’ve had a global pandemic, but I think it shows that we have come together and that we can work together in the way that we have.”
“I believe that the past number of months, because of Covid-19, has probably brought us closer together,” said Ms O’Neill, “insofar as we are having to work around the clock to take this on.”
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She was in government “to make it work”; while both held different political views, she said, “it’s our job to govern for the people here. Whilst I make the case for Irish unity and Arlene will make the case for maintaining the link with Britain, that’s just politics.”
Care homes
Ms Foster also said tackling coronavirus in care homes remained a “critical battlefield” for the entire Executive. “We still very much want to deal with those issues in a pro-active way.”
On Friday a number of frail and elderly residents were relocated from a nursing home in Belfast due to ongoing concerns which related in part to its management of the coronavirus outbreak.
According to figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), just over half of the 664 deaths they recorded until May 15th took place in care homes.
There have been disagreements in the Northern Executive – particularly over the timing of closing schools – as well as over whether the North should follow UK policy and practice in handling the crisis, or seek to align its approach to that of the Irish government.
Yet in recent weeks the relationship between the North’s leaders has improved; as the chairs were being set out to ensure social distancing ahead of an Executive committee meeting earlier this week, Ms Foster joked that she and Ms O’Neill had been seeing so much of each other, they were practically the same household.
Yesterday she and Ms O’Neill published a joint letter in Northern Ireland’s three main newspapers thanking the public for the sacrifices they have made to protect others during the lockdown.
“I think at different times there perhaps was different emphasis but not necessarily a difference in approach,” said Ms O’Neill, “because I think we all shared the same objective of trying to save lives.
“We were thrust into this very quickly after the Executive being restored, and that in itself was challenging, but I think that Executive colleagues have worked really closely together to try and turn our way through this as best we can with that one objective, to save lives.”
Devolution
Both politicians were also on the same page when asked about the differences between the North's roadmap for exiting lockdown and the plans in Ireland and the UK, stressing that their role was to work on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.
“If devolution is to mean anything it is about doing what’s right locally for your own people and what we have to do is to listen to the medical and scientific evidence and then make our decisions based on that,” Ms Foster said.
“We’re elected here,” said Ms O’Neill. “We’re elected to represent the people that sent us here and to take up government departments and actually make decisions on their behalf, so you can look to London and you can look to Dublin and you can pick good and bad in all approaches, but for me this is about our own response to Covid-19.”
However she added: “We do live on an island, we have a geographical advantage, it’s important that we use it to our people’s best advantage in our battle against Covid-19.”
The first steps towards the easing of lockdown restrictions began in Northern Ireland this week. The current regulations are due to be reviewed on May 28th.
Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill revealed their mothers both had been admitted to hospital during the lockdown. Ms Foster said that the two things she missed most were her hairdresser and congregational singing in church.
“We miss the ordinary things that you take for granted and after this is over I hope people don’t take those sort of things for granted, that they actually do value their freedom and their freedom to do all of the things we haven’t been able to do over the last eight weeks.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Urgent Trócaire appeal to return donations by phone or online

Trócaire has launched an urgent appeal for people to return donations from their Trócaire boxes online or over the phone .
The charity said a 60 per cent decrease in donations to its Lenten appeal has put many of its “ life-saving programmes at risk ” .
Its biggest fundraising campaign has been “ severely affected ” by the Covid-19 pandemic , with many supporters unable to return their Trócaire boxes due to ongoing restrictions .
Trócaire ’ s Lenten appeal raises approximately €8 million each year , with two-thirds of this coming from boxes distributed through schools and parishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the closure of schools and parishes , means “ most boxes have not been returned this year ” , Trócaire said .
The charity said unless donations from the boxes are returned it is facing “ a massive funding crisis that will impact directly on the three million people who rely on its work overseas ” .
Caoimhe de Barra , chief executive of Trócaire , said thousands of boxes are sitting in homes across Ireland .
“ Unless these generous donations are returned , we won ’ t be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the poorest people in the world , ” she said .
Trócaire is currently responding to Covid-19 by providing soap , water and hand-washing stations , supporting quarantine facilities and funding expert medical care in affected countries where the charity provides support .
“ The funding crisis comes at a time when we are working to reduce the spread of coronavirus in all 20 countries where we provide support , ” Ms de Barra added .
“ People in countries like Somalia and South Sudan are incredibly vulnerable to this virus , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more into extreme poverty .
“ The contents of each and every Trócaire box , no matter how small , come together to make a significant difference to the lives of the people we help.
” How to return your Trócaire box donation Count or estimate what is in your box and donate in one of the following ways : Online at trocaire.org Over the phone at 1850 408 408 ( ROI ) or 0800 912 1200 ( NI ) By post to Trócaire , Freepost , Maynooth , Co. Kildare ( ROI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belfast ( NI ) Check with your local parish if it is possible to arrange a safe drop-off .

Trócaire teaching hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Somalia. Photograph: Trócaire
Trócaire has launched an urgent appeal for people to return donations from their Trócaire boxes online or over the phone.
The charity said a 60 per cent decrease in donations to its Lenten appeal has put many of its “life-saving programmes at risk”.
Its biggest fundraising campaign has been “severely affected” by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many supporters unable to return their Trócaire boxes due to ongoing restrictions.
Trócaire’s Lenten appeal raises approximately €8 million each year, with two-thirds of this coming from boxes distributed through schools and parishes.
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Due to travel and social restrictions, including the closure of schools and parishes, means “most boxes have not been returned this year”, Trócaire said.
The charity said unless donations from the boxes are returned it is facing “a massive funding crisis that will impact directly on the three million people who rely on its work overseas”.
Habiba Mohamed, one of Trócaire’s health workers, checks the temperature of Mohamed Abdi Ali at Luuq hospital, in the Gedo region of Somalia. Photograph: Trócaire
Coronavirus response
Caoimhe de Barra, chief executive of Trócaire, said thousands of boxes are sitting in homes across Ireland.
“Unless these generous donations are returned, we won’t be able to provide life-saving support to some of the poorest people in the world,” she said.
Trócaire is currently responding to Covid-19 by providing soap, water and hand-washing stations, supporting quarantine facilities and funding expert medical care in affected countries where the charity provides support.
“The funding crisis comes at a time when we are working to reduce the spread of coronavirus in all 20 countries where we provide support,” Ms de Barra added.
"People in countries like Somalia and South Sudan are incredibly vulnerable to this virus, while lockdowns and travel restrictions have plunged millions more into extreme poverty.
“The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference to the lives of the people we help.”
How to return your Trócaire box donation
Count or estimate what is in your box and donate in one of the following ways:
Online at trocaire.org
Over the phone at 1850 408 408 (ROI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI)
By post to Trócaire, Freepost, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (ROI) or Trócaire, King Street, Belfast (NI)
Check with your local parish if it is possible to arrange a safe drop-off.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--Department of Health reports four more Covid-19 related deaths, 57 new cases

Four more people with Covid-19 have died , according to the Department of Health , bringing the State ’ s death toll from the disease to 1,608 .
In a statement on Sunday evening , the department said the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of 57 new cases of the disease , meaning there are now 24,639 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic .
The statement said that of the confirmed cases , 57 per cent are female and 43 cent are male , and the median age is 48 .
Some 3,222 people ( 13 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of whom 394 have been admitted to intensive care .
A total of 7,819 cases are associated with healthcare workers .
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,873 ( 48 per cent ) followed by Cork with 1,428 ( 6 per cent ) and Kildare with 1,392 cases ( 6 per cent ) .
Of those for whom transmission status is known , community transmission accounts for 59 per cent , close contact accounts for 38 per cent , travel abroad accounts for 3 per cent .
Earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical distancing to a metre would create “ significant extra capacity ” to manage patients but this was for the State ’ s emergency health team to decide .
At a briefing in Dublin , Paul Reid said that the current two metre distancing rule was reducing the volume of patients that could be handled by the State ’ s health service and was having “ significant implications ” for capacity in emergency departments and outpatients ’ waiting rooms .
A one-metre limit would improve capacity in managing outpatients and emergency departments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be guided by the State ’ s National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) that was managing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Mr Reid was responding to growing political debate about whether the two-metre rules should be relaxed in line with the World Health Organisation rule to keep a distance of one metre .
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that the health service was following Nphet on the “ best international advice ” and also on how other countries were emerging from the initial stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refining that distance or otherwise.
” “ For the moment it is two metres based on the best available evidence that we have , ” he said .
On Sunday , Labour Party leader Alan Kelly urged Minister for Health Simon Harris to carry out an audit on the effect of this change on increasing capacity in health services to treat more patients .
This follows a discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Friday evening where several Ministers pushed for the physical distancing rule to be reduced to one metre .
On Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no change in the advice from Nphet and that the public health advice to maintain the two-metre distance still stands .
Meanwhile , Mr Reid said the number of residential care facilities with Covid-19 outbreaks in the HSE ’ s highest risk category has fallen to seven , down from 75 a month ago .
He said there are 51 people with the coronavirus disease in intensive care unit ( ICU ) beds , down from 76 two weeks ago .
Mr Harris announced on Saturday he had established a Covid-19 nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government responded to the pandemic as well as assessing best practice for the months ahead .
There has been widespread concern over the number of deaths associated with residential care facilities , with more than 60 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths in Ireland related to care homes .
The decision comes following a recent National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) recommendation .
The panel will report to the Minister by the end of June 2020 .
Mr Reid said the HSE had completed a report into why 244 Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating back to March were not reported until mid-May .
He said he had submitted the report to the Department of Health ’ s secretary general Jim Breslin on Friday .
He confirmed the report concluded that the Mater did meet its legal obligation on the reporting of the cases and that testing and contact tracing was completed on the cases .
The report recommends changes to validating data between health reporting agencies and other hospitals had provided assurances that they were uploading data correctly , he said .
The late reporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of new Covid-19 cases being reported by the department to 426 on May 13th .
The Mater , the main infectious diseases hospital in the State , had insisted that it reported all cases of positive results to the relevant authorities on a daily basis and that it complied with all its reporting requirements , though said that the data may not have been accurately captured.
” Mr Reid said the HSE planned to carry out two studies in June to test the population to try to measure the scale of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Similar assessments in Italy and Spain had shown that just 5 per cent of the populations in Italy and Spain had antibodies protecting them from the disease , while it was 1 per cent in Denmark and less than 1 per cent in Norway .
Mr Reid said New York , the worst affected state in the US , “ claims to be at 12.3 per cent ” .

Four more people with Covid-19 have died, according to the Department of Health, bringing the State's death toll from the disease to 1,608.
In a statement on Sunday evening, the department said the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of 57 new cases of the disease, meaning there are now 24,639 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic.
The statement said that of the confirmed cases, 57 per cent are female and 43 cent are male, and the median age is 48.
Some 3,222 people (13 per cent of cases) have been hospitalised, of whom 394 have been admitted to intensive care. A total of 7,819 cases are associated with healthcare workers.
READ MORE
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,873 (48 per cent) followed by Cork with 1,428 (6 per cent) and Kildare with 1,392 cases (6 per cent).
Of those for whom transmission status is known, community transmission accounts for 59 per cent, close contact accounts for 38 per cent, travel abroad accounts for 3 per cent.
Earlier, the chief executive of the HSE said reducing physical distancing to a metre would create “significant extra capacity” to manage patients but this was for the State’s emergency health team to decide.
At a briefing in Dublin, Paul Reid said that the current two metre distancing rule was reducing the volume of patients that could be handled by the State's health service and was having "significant implications" for capacity in emergency departments and outpatients' waiting rooms.
A one-metre limit would improve capacity in managing outpatients and emergency departments, he said, but that the HSE would be guided by the State’s National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) that was managing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Reid was responding to growing political debate about whether the two-metre rules should be relaxed in line with the World Health Organisation rule to keep a distance of one metre.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that the health service was following Nphet on the “best international advice” and also on how other countries were emerging from the initial stages of the pandemic and “how they are refining that distance or otherwise.”
“For the moment it is two metres based on the best available evidence that we have,” he said.
On Sunday, Labour Party leader Alan Kelly urged Minister for Health Simon Harris to carry out an audit on the effect of this change on increasing capacity in health services to treat more patients.
This follows a discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Friday evening where several Ministers pushed for the physical distancing rule to be reduced to one metre.
On Saturday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said there had been no change in the advice from Nphet and that the public health advice to maintain the two-metre distance still stands.
Meanwhile, Mr Reid said the number of residential care facilities with Covid-19 outbreaks in the HSE’s highest risk category has fallen to seven, down from 75 a month ago.
He said there are 51 people with the coronavirus disease in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, down from 76 two weeks ago.
Nursing home panel
Mr Harris announced on Saturday he had established a Covid-19 nursing home expert panel which will examine how the Government responded to the pandemic as well as assessing best practice for the months ahead.
There has been widespread concern over the number of deaths associated with residential care facilities, with more than 60 per cent of all Covid-19 deaths in Ireland related to care homes.
The decision comes following a recent National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommendation. The panel will report to the Minister by the end of June 2020.
Mr Reid said the HSE had completed a report into why 244 Covid-19 cases at the Mater Hospital in Dublin dating back to March were not reported until mid-May. He said he had submitted the report to the Department of Health’s secretary general Jim Breslin on Friday.
He confirmed the report concluded that the Mater did meet its legal obligation on the reporting of the cases and that testing and contact tracing was completed on the cases.
The report recommends changes to validating data between health reporting agencies and other hospitals had provided assurances that they were uploading data correctly, he said.
The late reporting of the 244 historical cases led to the number of new Covid-19 cases being reported by the department to 426 on May 13th.
The Mater, the main infectious diseases hospital in the State, had insisted that it reported all cases of positive results to the relevant authorities on a daily basis and that it complied with all its reporting requirements, though said that the data may not have been accurately captured.”
Mr Reid said the HSE planned to carry out two studies in June to test the population to try to measure the scale of infection and immunity amongst the public to Covid-19.
Similar assessments in Italy and Spain had shown that just 5 per cent of the populations in Italy and Spain had antibodies protecting them from the disease, while it was 1 per cent in Denmark and less than 1 per cent in Norway. Mr Reid said New York, the worst affected state in the US , “claims to be at 12.3 per cent”.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Coronavirus: People told not to make appointments to buy furniture

The Government has urged the public not to make appointments with shops to buy non-essential items amid reports of businesses allowing customers to browse furniture and homeware items .
At the Government ’ s morning Covid-19 media briefing , assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said she was aware of queries around whether selling by appointment is allowed for product categories not included in the list of essential retailers under phase one of the roadmap .
“ At the moment the overriding aim is for people to stay at home except for essential purposes .
Appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other non-essential items are not part of phase one .
The focus should remain on online ordering or delivery .
“ The idea that people are making appointments to go into these places , ( that ) is not intended for phase one .
If people are trying to find loopholes , they are missing the spirit of this .
We are asking businesses to take the responsible approach .
It is only for essential hardware that you should be traveling , ” she said .
Ms Canavan also said she could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario whereby the second phase of the easing of restrictions , due on June 8th , is brought forward given the low number of new cases .
“ The approach that is taken , and it is set out in the roadmap , is the three weeks and the reason for the three weeks is that it allows us to assess over the period of incubation .
There is a 14-day incubation period for the disease .
I think in phase one we are pretty much going to want to see what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all see that there is a lot of more movement , a lot more people around , more traffic .
“ So it is important to see how the disease is reacting to that before we would move forward .
We would like to assess that until the full period is more or less complete.
” The Government is currently considering accelerating the easing of restrictions during later phases .
After the next phase in the planned easing of the lockdown on June 8th , there is a further phase on June 29th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the numbers of cases and deaths continues to fall in the coming weeks , some aspects of the July 20th opening could be brought forward to June 29th .
Ms Canavan also said that any potential changes to social distancing guidelines must be “ slow ” and “ incremental ” .
It comes as some Ministers raised the possibility of reducing the two-metre social distancing rule to one metre .
“ There is a lot of discussion and speculation about whether some of the public health advice and the roadmap schedule for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , the current advice from Nphet and the ECDC is that a distance of two meters should be observed between individuals .
“ That remains the public health advice from the Government .
Similar advice is in the place in very many countries around the world.
” “ Any changes to the current restrictive social distancing measures must be slow and incremental .
This approach is essential as going too far too fast could result in a sudden surge in infections .
The Government continues to make regular assessments of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic and social implications of the continued restrictions .
However they will remain in place for as long as they are needed to save lives.
” Meanwhile , businesses have claimed more than €1 billion under the Government ’ s pandemic wage support scheme .
Almost 56,300 employers are now registered with Revenue for the temporary wage subsidy scheme .
Furthermore , around 579,000 people will also today receive the €350 weekly pandemic unemployment payment .

People queuing outside shops in Dublin after the easing of restrictions allowed people to travel to purchase essential hardware. File photograph: Collins
The Government has urged the public not to make appointments with shops to buy non-essential items amid reports of businesses allowing customers to browse furniture and homeware items.
At the Government's morning Covid-19 media briefing, assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said she was aware of queries around whether selling by appointment is allowed for product categories not included in the list of essential retailers under phase one of the roadmap.
“At the moment the overriding aim is for people to stay at home except for essential purposes. Appointments to shop for homeware, furniture or other non-essential items are not part of phase one. The focus should remain on online ordering or delivery.
“The idea that people are making appointments to go into these places, (that) is not intended for phase one. If people are trying to find loopholes, they are missing the spirit of this. We are asking businesses to take the responsible approach. It is only for essential hardware that you should be traveling,” she said.
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Ms Canavan also said she could not see “at this stage” a scenario whereby the second phase of the easing of restrictions, due on June 8th, is brought forward given the low number of new cases.
“The approach that is taken, and it is set out in the roadmap, is the three weeks and the reason for the three weeks is that it allows us to assess over the period of incubation. There is a 14-day incubation period for the disease. I think in phase one we are pretty much going to want to see what the impact is. I think we can all see that there is a lot of more movement, a lot more people around, more traffic. “So it is important to see how the disease is reacting to that before we would move forward. We would like to assess that until the full period is more or less complete.”
The Government is currently considering accelerating the easing of restrictions during later phases.
After the next phase in the planned easing of the lockdown on June 8th, there is a further phase on June 29th, and another on July 20th.
If the numbers of cases and deaths continues to fall in the coming weeks, some aspects of the July 20th opening could be brought forward to June 29th.
Ms Canavan also said that any potential changes to social distancing guidelines must be “slow” and “incremental”. It comes as some Ministers raised the possibility of reducing the two-metre social distancing rule to one metre.
“There is a lot of discussion and speculation about whether some of the public health advice and the roadmap schedule for reopening will change.
“Firstly on social distancing, the current advice from Nphet and the ECDC is that a distance of two meters should be observed between individuals.
“That remains the public health advice from the Government. Similar advice is in the place in very many countries around the world.”
“Any changes to the current restrictive social distancing measures must be slow and incremental. This approach is essential as going too far too fast could result in a sudden surge in infections. The Government continues to make regular assessments of the existing restrictions. It also looks at the economic and social implications of the continued restrictions. However they will remain in place for as long as they are needed to save lives.”
Meanwhile, businesses have claimed more than €1 billion under the Government’s pandemic wage support scheme.
Almost 56,300 employers are now registered with Revenue for the temporary wage subsidy scheme.
Furthermore, around 579,000 people will also today receive the €350 weekly pandemic unemployment payment.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Unidentified man has been in Irish psychiatric hospital for 30 years

An elderly man has remained in a psychiatric hospital for more than thirty years without his true identity having ever been established , the High Court has heard .
The man was first admitted to the psychiatric hospital after being taken there by gardaí in the mid 1980s .
He was reported to be living “ a hermit ’ s life ” and sleeping rough in a bus shelter with a dog whom he said he had “ on loan ” .
He had also referred to living in Dublin “ for years ” .
At some point after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and estimated date of birth of 1930 but essentially remains a “ John Doe ” – a man whose identity is unknown .
Efforts to establish his true identity and to find any next of kin have failed to date but they have been reactivated in recent years arising from advances in technology .
The man has a history of schizophrenia and dementia , along with cardiac and respiratory conditions , and his condition is deteriorating .
In those circumstances , his case came before High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE , secured an order , ex parte ( one side only represented ) and in the context of intended wardship proceedings , to have a court-appointed medical doctor visit the man for the purpose of assessing his capacity .
The judge also made an order appointing a guardian to represent the man ’ s interests in the wardship matter .
The court heard the application arose in a situation where doctors say the man ’ s physical health is deteriorating and he has had a number of hospital admissions , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recurrent respiratory tract infections .
His clinical team consider it would not be appropriate to resuscitate him should his condition deteriorate further to a situation where resuscitation is required .
Rather than a further hospital admission , they believe he should be made comfortable where he is .
The man had also expressed a desire he should not be sent to a general hospital should his condition deteriorate but doctors are concerned whether he has capacity to make decisions about his health and welfare .
They are also concerned that any decision against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The matter will return to court in some weeks after the medical visitor has assessed the man and provided a report to the court .

The High Court heard the man’s physical condition is deteriorating and his clinical team believe resuscitation would not be appropriate. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
An elderly man has remained in a psychiatric hospital for more than thirty years without his true identity having ever been established, the High Court has heard.
The man was first admitted to the psychiatric hospital after being taken there by gardaí in the mid 1980s.
He was reported to be living “a hermit’s life” and sleeping rough in a bus shelter with a dog whom he said he had “on loan”. He had also referred to living in Dublin “for years”.
At some point after his admission, he was given a name and estimated date of birth of 1930 but essentially remains a “John Doe” – a man whose identity is unknown.
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Efforts to establish his true identity and to find any next of kin have failed to date but they have been reactivated in recent years arising from advances in technology.
The man has a history of schizophrenia and dementia, along with cardiac and respiratory conditions, and his condition is deteriorating.
In those circumstances, his case came before High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly on Monday.
Lebeau Jonker, solicitor for the HSE, secured an order, ex parte (one side only represented) and in the context of intended wardship proceedings, to have a court-appointed medical doctor visit the man for the purpose of assessing his capacity.
The judge also made an order appointing a guardian to represent the man’s interests in the wardship matter.
The court heard the application arose in a situation where doctors say the man’s physical health is deteriorating and he has had a number of hospital admissions, including for fluid retention from heart failure and recurrent respiratory tract infections.
His clinical team consider it would not be appropriate to resuscitate him should his condition deteriorate further to a situation where resuscitation is required. Rather than a further hospital admission, they believe he should be made comfortable where he is.
The man had also expressed a desire he should not be sent to a general hospital should his condition deteriorate but doctors are concerned whether he has capacity to make decisions about his health and welfare.
They are also concerned that any decision against resuscitation should have a legal basis.
The matter will return to court in some weeks after the medical visitor has assessed the man and provided a report to the court.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Temperatures expected to hit 25 degrees on Thursday

Temperatures are due to rise to 25 degrees on Thursday with warm and sunny spells forecast for this week .
Monday will be dry with sunny spells , though some rain and cloud is expected over western coastal areas which will extend gradually eastwards during the afternoon and evening .
Highest temperatures will be between 14 and 15 degrees in southern and northwestern coastal areas and 16 to 20 degrees elsewhere .
Southerly winds will be mostly moderate but will be strong in Atlantic coastal areas in the morning and afternoon .
Monday night will be cloudy in most areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fog .
Lowest temperatures will be between 7 and 11 degrees .
Tuesday will start off mostly cloudy with a few spots of drizzle but it will gradually brighten up with clear spells developing .
Highest temperatures will be between 18 and 21 degrees in Munster and Leinster with cooler conditions in Ulster and Connacht , with highs of 14 to 18 degrees .
It will be dry in most areas on Wednesday with a mix of cloud and sunny spells .
Highest temperatures will be between 19 and 24 degrees , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday is expected to be very warm with sunny intervals .
Highest temperatures will be between 20 and 25 degrees but it will be a little cooler on exposed eastern and southern coasts .
It will be dry overnight with some drizzle developing in Connacht and west Munster .
Many areas will be dry on Friday with bright spells .
However , rain is expected to develop in Connacht and west Munster later with the possibility of some heavy , thundery bursts .
Highest temperatures will be between 17 and 23 degrees in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Éireann said current indications are for “ a good deal of dry weather ” over the June Bank Holiday weekend with some patchy rain or drizzle at times .
It is due to be warm and humid with temperatures in the low to mid 20s inland and in the high teens in Atlantic coastal areas .

Kaylem O’Reilly jumps into the water at Spencer Dock in Dublin on Sunday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Temperatures are due to rise to 25 degrees on Thursday with warm and sunny spells forecast for this week.
Monday will be dry with sunny spells, though some rain and cloud is expected over western coastal areas which will extend gradually eastwards during the afternoon and evening.
Highest temperatures will be between 14 and 15 degrees in southern and northwestern coastal areas and 16 to 20 degrees elsewhere.
Southerly winds will be mostly moderate but will be strong in Atlantic coastal areas in the morning and afternoon.
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Monday night will be cloudy in most areas with some patchy drizzle, mist and fog. Lowest temperatures will be between 7 and 11 degrees.
Tuesday will start off mostly cloudy with a few spots of drizzle but it will gradually brighten up with clear spells developing. Highest temperatures will be between 18 and 21 degrees in Munster and Leinster with cooler conditions in Ulster and Connacht, with highs of 14 to 18 degrees.
It will be dry in most areas on Wednesday with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Highest temperatures will be between 19 and 24 degrees, with cooler conditions in northern coastal areas.
Thursday is expected to be very warm with sunny intervals. Highest temperatures will be between 20 and 25 degrees but it will be a little cooler on exposed eastern and southern coasts. It will be dry overnight with some drizzle developing in Connacht and west Munster.
Many areas will be dry on Friday with bright spells. However, rain is expected to develop in Connacht and west Munster later with the possibility of some heavy, thundery bursts. Highest temperatures will be between 17 and 23 degrees in southern and eastern coastal areas.
Met Éireann said current indications are for "a good deal of dry weather" over the June Bank Holiday weekend with some patchy rain or drizzle at times.
It is due to be warm and humid with temperatures in the low to mid 20s inland and in the high teens in Atlantic coastal areas.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Coronavirus: 35,600 people come off unemployment payment after return to work

About 35,600 people who were receiving the Government ’ s special coronavirus unemployment payment returned to work last week .
These individuals are receiving their final weekly payment of € 350 this week after closing their claim to the special cronavirus unemployment payment last week to allow them to go back to work .
It is understood that many of these people are employed in construction and other sectors which saw a resumption of work last week as the first phase of the easing of restrictions began on May 18th .
Overall there are 579,000 people receiving the special pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 6,000 on the figure for last week .
Separately about 482,800 people working for about 56,300 employers have had at least one payment supported by the Government ’ s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme ( TWSS ) .
Meanwhile , a disease control expert has warned of repeated waves and surges of coronavirus for the next four years .
Prof Gerry Killeen , research chair in applied pathogen ecology at the school of biological , earth and environmental sciences in University College Cork said coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ something that is permanently part of our landscape.
” Prof Killeen said it was not good enough to flatten the curve .
He said the virus needed to be crushed , he told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland .
The actions taken against the virus in Ireland have been too slow and half-hearted , he said , particularly with regard to incoming travellers and asymptomatic carriers of the virus .
“ It is guaranteed that a second wave will come when they ease restrictions .
Why embark on a journey that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Killeen said the existing restrictions should go on for longer so that the virus can be eliminated from the country .
“ The implications are huge.
” Keeping restrictions in place for another two to four months would eliminate the virus , he said .
Otherwise the cycle of lockdowns and restrictions could extend over the next four years .
Prof Killeen said there was no doubt a lot of businesses would close and the restrictions would have a huge impact on people ’ s lives .
For some they had already gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said and some would never recover .
“ This pandemic is going to have a huge impact on the economy.
” The question that must be asked , he said , was how much damage would be done by four years of repeated restrictions and surges of the virus .
Government will consider accelerating the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions if the number of new cases continues to decline , with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar mulling making an announcement in early June on easing aspects of the lockdown .
While senior sources stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on further progress in containing the disease , the internal debate in the Government reflects the growing pressure coming from business groups and several Ministers who favour a quicker relaxing of the measures .
The next phase in the planned easing of the lockdown is due on June 8th , with a further phase on June 29th , and another on July 20th .
But if the numbers of cases and deaths continue to fall in the coming weeks , some aspects of the July 20th opening could be brought forward to June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team ( NPHET ) said four additional Covid-19 deaths and 57 new cases were reported on Sunday , a significant fall when compared to the height of the crisis .
The figures bring the total dates to 1,608 and cases to 24,639 .
Ministers are due to meet public health officials , including chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan , to discuss the reopening measures in the coming days .
Meanwhile , minutes of emergency team meetings show the Government ’ s expert advisory group on the pandemic believed there was a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines being two metres rather than one .
The issue has been raised in recent days by some Cabinet members who want the distance reduced .
Such a change would make it much easier for schools and businesses to reopen but Mr Varadkar said at the weekend “ there is no change ” to the two-metre rule .
One or two metres In March , the advisory group on the Covid-19 pandemic said it had found there was a “ lack of evidence in distinguishing between one metre and two metres ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances ( including the healthcare , and domestic settings ) it may not be possible or practical to maintain two metres distance , ” group chair Dr Cillian de Gascun told NPHET on March 16th according to the minutes .
“ As such , the recommendation is that at least one metre , but ideally two metres is maintained between people , especially in the context of keeping distance from symptomatic individuals.
” HSE chief executive Paul Reid on Sunday said that reducing physical distancing to a metre would create “ significant extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Separately , in a letter to the National Bus and Rail Union , Mr Varadkar said that tax incentives to encourage people to work from home and the introduction of staggered opening times for schools and colleges may be considered as part of plans to reopen the economy .

A Government spokesperson has announced that approximately 35,600 people who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment have returned to work as part of phase one of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Video: RTÉ
About 35,600 people who were receiving the Government’s special coronavirus unemployment payment returned to work last week.
These 35,600 people informed the Department of Social Protection they were returning to work and 33,400 of these will be receiving their last payment of €350 this week.
It is understood that many of these people are employed in construction and other sectors which saw a resumption of work last week as the first phase of the easing of restrictions began on May 18th.
Overall there are 579,400 people receiving the special pandemic unemployment payment this week, valued at €202.8 million – a fall of 5,200 on the figure for last week. Separately, about 482,800 people working for about 56,300 employers have had at least one payment supported by the Government’s separate Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme.
READ MORE
[ Reopening Ireland: What will happen in each of the phases and what are the dates? ]
Meanwhile, a disease control expert has warned of repeated waves and surges of coronavirus for the next four years.
Prof Gerry Killeen, research chair in applied pathogen ecology at the school of biological, earth and environmental sciences in University College Cork said coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, will become an endemic pathogen, "something that is permanently part of our landscape".
Prof Killeen said it was not good enough to flatten the curve. He said the virus needed to be crushed, he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
The actions taken against the virus in Ireland have been too slow and half-hearted, he said, particularly with regard to incoming travellers and asymptomatic carriers of the virus.
“It is guaranteed that a second wave will come when they ease restrictions. Why embark on a journey that will backfire?” he said.
Prof Killeen said the existing restrictions should go on for longer so that the virus can be eliminated from the country. “The implications are huge.”
Keeping restrictions in place for another two to four months would eliminate the virus, he said. Otherwise the cycle of lockdowns and restrictions could extend over the next four years.
Prof Killeen said there was no doubt a lot of businesses would close and the restrictions would have a huge impact on people’s lives.
For some they had already gone past the point of no return, he said and some would never recover.
“This pandemic is going to have a huge impact on the economy.”
The question that must be asked, he said, was how much damage would be done by four years of repeated restrictions and surges of the virus.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said four additional Covid-19 deaths and 57 new cases were reported on Sunday, a significant fall when compared with the height of the crisis. The figures bring the total deaths to 1,608 and cases to 24,639.
Two-metre rule
Meanwhile, minutes of emergency team meetings show the Government’s expert advisory group on the pandemic believed there was a “lack of evidence” to support social distancing guidelines being two metres rather than one.
The issue has been raised in recent days by some Cabinet members who want the distance reduced. Such a change would make it much easier for schools and businesses to reopen but Mr Varadkar said at the weekend “there is no change” to the 2m rule.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) special envoy on Covid-19, Dr David Nabarro has said 2m distance guidance “keeps you safe 99 per cent of the time”, but you can “greatly reduce your risk by maintaining a one metre distance”.
Dr Nabarro told RTÉ’s Today with Sarah McInerney on Monday morning that 70 per cent of droplets from a person’s cough will travel within one metre, and that “very few of them travel further than two metres”.
“The WHO and others have said the best distance to keep away from people if you want to avoid inhaling a droplet is two metres. That’s because that will keep you safe 99 per cent of the time but you can greatly reduce risk even at one metre because 70 per cent of the droplets will stick within one metre.”
Dr Nabarro said it is a balance of risk, and a choice that must be made based on a personal set of circumstances. If you really want to reduce the risk of picking up an infection stay at least two metres away, he said.
“But if you are in a difficult situation where you have to be in close proximity to someone, if you’re providing care or if you are working in factory where two metres doesn’t work you can still greatly reduce the risk by being one metre away,” according to Dr Nabarro.
Ventilation, the weather, and an individual’s style of coughing are three factors that can affect the transmission capacity of the virus, Dr Nabarro said.
On the issue of face masks Dr Nabarro said “a poorly worn face mask is no good”, and that he believes that the “quality of mask wearing is going to become a big issue”.
He said: “If you are sitting next to somebody on a flight that has a nasty cough and you happen to take your face mask off to eat or drink you might end up getting the coronavirus.”
He added that in order for the face mask to be effective on a flight he believes that it would have to be worn for the flight’s duration.
Lifting of lockdown
The Government is considering accelerating the easing of restrictions during later phases.
After the next phase in the planned easing of the lockdown on June 8th, there is a further phase on June 29th, and another on July 20th.
If the numbers of cases and deaths continue to fall in the coming weeks, some aspects of the July 20th opening could be brought forward to June 29th.
Assistant secretary general at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said at a briefing on Monday that any potential changes to social distancing guidelines must be “slow” and “incremental”.
“There is a lot of discussion and speculation about whether some of the public health advice and the roadmap schedule for reopening will change.
“Firstly on social distancing, the current advice from NPHET and the ECDC [European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control] is that a distance of two metres should be observed between individuals,” Ms Canavan said.
“That remains the public health advice from the Government. Similar advice is in the place in very many countries around the world.”
The Government has urged the public not to make appointments with shops to buy non-essential items amid reports of businesses allowing customers to browse furniture and homeware items. "At the moment the overriding aim is for people to stay at home except for essential purposes. Appointments to shop for homeware, furniture or other non-essential items are not part of phase one. The focus should remain on online ordering or delivery," Ms Canavan said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Four men arrested by PSNI officers investigating dissident republican activity

Four men have been arrested by Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) officers investigating dissident republican activity .
@ @ @ @ @ , 35 , 31 and 29 , were arrested on Sunday evening .
The four @ @ @ @ @ the Derry area under the Terrorism Act , are in police custody.–PA

Four men have been arrested by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers investigating dissident republican activity.
The men, aged 36, 35, 31 and 29, were arrested on Sunday evening.
The four, who were held in the Derry area under the Terrorism Act, are in police custody.–PA


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Hairdressers to present proposals for earlier reopening

The incoming president of the Irish Hairdressers Federation ( IHF ) , Danielle Kennedy has said that hair salons are well equipped to operate within the Government ’ s Covid-19 protocols and could reopen in phase three at the end of June instead of the scheduled reopening date of July 20th .
The IHF said it has drawn up more than 110 recommendations for keeping salons safe .
Ms Kennedy told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland that there would be no walk-ins , customers would be seen by appointment only and would have to answer screening questions such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country recently and if they had a temperature .
The IHF will present comprehensive recommendations to the Government this week pointing out that they could reopen in a manner that was safe for both customers and clients .
“ Our customers want us to open , a salon is a very positive environment .
There is a positive bond between a stylist and their client.
” Ms Kennedy pointed out that in other countries salons had reopened after six to eight weeks , but that in Ireland it will have been 18 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well equipped to operate within guidelines with high levels of sanitisation .
“ We can easily adapt , ” she added .
The 1 metre and 2 metre physical distance issue will also have a major impact , she said .
This will be the distance between clients , she explained , as staff will wear PPE while working with a client .
Ms Kennedy said she did not anticipate visors would be worn as staff primarily work with the back of a client ’ s head .
“ PPE is the easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social distancing.
” The Government will consider accelerating the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions if the number of new cases continues to decline , with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar mulling making an announcement in early June on easing aspects of the lockdown .
While senior sources stressed that such a move would be entirely dependent on further progress in containing the disease , the internal debate in the Government reflects the growing pressure coming from business groups and several Ministers who favour a quicker relaxing of the measures .

Hair salons: Face coverings for staff and clients will be mandatory, while customers would be seen by appointment only. Photograph: iStock
Hairdressers could safely reopen salons at the end of June with strict health and safety rules in place, the Irish Hairdressers Federation has said.
The federation has pledged to abide by a list of 110 guidelines based on official public health advice, said Lisa Eccles, the body’s incoming vice-president, if they are allowed to reopen on the earlier date of June 29th, rather than July 20th.
“If we remain closed until July 20th, that will mean we will have been out of business for 18 weeks when the average time hairdressers were closed in other countries across the EU has been between six and eight weeks,” Ms Eccles said.
Salons operate to high hygiene levels, she said and were amongst the first businesses to close when Covid-19 struck: “We did that before we were even told to do so,” she said.
READ MORE
Face coverings for staff and clients will be mandatory, along with extra hand- washing, while customers would be seen by appointment only. No walk-ins will be allowed.
Customers will not be served if they are running a temperature, or have been out of the country, while contact tracing will be possible because full customer records will be kept.
“Most clients are known to the salons or book through apps or online,” she said, adding that hairdressers would only work “predominantly from behind the chair”, rather than being in front of the customer.
During a meeting this week with the Government, the federation will pledge to change gowns after each client and ensure that all towels and other non-disposable items will be washed at 60 degrees.
‘Let us plan’
“The country has already done so well not only in flattening the curve but in getting the spread of the virus under control and the date we are looking to reopen at the end of June is still five weeks. That would give the authorities time to change that if there was a rise in cases but we can’t see what is wrong with allowing salons to at least be prepared to open on June 29th and work from there. If they decide that we can’t closer to the time then so be it but at least let us plan.”
While a visit to a hair salon or a barbers might seem trivial to some people, she added, for many others, it is something that can lift their spirits. “There are a lot of people who associate feeling good with looking good and getting their hair done is something that will give them a little lift, and that can apply especially when it comes to older people.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-25--Test deceased for Covid-19 before postmortems, say new guidelines

Postmortems should not be carried out on bodies without first testing them for Covid-19 , according to newly published recommendations from the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland ( RCPI ) .
No “ open cavity ” postmortem examination should be performed on bodies if their disease status is unknown , the guidelines from the RCPI ’ s faculty of pathology advise .
Staff are at “ substantial risk ” of infection through carrying out postmortems , the guidelines say , and examinations of deceased Covid-19 patients should therefore be restricted to the two locations where these risks can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Each death must be assessed in great detail and in the context of clinical , radiologic and laboratory findings to ensure that an accurate cause of death is ascribed , with the consideration of the need for a postmortem examination for this determination.
” Just five postmortems have been carried out on Covid-19-positive patients , The Irish Times reported earlier this month .
The overall number of postmortems carried out in the first four months of the year was substantially down .
The guidelines say hospital and mortuary staff should hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coroner in relation to deaths .
The decision on whether to go ahead with a postmortem is made by the coroner .
Where a patient is assumed to be negative for the virus , but a swab produces a positive result , a second meeting should be convened with the coroner , pathologists and GP .
This meeting will decide whether a postmortem is required , or whether the death can be ascribed to Covid-19 based on other investigations such as CT scans , an external examination or toxicology tests .
The aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 deaths in a quick and effective way , thus ensuring remains are returned to families for burial as rapidly as possible , according to Dr Clive Gilgallen , chair of the faculty working group that produced the guidelines .
The number of postmortems being carried out “ is on the way up again ” , he said , as the rate of negative tests increases .
It is not know how long coronavirus lasts in the body after death , according to Dr Kilgallen , though the related Sars virus survived several @ @

Just five postmortems have been carried out on Covid-19-positive patients, The Irish Times reported earlier this month. The overall number of postmortems carried out in the first four months of the year was substantially down. File photograph: Getty
Postmortems should not be carried out on bodies without first testing them for Covid-19, according to newly published recommendations from the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI).
No “open cavity” postmortem examination should be performed on bodies if their disease status is unknown, the guidelines from the RCPI’s faculty of pathology advise.
Staff are at “substantial risk” of infection through carrying out postmortems, the guidelines say, and examinations of deceased Covid-19 patients should therefore be restricted to the two locations where these risks can be mitigated – mortuaries in Dublin and Cork.
“Each death must be assessed in great detail and in the context of clinical, radiologic and laboratory findings to ensure that an accurate cause of death is ascribed, with the consideration of the need for a postmortem examination for this determination.”
READ MORE
Just five postmortems have been carried out on Covid-19-positive patients, The Irish Times reported earlier this month. The overall number of postmortems carried out in the first four months of the year was substantially down.
Multidisciplinary team conference
The guidelines say hospital and mortuary staff should hold a multidisciplinary team conference with the local coroner in relation to deaths. The decision on whether to go ahead with a postmortem is made by the coroner.
The guidelines say hospital and mortuary staff should hold a multidisciplinary team conference with the local coroner in relation to deaths. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Where a patient is assumed to be negative for the virus, but a swab produces a positive result, a second meeting should be convened with the coroner, pathologists and GP. This meeting will decide whether a postmortem is required, or whether the death can be ascribed to Covid-19 based on other investigations such as CT scans, an external examination or toxicology tests.
The aim of the system is to deal with Covid-19 deaths in a quick and effective way, thus ensuring remains are returned to families for burial as rapidly as possible, according to Dr Clive Gilgallen, chair of the faculty working group that produced the guidelines.
The number of postmortems being carried out “is on the way up again”, he said, as the rate of negative tests increases.
It is not know how long coronavirus lasts in the body after death, according to Dr Kilgallen, though the related Sars virus survived several days.


theirishtimes--2020-05-24--There’s absolutely no anonymity in this year’s Leaving Cert

And we ’ re off !
The Covid-19 Leaving Certificate is under way and “ guidelines ” were our starting gun .
There literally wasn ’ t time to finish reading them before one of the teacher unions asked its members to exercise caution before engaging with them .
Ironically enough , the guidelines themselves mention the need to expedite the process by not waiting for confirmation of whether a student is taking a subject at higher or ordinary level before starting work on our calculations .
How is a teacher to know whether to speed up or slow down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must wait for our grades in order to carry out their stage of the process ?
Meanwhile , the students are also powerless .
Having been in exile from school since March 12th , it must feel to them as though the currency of schoolwork has been devalued .
They practically have this in writing , as the guidelines state that students must not be disadvantaged for a lack of work since school closure .
We now have the exact details of how we are to grade our own students for the purposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Certificate calculated grades .
And with that our transformation to “ assessors ” is official .
As lowly teachers we normally waved them off into an exam hall where their performance would earn them a grade band via the State Examinations Commission ( SEC ) , behind which all the individuals involved would remain anonymous .
This year , promoted to assessor rank , we have been charged with giving them an exact percentage and a class ranking .
Individual students will eventually find out both , and there is absolutely nothing anonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t have much issue with that plan if it contained one additional element : the student calculates the exact same two items for him/herself and sends it to the school principal .
For almost two years I have shared that learning space and time with each of those individual students , and we all know exactly what went on in that classroom .
Each one is well equipped to create that rank order , and having to determine and declare their own ranking would give them an opportunity to reflect on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this year ’ s novel grading system .
Students come out of an exam hall commenting on their performance and speculating on how they might fare in the grading ; in the same way , creating a sense of ownership over the prior performance which informs this grade would present an extremely beneficial learning opportunity .
And access to the students ’ interpretation of the same situation as the one we are being asked to judge would be extremely beneficial to school principals .
Surely it makes sense to invite the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and in some way evaluate what has taken place .
Apart from when a pupil may have applied to view his/her Leaving Certificate scripts , perhaps with the idea of appealing the result , exact percentages have not been generally known .
We have only ever had grade bands for previous Leaving Cert cohorts , and yet the guidelines suggest we look at how students of similar ability in previous years got on in the exam .
And just like that we may use the breadth of a past grade band to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rarely have I come across a better illustration of not comparing like with like .
Different individual , different circumstances , different data , different judge and jury and so on .
Where is reliability here ?
Or validity ?
There is also the “ Johnny will get an H1 – he ’ s a H1 student ” mentality , which runs counter to best assessment practice .
It also undermines the reality that an appropriately assessed performance in a specific task on a given day has a fixed value .
Finding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reliable assessment after effective teaching and learning .
But then , on the day of the task , additional variables kick in : Who can hold their nerve ?
Who doesn ’ t have a migraine on the day ?
Who is grieving the loss of a pet they have grown up with ?
The reality of exam assessment is that there are many factors that exist independent of a student ’ s normal or typical performance .
We are accustomed to freedom of speech around possible exam performance because the SEC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own students .
In terms of Leaving Certificate assessment , we teachers have been members of the audience , freely engaging in speculation .
Propelling us centre stage to the high-stakes scenario of awarding final grades for third-level education , without specific training , is a significant challenge of the Covid Leaving Certificate .
Blatant evidence that we have a long way to go regarding assessment practices emerged in recent weeks when I have heard very few refer to the “ calculated grades ” by their actual name .
Predicted grades are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with , and I hear the terms predicted grades and calculated grades used almost interchangeably .
Predicted grades for assessment purposes and casual speculation on how Johnny will get on in his exams are not the same thing .
And calculated grades are another thing entirely .
Their appearance on the Irish education scene has presented this year ’ s Leaving Certificate teachers with an unprecedented responsibility in relation to assessment practice .
What is crucial now is that we are given due ownership of that task .
As we approach this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculate that a legacy of the Covid Leaving Certificate might be that Irish teachers become more empowered ?

Students will find out their exact percentage and class ranking, and there is absolutely nothing anonymous about the individual behind them. Photograph: iStock
And we’re off! The Covid-19 Leaving Certificate is under way and “guidelines” were our starting gun. There literally wasn’t time to finish reading them before one of the teacher unions asked its members to exercise caution before engaging with them.
Ironically enough, the guidelines themselves mention the need to expedite the process by not waiting for confirmation of whether a student is taking a subject at higher or ordinary level before starting work on our calculations.
How is a teacher to know whether to speed up or slow down? And what of the principals who must wait for our grades in order to carry out their stage of the process?
Meanwhile, the students are also powerless. Having been in exile from school since March 12th, it must feel to them as though the currency of schoolwork has been devalued. They practically have this in writing, as the guidelines state that students must not be disadvantaged for a lack of work since school closure.
READ MORE
We now have the exact details of how we are to grade our own students for the purposes of them obtaining a set of Leaving Certificate calculated grades. And with that our transformation to “assessors” is official.
As lowly teachers we normally waved them off into an exam hall where their performance would earn them a grade band via the State Examinations Commission (SEC), behind which all the individuals involved would remain anonymous.
This year, promoted to assessor rank, we have been charged with giving them an exact percentage and a class ranking. Individual students will eventually find out both, and there is absolutely nothing anonymous about the individual behind them.
I wouldn’t have much issue with that plan if it contained one additional element: the student calculates the exact same two items for him/herself and sends it to the school principal.
For almost two years I have shared that learning space and time with each of those individual students, and we all know exactly what went on in that classroom. Each one is well equipped to create that rank order, and having to determine and declare their own ranking would give them an opportunity to reflect on their individual performances and the likely result of this year’s novel grading system.
Students come out of an exam hall commenting on their performance and speculating on how they might fare in the grading; in the same way, creating a sense of ownership over the prior performance which informs this grade would present an extremely beneficial learning opportunity. And access to the students’ interpretation of the same situation as the one we are being asked to judge would be extremely beneficial to school principals.
Surely it makes sense to invite the only other people in the arena to comment on and in some way evaluate what has taken place.
Apart from when a pupil may have applied to view his/her Leaving Certificate scripts, perhaps with the idea of appealing the result, exact percentages have not been generally known. We have only ever had grade bands for previous Leaving Cert cohorts, and yet the guidelines suggest we look at how students of similar ability in previous years got on in the exam.
And just like that we may use the breadth of a past grade band to inform a precise future percentage mark. Rarely have I come across a better illustration of not comparing like with like. Different individual, different circumstances, different data, different judge and jury and so on. Where is reliability here? Or validity?
There is also the “Johnny will get an H1 – he’s a H1 student” mentality, which runs counter to best assessment practice. It also undermines the reality that an appropriately assessed performance in a specific task on a given day has a fixed value.
The reality of exam assessment is that there are many factors that exist independent of a student's normal or
typical performance
Finding that fixed value is the purpose of valid and reliable assessment after effective teaching and learning. But then, on the day of the task, additional variables kick in: Who can hold their nerve? Who doesn’t have a migraine on the day? Who is grieving the loss of a pet they have grown up with? The reality of exam assessment is that there are many factors that exist independent of a student’s normal or typical performance.
We are accustomed to freedom of speech around possible exam performance because the SEC has always protected us from actually assessing our own students. In terms of Leaving Certificate assessment, we teachers have been members of the audience, freely engaging in speculation. Propelling us centre stage to the high-stakes scenario of awarding final grades for third-level education, without specific training, is a significant challenge of the Covid Leaving Certificate.
Blatant evidence that we have a long way to go regarding assessment practices emerged in recent weeks when I have heard very few refer to the “calculated grades” by their actual name. Predicted grades are a concept we are vaguely more familiar with, and I hear the terms predicted grades and calculated grades used almost interchangeably. Predicted grades for assessment purposes and casual speculation on how Johnny will get on in his exams are not the same thing. And calculated grades are another thing entirely.
Their appearance on the Irish education scene has presented this year’s Leaving Certificate teachers with an unprecedented responsibility in relation to assessment practice. What is crucial now is that we are given due ownership of that task. As we approach this year’s finish line, dare I speculate that a legacy of the Covid Leaving Certificate might be that Irish teachers become more empowered?