theirishtimes--2020-10-25--Gardaí to investigate whistleblower claims at Limerick city and county council

An internal investigation at Limerick City and County Council into whistleblower claims of financial fraud has led to a criminal investigation by gardaí , it has emerged .
The claims were made by a whistleblower in a protected disclosure through a solicitor .
It is alleged substantial funds were used to pay for personal goods for at least one individual .
The council is examining whether others benefited in kind or if anyone else was aware of the alleged fraud .
Gardaí have confirmed the Council referred the matter to them , and that a criminal investigation is underway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the allegations were reported last Thursday , the council emailed an update to elected councillors and some officials on Friday .
That email confirms that “ further to recent media reports into allegations of fraud at Limerick City and County Council ” , a detailed investigation process was conducted “ over the last nine months ” .
“ The case has now been referred to the gardaí , ” it states .
It added that “ a staff member has been dismissed ” .
The email goes on to state that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chair of the Audit Committee was kept fully briefed on the progress of the investigation , and is satisfied that the Council , at all stages , acted in an appropriate manner in dealing with this matter .
“ The executive can also confirm that the Local Government Auditor was fully briefed on the progress of the investigation .
“ As the case has now been referred to the gardaí , the Council will not be commenting any further.
” The Council ’ s internal investigation involves an audit of its accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman said : “ Gardaí have received a report from Limerick City and County Council in relation to allegations of fraud .
“ Gardaí are at the very early stages of this investigation and no further information is available.
” Sources said the allegations refer to a “ substantial ” amount of money and relate to alleged illegal activity dating back at least “ ten years ” .
Meanwhile , a Council source said the matter was “ a live internal investigation ” .
“ These are ( serious ) allegations and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Council spokesperson responded : “ Limerick City and County Council do not comment on individual HR issues .
”

Gardaí have confirmed Limerick Council has referred the matter to them, and that a criminal investigation is underway
An internal investigation at Limerick City and County Council into whistleblower claims of financial fraud has led to a criminal investigation by gardaí, it has emerged.
The claims were made by a whistleblower in a protected disclosure through a solicitor.
It is alleged substantial funds were used to pay for personal goods for at least one individual.
The council is examining whether others benefited in kind or if anyone else was aware of the alleged fraud.
READ MORE
Gardaí have confirmed the Council referred the matter to them, and that a criminal investigation is underway.
After news of the internal local authority investigation into the allegations were reported last Thursday, the council emailed an update to elected councillors and some officials on Friday.
That email confirms that “further to recent media reports into allegations of fraud at Limerick City and County Council”, a detailed investigation process was conducted “over the last nine months”.
“The case has now been referred to the gardaí,” it states.
It added that “a staff member has been dismissed”.
The email goes on to state that the Council executive "can confirm that the Chair of the Audit Committee was kept fully briefed on the progress of the investigation, and is satisfied that the Council, at all stages, acted in an appropriate manner in dealing with this matter.
“The executive can also confirm that the Local Government Auditor was fully briefed on the progress of the investigation.
“As the case has now been referred to the gardaí, the Council will not be commenting any further.”
The Council’s internal investigation involves an audit of its accounts stretching back several years.
A Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí have received a report from Limerick City and County Council in relation to allegations of fraud.
“Gardaí are at the very early stages of this investigation and no further information is available.”
Sources said the allegations refer to a “substantial” amount of money and relate to alleged illegal activity dating back at least “ten years”.
Meanwhile, a Council source said the matter was “a live internal investigation”.
“These are (serious) allegations and they must be investigated,” they added.
A Council spokesperson responded: “Limerick City and County Council do not comment on individual HR issues.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-25--New Covid-19 contact-tracing regime to be established for schools

A revamped contact tracing regime is to be established for schools when they reopen after mid-term to help ensure there is a faster response to positive cases of Covid-19 .
School principals and teachers ’ unions have criticised slow turnaround times , which have left many schools waiting several days before receiving guidance from public health authorities once Covid-19 cases have been identified .
The Department of Education says a national network of new school teams , to be led by public health professionals and supported by education officials , will be established from November 2nd .
This aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert schools to close contacts of positive cases , as well as supporting principals to find substitute teachers and special needs assistants in cases linked to Covid-19 absences .
Health authorities are also understood to be considering rapid testing for Covid-19 in schools , which has been a key demand of teachers ’ unions .
The current PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests are regarded as the gold-standard of testing for the virus , but are expensive and time-consuming .
Other countries have introduced cheaper testing methods with quicker turnaround and on-the-spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of accuracy .
The State health watchdog , the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) has advised that these antigen tests typically show “ reduced diagnostic accuracy ” compared to the current tests .
It has advised that rapid antigen and other alternatives should only be used to enhance the current system of PCR testing .
For example , results from rapid tests may need to be confirmed with the current PCR test .
The Government , meanwhile , insists schools remain a safe environment for children and will reopen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Education Norma Foley has said latest data on testing shows positivity rates for close contacts of individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 are much lower in schools compared to the wider community .
HSE figures , for example , show a total of 15,632 students and teachers have been “ mass-tested ” in schools after the identification of a positive case .
These tests revealed a further 443 cases .
This represents a positivity rate of 2.8 per cent compared to more than 7 per cent in the wider community .
However , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases that have been detected in schools and only include those following mass testing .
The HSE did not provide this information when requested by The Irish Times .
However , data compiled by a Facebook group called Alerting Parents of Outbreaks in Schools claims that about 990 cases have been identified in about 600 schools to date since schools reopened in late August .
It says its figures are based on school notices , which have been sent to parents on foot of Covid-19 cases .
These unverified figures indicate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with at least one Covid-19 case recorded in 281 secondary schools , or 39 per cent of post-primary schools .
At primary level , the group has recorded 320 notices from schools alerting parents to at least one case of Covid-19 , representing 10 per cent of primary schools .
Teachers ’ unions , meanwhile , have criticised what they say are inconsistencies in identifying close contacts .
In a statement , the HSE said the definition of a close contact within a school setting is variable and depends on a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an index case , social networks and other factors .

A revamped contact tracing regime is to be established for schools when they reopen after mid-term to help ensure there is a faster response to positive cases of Covid-19.
School principals and teachers’ unions have criticised slow turnaround times, which have left many schools waiting several days before receiving guidance from public health authorities once Covid-19 cases have been identified.
The Department of Education says a national network of new school teams, to be led by public health professionals and supported by education officials, will be established from November 2nd.
Hospital Report
This aims to speed up the time it takes to alert schools to close contacts of positive cases, as well as supporting principals to find substitute teachers and special needs assistants in cases linked to Covid-19 absences.
READ MORE
Rapid testing
Health authorities are also understood to be considering rapid testing for Covid-19 in schools, which has been a key demand of teachers’ unions.
The current PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are regarded as the gold-standard of testing for the virus, but are expensive and time-consuming.
Other countries have introduced cheaper testing methods with quicker turnaround and on-the-spot results, but which have lower levels of accuracy.
The State health watchdog, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has advised that these antigen tests typically show “reduced diagnostic accuracy” compared to the current tests.
It has advised that rapid antigen and other alternatives should only be used to enhance the current system of PCR testing.
For example, results from rapid tests may need to be confirmed with the current PCR test.
The Government, meanwhile, insists schools remain a safe environment for children and will reopen as planned after the mid-term break.
Minister for Education Norma Foley has said latest data on testing shows positivity rates for close contacts of individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 are much lower in schools compared to the wider community.
HSE figures, for example, show a total of 15,632 students and teachers have been “mass-tested” in schools after the identification of a positive case. These tests revealed a further 443 cases.
This represents a positivity rate of 2.8 per cent compared to more than 7 per cent in the wider community.
However, these figures do not show the total number of cases that have been detected in schools and only include those following mass testing.
The HSE did not provide this information when requested by The Irish Times.
However, data compiled by a Facebook group called Alerting Parents of Outbreaks in Schools claims that about 990 cases have been identified in about 600 schools to date since schools reopened in late August.
It says its figures are based on school notices, which have been sent to parents on foot of Covid-19 cases.
These unverified figures indicate that cases are more common at secondary schools with at least one Covid-19 case recorded in 281 secondary schools, or 39 per cent of post-primary schools.
At primary level, the group has recorded 320 notices from schools alerting parents to at least one case of Covid-19, representing 10 per cent of primary schools.
Teachers’ unions, meanwhile, have criticised what they say are inconsistencies in identifying close contacts.
In a statement, the HSE said the definition of a close contact within a school setting is variable and depends on a range of factors such as classroom structure, proximity to an index case, social networks and other factors.


theirishtimes--2020-10-25--Selling PPE as an excuse to keep businesses open ‘not lawful’, Varadkar says

Gardaí will take action against retailers selling facemasks or other personal protective equipment ( PPE ) as an excuse to keep their businesses open during the Level 5 lockdown , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said .
There has been mounting frustration in recent days that some retailers , such as clothes or shoe shops , have begun stocking and selling PPE or other essential items so they will not have to close down .
There has also been confusion about the power of the Garda to take action against such businesses .
It was reported on Sunday that the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be shut down under the current Covid-19 legislation .
Speaking on RTÉ ’ s This Week on Sunday , Mr Varadkar said selling non-essential items alongside essential goods is “ not lawful ” .
He said retailers need to “ abide by the regulations and also need to abide by the spirit of the regulations .
So if you ’ re a mixed retailer and there ’ s a lot of mixed retailers out there , you should separate your stock and only sell the items that are essential .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supermarket or a big store that has groceries or clothes you should separate off the clothes and not sell them .
Workwear is ok but general clothing is not.
” He said the Government has been in contact with gardaí on the issue and that the regulations “ will be enforced ” .
“ If you ’ re selling essential products that ’ s one thing , if you ’ re trying to use essential products as a means of opening your store that ’ s not ok , that ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
“ Think of all the small shops and retail outlets that have had to close .
It would be unfair for those allowed to stay open to somehow take advantage and it won ’ t be allowed , ” Mr Varadkar said .
A Garda spokesman said on Sunday the latest emergency Covid-19 powers passed on October 22nd grant it the power to enforce action in relation to the “ carrying on or provision of certain businesses or services ” .
“ This is a penal regulation and can be enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , The Health Act 1947 as amended.
” He said the Garda will continue “ to carry out inspections on business premises to ensure compliance with public health guidelines and regulations .
“ An Garda Síochána will continue to use the 4 Es approach of engage , explain and encourage , and only where provided for and as a last resort , enforcement.
” The Garda also tweeted on Sunday afternoon that it is checking the compliance of retail outlets and that regulations “ are being enforced .
”

Illegal to sell PPE as an excuse to keep businesses open says Varadkar. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Gardaí will take action against retailers selling facemasks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) as an excuse to keep their businesses open during the Level 5 lockdown, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said.
There has been mounting frustration in recent days that some retailers, such as clothes or shoe shops, have begun stocking and selling PPE or other essential items so they will not have to close down.
There has also been confusion about the power of the Garda to take action against such businesses.
It was reported on Sunday that the Government has received legal advice that such premises cannot be shut down under the current Covid-19 legislation.
READ MORE
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week on Sunday, Mr Varadkar said selling non-essential items alongside essential goods is “not lawful”.
He said retailers need to “abide by the regulations and also need to abide by the spirit of the regulations. So if you’re a mixed retailer and there’s a lot of mixed retailers out there, you should separate your stock and only sell the items that are essential.
“So for example if you are a supermarket or a big store that has groceries or clothes you should separate off the clothes and not sell them. Workwear is ok but general clothing is not.”
He said the Government has been in contact with gardaí on the issue and that the regulations “will be enforced”.
“If you’re selling essential products that’s one thing, if you’re trying to use essential products as a means of opening your store that’s not ok, that’s not lawful and we will bring an enforcement action.
“Think of all the small shops and retail outlets that have had to close. It would be unfair for those allowed to stay open to somehow take advantage and it won’t be allowed,” Mr Varadkar said.
A Garda spokesman said on Sunday the latest emergency Covid-19 powers passed on October 22nd grant it the power to enforce action in relation to the “carrying on or provision of certain businesses or services”.
“This is a penal regulation and can be enforced in accordance with section 31 (a), The Health Act 1947 as amended.”
He said the Garda will continue “to carry out inspections on business premises to ensure compliance with public health guidelines and regulations.
"An Garda Síochána will continue to use the 4 Es approach of engage, explain and encourage, and only where provided for and as a last resort, enforcement."
The Garda also tweeted on Sunday afternoon that it is checking the compliance of retail outlets and that regulations “are being enforced.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Almost 20% of staff at Dublin hospital have antibody evidence of Covid-19 infection

Almost one fifth of healthcare workers in a large Dublin hospital have antibody evidence of infection with Covid-19 , a much higher rate than in the general population , according to a new study .
Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes Covid-19 , were found in 18 per cent of staff at Tallaght Hospital who participated in the study .
This figure rose to 20 per cent for staff with roles involving more patient contact , and was 13 per cent for those with less patient interaction .
Before the study , 12 per cent of participants had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on a positive swab result .
When this group was excluded , the seroprevalence among those never confirmed to have infection was 7.5 per cent .
This is significantly higher than the overall estimated national seroprevalence of 1.7 per cent , and higher than reported in similar studies in hospitals in other countries where restrictions were imposed .
However , the study notes that over half of staff who had never tested positive for Covid-19 but were shown to have antibodies suspected that had been infected at some point .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they had been in contact with a case .
Some of the symptoms they reported , such as loss of smell and taste , were not recognised as being due to Covid-19 earlier in the pandemic and so did not meet testing criteria .
“ These results demonstrate that a high proportion of COVID infection in healthcare workers goes undetected , ” according to Tallaght consultant microbiologist Dr Anna Rose Prior .
“ It supports the requirement for universal mask use for all patient interactions during the pandemic , both to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff unknowingly transmitting infection to patients.
” She said the study , which allowed for identification of staff who did and didn ’ t develop a measurable immune response to the virus , would be continued for 12 months .
This would provide information on how long a measurable level of antibodies to Covid-19 remained present in staff , and also how many staff develop these antibodies during coming waves of infection .
Almost 1,200 staff volunteered for the study , about one-third of total staff .
Up to one-quarter of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare staff .

Almost one fifth of healthcare workers in a large Dublin hospital have antibody evidence of infection with Covid-19, a much higher rate than in the general population, according to a new study. File image: Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP.
Almost one fifth of healthcare workers in a large Dublin hospital have antibody evidence of infection with Covid-19, a much higher rate than in the general population, according to a new study.
Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, were found in 18 per cent of staff at Tallaght Hospital who participated in the study.
This figure rose to 20 per cent for staff with roles involving more patient contact, and was 13 per cent for those with less patient interaction.
Before the study, 12 per cent of participants had been diagnosed with Covid-19 at some point, based on a positive swab result.
READ MORE
When this group was excluded, the seroprevalence among those never confirmed to have infection was 7.5 per cent.
This is significantly higher than the overall estimated national seroprevalence of 1.7 per cent, and higher than reported in similar studies in hospitals in other countries where restrictions were imposed.
However, the study notes that over half of staff who had never tested positive for Covid-19 but were shown to have antibodies suspected that had been infected at some point.
Testing criteria
Many said they had had symptoms or knew that they had been in contact with a case. Some of the symptoms they reported, such as loss of smell and taste, were not recognised as being due to Covid-19 earlier in the pandemic and so did not meet testing criteria.
“These results demonstrate that a high proportion of COVID infection in healthcare workers goes undetected,” according to Tallaght consultant microbiologist Dr Anna Rose Prior. “It supports the requirement for universal mask use for all patient interactions during the pandemic, both to protect staff but also to minimise the risk of staff unknowingly transmitting infection to patients.”
She said the study, which allowed for identification of staff who did and didn’t develop a measurable immune response to the virus, would be continued for 12 months.
This would provide information on how long a measurable level of antibodies to Covid-19 remained present in staff, and also how many staff develop these antibodies during coming waves of infection.
Almost 1,200 staff volunteered for the study, about one-third of total staff.
Up to one-quarter of all Covid-19 infections in Ireland have been among healthcare staff.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Family proud of Irish volunteer ancestor who died on hunger strike in 1920

The family of an Irish volunteer , who died on hunger strike in Cork a century ago , have spoken of their pride at him making the ultimate sacrifice for Irish freedom .
Joe Murphy , from Pouladuff on Cork ’ s southside , died on October 25th , 1920 on the 76th day of his hunger strike protest , which he began on August 11th along with 10 other republicans in Cork Gaol .
Lord Mayor of Cork Terence MacSwiney joined them a day later after his arrest in Cork City Hall on August 12th .
He died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25th , 1920 .
Murphy ’ s grandniece , Shirley Kelleher said the family was proud of the volunteer , whose death , along with that of his comrade Comdt Michael Fitzgerald from Fermoy a week earlier , was very much eclipsed internationally by that of MacSwiney .
“ We are very proud of Joe .
He was so committed to Ireland and he was so steadfast in his vision for Ireland and that ’ s why we are so proud of him , ” Ms Kelleher told The Neil Prendeville Show on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelleher , whose grandmother , Mary was Murphy ’ s younger sister , told how her granuncle was born in Lynn in Massachusetts on May 10th , 1895 , but returned to Ireland with his parents and grew up in Pouladuff and attended Togher National School .
He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 and became a member of H Company , 2nd Battalion , Cork No1 Brigade and was involved in numerous attacks on British police and military posts including a well publicised attack on Farran police barracks a few miles west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 15th , 1920 and held in Cork Gaol where , along with another 64 republicans , he began a hunger strike in protest at their continued detention .
Although others gave up , Mr Murphy and 10 others persevered .
“ Certainly like the family of the Lord Mayor , Terence MacSwiney , the Murphy family would have supported him in his hunger strike but there was huge sorrow at his loss .
He was their eldest son , ” said Ms Kelleher .
“ It ’ s a very sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family to go through what they went through .
Certainly Joe ’ s death was very much overshadowed by the death of the Lord Mayor , even though we certainly kept his memory alive in the local community in Ballyphehane and Togher.
” While plans to commemorate Mr Murphy by the Togher-Ballyphehane Centenary Committee had to be shelved due to Covid-19 , Cork City Council has ensured the centenary of his death was not forgotten by making a documentary about him , My Unsung Hero , which is available on the council ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Kavanagh said : “ We need to ensure that patriots such as Joe Murphy , Terence MacSwiney and Tomas MacCurtain will always be remembered and never forgotten for making the ultimate sacrifice in making our city and our country what it is today.
” Mr Murphy was last year recognised by the State when his family were presented posthumously with the Service Medal ( 1917-1920 ) at a ceremony at Cork City Hall by then Lord Mayor of Cork Mick Finn , who acknowledged his courage and sacrifice .
“ That he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medal of honour is just and right ...
It means his place in history will live on even more , ” Cllr Finn said .
Ms Kelleher said that her family had campaigned as far back as 1923 for a posthumous Service Medal without success but she paid tribute to the then minister for defence Paul Kehoe for awarding one and to Cllr Finn for presenting it to the family .
“ He was an ordinary man who made an extraordinary sacrifice that we continue to honour and celebrate .
”

Joe Murphy, from Pouladuff on Cork’s southside, died on October 25th, 1920 on the 76th day of his hunger strike protest.
The family of an Irish volunteer, who died on hunger strike in Cork a century ago, have spoken of their pride at him making the ultimate sacrifice for Irish freedom.
Joe Murphy, from Pouladuff on Cork's southside, died on October 25th, 1920 on the 76th day of his hunger strike protest, which he began on August 11th along with 10 other republicans in Cork Gaol.
Lord Mayor of Cork Terence MacSwiney joined them a day later after his arrest in Cork City Hall on August 12th. He died in London's Brixton Prison on October 25th, 1920.
Murphy's grandniece, Shirley Kelleher said the family was proud of the volunteer, whose death, along with that of his comrade Comdt Michael Fitzgerald from Fermoy a week earlier, was very much eclipsed internationally by that of MacSwiney.
READ MORE
"We are very proud of Joe. He was so committed to Ireland and he was so steadfast in his vision for Ireland and that's why we are so proud of him," Ms Kelleher told The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM.
Ms Kelleher, whose grandmother, Mary was Murphy's younger sister, told how her granuncle was born in Lynn in Massachusetts on May 10th, 1895, but returned to Ireland with his parents and grew up in Pouladuff and attended Togher National School.
He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 and became a member of H Company, 2nd Battalion, Cork No1 Brigade and was involved in numerous attacks on British police and military posts including a well publicised attack on Farran police barracks a few miles west of Cork city.
He was arrested on July 15th, 1920 and held in Cork Gaol where, along with another 64 republicans, he began a hunger strike in protest at their continued detention. Although others gave up, Mr Murphy and 10 others persevered.
“Certainly like the family of the Lord Mayor, Terence MacSwiney, the Murphy family would have supported him in his hunger strike but there was huge sorrow at his loss. He was their eldest son,” said Ms Kelleher.
"It's a very sad story but they were a very strong family to go through what they went through. Certainly Joe's death was very much overshadowed by the death of the Lord Mayor, even though we certainly kept his memory alive in the local community in Ballyphehane and Togher."
While plans to commemorate Mr Murphy by the Togher-Ballyphehane Centenary Committee had to be shelved due to Covid-19, Cork City Council has ensured the centenary of his death was not forgotten by making a documentary about him, My Unsung Hero, which is available on the council's website.
Lord Mayor of Cork Joe Kavanagh said: "We need to ensure that patriots such as Joe Murphy, Terence MacSwiney and Tomas MacCurtain will always be remembered and never forgotten for making the ultimate sacrifice in making our city and our country what it is today."
Mr Murphy was last year recognised by the State when his family were presented posthumously with the Service Medal (1917-1920) at a ceremony at Cork City Hall by then Lord Mayor of Cork Mick Finn, who acknowledged his courage and sacrifice.
"That he is finally rewarded with an official service medal of honour is just and right ... It means his place in history will live on even more," Cllr Finn said.
Ms Kelleher said that her family had campaigned as far back as 1923 for a posthumous Service Medal without success but she paid tribute to the then minister for defence Paul Kehoe for awarding one and to Cllr Finn for presenting it to the family.
“He was an ordinary man who made an extraordinary sacrifice that we continue to honour and celebrate.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Stardust campaigner Eugene Kelly dies suddenly aged 62

The funeral takes place on Tuesday of Eugene Kelly ( 62 ) , long-time campaigner for the victims of the 1981 Stardust disaster .
His brother , Robert ( 17 ) , died in the fire at the Dublin nightclub along with 47 other young people in the early hours of the February 14th , 1981 .
Mr Kelly died suddenly at his home in Balbriggan on Wednesday .
He was among the families who gathered at Dublin Coroner ’ s Court a week earlier for the preliminary hearing of 48 new inquests which are to be held early next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year by the then attorney general Séamus Woulfe .
Mr Kelly had campaigned almost all his adult life for an inquiry that might bring answers to the families as to how and why their loved ones died .
Speaking outside the court on October 14th , he said : “ Robert ’ s 17 , he was .
Now I read my brother ’ s coroners report and there was nothing left of him .
Those people who perished in that fire deserve justice .
“ I feel they ’ re looking down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep pushing and get our justice .
And mark my words , we ’ ll get our justice.
” Antoinette Keegan , who spearheaded the Stardust families ’ campaign with her late mother Christine , said Mr Kelly had “ fought side by side with us right through all the years ” .
In an online tribute she said : “ Eugene Kelly you came into my family ’ s life…you stood tall and stood by our Ma , never once did you ever let her down , it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in heaven , you will never be forgotten and we will get truth and justice.
” Christine Keegan died in July .
Mr Kelly is survived by his partner Martha , children Stuart , Mandy and Lyndsey , and grandchildren .

A file photograph of Eugene Kelly, a long-time campaigner for the victims of the 1981 Stardust fire disaster, who has died suddenly aged 62. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times.
The funeral takes place on Tuesday of Eugene Kelly (62), long-time campaigner for the victims of the 1981 Stardust disaster.
His brother, Robert (17), died in the fire at the Dublin nightclub along with 47 other young people in the early hours of the February 14th, 1981.
Mr Kelly died suddenly at his home in Balbriggan on Wednesday. He was among the families who gathered at Dublin Coroner's Court a week earlier for the preliminary hearing of 48 new inquests which are to be held early next year.
The inquests were ordered last year by the then attorney general Séamus Woulfe.
READ MORE
Mr Kelly had campaigned almost all his adult life for an inquiry that might bring answers to the families as to how and why their loved ones died.
Speaking outside the court on October 14th, he said: “Robert’s 17, he was. Now I read my brother’s coroners report and there was nothing left of him. Those people who perished in that fire deserve justice.
“I feel they’re looking down on us and giving us the strength to keep pushing and get our justice. And mark my words, we’ll get our justice.”
Antoinette Keegan, who spearheaded the Stardust families' campaign with her late mother Christine, said Mr Kelly had "fought side by side with us right through all the years".
In an online tribute she said: "Eugene Kelly you came into my family's life…you stood tall and stood by our Ma, never once did you ever let her down, it's just so sad today…I swear to my God in heaven, you will never be forgotten and we will get truth and justice." Christine Keegan died in July.
Mr Kelly is survived by his partner Martha, children Stuart, Mandy and Lyndsey, and grandchildren.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Direct provision: Keep private sector asylum-seeker facilities – report

An interdepartmental group set up to advise Government on how to improve direct provision has recommended asylum seekers initially be housed in State-run facilities but says the use of private sector and emergency accommodation should be retained in preparation for a surge in numbers .
The Department of Justice ’ s Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Direct Provision , which is set to be made public this week , advises that a small number of “ short-stay reception and screening centres ” modelled on the Balseskin centre in Finglas , Dublin be used when people first arrive in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ modular accommodation ” at existing direct provision locations .
Housing people in emergency accommodation is the “ the least efficient way of meeting the needs of applicants and the most expensive ” , it notes , but advises that the State maintain access to these centres .
The report warns that a contingency plan is needed “ as a matter of urgency ” to manage a “ major expansion of numbers ” applying for international protection .
The number of people seeking asylum in the State had risen by 26.3 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group were meeting in 2019 .
However , numbers have dropped sharply since Covid-19 hit .
The group , chaired by Department of Justice deputy secretary general Oonagh Buckley , was established in May 2019 to review the implementation of Ireland ’ s obligations under the EU ( recast ) Reception Conditions Directive .
It was set up before the appointment of the expert group led by Dr Catherine Day , which published its report last week .
The findings of both groups are expected to inform the Government White Paper which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The interdepartmental report , seen by The Irish Times , notes that direct provision has been under “ significant strain ” since September 2018 resulting in applicants being offered accommodation in a “ relatively unplanned way ” and at a “ much higher cost to the exchequer ” .
Preparations should be made for a further 10-20 per cent increase in the number of asylum applicants in the coming years , it says .
It acknowledges the “ sustained public criticism ” of the current model and says accommodating people in State facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of applications is made more efficient and supports are in place to help integrate those granted permission to stay .
A “ standard approach and communications package ” should also be made available to communities where centres are being considered , it says .
Vulnerability assessments should be carried out when people arrive with “ smaller or more bespoke ” accommodation arrangements available for the most vulnerable .
Further supports are needed to ensure the estimated 1,200 people who are likely to receive permission to remain each year can leave direct provision within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those who stay in direct provision longer than 12 weeks after receiving permission to remain should have certain supports withdrawn or be required to make a contribution to the cost of their accommodation .
The group recommends that first-instance decisions be made within nine months with a view to reducing this to six months .
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal should continue to streamline its processes , while the issuing of temporary residence cards , medical cards and allocation of PPSN numbers should also be sped up .
Schools who receive the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an additional teaching allocation , including English-language supports and SNAs .
It also recommends that the period of time a person must wait before applying to enter the labour market should be reduced to six months or less , a measure that was announced by Government last week .
Under the new system , applicants may now apply for work six months after applying for asylum while their work permit remains valid for 12 months rather than six .

The interdepartmental report acknowledges the “sustained public criticism” of the current model of direct provision and says accommodating people in State facilities can only be justified if the processing of applications is made more efficient and supports are in place to help integrate those granted permission to stay. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
An interdepartmental group set up to advise Government on how to improve direct provision has recommended asylum seekers initially be housed in State-run facilities but says the use of private sector and emergency accommodation should be retained in preparation for a surge in numbers.
The Department of Justice's Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Direct Provision, which is set to be made public this week, advises that a small number of "short-stay reception and screening centres" modelled on the Balseskin centre in Finglas, Dublin be used when people first arrive in the country, while contracts be provided for "modular accommodation" at existing direct provision locations.
Housing people in emergency accommodation is the “the least efficient way of meeting the needs of applicants and the most expensive”, it notes, but advises that the State maintain access to these centres.
The report warns that a contingency plan is needed “as a matter of urgency” to manage a “major expansion of numbers” applying for international protection. The number of people seeking asylum in the State had risen by 26.3 per cent on the previous year when members of the group were meeting in 2019. However, numbers have dropped sharply since Covid-19 hit.
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Oonagh Buckley, deputy secretary general, Department of Justice who heads up the interdepartmental group set up to advise Government on how to improve direct provision. Photograph:James Forde
The group, chaired by Department of Justice deputy secretary general Oonagh Buckley, was established in May 2019 to review the implementation of Ireland’s obligations under the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive. It was set up before the appointment of the expert group led by Dr Catherine Day, which published its report last week.
The findings of both groups are expected to inform the Government White Paper which is scheduled for publication in December.
Public criticism
The interdepartmental report, seen by The Irish Times, notes that direct provision has been under "significant strain" since September 2018 resulting in applicants being offered accommodation in a "relatively unplanned way" and at a "much higher cost to the exchequer". Preparations should be made for a further 10-20 per cent increase in the number of asylum applicants in the coming years, it says.
It acknowledges the “sustained public criticism” of the current model and says accommodating people in State facilities can only be justified if the processing of applications is made more efficient and supports are in place to help integrate those granted permission to stay.
A “standard approach and communications package” should also be made available to communities where centres are being considered, it says.
Vulnerability assessments should be carried out when people arrive with “smaller or more bespoke” accommodation arrangements available for the most vulnerable.
Further supports are needed to ensure the estimated 1,200 people who are likely to receive permission to remain each year can leave direct provision within the “shortest possible timeframe”. Those who stay in direct provision longer than 12 weeks after receiving permission to remain should have certain supports withdrawn or be required to make a contribution to the cost of their accommodation.
The group recommends that first-instance decisions be made within nine months with a view to reducing this to six months. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal should continue to streamline its processes, while the issuing of temporary residence cards, medical cards and allocation of PPSN numbers should also be sped up.
Schools who receive the children of international protection applicants should be entitled to an additional teaching allocation, including English-language supports and SNAs.
It also recommends that the period of time a person must wait before applying to enter the labour market should be reduced to six months or less, a measure that was announced by Government last week. Under the new system, applicants may now apply for work six months after applying for asylum while their work permit remains valid for 12 months rather than six.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Contact tracing: A lot of people on the Border are not being traced, says GP

Border GPs say a lack of collaboration in contact tracing between the Republic and Northern Ireland is contributing to the spread of Covid-19 in the region .
Frustrated doctors say contacts of cases on one side of the Border , who live on the other , are coming to them for advice because they are not being phoned by contact tracing teams .
The Health Service Executive has acknowledged that data protection issues prevent Northern Irish contact tracers making direct contact with cases and contacts across the Border .
Instead , cross-Border notifications are sent by public health officials to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then contact affected people .
The challenges of tracking the virus in the region are further complicated by a key difference in contact tracing policy between the Republic and Northern Ireland .
In the Republic , all close contacts are contacted and offered a Covid test whereas in Northern Ireland only close contacts with symptoms are offered a Covid test , the HSE says .
Dr Shane Corr , in Carrickmacross , Co Monaghan , said he has dealt with a number of patients who are close contacts of positive cases living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mechanism for cross-Border contact tracing in Ireland seven months into the pandemic and cases are seeding in both jurisdictions in consequence , ” he said .
“ It leaves us in an invidious position.
” Dr Corr said he was not aware of any mechanism by which Northern Irish contact tracers can contact their Southern counterparts , or trace contacts in the Republic .
“ What is the point of locking down the country if people are able to cross the Border in either direction infecting people on the other side , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing ?
” Another Monaghan GP , Dr Ilona Duffy , said her understanding was that there was supposed to be linkage between the two jurisdictions but “ clearly , it ’ s not working ” .
“ We ’ re on the border and we have a lot of patients who work in Northern Ireland and live here , and vice versa .
A lot of people are not being traced by the system .
There ’ s no clear guidance and it ’ s been going on for ages.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test for them and give them general advice , ” she said .
In response , the HSE said non-resident close contacts of Covid-19 cases can be identified as part of a public health assessment .
To remain compliant with data protection requirements , public health officials in the North send cross-Border notifications of cases and contacts to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
It then sends this information to the local department of public health , which uploads it to the national contact management platform to facilitate “ timely ” testing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sending notifications from the Republic to the North , the HSE said .
Senior public health officials from both sides of the Border meet a number of times a week to ensure any issues or incidents are managed correctly , it added .
Dr Duffy described the processes for managing contact tracing in the Republic as “ convoluted ” and “ archaic ” .
She said she knew of one doctor who wanted to work in contact tracing but whose application was delayed by a request for his Leaving Certificate .
Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , given that none of the staff to be appointed would be dealing with patients face-to-face .

Border GPs say a lack of collaboration in contact tracing between the Republic and Northern Ireland is contributing to the spread of Covid-19 in the region.
Frustrated doctors say contacts of cases on one side of the Border, who live on the other, are coming to them for advice because they are not being phoned by contact tracing teams.
The Health Service Executive has acknowledged that data protection issues prevent Northern Irish contact tracers making direct contact with cases and contacts across the Border.
Hospital Report
Instead, cross-Border notifications are sent by public health officials to their counterparts in the Republic, who then contact affected people.
READ MORE
The challenges of tracking the virus in the region are further complicated by a key difference in contact tracing policy between the Republic and Northern Ireland. In the Republic, all close contacts are contacted and offered a Covid test whereas in Northern Ireland only close contacts with symptoms are offered a Covid test, the HSE says.
Dr Shane Corr, in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, said he has dealt with a number of patients who are close contacts of positive cases living in the North.
“There is still no mechanism for cross-Border contact tracing in Ireland seven months into the pandemic and cases are seeding in both jurisdictions in consequence,” he said. “It leaves us in an invidious position.”
Dr Corr said he was not aware of any mechanism by which Northern Irish contact tracers can contact their Southern counterparts, or trace contacts in the Republic.
“What is the point of locking down the country if people are able to cross the Border in either direction infecting people on the other side, and there are different rules for contact tracing?”
Another Monaghan GP, Dr Ilona Duffy, said her understanding was that there was supposed to be linkage between the two jurisdictions but "clearly, it's not working".
“We’re on the border and we have a lot of patients who work in Northern Ireland and live here, and vice versa. A lot of people are not being traced by the system. There’s no clear guidance and it’s been going on for ages.”
“All we can do is arrange a test for them and give them general advice,” she said.
In response, the HSE said non-resident close contacts of Covid-19 cases can be identified as part of a public health assessment.
To remain compliant with data protection requirements, public health officials in the North send cross-Border notifications of cases and contacts to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. It then sends this information to the local department of public health, which uploads it to the national contact management platform to facilitate “timely” testing and tracing.
There is a reciprocal arrangement for sending notifications from the Republic to the North, the HSE said.
Senior public health officials from both sides of the Border meet a number of times a week to ensure any issues or incidents are managed correctly, it added.
Dr Duffy described the processes for managing contact tracing in the Republic as “convoluted” and “archaic”.
She said she knew of one doctor who wanted to work in contact tracing but whose application was delayed by a request for his Leaving Certificate.
Garda vetting was also causing unnecessary delays, she said, given that none of the staff to be appointed would be dealing with patients face-to-face.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Woman stranded in Ireland due to pandemic has ‘miracle baby’

By the time her baby daughter , Leah was born , everybody at Letterkenny University Hospital knew Gimee Etwarysing .
“ They would say , ‘ You ’ re the lady who got stuck here ’ , ” her sister Swatee Dunne says .
“ She was the talk of the maternity ward.
” Etwarysing has been stranded in Ireland since March .
She is from Mauritius and was visiting her sister and her family in Letterkenny , Co Donegal , when the first case of coronavirus was identified in her home country .
Mauritius shut its airports , leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return home .
But there was an added complication .
Just before she left Etwarysing had discovered she was pregnant ; the longer the lockdown went on , the less likely it was that she would be able to travel back to Mauritius to give birth .
“ It was very scary , ” she says .
“ I was afraid for the baby .
All I wanted was to have a safe pregnancy , and I was worried about the baby and worried about me .
All I wanted was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t. ” She had her first scans in Ireland ; at 21 weeks , it showed the baby ’ s growth was slowing down , and she was advised not to travel .
“ I realised I was going to have to stay and have the baby here , ” Etwarysing says .
“ I did feel less stressed after deciding to stay , I did accept it , but I was still homesick.
” Her partner and family back home in Mauritius were worried , “ especially my dad – he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was okay – and my partner was going to come and visit , but he couldn ’ t ” .
All were thankful she was with her sister , especially as the pregnancy was a difficult one , with hospital appointments once and sometimes twice a week to check the baby ’ s growth .
There were also other stresses – over Etwarysing ’ s visa , which had to be renewed several times to allow her to stay in the country legally , as well as the financial implications .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mauritius and has been unable to work since March .
She paid for private healthcare and other expenses out of her savings .
Leah was born on October 8th , by emergency Caesarean section .
Etwarysing emphasises how grateful she is to the doctors and nurses at the hospital , especially Dr Matt McKernan , for their medical care and support , and to the nurse who “ stayed with me all night , and held my hand ” .
Etwarysing ’ s brother-in-law , Joe Dunne , goes further : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would never be able to have children , and I don ’ t think Leah would have survived had she not been here in Ireland .
She ’ s a miracle baby.
” Leah , now almost three weeks old , has become a favourite with the extended Dunne family and people in the local area .
“ All the neighbours know her , and lots of them gave her presents when she was born , ” says Etwarysing .
“ I was so surprised that even people who didn ’ t really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s completely different here .
“ I love the people here , they are so nice , and Donegal is absolutely beautiful , though the beaches are not the same – they are beautiful , but there isn ’ t the same weather as in Mauritius.
” She also collected plenty of souvenirs to remember her daughter ’ s stay in her adopted country – not least an Irish birth certificate and a photograph of her beside the Letterkenny hospital sign , “ to show her when she ’ s older ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that her daughter would always have a connection to the country where she was born .
“ It means ‘ the light of the sun ’ in Irish , and her middle name is Shreya , which means ‘ lucky ’ in Hindi , so she has an Irish name and also a Mauritian/Hindi name.
” Her hope is that they can return in time to spend Christmas in Mauritius .
The country reopened its airports at the beginning of this month and – though still unable to travel because of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fly back and quarantine for 14 days before the holiday period .
In Letterkenny , the whole family will miss them – not least Leah ’ s cousins Rory ( 8 ) , Sophie ( 5 ) and Ethan ( 3 ) .
“ She is like a little sister to them now , ” says Swatee .
“ They look after her and every night they say a prayer for her , and before they go to school they come in to check on her .
“ They ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other day , ‘ We ’ ve got seven in our family now ’ .
” “ I do want to bring her back , ” says Etwarysing .
“ Maybe she could even come and study here.
” For now , Leah sleeps soundly in her crib beside a window overlooking the green fields of Donegal .
“ At times I do think : is this even real , ” laughs Etwarysing .
“ I have a big story to tell her when she gets older .
”

By the time her baby daughter, Leah was born, everybody at Letterkenny University Hospital knew Gimee Etwarysing. "They would say, 'You're the lady who got stuck here'," her sister Swatee Dunne says. "She was the talk of the maternity ward."
Etwarysing has been stranded in Ireland since March. She is from Mauritius and was visiting her sister and her family in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, when the first case of coronavirus was identified in her home country. Mauritius shut its airports, leaving Etwarysing – and other Mauritians – unable to return home.
But there was an added complication. Just before she left Etwarysing had discovered she was pregnant; the longer the lockdown went on, the less likely it was that she would be able to travel back to Mauritius to give birth.
Hospital Report
“It was very scary,” she says. “I was afraid for the baby. All I wanted was to have a safe pregnancy, and I was worried about the baby and worried about me. All I wanted was to get home, and I couldn’t.”
READ MORE
She had her first scans in Ireland; at 21 weeks, it showed the baby’s growth was slowing down, and she was advised not to travel.
“I realised I was going to have to stay and have the baby here,” Etwarysing says. “I did feel less stressed after deciding to stay, I did accept it, but I was still homesick.”
Her partner and family back home in Mauritius were worried, “especially my dad – he was ringing every day to see if I was okay – and my partner was going to come and visit, but he couldn’t”.
Gimee Etwarysing and Leah. Photograph: Joe Dunne
Baby Leah. Photograph: Joe Dunne
All were thankful she was with her sister, especially as the pregnancy was a difficult one, with hospital appointments once and sometimes twice a week to check the baby’s growth.
There were also other stresses – over Etwarysing’s visa, which had to be renewed several times to allow her to stay in the country legally, as well as the financial implications. She is a revenue controller in a casino in Mauritius and has been unable to work since March. She paid for private healthcare and other expenses out of her savings.
Miracle baby
Leah was born on October 8th, by emergency Caesarean section. Etwarysing emphasises how grateful she is to the doctors and nurses at the hospital, especially Dr Matt McKernan, for their medical care and support, and to the nurse who “stayed with me all night, and held my hand”.
Etwarysing's brother-in-law, Joe Dunne, goes further: "The doctors in Mauritius had told her she would never be able to have children, and I don't think Leah would have survived had she not been here in Ireland. She's a miracle baby."
Leah, now almost three weeks old, has become a favourite with the extended Dunne family and people in the local area.
“All the neighbours know her, and lots of them gave her presents when she was born,” says Etwarysing. “I was so surprised that even people who didn’t really know her would do that; it’s completely different here.
“I love the people here, they are so nice, and Donegal is absolutely beautiful, though the beaches are not the same – they are beautiful, but there isn’t the same weather as in Mauritius.”
She also collected plenty of souvenirs to remember her daughter’s stay in her adopted country – not least an Irish birth certificate and a photograph of her beside the Letterkenny hospital sign, “to show her when she’s older”.
She deliberately chose an Irish name so that her daughter would always have a connection to the country where she was born. “It means ‘the light of the sun’ in Irish, and her middle name is Shreya, which means ‘lucky’ in Hindi, so she has an Irish name and also a Mauritian/Hindi name.”
Her hope is that they can return in time to spend Christmas in Mauritius. The country reopened its airports at the beginning of this month and – though still unable to travel because of her Caesarean section – they may be able to fly back and quarantine for 14 days before the holiday period.
Big story
In Letterkenny, the whole family will miss them – not least Leah’s cousins Rory (8), Sophie (5) and Ethan (3). “She is like a little sister to them now,” says Swatee. “They look after her and every night they say a prayer for her, and before they go to school they come in to check on her.
“They’ve got very attached to her. Rory said the other day, ‘We’ve got seven in our family now’.”
“I do want to bring her back,” says Etwarysing. “Maybe she could even come and study here.”
For now, Leah sleeps soundly in her crib beside a window overlooking the green fields of Donegal. “At times I do think: is this even real,” laughs Etwarysing. “I have a big story to tell her when she gets older.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Covid-19: Critical cases from NI could put pressure on services in Republic

Irish hospitals may have to cancel certain non-Covid-19 healthcare services to facilitate critical care cases from Northern Ireland , it has emerged .
Senior Government sources confirmed that beds in hospitals in the Republic may be needed to facilitate any further increase in coronavirus cases in the North and that this could mean the cancellation or deferring of non-Covid healthcare in order to do so .
In the North ’ s hospitals , 317 people with coronavirus are receiving treatment , with 37 in intensive care .
The Department of Health in the North said on Sunday there was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients from Northern Ireland to receive intensive care treatment in the Republic .
However , a spokesman for the department said that “ should either jurisdiction require support this will be provided where possible ” , noting that there was “ longstanding co-operation between respective authorities and health services in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.
” There were 15 intensive care beds available in the North ’ s hospitals on Sunday .
However , this does not include the additional capacity , understood to be about 150 extra ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the temporary critical care “ Nightingale ” hospitals .
Government sources in Dublin have also indicated that while a review of the Covid-19 situation in mid-November could result in the 5km travel restriction imposed under current Level 5 measures being expanded to 10km , it is more likely the current full set of restrictions would remain in place for six weeks as planned with the aim of putting the whole country at Level 2 in December .
At Level 2 the majority of areas of the economy and society would be open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of Covid-19 have improved in recent days , latest data shows .
The proportion of people testing positive , along with the number of close contacts per person – both important indicators of the rate of transmission of the virus in the community – have fallen .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid on Sunday noted a fall in the positivity rate for tests , which on Saturday stood at 6.2 per cent for the previous seven days .
Mr Reid also highlighted a drop in the number of close contacts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three for each case .
The rate of community transmission has remained constant , at 28 per cent , since the start of the month .
Officials caution against reading too much into single-day figures , but the improvements seen across a range of indicators point to some stabilisation of the situation .
A further 1,025 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Sunday .
This brings to 57,128 the total number of cases of the disease in the Republic .
In the North , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded over the weekend and a further 896 cases of the virus were reported on Sunday and 923 on Saturday .
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said on Sunday that the Government was becoming increasingly optimistic about the availability of a vaccine potentially in the first quarter of 2021 .
President Michael D Higgins on Sunday signed into law legislation that allows for on-the-spot fines for non-compliance with public health guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Separately , the governments of Italy and Spain , the European countries hardest hit by the first wave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday to combat a surge in the number of new cases .
Italian authorities on Saturday confirmed new cases had risen by 19,664 in 24 hours , a new daily record , while 151 people had died , up from 91 a day earlier .
The number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care rose by 79 to 1,128 .
Spain has announced a nationwide curfew and triggered emergency powers after the country ’ s infection rate jumped by almost a third over the past week .

Senior Government sources confirmed that beds in hospitals in the Republic may be needed to facilitate any further increase in coronavirus cases in the North. File photograph: Getty
Irish hospitals may have to cancel certain non-Covid-19 healthcare services to facilitate critical care cases from Northern Ireland, it has emerged.
Senior Government sources confirmed that beds in hospitals in the Republic may be needed to facilitate any further increase in coronavirus cases in the North and that this could mean the cancellation or deferring of non-Covid healthcare in order to do so.
In the North’s hospitals, 317 people with coronavirus are receiving treatment, with 37 in intensive care.
Hospital Report
The Department of Health in the North said on Sunday there was "no immediate or anticipated need" for coronavirus patients from Northern Ireland to receive intensive care treatment in the Republic.
READ MORE
However, a spokesman for the department said that “should either jurisdiction require support this will be provided where possible”, noting that there was “longstanding co-operation between respective authorities and health services in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.”
There were 15 intensive care beds available in the North’s hospitals on Sunday. However, this does not include the additional capacity, understood to be about 150 extra ICU beds, which can be made available at the temporary critical care “Nightingale” hospitals.
Government sources in Dublin have also indicated that while a review of the Covid-19 situation in mid-November could result in the 5km travel restriction imposed under current Level 5 measures being expanded to 10km, it is more likely the current full set of restrictions would remain in place for six weeks as planned with the aim of putting the whole country at Level 2 in December.
At Level 2 the majority of areas of the economy and society would be open.
Improving indicators
A number of key indicators for the spread of Covid-19 have improved in recent days, latest data shows.
The proportion of people testing positive, along with the number of close contacts per person – both important indicators of the rate of transmission of the virus in the community – have fallen.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid noted a fall in the positivity rate for tests. Photograph: Alan Betson
HSE chief executive Paul Reid on Sunday noted a fall in the positivity rate for tests, which on Saturday stood at 6.2 per cent for the previous seven days.
Mr Reid also highlighted a drop in the number of close contacts, down from an average of 4.5 to three for each case. The rate of community transmission has remained constant, at 28 per cent, since the start of the month.
Officials caution against reading too much into single-day figures, but the improvements seen across a range of indicators point to some stabilisation of the situation.
A further 1,025 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Sunday. This brings to 57,128 the total number of cases of the disease in the Republic.
In the North, the deaths of 14 people with Covid-19 were recorded over the weekend and a further 896 cases of the virus were reported on Sunday and 923 on Saturday.
Vaccine hopes
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said on Sunday that the Government was becoming increasingly optimistic about the availability of a vaccine potentially in the first quarter of 2021.
President Michael D Higgins on Sunday signed into law legislation that allows for on-the-spot fines for non-compliance with public health guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Separately, the governments of Italy and Spain, the European countries hardest hit by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, announced sweeping measures on Sunday to combat a surge in the number of new cases.
Italian authorities on Saturday confirmed new cases had risen by 19,664 in 24 hours, a new daily record, while 151 people had died, up from 91 a day earlier. The number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care rose by 79 to 1,128.
Spain has announced a nationwide curfew and triggered emergency powers after the country’s infection rate jumped by almost a third over the past week.


theirishtimes--2020-10-26--Residents fear 169m wind turbine would cast shadow over tourism plans

On a clear day , a person standing atop Granard Motte will be able to see five lakes , nine counties and three provinces of Ireland .
Recently , the sod was turned on the land below ( known as the Bailey ) for what will become the town ’ s prize attraction , a Norman heritage park .
The €3.8 million tourism investment aims to make the Longford town of Granard – which is currently a busy throughway to the north – a place to stop and explore .
However locals fear a proposed 169m wind turbine will cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Patrick McGivney ( 30 ) , who has grown up in the town , believes the industrial structure will undermine years of grassroots effort to develop the area into a destination .
“ We are not known as a tourist town , but that is the vision .
There are big dreams here , ” he says .
“ Now to see all that work and effort to have that potentially undermined by a structure this size is really worrying.
” “ There is a real history here which we are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate .
.
.
This is something that the people of Granard are so proud of .
Finally , we have something to row in behind , ” he adds .
McGivney is among more than 30 people who objected to the planning application sought by Kiernan Milling , an animal feed producer , for a single wind turbine in nearby Granardkill .
Longford County Council rejected the proposal , contending that the “ renewable and climate change benefits would not outweigh any likely negative visual intrusion ” and could have “ potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motte , a national monument .
Kiernan Milling has appealed the ruling to An Bord Pleanála .
At 169m , the turbine would be nearly 50m higher than Dublin ’ s Spire and will “ dwarf ” everything in the surrounding area , McGivney says .
“ You are not going to see anything but a big industrial turbine , ” he adds .
Fáilte Ireland says the structure could “ seriously detract ” from the value of the heritage assets of the area .
The tourism body has “ serious concerns ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed development , located about 1,500m from Granard Motte and Bailey .
Of significant concern to Granardkill resident Judy Sheridan ( 35 ) are the potential health effects of living near a turbine .
“ The idea of living under this with the noise and the shadow flicker is so worrying .
It has really stressed out a lot of people , ” she says .
The World Health Organisation reports there is “ very little evidence ” about adverse health effects due to continuous exposure to wind turbine noise .
As for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moving shadow when the sun is low in the sky – the Health Service Executive says there is “ insufficient direct evidence ” to draw a conclusive link with health effects .
However , new draft wind energy guidelines published by the Department of Planning , Housing and Local Government advise careful design to ensure no properties will be affected by shadow flicker .
A planning report prepared on behalf of Kiernan Milling found that nearby dwellings would experience between 12 minutes and 10 hours of shadow flicker per year , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines for planning authorities which still applies while new guidelines are under review .
Planning documents say the Granardkill turbine would be fitted with shadow flicker detection and control software to limit the impact on nearby homeowners .
Local independent councillor Turlough McGovern says residents feel they were not consulted about the proposal .
“ A lot of residents have approached me and their feeling is they don ’ t want this going ahead .
.
.
The people of Granard don ’ t want to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he adds .
Granard residents are not alone in their opposition to such proposals .
Anti-windmill signs are tacked to trees and telephone poles in numerous villages throughout the midlands , while “ Wind Action ” Facebook groups have popped up for communities in Roscommon , Kildare , Wicklow , Kerry and elsewhere .
Granard is not battling against the greenification of the electricity grid , Sheridan and McGivney assure .
Renewable energy is “ the way forward ” , Sheridan adds .
McGivney wonders why such a structure can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres of nearby bogland .
Residents of Granard and Granardkill have not forgotten the jobs and stability which afforded them by the planning applicants Kiernan Milling .
McGivney says locals are “ strong supporters ” of the firm but have nothing to gain from this proposal .
“ We understand the importance of having industry in a small town like this .
However , it can not come at the detriment of community projects that we have built from nothing .
This is our future and our nieces and nephews futures and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation that allows this to negatively impact our town , ” McGivney says .
Kiernan Milling , when asked to respond to concerns raised by locals , did not do so .

On a clear day, a person standing atop Granard Motte will be able to see five lakes, nine counties and three provinces of Ireland.
Recently, the sod was turned on the land below (known as the Bailey) for what will become the town’s prize attraction, a Norman heritage park. The €3.8 million tourism investment aims to make the Longford town of Granard – which is currently a busy throughway to the north – a place to stop and explore.
However locals fear a proposed 169m wind turbine will cast an anachronistic shadow over their Norman village.
Patrick McGivney (30), who has grown up in the town, believes the industrial structure will undermine years of grassroots effort to develop the area into a destination.
READ MORE
“We are not known as a tourist town, but that is the vision. There are big dreams here,” he says. “Now to see all that work and effort to have that potentially undermined by a structure this size is really worrying.”
“There is a real history here which we are now only really starting to acknowledge fully and celebrate . . . This is something that the people of Granard are so proud of. Finally, we have something to row in behind,” he adds.
McGivney is among more than 30 people who objected to the planning application sought by Kiernan Milling, an animal feed producer, for a single wind turbine in nearby Granardkill.
Longford County Council rejected the proposal, contending that the "renewable and climate change benefits would not outweigh any likely negative visual intrusion" and could have "potential significant negative visual impacts" on Granard Motte, a national monument. Kiernan Milling has appealed the ruling to An Bord Pleanála.
At 169m, the turbine would be nearly 50m higher than Dublin’s Spire and will “dwarf” everything in the surrounding area, McGivney says. “You are not going to see anything but a big industrial turbine,” he adds.
Fáilte Ireland says the structure could "seriously detract" from the value of the heritage assets of the area. The tourism body has "serious concerns" about the siting and scale of the proposed development, located about 1,500m from Granard Motte and Bailey.
Of significant concern to Granardkill resident Judy Sheridan (35) are the potential health effects of living near a turbine. "The idea of living under this with the noise and the shadow flicker is so worrying. It has really stressed out a lot of people," she says.
Health effects
The World Health Organisation reports there is "very little evidence" about adverse health effects due to continuous exposure to wind turbine noise. As for shadow flicker – where the turbines cast a moving shadow when the sun is low in the sky – the Health Service Executive says there is "insufficient direct evidence" to draw a conclusive link with health effects. However, new draft wind energy guidelines published by the Department of Planning, Housing and Local Government advise careful design to ensure no properties will be affected by shadow flicker.
A planning report prepared on behalf of Kiernan Milling found that nearby dwellings would experience between 12 minutes and 10 hours of shadow flicker per year, which is significantly below the 30 hours permissible by the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines for planning authorities which still applies while new guidelines are under review. Planning documents say the Granardkill turbine would be fitted with shadow flicker detection and control software to limit the impact on nearby homeowners.
Local independent councillor Turlough McGovern says residents feel they were not consulted about the proposal.
“A lot of residents have approached me and their feeling is they don’t want this going ahead . . . The people of Granard don’t want to look up at the sky at this monstrosity,” he adds.
Granard residents are not alone in their opposition to such proposals. Anti-windmill signs are tacked to trees and telephone poles in numerous villages throughout the midlands, while "Wind Action" Facebook groups have popped up for communities in Roscommon, Kildare, Wicklow, Kerry and elsewhere.
Granard is not battling against the greenification of the electricity grid, Sheridan and McGivney assure. Renewable energy is “the way forward”, Sheridan adds. McGivney wonders why such a structure cannot be placed in some of the many kilometres of nearby bogland.
Residents of Granard and Granardkill have not forgotten the jobs and stability which afforded them by the planning applicants Kiernan Milling. McGivney says locals are “strong supporters” of the firm but have nothing to gain from this proposal.
“We understand the importance of having industry in a small town like this. However, it cannot come at the detriment of community projects that we have built from nothing. This is our future and our nieces and nephews futures and we don’t want to be the generation that allows this to negatively impact our town,” McGivney says.
Kiernan Milling, when asked to respond to concerns raised by locals, did not do so.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--Covid-19 fears spark record increase in homeschooling

Fears over Covid-19 have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of parents homeschooling their children .
New figures from Tusla , the child and family agency , show more than 1,000 families applied to homeschool their children in August and September alone , up about 500 per cent on the same period last year .
The surge has led to a backlog of hundreds of applications waiting to be screened before being placed on the official home education register , a legal requirement for children not attending school .
Many of those applying to homeschool their children are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending their children back to class as it would put vulnerable family members at high risk .
Department of Education guidelines for schools state that only children with “ very high risk ” medical conditions are entitled to receive remote tuition .
No such provision is available to children who have very high risk family members .
Jan Rynne , a Dublin mother with a form of blood cancer which places her at very high risk , has set up a “ forgotten families ” group of dozens of other at-risk families who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to access remote learning .
She is keeping her children Daniel ( 12 ) and Emily ( 15 ) at home due to the risk that she could contract the virus .
However , her children are not entitled to remote tuition on the basis that they themselves are not categorised as very high risk .
“ It is very frustrating and stressful .
Many of us don ’ t want to homeschool our children , because they have to lose their school places.
” Minister for Education Norma Foley has said public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members in both the high risk and very high risk categories can safely return to school .
“ It is their recommendation that schools are safe places and that in terms of the health , advancement , socialisation , academic development and all the other aspects of a child ’ s wellbeing it is in their best interest that they would return to school and be catered for within the school environment , ” she said recently .
However , Ms Rynne said the medical advice she received recommended that her children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher risk of picking up the virus .
“ There is an implication that we are doing something wrong by our children and they would be better off in school .
We don ’ t have that option ... why not just give us access to remote learning to allow our children get an education ?
” she said .
School principals have expressed concern that the numbers opting to homeschool or keep their children out of class means schools risk losing teachers due to lower pupil numbers .
Pairic Clerkin of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a concern shared by many schools right across the State .
“ If a school loses just one or two pupils , in some cases , that can be the difference between keeping a teacher and losing one , ” he said .
The department has said it will be “ conscious of the unique nature of this year and of any schools having difficulty because of students who remain out ” .
It is understood to be preparing revised guidelines which are due to issue to schools soon .

Many families say they cannot risk sending their children back to school as it would put vulnerable family members at high risk. Photograph: Getty
Fears over Covid-19 have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of parents homeschooling their children.
New figures from Tusla, the child and family agency, show more than 1,000 families applied to homeschool their children in August and September alone, up about 500 per cent on the same period last year.
The surge has led to a backlog of hundreds of applications waiting to be screened before being placed on the official home education register, a legal requirement for children not attending school.
Hospital Report
Many of those applying to homeschool their children are families who say they cannot risk sending their children back to class as it would put vulnerable family members at high risk.
READ MORE
Department of Education guidelines for schools state that only children with “very high risk” medical conditions are entitled to receive remote tuition.
No such provision is available to children who have very high risk family members.
Jan Rynne, a Dublin mother with a form of blood cancer which places her at very high risk, has set up a "forgotten families" group of dozens of other at-risk families who are either homeschooling their children or struggling to access remote learning.
She is keeping her children Daniel (12) and Emily (15) at home due to the risk that she could contract the virus.
However, her children are not entitled to remote tuition on the basis that they themselves are not categorised as very high risk.
“It is very frustrating and stressful. Many of us don’t want to homeschool our children, because they have to lose their school places.”
Safe return
Minister for Education Norma Foley has said public health advice states that children with immediate family members in both the high risk and very high risk categories can safely return to school.
“It is their recommendation that schools are safe places and that in terms of the health, advancement, socialisation, academic development and all the other aspects of a child’s wellbeing it is in their best interest that they would return to school and be catered for within the school environment,” she said recently.
However, Ms Rynne said the medical advice she received recommended that her children avoid situations where they were at a higher risk of picking up the virus.
“There is an implication that we are doing something wrong by our children and they would be better off in school. We don’t have that option... why not just give us access to remote learning to allow our children get an education?” she said.
School principals have expressed concern that the numbers opting to homeschool or keep their children out of class means schools risk losing teachers due to lower pupil numbers.
Pairic Clerkin of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network said it was a concern shared by many schools right across the State.
“If a school loses just one or two pupils, in some cases, that can be the difference between keeping a teacher and losing one,” he said.
The department has said it will be “conscious of the unique nature of this year and of any schools having difficulty because of students who remain out”.
It is understood to be preparing revised guidelines which are due to issue to schools soon.


theirishtimes--2020-10-27--‘We can’t risk bringing Covid into our home’

Zara Flynn would like her children James ( 14 ) and Alice ( 6 ) to be able to go to school , but says she can ’ t take that risk .
She is a carer to her mother Emer ( 66 ) , who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia , a rare form of cancer of the blood , as well as her grandmother Elizabeth ( 95 ) .
“ My mother is very high risk .
Over 90 per cent of people with her condition are vulnerable to Covid and it has proven to be fatal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I provide regular and essential support for her .
“ There was a case of Covid-19 reported in my son ’ s year at his school , so school is not a safe place .
We simply can ’ t risk bringing Covid into her home , so we wear masks , visors and gloves when entering the home.
” As a result , she has withdrawn James from the secondary school he attends in Dublin and has formally applied to Tusla to homeschool her daughter .
Ideally , she says , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning at the schools which they attend .
However , she said under the rules issued by the Department of Education as applied by their schools , they are not entitled to this kind of support .
“ I implored my son ’ s secondary school to provide it and they did for a while , when he was being tested for Covid , but then it was pulled suddenly .
“ I feel like he is being discriminated again now because he should be entitled to an education in a way which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
Yet , the official approach is blinkered and rigid : it only allows for remote learning for children who are directly at risk .
“ He doesn ’ t tick the boxes and there are many other forgotten families in similar if not worse circumstances who worry that they ’ ll bring home Covid and end up killing a sibling or family member.
” Official guidelines say it is in the interests of children ’ s wellbeing that all young people attend school , with the exception of those at very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels this policy risks damaging the mental health of children who are fearful of passing on the virus to family members .
“ James is very worried about making his granny ill .
He is very close to her .
He ’ s even written a letter to the Ombudsman for Children about this .
“ He can be as safe as he can be , and he is , but if he is going to school there is every chance he will contract Covid.
” She is homeschooling Alice , meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2 ) out of childcare to help reduce the risk of any virus transmission .
The solution for families in this situation , she says , is being more flexible and giving schools the option to provide remote learning to a wider number of students .
“ The system is too rigid .
I don ’ t see what the Government has to be afraid of in being more flexible .
The pandemic has opened so many people ’ s eyes to what is possible .
I don ’ t see why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option for more students .
It doesn ’ t make sense .
”

Zara Flynn would like her children James (14) and Alice (6) to be able to go to school, but says she can't take that risk.
She is a carer to her mother Emer (66), who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a rare form of cancer of the blood, as well as her grandmother Elizabeth (95).
“My mother is very high risk. Over 90 per cent of people with her condition are vulnerable to Covid and it has proven to be fatal in 37 per cent of cases. I provide regular and essential support for her.
Hospital Report
“There was a case of Covid-19 reported in my son’s year at his school, so school is not a safe place. We simply can’t risk bringing Covid into her home, so we wear masks, visors and gloves when entering the home.”
READ MORE
As a result, she has withdrawn James from the secondary school he attends in Dublin and has formally applied to Tusla to homeschool her daughter.
Ideally, she says, they would be able to avail of remote learning at the schools which they attend.
However, she said under the rules issued by the Department of Education as applied by their schools, they are not entitled to this kind of support.
“I implored my son’s secondary school to provide it and they did for a while, when he was being tested for Covid, but then it was pulled suddenly.
“I feel like he is being discriminated again now because he should be entitled to an education in a way which doesn’t put his family at risk. Yet, the official approach is blinkered and rigid: it only allows for remote learning for children who are directly at risk.
James is very worried about making his granny ill. He is very close to her. He's even written a letter to the Ombudsman for Children about this
“He doesn’t tick the boxes and there are many other forgotten families in similar if not worse circumstances who worry that they’ll bring home Covid and end up killing a sibling or family member.”
Official guidelines say it is in the interests of children’s wellbeing that all young people attend school, with the exception of those at very high risk.
Mental health
Zara, however, feels this policy risks damaging the mental health of children who are fearful of passing on the virus to family members.
“James is very worried about making his granny ill. He is very close to her. He’s even written a letter to the Ombudsman for Children about this.
“He can be as safe as he can be, and he is, but if he is going to school there is every chance he will contract Covid.”
She is homeschooling Alice, meanwhile, and has taken her youngest son Sam (2) out of childcare to help reduce the risk of any virus transmission.
The solution for families in this situation, she says, is being more flexible and giving schools the option to provide remote learning to a wider number of students.
“The system is too rigid. I don’t see what the Government has to be afraid of in being more flexible. The pandemic has opened so many people’s eyes to what is possible. I don’t see why blended learning shouldn’t be an option for more students. It doesn’t make sense.”