theirishtimes--2020-10-08--Facial expressions and what they really mean

If you had even dipped a toe into certain circles of Twitter last week you couldn ’ t have missed the outrage frothing around a recent paper in Nature by Lou Safra , Coralie Chevallier , Julie Grèzes and Nicolas Baumard .
The authors analysed a collection of portraits using machine-learning and argued they demonstrated an increase in expressions of “ trustworthiness ” over time in parallel with declining rates of interpersonal violence in society .
The pushback was immediate and dramatic from many directions .
In my historian corner of Twitter there was anger that the authors had used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historians .
As Matuesz Fafinski of the University of Lausanne noted , the authors seem to have paid no attention to the potential bias inherent in the set of data they had chosen to use , most of which came from the National Portrait Gallery in England .
His thread is a great read and a robust defence of the science of historical research .
There was also another line of criticism about the potentially terrible consequences of coding certain faces as “ trustworthy ” , which smacked of a darker past of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial features .
But what fascinated me was the very complex problem at the core of the project , and which the authors ’ prose presented as a simple one .
What meaning do we take from facial expressions ?
How do we take a curve of the mouth or the position of the eyebrows and then imbue them with a whole lot of extra information that can determine whether we perceive someone as friendly or angry – in love or aloof ?
This problem has intrigued people for centuries .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject in 1872 ; On the Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals .
In the introduction he provides examples of “ the surprising nonsense which has been written on the subject ” .
Perhaps we can add this most recent paper to that pile , but it has certainly prompted interesting discussions .
The inclusion of animals in Darwin ’ s book was significant and tells us much about Darwin ’ s approach .
For other writers , expressions of emotion separated man from animals .
For Darwin , they firmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , between laughing monkeys and laughing people suggested a common origin .
Many of the same muscles were present in the faces of all primates , he argued , and therefore it was all the more fascinating to see how they used them differently .
But Darwin acknowledged the difficulties inherent in studying emotional expression .
Movements might be “ extremely slight , and of a fleeting nature ” .
An observer would certainly notice a change in the face , would feel a corresponding emotion , but perhaps could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would make scientific observation difficult .
And he also honed in on a problem that might have served as some warning to Safra et al .
So highly tuned are we humans to reading emotions that when we expect to see an emotional expression we usually see it , even when it isn ’ t there .
Darwin considered and then dismissed the use of paintings and sculpture for studying emotion .
He lived in the age when photography was thought to be a more “ true ” representation of the world but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By trying to create beauty , the artist would naturally alter certain types of expressions that might not be beautiful .
Darwin ’ s study had many flaws of its own from the perspective of science today .
His attempt to gauge the universality of expression across cultures ( which he called races ) is very clunky .
He simplified expressions down to very specific , observable muscular movements .
Some of these seem hilarious now .
When you last saw an indignant person , did they square their shoulders and clench @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expression might require cultural context but claimed , based on a rather small sample of questionnaires filled out by Europeans , that actually these expressions were universal .
This suited his purpose of seeing them as another piece of evidence for evolutionary relationships .
The contrast between the ease with which we navigate the emotional world and the difficulty of pinpointing what it is exactly we are displaying and responding to in our expressions continues to fascinate .
Darwin simplified a crying infant into a series of signs : closed eyes , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a peculiar manner ” .
Over 100 years later scientists are still trying to convert emotions into quantifiable physical signs and the rest of are still mostly seeing a baby that needs comforting .
Dr Juliana Adelman is an assistant professor in history at Dublin City University – @ AdelmanJuliana

Charles Darwin, who published On the Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals in 1872, dismissed the use of paintings and sculpture for studying emotion. Photograph: The Natural History Museum/PA
If you had even dipped a toe into certain circles of Twitter last week you couldn't have missed the outrage frothing around a recent paper in Nature by Lou Safra, Coralie Chevallier, Julie Grèzes and Nicolas Baumard. The authors analysed a collection of portraits using machine-learning and argued they demonstrated an increase in expressions of "trustworthiness" over time in parallel with declining rates of interpersonal violence in society.
The pushback was immediate and dramatic from many directions. In my historian corner of Twitter there was anger that the authors had used historical sources without bothering to consult any historians. As Matuesz Fafinski of the University of Lausanne noted, the authors seem to have paid no attention to the potential bias inherent in the set of data they had chosen to use, most of which came from the National Portrait Gallery in England.
His thread is a great read and a robust defence of the science of historical research. There was also another line of criticism about the potentially terrible consequences of coding certain faces as “trustworthy”, which smacked of a darker past of trying to identify criminals and deviants by facial features.
But what fascinated me was the very complex problem at the core of the project, and which the authors’ prose presented as a simple one. What meaning do we take from facial expressions? How do we take a curve of the mouth or the position of the eyebrows and then imbue them with a whole lot of extra information that can determine whether we perceive someone as friendly or angry – in love or aloof?
READ MORE
‘Surprising nonsense’
This problem has intrigued people for centuries. Of course Darwin himself published a treatise on the subject in 1872; On the Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. In the introduction he provides examples of “the surprising nonsense which has been written on the subject”. Perhaps we can add this most recent paper to that pile, but it has certainly prompted interesting discussions.
The inclusion of animals in Darwin’s book was significant and tells us much about Darwin’s approach. For other writers, expressions of emotion separated man from animals. For Darwin, they firmly tied them together. The similarity, for example, between laughing monkeys and laughing people suggested a common origin. Many of the same muscles were present in the faces of all primates, he argued, and therefore it was all the more fascinating to see how they used them differently.
But Darwin acknowledged the difficulties inherent in studying emotional expression. Movements might be “extremely slight, and of a fleeting nature”. An observer would certainly notice a change in the face, would feel a corresponding emotion, but perhaps could not pinpoint what exactly had changed.
Darwin simplified a crying infant into a series of signs: closed eyes, "contracted" forehead and "lips retracted in a peculiar manner".
This would make scientific observation difficult. And he also honed in on a problem that might have served as some warning to Safra et al. So highly tuned are we humans to reading emotions that when we expect to see an emotional expression we usually see it, even when it isn’t there.
Darwin considered and then dismissed the use of paintings and sculpture for studying emotion. He lived in the age when photography was thought to be a more “true” representation of the world but also believed artistic works had different aims. By trying to create beauty, the artist would naturally alter certain types of expressions that might not be beautiful.
Many flaws
Darwin’s study had many flaws of its own from the perspective of science today. His attempt to gauge the universality of expression across cultures (which he called races) is very clunky. He simplified expressions down to very specific, observable muscular movements.
Some of these seem hilarious now. When you last saw an indignant person, did they square their shoulders and clench their fist? He recognised that emotional expression might require cultural context but claimed, based on a rather small sample of questionnaires filled out by Europeans, that actually these expressions were universal. This suited his purpose of seeing them as another piece of evidence for evolutionary relationships.
Crying infant
The contrast between the ease with which we navigate the emotional world and the difficulty of pinpointing what it is exactly we are displaying and responding to in our expressions continues to fascinate. Darwin simplified a crying infant into a series of signs: closed eyes, “contracted” forehead and “lips retracted in a peculiar manner”. Over 100 years later scientists are still trying to convert emotions into quantifiable physical signs and the rest of are still mostly seeing a baby that needs comforting.
Dr Juliana Adelman is an assistant professor in history at Dublin City University – @AdelmanJuliana


theirishtimes--2020-10-08--A scaffold for healing

A scaffold for healing

Fergal , you work on materials to fix bone and cartilage , can you explain ?
In my lab , the Tissue Engineering Research Group , we develop materials made from substances that occur naturally in bone , such as hydroxyapatite and collagen .
We design and make multi-layered materials that can be put into damaged sections of bone or cartilage , where the material acts as a scaffold .
Either the material ’ s structure can encourage the body ’ s own cells to grow and repair bones and joints , or the material can be used to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healing .
How did you get interested in this area ?
After I finished school in Westmeath , I went to study engineering at Trinity College Dublin .
In practicals , we were looking at how materials like metals break .
But I developed more of an interest in how bones break , and it went from there .
It might sound like a simple idea , to put a scaffold material into bone to help it heal , but bone is a living system , a complicated biological environment .
So we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts from various areas , such as orthopaedic surgeons and cell biologists and pharmacists , and we spun out a company to help bring the material towards the clinic , so it can help patients .
What have you done with the material ?
We were able to show that the material helps to heal small lesions or areas of damage in injured joints , such as knees and hips .
I think one of the really big leaps for us was to show the concept worked in horses with injuries – we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a show-jumper with knee damage to recover – and we have also shown it to be safe for use in humans , both for bone and cartilage .
We have just licensed technologies for orthopaedic applications to Locate Bio , a company in England , so hopefully they can bring our technologies to more widespread use .
What do you think made it all work ?
Collaboration , I think .
When you are bringing a piece of fundamental science towards patients , you need to work with a lot of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that journey .
Putting different heads together also opens the way for new projects , such as the work we are doing on scaffolds for skin , blood vessels and nerve tissue , including spinal cord repair at the SFI Amber Centre in partnership with IRFU Charitable Trust .
It has been a privilege to have a number of injured rugby players provide their insight into our work .
You are a researcher , a lecturer and you are director of research and innovation at RCSI .
What do you like most about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning and to engage with so many talented , smart people from different backgrounds .
It has been a joy to see the amazing career progression of many young researchers who worked in my labs .
And what do you find most challenging ?
Managing my time .
I have a number of different roles , and I owe it to the many people I work with to give adequate focus .
If you get to take a break from work , what do you like to do ?
Spend time with family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of entertainment .
I ’ m also a big sports fan and love travelling , so while I miss attending sporting events and seeing new places since the pandemic started , it has been nice being together so much .
I live in Stepaside , so I ’ ve also enjoyed cycling in the mountains over the past few months .

Fergal, you work on materials to fix bone and cartilage, can you explain?
In my lab, the Tissue Engineering Research Group, we develop materials made from substances that occur naturally in bone, such as hydroxyapatite and collagen.
We design and make multi-layered materials that can be put into damaged sections of bone or cartilage, where the material acts as a scaffold. Either the material’s structure can encourage the body’s own cells to grow and repair bones and joints, or the material can be used to deliver specific cells or genes to help boost healing.
How did you get interested in this area?
READ MORE
After I finished school in Westmeath, I went to study engineering at Trinity College Dublin. In practicals, we were looking at how materials like metals break. But I developed more of an interest in how bones break, and it went from there.
It might sound like a simple idea, to put a scaffold material into bone to help it heal, but bone is a living system, a complicated biological environment. So we have been working with a lot of experts from various areas, such as orthopaedic surgeons and cell biologists and pharmacists, and we spun out a company to help bring the material towards the clinic, so it can help patients.
What have you done with the material?
We were able to show that the material helps to heal small lesions or areas of damage in injured joints, such as knees and hips. I think one of the really big leaps for us was to show the concept worked in horses with injuries – we helped a racehorse with a damaged jaw and a show-jumper with knee damage to recover – and we have also shown it to be safe for use in humans, both for bone and cartilage.
We have just licensed technologies for orthopaedic applications to Locate Bio, a company in England, so hopefully they can bring our technologies to more widespread use.
What do you think made it all work?
Collaboration, I think. When you are bringing a piece of fundamental science towards patients, you need to work with a lot of people who know about the relevant parts of that journey.
Putting different heads together also opens the way for new projects, such as the work we are doing on scaffolds for skin, blood vessels and nerve tissue, including spinal cord repair at the SFI Amber Centre in partnership with IRFU Charitable Trust. It has been a privilege to have a number of injured rugby players provide their insight into our work.
You are a researcher, a lecturer and you are director of research and innovation at RCSI. What do you like most about your work?
The opportunity for continuous learning and to engage with so many talented, smart people from different backgrounds. It has been a joy to see the amazing career progression of many young researchers who worked in my labs.
And what do you find most challenging?
Managing my time. I have a number of different roles, and I owe it to the many people I work with to give adequate focus.
If you get to take a break from work, what do you like to do?
Spend time with family. Our six-year-old twins provide a lot of entertainment. I'm also a big sports fan and love travelling, so while I miss attending sporting events and seeing new places since the pandemic started, it has been nice being together so much. I live in Stepaside, so I've also enjoyed cycling in the mountains over the past few months.


theirishtimes--2020-10-08--‘Golfgate’ has damaged public’s view of Supreme Court, say legal academics

The absence of a statutory system for reprimanding judges probably means that Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe can not be reprimanded without his consent , according to legal academics who spoke to The Irish Times .
They also said that the controversy , including that caused by the transcript of Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s interview with retired chief justice Susan Denham , has been damaging to public confidence in the State ’ s top court .
Trinity College Dublin graduate Patrick O ’ Brien , who lectures in law in Brookes Oxford University in England , said he was impressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to date by the judiciary .
“ What the judiciary has done so far mirrors what is done in regard to judicial discipline in other countries , and what is envisaged in the Judicial Council Act , ” he said .
The Irish Act was passed last year but the structures that it provides for in terms of disciplining judges , including without their consent , have yet to be put in place .
However , the request to Ms Justice Denham to inquire into Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and report back to the Supreme Court , mirrored what was envisaged in the Act , he said .
He said that usually in the UK the process led to a judge who was found to have acted improperly quickly consenting to a formal reprimand .
A judge who finds himself a source of controversy “ should really want to get his head back out of the spotlight really , really quickly , ” said Mr O ’ Brien , who recently co-authored a book on judicial independence in the UK .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he decided to attend [ his interview with Ms Justice Denham ] with an eminent senior counsel , and go down the strict legal route , arguing about the burden of proof and so on , in an informal inquiry .
I wouldn ’ t have thought that was getting into the spirit of the thing.
” He said he thought the “ big call ” was the decision of the board of the Judicial Council to give Ms Justice Denham an indemnity and then publish her report , despite it being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , well , sue us then , and that is a big thing.
” The board of the council , which includes the heads of the various courts , including the Chief Justice , Mr Justice Frank Clarke , published the report on Thursday .
On Friday it published some , though not all , of the appendices to the report , including the transcript of Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s first interview with Ms Justice Denham .
A second interview , which he sought after she had given Mr Justice Woulfe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been published “ as it relates to legal argument and submissions on a draft report ” , according to a statement on Friday .
Laura Cahillane , a lecturer in law at Limerick University , said the controversy has “ changed the narrative ” in relation to the public ’ s view of the judiciary .
“ I think our current Supreme Court have done so much work in trying to open up the court and Frank Clarke made that an aim at the start of his of tenure as Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermines all of that work that has been done , because it just brings back the idea of judges as an elite that are above the same consequences as everyone else.
” The content of the transcript has added to the controversy , because it added to the changed narrative , she said .
“ As time passes this saga becomes increasingly unedifying , ” said NUI Galway Professor of Law Donncha O ’ Connell .
“ Apart from its implications for the reputation of Mr Justice Woulfe , the transcript and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] are damaging to public trust in the Supreme Court and its members and , more generally , to public confidence in the administration of justice.
” An abject and sincere statement of atonement after the Denham review was published would probably have been sufficient to limit the damage caused by Mr Justice Woulfe ’ s attendance at the Golfgate dinner , had the transcript not revealed that he appeared to question the objective justification for his original apology for having attended .
Prof O ’ Connell said that Mr Justice Woulfe ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court bench for the next 12 years , a period during which it may reduce in size owing to the Court of Appeal having been established .
“ For that reason and for other reasons , his response to the informal resolution process that has ensued from the Denham review is of critical importance to his own future as an apex court judge , but also to the authority of the Supreme Court itself.
” Ronan McCrea , professor of constitutional and European law at University College , London , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Justice Woulfe would get a slap on the wrist , verbally , from the Chief Justice , and just take it and move on.
” If the controversy was now to drag on so as to begin to undermine the Supreme Court , “ there could be mild pressure placed on the judge to go for the sake of the institution , but we are not at that stage yet.
” He said it was true that some believed the transcript had added to the negative publicity about the court , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for giving the answers to an inquiry that he thought were appropriate .

The absence of a statutory system for reprimanding judges probably means that Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe cannot be reprimanded without his consent, according to legal academics who spoke to The Irish Times.
They also said that the controversy, including that caused by the transcript of Mr Justice Woulfe's interview with retired chief justice Susan Denham, has been damaging to public confidence in the State's top court.
Trinity College Dublin graduate Patrick O’Brien, who lectures in law in Brookes Oxford University in England, said he was impressed by how the controversy has been handled to date by the judiciary.
"What the judiciary has done so far mirrors what is done in regard to judicial discipline in other countries, and what is envisaged in the Judicial Council Act," he said.
READ MORE
The Irish Act was passed last year but the structures that it provides for in terms of disciplining judges, including without their consent, have yet to be put in place.
However, the request to Ms Justice Denham to inquire into Mr Justice Woulfe's attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner last August, and report back to the Supreme Court, mirrored what was envisaged in the Act, he said.
Reprimand
He said that usually in the UK the process led to a judge who was found to have acted improperly quickly consenting to a formal reprimand.
A judge who finds himself a source of controversy “should really want to get his head back out of the spotlight really, really quickly,” said Mr O’Brien, who recently co-authored a book on judicial independence in the UK.
“I think it is a shame that he decided to attend [his interview with Ms Justice Denham] with an eminent senior counsel, and go down the strict legal route, arguing about the burden of proof and so on, in an informal inquiry. I wouldn’t have thought that was getting into the spirit of the thing.”
He said he thought the “big call” was the decision of the board of the Judicial Council to give Ms Justice Denham an indemnity and then publish her report, despite it being a non-statutory one. “They have effectively said, well, sue us then, and that is a big thing.”
The board of the council, which includes the heads of the various courts, including the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, published the report on Thursday.
On Friday it published some, though not all, of the appendices to the report, including the transcript of Mr Justice Woulfe’s first interview with Ms Justice Denham.
Second interview
A second interview, which he sought after she had given Mr Justice Woulfe a copy of her draft report, has not been published “as it relates to legal argument and submissions on a draft report”, according to a statement on Friday.
It just brings back the idea of judges as an elite that are above the same consequences as everyone else
Laura Cahillane, a lecturer in law at Limerick University, said the controversy has "changed the narrative" in relation to the public's view of the judiciary.
“I think our current Supreme Court have done so much work in trying to open up the court and Frank Clarke made that an aim at the start of his of tenure as Chief Justice.
“But something like this undermines all of that work that has been done, because it just brings back the idea of judges as an elite that are above the same consequences as everyone else.”
The content of the transcript has added to the controversy, because it added to the changed narrative, she said.
“As time passes this saga becomes increasingly unedifying,” said NUI Galway Professor of Law Donncha O’Connell.
“Apart from its implications for the reputation of Mr Justice Woulfe, the transcript and now the [delay in resolving the controversy] are damaging to public trust in the Supreme Court and its members and, more generally, to public confidence in the administration of justice.”
Atonement
An abject and sincere statement of atonement after the Denham review was published would probably have been sufficient to limit the damage caused by Mr Justice Woulfe’s attendance at the Golfgate dinner, had the transcript not revealed that he appeared to question the objective justification for his original apology for having attended.
Prof O’Connell said that Mr Justice Woulfe (58), could be on the Supreme Court bench for the next 12 years, a period during which it may reduce in size owing to the Court of Appeal having been established.
“For that reason and for other reasons, his response to the informal resolution process that has ensued from the Denham review is of critical importance to his own future as an apex court judge, but also to the authority of the Supreme Court itself.”
Ronan McCrea, professor of constitutional and European law at University College, London, said that last week “the view was that Mr Justice Woulfe would get a slap on the wrist, verbally, from the Chief Justice, and just take it and move on.”
If the controversy was now to drag on so as to begin to undermine the Supreme Court, “there could be mild pressure placed on the judge to go for the sake of the institution, but we are not at that stage yet.”
He said it was true that some believed the transcript had added to the negative publicity about the court, but that a judge could not be punished for giving the answers to an inquiry that he thought were appropriate.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Government will seek to prioritise Covid, Brexit and existing services – McGrath

The Government ’ s budgetary strategy for next year will be to prioritise crisis management measures to deal Covid-19 and Brexit while maintaining existing levels of service in core spending programmes , according to the Minister for Public Expenditure .
Michael McGrath will tell the Oireachtas Budget Oversight Committee on Thursday that before new policy measures in areas such as health and housing are taken into account , there will be an increase in spending of €3 billion .
In an opening statement to the committee he says that this will comprise €2 billion in current expenditure and €1 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €2 billion earmarked for increased current expenditure , €1.1 billion is already committed to deal with demographics and to meet carryover costs arising from measures introduced in previous years and public service pay agreements .
“ In relation to capital expenditure , we will also ensure that the increase in capital investment set out in the National Development Plan is implemented in order to support the recovery in the economy .
This would see core gross voted capital expenditure of almost €9.2 billion next year , an increase of almost €1 billion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this year .
” Mr McGrath will tell the committee that “ ensuring the provision of the necessary funding to support our citizens and public services , in particular the health service , over the next phase of the Covid-19 pandemic will be the key priority in Budget 2021 ” .
He will suggest the costs involved next year will be “ significant ” but are also subject to considerable uncertainty .
The Minister will say that while the Government already provided an additional €2 billion to the health service this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the total cost could ultimately be €3 billion more than originally planned at the start of the year .
Mr McGrath will say given that the challenges posed by Covid-19 will continue into 2021 , the health service will be a priority area in the budget next week .
He will say there is “ extensive engagement with the Department of Health and the HSE as we seek to arrive at a workable , sustainable and comprehensive allocation for the Department of Health that can help build the necessary capacity and resilience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister will also say that the additional cost of re-opening schools and colleges against the backdrop of Covid-19 was about €500 million .
“ With 38,000 employers registered for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme , the Revenue Commissioners are to make payments this week to 31,700 of these employers in respect of 335,000 employees .
In addition , with over 200,000 recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment this week , before the nationwide Level 3 restrictions were introduced , this indicates the scale of the challenge faced by workers and their employers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Social Protection amounting to over €12 billion in aggregate this year , as we continue to live with the virus and manage any resurgences through 2021 , the funding required for our health service and for income and employment supports will remain significant next year and also subject to a degree of uncertainty that would need to be reflected in the estimated expenditure amounts for next year , ” he will say .

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath will say that while the Government already provided an additional €2 billion to the health service this year to deal with the impact of Covid-19, the total cost could ultimately be €3 billion more than originally planned at the start of the year. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
The Government’s budgetary strategy for next year will be to prioritise crisis management measures to deal Covid-19 and Brexit while maintaining existing levels of service in core spending programmes, according to the Minister for Public Expenditure.
Michael McGrath will tell the Oireachtas Budget Oversight Committee on Thursday that before new policy measures in areas such as health and housing are taken into account, there will be an increase in spending of €3 billion.
In an opening statement to the committee he says that this will comprise €2 billion in current expenditure and €1 billion in capital expenditure.
However of the €2 billion earmarked for increased current expenditure, €1.1 billion is already committed to deal with demographics and to meet carryover costs arising from measures introduced in previous years and public service pay agreements.
READ MORE
“In relation to capital expenditure, we will also ensure that the increase in capital investment set out in the National Development Plan is implemented in order to support the recovery in the economy. This would see core gross voted capital expenditure of almost €9.2 billion next year, an increase of almost €1 billion on the gross voted expenditure amount set out for this year .”
Mr McGrath will tell the committee that “ensuring the provision of the necessary funding to support our citizens and public services, in particular the health service, over the next phase of the Covid-19 pandemic will be the key priority in Budget 2021”.
He will suggest the costs involved next year will be “significant” but are also subject to considerable uncertainty.
The Minister will say that while the Government already provided an additional €2 billion to the health service this year to deal with the impact of Covid-19, the total cost could ultimately be €3 billion more than originally planned at the start of the year.
Mr McGrath will say given that the challenges posed by Covid-19 will continue into 2021, the health service will be a priority area in the budget next week.
He will say there is "extensive engagement with the Department of Health and the HSE as we seek to arrive at a workable, sustainable and comprehensive allocation for the Department of Health that can help build the necessary capacity and resilience into our health system".
The Minister will also say that the additional cost of re-opening schools and colleges against the backdrop of Covid-19 was about €500 million.
“With 38,000 employers registered for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Revenue Commissioners are to make payments this week to 31,700 of these employers in respect of 335,000 employees. In addition, with over 200,000 recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment this week, before the nationwide Level 3 restrictions were introduced, this indicates the scale of the challenge faced by workers and their employers.
“With the additional funding required for Health and Social Protection amounting to over €12 billion in aggregate this year, as we continue to live with the virus and manage any resurgences through 2021, the funding required for our health service and for income and employment supports will remain significant next year and also subject to a degree of uncertainty that would need to be reflected in the estimated expenditure amounts for next year,” he will say.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Tony Holohan warns that all Covid-19 indicators getting worse

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has said he is more concerned about how Covid-19 is spreading in the State now than he was when the recommendation to move to Level 5 was made to Government .
Speaking at his first media appearance since returning from an extended period of leave , and since the recommendation , he said “ If anything .
.
.
the level of concern that I had [ on Sunday ] is less than the level of concern I have now.
” “ All of the major indicators of this disease have gotten worse – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Separately on Wednesday night , Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party that UK prime minister Boris Johnson sent him a text message on Sunday night expressing his concern about the prospect of the Republic going into a Level 5 lockdown and creating a large disparity with guidelines in the North .
In the SMS exchange with Mr Johnson , the Taoiseach then conveyed his concerns about the deteriorating Covid-19 situation in the North .
Mr Martin emphasised the Government had not decided to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recommendation of Nphet and would be subject to a Government decision .
The Department of Health last night confirmed a further five deaths of people with the virus , bringing the total in the State to 1,816 .
And a further 611 cases were confirmed , bringing the total infections since March to 39,584 .
Case numbers are now growing exponentially , as are hospitalisations , Prof Philip Nolan , head of the Irish epidemiological modelling group said .
“ If nothing changes , we would expect intensive care admissions and sadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We simply can not protect people in that age bracket , nor can they protect themselves , if the level of disease in the wider community continues to rise.
” Meanwhile , a network of 132 static Garda checkpoints on motorways and large arterial routes around the Republic resulted in serious congestion on Wednesday morning and evening .
Garda sources said checkpoints would switch from one side of roads to the other between mornings and evenings meaning delays twice a day for commuters .
They added there would be long delays as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoints .
One source said there had been a “ creep ” of people returning to their workplaces in recent months though many could work from home .

Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, said that “all key indicators of the disease have deteriorated further” in the three days since the last meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team. Video: HSE
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said he is more concerned about how Covid-19 is spreading in the State now than he was when the recommendation to move to Level 5 was made to Government.
Speaking at his first media appearance since returning from an extended period of leave, and since the recommendation, he said “If anything . . . the level of concern that I had [on Sunday] is less than the level of concern I have now.”
“All of the major indicators of this disease have gotten worse – our concern is getting greater and faster,” he said.
Separately on Wednesday night, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party that UK prime minister Boris Johnson made contact with him on Sunday night expressing his concern about the prospect of the Republic going into a Level 5 lockdown and creating a large disparity with guidelines in the North.
READ MORE
Exchange with Johnson
In the exchange with Mr Johnson, the Taoiseach then conveyed his concerns about the deteriorating Covid-19 situation in the North.
Mr Martin emphasised the Government had not decided to go to Level 5, but that it was a recommendation of Nphet and would be subject to a Government decision.
The Department of Health last night confirmed a further five deaths of people with the virus, bringing the total in the State to 1,816. And a further 611 cases were confirmed, bringing the total infections since March to 39,584.
Case numbers are now growing exponentially, as are hospitalisations, Prof Philip Nolan, head of the Irish epidemiological modelling group said.
“If nothing changes, we would expect intensive care admissions and sadly deaths to follow the same path.
“We simply cannot protect people in that age bracket, nor can they protect themselves, if the level of disease in the wider community continues to rise.”
Garda checkpoints
Meanwhile, a network of 132 static Garda checkpoints on motorways and large arterial routes around the Republic resulted in serious congestion on Wednesday morning and evening.
Garda sources said checkpoints would switch from one side of roads to the other between mornings and evenings meaning delays twice a day for commuters. They added there would be long delays as traffic was funnelled into one lane at checkpoints.
One source said there had been a “creep” of people returning to their workplaces in recent months though many could work from home.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Cork hotel closes temporarily after two staff members test positive for Covid-19

A Cork hotel , which opened its doors in April to cater for frontline HSE staff combating Covid-19 , is to close temporarily after two of its staff tested positive for the virus in recent days .
The Kingsley Hotel on the Carrigrohane Straight in Cork city closed when the pandemic struck in March but in April , it opened its doors and 130 rooms to cater for frontline HSE staff involved in combating the infection .
But now the Kingsley , which is owned by Chinese hotel operators , the Kang Family Worldwide Group , has been forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for Covid-19 .
Kingsley Hotel General Manager , Fergal Harte posted on the hotel ’ s Facebook page on Wednesday that the hotel was closing temporarily and management and staff were working with the HSE to contain the outbreak .
“ In recent days two members of our team have tested positive for Covid-19 .
We are currently working with the HSE and are following all appropriate best practice protocols , ” said Mr Harte in the post .
“ As a precautionary measure and in the interest of the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independently taken the decision to close the hotel today , Wednesday , October 7th 2020 , for a short period of time .
“ We would like to wish the team members concerned a full and speedy recovery .
We would also like to thank our guests and members for their support and understanding at this time.
” Mr Harte apologised for any inconvenience caused by the decision but said that he and his staff look forward to welcoming guests back to the four star luxury hotel built which was built in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee Baths .
The hotel , which is on the flood plain of the River Lee was closed for several years after it suffered severe flood damage in 2009 but re-opened in 2014 when it was purchased by the Kang Family Worldwide Group for €6 million .
The Kang Family Worldwide Group , which is headquartered in Beijing , also bought the luxury Fota Island Resort in East Cork from Nama for around €20 million in 2013 and operates it through a subsidiary , Xiu Lan Hotels Ltd .

A Cork hotel, which opened its doors in April to cater for frontline HSE staff combating Covid-19, is to close temporarily after two of its staff tested positive for the virus in recent days.
A Cork hotel, which opened its doors in April to cater for frontline HSE staff combating Covid-19, is to close temporarily after two of its staff tested positive for the virus in recent days.
The Kingsley Hotel on the Carrigrohane Straight in Cork city closed when the pandemic struck in March but in April, it opened its doors and 130 rooms to cater for frontline HSE staff involved in combating the infection.
But now the Kingsley, which is owned by Chinese hotel operators, the Kang Family Worldwide Group, has been forced to close again after two staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
Kingsley Hotel General Manager, Fergal Harte posted on the hotel's Facebook page on Wednesday that the hotel was closing temporarily and management and staff were working with the HSE to contain the outbreak.
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“In recent days two members of our team have tested positive for Covid-19. We are currently working with the HSE and are following all appropriate best practice protocols,” said Mr Harte in the post.
“As a precautionary measure and in the interest of the safety of our staff and guests, we have independently taken the decision to close the hotel today, Wednesday, October 7th 2020, for a short period of time.
“We would like to wish the team members concerned a full and speedy recovery. We would also like to thank our guests and members for their support and understanding at this time.”
Mr Harte apologised for any inconvenience caused by the decision but said that he and his staff look forward to welcoming guests back to the four star luxury hotel built which was built in the 1990s on the site of the old Lee Baths.
The hotel, which is on the flood plain of the River Lee was closed for several years after it suffered severe flood damage in 2009 but re-opened in 2014 when it was purchased by the Kang Family Worldwide Group for €6 million.
The Kang Family Worldwide Group, which is headquartered in Beijing, also bought the luxury Fota Island Resort in East Cork from Nama for around €20 million in 2013 and operates it through a subsidiary, Xiu Lan Hotels Ltd.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Senior gardaí hope checkpoints and traffic jams provide ‘sharp shock’

Senior Garda officers believe the first day of checkpoints nationwide and resulting traffic congestion was a “ sharp shock ” that made it clear people should not be travelling outside their home county unless absolutely necessary .
Officers who spoke to The Irish Times were unapologetic about the long traffic jams caused in some parts of the country , saying Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had on Tuesday warned very clearly that delays were inevitable .
The checkpoints , under Operation Fanacht , began again from midnight on Tuesday when all 26 counties in the Republic were moved up to Level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bid to stem the worsening spread of the virus .
More than 130 static checkpoints erected on motorways and other arterial routes yesterday morning around the country were switched to the opposite side of the road later in the day .
It meant motorists delayed in the morning faced the same disruption in the evening ; a strategy that was set to continue for the next three weeks .
Thousands of other mobile checkpoints were also being erected on more minor roads all over the country .
Garda sources said motorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid not to be delayed by the Operation Fanacht checkpoints “ will be left very disappointed ” .
While it has emerged the Government was considering a system of graduated fines for minor breaches of Covid-19 restrictions , gardaí said that was not an issue for them at this point .
They said because the advice to people not to leave their home county was set out in statutory instruments it was , in effect , written in law .
And so gardaí were entitled to stop people and quiz them about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those who ignored that measure .
Mr Harris has already said while gardaí had no enforcement role at checkpoints , they were being deployed to “ educate ” drivers about the need for them not to leave their home county for the duration of Level 3 for at least the next three weeks .
And officers in Garda headquarters running Operation Fanacht believe the presence of gardaí on the roads in a constant high-visibility operation , combined with the long traffic delays on the roads , would be enough to stop most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was essential .
Traffic updates issued by AA Roadwatch from early yesterday reported a queue of vehicles up to 8km on the N7 westbound from J2 Kingswood to J5 Athgoe , where a checkpoint was located .
Other locations where lines of traffic were described as either “ very slow ” or “ very heavy ” included the M11-M50 near Bray , Co Wicklow , westbound on the M4 between J5 Leixlip and J6 Celbridge as well as J15 Kiltiernan southbound on the M50 to the Bray-Fassaroe area on the M11 , among @ @

A Garda checkpoint on the N7 at Blackchurch. More than 130 checkpoints were erected on motorways and other arterial routes yesterday around the country. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Senior Garda officers believe the first day of checkpoints nationwide and resulting traffic congestion was a “sharp shock” that made it clear people should not be travelling outside their home county unless absolutely necessary.
Officers who spoke to The Irish Times were unapologetic about the long traffic jams caused in some parts of the country, saying Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had on Tuesday warned very clearly that delays were inevitable.
The checkpoints, under Operation Fanacht, began again from midnight on Tuesday when all 26 counties in the Republic were moved up to Level 3 of the Living with Covid-19 plan in a bid to stem the worsening spread of the virus.
More than 130 static checkpoints erected on motorways and other arterial routes yesterday morning around the country were switched to the opposite side of the road later in the day. It meant motorists delayed in the morning faced the same disruption in the evening; a strategy that was set to continue for the next three weeks.
READ MORE
Minor roads
Thousands of other mobile checkpoints were also being erected on more minor roads all over the country. Garda sources said motorists planning to avoid main routes in a bid not to be delayed by the Operation Fanacht checkpoints “will be left very disappointed”.
While it has emerged the Government was considering a system of graduated fines for minor breaches of Covid-19 restrictions, gardaí said that was not an issue for them at this point.
They said because the advice to people not to leave their home county was set out in statutory instruments it was, in effect, written in law. And so gardaí were entitled to stop people and quiz them about their movements, even though no penalties arose for those who ignored that measure.
No enforcement role
Mr Harris has already said while gardaí had no enforcement role at checkpoints, they were being deployed to “educate” drivers about the need for them not to leave their home county for the duration of Level 3 for at least the next three weeks.
And officers in Garda headquarters running Operation Fanacht believe the presence of gardaí on the roads in a constant high-visibility operation, combined with the long traffic delays on the roads, would be enough to stop most people leaving their home county unless it was essential.
Traffic updates issued by AA Roadwatch from early yesterday reported a queue of vehicles up to 8km on the N7 westbound from J2 Kingswood to J5 Athgoe, where a checkpoint was located.
Other locations where lines of traffic were described as either “very slow” or “very heavy” included the M11-M50 near Bray, Co Wicklow, westbound on the M4 between J5 Leixlip and J6 Celbridge as well as J15 Kiltiernan southbound on the M50 to the Bray-Fassaroe area on the M11, among others.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Wicklow production of Vikings spin-off temporarily halted after virus tests

Filming of the new Vikings spin-off drama series for Netflix , Vikings : Valhalla , was temporarily suspended this week in Co Wicklow after close to a dozen crew and cast members tested positive for coronavirus .
The 24-episode series is being filmed with backing from MGM Productions at Ashford Studios in Wicklow , where the six series of the original History Channel hit were also made .
Crew and cast members are tested for coronavirus several times per week , and some of those working full-time on the production are believed stay together in local accommodation .
Production of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday and Tuesday after a batch of positive results came back from a private clinic .
However , a production source said that all of those who had tested positive were subsequently retested and came back as negative and that the original results were being viewed as “ false positives ” .
“ Although they have been minimal throughout the course of production to date , we take every positive test seriously and strict protocols and contract tracing have kept us safely in production when those do occur , ” said the source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received a number of false positive test results which caused us to pause production on Monday and Tuesday .
Once the false positive results were confirmed , we were cleared to go back into production on Wednesday.
” It is understood that all of those who had originally tested positive were put into quarantine and were allowed to go back to work on the show once they had subsequently tested negative .
Screen Ireland , the State agency that attracts international film-makers to Ireland , said that anti-virus protocols for film and television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with taxpayer funding .
“ The Department of Culture , Heritage and the Gaeltacht has confirmed that these guidelines adhere to Government Covid-19 health and safety best practice guidelines , ” it said .
Following on from the smash-hit Vikings , Valhalla is set 100 years later towards the end of the era and will dramatise the lives of historical characters such as Norse explorer , Leif Eriksson , and William the Conqueror .
Episodes are written by Jeb Stuart , who worked on movies such as The Fugitive and Die Hard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive producer on the show .
It was originally supposed to begin production earlier this year to be shown on Netflix in 2021 , but filming was postponed due to the pandemic .
Production subsequently commenced late in the summer after restrictions were relaxed .
The cast includes German actor , Yvonne Mai , who will play a character called Merin , while Irish actor Bill Murphy will play another called Odgar .
Ashford Studios , owned by businessman Joe O ’ Connell , extended its facilities for the new production , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Following on from the smash-hit Vikings (above), Valhalla is set 100 years later towards the end of the era and will dramatise the lives of historical characters such as Norse explorer, Leif Eriksson, and William the Conqueror.
Filming of the new Vikings spin-off drama series for Netflix, Vikings: Valhalla, was temporarily suspended this week in Co Wicklow after close to a dozen crew and cast members tested positive for coronavirus.
The 24-episode series is being filmed with backing from MGM Productions at Ashford Studios in Wicklow, where the six series of the original History Channel hit were also made.
Crew and cast members are tested for coronavirus several times per week, and some of those working full-time on the production are believed stay together in local accommodation.
Production of Valhalla was shut down in Ashford on Monday and Tuesday after a batch of positive results came back from a private clinic.
READ MORE
However, a production source said that all of those who had tested positive were subsequently retested and came back as negative and that the original results were being viewed as “false positives”.
“Although they have been minimal throughout the course of production to date, we take every positive test seriously and strict protocols and contract tracing have kept us safely in production when those do occur,” said the source.
“Earlier this week, we received a number of false positive test results which caused us to pause production on Monday and Tuesday. Once the false positive results were confirmed, we were cleared to go back into production on Wednesday.”
It is understood that all of those who had originally tested positive were put into quarantine and were allowed to go back to work on the show once they had subsequently tested negative.
Screen Ireland, the State agency that attracts international film-makers to Ireland, said that anti-virus protocols for film and television productions were devised by Screen Producers Ireland with taxpayer funding.
“The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has confirmed that these guidelines adhere to Government Covid-19 health and safety best practice guidelines,” it said.
Following on from the smash-hit Vikings, Valhalla is set 100 years later towards the end of the era and will dramatise the lives of historical characters such as Norse explorer, Leif Eriksson, and William the Conqueror.
Episodes are written by Jeb Stuart, who worked on movies such as The Fugitive and Die Hard. Irishman Morgan O’Sullivan is an executive producer on the show.
It was originally supposed to begin production earlier this year to be shown on Netflix in 2021, but filming was postponed due to the pandemic. Production subsequently commenced late in the summer after restrictions were relaxed. The cast includes German actor, Yvonne Mai, who will play a character called Merin, while Irish actor Bill Murphy will play another called Odgar.
Ashford Studios, owned by businessman Joe O’Connell, extended its facilities for the new production, which employs hundreds of crew and extras.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Ireland a ‘soft spot’ for money laundering, says Browder

Ireland is a “ soft spot ” for international money launderers and will continue to be used for nefarious purposes unless action is taken to stop it , UK-based financier and anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder has said .
Mr Browder , who was speaking to UCD ’ s Literary and Historical Society after receiving its James Joyce Award , said he previously presented the Garda with “ strong evidence ” of money coming into Ireland from suspicious sources but that it came to nothing .
Mr Browder , an anti-Putin activist dubbed by the New Yorker as “ Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money related to the proceeds of a complex fraud and tax evasion scheme by Russian officials who used assets stolen from a hedge fund .
The scheme was uncovered by Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky who acted for Mr Browder and was beaten to death in a Russian jail in 2009 .
Mr Browder has since campaigned for the introduction of the Magnitsky Act in countries all over the world .
The legislation targets the perpetrators of gross human rights abuses and high level corruption , and grants powers to seize illegally gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and luxury goods .
“ In addition to the Magnitsky Act , the other things we ’ ve done is to trace who got the $ 230 million that Sergei Magnitsky exposed and was killed over , ” Mr Browder told the debating society .
“ We found it going to a lot of different countries including Ireland .
“ We had strong evidence of money going into Ireland , going into real estate in Ireland .
We filed that evidence with the Garda Economic Crimes Unit and nothing happened .
Zero .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many other countries have investigated and opened criminal cases , seized money , but Ireland didn ’ t .
“ As long as Ireland remains the soft spot for money launderers and they think that nothing is going to happen , they will continue to launder money there .
That ’ s a problem.
” Versions of the Act have been introduced in the UK , US , Canada , Latvia , Lithuania and Estonia .
Ireland was considering introducing a similar measure in 2013 but backed down after the Russian ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences and a likely prohibition on the adoption of Russian babies by Irish citizens .
Mr Browder met TDs in Leinster House last year to revive the project , and said on Wednesday he is working with Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy to bring forward fresh legislation .
“ We ’ re working on an Irish Magnitsky Act which she is going to submit , ” he said .
“ So it ’ s all moving along nicely.
” He added that the “ hostage-taking strategy ” of threatening adoptions was “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar threats over a range of other issues .
“ They don ’ t allow countries that have same sex marriage to have adoptions , and things like that , ” he said .
“ This Magnitsky Act is so important for dealing with genocide , mass atrocities , really terrible things , that we can ’ let it get side-tracked by blackmail and extortion .
”

Ireland is a "soft spot" for international money launderers and will continue to be used for nefarious purposes unless action is taken to stop it, UK-based financier and anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder has said.
Mr Browder, who was speaking to UCD’s Literary and Historical Society after receiving its James Joyce Award, said he previously presented the Garda with “strong evidence” of money coming into Ireland from suspicious sources but that it came to nothing.
Mr Browder, an anti-Putin activist dubbed by the New Yorker as “Russia’s most wanted man”, said the money related to the proceeds of a complex fraud and tax evasion scheme by Russian officials who used assets stolen from a hedge fund.
The scheme was uncovered by Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky who acted for Mr Browder and was beaten to death in a Russian jail in 2009. Mr Browder has since campaigned for the introduction of the Magnitsky Act in countries all over the world.
READ MORE
The legislation targets the perpetrators of gross human rights abuses and high level corruption, and grants powers to seize illegally gathered assets, including bank accounts, homes and luxury goods.
“In addition to the Magnitsky Act, the other things we’ve done is to trace who got the $230 million that Sergei Magnitsky exposed and was killed over,” Mr Browder told the debating society. “We found it going to a lot of different countries including Ireland.
“We had strong evidence of money going into Ireland, going into real estate in Ireland. We filed that evidence with the Garda Economic Crimes Unit and nothing happened. Zero.
“This was a very well-known case. Many other countries have investigated and opened criminal cases, seized money, but Ireland didn’t.
“As long as Ireland remains the soft spot for money launderers and they think that nothing is going to happen, they will continue to launder money there. That’s a problem.”
Versions of the Act have been introduced in the UK, US, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Ireland was considering introducing a similar measure in 2013 but backed down after the Russian ambassador to Ireland said there would be trade consequences and a likely prohibition on the adoption of Russian babies by Irish citizens.
Mr Browder met TDs in Leinster House last year to revive the project, and said on Wednesday he is working with Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy to bring forward fresh legislation.
“We’re working on an Irish Magnitsky Act which she is going to submit,” he said. “So it’s all moving along nicely.”
He added that the “hostage-taking strategy” of threatening adoptions was “very heinous” but that Russia has made similar threats over a range of other issues.
“They don’t allow countries that have same sex marriage to have adoptions, and things like that,” he said.
“This Magnitsky Act is so important for dealing with genocide, mass atrocities, really terrible things, that we can’ let it get side-tracked by blackmail and extortion.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Government knew of Holohan concerns before Nphet meeting

The Government was made aware of chief medical officer Tony Holohan ’ s concerns about the spread of Covid-19 before the meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) on Sunday .
Dr Holohan confirmed on Wednesday evening that he had spoken with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Sunday morning , before the meeting , and had shared his concerns and those of members of the team .
“ We just discussed my concerns , the concerns I shared with him of the conversations I had had with a range of members of Nphet over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Asked if he had indicated that a move to Level 5 could be in the offing , he said he wouldn ’ t pre-empt the outcome of the Nphet discussion “ but I was very clear about the level of concern that I would have , and had ” .
Mr Donnelly confirmed Dr Holohan spoke to him on Sunday about his concerns about the spread of Covid-19 and the need to increase the level of restrictions .
A spokeswoman for Mr Donnelly said : “ The Minister and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s meeting on Sunday .
Before the meeting they discussed the deteriorating epidemiological situation .
After the Nphet meeting the minister was informed for the first time that Nphet had recommended a move to Level 5 .
“ The Minister and Taoiseach communicated after both conversations between the Minister and CMO on Sunday.
” Afterwards , Mr Martin spoke to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar , and the two men discussed the situation .
But there was surprise in Government circles at the revelation they knew about the Nphet advice on Sunday afternoon .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the sudden decision by Nphet , leaked on Sunday night , at the Cabinet meeting on Monday .
According to one Minister , Mr Martin and the secretary general to the Government Martin Fraser – the Government ’ s top official who sits at Cabinet – were “ visibly angry ” at the meeting .
Though acknowledging that the leaders of the Government knew about the Nphet advice before it was leaked on Sunday night , senior figures remain critical of Dr Holohan , regarding the sudden revelation as a “ stunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the words of one senior source .
Asked about his views of Tánaiste Leo Varadkar ’ s criticism of Nphet over its recommendation that Level 5 restrictions be imposed , Dr Holohan said he had spoken with Mr Varadkar on Tuesday night , and that he had a “ long standing good relationship ” with him .
“ He understands and shares my analysis , every bit , and has as much concern about it as I do.
” He said he is “ absolutely satisfied ” that the air has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to make decisions on a range of other factors that are outside our area of expertise , but we still have a sober job to do to make the continuing assessment of the disease , ” he said .
“ He and I had a very good discussion last night that went on for a considerable period of time .
We discussed issues of recent days , but we discussed and spent much more time discussing the disease and what we need to do collectively to enhance our collective ability as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Asked if he ever had considered his position in recent days , he said : “ I ’ m around a long time , and I have a thick skin and I ’ ve been involved in plenty of issues over the years .
We wouldn ’ t be doing our jobs collectively if there wasn ’ t cut and thrust and debate and all that .
None of it is every personal , and none of it every saps my will to continue with the important job that I @ @ @

The Government was made aware of chief medical officer Tony Holohan’s concerns about the spread of Covid-19 before the meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) on Sunday.
On Monday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar criticised Dr Holohan and Nphet saying the recommendation to move to Level 5 had not be "thought through" and there had not been "prior consultation" with the Government.
Speaking on RTÉ on Monday night, after the Government had announced all counties were moving to Level 3 from midnight on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said the advice of Nphet to move to Level 5 had “landed on us” by surprise on Sunday night.
Hospital Report
However, Dr Holohan confirmed on Wednesday evening that he had spoken with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Sunday morning, before the meeting, and had shared his concerns and those of members of the team.
READ MORE
“We just discussed my concerns, the concerns I shared with him of the conversations I had had with a range of members of Nphet over the course of the preceding 24 hours,” he said.
Asked if he had indicated that a move to Level 5 could be in the offing, he said he wouldn’t pre-empt the outcome of the Nphet discussion “but I was very clear about the level of concern that I would have, and had”.
Mr Donnelly confirmed Dr Holohan spoke to him on Sunday about his concerns about the spread of Covid-19 and the need to increase the level of restrictions.
A spokeswoman for Mr Donnelly said: “The Minister and CMO spoke before and after Nphet’s meeting on Sunday. Before the meeting they discussed the deteriorating epidemiological situation. After the Nphet meeting the minister was informed for the first time that Nphet had recommended a move to Level 5.
“The Minister and Taoiseach communicated after both conversations between the Minister and CMO on Sunday.”
Afterwards, Mr Martin spoke to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, and the two men discussed the situation.
But there was surprise in Government circles at the revelation they knew about the Nphet advice on Sunday afternoon.
Both Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin were critical of the sudden decision by Nphet, leaked on Sunday night, at the Cabinet meeting on Monday.
According to one Minister, Mr Martin and the secretary general to the Government Martin Fraser – the Government's top official who sits at Cabinet – were "visibly angry" at the meeting.
Though acknowledging that the leaders of the Government knew about the Nphet advice before it was leaked on Sunday night, senior figures remain critical of Dr Holohan, regarding the sudden revelation as a “stunt to bounce us into a decision”, in the words of one senior source.
Asked about his views of Mr Varadkar’s criticism of Nphet over its recommendation that Level 5 restrictions be imposed, Dr Holohan said he had spoken with Mr Varadkar on Tuesday night, and that he had a “long standing good relationship” with him. “He understands and shares my analysis, every bit, and has as much concern about it as I do.”
He said he is “absolutely satisfied” that the air has been cleared between them. “Government has to make decisions on a range of other factors that are outside our area of expertise, but we still have a sober job to do to make the continuing assessment of the disease,” he said.
“He and I had a very good discussion last night that went on for a considerable period of time. We discussed issues of recent days, but we discussed and spent much more time discussing the disease and what we need to do collectively to enhance our collective ability as a country to respond to it,” he said.
Asked if he ever had considered his position in recent days, he said: “I’m around a long time, and I have a thick skin and I’ve been involved in plenty of issues over the years. We wouldn’t be doing our jobs collectively if there wasn’t cut and thrust and debate and all that. None of it is every personal, and none of it every saps my will to continue with the important job that I have.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Man alleges he was exposed to toxic fumes from home insulation

A man wept in the High Court while saying the life of his family was “ turned upside down ” and they had to leave home after being allegedly exposed to fumes and toxic insulation from spray foam insulation installed there .
Patrick Duffy claims he was exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals and his family had to leave the “ dream home ” near the sea he had built in Co Donegal because they did not feel safe there .
The family now live in a mobile home , the court heard .
“ The insulation was my idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulation , then we would still be healthy , ” he told Mr Justice Kevin Cross .
Opening the case , Richard Lyons SC , with Miriam Reilly SC , said their case was that a “ very noxious chemical ” linked to the Bhopal disaster ( a 1984 gas leak tragedy at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal , resulting in more than 3,700 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries ) – was allegedly used in the spray foam insulation .
Counsel said Mr Duffy suffered damage to the airway tract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the family had since became “ incredibly sensitised ” to certain products .
“ He has lost his home , his job and his health .
There was a very happy family life before this happened.
” Mr Duffy told the court he , his wife Anita and their young daughter “ now live in a bubble ” as they have become sensitised to other products and need to avoid other people .
He said he paid €4,000 to have the insulation installed in the main attic and sunroom four years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ nothing at all in it ” .
“ I asked him is it safe and he said it was breathable , does not give off gas and it was the best product .
He said it was the best on the market and was 100 per cent safe.
” After the insulation was put in , there was a strong smell and the contractor told him to leave the windows open , he said .
The next morning , Mr Duffy said he had a sore throat , sore eyes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cold .
His wife and their toddler daughter had the same complaints , he said .
Three days later , he said he phoned the contractor as there was still a pungent smell and he later visited the doctor .
Their daughter also ended up in hospital , he said .
The family had moved to a relative ’ s holiday home for a year before moving into a mobile home and the house Mr Duffy built was sold last year , the court was told .
Patrick Duffy ( 45 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has sued Brendan McGee trading as McGee Insulation Services , Largenreach , Downings , Letterkenny , who was responsible for the installation and the application of spray foam insulation at the family home on February 18th , 2016 .
He has also sued GMS Insulations Ltd , Legga , Moyne , Co Longford , which imports and supplies spray foam insulation material .
The insulation , it is claimed , was imported from outside the EU by GMS Insulations who supplied it to McGee Insulation .
It is claimed Mr McGee reassured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his home during the course of the installation process and immediately afterwards .
It is further claimed Mr Duffy was informed the product was entirely safe and did not give off any fumes .
It is claimed he was exposed to toxic chemicals .
The claims are denied by both defendants .
Mr McGee also pleads contributory negligence on the part of Mr Duffy and claims Mr Duffy was advised to stay away from the house during the installation .
GMS Insulations contends , if Mr Duffy did suffer the alleged injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The case before Mr Justice Kevin Cross continues on Thursday .

Man said he paid €4,000 to have the insulation installed in the main attic and sunroom four years ago and the contractor had told him there was “nothing at all in it”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
A man wept in the High Court while saying the life of his family was “turned upside down” and they had to leave home after being allegedly exposed to fumes and toxic insulation from spray foam insulation installed there.
Patrick Duffy claims he was exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals and his family had to leave the “dream home” near the sea he had built in Co Donegal because they did not feel safe there.
The family now live in a mobile home, the court heard. “The insulation was my idea. If I had not got the insulation, then we would still be healthy,” he told Mr Justice Kevin Cross.
Opening the case, Richard Lyons SC, with Miriam Reilly SC, said their case was that a “very noxious chemical” linked to the Bhopal disaster (a 1984 gas leak tragedy at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, resulting in more than 3,700 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries) – was allegedly used in the spray foam insulation.
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Counsel said Mr Duffy suffered damage to the airway tract and now coughs constantly and all three in the family had since became “incredibly sensitised” to certain products. “He has lost his home, his job and his health. There was a very happy family life before this happened.”
Mr Duffy told the court he, his wife Anita and their young daughter “now live in a bubble” as they have become sensitised to other products and need to avoid other people.
He said he paid €4,000 to have the insulation installed in the main attic and sunroom four years ago and the contractor had told him there was “nothing at all in it”.
“I asked him is it safe and he said it was breathable, does not give off gas and it was the best product. He said it was the best on the market and was 100 per cent safe.”
After the insulation was put in, there was a strong smell and the contractor told him to leave the windows open, he said. The next morning, Mr Duffy said he had a sore throat, sore eyes and a tight chest and thought he had a cold. His wife and their toddler daughter had the same complaints, he said. Three days later, he said he phoned the contractor as there was still a pungent smell and he later visited the doctor. Their daughter also ended up in hospital, he said.
The family had moved to a relative’s holiday home for a year before moving into a mobile home and the house Mr Duffy built was sold last year, the court was told.
Patrick Duffy (45), Meenderryowen, Annagry, Co Donegal, has sued Brendan McGee trading as McGee Insulation Services, Largenreach, Downings, Letterkenny, who was responsible for the installation and the application of spray foam insulation at the family home on February 18th, 2016. He has also sued GMS Insulations Ltd, Legga, Moyne, Co Longford, which imports and supplies spray foam insulation material. The insulation, it is claimed, was imported from outside the EU by GMS Insulations who supplied it to McGee Insulation.
It is claimed Mr McGee reassured Mr Duffy it was safe to remain in his home during the course of the installation process and immediately afterwards.
It is further claimed Mr Duffy was informed the product was entirely safe and did not give off any fumes. It is claimed he was exposed to toxic chemicals. The claims are denied by both defendants. Mr McGee also pleads contributory negligence on the part of Mr Duffy and claims Mr Duffy was advised to stay away from the house during the installation. GMS Insulations contends, if Mr Duffy did suffer the alleged injuries, it bears no liability in law.
The case before Mr Justice Kevin Cross continues on Thursday.


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Off-licences deny customers are ‘bulk-buying’ alcohol for house parties

The National Off-licence Association ( Noffla ) has warned against any changes to the opening hours of small , family-owned businesses , adding that minimum unit pricing is the best way to reduce bulk buying of alcohol .
At a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party on Tuesday , politicians suggested reducing opening hours of off-licences in order to clamp down on house parties and prevent the spread of coronavirus .
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One about the issue , Minister of State Patrick O ’ Donovan said there are people with “ nothing but alcohol in their shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretend that house parties aren ’ t going on when they clearly are , ” he added .
However , Evelyn Jones , Government affairs director at Noffla , said off-licences “ don ’ t typically see bulk purchases of alcohol ” and that this sort of buying is more prevalent in larger mixed retailers and supermarkets .
“ Rather , our customers would be buying in smaller volumes , often looking for a more premium product for special occasions .
However , with new restrictions now on family/social gatherings , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kinds of purchases too , ” Ms Jones said .
“ The majority of licences in the off-trade are held by supermarkets , petrol stations and convenience stores ; small , independent off-licences that Noffla represents make up only one-third of the overall sector , approximately.
” However , Ms Jones said the association agrees that “ there ought to be more control over the sale ” of alcohol in order to “ cut out dangerous and irresponsible consumption ” .
Joël Durand , owner of Blackrock Cellar off-licence in Dublin , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier if public health officials believe it is necessary , he has not seen people buying in large quantities .
He already reduced his opening hours , and now closes at 8pm instead of 10pm , because “ there is no business after 8pm ” .
“ People can ’ t go to restaurants so they ’ re spending more on high-quality wine , craft beer , whiskey and cocktails .
They ’ re recreating experiences at home with their wife or husband , ” he said .
“ It ’ s maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailers .
We can ’ t really control what people do at home .
It ’ s a difficult situation.
” Mark Grainger , who owns Grainger ’ s off-licence in Swords , does not welcome the proposals and feels like off-licences are being painted as the “ bad guys ” .
“ People are coming in and getting their six cans of Bud , or a bottle of wine , but we ’ re not seeing anybody coming in buying two or three slabs of beer .
What ’ s being mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people coming in buying slabs and slabs just isn ’ t the case , ” he said .
He also called for the introduction of minimum unit pricing .
“ If you look at supermarkets , they ’ re selling slabs of beer for cheaper than we can buy them in for .
They can afford to sell them at a loss , but as a standalone , independent off-licence , we can ’ t do that.
” Meanwhile Neil McDonnell , chief executive of the Irish Small Medium Enterprise association ( Isme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their social gatherings look , he believes “ some level of constraint on off-licence sales can be expected ” .

Joël Durand, owner of Blackrock Cellar off-licence in Dublin, has already reduced his opening hours, and now closes at 8pm instead of 10pm, because ‘there is no business after 8pm’. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
The National Off-licence Association (Noffla) has warned against any changes to the opening hours of small, family-owned businesses, adding that minimum unit pricing is the best way to reduce bulk buying of alcohol.
At a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party on Tuesday, politicians suggested reducing opening hours of off-licences in order to clamp down on house parties and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One about the issue, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan said there are people with "nothing but alcohol in their shopping trolleys". "We cannot pretend that house parties aren't going on when they clearly are," he added.
However, Evelyn Jones, Government affairs director at Noffla, said off-licences "don't typically see bulk purchases of alcohol" and that this sort of buying is more prevalent in larger mixed retailers and supermarkets.
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Restrictions
“Rather, our customers would be buying in smaller volumes, often looking for a more premium product for special occasions. However, with new restrictions now on family/social gatherings, we are seeing sales volumes gradually decline for these kinds of purchases too,” Ms Jones said.
“The majority of licences in the off-trade are held by supermarkets, petrol stations and convenience stores; small, independent off-licences that Noffla represents make up only one-third of the overall sector, approximately.”
However, Ms Jones said the association agrees that “there ought to be more control over the sale, and in particular the pricing” of alcohol in order to “cut out dangerous and irresponsible consumption”.
Joël Durand, owner of Blackrock Cellar off-licence in Dublin, said while he is not opposed to closing earlier if public health officials believe it is necessary, he has not seen people buying in large quantities.
He already reduced his opening hours, and now closes at 8pm instead of 10pm, because “there is no business after 8pm”.
“People can’t go to restaurants so they’re spending more on high-quality wine, craft beer, whiskey and cocktails. They’re recreating experiences at home with their wife or husband,” he said.
“It’s maybe unfair to put that responsibility on the retailers. We can’t really control what people do at home. It’s a difficult situation.”
‘Bad guys’
Mark Grainger, who owns Grainger's off-licence in Swords, does not welcome the proposals and feels like off-licences are being painted as the "bad guys".
“People are coming in and getting their six cans of Bud, or a bottle of wine, but we’re not seeing anybody coming in buying two or three slabs of beer. What’s being mentioned on the news, saying there are people coming in buying slabs and slabs just isn’t the case,” he said.
He also called for the introduction of minimum unit pricing.
“If you look at supermarkets, they’re selling slabs of beer for cheaper than we can buy them in for. They can afford to sell them at a loss, but as a standalone, independent off-licence, we can’t do that.”
Meanwhile Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the Irish Small Medium Enterprise association (Isme), said unless people change how their social gatherings look, he believes "some level of constraint on off-licence sales can be expected".


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Tillage and wind-farmer optimistic about Ireland’s path toward a greener future

Every day when Michael Quirk passes his 25 -acre barley field near Cloyne , Co Cork , he can easily picture its transformation into a sea of solar panels .
He is an optimist .
Not just for his farm , but for Ireland ’ s path toward a greener future .
Originally a tillage farmer , Mr Quirk has had a 1.7MW wind farm operating since 2011 and his solar plans have come through a recent energy auction process successfully .
He is well-placed to talk about the advantages and prospects of community produced renewables , for the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at its worst it ’ s the farmer on the farm that feels it the most because they have to work through it , ” he says .
“ Farmers are just trying to protect their livelihood ; farmers just need business ; they need a living on the land .
You will never find a farmer who will turn down an opportunity.
” It is a relatively common mantra in the agricultural community but Mr Quirk has lived it .
A year ago , he was concerned about the viability of community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to compete with big , well-financed developers with land banks stretching to hundreds of hectares .
However , this year ’ s first ever renewable energy auction was a success with seven community projects coming through – five solar and two wind .
Last month the Government announced a total of 82 new renewable energy schemes by way of the auction – where projects bid to supply power to the grid at the most competitive prices .
But crucially , locally produced energy production was ring-fenced , Mr Quirk says , ensuring their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that when the Government does something well you say they did it well.
” Challenges will always give way to more challenges , however , and Mr Quirk says financing and construction are now the issues – banks seem focused on scale and larger operations .
Perhaps like other small community plans , he is waiting to see what incentives the Government might provide by way of the Budget and Finance Act .
“ It ’ s a chicken and egg thing .
The Government know there are projects there , they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be built , ” he says .
“ It would be nice that by the time we reach 2030 a certain proportion of Irish renewables would be owned by Irish people .
I am more positive now [ about the prospects of that ] .
” Along with a number of other farmers , Mr Quirk has been working on his 5-megawatt [ MW ] project since 2014 .
It will sit beside his wind farm which has two 55-metre high turbines , exporting about 1.9MW onto the grid .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gives him hope for more similar community projects , and for the future in general .
School children come and visit , and they get it .
“ The future is bright , it ’ s not as gloomy as people think , ” Mr Quirk says .
“ There is an acceptance by young people that change has to happen now .
And it will .
”

Tillage and wind farmer Michael Quirke: “It would be nice that by the time we reach 2030 a certain proportion of Irish renewables would be owned by Irish people.” Photograph: Larry Cummins
Every day when Michael Quirk passes his 25 -acre barley field near Cloyne, Co Cork, he can easily picture its transformation into a sea of solar panels. He is an optimist. Not just for his farm, but for Ireland’s path toward a greener future.
Originally a tillage farmer, Mr Quirk has had a 1.7MW wind farm operating since 2011 and his solar plans have come through a recent energy auction process successfully.
He is well-placed to talk about the advantages and prospects of community produced renewables, for the community. “When climate change shows itself at its worst it’s the farmer on the farm that feels it the most because they have to work through it,” he says.
“Farmers are just trying to protect their livelihood; farmers just need business; they need a living on the land. You will never find a farmer who will turn down an opportunity.”
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It is a relatively common mantra in the agricultural community but Mr Quirk has lived it. A year ago, he was concerned about the viability of community based, smaller energy projects being able to compete with big, well-financed developers with land banks stretching to hundreds of hectares.
Renewable energy auction
However, this year’s first ever renewable energy auction was a success with seven community projects coming through – five solar and two wind.
Last month the Government announced a total of 82 new renewable energy schemes by way of the auction – where projects bid to supply power to the grid at the most competitive prices.
But crucially, locally produced energy production was ring-fenced, Mr Quirk says, ensuring their future. “It’s important that when the Government does something well you say they did it well.”
Challenges will always give way to more challenges, however, and Mr Quirk says financing and construction are now the issues – banks seem focused on scale and larger operations. Perhaps like other small community plans, he is waiting to see what incentives the Government might provide by way of the Budget and Finance Act.
“It’s a chicken and egg thing. The Government know there are projects there, they have come through the auction. Now they have to be built,” he says.
‘Owned by Irish people’
“It would be nice that by the time we reach 2030 a certain proportion of Irish renewables would be owned by Irish people. I am more positive now [about the prospects of that].”
Along with a number of other farmers, Mr Quirk has been working on his 5-megawatt [MW]project since 2014. It will sit beside his wind farm which has two 55-metre high turbines, exporting about 1.9MW onto the grid.
It is the local interest in these turbines that gives him hope for more similar community projects, and for the future in general. School children come and visit, and they get it.
“The future is bright, it’s not as gloomy as people think,” Mr Quirk says. “There is an acceptance by young people that change has to happen now. And it will.”


theirishtimes--2020-10-07--Co Down truck driver goes on trial for manslaughter over deaths in container

A Co Down truck-driver accused of being responsible for the deaths of 39 Vietnamese men , women and boys found suffocated in a shipping container near London last year has gone on trial .
The victims , nine of whom were teenagers and two aged just 15 , were discovered last October in a container on an industrial estate in Grays , about 32km east of London .
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones said the dead had been sealed in darkness inside a switched-off refrigeration unit for at least 12 hours , with the temperature rising to an unbearable 38.5 Celsius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like inside that lorry does not bear thinking about .
In short , they suffocated .
There were no survivors , ” says Mr Emlyn Jones , who quoted text from one of the dead , Pham Thi Ngoc Oanh .
In it , the 28-year-old Vietnamese sent a final farewell message to her mother back in Vietnam : “ Maybe going to die in the container , can ’ t breathe any more , dear.
” Haulier , Ronan Hughes ( 41 ) , from Leitrim , Silverstream , Tyholland , Co @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from Craigavon , Co Armagh have already pleaded guilty to manslaughter .
Four others accused of being part of the people-smuggling ring went on trial on Wednesday at London ’ s Old Bailey court , including 23-year-old truck-driver Eamonn Harrison , from Mayobridge , Co Down .
British-Romanian dual national Gheorghe Nica ( 43 ) , and Harrison deny manslaughter ; while Harrison , Christopher Kennedy ( 24 ) , and Valentin Calota ( 37 ) , deny conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration .
The Vietnamese migrants ’ journey began in northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the container to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge where it was loaded onto a cargo ship for England , Emlyn Jones said .
Shortly after midnight it was collected in Purfleet by Robinson .
He stopped almost immediately after being sent a message by his employer , which said : “ Give them air quickly , but don ’ t let them out ” .
“ What he found must haunt him still , ” Emlyn Jones told the Old Bailey jury : “ For the 39 men and women inside , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sums are made by people-traffickers , with people paying up to £10,000 to cross the English Channel in the back of a truck .
The family of one of the victims had paid nearly £20,000 to have their daughter brought from Vietnam .

Gheorghe Nica (left) and Eamonn Harrison (right) two of four men to face trial, at the Old Bailey in London, for being part of an alleged people-smuggling ring linked to the deaths of 39 migrants in a lorry in Essex. Image: Sketch by court artist Elizabeth Cook/PA
A Co Down truck-driver accused of being responsible for the deaths of 39 Vietnamese men, women and boys found suffocated in a shipping container near London last year has gone on trial.
The victims, nine of whom were teenagers and two aged just 15, were discovered last October in a container on an industrial estate in Grays, about 32km east of London.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones said the dead had been sealed in darkness inside a switched-off refrigeration unit for at least 12 hours, with the temperature rising to an unbearable 38.5 Celsius.
"What it must have been like inside that lorry does not bear thinking about. In short, they suffocated. There were no survivors," says Mr Emlyn Jones, who quoted text from one of the dead, Pham Thi Ngoc Oanh.
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In it, the 28-year-old Vietnamese sent a final farewell message to her mother back in Vietnam: "Maybe going to die in the container, can't breathe any more, dear."
Haulier, Ronan Hughes (41), from Leitrim, Silverstream, Tyholland, Co Monaghan and Maurice Robinson (26), from Craigavon, Co Armagh have already pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Four others accused of being part of the people-smuggling ring went on trial on Wednesday at London's Old Bailey court, including 23-year-old truck-driver Eamonn Harrison, from Mayobridge, Co Down.
British-Romanian dual national Gheorghe Nica (43), and Harrison deny manslaughter; while Harrison, Christopher Kennedy (24), and Valentin Calota (37), deny conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
The Vietnamese migrants' journey began in northern Europe on October 22nd when Harrison drove the container to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge where it was loaded onto a cargo ship for England, Emlyn Jones said.
Shortly after midnight it was collected in Purfleet by Robinson. He stopped almost immediately after being sent a message by his employer, which said: “Give them air quickly, but don’t let them out”.
“What he found must haunt him still,” Emlyn Jones told the Old Bailey jury: “For the 39 men and women inside, that trailer had become their tomb.”
Huge sums are made by people-traffickers, with people paying up to £10,000 to cross the English Channel in the back of a truck. The family of one of the victims had paid nearly £20,000 to have their daughter brought from Vietnam.