theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Preparing for the post-Covid-19 classroom

When schools closed in March , many teachers were plunged into the deep end of emergency remote teaching .
A recent report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that , prior to the crisis , only half of teachers reported using online technology for classwork on a frequent basis , and up to a quarter of schools faced shortages or inadequacy of digital resources or issues with internet access .
Yet , the same research found the vast majority of teachers were open to change and wanted to be able to support learning through the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that teachers in Ireland are able to upskill through a range of information and courses that provide training in areas such as blended learning , remote teaching apps , the impact of trauma on learning and other skills that will be vital from next September .
We ’ ve compiled a collection of some of the best courses and webinars for teachers and principals seeking to prepare for the return to a very changed school environment .
Educational psychotherapist and author of Teaching the Unteachable Maire Delaney has been providing trauma-informed training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The training , currently being offered as two 90-minute Zoom sessions , aims to help teachers to recognise the impact of trauma on thinking and learning and provide them with educational tasks and activities which create emotional safety .
“ Children will need regulation and safety and they will need calm adults too , ” says Delaney .
She explains the course will help teachers recognise the impact the pandemic has had on them first .
“ Self-regulation comes before co-regulation.
” A similar course provided by the Irish National Teachers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Understanding and Supporting Pupils with Adverse Childhood Experiences , is fully booked , indicating the demand among teachers for this training .
Many teachers will be familiar with ResearchEd conferences .
They offer a platform for teachers and educational professionals to discuss evidence-based education .
They moved online during the lockdown and , like the on-site conferences , there is a wealth of research discussed .
Unlike the on-site conferences , with overlapping talks , you can check it all out as they are recorded and available online .
If there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kirschner ’ s talk , Ten Tips for Emergency Remote Teaching .
Kirschner ’ s detailed tips will guide teachers unfamiliar with remote teaching through lesson planning and help manage their expectations .
Some of the advice includes keeping the lesson short and spaced , communicating goals expectations clearly to students and giving starter activities the day before to help activate students ’ prior knowledge .
All of the tips come with a caveat – and it ’ s one which teachers have no control over : students have to remove what Kirschner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( social media ) before learning can commence .
Another talk that will be of great interest to teachers is given by educational scientist Pedro de Bruyckere .
His webinar What about Education Post-Corona ?
examines education during the pandemic , the impact it has had on children ’ s learning and what needs to be done next .
He uses a familiar analogy to highlight the impact of the crisis , stating that the crisis has been flattening the educational curve .
While in health has been a positive , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a child lies on this curve is not dictated by his or her ability but by external factors , such as toxic stress and inequality .
De Bruyckere also discusses the complex relationship that exists between wellbeing and learning , teacher burnout and what to expect when the school buildings reopen , along the importance of not skipping the summer holiday – for the children , parents and teachers .
Wriggle , a company that specialises in digital learning for education , had been offering support services to schools in the form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school closures by switching this support to webinar format and placed the focus on remote teaching and learning .
The webinars were recorded and teachers can access them by registering for the webinar on the Wriggle website .
They cover a number of platforms available to teachers from Office 365 , Microsoft Teams and how to structure remote teaching .
For teachers unfamiliar with remote teaching apps , such as SeeSaw , they can access a webinar which demonstrates how to set up the app remotely with a class .
It also deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as how to differentiate on the app .
The webinar goes through the set-up in real time by using a screen-share function so teachers can see the steps as opposed to a list of instructions .
It also demonstrates what the interface will look like for the student .
For schools considering using the app in the coming year , it might be useful for teachers to view this webinar as it demonstrates how to maintain consistency of use with the app throughout the school .
For teachers who are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a webinar , CPD College is running a 20-hour summer course that aims to prepare teachers for remote teaching and learning .
Cost : €89 cpdcollege.com These webinars were facilitated by the Teaching Council for the Professional Development Service for Teachers .
The Learning for All discussions were recorded so teachers and principals can access them at any time .
The “ for all ” section of the heading refers to both the education professionals and students as the webinars address the different levels of familiarity that teachers have with remote teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access and learning environment for students .
The final webinar , An International Perspective – What are Other Countries Doing ?
offers schools a chance to hear first-hand from schools in Australia that have reopened , with an interesting comment on the emotional experience of being in the busy school environment once again .
There is also a discussion around not falling into the “ catch-up ” trap when school buildings reopen .
A common thread throughout the webinars is the role the student- teacher relationship plays in teaching and learning and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital platforms .
This is a series of webinars delivered by the Professional Development Service for Teachers website .
The webinars offer structured activities for teachers to make use of the home environment to deliver Stem subjects .
The Stem in the Garden webinar has a contribution from former primary school teacher and Ireland ’ s very own David Attenborough , Paddy Madden .
He details the academic , physical and social and emotional benefits of gardening activities .
The webinar provides structured learning activities involving bird or tree classification , tree journals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also available to download from the PDST website .
Teachers can access advice on hand hygiene or PPE on either the HSE or WHO website .
While guidance for infection control in childcare settings during Covid-19 outbreak was published in May , guidance for schools is still being developed .
Some Education and Training Boards across the country are also providing free courses in this area .
Education centres throughout the country continue to run online webinars that address a variety of areas .
Supporting special educational needs students in the distance-learning setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and GDPR and health and safety are some of the topics covered by the centres .

When schools closed in March, many teachers were plunged into the deep end of emergency remote teaching.
A recent report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that, prior to the crisis, only half of teachers reported using online technology for classwork on a frequent basis, and up to a quarter of schools faced shortages or inadequacy of digital resources or issues with internet access.
Yet, the same research found the vast majority of teachers were open to change and wanted to be able to support learning through the use of digital technology.
The good news is that teachers in Ireland are able to upskill through a range of information and courses that provide training in areas such as blended learning, remote teaching apps, the impact of trauma on learning and other skills that will be vital from next September.
READ MORE
We’ve compiled a collection of some of the best courses and webinars for teachers and principals seeking to prepare for the return to a very changed school environment.
Trauma-informed schools
Educational psychotherapist and author of Teaching the Unteachable Maire Delaney has been providing trauma-informed training to schools while their buildings are closed.
The training, currently being offered as two 90-minute Zoom sessions, aims to help teachers to recognise the impact of trauma on thinking and learning and provide them with educational tasks and activities which create emotional safety.
“Children will need regulation and safety and they will need calm adults too,” says Delaney. She explains the course will help teachers recognise the impact the pandemic has had on them first. “Self-regulation comes before co-regulation.”
A similar course provided by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation as part of its summer programme, Understanding and Supporting Pupils with Adverse Childhood Experiences, is fully booked, indicating the demand among teachers for this training.
thelearningharbour.ie; into.ie
Teachers in Ireland can upskill during the summer to be better-equipped for September. Photograph: iStock
ResearchEdHome
Many teachers will be familiar with ResearchEd conferences. They offer a platform for teachers and educational professionals to discuss evidence-based education.
They moved online during the lockdown and, like the on-site conferences, there is a wealth of research discussed. Unlike the on-site conferences, with overlapping talks, you can check it all out as they are recorded and available online.
If there is one must-watch webinar then it is Paul Kirschner’s talk, Ten Tips for Emergency Remote Teaching.
Kirschner’s detailed tips will guide teachers unfamiliar with remote teaching through lesson planning and help manage their expectations. Some of the advice includes keeping the lesson short and spaced, communicating goals expectations clearly to students and giving starter activities the day before to help activate students’ prior knowledge.
All of the tips come with a caveat – and it’s one which teachers have no control over: students have to remove what Kirschner call the “weapons of mass distraction” (social media) before learning can commence.
Another talk that will be of great interest to teachers is given by educational scientist Pedro de Bruyckere. His webinar What about Education Post-Corona? examines education during the pandemic, the impact it has had on children’s learning and what needs to be done next.
He uses a familiar analogy to highlight the impact of the crisis, stating that the crisis has been flattening the educational curve. While in health has been a positive, in education it is a negative and where a child lies on this curve is not dictated by his or her ability but by external factors, such as toxic stress and inequality.
De Bruyckere also discusses the complex relationship that exists between wellbeing and learning, teacher burnout and what to expect when the school buildings reopen, along the importance of not skipping the summer holiday – for the children, parents and teachers.
researched.org.uk/researched-home-2020/
Wriggle Webinars
Wriggle, a company that specialises in digital learning for education, had been offering support services to schools in the form of on-site demonstrations. They responded to the school closures by switching this support to webinar format and placed the focus on remote teaching and learning.
The webinars were recorded and teachers can access them by registering for the webinar on the Wriggle website. They cover a number of platforms available to teachers from Office 365, Microsoft Teams and how to structure remote teaching.
For teachers unfamiliar with remote teaching apps, such as SeeSaw, they can access a webinar which demonstrates how to set up the app remotely with a class. It also deals with the logistics of activity creation, as well as how to differentiate on the app.
The webinar goes through the set-up in real time by using a screen-share function so teachers can see the steps as opposed to a list of instructions. It also demonstrates what the interface will look like for the student. For schools considering using the app in the coming year, it might be useful for teachers to view this webinar as it demonstrates how to maintain consistency of use with the app throughout the school.
www.wriggle.ie/article/Catch_Up_on_all_of_our_Webinars
E-portfolios and digital tools
For teachers who are looking for training that is more in depth than a webinar, CPD College is running a 20-hour summer course that aims to prepare teachers for remote teaching and learning. Cost: €89 cpdcollege.com
Only half of teachers reported using online technology for classwork on a frequent basis. Photograph: Lech Muszynski/EPA
Learning for All
These webinars were facilitated by the Teaching Council for the Professional Development Service for Teachers. The Learning for All discussions were recorded so teachers and principals can access them at any time.
The “for all” section of the heading refers to both the education professionals and students as the webinars address the different levels of familiarity that teachers have with remote teaching while also considering the issue of device access and learning environment for students.
The final webinar, An International Perspective – What are Other Countries Doing? offers schools a chance to hear first-hand from schools in Australia that have reopened, with an interesting comment on the emotional experience of being in the busy school environment once again.
There is also a discussion around not falling into the “catch-up” trap when school buildings reopen. A common thread throughout the webinars is the role the student- teacher relationship plays in teaching and learning and the difficulties teachers have experienced fostering this on digital platforms.
teachingcouncil.ie/en/About-Us1/Learning-for-All-Webinar-Series/
Stem sa Bhaile
This is a series of webinars delivered by the Professional Development Service for Teachers website. The webinars offer structured activities for teachers to make use of the home environment to deliver Stem subjects. The Stem in the Garden webinar has a contribution from former primary school teacher and Ireland's very own David Attenborough, Paddy Madden. He details the academic, physical and social and emotional benefits of gardening activities.
The webinar provides structured learning activities involving bird or tree classification, tree journals and construction activities. All resources are also available to download from the PDST website.
pdst.ie/STEM-Webinars
Hand hygiene and PPE
Teachers can access advice on hand hygiene or PPE on either the HSE or WHO website. While guidance for infection control in childcare settings during Covid-19 outbreak was published in May, guidance for schools is still being developed. Some Education and Training Boards across the country are also providing free courses in this area.
who.org
Education centres
Education centres throughout the country continue to run online webinars that address a variety of areas. Supporting special educational needs students in the distance-learning setting, virtual sports days, blended learning and GDPR and health and safety are some of the topics covered by the centres.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--My fifth-year son has fallen behind. Should I be worried?

My son was in fifth year when the schools broke up in mid-March .
I get the impression he is lagging behind where his older brothers and sisters were at the same point in their schooling .
Should I be worried ?
Many parents have expressed to me the concerns you are voicing as the Covid-19 crisis continues to wreak havoc on every aspect of our social structures , including education .
As a recently retired teacher and guidance counsellor , it has been heartening to witness the reaction of teachers , as their plans and schemes for the remainder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into turmoil with school closures .
Many have made extraordinary efforts to embrace technology and online solutions , overnight , to connect with students and to provide for continuity of learning .
This reaction was rooted in the moral purpose that underpins the true meaning of the profession : making a difference in the lives of students .
In this regard I would have little fears for the classes of the 2020/21 school year .
There is an old Latin phrase “ Docendo Discimus ” which , translated , means “ by teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role models for their students , demonstrating that they are lead learners themselves .
This drive has been facilitated in no small part by the Education Support Centres of Ireland ( ESCI ) , consisting of 21 centres throughout the country .
These centres have traditionally offered face-to-face continuous professional development opportunities for teachers .
A significant factor in the ability of schools and teachers to adapt to the new reality of teaching , post-Covid , was the speed with which these education centres switched their provision to an online webinar model .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past three months have been facilitated by teachers themselves , sharing expertise and knowledge in support of their colleagues .
Fifth-year students are a particularly vulnerable group going into the coming academic year , and I understand your fears around the competencies of our teachers to continue to use online teaching as part of their tool kit of skills when schools return in late August .
However , all students , by and large , are in the same boat .
The Department of Education is currently planning for the continuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic year , to meet the unique needs of teachers and students when schools reopen .
I have no doubt measures will be taken to take in account the disruption that students – especially fifth years – have faced .
The education centres will ensure teachers have access to the highest quality expertise in order to continue the quality teaching and learning that our system has been built on , and to enable teachers to support all students , when schools return in the autumn , particularly those who like your son will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Fifth-year students are a particularly vulnerable group going into the new year but all students are in the same boat
My son was in fifth year when the schools broke up in mid-March. I get the impression he is lagging behind where his older brothers and sisters were at the same point in their schooling. Should I be worried?
Many parents have expressed to me the concerns you are voicing as the Covid-19 crisis continues to wreak havoc on every aspect of our social structures, including education.
As a recently retired teacher and guidance counsellor, it has been heartening to witness the reaction of teachers, as their plans and schemes for the remainder of the 2019/20 school year were plunged into turmoil with school closures.
Many have made extraordinary efforts to embrace technology and online solutions, overnight, to connect with students and to provide for continuity of learning.
READ MORE
This reaction was rooted in the moral purpose that underpins the true meaning of the profession: making a difference in the lives of students. In this regard I would have little fears for the classes of the 2020/21 school year.
There is an old Latin phrase “Docendo Discimus” which, translated, means “by teaching, we learn”. Teachers are role models for their students, demonstrating that they are lead learners themselves.
This drive has been facilitated in no small part by the Education Support Centres of Ireland (ESCI), consisting of 21 centres throughout the country. These centres have traditionally offered face-to-face continuous professional development opportunities for teachers.
A significant factor in the ability of schools and teachers to adapt to the new reality of teaching, post-Covid, was the speed with which these education centres switched their provision to an online webinar model.
Many of the programmes delivered by them over the past three months have been facilitated by teachers themselves, sharing expertise and knowledge in support of their colleagues.
Fifth-year students are a particularly vulnerable group going into the coming academic year, and I understand your fears around the competencies of our teachers to continue to use online teaching as part of their tool kit of skills when schools return in late August.
However, all students, by and large, are in the same boat. The Department of Education is currently planning for the continuation of teaching and learning in the next academic year, to meet the unique needs of teachers and students when schools reopen. I have no doubt measures will be taken to take in account the disruption that students – especially fifth years – have faced.
The education centres will ensure teachers have access to the highest quality expertise in order to continue the quality teaching and learning that our system has been built on, and to enable teachers to support all students, when schools return in the autumn, particularly those who like your son will be facing the Leaving Cert in 2021.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Choosing the right career after school in midst of a global pandemic

There is a danger that the focus on “ calculated grades ” will distract Leaving Cert students from the core questions they need to consider as they transition from school to the next stage in their career path .
We may have a very different Leaving Cert but we still have to make career choices .
It is time that prospective students think less about the intricacies of the new grading system and more about what they want most out of life .
It is probably easier to talk about the “ new normal ” and how things have changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions in a more customary fashion .
A positive side of the changes to this year ’ s Leaving Cert is that we can talk about a normalising of the entry to third level for those entering higher education in 2020 .
Notwithstanding the new system for calculating Leaving Cert grades , the types and ranges of careers and life opportunities have never been as plentiful and accessible .
The Leaving Cert results , however calculated , are a gateway to the next stage of life choices rather than an end in themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freshers of 2020 think and make decisions about future career and education choices without being constrained by the national lockdown .
While the pandemic has wreaked havoc on society , its impact on the long-term future of the current Leaving Cert class will likely be substantially less extreme .
All of the higher education programmes , further education options and other career choices are still available .
So , it is timely to shift our conversations around to the choices and opportunities available for the current Leaving Cert graduates and how they might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
While the experience of students entering college in 2020 will , no doubt , be shaped by the ongoing efforts to stop coronavirus , there are still some “ normals ” that have not changed as a result of the pandemic .
Principal among them will be the skills , abilities and interests of the students .
For students considering college , it is likely the disruption that coronavirus has inflicted on the final stages of the secondary school year will have created greater uncertainty about college choices .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their final CAO decisions until the end of June .
The physical act of sitting the examinations can sometimes serve as a final act of crystallising thinking and marking the decision time .
For that reason , the CAO change-of-mind facility is heavily used in an average year as students grapple with their final preferences .
But the general air of uncertainty that the remodelling of the Leaving Cert has caused need not interfere with the decisions facing students transitioning from secondary .
Indeed , more than ever , applicants should be reflecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making those important career choices .
Normalising the decision in these abnormal times will most likely result in the best decision .
The evidence on performance in higher education clearly points to better college outcomes for students who have selected courses based on their genuine interest and abilities .
Knowing what you are good at rather than how many points you will achieve will likely serve you better in the long run when making college choices .
There may also be a tendency to assume the pandemic has fundamentally changed the nature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employable in the future .
In that regard , it is interesting to reflect on the skills most prized by employers currently , being a team player , the ability to act and think creatively and interpersonal skills such as communication and adaptability .
These are skills that are universal regardless of the pandemic .
They are skills recognised within higher education as essential components of graduate outcomes and will feature strongly in any quality-assured higher education experience .
The plans for first-year entry are well-advanced across the higher education sector .
Third-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced , moving operations into a virtual world , and managing ( albeit it in a contingency fashion ) to complete the academic term and assess the students ’ skills and learning .
Now that there is clarity on how Leaving Cert students will be graded , attention is shifting to supporting , in a meaningful way , the transition from second to third level .
Prospective applicants should be engaging with their higher-education provider of choice and ensuring that their programme choices are really what interests them .
It may be tempting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the outcomes of the expected grades and the CAO points tally rather than the meaningful engagement with a career path and programme of study that genuinely excites the interest of the learner and which leads them to positive career outcomes .
Dr Derek O ’ Byrne is registrar and vice-president for academic affairs at Waterford Institute of Technology

While the experience of students entering college in 2020 will be shaped by efforts to halt coronavirus, there are many things that have not changed. Photograph: iStock
There is a danger that the focus on “calculated grades” will distract Leaving Cert students from the core questions they need to consider as they transition from school to the next stage in their career path.
We may have a very different Leaving Cert but we still have to make career choices. It is time that prospective students think less about the intricacies of the new grading system and more about what they want most out of life.
It is probably easier to talk about the “new normal” and how things have changed than normalising the current pandemic by making decisions in a more customary fashion. A positive side of the changes to this year’s Leaving Cert is that we can talk about a normalising of the entry to third level for those entering higher education in 2020.
Notwithstanding the new system for calculating Leaving Cert grades, the types and ranges of careers and life opportunities have never been as plentiful and accessible. The Leaving Cert results, however calculated, are a gateway to the next stage of life choices rather than an end in themselves.
READ MORE
It is important that the future freshers of 2020 think and make decisions about future career and education choices without being constrained by the national lockdown. While the pandemic has wreaked havoc on society, its impact on the long-term future of the current Leaving Cert class will likely be substantially less extreme. All of the higher education programmes, further education options and other career choices are still available.
So, it is timely to shift our conversations around to the choices and opportunities available for the current Leaving Cert graduates and how they might think about them in the face of the pandemic.
While the experience of students entering college in 2020 will, no doubt, be shaped by the ongoing efforts to stop coronavirus, there are still some “normals” that have not changed as a result of the pandemic. Principal among them will be the skills, abilities and interests of the students.
Change of mind
For students considering college, it is likely the disruption that coronavirus has inflicted on the final stages of the secondary school year will have created greater uncertainty about college choices. Many sixth years may have planned to delay their final CAO decisions until the end of June. The physical act of sitting the examinations can sometimes serve as a final act of crystallising thinking and marking the decision time.
For that reason, the CAO change-of-mind facility is heavily used in an average year as students grapple with their final preferences. But the general air of uncertainty that the remodelling of the Leaving Cert has caused need not interfere with the decisions facing students transitioning from secondary. Indeed, more than ever, applicants should be reflecting on their true interests and abilities in making those important career choices.
Normalising the decision in these abnormal times will most likely result in the best decision. The evidence on performance in higher education clearly points to better college outcomes for students who have selected courses based on their genuine interest and abilities. Knowing what you are good at rather than how many points you will achieve will likely serve you better in the long run when making college choices.
Universal traits
There may also be a tendency to assume the pandemic has fundamentally changed the nature of the skillsets that students need to be employable in the future. In that regard, it is interesting to reflect on the skills most prized by employers currently, being a team player, the ability to act and think creatively and interpersonal skills such as communication and adaptability. These are skills that are universal regardless of the pandemic. They are skills recognised within higher education as essential components of graduate outcomes and will feature strongly in any quality-assured higher education experience.
The plans for first-year entry are well-advanced across the higher education sector. Third-level institutions have generally adapted to the restrictions introduced, moving operations into a virtual world, and managing (albeit it in a contingency fashion) to complete the academic term and assess the students’ skills and learning. Now that there is clarity on how Leaving Cert students will be graded, attention is shifting to supporting, in a meaningful way, the transition from second to third level. Prospective applicants should be engaging with their higher-education provider of choice and ensuring that their programme choices are really what interests them.
It may be tempting in the current situation to be too focused on the outcomes of the expected grades and the CAO points tally rather than the meaningful engagement with a career path and programme of study that genuinely excites the interest of the learner and which leads them to positive career outcomes.
Dr Derek O’Byrne is registrar and vice-president for academic affairs at Waterford Institute of Technology


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Nursing home visits resume: ‘Speaking through the phone just wasn’t the same’

Loveday Quinn ( 75 ) sat inside the reception area of the Belmont House nursing home in Stillorgan , Dublin on Monday afternoon .
“ Is Noel here yet ?
” she quietly asked the staff as she rested in an armchair , looking around her .
“ He ’ ll be here soon , ” she was told .
Just before 3:30pm , Noel and his son Simon arrived and took a seat on the balcony .
They had excited smiles on their faces as they looked through the window to where Mrs Quinn was sitting .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had already been connected through to Mr Quinn ’ s mobile , and the pair were able to speak to each other , although only through the windows to protect the facility ’ s residents from coronavirus “ You look smashing , ” Mr Quinn told his wife .
He held up a copy of Hello magazine through the window and she raised her arms in response .
From Monday , nursing home visits were allowed to resume as part of the Government ’ s roadmap to reopening the country following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which nursing homes reopened to visits depends on the individual facility .
Belmont House has allowed window visits to take place since May 26th , to raise the spirits of the residents and their families , but family members are not allowed to enter the premises .
The facility in Stillorgan hopes to resume normal visits after June 28th .
They operate 30-minute window visits , and for residents who are unable to hold a phone for the duration of the social call , an iPad is placed beside them so they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaker .
Health officials issued general advice to all residential care facilities , stating that each resident should have only two named visitors , each visit being for a maximum of 30 minutes , one visit per person per week being allowed , and children under 16 years are asked not to attend .
Mr Quinn used to visit his wife everyday prior to the coronavirus pandemic , and while he could continue to ring her daily , not being able to see her was what he missed the most .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-and-a-half .
“ I am very much looking forward to being able to sit down with her , ” he said .
“ We brought a cake up for her birthday on June 6th and we sang her Happy Birthday through the window .
But I still can ’ t give her a hug and a kiss.
” He and his son told Mrs Quinn stories about her grandchildren , friends and relatives , showing her pictures and videos , while she smiled along .
Mrs Quinn , who has had a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the virus during the peak of the pandemic , although she was asymptomatic throughout .
While this increased family member ’ s fears about not being able to see her , they said the staff at the facility constantly contacted them with updates .
Her son said it had been a “ very difficult few months ” , adding that not being able to see his mother for two months was upsetting and that it seemed “ much longer ” .
“ Isolation has been hard , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t the same , she doesn ’ t want to stay on the phone .
She ’ s not a phone person anyway , so the phonecalls only last a few minutes.
” Father and son both welcomed the fact that they can now see her in person , but are still missing that physical connection .
“ In a way , you can ’ t wait to give your mum a hug or a kiss , ” her son added .
It appeared Mrs Quinn felt the same , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusion , she grew upset and asked her husband to come inside the centre to her .
He looked at her sadly , before replying : “ I can ’ t come into you , sweetheart , because of the Covid .
”

Loveday Quinn (75) sat inside the reception area of the Belmont House nursing home in Stillorgan, Dublin on Monday afternoon.
“Is Noel here yet?” she quietly asked the staff as she rested in an armchair, looking around her. “He’ll be here soon,” she was told.
Just before 3:30pm, Noel and his son Simon arrived and took a seat on the balcony. They had excited smiles on their faces as they looked through the window to where Mrs Quinn was sitting.
One of the workers handed her a phone, which had already been connected through to Mr Quinn’s mobile, and the pair were able to speak to each other, although only through the windows to protect the facility’s residents from coronavirus
READ MORE
"You look smashing," Mr Quinn told his wife. He held up a copy of Hello magazine through the window and she raised her arms in response.
From Monday, nursing home visits were allowed to resume as part of the Government’s roadmap to reopening the country following the coronavirus pandemic. However, the manner in which nursing homes reopened to visits depends on the individual facility.
Belmont House has allowed window visits to take place since May 26th, to raise the spirits of the residents and their families, but family members are not allowed to enter the premises. The facility in Stillorgan hopes to resume normal visits after June 28th.
They operate 30-minute window visits, and for residents who are unable to hold a phone for the duration of the social call, an iPad is placed beside them so they can hear their loved ones through the speaker.
Health officials issued general advice to all residential care facilities, stating that each resident should have only two named visitors, each visit being for a maximum of 30 minutes, one visit per person per week being allowed, and children under 16 years are asked not to attend.
Mr Quinn used to visit his wife everyday prior to the coronavirus pandemic, and while he could continue to ring her daily, not being able to see her was what he missed the most. She has lived in the facility for the past year-and-a-half.
“I am very much looking forward to being able to sit down with her,” he said. “We brought a cake up for her birthday on June 6th and we sang her Happy Birthday through the window. But I still can’t give her a hug and a kiss.”
He and his son told Mrs Quinn stories about her grandchildren, friends and relatives, showing her pictures and videos, while she smiled along.
Mrs Quinn, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, tested positive for the virus during the peak of the pandemic, although she was asymptomatic throughout.
While this increased family member’s fears about not being able to see her, they said the staff at the facility constantly contacted them with updates.
Her son said it had been a “very difficult few months”, adding that not being able to see his mother for two months was upsetting and that it seemed “much longer”.
“Isolation has been hard,” he said. “Speaking through the phone just wasn’t the same, she doesn’t want to stay on the phone. She’s not a phone person anyway, so the phonecalls only last a few minutes.”
Father and son both welcomed the fact that they can now see her in person, but are still missing that physical connection.
“In a way, you can’t wait to give your mum a hug or a kiss,” her son added.
It appeared Mrs Quinn felt the same, as just before their visit came to a conclusion, she grew upset and asked her husband to come inside the centre to her.
He looked at her sadly, before replying: “I can’t come into you, sweetheart, because of the Covid.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Home ownership emphasised in programme for government

Huge strides in the provision of housing are promised in next five years with more than 50,000 additional social homes , rental reform and home ownership “ within reach of all ” offered by the programme for government .
The parties will put “ affordability at the heart of the housing system ” and will “ prioritise the increased supply of public , social and affordable homes ” .
While social housing provision has previously relied heavily on the private sector , the new government will “ ensure local authorities are central to delivering housing ” .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be provided by State or voluntary organisations , or how much will be “ built ” as opposed to bought or leased , with the document stating “ the majority ” of the 50,000 social homes would be built by local authorities , Approved Housing Bodies and State agencies .
On the issue of home ownership , it says this “ should be within reach of all our citizens ” .
An affordable house purchase scheme , promised several times in the life of the last Government but which never got out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter of priority ” .
The numbers to be provided aren ’ t stated – “ the minister for housing will bring forward a target ” – but the proposed methods of provision are more explicit , with affordable homes requirements for developers , a State-backed affordable purchase scheme , and the use of the Land Development Agency ( LDA ) all in the mix .
In 2000 , under part V of a new planning Act , developers were required to provide 20 per cent of their estates for social and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , the affordable housing element was abolished with developers having to provide 10 per cent social housing only .
Details of the percentage of affordable housing a developer will have to set aside are not in the document and it is listed as a measure the Government will “ explore ” rather than definitely implement .
The precise details of the State-backed scheme aren ’ t there either but it is likely to be similar to the well-promised scheme which would see discounts for low- and middle-income workers .
Other housing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a housing demand assessment to avoid an “ over-concentration of particular housing types ” a measure likely aimed at the growth of the build-to-rent , co-living and student sectors .
Funding for homeless services will be increased , including funding for drug-free hostels .
A commission on housing will be established and an unspecified referendum on housing will be held .
Establishing the LDA on a statutory basis will be done as a “ matter of urgency ” , the programme states .
The point of the organisation remains the same – to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , State agencies and other stakeholders to assemble strategic sites .
However , there appears to be a marked change in its principles , with all mention of it having a role in the provision of private housing eliminated .
When the agency was set up in September 2018 , up to 60 per cent of the houses built on public land could be for the private market , with 30 per cent affordable housing and 10 per cent for social housing .
The document states it will provide homes “ for affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , though no proportions are indicated .
The agency will also have compulsory purchase powers .
The development of cost rental housing , where rent is based on the cost of providing the housing , rather than a market rate rent , was in the last programme for government and had progressed to pilot stage .
The new programme for government also states it will develop a cost rental model .
It will also “ examine ” the creation of a system of holding rental deposits ; reform the Fair Deal scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislate for tenancies of indefinite duration ; strengthen the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms for short-term lettings ; and ensure “ equity and fairness for landlords and tenants ” .
The deal also promises to provide seed capital to local authorities to provide serviced sites at cost in towns and villages for individuals to build homes .

An affordable house purchase scheme will be “a matter of priority”, the programme for government says. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Huge strides in the provision of housing are promised in next five years with more than 50,000 additional social homes, rental reform and home ownership “within reach of all” offered by the programme for government.
The parties will put “affordability at the heart of the housing system” and will “prioritise the increased supply of public, social and affordable homes”.
While social housing provision has previously relied heavily on the private sector, the new government will “ensure local authorities are central to delivering housing”.
However, the document remains vague on just how much will be provided by State or voluntary organisations, or how much will be “built” as opposed to bought or leased, with the document stating “the majority” of the 50,000 social homes would be built by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and State agencies.
READ MORE
On the issue of home ownership, it says this “should be within reach of all our citizens”. An affordable house purchase scheme, promised several times in the life of the last Government but which never got out of starting blocks, will be “a matter of priority”.
The numbers to be provided aren't stated – "the minister for housing will bring forward a target" – but the proposed methods of provision are more explicit, with affordable homes requirements for developers, a State-backed affordable purchase scheme, and the use of the Land Development Agency (LDA) all in the mix .
In 2000, under part V of a new planning Act, developers were required to provide 20 per cent of their estates for social and affordable housing. Just over a decade later, the affordable housing element was abolished with developers having to provide 10 per cent social housing only.
Details of the percentage of affordable housing a developer will have to set aside are not in the document and it is listed as a measure the Government will “explore” rather than definitely implement. The precise details of the State-backed scheme aren’t there either but it is likely to be similar to the well-promised scheme which would see discounts for low- and middle-income workers.
Other housing measures a requirement for local authorities to complete a housing demand assessment to avoid an “over-concentration of particular housing types” a measure likely aimed at the growth of the build-to-rent, co-living and student sectors.
Funding for homeless services will be increased, including funding for drug-free hostels. A commission on housing will be established and an unspecified referendum on housing will be held.
Land Development Agency
Establishing the LDA on a statutory basis will be done as a “matter of urgency”, the programme states. The point of the organisation remains the same – to work with government departments, local authorities, State agencies and other stakeholders to assemble strategic sites. However, there appears to be a marked change in its principles, with all mention of it having a role in the provision of private housing eliminated.
When the agency was set up in September 2018, up to 60 per cent of the houses built on public land could be for the private market, with 30 per cent affordable housing and 10 per cent for social housing.
The document states it will provide homes “for affordable purchase, cost rental and social housing”, though no proportions are indicated. The agency will also have compulsory purchase powers.
The development of cost rental housing, where rent is based on the cost of providing the housing, rather than a market rate rent, was in the last programme for government and had progressed to pilot stage. The new programme for government also states it will develop a cost rental model.
It will also “examine” the creation of a system of holding rental deposits; reform the Fair Deal scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties; legislate for tenancies of indefinite duration; strengthen the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms for short-term lettings; and ensure “equity and fairness for landlords and tenants”.
The deal also promises to provide seed capital to local authorities to provide serviced sites at cost in towns and villages for individuals to build homes.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Priests anxious about being held responsible for safety at Mass

Catholic priests have expressed anxiety about shouldering sole responsibility for the health and safety of people attending Masses and other public church services from the end of the month .
Under Government guidelines , people will be able to attend such services from Monday , June 29th .
“ There is unease , upset and ( in some cases ) anger among priests that they are being manipulated , and ( in some cases ) effectively being bullied , into organising and ‘ carrying the can ’ for the reintroduction of public Masses and for whatever fallout emerges in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said .
It called for “ withdrawal ” of the Catholic bishops ’ church readiness form , published last week , which charges priests “ with individual responsibility for deciding when parishes are ready to proceed with public Masses and to situate that responsibility more appropriately in the management of a parish pastoral council or a designated parish committee ” .
In a statement on Monday it said , “ rather than bishops spelling out what priests are expected to do , it would make more sense if all dioceses might relieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , centrally sourcing resources such as PPE and signage , as well as offering short training courses – possibly online – for those implementing the new regulations ” .
There was “ widespread unhappiness among priests with the expectation , indeed presumption , that they take individual responsibility for orchestrating this demanding and difficult task and by implication to accept blame for , say , a possible cluster of Covid cases in their parish ” .
Both “ the Irish Catholic bishops as a body and the western bishops have circulated meticulous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These made it “ very clear that a ‘ new normal ’ for religious services will be a highly complex project to execute ” , with “ a list of 13 specific guarantees in the Church Readiness Form that parish priests are expected to sign off on before permission is granted for public worship , ” the association said .
Fr John Collins of the association ’ s leadership team said that with the reopening of churches for public worship , “ everybody needs to feel safe and , clearly , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the experts say so and there was [ in ] China at the weekend .
”

Catholic priests have expressed anxiety about shouldering sole responsibility for the health and safety of people attending Masses and other public church services from the end of the month. Under Government guidelines, people will be able to attend such services from Monday, June 29th.
“There is unease, upset and (in some cases) anger among priests that they are being manipulated, and (in some cases) effectively being bullied, into organising and ‘carrying the can’ for the reintroduction of public Masses and for whatever fallout emerges in time,” the Association of Catholic Priests has said.
It called for “withdrawal” of the Catholic bishops’ church readiness form, published last week, which charges priests “with individual responsibility for deciding when parishes are ready to proceed with public Masses and to situate that responsibility more appropriately in the management of a parish pastoral council or a designated parish committee”.
In a statement on Monday it said, “rather than bishops spelling out what priests are expected to do, it would make more sense if all dioceses might relieve some of the burden by, for example, centrally sourcing resources such as PPE and signage, as well as offering short training courses – possibly online – for those implementing the new regulations”.
READ MORE
Highly complex
There was “widespread unhappiness among priests with the expectation, indeed presumption, that they take individual responsibility for orchestrating this demanding and difficult task and by implication to accept blame for, say, a possible cluster of Covid cases in their parish”.
Both “the Irish Catholic bishops as a body and the western bishops have circulated meticulous and comprehensive directions”, they said.
These made it “very clear that a ‘new normal’ for religious services will be a highly complex project to execute”, with “a list of 13 specific guarantees in the Church Readiness Form that parish priests are expected to sign off on before permission is granted for public worship,” the association said.
Fr John Collins of the association's leadership team said that with the reopening of churches for public worship, "everybody needs to feel safe and, clearly, a second Covid-19 wave is coming. All the experts say so and there was [in] China at the weekend."


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Man remanded in custody charged over Cork double stabbing

A man was threatened that he would be killed if he sought medical attention after being stabbed in the throat , arm and leg as he sat in his car in Cork city centre , a court heard .
Gardaí objected to bail for David Ross ( 30 ) of Gurranebraher , Cork when he appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Monday on a number of charges relating to an assault on Trevor O ’ Sullivan and his wife , Kathy Nugent .
Mr Ross is charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr O ’ Sullivan and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Main Street in Cork on October 1st , 2019 and with further charges of threatening to kill both of them .
Det Garda Myles Moran objected to bail being granted on the grounds that he feared Mr Ross would commit further offences if released .
Det Garda Moran said that Mr O ’ Sullivan and Ms Nugent went to the nearby hospital after the attack where it is alleged Mr Ross threatened to kill them .
“ It is alleged by the injured party and his wife that they were threatened when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercy University Hospital , ” said Det Garda Moran .
“ The injured party knows David Ross for over 10 years .
Extensive CCTV footage clearly identified David Ross in the lead-up to and the aftermath of the assault .
The nature of the evidence is very strong.
” He told the court that Mr O ’ Sullivan had to get 50 stitches “ following his horrendous assault.
” Defence barrister Paula McCarthy BL that there was an affidavit from Mr Ross , signed by his solicitor Eddie Burke , stating that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him by gardai if granted bail .
These included that he would reside at an address in Gurranabraher , abstain from intoxicants , keep a curfew , stay away from the injured parties and sign on o regularly at his local Garda station , said Ms McCarthy .
However Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said that the objection to bail was well founded on the basis that more offences could be committed by Mr Ross if he was freed .
He said he was particularly concerned about the allegation the injured parties were threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It appears to me it would be foolhardy to grant bail in this case , ” he said as he refused the application .

The court heard the victims were threatened at Mercy University Hospital in Cork.
A man was threatened that he would be killed if he sought medical attention after being stabbed in the throat, arm and leg as he sat in his car in Cork city centre, a court heard.
Gardaí objected to bail for David Ross (30) of Gurranebraher, Cork when he appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Monday on a number of charges relating to an assault on Trevor O'Sullivan and his wife, Kathy Nugent.
Mr Ross is charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr O’Sullivan and with assault causing harm to Ms Nugent at North Main Street in Cork on October 1st, 2019 and with further charges of threatening to kill both of them.
Det Garda Myles Moran objected to bail being granted on the grounds that he feared Mr Ross would commit further offences if released .
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Det Garda Moran said that Mr O’Sullivan and Ms Nugent went to the nearby hospital after the attack where it is alleged Mr Ross threatened to kill them.
"It is alleged by the injured party and his wife that they were threatened when they sought urgent medical attention at the Mercy University Hospital," said Det Garda Moran.
“The injured party knows David Ross for over 10 years. Extensive CCTV footage clearly identified David Ross in the lead-up to and the aftermath of the assault. The nature of the evidence is very strong.”
He told the court that Mr O’Sullivan had to get 50 stitches “following his horrendous assault.”
Defence barrister Paula McCarthy BL that there was an affidavit from Mr Ross, signed by his solicitor Eddie Burke, stating that he would abide by all conditions required of him by gardai if granted bail.
These included that he would reside at an address in Gurranabraher, abstain from intoxicants, keep a curfew, stay away from the injured parties and sign on o regularly at his local Garda station, said Ms McCarthy.
However Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said that the objection to bail was well founded on the basis that more offences could be committed by Mr Ross if he was freed.
He said he was particularly concerned about the allegation the injured parties were threatened when they went hospital for treatment. “It appears to me it would be foolhardy to grant bail in this case,” he said as he refused the application.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Second World War shells unwittingly used as garden ornaments in Wexford

The Army bomb disposal unit was deployed to Wexford on Monday to deal with two second World War shells which were being unwittingly used as garden ornaments .
It is understood the objects were found by a fisherman and gifted to the owners of a house in the village of Oulart to decorate their garden .
The owners did not know the objects contained potentially live explosives until they put images of them on social media , leading to the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit ( EOD ) being alerted .
The objects have now been assessed and made safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have since been taken away by the EOD team .
It is not known if they will be returned to the owners .
The shells are believed to have been fired from a costal artillery gun , and may have been inert training rounds .
Ireland operated several costal artillery batteries around its coastline before and during the war , which was known here as the Emergency .
The shells may also have originated from a British battery .
A Defence Forces spokesman said it was not possible to put an exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ray Lane , a veteran of the EOD squad and a former commander of the Army Ordnance School , said in the past it was not unusual to find historical pieces of military ordnance in use as household objects by unwitting owners .
These object tend to date to the War of Independence or the Civil War .
Lieut Col Lane said he was once called out to deal with “ a live artillery fuse being used to hold open a door ” .
“ You often get grenades dug up , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Irish Times .
“ I was tasked to Wexford years ago , a farmer had dug projectile up .
I kept digging and found at least 40 more.
” He let the farmer keep the grenades for use as scrap metal as they did not contain any explosives .
Wexford was one of several counties bombed by the Germans during the second World War .
In 1940 , the Luftwaffe dropped bombs on the village of Campile , about 60km from Oulart .
The IRA also operated a makeshift explosives factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Army bomb disposal unit was deployed to Wexford on Monday to deal with two second World War shells which were being unwittingly used as garden ornaments.
It is understood the objects were found by a fisherman and gifted to the owners of a house in the village of Oulart to decorate their garden.
The owners did not know the objects contained potentially live explosives until they put images of them on social media, leading to the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) being alerted.
The objects have now been assessed and made safe. No explosives were found inside and they have since been taken away by the EOD team. It is not known if they will be returned to the owners.
READ MORE
The shells are believed to have been fired from a costal artillery gun, and may have been inert training rounds. Ireland operated several costal artillery batteries around its coastline before and during the war, which was known here as the Emergency.
Unwitting owners
The shells may also have originated from a British battery. A Defence Forces spokesman said it was not possible to put an exact date on them.
Retired Lieut Col Ray Lane, a veteran of the EOD squad and a former commander of the Army Ordnance School, said in the past it was not unusual to find historical pieces of military ordnance in use as household objects by unwitting owners. These object tend to date to the War of Independence or the Civil War.
Lieut Col Lane said he was once called out to deal with “a live artillery fuse being used to hold open a door”.
“You often get grenades dug up, most also manufactured in Ireland,” he told The Irish Times. “I was tasked to Wexford years ago, a farmer had dug projectile up. I kept digging and found at least 40 more.” He let the farmer keep the grenades for use as scrap metal as they did not contain any explosives.
Wexford was one of several counties bombed by the Germans during the second World War. In 1940, the Luftwaffe dropped bombs on the village of Campile, about 60km from Oulart. The IRA also operated a makeshift explosives factory in the county during the Emergency.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Medical Council took no steps to check struck off doctor’s story, court told

The Medical Council has told the High Court it took no steps to check whether a hospital doctor , who was struck off the UK medical register for dishonesty in his practice , was telling the truth when he said there had been no problem with his work here .
That assertion by Dr Aaamir Iqbal Malik to the council in May 2018 was a “ complete lie ” because his employment at Kerry University Hospital had been terminated the previous month and his employment at Cavan general hospital was terminated in October 2017 arising from incidents there , High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The judge welcomed that the council is taking steps to ensure no repeat of such a situation , including by proposing guidelines for employers and clinical directors aimed at ensuring it is promptly informed of fitness to practice issues .
Last month , he granted an application by the council to suspend Dr Malik from the medical register pending further steps under the Medical Practitioners Act .
Such applications are normally heard in private because they concern unproven allegation but the judge directed it be heard in public to protect the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set out what steps it had taken to check Dr Malik ’ s assertion in May 2018 he had been working here for a year then without any problem .
Dr Malik made that assertion when the council was considering whether to apply to the court to suspend him pending an inquiry arising from the March 2018 findings against him in the UK .
He was struck off the medical register there for professional misconduct based on findings of dishonesty in how he conducted his practice as a doctor there .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital as a specialist register in obstetrics/gynaecology , he falsified records concerning his dealings with a woman , who was 41 weeks pregnant and whose baby was delivered stillborn , to suggest he had recommended she be reviewed at more regular intervals .
It also found he failed to meet a requirement to show to any prospective employer an exclusion letter , setting out those findings .
No finding of misconduct was made concerning allegations about his clinical practice and the strike off was made on the basis his fitness to practice was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr Malik was employed at the Kerry hospital from October 2017 to April 2018 when his employment was terminated due to two alleged failures by him to answer calls to attend to urgent deliveries of infants in distress .
A review group headed by Dr Peter Boylan had also interviewed the doctor in October 2017 concerning an incident involving one of his patients at Cavan General Hospital .
When the matter returned before Mr Justice Kelly on Monday , he granted an application by Eileen Barrington SC , for the council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with an address at Staincliffe , Dewsbury , West Yorkshire .
He was not in court and was not represented .
In affidavits , council president Dr Rita Doyle said the council had taken no steps to check the veracity of Dr Malik ’ s May 2018 assertion of no problems with his work here .
His assertion was not the deciding factor in the council not applying to the court in May 2018 , she said .
Its decision was made on all the evidence put before it , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remediation .
It was also reasonable for the council to assume , if there were issues with his employment here , those would have been referred to the council but neither Irish hospital had referred their termination of his employment at the time it occurred .
The council ’ s decision was also on foot of findings by the UK regulator the clinical failings of the doctor were single negligent acts which did not amount to serious misconduct , she said .
When the council was later made aware of the issues at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned and that lead to the application last month to suspend the doctor .
Both hospitals have been asked to inform the council why these serious matters had not been referred to it earlier , she said .
Mr Justice Kelly said this unfortunately was not the first time he had made directions under the Act in addressing defects in how doctors are being dealt with .
It seemed to him any regulator , when considering a doctor who is found guilty of dishonesty in another jurisdiction , should look at any information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scepticism ” but no inquiry was made here .
He noted the council shares the court ’ s concerns such a situation should not be repeated and it has made various proposals , including writing to the Minister for Health , the chief executive of the HSE and the private hospitals association to highlight there should be no delay in referring fitness to practise issues to the council .

The Medical Council is proposing guidelines for employers and clinical directors aimed at ensuring it is promptly informed of fitness to practice issues, the High Court heard. File Photograph: David Sleator
The Medical Council has told the High Court it took no steps to check whether a hospital doctor, who was struck off the UK medical register for dishonesty in his practice, was telling the truth when he said there had been no problem with his work here.
That assertion by Dr Aaamir Iqbal Malik to the council in May 2018 was a "complete lie" because his employment at Kerry University Hospital had been terminated the previous month and his employment at Cavan general hospital was terminated in October 2017 arising from incidents there, High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly said.
The judge welcomed that the council is taking steps to ensure no repeat of such a situation, including by proposing guidelines for employers and clinical directors aimed at ensuring it is promptly informed of fitness to practice issues.
Last month, he granted an application by the council to suspend Dr Malik from the medical register pending further steps under the Medical Practitioners Act. Such applications are normally heard in private because they concern unproven allegation but the judge directed it be heard in public to protect the public.
READ MORE
The judge also asked the council to set out what steps it had taken to check Dr Malik’s assertion in May 2018 he had been working here for a year then without any problem. Dr Malik made that assertion when the council was considering whether to apply to the court to suspend him pending an inquiry arising from the March 2018 findings against him in the UK.
He was struck off the medical register there for professional misconduct based on findings of dishonesty in how he conducted his practice as a doctor there. An inquiry found, while working at a hospital as a specialist register in obstetrics/gynaecology, he falsified records concerning his dealings with a woman, who was 41 weeks pregnant and whose baby was delivered stillborn, to suggest he had recommended she be reviewed at more regular intervals.
It also found he failed to meet a requirement to show to any prospective employer an exclusion letter, setting out those findings. No finding of misconduct was made concerning allegations about his clinical practice and the strike off was made on the basis his fitness to practice was impaired as result of the dishonesty findings.
Dr Malik was employed at the Kerry hospital from October 2017 to April 2018 when his employment was terminated due to two alleged failures by him to answer calls to attend to urgent deliveries of infants in distress.
A review group headed by Dr Peter Boylan had also interviewed the doctor in October 2017 concerning an incident involving one of his patients at Cavan General Hospital.
When the matter returned before Mr Justice Kelly on Monday, he granted an application by Eileen Barrington SC, for the council, to extend the suspension of Dr Malik, with an address at Staincliffe, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. He was not in court and was not represented.
In affidavits, council president Dr Rita Doyle said the council had taken no steps to check the veracity of Dr Malik's May 2018 assertion of no problems with his work here. His assertion was not the deciding factor in the council not applying to the court in May 2018, she said.
Its decision was made on all the evidence put before it, including the doctor’s submissions of having completed remediation. It was also reasonable for the council to assume, if there were issues with his employment here, those would have been referred to the council but neither Irish hospital had referred their termination of his employment at the time it occurred.
The council’s decision was also on foot of findings by the UK regulator the clinical failings of the doctor were single negligent acts which did not amount to serious misconduct, she said. When the council was later made aware of the issues at the Irish hospitals, it was very concerned and that lead to the application last month to suspend the doctor. Both hospitals have been asked to inform the council why these serious matters had not been referred to it earlier, she said.
Mr Justice Kelly said this unfortunately was not the first time he had made directions under the Act in addressing defects in how doctors are being dealt with. It seemed to him any regulator, when considering a doctor who is found guilty of dishonesty in another jurisdiction, should look at any information offered by that doctor with “resolute scepticism” but no inquiry was made here.
He noted the council shares the court’s concerns such a situation should not be repeated and it has made various proposals, including writing to the Minister for Health, the chief executive of the HSE and the private hospitals association to highlight there should be no delay in referring fitness to practise issues to the council.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--House of Lords hears call for protection for NI journalists

Two former Northern secretaries in Labour governments have joined a veteran Conservative adviser in calling for more effective action against paramilitary threats to journalists and politicians in Northern Ireland .
Jonathan Caine , who advised successive Conservative Northern secretaries , raised the issue in the House of Lords , asking what support the British government was giving to journalists and politicians who have recently been threatened by paramilitaries .
“ Does he agree that the recent death threats to journalists and politicians in Northern Ireland from paramilitary groups are quite frankly beyond despicable and have no place in any society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule of law ?
” Lord Caine asked junior minister James Younger .
“ The 2015 Fresh Start agreement , which I helped to negotiate , contained a number of commitments to tackle paramilitary activity .
But while some progress has been made , it is limited .
Does my noble friend agree that everyone in Northern Ireland should be able to go about their daily business without threat or the fear of threat , and that we now urgently need a renewed and serious effort to put all paramilitary groups , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no justification today , out of business for good ?
” Former Labour Northern secretaries Peter Hain and Paul Murphy backed Lord Caine ’ s call , adding that the British government and the Northern Ireland Executive should move urgently to implement a compensation scheme for victims of violence in the North .
Lord Younger said the government endorsed the National Union of Journalists ’ ( NUJ ) statement last month in solidarity with journalists who received threats from paramilitaries and politicians who spoke up for press freedom and also received threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our society , as do the public representatives who have defended press freedoms .
It is unacceptable that they should find themselves threatened for doing their job .
We gave the fullest possible support to efforts to tackle the threat from the groups involved in terrorism and paramilitaries in Northern Ireland , supporting the PSNI with additional security funding and the Northern Ireland Executive ’ s programme to tackle paramilitary activity , criminality and organised crime , ” he said .
Lord Younger said the Executive ’ s strategy for dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , building confidence in the justice system and tackling criminal activity .
But former Ulster Unionist Party leader Reg Empey said it was time for a fresh approach .
“ It is now 22 years since the Belfast Agreement was ratified by referendum .
And yet every single one of the paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland , plus a few that have developed since , are still functioning .
Surely that demonstrates the need for an absolutely fresh start in terms of tackling this paramilitary violence , ” he said .

Former Labour Northern secretary Peter Hain: called for the British government and the Northern Ireland Executive to move urgently to implement a compensation scheme for victims of violence in the North. File Photograph: Tim Whitby/PA
Two former Northern secretaries in Labour governments have joined a veteran Conservative adviser in calling for more effective action against paramilitary threats to journalists and politicians in Northern Ireland.
Jonathan Caine, who advised successive Conservative Northern secretaries, raised the issue in the House of Lords, asking what support the British government was giving to journalists and politicians who have recently been threatened by paramilitaries.
"Does he agree that the recent death threats to journalists and politicians in Northern Ireland from paramilitary groups are quite frankly beyond despicable and have no place in any society that is based upon democracy and the rule of law?" Lord Caine asked junior minister James Younger.
“The 2015 Fresh Start agreement, which I helped to negotiate, contained a number of commitments to tackle paramilitary activity. But while some progress has been made, it is limited. Does my noble friend agree that everyone in Northern Ireland should be able to go about their daily business without threat or the fear of threat, and that we now urgently need a renewed and serious effort to put all paramilitary groups, which were never justified in the past and have no justification today, out of business for good?”
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Former Labour Northern secretaries Peter Hain and Paul Murphy backed Lord Caine's call, adding that the British government and the Northern Ireland Executive should move urgently to implement a compensation scheme for victims of violence in the North.
Lord Younger said the government endorsed the National Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) statement last month in solidarity with journalists who received threats from paramilitaries and politicians who spoke up for press freedom and also received threats.
“Journalists play a vital role in our society, as do the public representatives who have defended press freedoms. It is unacceptable that they should find themselves threatened for doing their job. We gave the fullest possible support to efforts to tackle the threat from the groups involved in terrorism and paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, supporting the PSNI with additional security funding and the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme to tackle paramilitary activity, criminality and organised crime,” he said.
Lord Younger said the Executive’s strategy for dealing with paramilitarism, was based on long-term prevention, building confidence in the justice system and tackling criminal activity.
But former Ulster Unionist Party leader Reg Empey said it was time for a fresh approach. "It is now 22 years since the Belfast Agreement was ratified by referendum. And yet every single one of the paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland, plus a few that have developed since, are still functioning. Surely that demonstrates the need for an absolutely fresh start in terms of tackling this paramilitary violence," he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Man jailed for sexually assaulting fellow homeless man in Cork

A homeless Cork man who sexually assaulted another homeless man sleeping on the street has been jailed for four years .
William Dollard ( 30 ) , who is also homeless , sexually assaulted the 61-year-old man as he lay on top of blankets on the street .
The incident was captured on CCTV .
Dollard , of no fixed abode , was convicted at the Central Criminal Court last October of sexual assault and attempted anal rape of the victim at a location in Co Cork on May 30th , 2017 .
The court heard Dollard had pleaded not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has 26 previous convictions mainly for alcohol-related public order offences and has been in custody since February 2019 .
Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted among the aggravating features that the offences had been carried out on a defenceless and vulnerable intoxicated man who was trying to sleep on the street .
He said the offences had been carried out in a public place in a “ humiliating and degrading way.
” Mr Justice McDermott noted Dollard was also a homeless man with alcohol abuse issues and that a psychologist ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ deep seated and troubling problems.
” He said Dollard was socially isolated from others including family members with very little support .
He took into account that the attempted anal rape had not been completed but said both offences were serious .
He said the offences appeared spontaneous and not part of Dollard ’ s usual behaviour .
Mr Justice McDermott set a headline sentence of six years for the attempted anal rape and , taking into account the mitigation , imposed a sentence of five years and six months with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Conditions include not approaching or contacting the victim .
He imposed a concurrent sentence of two years for the sexual assault A local garda told Timothy O ’ Leary SC , prosecuting , that the older man was laying on a blanket on the street beside a doorway in the early hours of the morning when Dollard , who been observed in the area earlier , returned and lay down behind the man who appeared asleep .
The entire incident , which lasted 11 minutes , was captured on CCTV of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The court heard staff initially believed Dollard was attempting to steal from the man .
Dollard sexually assaulted the man and appeared to attempt to have sexual intercourse with him .
The older man appeared lifeless throughout until gardaí , altered by the staff , arrived .
Garda O ’ Leary said the man did not make a complaint straight away as he was in shock and needed time to think about it .
In his victim impact statement , the victim said he suffered from flashbacks and found it upsetting walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the trial had been difficult but he now wants to move on with his life .
The garda agreed with Blaise O ’ Carroll SC , defending , that Dollard had a serious problem with alcohol abuse and was under the influence of alcohol on the night .
He said he had not known Dollard until this incident .
Mr O ’ Carroll said Dollard had attended UCC and studied archaeology and film production but suffered paranoia and a persecution complex that the world was against him .
He handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dollard had pleaded not guilty and gave evidence at his trial .
He said his client is convinced whoever did this was someone other than him .

William Dollard (30, sexually assaulted the 61-year-old man as he lay on top of blankets on the street. File Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
A homeless Cork man who sexually assaulted another homeless man sleeping on the street has been jailed for four years.
William Dollard (30), who is also homeless, sexually assaulted the 61-year-old man as he lay on top of blankets on the street. The incident was captured on CCTV.
Dollard, of no fixed abode, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court last October of sexual assault and attempted anal rape of the victim at a location in Co Cork on May 30th, 2017.
The court heard Dollard had pleaded not guilty at trial and maintains his innocence.
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He has 26 previous convictions mainly for alcohol-related public order offences and has been in custody since February 2019.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted among the aggravating features that the offences had been carried out on a defenceless and vulnerable intoxicated man who was trying to sleep on the street.
He said the offences had been carried out in a public place in a “humiliating and degrading way.”
Mr Justice McDermott noted Dollard was also a homeless man with alcohol abuse issues and that a psychologist’s report handed into court outlined he had “deep seated and troubling problems.” He said Dollard was socially isolated from others including family members with very little support.
He took into account that the attempted anal rape had not been completed but said both offences were serious. He said the offences appeared spontaneous and not part of Dollard’s usual behaviour.
Mr Justice McDermott set a headline sentence of six years for the attempted anal rape and, taking into account the mitigation, imposed a sentence of five years and six months with the final 18 months suspended for two years. Conditions include not approaching or contacting the victim.
He imposed a concurrent sentence of two years for the sexual assault
A local garda told Timothy O’Leary SC, prosecuting, that the older man was laying on a blanket on the street beside a doorway in the early hours of the morning when Dollard, who been observed in the area earlier, returned and lay down behind the man who appeared asleep.
The entire incident, which lasted 11 minutes, was captured on CCTV of a nearby premises and staff there informed gardaí. The court heard staff initially believed Dollard was attempting to steal from the man.
Dollard sexually assaulted the man and appeared to attempt to have sexual intercourse with him. The older man appeared lifeless throughout until gardaí, altered by the staff, arrived.
Garda O’Leary said the man did not make a complaint straight away as he was in shock and needed time to think about it.
In his victim impact statement, the victim said he suffered from flashbacks and found it upsetting walking past the area where it had happened. He said the trial had been difficult but he now wants to move on with his life.
The garda agreed with Blaise O’Carroll SC, defending, that Dollard had a serious problem with alcohol abuse and was under the influence of alcohol on the night. He said he had not known Dollard until this incident.
Mr O’Carroll said Dollard had attended UCC and studied archaeology and film production but suffered paranoia and a persecution complex that the world was against him. He handed forensic psychologist reports into court.
He said Dollard had pleaded not guilty and gave evidence at his trial. He said his client is convinced whoever did this was someone other than him.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Programme for government: More hospital beds and community services promised

The capacity of the public health service will be built up to protect against further surges of Covid-19 , according to the new draft programme for government .
Extra beds will be provided , children ’ s services will be extended and a range of patient charges will be cut , the document promises .
An “ intense focus ” will be maintained on Covid-19 following the principles of “ isolate , test , trace and treat ” the disease , to ensure a speedy reaction should there be an increase in cases .
While promising to ensure there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the document says we need to learn from and build on some responses during the pandemic , particularly in electronic health and prescribing .
It promises to accelerate the implementation of Sláintecare , the 10-year programmes for the future of the health services agreed on an all-party basis in 2017 .
“ Many of the healthcare responses to Covid-19 are important elements of Sláintecare , and we will identify how to keep the gains , ” the document states .
“ Underpinning our approach will be the provision of more health services in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed , ICU and critical care capacity and the promotion of good public health policy.
” Among the specific promises in the programme for government are an increase in home-care hours and the introduction of a statutory home-care scheme ; the extension of free GP care to “ more ” children and to carers ; and the abolition of inpatient hospital charges for children .
Free dental care for children is to be extended and prescription charges and the drug payment scheme threshold will be reduced .
Carparking charges at hospitals will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income threshold for medical cards for over-70s will be increased .
Talks will also begin with pharmacists on a new contract and an extension of their role in providing services .
The document promises the new national children ’ s hospital will be opened and building of the new maternity hospital at St Vincent ’ s Hospital will start once governance arrangements have been “ concluded ” .
The programme for government says the way claims for medical negligence are handled will be “ re-assessed ” so the Irish regime is brought into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may become a legal “ first resort ” for disputes .
There are plans to increase excise duty on tobacco , use taxation to discourage vaping and introduce planning restrictions on outlets selling junk food and drinks adjacent to schools .
The document also promises to “ work to end ” the admission of children to adult psychiatric units through an increase in inpatient beds and new ways of assigning these beds .
Sinn Féin health spokeswoman Louise O ’ Reilly described the health proposals in the document as a “ rehash of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brushstroke , helicopter view ” of the future for the sector .
She expressed alarm over the document ’ s failure to promise an end to private care in public hospitals , and to consultant pay inequality , and said Slaintecare ’ s proposals for universal healthcare had been replaced by a promise instead of “ affordable ” healthcare .

Extra beds in hospitals have been promised as part of health plans in the new programme for government. Photograph: iStock
The capacity of the public health service will be built up to protect against further surges of Covid-19, according to the new draft programme for government.
Extra beds will be provided, children’s services will be extended and a range of patient charges will be cut, the document promises.
An “intense focus” will be maintained on Covid-19 following the principles of “isolate, test, trace and treat” the disease, to ensure a speedy reaction should there be an increase in cases.
While promising to ensure there is capacity for future surges of Covid-19, the document says we need to learn from and build on some responses during the pandemic, particularly in electronic health and prescribing.
READ MORE
It promises to accelerate the implementation of Sláintecare, the 10-year programmes for the future of the health services agreed on an all-party basis in 2017.
“Many of the healthcare responses to Covid-19 are important elements of Sláintecare, and we will identify how to keep the gains,” the document states. “Underpinning our approach will be the provision of more health services in the community, increases in capacity including bed, ICU and critical care capacity and the promotion of good public health policy.”
Among the specific promises in the programme for government are an increase in home-care hours and the introduction of a statutory home-care scheme; the extension of free GP care to “more” children and to carers; and the abolition of inpatient hospital charges for children.
Free dental care for children is to be extended and prescription charges and the drug payment scheme threshold will be reduced.
Carparking charges at hospitals will be capped “where possible” and the income threshold for medical cards for over-70s will be increased.
Talks will also begin with pharmacists on a new contract and an extension of their role in providing services.
The document promises the new national children’s hospital will be opened and building of the new maternity hospital at St Vincent’s Hospital will start once governance arrangements have been “concluded”.
The programme for government says the way claims for medical negligence are handled will be “re-assessed” so the Irish regime is brought into line with other OECD countries. Mediation may become a legal “first resort” for disputes.
There are plans to increase excise duty on tobacco, use taxation to discourage vaping and introduce planning restrictions on outlets selling junk food and drinks adjacent to schools.
The document also promises to “work to end” the admission of children to adult psychiatric units through an increase in inpatient beds and new ways of assigning these beds.
Sinn Féin health spokeswoman Louise O’Reilly described the health proposals in the document as a “rehash of old announcements” and a “broad brushstroke, helicopter view” of the future for the sector.
She expressed alarm over the document’s failure to promise an end to private care in public hospitals, and to consultant pay inequality, and said Slaintecare’s proposals for universal healthcare had been replaced by a promise instead of “affordable” healthcare.


theirishtimes--2020-06-15--Dublin man admits having two sub-machine guns and a grenade

A man has admitted attacking two gardaí and having two sub-machine guns and a hand grenade near his home in north Dublin last year .
Derek Devoy ( 37 ) with an address at Balbutcher Lane , Poppintree , Ballymun , Dublin 11 , was charged with possession of a 9mm Makarov PM 63 sub-machine gun , at Crannogue Road , Ballymun , Dublin on March 11th , 2019 .
Devoy was also charged with having in his possession an M75 hand grenade with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property at Crannogue Road on the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of assaulting Garda Andrew O ’ Connor and Garda Conor Garland near his home .
The four counts were put to the accused att the Special Criminal Court on Monday .
When asked how he pleaded to each charge , Devoy said : “ Guilty , judge ” .
Devoy previously pleaded guilty to possessing a RAK-PM63 sub machine gun with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury at Crannogue Road , Ballymun , Dublin 11 on March 11th , 2019 .
Devoy was remanded in custody to appear before the three-judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22nd .

Derek Devoy was remanded in custody until next Monday.
A man has admitted attacking two gardaí and having two sub-machine guns and a hand grenade near his home in north Dublin last year.
Derek Devoy (37) with an address at Balbutcher Lane, Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was charged with possession of a 9mm Makarov PM 63 sub-machine gun, at Crannogue Road, Ballymun, Dublin on March 11th, 2019.
Devoy was also charged with having in his possession an M75 hand grenade with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property at Crannogue Road on the same date.
Devoy also faced two charges of assaulting Garda Andrew O’Connor and Garda Conor Garland near his home.
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The four counts were put to the accused att the Special Criminal Court on Monday.
When asked how he pleaded to each charge, Devoy said: “Guilty, judge”.
Devoy previously pleaded guilty to possessing a RAK-PM63 sub machine gun with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury at Crannogue Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11 on March 11th, 2019.
Devoy was remanded in custody to appear before the three-judge Special Criminal Court next Monday, June 22nd.