theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Stockholm Syndrome kicks in for the Chuckle Sisters

How is it that Arlene Foster and Michelle O ’ Neill seem to be getting on so well ?
In the past couple of weeks the DUP First Minister and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister appear to be pulling much better together .
But is it real or are they faking it ?
It is an interesting question , especially since in early April , as the coronavirus crisis was escalating , the Northern Executive was in turmoil with Sinn Féin being seen “ as against the rest ” .
Then Sinn Féin had excoriated ministers from the other four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance – with most of its ire directed at UUP health minister Robin Swann .
The toxic brew had been bubbling from March but erupted publicly on April 2nd when O ’ Neill declined to express confidence in Swann when quizzed on the BBC ’ s The View current affairs programme .
There were rows , too , over slow coronavirus testing , the closing of schools and the lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) in healthcare settings .
In particular , they clashed over Stormont “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 strategy .
There was a real sense that collegial responsibility – the glue needed to keep administrations together – was being jettisoned in Stormont , just three months after the Northern Executive ’ s restoration .
There were fears that it could collapse again .
Facing into Covid-19 , the public wanted comfort that politicians could work together .
In March and early April that appeared impossible .
But fast forward to 10 days ago and Foster and O ’ Neill are presenting a united front in an interview on Sky TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can work together in difficult times , ” said Foster .
“ I believe that the past number of months , because of Covid-19 , has probably brought us closer together , ” agreed O ’ Neill .
It was remarkable in its own way .
Foster and O ’ Neill have stood together before for sure .
Too often , however , their body language when they were together told more about how far they were apart .
Now , the relationship has relaxed , partly caused by a bond created , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their mothers ended up in hospital during the lockdown .
Besides joking together about a desire for hairdressers , Foster said she and O ’ Neill were seeing so much of each other that they now qualify for being practically the “ same household ” .
It ’ s an old story in politics : put people together long enough and Stockholm Syndrome kicks in , creating amity where there was hostility .
And no harm either : The Chuckle Brothers camaraderie during the days of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging for Northern Ireland society .
But is it real or an illusion , or just pragmatic politics to get the DUP and Sinn Féin over a hump when for the sake of appearances they need to be seen to be working together ?
In time , will everything revert to antagonistic Green-Orange politics ?
Privately , senior observers say the Foster/O ’ Neill collaboration is genuine , and one that has withstood some strong buffeting .
For instance last month , the DUP had to swallow hard when at an Assembly committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teed up colleague and junior minister Declan Kearney to prematurely disclose that due to Brexit , new physical border posts would be created at Northern Ireland ports .
What was unsaid but poisonously implicit was that the DUP ’ s propping up of the previous Conservative government in London hadn ’ t prevented what unionists abhor – a border on the Irish Sea .
Still , the DUP didn ’ t become too exercised over the issue , mostly taking on the chin the anger of the Ulster Unionists and the Traditional Unionist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ we told you so ” jibes of the SDLP .
Last month , Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said in a newspaper interview that the IRA ’ s campaign of violence was “ justified ” and that had she been the right age , there was “ every chance ” she would have joined up .
The DUP dealt with that with the expected condemnatory responses from Gregory Campbell and Jeffrey Donaldson , but their reaction was not amplified to a point where it could damage the Foster-O ’ Neill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one DUP source argued that McDonald ’ s remarks to the Sunday Independent would do her and Sinn Féin more harm than good .
From now on , he argued , she will be faced with regular questions on which particular IRA killings she felt were justified – Bloody Friday , Enniskillen , Mullaghmore , Warrington , Shankill Road ?
Furthermore , it would remind unionists – some who switched to Alliance and who could be enticed back by the DUP – of Gerry Adams ’ s old line about the IRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone away , you know ” .
In all , the DUP could live with the aggravation .
Previously , there were serious tensions over claims – and they are more than claims – that the DUP was looking to London and Sinn Féin to Dublin on how to tackle coronavirus .
But Foster and O ’ Neill cracked that conundrum as well by agreeing a route out of lockdown that was custom-made for Northern Ireland , a move that was generally welcomed .
But why did their rapprochement happen in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , but pragmatism and Stormont ’ s survival drove matters , too .
If they didn ’ t swim together , they would sink together .
It took three years to resurrect Stormont after the collapse of January 2017 .
How would the Northern Ireland public feel if the DUP and Sinn Féin wrecked it in three months , particularly during the Covid-19 crisis ?
Moreover , what would be the view in the Republic about Sinn Féin ’ s ability to be part of a Dáil administration , or act as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsed again ?
Very shortly after , O ’ Neill cut loose with her criticisms on The View that there was a gut realisation that public squabbling was not serving the interests of either Sinn Féin or the DUP .
Indeed , the day after the interview , Sinn Féin finance minister Conor Murphy was embroiled in a controversy over whether a joint order for PPE from China had been made with the Irish Government .
No such order had been placed .
Foster ’ s party had a golden opportunity to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears it consciously decided not to press home its advantage , though DUP MLA Paul Frew did raise the issue again this week .
Perhaps it was mere coincidence , but there was an example of possible Sinn Féin reciprocation when , again the day after The View interview , Murphy almost casually told the BBC that if there were a request for the British army to assist in tackling Covid-19 in the North , Sinn Féin would be open to such a proposal .
“ All rules are out the window , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously said it would do whatever was right to combat the virus , hearing a willingness from the mouth of a former IRA member to see the British army back on the streets was rather startling .
Of course it all could turn for the worse on a sixpence .
For instance , when the pandemic eases , the constitutional question will be thrust back high up the agenda .
But if the DUP and Sinn Féin could permit that debate to continue in a way that was somehow decoupled from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then perhaps the Foster-O ’ Neill accord could be maintained .
In the Sky News interview , O ’ Neill said neither she nor Foster were going to change their republican and unionist allegiances .
“ That ’ s just politics , ” she acknowledged .
So , maybe a sensible accommodation can be reached .
Equally , however , some Unionists suspect that signs of the O ’ Neill/Foster harmony will be seen as too cosy by old Republican backroom influencers interested in agitating the cauldron .
Or to quote one unionist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HQ in Belfast : “ When the boys in Connolly House get involved , that ’ s when things can go off the rails.
” Right now , the mood is cordial , but it should not be overplayed .
While there is warmth between the two women , there is also a certain reserve .
Yet , it is clear they are making the effort .
As to whether this is a fake conciliation , one senior Stormont figure dealt with that question very simply and , probably , accurately , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are getting on well together you can see it , when they are fighting they can ’ t hide it .
”

Belfast mural depicting Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill (L) and the DUP’s Arlene Foster as the unlikely bedfellow characters from the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty
How is it that Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill seem to be getting on so well? In the past couple of weeks the DUP First Minister and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister appear to be pulling much better together.
But is it real or are they faking it? It is an interesting question, especially since in early April, as the coronavirus crisis was escalating, the Northern Executive was in turmoil with Sinn Féin being seen “as against the rest”.
Then Sinn Féin had excoriated ministers from the other four parties – the DUP, SDLP, Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance – with most of its ire directed at UUP health minister Robin Swann.
The toxic brew had been bubbling from March but erupted publicly on April 2nd when O’Neill declined to express confidence in Swann when quizzed on the BBC’s The View current affairs programme.
READ MORE
There were rows, too, over slow coronavirus testing, the closing of schools and the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings. In particular, they clashed over Stormont "slavishly" following Boris Johnson's Covid-19 strategy.
There was a real sense that collegial responsibility – the glue needed to keep administrations together – was being jettisoned in Stormont, just three months after the Northern Executive’s restoration.
There were fears that it could collapse again. Facing into Covid-19, the public wanted comfort that politicians could work together. In March and early April that appeared impossible.
But fast forward to 10 days ago and Foster and O'Neill are presenting a united front in an interview on Sky TV.
It's an old story in politics: put people together long enough and Stockholm Syndrome kicks in, creating amity where there was hostility
“We have shown that we can work together in difficult times,” said Foster.
“I believe that the past number of months, because of Covid-19, has probably brought us closer together,” agreed O’Neill.
It was remarkable in its own way. Foster and O’Neill have stood together before for sure. Too often, however, their body language when they were together told more about how far they were apart.
Now, the relationship has relaxed, partly caused by a bond created, as O’Neill revealed, both of their mothers ended up in hospital during the lockdown.
Besides joking together about a desire for hairdressers, Foster said she and O’Neill were seeing so much of each other that they now qualify for being practically the “same household”.
It's an old story in politics: put people together long enough and Stockholm Syndrome kicks in, creating amity where there was hostility. And no harm either: The Chuckle Brothers camaraderie during the days of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness – though often parodied – was contagious and encouraging for Northern Ireland society.
Green-Orange
But is it real or an illusion, or just pragmatic politics to get the DUP and Sinn Féin over a hump when for the sake of appearances they need to be seen to be working together?
In time, will everything revert to antagonistic Green-Orange politics? Privately, senior observers say the Foster/O’Neill collaboration is genuine, and one that has withstood some strong buffeting.
For instance last month, the DUP had to swallow hard when at an Assembly committee, Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson nicely teed up colleague and junior minister Declan Kearney to prematurely disclose that due to Brexit, new physical border posts would be created at Northern Ireland ports.
What was unsaid but poisonously implicit was that the DUP’s propping up of the previous Conservative government in London hadn’t prevented what unionists abhor – a border on the Irish Sea.
Still, the DUP didn't become too exercised over the issue, mostly taking on the chin the anger of the Ulster Unionists and the Traditional Unionist Voice's Jim Allister, and the "we told you so" jibes of the SDLP.
Last month, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said in a newspaper interview that the IRA’s campaign of violence was “justified” and that had she been the right age, there was “every chance” she would have joined up.
The DUP dealt with that with the expected condemnatory responses from Gregory Campbell and Jeffrey Donaldson, but their reaction was not amplified to a point where it could damage the Foster-O'Neill partnership.
Explaining the relatively composed reaction, one DUP source argued that McDonald’s remarks to the Sunday Independent would do her and Sinn Féin more harm than good.
From now on, he argued, she will be faced with regular questions on which particular IRA killings she felt were justified – Bloody Friday, Enniskillen, Mullaghmore, Warrington, Shankill Road?
Furthermore, it would remind unionists – some who switched to Alliance and who could be enticed back by the DUP – of Gerry Adams’s old line about the IRA, that “they haven’t gone away, you know”. In all, the DUP could live with the aggravation.
Previously, there were serious tensions over claims – and they are more than claims – that the DUP was looking to London and Sinn Féin to Dublin on how to tackle coronavirus. But Foster and O’Neill cracked that conundrum as well by agreeing a route out of lockdown that was custom-made for Northern Ireland, a move that was generally welcomed.
But why did their rapprochement happen in the first place? Regular personal contact played its part, but pragmatism and Stormont’s survival drove matters, too. If they didn’t swim together, they would sink together.
Stormont collapse
It took three years to resurrect Stormont after the collapse of January 2017. How would the Northern Ireland public feel if the DUP and Sinn Féin wrecked it in three months, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis?
Moreover, what would be the view in the Republic about Sinn Féin’s ability to be part of a Dáil administration, or act as a credible main opposition, had Stormont collapsed again?
Very shortly after, O’Neill cut loose with her criticisms on The View that there was a gut realisation that public squabbling was not serving the interests of either Sinn Féin or the DUP.
Indeed, the day after the interview, Sinn Féin finance minister Conor Murphy was embroiled in a controversy over whether a joint order for PPE from China had been made with the Irish Government. No such order had been placed.
Foster's party had a golden opportunity to make mischief for Sinn Féin, but it appears it consciously decided not to press home its advantage, though DUP MLA Paul Frew did raise the issue again this week.
Perhaps it was mere coincidence, but there was an example of possible Sinn Féin reciprocation when, again the day after The View interview, Murphy almost casually told the BBC that if there were a request for the British army to assist in tackling Covid-19 in the North, Sinn Féin would be open to such a proposal. “All rules are out the window,” he said.
While Sinn Fine had previously said it would do whatever was right to combat the virus, hearing a willingness from the mouth of a former IRA member to see the British army back on the streets was rather startling.
Of course it all could turn for the worse on a sixpence. For instance, when the pandemic eases, the constitutional question will be thrust back high up the agenda.
But if the DUP and Sinn Féin could permit that debate to continue in a way that was somehow decoupled from the normal politics of running Northern Ireland, then perhaps the Foster-O’Neill accord could be maintained.
In the Sky News interview, O’Neill said neither she nor Foster were going to change their republican and unionist allegiances. “That’s just politics,” she acknowledged. So, maybe a sensible accommodation can be reached.
Equally, however, some Unionists suspect that signs of the O'Neill/Foster harmony will be seen as too cosy by old Republican backroom influencers interested in agitating the cauldron. Or to quote one unionist source, referring to the Sinn Féin HQ in Belfast: "When the boys in Connolly House get involved, that's when things can go off the rails."
Right now, the mood is cordial, but it should not be overplayed. While there is warmth between the two women, there is also a certain reserve. Yet, it is clear they are making the effort.
As to whether this is a fake conciliation, one senior Stormont figure dealt with that question very simply and, probably, accurately, “The thing is with Arlene and Michelle when they are getting on well together you can see it, when they are fighting they can’t hide it.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Migrants better educated than Irish but more likely to be jobless, study shows

Many migrant groups have a higher education level , but a lower employment level than Irish-born citizens , new research by the State ’ s economic think tank finds .
According to the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) , most migrant groups of working age are more likely to hold a third-level qualification than people born in Ireland , of whom about 40 per cent have a qualification .
Despite this , many first-generation migrant groups have higher unemployment rates than respondents born in Ireland , with migrants from Africa having a particular disadvantage , the researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded by the Department of Justice , shows the difference between African-born and Irish-born people is linked to a higher unemployment rate among those with black ethnicity than those of white ethnicity .
Migrants from countries with a high rate of asylum applications to Ireland were found to have worse labour market outcomes , even after accounting for their education , English language skills , age , gender , ethnicity , nationality and duration of residence in Ireland .
The researchers believe this could be as a result of a number of factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by protection applicants prior to and during migration , or time spent in the protection system , particularly if prolonged .
When employed , migrants from many Asian countries , as well as North America , are more likely to work in a professional or managerial job than those who are Irish-born .
Migrants born in EU countries have lower rates of unemployment than other migrants .
However , among those who are working , EU migrants are less likely to work in high-skilled jobs .
Part of this difference is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routes , as non-EU migrants who enter Ireland via the work permit system come to work in high-skilled jobs , while EU migrants have unrestricted access and do not need to be highly skilled .
Migrants with higher educational qualifications and better English language skills are less likely to be unemployed and more likely to be working in professional or managerial jobs .
Frances McGinnity , the author of the report , said the findings highlight the importance of English-language skills and of recognising foreign qualifications in the Irish labour market .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come through the protection system may need additional supports to integrate into the labour market .
Measures to address ethnic discrimination in the labour market are also important , ” Ms McGinnity said .
Publishing the report , David Stanton , Minister of State for Equality , Immigration and Integration , said it allows policymakers to “ see how someone ’ s integration journey is influenced by their country of origin ” .
“ This gives us a better understanding of who is more likely to face barriers to integration , what these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective policies to support people in overcoming them , ” he added .

Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton: ‘This gives us a better understanding of who is more likely to face barriers to integration.’ File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Many migrant groups have a higher education level, but a lower employment level than Irish-born citizens, new research by the State’s economic think tank finds.
According to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), most migrant groups of working age are more likely to hold a third-level qualification than people born in Ireland, of whom about 40 per cent have a qualification.
Despite this, many first-generation migrant groups have higher unemployment rates than respondents born in Ireland, with migrants from Africa having a particular disadvantage, the researchers found.
The study, which was funded by the Department of Justice, shows the difference between African-born and Irish-born people is linked to a higher unemployment rate among those with black ethnicity than those of white ethnicity.
READ MORE
Migrants from countries with a high rate of asylum applications to Ireland were found to have worse labour market outcomes, even after accounting for their education, English language skills, age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and duration of residence in Ireland.
Trauma
The researchers believe this could be as a result of a number of factors, including the trauma and disruption experienced by protection applicants prior to and during migration, or time spent in the protection system, particularly if prolonged.
When employed, migrants from many Asian countries, as well as North America, are more likely to work in a professional or managerial job than those who are Irish-born.
Migrants born in EU countries have lower rates of unemployment than other migrants. However, among those who are working, EU migrants are less likely to work in high-skilled jobs.
Part of this difference is likely to be due to differences in the entry routes, as non-EU migrants who enter Ireland via the work permit system come to work in high-skilled jobs, while EU migrants have unrestricted access and do not need to be highly skilled.
Managerial
Migrants with higher educational qualifications and better English language skills are less likely to be unemployed and more likely to be working in professional or managerial jobs.
Frances McGinnity, the author of the report, said the findings highlight the importance of English-language skills and of recognising foreign qualifications in the Irish labour market.
“They also suggest that those who have come through the protection system may need additional supports to integrate into the labour market. Measures to address ethnic discrimination in the labour market are also important,” Ms McGinnity said.
Publishing the report, David Stanton, Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, said it allows policymakers to "see how someone's integration journey is influenced by their country of origin".
“This gives us a better understanding of who is more likely to face barriers to integration, what these barriers are, and how to formulate effective policies to support people in overcoming them,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Covid-19: Varadkar downplays expectation of accelerated lifting of restrictions

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has downplayed expectations of an imminent acceleration of the Government ’ s roadmap to lift coronavirus restrictions .
However , Mr Varadkar , in an email to Fine Gael members on Wednesday night , said he is “ confident ” the country can progress to the second phase of the plan next Monday .
The Cabinet is expected to make such a decision on Friday on the recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) .
“ We are now nearing the end of Phase One of our plan to re-open business and society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet will meet on Friday to decide whether it is safe to move to Phase Two .
I am confident that it will be .
As I have always said , our plan to re-open the country can be accelerated if it safe to do so .
“ But , I want to be confident that it is safe before making that move .
I am concerned that many are calling for us to speed up before we even know for sure what impact the Phase One lifting of restrictions has had on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it is better to adopt this slow and steady approach than to go too fast and risk falling backwards.
” The 5 kilometre travel restriction is due to be replaed by a 20 kilometre travel restriction next Monday , June 8th .
This is due to apply until July 20th , when people would then be allowed travel outside their region .
There have been suggestions that allowing people to travel outside their region could be brought forward to June 29th to boost the domestic tourism industry , and that this change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a well placed source said it was now not clear if the Government will “ get into that ” .

“I am concerned that many are calling for us to speed up before we even know for sure what impact the Phase One lifting of restrictions has had on the spread of the disease,” the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Fine Gael members in an email about Covid-19.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has downplayed expectations of an imminent acceleration of the Government's roadmap to lift coronavirus restrictions.
However, Mr Varadkar, in an email to Fine Gael members on Wednesday night, said he is "confident" the country can progress to the second phase of the plan next Monday.
The Cabinet is expected to make such a decision on Friday on the recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
“We are now nearing the end of Phase One of our plan to re-open business and society,” the email said.
READ MORE
“Cabinet will meet on Friday to decide whether it is safe to move to Phase Two. I am confident that it will be. As I have always said, our plan to re-open the country can be accelerated if it safe to do so.
“But, I want to be confident that it is safe before making that move. I am concerned that many are calling for us to speed up before we even know for sure what impact the Phase One lifting of restrictions has had on the spread of the disease. I think it is better to adopt this slow and steady approach than to go too fast and risk falling backwards.”
The 5 kilometre travel restriction is due to be replaed by a 20 kilometre travel restriction next Monday, June 8th.
This is due to apply until July 20th, when people would then be allowed travel outside their region. There have been suggestions that allowing people to travel outside their region could be brought forward to June 29th to boost the domestic tourism industry, and that this change could be flagged this week.
However, a well placed source said it was now not clear if the Government will “get into that”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--What Ireland’s exceptional drought means for our water supply

A second hosepipe ban in two years is likely , why is this happening ?
It is hard to reconcile that vast tracts of the country were subjected to extreme flooding in late January and early February while four months later we are facing a likely hosepipe ban for the coming summer – the second such ban in two years .
Such extremes , however , are exactly what is predicted for Ireland in a world which month after month is seeing record temperatures due to carbon emissions derived from human activity .
A combination of prolonged flooding episodes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) summer heatwaves are forecast for the country , as well as extreme weather events in the form of storms that are more intense .
At this point , we are in the midst of a prolonged drought , with nothing in mid-range weather forecasts to suggest it will end soon .
Once again , it has exposed the country ’ s vulnerability due to cavalier attitudes among consumers about the need for water conservation and poor “ resilience ” in the water supply system – a problem that is most acute in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data indicate about our weather this year ?
Met Éireann records show we have had 37 dry spells ( 15 consecutive days with less than 1mm of rain ) in the past two months .
Data covering more than 30 years shows that we would normally only have about 37 dry spells over the course of a year in Ireland , according to the Water Forum , a statutory advisory body .
The Dublin region has had its driest spring since 1837 , at a time when the need for extra hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 per cent greater demand for water .
What ’ s more , according to analysis by Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units ( Icarus ) in Maynooth University , drought conditions now are more extreme – and earlier in the year – compared with 2018 .
“ Truly remarkable is the fact that combined rainfall totals for April and May 2020 rank as the driest consecutive two months ever recorded at Phoenix Park , the longest running continuous series in the Republic , ” it notes in its latest monitoring blog .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been tracking water levels since mid-March ; they are now 10 times lower than over the previous five years .
Typically , water availability in Dublin and the eastern region has been on average just 1 per cent above demand .
There is every likelihood the extent of drought and water shortages is being exacerbated by climate disruption driven by CO2 emissions – though heatwaves can be a feature of natural weather patterns .
How can a country with plenty of rain end up having to restrict water usage ?
The State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first issue is poor water-supply infrastructure , as indicated by high levels of leakage concentrated in the area of biggest demand : the Dublin region .
The capacity to maintain supplies in the capital is on a knife-edge , with an overreliance on water taken from the river Liffey .
Latest indications suggest that 45 per cent of Dublin ’ s water is lost due to leaks .
“ There has also been a disappointing drop-off in the number of leak repairs completed under the First Fix Scheme from mid-2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Body warned earlier this year .
“ By any measure , Ireland ’ s leakage rate is unacceptable , ” it added .
The second issue evident across the country is lack of routine water conservation , reuse and recycling while water remains free for householders .
Evidence has shown the lack of a water charge leads to overuse , and our current regime in this regard puts us at odds with most modern economies .
What are the risks from prolonged water shortages ?
Due to the threat from coronavirus , water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus ; washing your hands is a key preventative action – and will continue to be so , inevitably increasing demand for water .
The threat , however , goes much further .
Extended dry weather amid continued demand will result in lower water levels in rivers and lakes which are the source of public drinking-water supply for more than 80 per cent of the Irish population , the Water Forum notes .
Lower water levels mean there is less water to dilute pollutants , so discharges to rivers and lakes will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with resulting impact on flora and fauna .
Low water levels impact on “ recharge rates ” for groundwater sources and this can impact on water supply to small private supplies .
Water shortages also mean more water is taken from rivers to irrigate land , putting further pressure on drinking supplies .
How are the State ’ s water supply issues going to be solved ?
Irish Water is currently preparing a National Water Resources Plan that aims to ensure a sustainable , secure and reliable water supply for the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of water available in our rivers , lakes and groundwater systems and calculate the demand from businesses and homes .
It will also factor in the impact of climate change on the geographic distribution of water resources .
Piping water from the Shannon river south of Lough Derg will be the utility ’ s key action towards solving Dublin ’ s supply difficulties , though that is likely to cost in excess of €1.6 billion and won ’ t solve the city ’ s leakage problem .
Irish Water has an extensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost factors and disruptions in busy urban areas mean it ’ s a far from straightforward task .
Those favouring more aggressive efforts to tackle leakage point to less disruptive and more technologically advanced options now available for use in big cities .
Conservation has to be part of the mix – a national conversation on this is long overdue .
What is the immediate outlook from here ?
It is important to note this drought is ongoing .
The numbers are exceptional to date and large soil moisture deficits exist , Icarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural production , especially in the form of likely fodder shortages .
It will take a considerable amount of rain to bring this drought event to an end .
Continued dry conditions will make the 2020 drought an even more remarkable event than in 2018 , when the first water conservation order ( hosepipe ban ) was introduced .
While forecasts for the coming weeks show some chance of rain , the totals for now look to be small .
The longer-term seasonal forecasts for this summer , while uncertain , suggest a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western Europe , Icarus predicts .
While the drought of 2020 is more limited in spatial scale so far , affecting the east most intensely , the unfolding situation needs to be carefully monitored .
Unlike in 2018 , we now find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic where water has taken on a new public health importance and created new vulnerabilities .
Longer term , the Irish climate is projected to warm across all seasons , with every indication that living with regular hosepipe bans will be an inevitable consequence @

The State is facing a second hosepipe ban in the space of two years. File photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA
A second hosepipe ban in two years is likely, why is this happening?
It is hard to reconcile that vast tracts of the country were subjected to extreme flooding in late January and early February while four months later we are facing a likely hosepipe ban for the coming summer – the second such ban in two years.
Such extremes, however, are exactly what is predicted for Ireland in a world which month after month is seeing record temperatures due to carbon emissions derived from human activity.
A combination of prolonged flooding episodes in winter and more frequent (and longer) summer heatwaves are forecast for the country, as well as extreme weather events in the form of storms that are more intense.
At this point, we are in the midst of a prolonged drought, with nothing in mid-range weather forecasts to suggest it will end soon.
READ MORE
Once again, it has exposed the country’s vulnerability due to cavalier attitudes among consumers about the need for water conservation and poor “resilience” in the water supply system – a problem that is most acute in the greater Dublin region.
What does the data indicate about our weather this year?
Met Éireann records show we have had 37 dry spells (15 consecutive days with less than 1mm of rain) in the past two months. Data covering more than 30 years shows that we would normally only have about 37 dry spells over the course of a year in Ireland, according to the Water Forum, a statutory advisory body.
The Dublin region has had its driest spring since 1837, at a time when the need for extra hygiene to combat Covid-19 has resulted in a 20 per cent greater demand for water.
What's more, according to analysis by Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units (Icarus) in Maynooth University, drought conditions now are more extreme – and earlier in the year – compared with 2018.
“Truly remarkable is the fact that combined rainfall totals for April and May 2020 rank as the driest consecutive two months ever recorded at Phoenix Park, the longest running continuous series in the Republic,” it notes in its latest monitoring blog.
Prof Fiona Regan of DCU Water Institute has been tracking water levels since mid-March; they are now 10 times lower than over the previous five years. Typically, water availability in Dublin and the eastern region has been on average just 1 per cent above demand.
There is every likelihood the extent of drought and water shortages is being exacerbated by climate disruption driven by CO2 emissions – though heatwaves can be a feature of natural weather patterns.
How can a country with plenty of rain end up having to restrict water usage?
The State’s water supply issues are twofold. The first issue is poor water-supply infrastructure, as indicated by high levels of leakage concentrated in the area of biggest demand: the Dublin region.
The capacity to maintain supplies in the capital is on a knife-edge, with an overreliance on water taken from the river Liffey. Latest indications suggest that 45 per cent of Dublin’s water is lost due to leaks.
“There has also been a disappointing drop-off in the number of leak repairs completed under the First Fix Scheme from mid-2016,” the Government’s Water Advisory Body warned earlier this year. “By any measure, Ireland’s leakage rate is unacceptable,” it added.
The second issue evident across the country is lack of routine water conservation, reuse and recycling while water remains free for householders. Evidence has shown the lack of a water charge leads to overuse, and our current regime in this regard puts us at odds with most modern economies.
What are the risks from prolonged water shortages?
Due to the threat from coronavirus, water is critical to reducing spread of the virus; washing your hands is a key preventative action – and will continue to be so, inevitably increasing demand for water.
The threat, however, goes much further. Extended dry weather amid continued demand will result in lower water levels in rivers and lakes which are the source of public drinking-water supply for more than 80 per cent of the Irish population, the Water Forum notes.
Lower water levels mean there is less water to dilute pollutants, so discharges to rivers and lakes will be able to cause deterioration in water quality, with resulting impact on flora and fauna. Low water levels impact on “recharge rates” for groundwater sources and this can impact on water supply to small private supplies.
Water shortages also mean more water is taken from rivers to irrigate land, putting further pressure on drinking supplies.
How are the State’s water supply issues going to be solved?
Irish Water is currently preparing a National Water Resources Plan that aims to ensure a sustainable, secure and reliable water supply for the next 25 years. This will assess the amount of water available in our rivers, lakes and groundwater systems and calculate the demand from businesses and homes.
It will also factor in the impact of climate change on the geographic distribution of water resources. Piping water from the Shannon river south of Lough Derg will be the utility’s key action towards solving Dublin’s supply difficulties, though that is likely to cost in excess of €1.6 billion and won’t solve the city’s leakage problem.
Irish Water has an extensive programme of repairing leaking pipes, though cost factors and disruptions in busy urban areas mean it’s a far from straightforward task. Those favouring more aggressive efforts to tackle leakage point to less disruptive and more technologically advanced options now available for use in big cities.
Conservation has to be part of the mix – a national conversation on this is long overdue.
What is the immediate outlook from here?
It is important to note this drought is ongoing. The numbers are exceptional to date and large soil moisture deficits exist, Icarus notes. There are obvious implications for agricultural production, especially in the form of likely fodder shortages.
It will take a considerable amount of rain to bring this drought event to an end. Continued dry conditions will make the 2020 drought an even more remarkable event than in 2018, when the first water conservation order (hosepipe ban) was introduced. While forecasts for the coming weeks show some chance of rain, the totals for now look to be small.
The longer-term seasonal forecasts for this summer, while uncertain, suggest a drier and hotter summer than average over western Europe, Icarus predicts.
While the drought of 2020 is more limited in spatial scale so far, affecting the east most intensely, the unfolding situation needs to be carefully monitored. Unlike in 2018, we now find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic where water has taken on a new public health importance and created new vulnerabilities.
Longer term, the Irish climate is projected to warm across all seasons, with every indication that living with regular hosepipe bans will be an inevitable consequence.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Motorcyclist dies after being involved in collision with van in Co Cork

A motorcyclist has died after being involved in a collision with a van in Co Cork on Wednesday evening .
@ @ @ @ @ following the fatal incident , which occurred on the Ballincollig to Crossbarry road near Begley @ @ @ @ @ 6pm .
The van was heading north towards Ballincollig and the motorcyclist was heading south @ @ @ @ @ occurred .
The emergency services were alerted and the motorcyclist , understood to be in @ @ @ @ @ dead at the scene .
The man ’ s body has since been removed to @ @ @ @ @ postmortem on Thursday morning .
The driver of the van , a man from Ballincollig @ @ @ @ @ in the incident but was treated at the scene for minor injuries and for shock @ @ @ @ @ road and put diversions in place to allow a forensic crash investigator examine the scene @ @ @ @ @ anyone who may have travelled on the road at the time of the incident or @ @ @ @ @ them at Bandon Garda station on 023-8852200

A motorcyclist has died after being involved in a collision in Co Cork on Wednesday evening. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
A motorcyclist has died after being involved in a collision with a van in Co Cork on Wednesday evening.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses following the fatal incident, which occurred on the Ballincollig to Crossbarry road near Begley's Forge at about 6pm.
The van was heading north towards Ballincollig and the motorcyclist was heading south towards Crossbarry when the incident occurred.
The emergency services were alerted and the motorcyclist, understood to be in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE
The man’s body has since been removed to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem on Thursday morning.
The driver of the van, a man from Ballincollig, was not seriously injured in the incident but was treated at the scene for minor injuries and for shock.
Gardaí have closed the road and put diversions in place to allow a forensic crash investigator examine the scene.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have travelled on the road at the time of the incident or who witnessed it to contact them at Bandon Garda station on 023-8852200


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Why is there a criminal investigation into the Black Lives Matter Dublin protest?

As soon as it became clear just how big the Black Lives Matter protest was in Dublin on Monday a divisive conversation began .
Many people questioned why such a large event was being held when people could not be with their parents as they died of Covid-19 because the current lockdown rules would not allow it , and at a time when the medical profession was urging people to stay at home to save lives .
Others believed the issues the protesters were marching against were too important to be ignored , irrespective of the lockdown .
The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organisers of the event were now under criminal investigation by the Garda , and now a follow-up event planned for next Monday in Dublin has been cancelled .
But why was the event held during the lockdown , was it really illegal , and why is it being investigated when gardaí failed to stop it on the day and even worked with organisers on the day to manage the crowd ?
Why was the event held ?
In the first instance the Black Lives Matter protest was an act of solidarity with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrating since George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on May 25th .
However , those protesting on Monday in Dublin were also concerned about wider issues such as racism in Ireland and the direct provision system , among others .
Efforts were made as protesters met on O ’ Connell Street to socially distance and some in the crowd were wearing masks .
However , as numbers swelled and the event moved off to march to the US embassy on Eglin Road , Dublin 4 , it grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The crowd , of up to 5,000 , was far too big for gardaí to disperse .
Was the event actually illegal ?
In reply to queries from The Irish Times on Tuesday , Garda Headquarters confirmed an investigation was under way into the organiser of the event .
It was being conducted under section 5 of the Health Act , 1947 ( Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions ) ( Covid-19 ) ( Amendment ) ( No 3 ) Regulations 2020 .
The regulations state that “ a person shall not hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless the event is a relevant event and the number of participants in the event is limited to not more than is reasonably necessary having regard to the nature of the purposes for which the event is held ” .
Gardaí believe there is a prima facie case that these regulations were breached , which would be a criminal offence on conviction .
However , the Irish Council for Civil Liberties told The Irish Times it was surprised a Garda investigation was under way .
“ Our view is that given that protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the key ways of vocalising dissent , it could be considered a reasonable excuse , ” said Doireann Ansbro , who leads the council ’ s programme of protest rights .
If the Garda believes it was illegal , why was it allowed ?
The organisers did not contact gardaí in advance and it appears gardaí did not know in advance who the organisers were and so could not contact them .
Both were caught by surprise by the sheer scale of the crowd .
Since Monday ’ s event a Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter Dublin .
The group and gardaí have also been in contact , with gardaí setting out to the organisers their obligations for the follow-up event that had been planned for next Monday .
Gardaí have also explained to the organisers the implications for them if anything were to go wrong at the event that had been planned for next Monday .
That is something gardaí do with all planned protests , and it has prompted Black Lives Matter Dublin to cancel the planned march for fear of prosecution and in the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it clear some people had stepped forward and liaised with gardaí on duty during last Monday ’ s march , helping gardaí to manage the crowd .
In light of that co-operation , many people have been surprised that the Garda would now open an investigation into the same people who proved so co-operative .
But Garda Headquarters is effectively claiming that while its members on the ground did what they could and engaged with people who presented as “ organisers ” on the day , the Garda had no contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Garda had no role in sanctioning the protest , as no sanction or permit for a protest is ever required .
Garda sources told The Irish Times the crowd that gathered on Monday was simply too large to disperse .
But they have insisted Black Lives Matter is not the only protest group now under investigation .
They pointed to another protest , at the Four Courts in Dublin in April , that was also allowed to unfold on the day but with a follow-up investigation now under way .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group involved in that protest – supporters of Gemma O ’ Doherty and John Waters – were also being investigated .
However , Debenhams workers who protested in Dublin in April were not under follow-up investigation because they dispersed when they were asked to .

As soon as it became clear just how big the Black Lives Matter protest was in Dublin on Monday a divisive conversation began.
Many people questioned why such a large event was being held when people could not be with their parents as they died of Covid-19 because the current lockdown rules would not allow it, and at a time when the medical profession was urging people to stay at home to save lives. Others believed the issues the protesters were marching against were too important to be ignored, irrespective of the lockdown.
The Irish Times broke the news on Tuesday that the organisers of the event were now under criminal investigation by the Garda, and now a follow-up event planned for next Monday in Dublin has been cancelled.
But why was the event held during the lockdown, was it really illegal, and why is it being investigated when gardaí failed to stop it on the day and even worked with organisers on the day to manage the crowd?
READ MORE
Why was the event held?
In the first instance the Black Lives Matter protest was an act of solidarity with protesters in the US who have been demonstrating since George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25th. However, those protesting on Monday in Dublin were also concerned about wider issues such as racism in Ireland and the direct provision system, among others.
Efforts were made as protesters met on O’Connell Street to socially distance and some in the crowd were wearing masks. However, as numbers swelled and the event moved off to march to the US embassy on Eglin Road, Dublin 4, it grew so big that social distancing became impossible.
The crowd, of up to 5,000, was far too big for gardaí to disperse.
Was the event actually illegal?
In reply to queries from The Irish Times on Tuesday, Garda Headquarters confirmed an investigation was under way into the organiser of the event. It was being conducted under section 5 of the Health Act, 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations 2020.
The regulations state that “a person shall not hold an event in a relevant geographic area unless the event is a relevant event and the number of participants in the event is limited to not more than is reasonably necessary having regard to the nature of the purposes for which the event is held”. Gardaí believe there is a prima facie case that these regulations were breached, which would be a criminal offence on conviction.
However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties told The Irish Times it was surprised a Garda investigation was under way. “Our view is that given that protest is such a fundamental right and one of the key ways of vocalising dissent, it could be considered a reasonable excuse,” said Doireann Ansbro, who leads the council’s programme of protest rights.
If the Garda believes it was illegal, why was it allowed?
The organisers did not contact gardaí in advance and it appears gardaí did not know in advance who the organisers were and so could not contact them. Both were caught by surprise by the sheer scale of the crowd.
Since Monday’s event a Twitter account has been established by Black Lives Matter Dublin. The group and gardaí have also been in contact, with gardaí setting out to the organisers their obligations for the follow-up event that had been planned for next Monday.
Gardaí have also explained to the organisers the implications for them if anything were to go wrong at the event that had been planned for next Monday. That is something gardaí do with all planned protests, and it has prompted Black Lives Matter Dublin to cancel the planned march for fear of prosecution and in the interests of safety.
Garda Headquarters on Tuesday made it clear some people had stepped forward and liaised with gardaí on duty during last Monday’s march, helping gardaí to manage the crowd.
In light of that co-operation, many people have been surprised that the Garda would now open an investigation into the same people who proved so co-operative. But Garda Headquarters is effectively claiming that while its members on the ground did what they could and engaged with people who presented as “organisers” on the day, the Garda had no contact with any organisers in advance of the event.
The Garda had no role in sanctioning the protest, as no sanction or permit for a protest is ever required.
Garda sources told The Irish Times the crowd that gathered on Monday was simply too large to disperse. But they have insisted Black Lives Matter is not the only protest group now under investigation.
They pointed to another protest, at the Four Courts in Dublin in April, that was also allowed to unfold on the day but with a follow-up investigation now under way. And they say subsequent gatherings relating to the group involved in that protest – supporters of Gemma O'Doherty and John Waters – were also being investigated. However, Debenhams workers who protested in Dublin in April were not under follow-up investigation because they dispersed when they were asked to.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Older people living alone less likely to have internet access, study shows

Three in five people aged 80 and older do not have access to the internet , researchers from Trinity College Dublin have found .
The latest report from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing ( TILDA ) says internet access decreases with age .
Only 38 per cent of those aged 80 and over have home internet access , compared to 86 per cent aged 50-69 years , and 66 per cent aged 70-79 years .
Just under two-thirds of adults aged 50 and over have access to smartphones or tablets .
Almost 80 per cent of older adults use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent for sending and receiving emails , 43 per cent make audio and video calls online , while 40 per cent engage with social media .
Just under a third of adults aged 50 and older who live alone do not have internet access .
Three-quarters of older adults living in urban areas have internet access compared to 67 per cent in rural areas .
Paul Doody , lead author of the report and health research assistant at TILDA , said the data indicates there is frequent and varied use of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Particularly in light of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic , the internet provides a valuable resource for many to maintain social interactions , obtain information , access support services , and engage in online commerce , ” he said .
“ However , our data also indicates a relatively large section of the population are without home internet access .
This is particularly the case for older age groups and those living alone .
For these individuals , more traditional forms of communication and information distribution , in combination with ongoing family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be essential.
” Minjuan Wang , co-author of the report and senior data manager said the data suggests “ strong feasibility of the plan to use a contact tracing application to combat Covid-19 ” , as the majority of adults aged 50 or above have access to the internet .
“ Nevertheless , we should also bear in mind the continued importance of traditional forms of communication , as there is still a substantial section of the population that does not fully embrace modern technologies like the internet , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ combine both traditional and modern methods of communication to ensure full coverage .
’ ’

Three-quarters of older adults living in urban areas have internet access compared to 67 per cent in rural areas. File image: Bryan O’Brien
Three in five people aged 80 and older do not have access to the internet, researchers from Trinity College Dublin have found.
The latest report from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)says internet access decreases with age. Only 38 per cent of those aged 80 and over have home internet access, compared to 86 per cent aged 50-69 years, and 66 per cent aged 70-79 years.
Just under two-thirds of adults aged 50 and over have access to smartphones or tablets. Almost 80 per cent of older adults use the internet for information sharing, 72 per cent for sending and receiving emails, 43 per cent make audio and video calls online, while 40 per cent engage with social media.
Just under a third of adults aged 50 and older who live alone do not have internet access. Three-quarters of older adults living in urban areas have internet access compared to 67 per cent in rural areas.
READ MORE
Paul Doody, lead author of the report and health research assistant at TILDA, said the data indicates there is frequent and varied use of the internet among adults aged 50 and older.
“Particularly in light of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, the internet provides a valuable resource for many to maintain social interactions, obtain information, access support services, and engage in online commerce,” he said.
“However, our data also indicates a relatively large section of the population are without home internet access. This is particularly the case for older age groups and those living alone. For these individuals, more traditional forms of communication and information distribution, in combination with ongoing family and community support, are likely to be essential.”
Minjuan Wang, co-author of the report and senior data manager said the data suggests “strong feasibility of the plan to use a contact tracing application to combat Covid-19”, as the majority of adults aged 50 or above have access to the internet.
“Nevertheless, we should also bear in mind the continued importance of traditional forms of communication, as there is still a substantial section of the population that does not fully embrace modern technologies like the internet,” she said.
“The optimal approach would be to combine both traditional and modern methods of communication to ensure full coverage.’’


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Council for Civil Liberties says protesting a ‘reasonable excuse’ under Covid-19 rules

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) has said it was surprising the Garda had begun an investigation into the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin as protesting was a “ fundamental right ” and could be considered a “ reasonable excuse ” under the Covid19 regulations .
In remarks strongly supportive of the protest in Dublin on Monday , involving up to 5,000 people , the council said anyone attending future protests should try to follow public health advice .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said in recent days that the protest had been “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ not the time ” to organise or attend such mass gatherings due to the risk of transmitting Covid-19 , he said .
Gardaí have begun a criminal investigation into the protest on the basis the public health regulations aimed to stopping the spread of Covid-19 make it illegal to organise an event or participate in an event during the current lock-down period .
The Garda investigation is focused only on the organisers as gardai said the scale of the protest meant trying to investigating all participants was not possible .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardaí are considering prosecuting the organisers of Monday ’ s event , ” said the Doireann Ansbro , the Irish Council for Civil Liberties ’ senior research and policy officer and leader of the council ’ s programme of protest rights .
She added the council understood there was a Garda presence at the protest and that the organisers co-operated with gardai and encouraged those in attendance to socially distance .
“ It is welcome that the gardaí took significant steps to facilitate this protest , ” Ms Ansbro said , adding because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ hard to hold the organisers responsible ” for the size of the crowd .
She added the ICCL had seen gardaí facilitate other protests and that the list of what could be seen as “ reasonable excuses ” for an event was “ not conclusive ” which allowed the Garda discretion “ to decide what may or may not be legal ” .
“ Our view is that given that protest is such a fundamental right and one of the key ways of vocalising dissent it could be considered a reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are permitted to leave home to exercise , within a 5km of home , during lockdown and they are also permitted to leave home for a reasonable excuse .
This includes for essential supplies , essential services and for urgent family matters , among others .
Attendance at a funeral is also deemed a reasonable excuse but a limit of 10 people in attendance was placed on funerals in March .
There is no reference to protest attendance in the regulation ’ s schedule of reasonable excuses , which apply to people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Ansbro said the ICCL appreciated people were making “ huge sacrifices ” .
But the council still believed the Black Lives Matter march was justified in taking place .
“ It is clear that no-one set out to intentionally flout the regulations on Monday and criminalising people who wish to make their voices heard in our democracy is not the answer , ” she said of the protest .
Garda Headquarters confirmed gardai on duty on the day of the protest worked with people who presented themselves as organisers or leaders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it once it began .
However , it said it had no contact from the organisers in advance , adding the Garda does not organise or sanction any protests .
Garda sources said other protests had also been permitted to take place and were now under investigation .
At some smaller protests the people in attendance had dispersed when asked to do so and so no follow-up investigation was required , they added .

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said it was surprising the Garda had begun an investigation into the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin as protesting was a “fundamental right” and could be considered a “reasonable excuse” under the Covid19 regulations.
In remarks strongly supportive of the protest in Dublin on Monday, involving up to 5,000 people, the council said anyone attending future protests should try to follow public health advice.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said in recent days that the protest had been “a risk to life”. Now was “not the time” to organise or attend such mass gatherings due to the risk of transmitting Covid-19, he said.
Gardaí have begun a criminal investigation into the protest on the basis the public health regulations aimed to stopping the spread of Covid-19 make it illegal to organise an event or participate in an event during the current lock-down period.
READ MORE
The Garda investigation is focused only on the organisers as gardai said the scale of the protest meant trying to investigating all participants was not possible.
“We were very surprised to hear that the Gardaí are considering prosecuting the organisers of Monday’s event,” said the Doireann Ansbro, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties’ senior research and policy officer and leader of the council’s programme of protest rights.
She added the council understood there was a Garda presence at the protest and that the organisers co-operated with gardai and encouraged those in attendance to socially distance.
“It is welcome that the gardaí took significant steps to facilitate this protest,” Ms Ansbro said, adding because nobody expected such a large turnout it was “hard to hold the organisers responsible” for the size of the crowd.
She added the ICCL had seen gardaí facilitate other protests and that the list of what could be seen as “reasonable excuses” for an event was “not conclusive” which allowed the Garda discretion “to decide what may or may not be legal”.
“Our view is that given that protest is such a fundamental right and one of the key ways of vocalising dissent it could be considered a reasonable excuse,” she said.
People are permitted to leave home to exercise, within a 5km of home, during lockdown and they are also permitted to leave home for a reasonable excuse. This includes for essential supplies, essential services and for urgent family matters, among others. Attendance at a funeral is also deemed a reasonable excuse but a limit of 10 people in attendance was placed on funerals in March. There is no reference to protest attendance in the regulation’s schedule of reasonable excuses, which apply to people’s movements rather than organising events.
Ms Ansbro said the ICCL appreciated people were making “huge sacrifices”. But the council still believed the Black Lives Matter march was justified in taking place.
“It is clear that no-one set out to intentionally flout the regulations on Monday and criminalising people who wish to make their voices heard in our democracy is not the answer,” she said of the protest.
Garda Headquarters confirmed gardai on duty on the day of the protest worked with people who presented themselves as organisers or leaders of the event in a bid to manage it once it began. However, it said it had no contact from the organisers in advance, adding the Garda does not organise or sanction any protests.
Garda sources said other protests had also been permitted to take place and were now under investigation. At some smaller protests the people in attendance had dispersed when asked to do so and so no follow-up investigation was required, they added.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Tyrone midwife on the cover of Vogue magazine

A midwife from Co Tyrone has described her shock at ending up on the cover of fashion magazine Vogue after an impromptu photo shoot in the hospital where she works .
Rachel Millar ( 24 ) from Coagh , near Cookstown , was one of three women chosen to front the latest edition , which celebrates frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s insane , ” she told The Irish Times .
“ It ’ s not really every day you see your face plastered over the news and social media.
” A community midwife at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Millar had been looking after a woman in labour when she left the room to get something .
“ There was a photographer there and they herded us in front of the camera , and everyone that was working on shift that day got a portrait taken .
“ We got no hair and make-up like the celebrities usually get , ” she laughs .
“ At the time , all we knew was that Vogue was doing a feature on key workers during the pandemic and it wasn ’ t until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portraits would be on the cover.
” For weeks , she kept the secret .
Her family and friends , she says , “ were as shocked as I was , only I had a month to get used to the news .
As well as Millar , Narguis Horsford , a train driver on the London Overground , and Anisa Omar , who works in a supermarket in King ’ s Cross in London , also have their own covers in the July edition .
The editor-in-chief of British Vogue , Edward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think of a no more appropriate trio of women to represent the millions of people in the UK who , at the height of the pandemic , in the face of dangers large and small , put on their uniforms and work clothes and went to help people.
” For Millar , the best part has been seeing other areas of the health service being appreciated .
“ I think maternity always got a lot of appreciation because of the nature of our job ; we ’ re involved in a massive transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a really momentous time , and so I ’ ve always got a lot of appreciation from them .
“ It ’ s really nice to see other departments like the intensive care , places that are sometimes overlooked , for them to get the recognition they deserve.
” Like all healthcare workers , her job has changed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We ’ re gowned up in the PPE [ personal protection equipment ] for deliveries , so I think for women it looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t look as friendly as we usually do with face masks on .
“ Partners aren ’ t allowed to come to antenatal appointments or scans , and obviously the scan is usually a huge part of the pregnancy , so that ’ s really hard for them .
But these are just the measures we have to take to protect them and us.
” She describes herself as “ quite a calm person ” ; this , she thinks , has helped her cope .
“ There have been moments when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think everyone ’ s struggled in the lockdown , but overall I think I ’ ve been managing fairly okay.
” Vogue will be in the shops on Friday , and sales are expected to be brisk in the Cookstown area .
“ My Mum will be buying every one in Tesco , ” says Millar .

Vogue, July edtition: Rachel Millar (24) from Cookstown – ‘Everyone that was working on shift that day got a portrait taken’
A midwife from Co Tyrone has described her shock at ending up on the cover of fashion magazine Vogue after an impromptu photo shoot in the hospital where she works.
Rachel Millar (24) from Coagh, near Cookstown, was one of three women chosen to front the latest edition, which celebrates frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s insane,” she told The Irish Times. “It’s not really every day you see your face plastered over the news and social media.”
A community midwife at Homerton hospital in Hackney in east London, Millar had been looking after a woman in labour when she left the room to get something.
READ MORE
“There was a photographer there and they herded us in front of the camera, and everyone that was working on shift that day got a portrait taken.
“We got no hair and make-up like the celebrities usually get,” she laughs.
“At the time, all we knew was that Vogue was doing a feature on key workers during the pandemic and it wasn’t until a few weeks later they decided what portraits would be on the cover.”
For weeks, she kept the secret. Her family and friends, she says, “were as shocked as I was, only I had a month to get used to the news.
“They’re really happy, really proud. They’re loving it.”
As well as Millar, Narguis Horsford, a train driver on the London Overground, and Anisa Omar, who works in a supermarket in King’s Cross in London, also have their own covers in the July edition.
The editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, wrote that he could "think of a no more appropriate trio of women to represent the millions of people in the UK who, at the height of the pandemic, in the face of dangers large and small, put on their uniforms and work clothes and went to help people."
Appreciation
For Millar, the best part has been seeing other areas of the health service being appreciated.
“I think maternity always got a lot of appreciation because of the nature of our job; we’re involved in a massive transition in a family’s life, it’s a really momentous time, and so I’ve always got a lot of appreciation from them.
“It’s really nice to see other departments like the intensive care, places that are sometimes overlooked, for them to get the recognition they deserve.”
Like all healthcare workers, her job has changed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re gowned up in the PPE [personal protection equipment] for deliveries, so I think for women it looks a bit more scary because we don’t look as friendly as we usually do with face masks on.
“Partners aren’t allowed to come to antenatal appointments or scans, and obviously the scan is usually a huge part of the pregnancy, so that’s really hard for them. But these are just the measures we have to take to protect them and us.”
She describes herself as “quite a calm person”; this, she thinks, has helped her cope. “There have been moments when it does get on top of you, I think everyone’s struggled in the lockdown, but overall I think I’ve been managing fairly okay.”
Vogue will be in the shops on Friday, and sales are expected to be brisk in the Cookstown area. “My Mum will be buying every one in Tesco,” says Millar.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Dublin City Libraries to offer ‘call-and-collect’ service

A new “ call-and-collect ” service is to be offered by Dublin City Libraries to people to borrow books while minimising their time at libraries .
The first six libraries to offer the service will be Cabra , Coolock , and Raheny libraries on the city ’ s north side , and Rathmines , Dolphin ’ s Barn , and Walkinstown libraries on the south side .
The scheme will be launched on Monday .
“ Dublin City Libraries are working on a plan to get libraries open again , in line with the Government ’ s road map for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin City librarian .
“ We are delighted to be offering this new call-and-collect service as part of the phased reopening of libraries across the city.
” Library-users can check if a particular book is available on the shelf in one of the six branches they want to collect from , and then contact the branch by phone or email or ask-a-librarian to hold the book for them .
Library staff will then organise a date and time for the library-user to go to their preferred library for collection .
“ Dublin City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government guidance on opening our service in a way that will not compromise the safety of public and staff , so we ask our patrons to bear with us as we negotiate the level of service we can deliver to you over the next few months , ” added Ms Owens .
Dublin City Libraries has a search box on its website that allows users to find books that are in Dublin City branches and which are available to borrow .
If the book or author requested is not available in the collecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or books in the same genre or ask library staff to make a selection for them .
In order to manage queues safely and efficiently and in line with social distancing requirements , only one member from each household need collect .
While the six libraries will offer a point of collection in the pilot phase , all libraries can be contacted by phone or email from 10am to 4pm , Mondays to Saturdays .
People cocooning and wishing to avail of a home-delivery service can contact 6744818 from 10am to 2pm from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dublincity.ie

Raheny library, Dublin, which is one of the six libraries to offer the “call-and-collect” service. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
A new “call-and-collect” service is to be offered by Dublin City Libraries to people to borrow books while minimising their time at libraries.
The first six libraries to offer the service will be Cabra, Coolock, and Raheny libraries on the city’s north side, and Rathmines, Dolphin’s Barn, and Walkinstown libraries on the south side. The scheme will be launched on Monday.
“Dublin City Libraries are working on a plan to get libraries open again, in line with the Government’s road map for reopening Ireland, said Mairéad Owens, Dublin City librarian.
“We are delighted to be offering this new call-and-collect service as part of the phased reopening of libraries across the city.”
READ MORE
Library-users can check if a particular book is available on the shelf in one of the six branches they want to collect from, and then contact the branch by phone or email or ask-a-librarian to hold the book for them.
Library staff will then organise a date and time for the library-user to go to their preferred library for collection.
“Dublin City Libraries will continue to adhere to the Government guidance on opening our service in a way that will not compromise the safety of public and staff, so we ask our patrons to bear with us as we negotiate the level of service we can deliver to you over the next few months,” added Ms Owens.
Search box
Dublin City Libraries has a search box on its website that allows users to find books that are in Dublin City branches and which are available to borrow.
If the book or author requested is not available in the collecting branch, library-users can select other authors or books in the same genre or ask library staff to make a selection for them.
In order to manage queues safely and efficiently and in line with social distancing requirements, only one member from each household need collect.
While the six libraries will offer a point of collection in the pilot phase, all libraries can be contacted by phone or email from 10am to 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays.
People cocooning and wishing to avail of a home-delivery service can contact 6744818 from 10am to 2pm from Monday to Friday, or email homedelivery@dublincity.ie


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Summer camp providers anxiously await green light from Government

The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) will discuss when and how summer camps can go ahead as part of its weekly meeting on Thursday .
NPHET says it intends to make recommendations to Government about measures intended to ease the burden of the Covid-19 lockdown on children including start dates for summer camps and the opening of playgrounds .
There is growing frustration among children , parents and providers of summer camps about the lack of information .
Three weeks ago NPHET said it would address the issue but no decision has yet been made .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times as to whether the Government intended making a decision on summer camps , a spokesman said NPHET “ will meet on Thursday and make recommendations to Government .
“ Those public health recommendations will be based on the always-evolving national and international evidence available up to and including Thursday and will be made public as soon as possible.
” The School of Irish Archaeology has summer camps in Harold ’ s Cross and Malahide in Dublin and Kilkenny catering for more than 400 children .
Its founder Mark Kelly said his business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the uncertainty is continuing to adversely affect his ability to plan ahead with time running out for preparation .
“ We have had no guidance as to what we should do as a sector , ” he said .
“ I ’ m at a stumbling block as to what we are going to do .
At the moment our July camps are not going to be running because we haven ’ t got enough lead-in time to get staff back and even to employ staff , train them up and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding it difficult to find any information out there.
” The Irish Girl Guides would normally be busy planning summer camps but that has all been put in abeyance because of the pandemic .
“ There won ’ t be any group camping .
It would be too difficult with social distancing , ” said Irish Girl Guides spokeswoman Fiona Murdoch .
The guides and the scouts do not expect to get back to weekly meetings until the autumn .
By far the most popular summer camps are the sporting ones run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRFU .
Between them they cater for 200,000 children every year .
The Kellogg ’ s GAA Cúl Camps alone had 157,000 children participating last year .
Its director , former Sligo All-Star Charlie Harrison , said GAA camps would not be going ahead until July 20th at the earliest even if the Government gave the go-ahead for them to start earlier as the GAA had its own roadmap for restarting .
“ People need to plan their summers .
We are planning with our staff as if they [ the camps ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unique for everyone .
I would be thinking that parents , once we align to the Government phases , will be happy to send their kids to Cúl Camps.
” When asked if NPHET had been in consultation with the GAA about Cúl Camps , Mr Holohan said on Wednesday : “ Let me put it in these terms , we wouldn ’ t be making recommendations that have relevance to big sporting organisations without their awareness.
” The Intersport Elverys FAI summer schools catered for 36,000 children last year .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ constantly reviewed and all decisions will be based on the advice from Government agencies and in line with the Government ’ s roadmap ” .
All four provinces within the IRFU hosted summer camps last year .
Leinster Rugby had 4,800 attendees across four camps .
It ran a school of excellence , a general summer camp , a language and an inclusion camp .
Leinster rugby ’ s head of rugby development Philip Lawlor said it hoped to run a modified version of its camps later in the summer , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language camps or the inclusion camps .
“ The modified version will be in fewer locations , for a smaller group of attendees and the core exercises will be modified but all with a view to adhering to social distancing rules that we anticipate will still be in place and also rolling-out the graduated return to the rugby programme that was communicated with the clubs by the IRFU last week , ” he said .

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will discuss when and how summer camps can go ahead as part of its weekly meeting on Thursday.
NPHET says it intends to make recommendations to Government about measures intended to ease the burden of the Covid-19 lockdown on children including start dates for summer camps and the opening of playgrounds.
There is growing frustration among children, parents and providers of summer camps about the lack of information. Three weeks ago NPHET said it would address the issue but no decision has yet been made.
In response to a question from The Irish Times as to whether the Government intended making a decision on summer camps, a spokesman said NPHET “will meet on Thursday and make recommendations to Government.
READ MORE
“Those public health recommendations will be based on the always-evolving national and international evidence available up to and including Thursday and will be made public as soon as possible.”
The School of Irish Archaeology has summer camps in Harold's Cross and Malahide in Dublin and Kilkenny catering for more than 400 children. Its founder Mark Kelly said his business has been "decimated" since March and the uncertainty is continuing to adversely affect his ability to plan ahead with time running out for preparation.
“We have had no guidance as to what we should do as a sector,” he said. “I’m at a stumbling block as to what we are going to do. At the moment our July camps are not going to be running because we haven’t got enough lead-in time to get staff back and even to employ staff, train them up and get them back on track. We are finding it difficult to find any information out there.”
The Irish Girl Guides would normally be busy planning summer camps but that has all been put in abeyance because of the pandemic.
"There won't be any group camping. It would be too difficult with social distancing," said Irish Girl Guides spokeswoman Fiona Murdoch. The guides and the scouts do not expect to get back to weekly meetings until the autumn.
Sports camps
By far the most popular summer camps are the sporting ones run by the GAA, the FAI and the IRFU. Between them they cater for 200,000 children every year.
The Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps alone had 157,000 children participating last year. Its director, former Sligo All-Star Charlie Harrison, said GAA camps would not be going ahead until July 20th at the earliest even if the Government gave the go-ahead for them to start earlier as the GAA had its own roadmap for restarting.
“People need to plan their summers. We are planning with our staff as if they [the camps] are going to happen. This summer is unique for everyone. I would be thinking that parents, once we align to the Government phases, will be happy to send their kids to Cúl Camps.”
When asked if NPHET had been in consultation with the GAA about Cúl Camps, Mr Holohan said on Wednesday: “Let me put it in these terms, we wouldn’t be making recommendations that have relevance to big sporting organisations without their awareness.”
The Intersport Elverys FAI summer schools catered for 36,000 children last year. A FAI spokesman said the situation was being "constantly reviewed and all decisions will be based on the advice from Government agencies and in line with the Government's roadmap".
All four provinces within the IRFU hosted summer camps last year. Leinster Rugby had 4,800 attendees across four camps. It ran a school of excellence, a general summer camp, a language and an inclusion camp.
Leinster rugby's head of rugby development Philip Lawlor said it hoped to run a modified version of its camps later in the summer, but without the school of excellence, the language camps or the inclusion camps.
“The modified version will be in fewer locations, for a smaller group of attendees and the core exercises will be modified but all with a view to adhering to social distancing rules that we anticipate will still be in place and also rolling-out the graduated return to the rugby programme that was communicated with the clubs by the IRFU last week,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Several weeks of rain needed to replenish Irish Water supplies

Irish Water would need several weeks of rainfall to replenish water supplies the national utility has said , as the greater Dublin region faces the prospect of an imminent hosepipe ban .
The recent period of dry , sunny weather and increased demand has led to pressure on the water supply for Dublin and surrounding counties , with a water conservation order under consideration .
Irish Water would need “ a minimum accumulation of 100mm rainfall spread over a number of weeks and a return to normal precipitation levels thereafter ” to replenish reservoir supplies , a spokeswoman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could get between 20-30mm of rainfall over the next ten days .
Meteorologist Elizabeth Coleman said the eastern part of the country could see rain over the weekend and into next week , however that was uncertain and “ subject to change ” over the coming days .
Water conservation orders - known as a hosepipe ban - were first introduced in Dublin during the summer of 2018 , and later extended to much of Leinster and Munster .
Irish Water has seen a 20 per cent increase in domestic water usage during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to associated increases in handwashing .
Some 16 of its water supplies are currently classified as at “ drought ” level , while a further 38 are “ pending drought.
” As a result the national water utility has said the introduction of a hosepipe ban to reduce demand was highly likely in the coming weeks .
The hosepipe ban would prohibit households from unnecessary water use , such as watering gardens , filling paddling pools , or washing cars or boats .
Internal Irish Water analysis , provided to The Irish Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ periods of warm weather .
This means a long period of rainfall both replenishes water levels and lowers demand on the system .
The greater Dublin region used 585 million litres of water on 11th April , a day without rain when temperatures hit over 18 degrees .
That dropped to 550 million litres of water the next day , when temperatures were around 10 degrees with rain showers .
On May 20th , Dublin saw temperatures of 22 degrees , with sunshine and no rain , resulting in a spike in water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later on a windy day with rain showers demand fell to 550 million litres , according to figures from Irish Water .
This spring has been the driest on record in Leinster since Met Éireann ’ s digital records began around 70 years ago .
Since early March seven weather stations have experienced an “ absolute drought , ” which is 15 consecutive days without rain .
Drought-like conditions have been most apparent in Dublin where the Phoenix Park weather station had 42 days from March 18th to April 28th , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similarly the weather station recorded just 8.3mm of rain during the whole of last month , the driest May since 1991 .
The past week has also seen temperatures reach 27 degrees in parts of the country .

Water conservation orders - known as a hosepipe ban - were first introduced in Dublin during the summer of 2018, and later extended to much of Leinster and Munster. Photograph: iStock
Irish Water would need several weeks of rainfall to replenish water supplies the national utility has said, as the greater Dublin region faces the prospect of an imminent hosepipe ban.
The recent period of dry, sunny weather and increased demand has led to pressure on the water supply for Dublin and surrounding counties, with a water conservation order under consideration.
Irish Water would need “a minimum accumulation of 100mm rainfall spread over a number of weeks and a return to normal precipitation levels thereafter” to replenish reservoir supplies, a spokeswoman said.
Forecasts from Met Éireann show the country could get between 20-30mm of rainfall over the next ten days.
READ MORE
Meteorologist Elizabeth Coleman said the eastern part of the country could see rain over the weekend and into next week, however that was uncertain and "subject to change" over the coming days.
Water conservation orders - known as a hosepipe ban - were first introduced in Dublin during the summer of 2018, and later extended to much of Leinster and Munster.
Irish Water has seen a 20 per cent increase in domestic water usage during the coronavirus lockdown, in part due to associated increases in handwashing.
Some 16 of its water supplies are currently classified as at “drought” level, while a further 38 are “pending drought.” As a result the national water utility has said the introduction of a hosepipe ban to reduce demand was highly likely in the coming weeks.
The hosepipe ban would prohibit households from unnecessary water use, such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools, or washing cars or boats.
Internal Irish Water analysis, provided to The Irish Times, shows water usage increases significantly during periods of warm weather. This means a long period of rainfall both replenishes water levels and lowers demand on the system.
The greater Dublin region used 585 million litres of water on 11th April, a day without rain when temperatures hit over 18 degrees. That dropped to 550 million litres of water the next day, when temperatures were around 10 degrees with rain showers.
On May 20th, Dublin saw temperatures of 22 degrees, with sunshine and no rain, resulting in a spike in water usage to 600 million litres. Two days later on a windy day with rain showers demand fell to 550 million litres, according to figures from Irish Water.
This spring has been the driest on record in Leinster since Met Éireann’s digital records began around 70 years ago.
Since early March seven weather stations have experienced an “absolute drought,” which is 15 consecutive days without rain.
Drought-like conditions have been most apparent in Dublin where the Phoenix Park weather station had 42 days from March 18th to April 28th, in which just 5.8mm of rain fell.
Similarly the weather station recorded just 8.3mm of rain during the whole of last month, the driest May since 1991. The past week has also seen temperatures reach 27 degrees in parts of the country.


theirishtimes--2020-06-03--Mother of three (41) who had to fundraise for her own cancer treatment has died

Tributes have been paid on the death of Maria Waters , the mother of three who had to fundraise for her own treatment with a cancer drug that is available free to other patients .
Ms Waters ( 41 ) , from Killiney , Co Dublin , died on Tuesday morning after battling head and neck cancer for a number of years .
Writing on his mother ’ s Facebook page , her son Robert said she had “ passed away peacefully but yet so unexpectedly this morning ” .
“ This was a shock to us all , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so quickly and we are comforted by the fact that she is not in pain anymore or suffering of any kind.
” Ms Waters spent over €21,000 to treat her cancer with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab after the Health Service Executive and her health insurer Irish Life refused to fund the experimental treatment .
About €16,000 of this was raised through charity after her case was highlighted in The Irish Times at the start of February .
Only last month , she said an MRI showed that after treatment with “ pembro ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my stomach has shrunk to the point that it is no longer evident on the scan ” .
“ The combination therapy of chemo and pembrolizumab did the job in eradicating the cancer , ” she wrote at the time , while adding that she hoped the tumour would not return .
She described battling her cancer as being “ like a game of ‘ whack-a-mole ’ : as you whack one beast down , it has the tendency to pop up somewhere else ” .
Pembro is available free to treat cervical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of the disease .
It was not available to treat head and neck cancer , or for the “ first-line ” administration to her of the drug together with chemo .
Ms Waters ’ local Church of Ireland rector , the Rev William Olhausen , described her as “ an inspiration ” .
“ As a member of our small church community , she was such a great supporter , encourager , and servant .
She was generous with her time and her many talents .
”

Maria Waters who fundraised to pay for her cancer treatment has died. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Tributes have been paid on the death of Maria Waters, the mother of three who had to fundraise for her own treatment with a cancer drug that is available free to other patients.
Ms Waters (51), from Killiney, Co Dublin, died on Tuesday morning after battling head and neck cancer for a number of years.
Writing on his mother’s Facebook page, her son Robert said she had “passed away peacefully but yet so unexpectedly this morning”.
“This was a shock to us all, it happened when we least expected it, so quickly and we are comforted by the fact that she is not in pain anymore or suffering of any kind.”
READ MORE
Ms Waters spent over €21,000 to treat her cancer with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab after the Health Service Executive and her health insurer Irish Life refused to fund the experimental treatment.
About €16,000 of this was raised through charity after her case was highlighted in The Irish Times at the start of February.
Only last month, she said an MRI showed that after treatment with “pembro” and chemotherapy, “the tumour in my stomach has shrunk to the point that it is no longer evident on the scan”.
“The combination therapy of chemo and pembrolizumab did the job in eradicating the cancer,” she wrote at the time, while adding that she hoped the tumour would not return.
She described battling her cancer as being “like a game of ‘whack-a-mole’: as you whack one beast down, it has the tendency to pop up somewhere else”.
Pembro is available free to treat cervical cancer, though not licensed for this form of the disease. It was not available to treat head and neck cancer, or for the “first-line” administration to her of the drug together with chemo.
Ms Waters' local Church of Ireland rector, the Rev William Olhausen, described her as "an inspiration".
“As a member of our small church community, she was such a great supporter, encourager, and servant. She was generous with her time and her many talents.”


theirishtimes--2020-06-04--Sunniest spring on record in Dublin with rainfall 70% below average

It was the driest and sunniest spring on record in Dublin according to the latest weather statement from Met Éireann @ @ @ @ @ Dublin ’ s Phoenix Park recorded the driest conditions in at least 170 years , @ @ @ @ @ of normal volumes of rain fell in the March , April and May .
Records @ @ @ @ @ rainfall at Dublin Airport and Casement Aerdrome .
Along with Dublin , the weather station @ @ @ @ @ recorded its driest Spring since records began there , with just 43 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ of rain .
Met Éireann described conditions in Dublin as “ very sunny , the @ @ @ @ @ The national weather forecaster also said sunshine levels at all its weather stations across the @ @ @ @ @ Average ( LTA ) for the season .

It was the driest and sunniest spring on record in Dublin according to the latest weather statement from Met Éireann. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
It was the driest and sunniest spring on record in Dublin, and the driest on record in Co Meath, according to the latest weather statement from Met Éireann.
The weather station at Dublin’s Phoenix Park recorded the driest conditions in at least 170 years, when just 31 per cent of normal volumes of rain fell in the March, April and May. Records were also set for low rainfall at Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome.
Along with Dublin, the weather station at Dunsany, Co Meath recorded its driest Spring since records began there, with just 43 per cent of its long term average volume of rain.
Met Éireann described conditions in Dublin as “very sunny, the sunniest Spring on record.” The national weather forecaster also said sunshine levels at all its weather stations across the State were above their Long-Term Average for the season.
READ MORE
In percentage terms based on long term averages Athenry in Co Galway had the wettest spring. The weather station there recorded rainfall amounting to about 85 per cent of the area’s long term averages.
Rainfall
But the highest daily rainfall total was actually at Shannon Airport, in Co Clare, where 31mm of rain was recorded on the 9th of March. The number of rain days ranged from 27 days at a few stations to 47 days in Newport, Co Mayo.
High pressure dominated through most of spring 2020, which led to the very dry conditions, especially in the east. Drought conditions were evident until low pressure brought rain countrywide at the end of April.
But high pressure culminated in a very warm, tropical, continental air mass feeding in over the country from the southeast towards the end of the month.
Temperatures were also above average almost everywhere. The season’s lowest air temperature was recorded on March 5th at Dunsany, Co Meath with a temperature of -4.2 degrees and the lowest grass minimum for the season was recorded at Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon on the March 20th with -10.1 degrees.
The highest temperature was reported on the May 30th at Mount Dillon, with a temperature of 26.8 degrees.
The number of days with ground frost ranged from seven days at Sherkin Island, Co Cork to 50 days at Mount Dillon.
Wind speeds
Seasonal average wind speeds ranged from 6.2 knots (11.5 km/h) at Moore Park, Co Cork, to 14.1 knots (26.1 km/h) at Malin Head, Co Donegal.
Gales were reported on numerous days with up to strong gales reported on the 1st and March 12th, and May 22nd and 23rd.
The number of days with gales ranged from zero days at a few stations to 9 days at Mace Head, Co Galway. The number of days with strong gales ranged from zero days at Phoenix Park, Co Dublin to three days at both Mace Head, Co Galway and Malin Head, Co Donegal.
Overall the outstanding feature of the season was the level of sunshine with the percentage of seasonal sunshine values ranging from 534.7 hours at Cork Airport, to 608.2 hours at Casement Aerodrome.
The highest actual number of sunshine hours were recorded at Johnstown Castle Co Wexford, where 624.5 hours were noted. Seasonal sunshine totals were lowest at Valentia Observatory, Co Kerry with 530.4 hours. The highest number of daily sunshine hours recorded this season was 15.3 hours at Johnstown Castle, on May 31st.
The number of dull days ranged from 9 days at Malin Head, Co Donegal to 17 days at Cork Airport, Co Cork. Dublin had its sunniest spring on record with both Casement Aerodrome (record length 56 years) and Dublin Airport (record length 78 years) recording their sunniest spring on record.