theirishtimes--2020-07-08--Disadvantaged students much more likely to have disengaged from school work

Students in disadvantaged secondary schools are three times more likely to have disengaged with their teachers during the lockdown , according to a new study .
The survey of more than 700 second level teachers by researchers at Trinity College Dublin , throws new light on the scale of the digital divide across schools since they closed last March .
Some 32 per cent of teachers in disadvantaged or Deis schools reported “ low engagement ” levels with their students , compared to just 11 per cent across other schools .
Low engagement was defined as an average of less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with teachers .
A lack of interest was the main reason for low engagement , followed by lack of support at home and limited access to devices .
All-boys ’ schools were also significantly more likely to report low engagement than all-girls ’ schools .
Overall , teachers were in touch with their students about two to three times a week , except for transition year where contact was much less frequent .
This contact was mostly through emailing , sharing links or resources and providing feedback on e-learning platforms such as Microsoft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively little live teaching online during schools closures .
However , teachers in private schools were more likely to report using real-time teaching or recorded classes .
The study found that the lack of personal contact experienced by students and teachers had a major negative impact on teaching and learning when they left the classroom .
A fifth of teachers surveyed said they did not foster collaboration among students during lockdown .
And more than half of teachers reported a decrease in this kind of collaboration since school closures .
As one teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of personal connection with students places a barrier in the way of motivation , engagement , collaboration , and all else in teaching .
“ Technology has helped me to organise lessons and information but places a large obstacle in place for teaching and learning especially for disadvantaged students.
” Dr Ann Devitt , director of research at TCD ’ s school of education , said the findings show that more interactive and collaborative approaches to teaching impacted positively on students ’ learning .
However , she said nearly 20 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school closures .
“ Our findings show that there is a need for teachers to foster relationships with students when they return to the classroom , ” she said .
“ But there is also a need for teachers to be ready in case such a shutdown happens again and we believe CPD [ continuous professional development ] is needed for teachers on how to provide collaborative learning online.
” The study also found larger schools were also more likely to report lower engagement levels , while teachers who provided feedback to students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagement levels .
Schools where there was a whole-school approach to online learning also fared better .
This was less likely to be the case in disadvantaged schools .
Teachers ’ self-confidence to work remotely consistently emerged as a significant factor in levels of engagement .
In addition , teachers who reported a lack of a dedicated school IT infrastructure are more likely to report low engagement .
The findings are contained in a report , Teaching and Learning During School Closures : Lessons Learned , based on an analysis of the findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early June .
This report was compiled by Dr Ann Devitt , Dr Aibhín Bray and Dr Joanne Banks from the School of Education and Dr Eilís Ní Chorcora from Trinity Access .

Students in disadvantaged secondary schools are three times more likely to have disengaged with their teachers since schools closed last March. Photograph: iStock
Students in disadvantaged secondary schools are three times more likely to have disengaged with their teachers during the lockdown, according to a new study.
The survey of more than 700 second level teachers by researchers at Trinity College Dublin, throws new light on the scale of the digital divide across schools since they closed last March.
Some 32 per cent of teachers in disadvantaged or Deis schools reported “low engagement” levels with their students, compared to just 11 per cent across other schools.
Low engagement was defined as an average of less than 30 per cent of students engaging with teachers.
READ MORE
A lack of interest was the main reason for low engagement, followed by lack of support at home and limited access to devices.
All-boys’ schools were also significantly more likely to report low engagement than all-girls’ schools.
Overall, teachers were in touch with their students about two to three times a week, except for transition year where contact was much less frequent.
Negative impact
This contact was mostly through emailing, sharing links or resources and providing feedback on e-learning platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom.
There was relatively little live teaching online during schools closures. However, teachers in private schools were more likely to report using real-time teaching or recorded classes.
The study found that the lack of personal contact experienced by students and teachers had a major negative impact on teaching and learning when they left the classroom.
A fifth of teachers surveyed said they did not foster collaboration among students during lockdown.
And more than half of teachers reported a decrease in this kind of collaboration since school closures.
As one teacher told researchers: “I feel the lack of personal connection with students places a barrier in the way of motivation, engagement, collaboration, and all else in teaching.
“Technology has helped me to organise lessons and information but places a large obstacle in place for teaching and learning especially for disadvantaged students.”
Dr Ann Devitt, director of research at TCD's school of education, said the findings show that more interactive and collaborative approaches to teaching impacted positively on students' learning.
However, she said nearly 20 per cent of teachers reported never fostering collaboration during school closures.
“Our findings show that there is a need for teachers to foster relationships with students when they return to the classroom,” she said.
Shutdown
“But there is also a need for teachers to be ready in case such a shutdown happens again and we believe CPD [continuous professional development] is needed for teachers on how to provide collaborative learning online.”
The study also found larger schools were also more likely to report lower engagement levels, while teachers who provided feedback to students online were less likely to report low engagement levels.
Schools where there was a whole-school approach to online learning also fared better. This was less likely to be the case in disadvantaged schools.
Teachers’ self-confidence to work remotely consistently emerged as a significant factor in levels of engagement.
In addition, teachers who reported a lack of a dedicated school IT infrastructure are more likely to report low engagement.
The findings are contained in a report, Teaching and Learning During School Closures: Lessons Learned, based on an analysis of the findings of a survey which took place in early June.
This report was compiled by Dr Ann Devitt, Dr Aibhín Bray and Dr Joanne Banks from the School of Education and Dr Eilís Ní Chorcora from Trinity Access.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Brazilian students in Dublin feel shortchanged by online courses

Fabio Oliveira was working as a chef in a Dublin cafe when the country went into lockdown in March .
A few days after the restrictions were announced , he got a call from his boss .
“ He told me he wouldn ’ t be able to reopen the cafe .
He was very kind and explained how I could apply for the benefit from the Government .
But I was lucky with him .
I had to share this information with my friends who didn ’ t realise they were eligible for support .
“ People were so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d lost their jobs and didn ’ t know what would happen next .
They didn ’ t know how they could pay their bills.
” A lecturer in philosophy from Rio de Janeiro , Oliveira came to Ireland last November to improve his English .
He is now one of the thousands of Brazilian students in Ireland taking English language classes online .
Participating in an online class is almost impossible when you share a room with others and have a poor broadband connection , says Oliveira .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a teacher in Brazil I know that online classes require not only a good internet connection but a suitable place to participate where students can work without interruption .
“ Today I attended a class with 25 people and most of them can ’ t turn on the microphone because there ’ s so much noise in the house .
They can ’ t practice speaking English , only writing.
” In late May , the then minister for justice , Charlie Flanagan , announced that language students who had completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were unable to return home because of the pandemic could stay in Ireland until the end of the year , provided they re-enrolled in an online course .
The Irish Council for International Students ( ICOS ) said it was “ deeply concerned ” students were being forced to enrol in poorly conducted online classes .
The group also criticised English language schools for not lowering their fees or providing refunds .
On June 8th , a virtual online protest was held highlighting the “ injustice of paying for online classes at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for students to be allowed to work 40 hours per week during term time rather than just during holidays .
Online learning is just one of many challenges facing young Brazilians living in Ireland during the pandemic .
Some of those who arrived just before lockdown failed to secure a PPS number in time and so were unable to either take up employment or apply for the Covid-19 payment .
Others live in fear of contracting the virus in the often overcrowded houses where they live with other students .
The 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Four years on , the number of Brazilians living here is likely to be significantly higher given the arrival of more foreign students .
According to the census , Brazilians are the youngest cohort of foreign nationals living in Ireland with an average age of 29.9 years .
Only 10 per cent are aged over 40 .
Nearly a fifth of Brazilians work in accommodation and food services , nearly four times the proportion of Irish people working in the same industry .
Many of these have suffered badly during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived here for seven years .
A tech worker , Souza says Brazilians working in technology are often hired through third-party companies and do not enjoy the same rights as those working directly with large organisations .
Thirty people were fired from Souza ’ s company in Ireland after the country went into lockdown .
A lot of younger Brazilians have survived during the pandemic by working informally , says Souza , who is a member of the Brazilian Left Front , an organisation of Brazilians in Ireland fighting for social justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rickshaw drivers even moved into delivery .
This puts them in a more vulnerable health position but they have to keep working ; they need the payment.
” Brazilians are more inclined to stay in Ireland during the pandemic having seen the chaos unfolding in their own country , says Souza .
“ Many Brazilian students quit their jobs before coming here , they probably used their life savings to pay for their classes .
Some students living in overcrowded accommodation are facing eviction .
There ’ s a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan is to stay in Ireland for now and keep working on his English .
He feels frustrated being cooped up at home and recently started venturing out to the supermarket despite his health concerns .
“ I live with Brazilians and speak Portuguese all the time .
After these three months , I feel like I ’ m living in a mini-Brazil .
”

Fabio Oliveira was working as a chef in a Dublin cafe when the country went into lockdown in March. A few days after the restrictions were announced, he got a call from his boss.
“He told me he wouldn’t be able to reopen the cafe. He was very kind and explained how I could apply for the benefit from the Government. But I was lucky with him. I had to share this information with my friends who didn’t realise they were eligible for support.
“People were so nervous at the time because they’d lost their jobs and didn’t know what would happen next. They didn’t know how they could pay their bills.”
A lecturer in philosophy from Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira came to Ireland last November to improve his English. He is now one of the thousands of Brazilian students in Ireland taking English language classes online.
READ MORE
Participating in an online class is almost impossible when you share a room with others and have a poor broadband connection, says Oliveira.
"It's not fair considering what we paid for. As a teacher in Brazil I know that online classes require not only a good internet connection but a suitable place to participate where students can work without interruption.
“Today I attended a class with 25 people and most of them can’t turn on the microphone because there’s so much noise in the house. They can’t practice speaking English, only writing.”
Re-enrolled
In late May, the then minister for justice, Charlie Flanagan, announced that language students who had completed their maximum two years of classes but were unable to return home because of the pandemic could stay in Ireland until the end of the year, provided they re-enrolled in an online course.
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) said it was “deeply concerned” students were being forced to enrol in poorly conducted online classes. The group also criticised English language schools for not lowering their fees or providing refunds.
On June 8th, a virtual online protest was held highlighting the “injustice of paying for online classes at the same price as face-to-face classes” and calling for students to be allowed to work 40 hours per week during term time rather than just during holidays.
Online learning is just one of many challenges facing young Brazilians living in Ireland during the pandemic. Some of those who arrived just before lockdown failed to secure a PPS number in time and so were unable to either take up employment or apply for the Covid-19 payment. Others live in fear of contracting the virus in the often overcrowded houses where they live with other students.
Thirty people were fired from Souza's company in Ireland after the country went into lockdown
The 2016 census recorded 13,640 Brazilians living in Ireland. Four years on, the number of Brazilians living here is likely to be significantly higher given the arrival of more foreign students.
According to the census, Brazilians are the youngest cohort of foreign nationals living in Ireland with an average age of 29.9 years. Only 10 per cent are aged over 40.
Nearly a fifth of Brazilians work in accommodation and food services, nearly four times the proportion of Irish people working in the same industry.
Many of these have suffered badly during the pandemic, says Rodrigo Souza, who has lived here for seven years.
Third-party companies
A tech worker, Souza says Brazilians working in technology are often hired through third-party companies and do not enjoy the same rights as those working directly with large organisations. Thirty people were fired from Souza’s company in Ireland after the country went into lockdown.
A lot of younger Brazilians have survived during the pandemic by working informally, says Souza, who is a member of the Brazilian Left Front, an organisation of Brazilians in Ireland fighting for social justice. “Many of them are delivering food. The rickshaw drivers even moved into delivery. This puts them in a more vulnerable health position but they have to keep working; they need the payment.”
Brazilians are more inclined to stay in Ireland during the pandemic having seen the chaos unfolding in their own country, says Souza. “Many Brazilian students quit their jobs before coming here, they probably used their life savings to pay for their classes. Some students living in overcrowded accommodation are facing eviction. There’s a lot of uncertainty for them.”
For Oliveira, the plan is to stay in Ireland for now and keep working on his English. He feels frustrated being cooped up at home and recently started venturing out to the supermarket despite his health concerns.
“I live with Brazilians and speak Portuguese all the time. After these three months, I feel like I’m living in a mini-Brazil.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--EPA projections highlight scale of challenge on Irish emissions

“ Full and early implementation ” of the 2019 climate action plan is needed if greenhouse gas reduction targets of 3 per cent per year up to 2030 are to be realised , according to the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) .
In its projections of emissions for the period 2019-2040 published on Wednesday , the agency highlights the scale of decarbonisation needed for Ireland to meet its targets over the next decade across all sectors of the economy .
The analysis does not factor in the more ambitious targets in the programme for government agreed by Fianna Fáil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – including a 7 per cent emissions cut annualised up to 2030 .
Its impact will be included in future projections once specific decarbonisation measures are known .
The analysis confirms the Covid-19 lockdown and dramatic decline in economic activity and travel will translate into short-term emissions reductions .
“ Early indications are transport and electricity demand has declined since the beginning of the lockdown with diesel sales down over 20 per cent in the year to end May , and petrol sales down over 30 per cent.
” While the coalition has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets of the previous government , the EPA underlines the extent of what is required with the less-demanding figure of 3 per cent .
“ The scale and pace of the changes needed are significant , requiring much greater reliance on renewables , cross-cutting measures such as an €80 per tonne of CO2 carbon tax by 2030 and further ambitious measures in sectors such as transport , agriculture and power generation.
” The projections show Ireland can meet its current European Union target to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a 51 per cent reduction over the decade in line with the European Green Deal .
EPA director general Laura Burke said : “ These latest projections demonstrate that if we implement the actions that are planned , and if all sectors get behind these , then we can reduce our greenhouse gas [ GHG ] emissions .
This is only the first step , however , and for Ireland to become the low-carbon and climate-resilient society and economy that we aspire to , systemic change is required .
“ Focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green ’ recovery stimulus offers the opportunity to rebuild our economy , generate new jobs and respond to climate change.
” Covid-19 may have resulted short-term GHG reductions , but “ long-term improvements can only be achieved with targeted climate and environmental actions that change consumption and production systems in a sustainable and lasting manner ” , Ms Burke added .
Savings of 79 million tonnes ( Mt ) of CO2 equivalent by 2030 are envisaged across a number of sectors .
In agriculture , a reduction of at least 16.5 Mt CO2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slurry-spreading techniques and switching to “ stabilised urea fertilisers ” for crops and pasture .
This amounts to a 12 per cent cut by 2030 .
More extensive cuts in transport , energy production and heating buildings will mean agriculture will then be responsible 39 per cent of Irish emissions .
In transport , having almost a million electric vehicles ( EVs ) on Irish roads by 2030 , including 840,000 passenger EVs and 95,000 electric vans and trucks , “ will help achieve a projected decrease in emissions from the sector of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2030 ” .
Targets in the energy sector include 70 per cent renewable-energy use in electricity generation ; the installation of 600,000 heat pumps and retrofitting 500,000 homes for improved energy efficiency .
These are projected to deliver by 2030 a 34 per cent reduction in energy industry emissions ; a 53 per cent reduction in residential emissions and a 36 per cent reduction in “ commercial and public services ” emissions .
Increased ambition at national and EU level to keep global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees will , however , necessitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate plan , “ in the pace and scale of emission reductions ” , the EPA says .
This requires maximising CO2 removal of from the atmosphere through improved land management , especially of forestry , grasslands and wetlands .
EPA senior manager Stephen Treacy emphasised the need for appropriate land management .
“ Where land management is providing a store of carbon , this should be maintained or enhanced .
Where land management is resulting in emissions of CO2 , this source should be reduced or eliminated , and where land is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absorb or store CO2 , it should be restored .
”

Having almost a million electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030 “will help achieve a projected decrease in emissions from the sector of 38 per cent over the period to 2030”, the EPA said. Photograph: David Parry/PA Wire
"Full and early implementation" of the 2019 climate action plan is needed if greenhouse gas reduction targets of 3 per cent per year up to 2030 are to be realised, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In its projections of emissions for the period 2019-2040 published on Wednesday, the agency highlights the scale of decarbonisation needed for Ireland to meet its targets over the next decade across all sectors of the economy.
The analysis does not factor in the more ambitious targets in the programme for government agreed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party – including a 7 per cent emissions cut annualised up to 2030. Its impact will be included in future projections once specific decarbonisation measures are known.
The analysis confirms the Covid-19 lockdown and dramatic decline in economic activity and travel will translate into short-term emissions reductions.
READ MORE
“Early indications are transport and electricity demand has declined since the beginning of the lockdown with diesel sales down over 20 per cent in the year to end May, and petrol sales down over 30 per cent.”
While the coalition has committed to more than double the emissions-reduction targets of the previous government, the EPA underlines the extent of what is required with the less-demanding figure of 3 per cent.
“The scale and pace of the changes needed are significant, requiring much greater reliance on renewables, cross-cutting measures such as an €80 per tonne of CO2 carbon tax by 2030 and further ambitious measures in sectors such as transport, agriculture and power generation.”
The projections show Ireland can meet its current European Union target to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. The Government, however, has committed to a 51 per cent reduction over the decade in line with the European Green Deal.
EPA director general Laura Burke said: "These latest projections demonstrate that if we implement the actions that are planned, and if all sectors get behind these, then we can reduce our greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions. This is only the first step, however, and for Ireland to become the low-carbon and climate-resilient society and economy that we aspire to, systemic change is required.
“Focusing on climate action as part of a ‘green’ recovery stimulus offers the opportunity to rebuild our economy, generate new jobs and respond to climate change.”
Covid-19 may have resulted short-term GHG reductions, but “long-term improvements can only be achieved with targeted climate and environmental actions that change consumption and production systems in a sustainable and lasting manner”, Ms Burke added.
Savings of 79 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 equivalent by 2030 are envisaged across a number of sectors.
In agriculture, a reduction of at least 16.5 Mt CO2 is forecast by implementing measures including low-emissions slurry-spreading techniques and switching to “stabilised urea fertilisers” for crops and pasture.
This amounts to a 12 per cent cut by 2030. More extensive cuts in transport, energy production and heating buildings will mean agriculture will then be responsible 39 per cent of Irish emissions.
Electric vehicles
In transport, having almost a million electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads by 2030, including 840,000 passenger EVs and 95,000 electric vans and trucks, “will help achieve a projected decrease in emissions from the sector of 38 per cent over the period to 2030”.
Targets in the energy sector include 70 per cent renewable-energy use in electricity generation; the installation of 600,000 heat pumps and retrofitting 500,000 homes for improved energy efficiency.
These are projected to deliver by 2030 a 34 per cent reduction in energy industry emissions; a 53 per cent reduction in residential emissions and a 36 per cent reduction in “commercial and public services” emissions.
Increased ambition at national and EU level to keep global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees will, however, necessitate a further step-up, additional to the climate plan, “in the pace and scale of emission reductions”, the EPA says.
This requires maximising CO2 removal of from the atmosphere through improved land management, especially of forestry, grasslands and wetlands.
EPA senior manager Stephen Treacy emphasised the need for appropriate land management. "Where land management is providing a store of carbon, this should be maintained or enhanced. Where land management is resulting in emissions of CO2, this source should be reduced or eliminated, and where land is degraded or has lost its ability to absorb or store CO2, it should be restored."


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--US lawyer says he has received ‘very promising lead’ in Annie McCarrick case

A New York-based lawyer said he has received a “ very promising lead ” in the search for an American woman who went missing in Ireland 27 years ago .
Annie McCarrick ( 26 ) travelled to Ireland to study and was living in an apartment at St Catherine ’ s Court in Sandymount , Dublin , with two other friends in 1993 .
She was last seen on a bus to Enniskerry on Friday March 26th of that year , and was officially declared a missing person on March 30th when her mother travelled to Ireland .
Michael Griffith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family in the 90s to help with the missing persons investigation , said he received an email from an Irish citizen with “ a very , very promising lead ” .
“ We ’ re going to investigate this lead and see whether it ’ s credible or not .
I can ’ t go into it obviously at this time ... the individual who sent me the email was very friendly with someone who knew Annie at the time , ” Mr Griffith told the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t know whether they went into this particular lead , but we are going to go into it because it ’ s something , as a seasoned criminal defence lawyer , which should be looked at.
” Former FBI agent Kenneth Strange is also involved in the case and helped Annie McCarrick ’ s mother file a complaint with the FBI at the time .
“ I ’ ve taken a very active interest and I ’ ve been in touch with the gardaí .
I think what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh set of eyes on a case that has grown stale.
” The US lawyer said he is also getting assistance from Dublin-based criminal lawyer Joe Barnes .
Ms McCarrick ’ s father John spent years trying to find out what happened to her but he died in 2009 before finding answers .

Annie McCarrick (26) who travelled to Ireland to study has been missing since March 1993.
A New York-based lawyer said he has received a "very promising lead" in the search for an American woman who went missing in Ireland 27 years ago.
Annie McCarrick (26) travelled to Ireland to study and was living in an apartment at St Catherine's Court in Sandymount, Dublin, with two other friends in 1993.
She was last seen on a bus to Enniskerry on Friday March 26th of that year, and was officially declared a missing person on March 30th when her mother travelled to Ireland.
Michael Griffith, who was hired by Ms McCarrick's family in the 90s to help with the missing persons investigation, said he received an email from an Irish citizen with "a very, very promising lead".
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"We're going to investigate this lead and see whether it's credible or not. I can't go into it obviously at this time ... the individual who sent me the email was very friendly with someone who knew Annie at the time," Mr Griffith told the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk FM on Tuesday.
“The gardaí, I don’t know whether they went into this particular lead, but we are going to go into it because it’s something, as a seasoned criminal defence lawyer, which should be looked at.”
Former FBI agent Kenneth Strange is also involved in the case and helped Annie McCarrick's mother file a complaint with the FBI at the time.
“I’ve taken a very active interest and I’ve been in touch with the gardaí. I think what we can bring to the table is a fresh set of eyes on a case that has grown stale.”
The US lawyer said he is also getting assistance from Dublin-based criminal lawyer Joe Barnes.
Ms McCarrick’s father John spent years trying to find out what happened to her but he died in 2009 before finding answers.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Driver whose car ‘rolled nine metres’ into front of other vehicle loses rear-ending claim

A talented soccer player , who skippered his club team to silverware in a major amateur youth league final after telling his doctor he had been sidelined because of injuries he suffered in a rear-ending traffic accident , has lost a €60,000 damages claim in the Circuit Civil Court .
Lee Rogers ( 27 ) , described as a “ high level ” footballer with St Kevin ’ s Soccer Club in Dublin , was also ordered to pay the legal costs of a woman he alleged had run into the back of his car while waiting to join a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge John O ’ Connor told Mr Rogers he had no hesitation in accepting the evidence of Tanya Ratcliffe , Casa Da Tanvor , Ballystrahan , St Margarets , Co Dublin , who told the court the soccer player and warehouse worker ’ s car had rolled back for almost nine metres into the front of her Mercedes Benz .
Mr Rogers , while being cross-examined by barrister Conor Kearney , counsel for Ms Ratcliffe and her husband ’ s company , Trevor Ratcliffe Deliveries , said he had been driving on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unaccompanied because he “ needed to get home from work ” .
The court heard he had told a garda following the accident at Loughran Roundabout , Swords , that at the time of the accident , on a wet , dark November evening , he had been accompanied by a co-worker who had been unable to wait at the scene and had left to continue his way home .
He told Mr Kearney , who appeared with Francis Gaughan of BLM Solicitors , he had bought his 2004 Ford car for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had been driving it to and from his work .
He said he had been driving it for about five months following the accident before it had been parked up and stolen on him .
Mr Rogers said he had been sitting in his car at the roundabout when Ms Ratcliffe ’ s Mercedes had driven into the back of his car , injuring him .
He denied his car had rolled backwards into her vehicle while they waited to join the roundabout .
Ms Ratcliffe told Mr Kearney she had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rogers ’ s car when it started rolling towards her .
She said his car had been sitting with no lights and she had pumped her horn eight or nine times before it collided with her .
The impact had been so slight she had suffered no injury .
She said that when she got out to speak to Mr Rogers , only seconds after the accident , he was sitting in his car “ talking to his Ma ” about the injuries he had received in the accident .
She had called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car had been shunted forward by the Mercedes and he had suffered pain in his lower back area .
The following day he had attended the medical centre at the Omni Park Shopping Centre , Santry , and had been assessed by a doctor .
It was felt he had suffered a soft tissue injury and had been prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets and gel and advised to remain active .
He had been off work for two days .
In a subsequent medical review , he had reported he enjoyed playing soccer three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been unable to resume his sporting activities .
Mr Kearney told him he had told a doctor he had been unable to resume football until December 2018 despite having played in the Leinster Senior League in February of that year and having captained his team in the winning final in March 2018 .
Judge O ’ Connor , dismissing Mr Rogers ’ s claim , said the case all boiled down to credibility and he had no hesitation whatsoever in accepting Ms Ratcliffe ’ s version of events .

Mr Rogers claimed his car had been shunted forward by the Mercedes and he had suffered pain in his lower back area. Stock image: iStock
A talented soccer player, who skippered his club team to silverware in a major amateur youth league final after telling his doctor he had been sidelined because of injuries he suffered in a rear-ending traffic accident, has lost a €60,000 damages claim in the Circuit Civil Court.
Lee Rogers (27), described as a “high level” footballer with St Kevin’s Soccer Club in Dublin, was also ordered to pay the legal costs of a woman he alleged had run into the back of his car while waiting to join a roundabout near Swords in November 2017.
Judge John O’Connor told Mr Rogers he had no hesitation in accepting the evidence of Tanya Ratcliffe, Casa Da Tanvor, Ballystrahan, St Margarets, Co Dublin, who told the court the soccer player and warehouse worker’s car had rolled back for almost nine metres into the front of her Mercedes Benz.
Mr Rogers, while being cross-examined by barrister Conor Kearney, counsel for Ms Ratcliffe and her husband’s company, Trevor Ratcliffe Deliveries, said he had been driving on a provisional licence without “L” plates and unaccompanied because he “needed to get home from work”.
READ MORE
The court heard he had told a garda following the accident at Loughran Roundabout, Swords, that at the time of the accident, on a wet, dark November evening, he had been accompanied by a co-worker who had been unable to wait at the scene and had left to continue his way home.
He told Mr Kearney, who appeared with Francis Gaughan of BLM Solicitors, he had bought his 2004 Ford car for €1,100 about a year before the accident and had been driving it to and from his work. He said he had been driving it for about five months following the accident before it had been parked up and stolen on him.
Mr Rogers said he had been sitting in his car at the roundabout when Ms Ratcliffe’s Mercedes had driven into the back of his car, injuring him. He denied his car had rolled backwards into her vehicle while they waited to join the roundabout.
Ms Ratcliffe told Mr Kearney she had been stopped about two car lengths from Mr Rogers’s car when it started rolling towards her. She said his car had been sitting with no lights and she had pumped her horn eight or nine times before it collided with her. The impact had been so slight she had suffered no injury.
She said that when she got out to speak to Mr Rogers, only seconds after the accident, he was sitting in his car “talking to his Ma” about the injuries he had received in the accident. She had called the Garda.
Mr Rogers claimed his car had been shunted forward by the Mercedes and he had suffered pain in his lower back area. The following day he had attended the medical centre at the Omni Park Shopping Centre, Santry, and had been assessed by a doctor.
It was felt he had suffered a soft tissue injury and had been prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets and gel and advised to remain active. He had been off work for two days. In a subsequent medical review, he had reported he enjoyed playing soccer three times a week before the accident but had been unable to resume his sporting activities.
Mr Kearney told him he had told a doctor he had been unable to resume football until December 2018 despite having played in the Leinster Senior League in February of that year and having captained his team in the winning final in March 2018.
Judge O’Connor, dismissing Mr Rogers’s claim, said the case all boiled down to credibility and he had no hesitation whatsoever in accepting Ms Ratcliffe’s version of events.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Man who accosted stranger on Dublin street jailed for a year

A man who accosted a stranger on the street with a broken glass and headbutted him for no reason in 2015 has been jailed for one year .
Daryl Coyle ( 30 ) subjected Magdi Mustafa Rashid to a “ terrifying ” assault that was completely unprovoked , Judge Pauline Codd said on Tuesday as she handed down a three year sentence with the final two years suspended .
“ The victim was an innocent man who sustained a broken nose as a result of the actions of the accused , ” the judge said .
Coyle , formerly of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Rashid at South Richmond Street on May 5th 2015 .
Another count of producing a broken glass was taken into consideration by the court .
The court heard Mr Rashid had been visiting a friend in the area and left their home in the early hours of the morning .
He stopped at an ATM to get money when he was approached by three men , including Coyle .
One of the men started shouting at him , before Coyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Mr Rashid and approached him with the broken glass in his hand .
He then headbutted Mr Rashid to the face , causing him to fall to the ground .
The three men then walked off “ in no rush ” , the court heard .
They were so slow to leave the area that Mr Rashid was able to point them out in the distance to gardaí who arrived at the scene a few minutes later .
Coyle was arrested but was so intoxicated that he wasn ’ t fit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewed , he said he had been drunk but hadn ’ t assaulted anyone .
He said he was wearing a different colour top to the one he had on during the incident and when shown CCTV footage , said he did not recognise himself .
He took a trial date but eventually pleaded guilty .
Ms Gerardine Small BL , prosecuting told the court that Mr Rashid , then aged 54 , had previously lived in a number of countries but counted Ireland as one of his favourite locations until this incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good in the wake of the attack , which he said was “ terrifying ” .
He suffered a broken nose and nasal problems for some time afterwards .
He said the assault “ destroyed him because he didn ’ t know how to deal with it at his age ” , Ms Small told the court .
Coyle has 37 previous convictions , including two for assault causing harm .
Some of these convictions were handed down in the wake of the assault on Mr Rashid .
Pieter Le Vert BL , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childhood and his father was physically abusive .
He said Coyle had alcohol and drug problems and was self-medicating with steroids at the time of the assault .
These have been found to increase anger issues , the court heard .
Mr Le Vert said Coyle has worked in various jobs but suffered periods of homelessness .
He has recently secured social housing , which is at risk of being taken away in the event of him being jailed .
Judge Codd said the issue of Coyle ’ s housing situation was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court .
“ Whatever sentence he gets , it ’ s because of his own behaviour , ” she said .
She handed down a three year sentence and suspended the final two years on a number of conditions , including that Coyle be of good behaviour for two years upon his release .

The victim of the attack, then aged 54, had previously lived in a number of countries and said he considered leaving Ireland for good in the wake of the assault.
A man who accosted a stranger on the street with a broken glass and headbutted him for no reason in 2015 has been jailed for one year.
Daryl Coyle (30) subjected Magdi Mustafa Rashid to a “terrifying” assault that was completely unprovoked, Judge Pauline Codd said on Tuesday as she handed down a three year sentence with the final two years suspended.
“The victim was an innocent man who sustained a broken nose as a result of the actions of the accused,” the judge said.
Coyle, formerly of Kippure Park, Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Rashid at South Richmond Street on May 5th 2015. Another count of producing a broken glass was taken into consideration by the court.
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The court heard Mr Rashid had been visiting a friend in the area and left their home in the early hours of the morning. He stopped at an ATM to get money when he was approached by three men, including Coyle.
One of the men started shouting at him, before Coyle smashed a pint glass off the wall behind Mr Rashid and approached him with the broken glass in his hand. He then headbutted Mr Rashid to the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
The three men then walked off “in no rush”, the court heard. They were so slow to leave the area that Mr Rashid was able to point them out in the distance to gardaí who arrived at the scene a few minutes later.
Coyle was arrested but was so intoxicated that he wasn’t fit to be interviewed for several hours. When interviewed, he said he had been drunk but hadn’t assaulted anyone.
He said he was wearing a different colour top to the one he had on during the incident and when shown CCTV footage, said he did not recognise himself. He took a trial date but eventually pleaded guilty.
Ms Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting told the court that Mr Rashid, then aged 54, had previously lived in a number of countries but counted Ireland as one of his favourite locations until this incident. He considered leaving the country for good in the wake of the attack, which he said was “terrifying”.
He suffered a broken nose and nasal problems for some time afterwards. He said the assault “destroyed him because he didn’t know how to deal with it at his age”, Ms Small told the court.
Coyle has 37 previous convictions, including two for assault causing harm. Some of these convictions were handed down in the wake of the assault on Mr Rashid.
Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, said Coyle had a difficult childhood and his father was physically abusive. He said Coyle had alcohol and drug problems and was self-medicating with steroids at the time of the assault. These have been found to increase anger issues, the court heard.
Mr Le Vert said Coyle has worked in various jobs but suffered periods of homelessness. He has recently secured social housing, which is at risk of being taken away in the event of him being jailed.
Judge Codd said the issue of Coyle’s housing situation was not a burden that should be placed on the court. “Whatever sentence he gets, it’s because of his own behaviour,” she said.
She handed down a three year sentence and suspended the final two years on a number of conditions, including that Coyle be of good behaviour for two years upon his release.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Contact tracing rate of 80% achieved in North without use of app

About 80 per cent of those who came in contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland in May and June have been traced .
The North ’ s health minister , Robin Swann , told the Northern Assembly on Tuesday that 481 cases were added to the Covid-19 contact tracing database in those months and more than 700 contacts were traced .
He said there were currently 92 contact tracers who could trace an average of five contacts per day .
A contact tracing app is not yet in operation in the North , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be downloaded in Northern Ireland and users can activate the contact tracing facility .
Mr Swann has previously said contact tracing is operating on a cross-border basis , and any app introduced in the North will be compatible with that in the Republic .
No further coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) on Tuesday .
Five new cases of coronavirus were identified , bringing the total to 5,761 cases .
In the last seven days , 26 people have tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eleven of these new cases were in the Newry , Mourne and Down council area .
Glasswater Lodge care home in Crossgar , Co Down , confirmed on Tuesday that it had decided to remain closed to visitors because of an outbreak in the area , and a cafe which had recently reopened its premises announced that it would close again .
Cafe Q in Crossgar said on Facebook that “ due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in our area we are taking the serious decision to close our sit-in for a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and customers ” .
It said no members of staff had been affected and “ we want them to stay this way and ensure that our customers also remain healthy ” .
The BBC reported that up to 16 people from several families had tested positive for the virus in the Crossgar and Ballynahinch areas of Co Down .
The Public Health Agency ( PHA ) said it had “ not identified any current clusters other than household related infections in the Newry , Mourne and Down area .
“ With some ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected that there will be variation in the number of cases detected across geographical areas , and with small numbers of cases , we must be cautious about the significance of these variations , ” the PHA said .

The North’s health minister Robin Swann said there were currently 92 contact tracers who could trace an average of five contacts per day in Northern Ireland. File image: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire
About 80 per cent of those who came in contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland in May and June have been traced.
The North's health minister, Robin Swann, told the Northern Assembly on Tuesday that 481 cases were added to the Covid-19 contact tracing database in those months and more than 700 contacts were traced.
He said there were currently 92 contact tracers who could trace an average of five contacts per day.
A contact tracing app is not yet in operation in the North, but the app launched in the Republic on Tuesday can be downloaded in Northern Ireland and users can activate the contact tracing facility.
READ MORE
Mr Swann has previously said contact tracing is operating on a cross-border basis, and any app introduced in the North will be compatible with that in the Republic.
No further coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the North's Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday. Five new cases of coronavirus were identified, bringing the total to 5,761 cases.
In the last seven days, 26 people have tested positive for the virus, according to the DoH. Eleven of these new cases were in the Newry, Mourne and Down council area.
Glasswater Lodge care home in Crossgar, Co Down, confirmed on Tuesday that it had decided to remain closed to visitors because of an outbreak in the area, and a cafe which had recently reopened its premises announced that it would close again.
Cafe Q in Crossgar said on Facebook that "due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in our area we are taking the serious decision to close our sit-in for a few weeks to ensure the safety of staff and customers".
It said no members of staff had been affected and “we want them to stay this way and ensure that our customers also remain healthy”.
The BBC reported that up to 16 people from several families had tested positive for the virus in the Crossgar and Ballynahinch areas of Co Down.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it had "not identified any current clusters other than household related infections in the Newry, Mourne and Down area.
“With some ongoing community transmission of Covid-19, it is expected that there will be variation in the number of cases detected across geographical areas, and with small numbers of cases, we must be cautious about the significance of these variations,” the PHA said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--O’Neill denies breaking the law or social distance guidelines at Storey funeral

The North ’ s Deputy First Minister has told the Stormont Assembly she “ did act responsibly ” and did not break either the law or social distancing guidelines at the funeral of the senior Belfast republican Bobby Storey .
A motion calling on Michelle O ’ Neill and the North ’ s Finance Minister , Conor Murphy , to apologise for their actions at the funeral was debated by MLAs for almost two hours on Tuesday evening .
It was passed by a majority of Assembly members present , but has no practical consequences .
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credibility had been “ shot to bits ” .
During the debate Ms O ’ Neill repeated her apology to grieving families , saying that they had been “ really , really hurt , and I ’ m sorry that ’ s the case ” .
She said that at the funeral she bore personal responsibility “ to ensure my actions were in compliance with the regulations and the guidance , which I take very seriously .
“ I ’ m satisfied that I did act responsibly within the church as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 people as part of the cortège , and at the cemetery in Milltown where I paid my respects .
“ Let me state very clearly , at no stage did I seek to give offence to anyone , including this chamber , nor would I ever seek to do so .
“ I take very seriously indeed my responsibilities as public office holder and as Deputy First Minister and joint head of government .
I can assure members that I have acted in accordance with those responsibilities , ” Ms O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by representatives from the other four parties in the Northern Executive – the DUP , SDLP , Ulster Unionists and Alliance .
Proposing the motion , Mr Stalford said that in a “ fashion that would shame the Trump administration , the Deputy First Minister asks us to shut our eyes to what we can all see ” .
The public were , he said , “ urged to rely on alternative facts ” and the “ repetition of her assertion that she abided by the guidelines she wrote and imposed upon every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Deputy First Minister , he said , had written the regulations and “ knows both the letter and spirit of those regulations ” , adding that she continued to insist her actions had been within the regulations was “ for the birds ” .
He said Ms O ’ Neill had been “ zealous ” in instructing others to follow the coronavirus regulations and guidelines .
“ That ’ s what really sticks in people ’ s craw .
That is what is at the core of this issue .
Do as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said the debate was about “ we as an institution practicing what we preach to ensure confidence in this house and in our executive and in those who lead our executive ” .
He said there “ can not be one rule for those who govern and one rule for everybody else ” , adding that he was not sure the Deputy First Minister or her party “ fully understand the depth of damage that ’ s been caused to the credibility of these institutions ” .
Ulster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ not a matter of orange and green ” , but was a matter that “ goes to the core of how we deal with this crisis ” .
Referring to Ms O ’ Neill and Mr Murphy , he said “ it is you who made these rules , sold these rules , and now have indisputably broken these rules .
In any other democracy both of you would have done the decent thing and resigned.
” Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said her party contended Sinn Féin “ did not act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and while she accepted the Deputy First Minister had apologised for hurt families may have felt , “ both she and Sinn Féin need to go further ” .
The progress made by the executive in working together during the coronavirus pandemic , she said , “ has now fallen apart ” .
“ We need to rebuild the public ’ s trust , ” she said , adding that Sinn Féin must reflect “ on the damage done ” and accept the issue they had created by offering an apology .

Michelle O’Neill: “Let me state very clearly, at no stage did I seek to give offence to anyone, including this chamber, nor would I ever seek to do so.” Photograph: PA
The North's Deputy First Minister has told the Stormont Assembly she "did act responsibly" and did not break either the law or social distancing guidelines at the funeral of the senior Belfast republican Bobby Storey.
A motion calling on Michelle O'Neill and the North's Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, to apologise for their actions at the funeral was debated by MLAs for almost two hours on Tuesday evening. It was passed by a majority of Assembly members present, but has no practical consequences.
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford said Ms O'Neill's credibility had been "shot to bits".
During the debate Ms O’Neill repeated her apology to grieving families, saying that they had been “really, really hurt, and I’m sorry that’s the case”.
READ MORE
She said that at the funeral she bore personal responsibility “to ensure my actions were in compliance with the regulations and the guidance, which I take very seriously.
"I'm satisfied that I did act responsibly within the church as part of a limited group of no more than 30 people as part of the cortège, and at the cemetery in Milltown where I paid my respects.
“Let me state very clearly, at no stage did I seek to give offence to anyone, including this chamber, nor would I ever seek to do so.
“I take very seriously indeed my responsibilities as public office holder and as Deputy First Minister and joint head of government. I can assure members that I have acted in accordance with those responsibilities,” Ms O’Neill said.
The motion was signed by representatives from the other four parties in the Northern Executive – the DUP, SDLP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance.
Proposing the motion, Mr Stalford said that in a “fashion that would shame the Trump administration, the Deputy First Minister asks us to shut our eyes to what we can all see”.
The public were, he said, “urged to rely on alternative facts” and the “repetition of her assertion that she abided by the guidelines she wrote and imposed upon every other citizen in this country”.
The Deputy First Minister, he said, had written the regulations and “knows both the letter and spirit of those regulations”, adding that she continued to insist her actions had been within the regulations was “for the birds”.
He said Ms O’Neill had been “zealous” in instructing others to follow the coronavirus regulations and guidelines.
These rules
“That’s what really sticks in people’s craw. That is what is at the core of this issue. Do as I say, not as I do.”
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said the debate was about “we as an institution practicing what we preach to ensure confidence in this house and in our executive and in those who lead our executive”.
He said there “cannot be one rule for those who govern and one rule for everybody else”, adding that he was not sure the Deputy First Minister or her party “fully understand the depth of damage that’s been caused to the credibility of these institutions”.
Ulster Unionist party leader Steve Aiken said it was "not a matter of orange and green", but was a matter that "goes to the core of how we deal with this crisis".
Referring to Ms O’Neill and Mr Murphy, he said “it is you who made these rules, sold these rules, and now have indisputably broken these rules. In any other democracy both of you would have done the decent thing and resigned.”
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said her party contended Sinn Féin "did not act in accordance with the health regulations" and while she accepted the Deputy First Minister had apologised for hurt families may have felt, "both she and Sinn Féin need to go further".
The progress made by the executive in working together during the coronavirus pandemic, she said, “has now fallen apart”.
“We need to rebuild the public’s trust,” she said, adding that Sinn Féin must reflect “on the damage done” and accept the issue they had created by offering an apology.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Passenger who promised driver a ‘few quid’ after crash awarded €10,000

A 24-year-old electrician , who texted the driver of a car in which he had been injured in a collision that he would throw him a “ few quid ” , has been awarded €10,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court for neck and back injuries .
Stephen Mills , of Lissadell Drive , Drimnagh , Dublin 12 , told Judge John O ’ Connor he was being driven by a work colleague , Michael Doyle , to a 21st birthday party in the Red Cow Hotel when the vehicle had been struck in the side as it had changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached the Red Cow .
He said he had been sitting in the back seat when the accident happened on March 9th 2018 .
It wasn ’ t until the following day that he had experienced pain in his neck and back .
Mr Mills told his barrister Paul Gallagher that he had gone to St James ’ s Hospital several days after the incident and had been advised to undergo physiotherapy which he did only when he felt he needed it .
Mr Gallagher , who appeared with Anderson and Gallagher Solicitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the court was being asked to assess damages for personal injury .
Medical reports revealed that Mr Mills had suffered pain in his neck and back for several months after the accident .
Mr Mills sued Adrian Doyle , of Mulgannon , Wexford , who owned the car driven by his son , Michael Doyle , and Cali Jaama Ducale , of the Aisling Guest House , Dublin Road , Baltrasna , Ashbourne , Co Meath , the driver of the second car involved .
The court heard Mr Ducale had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and only Adrian Doyle was being pursued in negligence as defendant .
During cross-examination , Mr Mills told the court he had not attended his general practitioner and denied only having attended the hospital several days later after a relation had told him he could take a case about the accident .
He agreed he had sent a text to Michael Doyle telling him he was going to hospital to “ have it on file ” and would be putting in a claim .
He had told Michael Doyle in the text that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had stated “ don ’ t go work and say we wore [ stet ] in crash ” .
Conor Kearney , who appeared with Ennis Solicitors , for Adrian Doyle , read out a copy of the text message by Mr Mills to Michael Doyle in which Mr Mills had said : “ It be nice to get .
I ’ d throw ye few quid when we get it if it ’ s all good with you… bud.
” Mr Mills said his reference to throwing Mr Doyle a few quid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard to documentation , registration number and insurance details , regarding Adrian Doyle ’ s car .
Michael Doyle had replied to Mr Mills : “ Yeah .
I might do the same .
I may think bout it tho I could do with the cash.
” He told Mr Gallagher , counsel for Mr Mills , in cross examination that he had been involved in the text exchanges but denied it had been at a time when he thought it was the other driver , Mr Ducale , who would be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallagher he later realised he was going to be held responsible for the crash and it had “ entered my mind that I was setting myself up ” .
Judge O ’ Connor , after having heard the evidence and having read medical reports said he would award Mr Mills €10,000 with district court costs .

The court heard liability was conceded and the court was being asked to assess damages for personal injury. Photograph: Alan Betson
A 24-year-old electrician, who texted the driver of a car in which he had been injured in a collision that he would throw him a “few quid”, has been awarded €10,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court for neck and back injuries.
Stephen Mills, of Lissadell Drive, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, told Judge John O’Connor he was being driven by a work colleague, Michael Doyle, to a 21st birthday party in the Red Cow Hotel when the vehicle had been struck in the side as it had changed lanes on Long Mile Road as it approached the Red Cow.
He said he had been sitting in the back seat when the accident happened on March 9th 2018. It wasn’t until the following day that he had experienced pain in his neck and back.
Mr Mills told his barrister Paul Gallagher that he had gone to St James’s Hospital several days after the incident and had been advised to undergo physiotherapy which he did only when he felt he needed it. Mr Gallagher, who appeared with Anderson and Gallagher Solicitors, told the court liability was conceded and the court was being asked to assess damages for personal injury.
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Medical reports revealed that Mr Mills had suffered pain in his neck and back for several months after the accident.
Mr Mills sued Adrian Doyle, of Mulgannon, Wexford, who owned the car driven by his son, Michael Doyle, and Cali Jaama Ducale, of the Aisling Guest House, Dublin Road, Baltrasna, Ashbourne, Co Meath, the driver of the second car involved. The court heard Mr Ducale had been let out of the case by agreement and only Adrian Doyle was being pursued in negligence as defendant.
During cross-examination, Mr Mills told the court he had not attended his general practitioner and denied only having attended the hospital several days later after a relation had told him he could take a case about the accident.
He agreed he had sent a text to Michael Doyle telling him he was going to hospital to “have it on file” and would be putting in a claim. He had told Michael Doyle in the text that he was not going to work and had stated “don’t go work and say we wore [stet] in crash”.
Conor Kearney, who appeared with Ennis Solicitors, for Adrian Doyle, read out a copy of the text message by Mr Mills to Michael Doyle in which Mr Mills had said: “It be nice to get. I’d throw ye few quid when we get it if it’s all good with you… bud.”
Mr Mills said his reference to throwing Mr Doyle a few quid would have been for assisting him with regard to documentation, registration number and insurance details, regarding Adrian Doyle’s car.
Michael Doyle had replied to Mr Mills: “Yeah. I might do the same. I may think bout it tho I could do with the cash.” He told Mr Gallagher, counsel for Mr Mills, in cross examination that he had been involved in the text exchanges but denied it had been at a time when he thought it was the other driver, Mr Ducale, who would be held to blame.
Mr Doyle told Mr Gallagher he later realised he was going to be held responsible for the crash and it had “entered my mind that I was setting myself up”.
Judge O’Connor, after having heard the evidence and having read medical reports said he would award Mr Mills €10,000 with district court costs.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Ex-teacher convicted of indecently assaulting boys fails to show for sentencing

An elderly former school teacher convicted of fondling Dublin school boys five decades ago failed to show up for his sentencing after going into hospital .
Patrick Harte ( 78 ) , who is on bail , failed on Monday in a legal bid to have his sentencing adjourned due to the Covid-19 pandemic and his own medical condition .
His lawyers told Judge Martin Nolan that he is avoiding crowded places and following HSE guidelines for people over 70 and should not be compelled to attend court .
Judge Nolan refused the defence application and listed the sentence hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4pm on Tuesday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court , when the building would be relatively empty .
At this hearing , on Tuesday afternoon , Patrick Gageby SC , defending , told the court that Harte had subsequently been admitted to Tallaght hospital suffering from certain symptoms , including cardiac issues .
This followed him attending his GP .
Some documents were handed into court to verify events .
Judge Nolan said the court was quite concerned and a little suspicious about this behaviour .
He adjourned the case to Thursday and told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dealt with in this term ” and preferably this week .
Following a trial last March , Harte was convicted of 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven primary school boys at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street , Dublin between September 1968 and September 1970 .
Harte , of Glendown Park , Templeogue , Dublin was a teacher at the primary school in the late 60s when the complainants were aged around ten .
The trial heard he would fondle some of the boys after calling them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had pleaded not guilty and gave evidence during which he strenuously denied the allegations .
On Monday Mr Gageby outlined to the court how his client suffers from a number of medical conditions , including diabetes and chronic heart disease .
Mr Gageby submitted his client should not be compelled to attend court , given the current situation .
He noted that there were quite a number of people present in the court complex .
He asked that the sentence be adjourned for two months .
Anne Rowland SC , prosecuting , opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harte ’ s seven victims had attended court and wished to read out their victim impact statements .
“ This is a case in which the interest of justice would be served by some finality at this stage , ” she said , noting the offences date back to the 1960s .
Ms Rowland said the injured parties would be willing to stay outside the court for the duration of the sentence hearing and come in one by one to read their victim impact statements .
Judge Nolan noted Harte ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical conditions render him vulnerable to coronavirus .
However , he noted that “ the virus will be with us for a considerable period of time ” and said that Harte must be sentenced for his crimes .

Patrick Harte (78), of Glendown Park, Templeogue, Dublin 6W, pictured in March when he was found guilty on multiple charges of indecent assault. Photograph: Collins Courts
An elderly former school teacher convicted of fondling Dublin school boys five decades ago failed to show up for his sentencing after going into hospital.
Patrick Harte (78), who is on bail, failed on Monday in a legal bid to have his sentencing adjourned due to the Covid-19 pandemic and his own medical condition.
His lawyers told Judge Martin Nolan that he is avoiding crowded places and following HSE guidelines for people over 70 and should not be compelled to attend court.
Judge Nolan refused the defence application and listed the sentence hearing to take place out of hours at 4pm on Tuesday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, when the building would be relatively empty.
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At this hearing, on Tuesday afternoon, Patrick Gageby SC, defending, told the court that Harte had subsequently been admitted to Tallaght hospital suffering from certain symptoms, including cardiac issues.
This followed him attending his GP. Some documents were handed into court to verify events.
Judge Nolan said the court was quite concerned and a little suspicious about this behaviour. He adjourned the case to Thursday and told Mr Gageby that the case “will be dealt with in this term” and preferably this week.
Following a trial last March, Harte was convicted of 11 counts of indecently assaulting seven primary school boys at the Sancta Maria Christian Brothers primary school on Synge Street, Dublin between September 1968 and September 1970.
Harte, of Glendown Park, Templeogue, Dublin was a teacher at the primary school in the late 60s when the complainants were aged around ten. The trial heard he would fondle some of the boys after calling them to the top of the class.
Harte had pleaded not guilty and gave evidence during which he strenuously denied the allegations.
On Monday Mr Gageby outlined to the court how his client suffers from a number of medical conditions, including diabetes and chronic heart disease.
Mr Gageby submitted his client should not be compelled to attend court, given the current situation. He noted that there were quite a number of people present in the court complex. He asked that the sentence be adjourned for two months.
Anne Rowland SC, prosecuting, opposed the application. She said five of Harte’s seven victims had attended court and wished to read out their victim impact statements.
“This is a case in which the interest of justice would be served by some finality at this stage,” she said, noting the offences date back to the 1960s.
Ms Rowland said the injured parties would be willing to stay outside the court for the duration of the sentence hearing and come in one by one to read their victim impact statements.
Judge Nolan noted Harte’s health is currently stable, but that his medical conditions render him vulnerable to coronavirus.
However, he noted that “the virus will be with us for a considerable period of time” and said that Harte must be sentenced for his crimes.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Skeletal remains discovered in south Dublin were of man missing since 2011

A man whose skeletal remains were found in south Dublin earlier this year has been identified as Stephen Corrigan , who had been reported missing almost a decade ago .
When Mr Corrigan , who would be aged 57 years if he were alive , went missing his mother was his only known living blood relative and she gave a sample of her DNA in a bid to aid the search for him .
While she has since died , without ever knowing what happened to her son , the sample of DNA she gave to gardaí has resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south Dublin , being confirmed as those of Mr Corrigan .
Gardaí have now launched an appeal for any other relatives of the dead man to come forward .
The remains were found on the evening of Thursday , April 9th , on a site off the Lower Rathmines Road , on common ground at Lissenfield .
No effort appeared to have been made to bury the remains , on which no flesh or clothing remained and the bones were initially believed to date from within a 20-year period .
Tests that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial evaluation and gardaí believe Mr Corrigan died around the time he went missing in November , 2011 .
Gardaí on Tuesday confirmed the remains were those of Mr Corrigan , who was residing in the Cork St area of Dublin 8 when the last known sighting of him was recorded , when he was aged 48 years .
At the time he went missing Mr Corrigan was a patient at The Weir Home on Cork St , a residence where nursing and psychiatric care is provided for men .
Residents can come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corrigan failed to return there on the day he went missing .
He suffered from mental health issues and had a tendency to withdraw from society and was known to live on the streets , often around St Anne ’ s Park , Palmerston Park , Mulhuddart and Glasnevin .
He was reported missing at the time and his mother kept in touch with gardaí , with appeals for information on his whereabouts being broadcast on the RTÉ Crimecall programme in May 2012 , January 2013 , and May 2014 .
“ Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a familial DNA sample provided by his mother .
Sadly , Stephen ’ s mother is now deceased , as is his only other known blood relative , ” the Garda said in a statement on Tuesday night .
“ An Garda Síochána continue to try and identify surviving members of Stephen ’ s family and are appealing to any living relative of Stephen Corrigan or any member of the public who knew Stephen to contact gardaí.
” Any member of the family or anyone who has information about family members is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 01 ) 666 6700 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 .

Gardaí believe Stephen Corrigan died around the time he went missing in November 2011. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
A man whose skeletal remains were found in south Dublin earlier this year has been identified as Stephen Corrigan, who had been reported missing almost a decade ago.
When Mr Corrigan, who would be aged 57 years if he were alive, went missing his mother was his only known living blood relative and she gave a sample of her DNA in a bid to aid the search for him.
Gardaí at the scene in Rathmines, Dublin, last April where the remains were found on a tree-lined common area close to apartments. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
While she has since died, without ever knowing what happened to her son, the sample of DNA she gave to gardaí has resulted in the skeletal remains found in Rathmines, south Dublin, being confirmed as those of Mr Corrigan. Gardaí have now launched an appeal for any other relatives of the dead man to come forward.
The remains were found on the evening of Thursday, April 9th, on a site off the Lower Rathmines Road, on common ground at Lissenfield.
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No effort appeared to have been made to bury the remains, on which no flesh or clothing remained and the bones were initially believed to date from within a 20-year period.
Tests that have since been carried out have confirmed that initial evaluation and gardaí believe Mr Corrigan died around the time he went missing in November, 2011.
Gardaí on Tuesday confirmed the remains were those of Mr Corrigan, who was residing in the Cork St area of Dublin 8 when the last known sighting of him was recorded, when he was aged 48 years.
At the time he went missing Mr Corrigan was a patient at The Weir Home on Cork St, a residence where nursing and psychiatric care is provided for men. Residents can come and go as they please and Mr Corrigan failed to return there on the day he went missing.
He suffered from mental health issues and had a tendency to withdraw from society and was known to live on the streets, often around St Anne's Park, Palmerston Park, Mulhuddart and Glasnevin.
He was reported missing at the time and his mother kept in touch with gardaí, with appeals for information on his whereabouts being broadcast on the RTÉ Crimecall programme in May 2012, January 2013, and May 2014.
“Stephen has been identified through DNA analysis compared with a familial DNA sample provided by his mother. Sadly, Stephen’s mother is now deceased, as is his only other known blood relative,” the Garda said in a statement on Tuesday night.
"An Garda Síochána continue to try and identify surviving members of Stephen's family and are appealing to any living relative of Stephen Corrigan or any member of the public who knew Stephen to contact gardaí."
Any member of the family or anyone who has information about family members is asked to contact Rathmines Garda station on (01) 666 6700 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Det Garda Colm Horkan’s family grateful for ‘outstanding’ support

The family of late Det Garda Colm Horkan has thanked the public for their outpouring of support in the wake of his death , adding that people have been “ outstanding ” .
Det Garda Horkan ( 49 ) died on June 17th when he was shot while responding to an incident in Castlerea , Co Roscommon .
Stephen Silver ( 43 ) , of Aughaward , Foxford , Co Mayo , was later charged with his murder .
Dermot Horkan , a brother of the late detective garda , said the last few weeks have been “ very tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been made a lot easier by the likes of the public and the gardaí have been brilliant for us and our neighbours and friends at home in Charlestown .
The support we have had has been phenomenal .
As a family , we ’ re very grateful for that and it means so much , ” Mr Horkan told RTÉ Radio One ’ s Drivetime .
“ Everyone spoke so highly of Colm and it just meant so much to us and to Dad .
And we ’ re very grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said public support has continued in the weeks following his brother ’ s death .
“ The cards are coming through the door still every day .
Dad still opens everyone of them and he gets great consolation from that .
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.
We just can ’ t thank people enough for that .
They ’ ve been outstanding , ” he added .
Marty Horkan , the dead garda ’ s father , also thanked the local communities who have reached out to the family in recent weeks .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular and the wonderful support they have shown to us .
And also the GAA .
.
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football club and indeed football clubs all around us and our own neighbours above all who have been so wonderful to us , ” he said .
“ We miss Colm , we do .
He lived at home with me and I ’ m going to miss him anyway , that ’ s for sure .
He was something special , and that has been brought home to us in the last few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much for people until he died.
” The Horkan family were speaking at a commemoration ceremony for Garda Henry Byrne and Detective Garda John Morley who died in the line of duty forty 40 years ago in Loughglynn , Co Roscommon .
Morley and Byrne died on July 7th , 1980 , after intercepting armed bank raiders at Shannon ’ s Cross , just outside the village of Loughglynn in west Roscommon .
Both were married with young families .
Morley ( 37 ) had been a well-known Gaelic footballer and Byrne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visionaries who witnessed the apparition in Knock , the Mayo parish from where he and Morley hailed .
Byrne ( 29 ) was killed instantly after one of the raiders opened fire when the Garda and getaway cars collided at Shannon ’ s Cross .
Morley exchanged fire , but was wounded fatally .

Det Garda Colm Horkan who was shot dead while responding to an incident in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. His father characterised him as ‘something special’.
The family of late Det Garda Colm Horkan has thanked the public for their outpouring of support in the wake of his death, adding that people have been "outstanding".
Det Garda Horkan (49) died on June 17th when he was shot while responding to an incident in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. Stephen Silver (43), of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, was later charged with his murder.
Dermot Horkan, a brother of the late detective garda, said the last few weeks have been "very tough" for the family.
Garda HQ, Phoenix Park, Dublin, where the State funeral for Det Garda Colm Horkan was marked. File photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
"It's been made a lot easier by the likes of the public and the gardaí have been brilliant for us and our neighbours and friends at home in Charlestown. The support we have had has been phenomenal. As a family, we're very grateful for that and it means so much," Mr Horkan told RTÉ Radio One's Drivetime.
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“Everyone spoke so highly of Colm and it just meant so much to us and to Dad. And we’re very grateful and thankful for that.”
Mr Horkan said public support has continued in the weeks following his brother’s death.
“The cards are coming through the door still every day. Dad still opens everyone of them and he gets great consolation from that . . . We just can’t thank people enough for that. They’ve been outstanding,” he added.
Marty Horkan, the dead garda's father, also thanked the local communities who have reached out to the family in recent weeks.
“We’re very thankful to the gardaí in particular and the wonderful support they have shown to us. And also the GAA . . . football club and indeed football clubs all around us and our own neighbours above all who have been so wonderful to us,” he said.
"We miss Colm, we do. He lived at home with me and I'm going to miss him anyway, that's for sure. He was something special, and that has been brought home to us in the last few weeks. I never knew he had done so much for people until he died."
The Horkan family were speaking at a commemoration ceremony for Garda Henry Byrne and Detective Garda John Morley who died in the line of duty forty 40 years ago in Loughglynn, Co Roscommon.
Det Garda John Morley (left) and Garda Henry Byrne who died in the line of duty 40 years ago on July 7th, 1980.
Morley and Byrne died on July 7th, 1980, after intercepting armed bank raiders at Shannon’s Cross, just outside the village of Loughglynn in west Roscommon.
Both were married with young families. Morley (37) had been a well-known Gaelic footballer and Byrne’s grandfather was among the 15 visionaries who witnessed the apparition in Knock, the Mayo parish from where he and Morley hailed.
Byrne (29) was killed instantly after one of the raiders opened fire when the Garda and getaway cars collided at Shannon’s Cross. Morley exchanged fire, but was wounded fatally.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Private hospitals group says health insurers should meet Covid test charge

The Mater Private Healthcare Group , which has come under fire for the introduction of new charges for Covid-19 tests for patients treated in its facilities , has criticised health insurers for failing to meet these costs on behalf of their subscribers .
The group , which includes the Mater Private hospitals in Dublin and Cork , said in the absence of an agreement with health insurers it had no alternative other than to bill subscribers directly for the costs .
The group suggested that health insurers had generated considerable savings on claims over recent months when private hospitals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Private Healthcare Group said on Tuesday it had put in place charges of €275 for people undergoing an in-patient day procedure and €75 for a diagnostics out-patient test .
“ The Mater Private Healthcare Group have recently introduced a series of additional quality , safety and risk management measures to protect patients and staff as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
One such measure is the reconfiguration of our facilities to minimise unnecessary contact with other patients while attending appointments .
“ Another is the introduction of a robust Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will undergo ) ; and in some cases further testing thereafter ( which only some patients will have to undergo ) .
” It said these additional measures had come “ at considerable cost to the hospital , including operating longer hours , reduced capacity , additional cleaning and purchase of personal protective equipment ” .
“ As a result the costs of running our services , whilst simultaneously ensuring the safety of our patients and staff , have increased .
These are costs that we believe should be absorbed by the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies .
“ The health insurers have experienced a significant drop year to date in the number of claims for private hospital services due to the Covid-19 pandemic , including zero claims during the three months the private hospitals were used by the State during the Covid-19 pandemic at no profit to the private hospitals .
The number of claims may decrease further as Covid-19 operating guidelines reduce our capacity to deliver treatments and procedures.
” The Mater Private Healthcare Group said it had “ proactively engaged ” with the health insurance providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is extremely regrettable that the health insurance providers have thus far refused to provide cover , reimburse patients , or in some cases have not yet confirmed their position in this regard ; and this has resulted in an added expense and uncertainty for our patients.
” The group stressed its hospitals incurred “ no profit ” , adding “ these fees are charged on an individual basis , and not an attendance basis ; therefore , no patient will be charged more than once for these procedures during a cycle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , VHI , Laya and Irish Life Health , all indicated this week that they were in talks with private hospitals over the charges .
The private Beacon Hospital in Dublin has said that Laya Healthcare subscribers would be covered for a €250 Covid-19 test required for some patients being treated in its facilities .
The hospital said talks were under way with other insurers .
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Monday the Government would “ take a very dim view ” of private hospitals profiting from Covid-19 testing .

The largest health insurers, VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health, have all indicated they are in talks with private hospitals over the charges. Photograph: Getty Images
The Mater Private Healthcare Group, which has come under fire for the introduction of new charges for Covid-19 tests for patients treated in its facilities, has criticised health insurers for failing to meet these costs on behalf of their subscribers.
The group, which includes the Mater Private hospitals in Dublin and Cork, said in the absence of an agreement with health insurers it had no alternative other than to bill subscribers directly for the costs.
The group suggested that health insurers had generated considerable savings on claims over recent months when private hospitals were effectively under State control.
The Mater Private Healthcare Group said on Tuesday it had put in place charges of €275 for people undergoing an in-patient day procedure and €75 for a diagnostics out-patient test.
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“The Mater Private Healthcare Group have recently introduced a series of additional quality, safety and risk management measures to protect patients and staff as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. One such measure is the reconfiguration of our facilities to minimise unnecessary contact with other patients while attending appointments.
“Another is the introduction of a robust Covid-19 screening service (which all attending patients will undergo); and in some cases further testing thereafter (which only some patients will have to undergo).”
It said these additional measures had come “at considerable cost to the hospital, including operating longer hours, reduced capacity, additional cleaning and purchase of personal protective equipment”.
“As a result the costs of running our services, whilst simultaneously ensuring the safety of our patients and staff, have increased. These are costs that we believe should be absorbed by the health insurers as part of insured patients’ policies.
“The health insurers have experienced a significant drop year to date in the number of claims for private hospital services due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including zero claims during the three months the private hospitals were used by the State during the Covid-19 pandemic at no profit to the private hospitals. The number of claims may decrease further as Covid-19 operating guidelines reduce our capacity to deliver treatments and procedures.”
The Mater Private Healthcare Group said it had “proactively engaged” with the health insurance providers regarding reimbursement of the charges.
“It is extremely regrettable that the health insurance providers have thus far refused to provide cover, reimburse patients, or in some cases have not yet confirmed their position in this regard; and this has resulted in an added expense and uncertainty for our patients.”
Individual basis
The group stressed its hospitals incurred “no profit”, adding “these fees are charged on an individual basis, and not an attendance basis; therefore, no patient will be charged more than once for these procedures during a cycle of care”.
The largest health insurers, VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health, all indicated this week that they were in talks with private hospitals over the charges.
The private Beacon Hospital in Dublin has said that Laya Healthcare subscribers would be covered for a €250 Covid-19 test required for some patients being treated in its facilities. The hospital said talks were under way with other insurers.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Monday the Government would "take a very dim view" of private hospitals profiting from Covid-19 testing.


theirishtimes--2020-07-07--Proceedings begin against Clonshaugh waste-water facility plan

A proposed €500 million waste-water treatment plant at Clonshaugh , north Dublin , got planning approval “ without any meaningful assessment of what comes out at the end of the pipe ” , the High Court has been told .
Oisín Collins SC made the claim on Tuesday when opening proceedings by Sabrina Joyce-Kemper , one of a number of local residents objecting to the development intended by Irish Water to supplement the Ringsend waste-water treatment plant .
Ms Joyce-Kemper , of Portmarnock Crescent , Portmarnock , has taken the case concerning An Bord Pleanála ’ s November 2019 permission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a waste-water treatment plant , sludge hub centre , orbital sewer , outfall pipeline and regional biosolids storage facility on a site of 30 hectares in the townlands of Clonshaugh , Dubber and Newtown .
The hearing , before Mr Justice Senan Allen , involves a “ telescoped ” hearing via video-link of an application for permission for judicial review and the review itself .
The case , listed for 10 days , is against the board and the State , with Irish Water as a notice party .
Among various claims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was given contrary to the requirements of two European directives – the environmental impact assessment directive and habitats directive – lacked sufficient reasons and was contrary to fair procedures .
The board denies the claims and it and Irish Water argue Ms Joyce-Kemper has limited legal standing and should be confined to raising issues she raised before the board during the public consultation process concerning the development .
Irish Water sought the development to cater for future population growth and because the Ringsend plant is operating over capacity , resulting in discharges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plan involves 13km of underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to the Clonshaugh plant and a 12km outfall pipeline to bring the treated waste water to Baldoyle and out to sea .
Ms Joyce-Kemper and other objectors are concerned the outfall pipeline discharges into the Rockabill to Dalkey Island Special Area of Conservation , within a kilometre of Ireland ’ s Eye Special Area of Conservation .
The planning application was preceded by a pre-application consultation process , which began in October 2012 and continued for five years .
Ms Joyce-Kemper says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Water proposed to construct a much larger plant in two consecutive planning application processes .
Towards the later stages of the consultation , Irish Water said it would construct the treatment plant in a single phase to treat a population equivalent to 500,000 people rather than the 800,000 people originally envisaged , she says .
Opening the case , Mr Collins said planning approval was given without a proper environmental impact assessment or appropriate assessment of the development that was ultimately approved , as opposed to the larger development originally proposed .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the board ’ s approach , he argued .
Ms Joyce-Kemper , a daily sea swimmer , has a particular concern about the impact on water quality in Portmarnock , which is adjacent to the location of the outfall pipe , and she is generally concerned about the environmental impact , he said .
The plant ’ s biggest emission will come out at the end of the outfall pipe , but this development has been permitted without any meaningful assessment of what comes out at the end of the pipe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we don ’ t know what that will be.
” There is an onus on the Environmental Protection Agency and the board concerning limiting emissions and this fell under the ambit of the EPA ’ s water licensing procedure , he said .
There had been “ no meaningful interaction ” between the two bodies as required of them as competent authorities under European law , he said .
The EPA had said nothing more than that it would conduct its own environmental impact assessment as required by European law , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant sludges that would need to be spread on land but that landspread did not appear to fall within the development consent and had not been properly assessed .
The argument that Ms Joyce-Kemper was limited to raising issues she had previously raised before the board during the planning process was incorrect as a matter of national and European law , he submitted .

A view of the Ringsend waste-water treatment plant, which the proposed €500 million plant at Clonshaugh, north Dublin is intended to supplement. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
A proposed €500 million waste-water treatment plant at Clonshaugh, north Dublin, got planning approval “without any meaningful assessment of what comes out at the end of the pipe”, the High Court has been told.
Oisín Collins SC made the claim on Tuesday when opening proceedings by Sabrina Joyce-Kemper, one of a number of local residents objecting to the development intended by Irish Water to supplement the Ringsend waste-water treatment plant.
Ms Joyce-Kemper, of Portmarnock Crescent, Portmarnock, has taken the case concerning An Bord Pleanála’s November 2019 permission for the Greater Dublin Drainage Project comprising a waste-water treatment plant, sludge hub centre, orbital sewer, outfall pipeline and regional biosolids storage facility on a site of 30 hectares in the townlands of Clonshaugh, Dubber and Newtown.
The hearing, before Mr Justice Senan Allen, involves a “telescoped” hearing via video-link of an application for permission for judicial review and the review itself. The case, listed for 10 days, is against the board and the State, with Irish Water as a notice party.
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Among various claims, it is contended that the planning approval was given contrary to the requirements of two European directives – the environmental impact assessment directive and habitats directive – lacked sufficient reasons and was contrary to fair procedures. The board denies the claims and it and Irish Water argue Ms Joyce-Kemper has limited legal standing and should be confined to raising issues she raised before the board during the public consultation process concerning the development.
Population growth
Irish Water sought the development to cater for future population growth and because the Ringsend plant is operating over capacity, resulting in discharges of partially treated sewage into Dublin Bay.
The plan involves 13km of underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to the Clonshaugh plant and a 12km outfall pipeline to bring the treated waste water to Baldoyle and out to sea.
Ms Joyce-Kemper and other objectors are concerned the outfall pipeline discharges into the Rockabill to Dalkey Island Special Area of Conservation, within a kilometre of Ireland’s Eye Special Area of Conservation.
The planning application was preceded by a pre-application consultation process, which began in October 2012 and continued for five years. Ms Joyce-Kemper says, for much of the process, Irish Water proposed to construct a much larger plant in two consecutive planning application processes. Towards the later stages of the consultation, Irish Water said it would construct the treatment plant in a single phase to treat a population equivalent to 500,000 people rather than the 800,000 people originally envisaged, she says.
Opening the case, Mr Collins said planning approval was given without a proper environmental impact assessment or appropriate assessment of the development that was ultimately approved, as opposed to the larger development originally proposed. There was an element of prejudgment or bias in the board’s approach, he argued.
Sea swimmer
Ms Joyce-Kemper, a daily sea swimmer, has a particular concern about the impact on water quality in Portmarnock, which is adjacent to the location of the outfall pipe, and she is generally concerned about the environmental impact, he said.
The plant’s biggest emission will come out at the end of the outfall pipe, but this development has been permitted without any meaningful assessment of what comes out at the end of the pipe, he said. “As of now, we don’t know what that will be.”
There is an onus on the Environmental Protection Agency and the board concerning limiting emissions and this fell under the ambit of the EPA’s water licensing procedure, he said. There had been “no meaningful interaction” between the two bodies as required of them as competent authorities under European law, he said.
The EPA had said nothing more than that it would conduct its own environmental impact assessment as required by European law, he said, adding the development would generate significant sludges that would need to be spread on land but that landspread did not appear to fall within the development consent and had not been properly assessed. The argument that Ms Joyce-Kemper was limited to raising issues she had previously raised before the board during the planning process was incorrect as a matter of national and European law, he submitted.