theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Brian Mooney: Anger that teachers' marking caused high-point courses to go up

This year ’ s Leaving Cert students were aware when they reflected on their final course choices in June that their teachers were in the process of determining their percentage achievement score through the calculated grades process .
Significant numbers amended their application lists to place higher points courses at the top of the list in the hope that their teacher ’ s positive perspective would lift their points score .
The cumulative effect was that the number of H1s submitted to the Department of Education and Skills ( DES ) increased by almost 250 per cent .
The numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale compared to previous years .
The algorithm devised by the Department of Education stripped back excessively high marking where it occurred , and awarded grades accordingly .
The fact that many high points courses have gone up directly as a result of the marks awarded by teachers only increases the sense of anger among families affected .
Educational authorities put in an incredible effort to devise a system which would pass the “ public-perception-of-fairness test ” .
It would seem that they have passed that test with some superficial wounds , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system over the coming days .
There are anomalies but on the whole even though many were disappointed with the course they were offered , it was probably the one they would have secured had the Leaving Cert exams taken place as normal .
With a 10 per cent mean average increase in grades within higher papers it was always inevitable that those who had delayed their application to college , or were reapplying for a new course having dropped out of one previously , would be squeezed by the process .
Looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had 265 places last year and while an additional 54 places were added this year it still went up 20 points from 511 to 531 .
This pattern has been repeated across the entire system , leaving many disappointed applicants in its wake .
The 2020 CAO points requirements are on average 7 per cent ahead of last year , but are considerably lower than they would have been if extra places had not been allocated to colleges .
Maynooth university , for example , currently has two classes of 30 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a further 28 places on this programme , the CAO points increase was kept down , going from 499 to 507 .
This level of increase would probably be politically acceptable to most people .
But without the extra places the fallout would have been considerable .
Such an outcome could have brought about the collapse of the college application process , as occurred in the UK and Northern Ireland .
By putting students at the centre of the assessment process and leaving a considerable level of grade inflation present , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are many students and parents still lobbying to have the entire process opened up due to a perceived sense of unfairness in relation to the reduction in some teachers ’ assessed grades .
The courts may yet have their say in this matter .
On balance by creating additional places across all of the pressure points in the CAO system , the point increases should have been kept down sufficiently to convince most observers that the Government has done the best job possible in difficult circumstances .
The coming days will test this @ @

With a 10% mean average increase in grades within higher papers it was always inevitable that those who had delayed their application to college would be squeezed by the process
This year’s Leaving Cert students were aware when they reflected on their final course choices in June that their teachers were in the process of determining their percentage achievement score through the calculated grades process.
Significant numbers amended their application lists to place higher points courses at the top of the list in the hope that their teacher’s positive perspective would lift their points score.
The cumulative effect was that the number of H1s submitted to the Department of Education and Skills (DES) increased by almost 250 per cent. The numbers of H1s and H2s were off the scale compared to previous years.
The algorithm devised by the Department of Education stripped back excessively high marking where it occurred, and awarded grades accordingly.
READ MORE
The fact that many high points courses have gone up directly as a result of the marks awarded by teachers only increases the sense of anger among families affected.
Educational authorities put in an incredible effort to devise a system which would pass the “public-perception-of-fairness test”.
It would seem that they have passed that test with some superficial wounds, but nothing fatal which could have crashed the system over the coming days.
There are anomalies but on the whole even though many were disappointed with the course they were offered, it was probably the one they would have secured had the Leaving Cert exams taken place as normal.
Previous year’s applicants:
With a 10 per cent mean average increase in grades within higher papers it was always inevitable that those who had delayed their application to college, or were reapplying for a new course having dropped out of one previously, would be squeezed by the process.
Looking at UCD engineering as an example, it had 265 places last year and while an additional 54 places were added this year it still went up 20 points from 511 to 531. This pattern has been repeated across the entire system, leaving many disappointed applicants in its wake.
The 2020 CAO points requirements are on average 7 per cent ahead of last year, but are considerably lower than they would have been if extra places had not been allocated to colleges.
Maynooth university, for example, currently has two classes of 30 in the primary school teaching programme. By offering a further 28 places on this programme, the CAO points increase was kept down, going from 499 to 507.
This level of increase would probably be politically acceptable to most people. But without the extra places the fallout would have been considerable. Such an outcome could have brought about the collapse of the college application process, as occurred in the UK and Northern Ireland.
By putting students at the centre of the assessment process and leaving a considerable level of grade inflation present, the DES should pass the test.
There are many students and parents still lobbying to have the entire process opened up due to a perceived sense of unfairness in relation to the reduction in some teachers’ assessed grades. The courts may yet have their say in this matter.
On balance by creating additional places across all of the pressure points in the CAO system, the point increases should have been kept down sufficiently to convince most observers that the Government has done the best job possible in difficult circumstances.
The coming days will test this hypothesis.


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Universities to limit student deferrals amid fears many will want to take gap year

Universities are to limit the number of students who are allowed to defer taking up their places amid concern that many may choose to take a gap year due to Covid-19 restrictions .
The majority of tuition across third-level institutions is set to take place remotely this year and some senior higher education figures are worried students will defer over fears of losing out on the traditional college experience .
UCD and Trinity College Dublin are among many colleges that have restrictions in place in the coming academic year to limit the number of students who may defer .
UCD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent limit on the number of students in a class who can defer , while Trinity said it will limit deferrals to ensure there are sufficient places for the following year ’ s new applicants .
An unpublished Higher Education Authority report compiled earlier this year warned that a significant number of students were likely to defer due to the pandemic .
Points for entry into many courses climbed to record highs on foot of grade inflation in this year ’ s Leaving Cert , Central Applications Office ( CAO ) figures show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course offers on Friday and have until Wednesday to decide to accept them or not .
Overall , points were up across about two-thirds of honours degree or level-eight courses this year .
At university level , points were up on average by between 20 and 35 points .
A total of seven courses have now climbed above the previous all-time high of 600 points .
Some of the biggest individual points increases compared to last year were in excess of 100 points .
They include TU Dublin ’ s pharmaceutical science ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language ( +113 points ) , law and French at UCC ( +89 points ) and paramedic studies at University of Limerick ( +79 points ) .
About 78 per cent of level-eight college applicants received an offer from one of their top-three choices .
There was continuing anger , meanwhile , among students and their parents in high-achieving schools who feel they lost out under the new calculated grades process for Leaving Cert students .
A grind school , Bruce College in Cork , said grades awarded to its students across several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 per cent .
However , Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said the Government would not be reopening the Leaving Cert grading system .
“ If you pull a thread here , you risk unravelling the entire system .
.
.
If all of a sudden I am allowed to take a teacher ’ s grade in one subject and apply that to college then why can ’ t someone else do the same ?
” he said .
“ Nobody sat down in the Department of Education and said ‘ would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Leaving Cert ?
’ That is not what happened .
What happened was there was not a safe way to hold the exams this year.
” For those who were disappointed , he said there was an opportunity to sit one or more subjects in November .
Mr Harris said that removing “ school profiling ” from the calculated grades was a “ brave decision ” but the “ right decision ” .
If there had been no standardisation process , Mr Harris said there would have been “ very high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional 2,255 places this year had allowed more students to access third level than ever before .

Trinity College Dublin: Some senior higher education figures are worried students will defer over fears of losing out on the traditional college experience. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Universities are to limit the number of students who are allowed to defer taking up their places amid concern that many may choose to take a gap year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The majority of tuition across third-level institutions is set to take place remotely this year and some senior higher education figures are worried students will defer over fears of losing out on the traditional college experience.
UCD and Trinity College Dublin are among many colleges that have restrictions in place in the coming academic year to limit the number of students who may defer.
UCD said it will place a 5 per cent limit on the number of students in a class who can defer, while Trinity said it will limit deferrals to ensure there are sufficient places for the following year’s new applicants.
READ MORE
An unpublished Higher Education Authority report compiled earlier this year warned that a significant number of students were likely to defer due to the pandemic.
Points for entry into many courses climbed to record highs on foot of grade inflation in this year's Leaving Cert, Central Applications Office (CAO) figures show. More than 50,000 college applicants received course offers on Friday and have until Wednesday to decide to accept them or not.
Overall, points were up across about two-thirds of honours degree or level-eight courses this year.
Excess of 600 points
At university level, points were up on average by between 20 and 35 points. A total of seven courses have now climbed above the previous all-time high of 600 points.
Some of the biggest individual points increases compared to last year were in excess of 100 points. They include TU Dublin's pharmaceutical science (+116 points) and computing with a language (+113 points), law and French at UCC (+89 points) and paramedic studies at University of Limerick (+79 points).
About 78 per cent of level-eight college applicants received an offer from one of their top-three choices .
There was continuing anger, meanwhile, among students and their parents in high-achieving schools who feel they lost out under the new calculated grades process for Leaving Cert students.
A grind school, Bruce College in Cork, said grades awarded to its students across several subjects were down by between 13 and 26 per cent .
However, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said the Government would not be reopening the Leaving Cert grading system.
‘Unravelling entire system’
“If you pull a thread here, you risk unravelling the entire system . . . If all of a sudden I am allowed to take a teacher’s grade in one subject and apply that to college then why can’t someone else do the same?” he said.
“Nobody sat down in the Department of Education and said ‘would it not be great to get rid of the Leaving Cert?’ That is not what happened. What happened was there was not a safe way to hold the exams this year.”
For those who were disappointed, he said there was an opportunity to sit one or more subjects in November.
Mr Harris said that removing “school profiling” from the calculated grades was a “brave decision” but the “right decision”. If there had been no standardisation process , Mr Harris said there would have been “very high” grade inflation.
He said an additional 2,255 places this year had allowed more students to access third level than ever before .


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Man dies in hospital following assault in early September

A man who was assaulted in Dublin earlier this month has died in hospital .
The man in his 40s sustained serious head injuries in an assault at Seville Place , Dublin 1 , in the early hours of Wednesday , September 2nd .
He was taken by ambulance to the Mater Hospital where he was pronounced dead on Saturday morning .
A postmortem examination was carried out on Saturday afternoon by Dr Heidi Okkers , from the Office of the State Pathologist .
Preliminary results of the postmortem have been furnished to gardaí and can not be released for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An investigation into the incident and the circumstances surrounding the man ’ s death is continuing .
No arrests have been made but gardaí say they are following a definite line of enquiry .
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward .
They are also appealing to any road users who may have camera footage ( including dash-cam footage ) from the area at the time to make it available to them .
Gardaí have asked anyone with any information to contact the incident room at Store Street Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station .

Gardaí investigating a fatal assault on a man in Dublin earlier this month believe he may have been injured by a someone who thought he was a burglar.
Jason Kearney (49) died on Saturday morning following an assault 10 days earlier at Seville Place, Dublin 1.
A postmortem examination was carried out on Saturday afternoon by Dr Heidi Okkers, from the Office of the State Pathologist.
The Garda said it is not releasing the results “for operational reasons” however it is understood Mr Kearney suffered serious injuries after falling to the ground following a single blow to the head.
READ MORE
The father-of-three is originally from Dublin 8. He worked as an industrial painter and had been living in Dundalk and Tallaght in recent years.
Gardaí believe a resident of Seville Place was at home just before 3am on Wednesday, September 2nd when he heard a noise and went to investigate.
The man subsequently confronted Mr Kearney, leading to the incident where he suffered the head injury.
The man called the Garda and an ambulance and Mr Kearney was rushed to the Mater hospital where he was placed on a ventilator. His condition failed to improve and he was pronounced dead on Saturday.
The resident made himself available for interview and is co-operating with the Garda investigation.
No arrests have been made and the investigation has not been upgraded to a murder inquiry. Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry and is not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident. However they have renewed an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
They are also appealing to any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, from the area at the time to make it available to them.
Gardaí have asked anyone with any information to contact the incident room at Store Street Garda station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Mr Kearney, from Elm Grove in Tallaght had a history of drink and drug abuse which he had made efforts in the past to address. He recently served a three year sentence for the armed robbery of a Dundalk bookmakers and had about 30 convictions for public order, road traffic burglary offences.
He also had a previous conviction for dangerous driving causing death following an incident in 2006. Mother-of-five Rose Martin (57) was a front-seat passenger in the car driven by her husband when a vehicle driven by Kearney crashed into it on New Year’s Eve. She died in hospital 11 days later.


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Northern Irish men arrested in UK as cocaine worth £1m seized

Five men , including four from Northern Ireland , have been arrested by the UK ’ s National Crime Agency ( NCA ) on suspicion of attempting to import cocaine worth £1 million ( €1.1 ) .
Officers moved in to arrest the five on Thursday , detaining three in the Essex area and two more in North Wales .
As part of the investigation , which was supported by the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) , three lorries were seized .
The men are suspected of being involved in the importation of cocaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested are known to be based in Northern Ireland , while the other man is from the north of England .
They are all aged between 21 and 59 .
Specialist border force officers were called in to conduct detailed searches of the lorries .
The NCA said a “ complex concealment ” was located in one which was found to contain around 21 kilos of cocaine .
At the same time officers from the NCA and PSNI time carried out searches at a number of properties in Northern Ireland .
The five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have now been released on bail .
NCA regional head of investigations Gerry McLean said it was “ a highly significant operation ” in terms of targeting organised crime impacting on Northern Ireland .
“ In making these seizures we have both prevented a large quantity of drugs from reaching our streets , and denied criminals an important avenue for smuggling , ” he said .
Detective superintendent Rachel Shields from the PSNI ’ s criminal investigation branch said : “ Our detectives have been working in collaboration with the NCA in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ These arrests and seizure are significant in terms of the quantity seized , and in terms of the disruption caused to organised criminals .
“ We will continue to work closely with , and support the NCA in their work to disrupt the nefarious activities of organised crime groups .
”

The operation was supported by the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Five men, including four from Northern Ireland, have been arrested by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) on suspicion of attempting to import cocaine worth £1 million (€1.1).
Officers moved in to arrest the five on Thursday, detaining three in the Essex area and two more in North Wales. As part of the investigation, which was supported by the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), three lorries were seized.
The men are suspected of being involved in the importation of cocaine from the continent. Four of those arrested are known to be based in Northern Ireland, while the other man is from the north of England. They are all aged between 21 and 59.
Specialist border force officers were called in to conduct detailed searches of the lorries. The NCA said a “complex concealment” was located in one which was found to contain around 21 kilos of cocaine.
READ MORE
At the same time officers from the NCA and PSNI time carried out searches at a number of properties in Northern Ireland.
The five men were questioned by NCA officers, and have now been released on bail.
NCA regional head of investigations Gerry McLean said it was “a highly significant operation” in terms of targeting organised crime impacting on Northern Ireland.
“In making these seizures we have both prevented a large quantity of drugs from reaching our streets, and denied criminals an important avenue for smuggling,” he said.
Detective superintendent Rachel Shields from the PSNI’s criminal investigation branch said: “Our detectives have been working in collaboration with the NCA in relation to this operation for some time.
“These arrests and seizure are significant in terms of the quantity seized, and in terms of the disruption caused to organised criminals.
“We will continue to work closely with, and support the NCA in their work to disrupt the nefarious activities of organised crime groups.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Thousands march through Dublin to protest face mask wearing

Up to 2,000 people marched through Dublin City Centre on Saturday in protest at the wearing of face masks .
The march was organised by a group called Yellow Vest Ireland , which describes itself as a “ people ’ s movement ” that is “ not aligned to any political group , organisation or politician ” .
The group congregated at 2pm at the Custom House before marching through the city .
There was little sign of social distancing at the event and protestors did not wear masks .
Many on the march carried banners with slogans such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ it ’ s only a common cold ” .
Several streets were closed to traffic to accommodate the march .
A spokesman for the Garda said there were no arrests and no major incidents .
“ We have no reports or any incidents or arrests related to the demonstration in Dublin City centre earlier today , ” gardaí said in a statement .
“ The group involved gathered on Custom House Quay from approximately 1pm and proceeded from there to Government buildings .
Rolling road closures were put in place to facilitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flow of traffic in the city centre .
The demonstration has since concluded and there are no traffic delays currently reported in the city centre.
” The crowd was estimated to have been between 1,500 and 2,000 .
Yellow Vest Ireland encouraged attendees to bring flags on the march .
“ Yellow Vest Ireland wants everyone in Ireland to feel comfortable about bringing their national flags to this Saturday ’ s march , ” it said on its social media platforms .
“ Last weekend in Berlin , hundreds of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lockdown laws .
”

Crowds gather at the Custom House, Dublin, as part of the Yellow Vest protest against wearing facemasks. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Up to 2,000 people marched through Dublin City Centre on Saturday in protest at the wearing of face masks.
The march was organised by a group called Yellow Vest Ireland, which describes itself as a “people’s movement” that is “not aligned to any political group, organisation or politician”.
The group congregated at 2pm at the Custom House before marching through the city. There was little sign of social distancing at the event and protestors did not wear masks.
There are at least 3,000 coronavirus deniers marching through Dublin city centre. Slogans range from “take off your mask” and “it is only a common cold” to “wake up people”. #Covid19Ireland pic.twitter.com/w54eE4J7RN — Áine McMahon (@AineMcMahon) September 12, 2020
Many on the march carried banners with slogans such as “take off your mask” and “it’s only a common cold”.
READ MORE
Several streets were closed to traffic to accommodate the march. A spokesman for the Garda said there were no arrests and no major incidents.
“We have no reports or any incidents or arrests related to the demonstration in Dublin City centre earlier today,” gardaí said in a statement.
“ The group involved gathered on Custom House Quay from approximately 1pm and proceeded from there to Government buildings. Rolling road closures were put in place to facilitate the safe movement of those involved and the flow of traffic in the city centre. The demonstration has since concluded and there are no traffic delays currently reported in the city centre.”
The crowd was estimated to have been between 1,500 and 2,000.
Yellow Vest Ireland encouraged attendees to bring flags on the march. “Yellow Vest Ireland wants everyone in Ireland to feel comfortable about bringing their national flags to this Saturday’s march,” it said on its social media platforms.
“Last weekend in Berlin, hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in opposition to unscientific mask and lockdown laws.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--A fire death, tenament collapse and a lost WW1 medal; the story of James Murray

On June 12th , 1963 a Dublin Corporation tenement building in Fenian Street , Dublin collapsed leading to the death of two young girls who were playing on the streets outside .
The tragedy , preceded by another tenement collapse in Bolton Street 10 days before , galvanised the corporation into rehousing hundreds of its tenants who were living in sub-standard accommodation .
Jane Murray , a widow for the previous 14 years , lost most of her possessions in the Fenian Street collapse and with it was presumed her husband ’ s first World War victory medal .
James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had won the Military Medal during the war and was commended for his bravery twice by Major General William Hickie , who commanded the 16th ( Irish ) Division during the battles of Messines Ridge and Passchendaele in 1917 .
( Watch : The Irish at Passchendaele ) Prior to his involvement in that conflict , James Murray served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the Boer War .
After the war he returned to civilian life .
In 1909 he and his mother were involved in a tragic incident which led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuted under the 1908 Children ’ s Act .
His mother left her grandson , also called James ( then four ) , alone for a few minutes in the house .
When she returned , he had fallen into an open fire and died later from his burns .
In 1916 , just before the Easter Rising , James Murray rejoined the British army and his old regiment the Royal Dublin Fusiliers .
He finished the war in the Army Labour Corps usually reserved for those who are not physically or mentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demobbed , he and his family moved into the tenement in Fenian Street .
He died in 1949 .
His great-grandson , Dr John Murray , a palaeontologist at NUI Galway , is used to delving into the past , but not the immediate past .
When he posted on the Great War forum that he was looking for the medal , he had not realised that someone else had posted on the same forum about the medal eight years previously .
Gerard Del Delaney , originally from Dublin and now living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War victory medal which bore James Murray ’ s name and regimental number on the rim .
He had no idea how the medal came into his family .
After being introduced over the internet , the pair met at the Royal Dublin Fusilier ’ s Arch in St Stephen ’ s Green and Mr Delaney handed over the medal .
“ My entire family had believed that so much of the story had been lost , particularly in the Fenian Street tenement collapse , ” said Dr Murray .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindly returning James ’ s Great War medal and providing us with a tangible link to our shared past .
This literally feels like finding a needle in a haystack.
” Last year he visited the sites in Flanders where his great-grandfather had fought 102 years previously .
“ I stood on the same ground that James crossed he went into battle at the opening of the Battle of Messines in 1917 .
An equally unforgettable experience.
” James Murray ’ s story is told in this month ’ s History Ireland magazine @

On June 12th, 1963 a Dublin Corporation tenement building in Fenian Street, Dublin collapsed leading to the death of two young girls who were playing on the streets outside.
The tragedy, preceded by another tenement collapse in Bolton Street 10 days before, galvanised the corporation into rehousing hundreds of its tenants who were living in sub-standard accommodation.
Jane Murray, a widow for the previous 14 years, lost most of her possessions in the Fenian Street collapse and with it was presumed her husband's first World War victory medal.
James Murray was a decorated war veteran who had won the Military Medal during the war and was commended for his bravery twice by Major General William Hickie, who commanded the 16th (Irish) Division during the battles of Messines Ridge and Passchendaele in 1917. (Watch: The Irish at Passchendaele)
READ MORE
Prior to his involvement in that conflict, James Murray served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the Boer War. After the war he returned to civilian life.
In 1909 he and his mother were involved in a tragic incident which led to them being among the first to be prosecuted under the 1908 Children’s Act. His mother left her grandson, also called James (then four), alone for a few minutes in the house. When she returned, he had fallen into an open fire and died later from his burns.
Gerard Del Delaney (right) handing over the medal of James Murray to his great grandson John.
In 1916, just before the Easter Rising, James Murray rejoined the British army and his old regiment the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He finished the war in the Army Labour Corps usually reserved for those who are not physically or mentally able to fight anymore.
After being demobbed, he and his family moved into the tenement in Fenian Street. He died in 1949.
His great-grandson, Dr John Murray, a palaeontologist at NUI Galway, is used to delving into the past, but not the immediate past.
When he posted on the Great War forum that he was looking for the medal, he had not realised that someone else had posted on the same forum about the medal eight years previously.
Gerard Del Delaney, originally from Dublin and now living in the UK, inherited the first World War victory medal which bore James Murray's name and regimental number on the rim.
He had no idea how the medal came into his family. After being introduced over the internet, the pair met at the Royal Dublin Fusilier’s Arch in St Stephen’s Green and Mr Delaney handed over the medal.
“My entire family had believed that so much of the story had been lost, particularly in the Fenian Street tenement collapse,” said Dr Murray.
“We are all deeply grateful to Del for very kindly returning James’s Great War medal and providing us with a tangible link to our shared past. This literally feels like finding a needle in a haystack.”
Last year he visited the sites in Flanders where his great-grandfather had fought 102 years previously. " I stood on the same ground that James crossed he went into battle at the opening of the Battle of Messines in 1917. An equally unforgettable experience."
James Murray's story is told in this month's History Ireland magazine.


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--HSE rejects senior doctor’s comments Covid-19 is ‘less severe’ than annual flu

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has sought to distance itself from comments made in The Irish Times by one its senior executives that “ draconian ” Covid-19 restrictions were no longer justified .
Dr Martin Feeley , the clinical director of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group , said Covid-19 is “ much less severe ” than the average annual flu .
He suggested people at low risk from the virus should be exposed to it so they can develop herd immunity and reduce the risk to vulnerable groups .
“ That is what is happening and yet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ This should have been allowed to happen during the summer months before the annual flu season , to reduce the workload on the health service during winter months.
” He went on to state that any assessment of Ireland ’ s strategy to combat the virus should take into account the cost to people ’ s quality of life , according to the former vascular surgeon , who said that “ you can ’ t postpone youth ” .
“ The financial cost can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through cities , towns and villages .
Mortgage repayments and other financial setbacks are virtually all suffered by the young worker or business person and not by the over-65 , who are guaranteed their pension , as indeed are the salaries of the individuals who decide to inflict these draconian measures , ” the 70-year-old told The Irish Times .
Dr Feeley is critical of the media and the public “ obsession ” with daily case numbers , when so few people are being admitted to hospital or intensive care units .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is less than one in a thousand .
This data reflects a disease much less severe than the average annual flu .
“ The media reaction to these cases , ie , with the gravity appropriate to reporting deaths from a major catastrophe , borders on hysteria .
Opening a newscast with the number of people testing positive for a condition less dangerous than the flu , which many don ’ t even know they have , is scaremongering.
” In response Dr Colm Henry , the chief clinical officer for the HSE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any doubt , the position as stated by Dr Feeley in the Irish Times today is not the position of the HSE on this important subject ” .
Dr Henry emphasised there had been 28 million cases and 900,000 deaths from Covid-19 since it was declared a global pandemic on March 11st .
He refuted the suggestion from Dr Feeley that young people should be allowed to get the disease to encourage herd immunity .
This , Dr Henry suggested , “ has the power to overwhelm healthcare systems and lead to large-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations.
” He said : “ According to the WHO , the threshold for establishing herd immunity is not yet clear .
Neither is the duration of post-infection immunity known .
“ The most effective way of protecting older people and vulnerable groups is not by expecting them to protect themselves , but by everybody adhering to the public health advice , which that will limit transmission of the virus between individuals and households .
”

Dr Martin Feeley says any assessment of Ireland’s strategy should take into account the cost to people’s quality of life. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has sought to distance itself from comments made in The Irish Times by one its senior executives that "draconian" Covid-19 restrictions were no longer justified.
Dr Martin Feeley, the clinical director of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, said Covid-19 is "much less severe" than the average annual flu.
He suggested people at low risk from the virus should be exposed to it so they can develop herd immunity and reduce the risk to vulnerable groups.
“That is what is happening and yet the policy seems to be to prevent it,” he told The Irish Times.
READ MORE
“This should have been allowed to happen during the summer months before the annual flu season, to reduce the workload on the health service during winter months.”
He went on to state that any assessment of Ireland’s strategy to combat the virus should take into account the cost to people’s quality of life, according to the former vascular surgeon, who said that “you can’t postpone youth”.
“The financial cost can be seen in any walk or drive through cities, towns and villages. Mortgage repayments and other financial setbacks are virtually all suffered by the young worker or business person and not by the over-65, who are guaranteed their pension, as indeed are the salaries of the individuals who decide to inflict these draconian measures,” the 70-year-old told The Irish Times.
Dr Feeley is critical of the media and the public “obsession” with daily case numbers, when so few people are being admitted to hospital or intensive care units.
“The number of deaths among recent cases is less than one in a thousand. This data reflects a disease much less severe than the average annual flu.
“The media reaction to these cases, ie, with the gravity appropriate to reporting deaths from a major catastrophe, borders on hysteria. Opening a newscast with the number of people testing positive for a condition less dangerous than the flu, which many don’t even know they have, is scaremongering.”
In response Dr Colm Henry, the chief clinical officer for the HSE, said "for the avoidance of any doubt, the position as stated by Dr Feeley in the Irish Times today is not the position of the HSE on this important subject".
Dr Henry emphasised there had been 28 million cases and 900,000 deaths from Covid-19 since it was declared a global pandemic on March 11st.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer HSE. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
He refuted the suggestion from Dr Feeley that young people should be allowed to get the disease to encourage herd immunity.
This, Dr Henry suggested, “has the power to overwhelm healthcare systems and lead to large-scale illness and death, particularly in vulnerable populations.”
He said: “According to the WHO, the threshold for establishing herd immunity is not yet clear. Neither is the duration of post-infection immunity known. “The most effective way of protecting older people and vulnerable groups is not by expecting them to protect themselves, but by everybody adhering to the public health advice, which that will limit transmission of the virus between individuals and households.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Covid-19: Two more deaths and 159 cases reported as Glynn warns of 'critical moment' for Dublin

A further 159 new cases of coronavirus have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) on Saturday .
There have been two further deaths , NPHET said in its daily statement on the virus .
The Republic has seen a total of 30,730 cases of the virus reported so far and 1,783 deaths including today 's figures .
• 70 are men and 89 are women • 65 per cent are under 45 years of age • 51 per cent are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community transmission • 75 are in Dublin , 10 in Louth , 6 in Cork , 6 in Donegal , 6 in Meath , 5 in Laois , 5 in Wexford , and the remaining 46 cases are in Carlow , Cavan , Clare , Galway , Kerry , Kildare , Kilkenny , Leitrim , Limerick , Longford , Mayo , Offaly , Roscommon , Tipperary , Waterford , Westmeath and Wicklow .
Dr Ronan Glynn , Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health , said : “ Forty seven per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin City and County .
For the people of Dublin in particular , this is a critical moment to address the spread of the disease in the community .
`` Individual choices can make all the difference - reconsider your plans for the weekend , reduce the number of people that you meet and avoid social activities that involve large groups of people .
`` Covid-19 is a highly infectious disease that can spread even when you have no symptoms .
Remember , when you do meet with friends , family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best way to keep everyone safe.
” In the North , a member of East Belfast GAA club has tested positive for Covid-19 .
It has suspended all further activity until contact tracing and testing is complete .
A further 104 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland , the Department of Health said with a total of 554 diagnosed over the last seven days .
Measures limiting social interaction between households amid soaring Covid-19 infection rates in the Belfast council area come into effect on Monday .
Meanwhile , new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDPC ) on Saturday shows Ireland now has a 14-day rate of infection of 40.6 per 100,000 population .
This compares with 31.6 a week ago .
Ireland now has a higher rate of Covid-19 infection than many European countries including Italy ( 32.1 ) and Germany ( 21.1 ) .
The rate in The United Kingdom is 45.1 , in the US it is 160.4 while the rate is lower in Canada ( 22.1 ) and Australia ( 4.4 ) .
Earlier , Taoiseach Micheál Martin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimpose Covid-19 restrictions in Dublin if it is deemed necessary .
Mr Martin held out the possibility that the restrictions imposed upon Kildare , Laois and Offaly recently could also be imposed upon Dublin in response to rising Covid-19 numbers .
In his first substantial interview with the Irish language media , broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Saturday , Mr Martin said the Government would have no hesitation in implementing restrictions specific to Dublin .
Currently infections in Dublin are running at more than 100 a day and there has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last 14 days .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has warned that case numbers will double in the capital in the coming fortnight if measures are not taken to halt the spread of the virus .
Speaking on An tSeachtain le Máirín Ní Ghadhra on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta , he said the Government had learned from its actions in Kildare , Offaly and Laois .
In early August , in response to surging cases in the three counties , the Government ordered all cafés and restaurants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeaways .
It restricted all travel outside the counties except for work and ordered all cinemas , theatres , casinos , betting shops , bingo halls , gyms , leisure centres , swimming pools , exercise and dance studios to close .
The restrictions were lifted after two weeks in Laois and Offaly and three in Kildare .
NPHET has recommended to the Government that the number of families allowed in any one house during visits in Dublin should be reduced from three to two .
It also urged caution over the reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Martin told Raidió na Gaeltachta : “ We ’ ll get advice from Nphet on Tuesday and we ’ ll have to weigh their advice .
The most important thing about Dublin is how to get to grips with the virus to lower the number of cases and to put pressure on the virus .
We won ’ t be afraid to implement measures specifically in Dublin , if that ’ s the way forward .
“ We did that in Kildare , Offaly and Laois .
I know that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I understand that argument , that there are differences and so the same restrictions shouldn ’ t apply .
“ The new plan has flexibility from that side - we can assess the situation from county to county .
The very highest level of restrictions is to implement measures on a national basis.
” The Taoiseach said that we all had to stick to the guidelines , but that the Government understood the need to be cognisant of the mental health impact of measures too .
“ We know from the research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a terrible impact on physical and mental health , and we need to focus on that .
“ So we ’ re considering people ’ s lifestyles , and we ’ re looking at that in terms of sport and culture , we have to make exceptions and tailored plans for those sectors in this country.
” Epidemiologist Prof Sam McConkey said the wide differences being seen in infection rates in different parts of Dublin shows that a general lockdown of the city would not be justified .
The public should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhoods .
“ Dublin is 1.5 million people .
It is too big to be treated as one area , ” said Prof McConkey , “ This is a geographically heterogeneous disease , and there should be a heterogeneous response to it .
“ There are huge differences in different areas .
We need strict restrictions and awareness in the areas where there is a lot of transmission .
In the areas with less transmission we need to be less panicky .
”

Dr Ronan Glynn: ‘It’s all time for us to redouble our effort to say safe.’
A further 159 new cases of coronavirus have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Saturday.
There have been two further deaths, NPHET said in its daily statement on the virus.
The Republic has seen a total of 30,730 cases of the virus reported so far and 1,783 deaths including today's figures.
Of today’s cases:
READ MORE
70 are men and 89 are women
65 per cent are under 45 years of age
51 per cent are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
23 cases have been identified as community transmission
75 are in Dublin, 10 in Louth, 6 in Cork, 6 in Donegal, 6 in Meath, 5 in Laois, 5 in Wexford, and the remaining 46 cases are in Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wicklow.
Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, said: “Forty seven per cent of the cases reported today are in Dublin City and County. For the people of Dublin in particular, this is a critical moment to address the spread of the disease in the community.
"Individual choices can make all the difference - reconsider your plans for the weekend, reduce the number of people that you meet and avoid social activities that involve large groups of people.
"Covid-19 is a highly infectious disease that can spread even when you have no symptoms. Remember, when you do meet with friends, family and colleagues, staying 2m apart is the best way to keep everyone safe.”
In the North, a member of East Belfast GAA club has tested positive for Covid-19. It has suspended all further activity until contact tracing and testing is complete. A further 104 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said with a total of 554 diagnosed over the last seven days.
Measures limiting social interaction between households amid soaring Covid-19 infection rates in the Belfast council area come into effect on Monday.
Meanwhile, new data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) on Saturday shows Ireland now has a 14-day rate of infection of 40.6 per 100,000 population. This compares with 31.6 a week ago. Ireland now has a higher rate of Covid-19 infection than many European countries including Italy (32.1) and Germany (21.1). The rate in The United Kingdom is 45.1, in the US it is 160.4 while the rate is lower in Canada (22.1) and Australia (4.4).
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government will not be afraid to reimpose Covid-19 restrictions in Dublin if it is deemed necessary.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured getting a thermal Covid check at the announcement in Clonakilty, west Cork that the company Global Shares is to create 150 jobs. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision
Mr Martin held out the possibility that the restrictions imposed upon Kildare, Laois and Offaly recently could also be imposed upon Dublin in response to rising Covid-19 numbers.
In his first substantial interview with the Irish language media, broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Saturday, Mr Martin said the Government would have no hesitation in implementing restrictions specific to Dublin.
Currently infections in Dublin are running at more than 100 a day and there has been 1,055 cases reported in the capital in the last 14 days.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has warned that case numbers will double in the capital in the coming fortnight if measures are not taken to halt the spread of the virus.
Speaking on An tSeachtain le Máirín Ní Ghadhra on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, he said the Government had learned from its actions in Kildare, Offaly and Laois.
In early August, in response to surging cases in the three counties, the Government ordered all cafés and restaurants to close in the three counties except for takeaways.
It restricted all travel outside the counties except for work and ordered all cinemas, theatres, casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools, exercise and dance studios to close.
The restrictions were lifted after two weeks in Laois and Offaly and three in Kildare.
NPHET has recommended to the Government that the number of families allowed in any one house during visits in Dublin should be reduced from three to two. It also urged caution over the reopening of pubs in Dublin from September 21st.
Mr Martin told Raidió na Gaeltachta: “We’ll get advice from Nphet on Tuesday and we’ll have to weigh their advice. The most important thing about Dublin is how to get to grips with the virus to lower the number of cases and to put pressure on the virus. We won’t be afraid to implement measures specifically in Dublin, if that’s the way forward.
“We did that in Kildare, Offaly and Laois. I know that some counties have low number of cases, and I understand that argument, that there are differences and so the same restrictions shouldn’t apply.
“The new plan has flexibility from that side - we can assess the situation from county to county. The very highest level of restrictions is to implement measures on a national basis.”
The Taoiseach said that we all had to stick to the guidelines, but that the Government understood the need to be cognisant of the mental health impact of measures too.
“We know from the research that the situation with the virus has had a terrible impact on physical and mental health, and we need to focus on that.
“So we’re considering people’s lifestyles, and we’re looking at that in terms of sport and culture, we have to make exceptions and tailored plans for those sectors in this country.”
Epidemiologist Prof Sam McConkey said the wide differences being seen in infection rates in different parts of Dublin shows that a general lockdown of the city would not be justified.
The public should be told more about Covid-19 cases in their neighbourhoods .
“Dublin is 1.5 million people. It is too big to be treated as one area,” said Prof McConkey, “This is a geographically heterogeneous disease, and there should be a heterogeneous response to it.
“There are huge differences in different areas. We need strict restrictions and awareness in the areas where there is a lot of transmission. In the areas with less transmission we need to be less panicky.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-12--Covid-19: Dr Ronan Glynn pleads with Dubliners as virus spreads in households

The rise in cases in Dublin is being driven by household transmission , the acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has stated .
Dr Glynn said there were “ lot of cases ” concentrated in household clusters , and they are in all parts of Dublin city and county .
In a personal message to people living and working in Dublin , Dr Glynn asked people to limit their social contacts “ as much as possible ” .
In a video message posted on the Department of Health website and on social media , he said : “ Avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see , but keep groups small and see them regularly rather than meeting lots of people from lots of different households .
“ Concentrate on your core circle over the coming weeks .
I know you know the core messages , but it ’ s all time for us to redouble our effort to say safe .
“ You need to act as if you have the virus to protect friends and family and colleagues going about your day .
“ I know it is a big challenge but keeping your little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important while we live with the threat of this virus .
Your individual actions do work.
” He warned cases in will double in Dublin in the next fortnight if trends continue as they are doing .
“ We are seeing lots of cases clustered in households and these clusters are spread all across Dublin city and county ” , Dr Glynn added .
Fortunately , the “ vast majority ” of cases in Dublin are in young people and the rates of hospitalisation are low , he added .
He also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases can not be linked to other cases , are broadly the same in Dublin as it is elsewhere in the country .
“ This provides a window of opportunity to bring the disease under control .
We all need to act now to break the trains of transmission , ” he said .
Dr Glynn said cases are currently growing at 4 per cent per day in the capital and the R0 , the reproduction rate , is 1.4 .
Dr Glynn said there has been 1,055 cases in Dublin in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at an average of 104 per day .
Trinity College Dublin Professor of Experimental Immunology Kingston Mills said approximately half of all people who are testing positive for Covid-19 at present have no symptoms .
Most instances of the disease are now happening in young people who often are not affected by it , but can spread to more vulnerable people , he warned .
He suggested that we should not let strangers into our homes and hold outdoor gatherings where possible when we are meeting people .
Speaking to the RTÉ Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prof Mills said we should assume that people are infected with the disease and act accordingly .
He suggested that people should wear masks when are speaking to each other in indoor settings .
Parts of Dublin have Covid-19 infection rates 2½ times as high as neighbouring areas in the capital , according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) .
For example , the number of cases appearing in Dublin South East – including parts of the south city centre and Dundrum and Ballinteer – are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in Dublin South .
The figures cover cases as recorded by the HSE local health office ( LHOs ) areas , which have been collated by David Higgins , an economist with Carraighill data analysts .
Dublin South East , which stretches from Baggot Street through Rathmines and Ranelagh to Leopardstown and Sandyford , recorded 93.8 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in the 14 days between August 27th and September 9th .
Meanwhile , Dublin South , which comprises of Dún Laoghaire , Stillorgan , Foxrock and down to Loughlinstown , recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same period .
Dublin North West , which stretches from Cabra to Mulhuddart and includes many recently-built areas in west Dublin , is another hot spot for the disease , with an instance of 83.8 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 .
Across the capital an average of 73.2 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people is now being recorded , which is a significant increase on cases collated between August 20th and September 2nd , and August 27th and September 9th .
The worst affected area , Dublin South East , had 44.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2nd and 9th as it did between August 20th and August 27th .
Dublin North , by contrast , had 35.8 extra cases between that time .
Ranelagh-based GP Dr Maitiu Ó Tuathail said the differences between Dublin South and Dublin South East is explained by demographics .
Those who live in Dublin South are older and more settled , he suggests .
“ We have a large population of young people who work in tech and attend college .
We have seen increases in demand for tests weeks ago , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown measures were reversed , ” he said .
“ The Ranelagh , Rathmines , Grand Canal area has a very sociable demographic .
It fits the current trend in statistics that we are seeing with the majority being under 45 .
Dr Ray Walley , a GP based in Glasnevin , which is part of the Dublin West area , said the high numbers currently in his area may be explained by higher poverty and more people living together .
Black , Asian and middle-eastern communities have already been shown in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the same may be occurring in north and west Dublin , both of which have higher immigrant numbers .
“ They are a more vulnerable group and they are looking into why that it is – it may be vitamin D deficiency , ” he said .

Dr Ronan Glynn: ‘It’s all time for us to redouble our effort to say safe.’
The rise in cases in Dublin is being driven by household transmission, the acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has stated.
Dr Glynn said there were “lot of cases” concentrated in household clusters, and they are in all parts of Dublin city and county.
In a personal message to people living and working in Dublin, Dr Glynn asked people to limit their social contacts “as much as possible”.
A direct message to people living or working in Dublin to explain where we are currently and what we can all do to get where we need to be with #COVID-19. Your individual actions really do matter. They all count. They do work. #HoldFirm [For Closed Captions, select "cc".] pic.twitter.com/fbZlexdOVl — Department of Health (@roinnslainte) September 11, 2020
In a video message posted on the Department of Health website and on social media, he said: "Avoid crowds. Prioritise the people you need to see, but keep groups small and see them regularly rather than meeting lots of people from lots of different households.
READ MORE
We are seeing lots of cases clustered in households and these clusters are spread all across Dublin city and county - Dr Ronan Glynn.
“Concentrate on your core circle over the coming weeks. I know you know the core messages, but it’s all time for us to redouble our effort to say safe.
“You need to act as if you have the virus to protect friends and family and colleagues going about your day.
“I know it is a big challenge but keeping your little bit of distance from others is really important while we live with the threat of this virus. Your individual actions do work.”
He warned cases in will double in Dublin in the next fortnight if trends continue as they are doing.
“We are seeing lots of cases clustered in households and these clusters are spread all across Dublin city and county”, Dr Glynn added.
Fortunately, the “vast majority” of cases in Dublin are in young people and the rates of hospitalisation are low, he added. He also said that rates of community transmission, where cases cannot be linked to other cases, are broadly the same in Dublin as it is elsewhere in the country. “This provides a window of opportunity to bring the disease under control. We all need to act now to break the trains of transmission,” he said.
Dr Glynn said cases are currently growing at 4 per cent per day in the capital and the R0, the reproduction rate, is 1.4.
Dr Glynn said there has been 1,055 cases in Dublin in the last 14 days and cases are rising at an average of 104 per day.
Strangers
Trinity College Dublin Professor of Experimental Immunology Kingston Mills said approximately half of all people who are testing positive for Covid-19 at present have no symptoms.
Most instances of the disease are now happening in young people who often are not affected by it, but can spread to more vulnerable people, he warned.
He suggested that we should not let strangers into our homes and hold outdoor gatherings where possible when we are meeting people.
Speaking to the RTÉ Radio One with Brendan O’Connor, Prof Mills said we should assume that people are infected with the disease and act accordingly.
He suggested that people should wear masks when are speaking to each other in indoor settings.
Parts of Dublin have Covid-19 infection rates 2½ times as high as neighbouring areas in the capital, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
The area of Dublin North Central as shown on the map refers to Dublin North City
For example, the number of cases appearing in Dublin South East – including parts of the south city centre and Dundrum and Ballinteer – are 155 per cent higher than those being found in Dublin South.
The figures cover cases as recorded by the HSE local health office (LHOs) areas, which have been collated by David Higgins, an economist with Carraighill data analysts.
Dublin South East, which stretches from Baggot Street through Rathmines and Ranelagh to Leopardstown and Sandyford, recorded 93.8 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in the 14 days between August 27th and September 9th.
Meanwhile, Dublin South, which comprises of Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan, Foxrock and down to Loughlinstown, recorded just 36.7 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 in the same period.
Dublin North West, which stretches from Cabra to Mulhuddart and includes many recently-built areas in west Dublin, is another hot spot for the disease, with an instance of 83.8 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000.
Across the capital an average of 73.2 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people is now being recorded, which is a significant increase on cases collated between August 20th and September 2nd, and August 27th and September 9th.
The worst affected area, Dublin South East, had 44.5 more weekly cases in the week between September 2nd and 9th as it did between August 20th and August 27th. Dublin North, by contrast, had 35.8 extra cases between that time.
Ranelagh-based GP Dr Maitiu Ó Tuathail said the differences between Dublin South and Dublin South East is explained by demographics. Those who live in Dublin South are older and more settled, he suggests.
“We have a large population of young people who work in tech and attend college. We have seen increases in demand for tests weeks ago, and it has just steadily been increasing since lockdown measures were reversed,” he said.
“The Ranelagh, Rathmines, Grand Canal area has a very sociable demographic. It fits the current trend in statistics that we are seeing with the majority being under 45.
Dr Ray Walley, a GP based in Glasnevin, which is part of the Dublin West area, said the high numbers currently in his area may be explained by higher poverty and more people living together.
Black, Asian and middle-eastern communities have already been shown in the UK to be more vulnerable to Covid-19, and the same may be occurring in north and west Dublin, both of which have higher immigrant numbers.
“They are a more vulnerable group and they are looking into why that it is – it may be vitamin D deficiency,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-13--Boy hospitalised with serious injuries after hit-and-run in Dublin

A boy suffered serious injuries after he was hit by a car in Tallaght , Co Dublin on Saturday evening @ @ @ @ @ the “ hit-and-run collision ” happened on Fortunestown Lane about 8.30pm .
The car failed @ @ @ @ @ of the incident , the spokeswoman said .
The child was taken to Children ’ @ @ @ @ @ ) at Crumlin with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries .
Gardaí are @ @ @ @ @ have information in relation to this incident to come forward , particularly people who were @ @ @ @ @ and 9pm on Saturday .
They are also appealing to any road users who may @ @ @ @ @ footage , and who were driving in the Fortunestown Lane area at the time of @ @ @ @ @ available to them .
Anyone with any information should contact Tallaght Garda Station on ( @ @ @ @ @ the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station .

A Garda spokeswoman said the ‘hit-and-run collision’ happened on Fortunestown Lane about 8.30pm. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A boy suffered serious injuries after he was hit by a car in Tallaght, Co Dublin on Saturday evening.
A Garda spokeswoman said the "hit-and-run collision" happened on Fortunestown Lane about 8.30pm. The car failed to remain at the scene of the incident, the spokeswoman said.
The child was taken to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to come forward, particularly people who were in the area between 8pm and 9pm on Saturday.
READ MORE
They are also appealing to any road users who may have camera (dash-cam) footage, and who were driving in the Fortunestown Lane area at the time of the incident to make it available to them.
Anyone with any information should contact Tallaght Garda Station on (01) 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--If Ryanair pulls out, what will happen to Cork Airport?

Taxi driver Derry Coughlan has carried passengers to and from Cork Airport since 1975 .
He has endured recessions and storms but he now fears for the future having never seen things as bad as during the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ We went through Storm Ophelia and the snowstorms of recent years .
We tipped away , there was still movement , ” he says .
“ This is the worst ever , I ’ ve never seen it so quiet .
It ’ s at a total standstill .
The people are only travelling out of bare necessity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems facing the airport increased last week after Ryanair warned it would pull its services from Cork for the winter if the Government does not relax quarantine rules for those travelling in and out of the State .
“ Back in the good days , you would have 200-300 taxis rotating at the airport , now you have only three or four , ” Coughlan says .
“ We ’ re only turning up when there are planes and we ’ re chancing our luck .
Yesterday there were only three flights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulls out , it ’ s going to be a total collapse.
” In a memo sent to all Ryanair crew in Cork and Shannon Airport , the airline ’ s chief executive Eddie Wilson said that Government “ mismanagement ” of travel during the pandemic had exacerbated the damage to its operations .
He said future bookings at both airports had suffered “ irreparable harm ” .
Pleas to add EU countries with lower Covid-19 figures to the State ’ s safe-travel list have not been acted on .
This has left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Shannon with no outbound business travel and reduced inbound leisure travel unless restrictions are relaxed by the Government this week .
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said there are “ real benefits ” to a colour-coded EU proposal for travel in the bloc which favours Covid-19 testing over imposing a quarantine period on people arriving in the country .
Failure to ease the rules are expected to lead to all Cork- and Shannon-based Ryanair crew being put on unpaid leave from October 31st .
“ We will do our best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if , but only if , these failed travel restrictions to other EU states have been lifted in time , ” Wilson said in his memo .
Ryanair ’ s importance to Cork Airport is starkly explained by Kevin Cullinane , who handles the airport ’ s communications .
Last year , it carried 44 per cent of all passengers who used the airport – the largest share it has ever accounted for .
The airport ’ s dependence on the airline has grown further this year , with Ryanair adding a Cork-Katowice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 the number of routes it offers from the city .
The airline now accounts for 81 per cent of traffic at the airport which , before Covid-19 struck , was Ireland ’ s fastest growing .
Last year it dealt with 2.6 million passengers and Ryanair carried 1.14 million of these .
The aim this year was to serve 2.8 million passengers but Cork will be lucky if it breaks the 600,000 mark , says Cullinane .
He would have expected 300,000 passengers in August but “ we had 40,000 , down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this decline in traffic are everywhere .
Airport shops and restaurants are closed , save for those in the departure lounge .
Bank of Ireland has shut its airport branch and just 250 of its 4,000 car park spaces are being used .
Cork Airport is owned and run by DAA .
Currently it employs 250 people , though staff have the option of taking a career break , working reduced hours or taking redundancy .
Up to 40 posts are expected to go .
If Ryanair withdraws next month , airport handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 170 people in Cork during the summer , will be badly affected .
Today , Swissport employs 36 and this could fall to eight if Ryanair departs .
Cullinane would not be drawn on Ryanair ’ s case , though he concedes that Cork Airport is at a critical juncture as airlines attempt to plan their schedules for next summer .
“ At this stage they are crying out for clarity from the Government , ” he says .
“ Airlines are urging the Government to map out a clear path in relation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The green list is very limited and they are looking for a change in that regime and whether the blanket 14-day quarantine remains in place.
” Cork Airport and Munster ’ s economic health are inextricably linked according to a study by aviation consultants InterVistas , which last year estimated that it supports 12,000 jobs ( directly or indirectly ) and contributes €904 million a year to the local economy .
“ Without viable passenger numbers , airlines will continue to make cold decisions with an impact that will last for years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commerce chief executive Conor Healy , who wants common EU-wide travel rules to be introduced .
“ Once a route or airline is gone , there is little short-term prospect of its return .
”

Taxi driver Derry Coughlan has carried passengers to and from Cork Airport since 1975. He has endured recessions and storms but he now fears for the future having never seen things as bad as during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We went through Storm Ophelia and the snowstorms of recent years. We tipped away, there was still movement,” he says.
“This is the worst ever, I’ve never seen it so quiet. It’s at a total standstill. The people are only travelling out of bare necessity for births, deaths and marriages.”
The problems facing the airport increased last week after Ryanair warned it would pull its services from Cork for the winter if the Government does not relax quarantine rules for those travelling in and out of the State.
READ MORE
“Back in the good days, you would have 200-300 taxis rotating at the airport, now you have only three or four,” Coughlan says.
“We’re only turning up when there are planes and we’re chancing our luck. Yesterday there were only three flights. Today there are nine. If Ryanair pulls out, it’s going to be a total collapse.”
In a memo sent to all Ryanair crew in Cork and Shannon Airport, the airline’s chief executive Eddie Wilson said that Government “mismanagement” of travel during the pandemic had exacerbated the damage to its operations. He said future bookings at both airports had suffered “irreparable harm”.
Pleas to add EU countries with lower Covid-19 figures to the State’s safe-travel list have not been acted on. This has left Ryanair facing into a winter at Cork and Shannon with no outbound business travel and reduced inbound leisure travel unless restrictions are relaxed by the Government this week.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said there are “real benefits” to a colour-coded EU proposal for travel in the bloc which favours Covid-19 testing over imposing a quarantine period on people arriving in the country.
Failure to ease the rules are expected to lead to all Cork- and Shannon-based Ryanair crew being put on unpaid leave from October 31st.
“We will do our best to reopen these bases from March next year if, but only if, these failed travel restrictions to other EU states have been lifted in time,” Wilson said in his memo.
Ryanair’s importance to Cork Airport is starkly explained by Kevin Cullinane, who handles the airport’s communications. Last year, it carried 44 per cent of all passengers who used the airport – the largest share it has ever accounted for.
The airport’s dependence on the airline has grown further this year, with Ryanair adding a Cork-Katowice service to its schedule, bringing to 24 the number of routes it offers from the city.
The airline now accounts for 81 per cent of traffic at the airport which, before Covid-19 struck, was Ireland’s fastest growing. Last year it dealt with 2.6 million passengers and Ryanair carried 1.14 million of these. The aim this year was to serve 2.8 million passengers but Cork will be lucky if it breaks the 600,000 mark, says Cullinane. He would have expected 300,000 passengers in August but “we had 40,000, down 86 per cent”.
Decline
Signs of this decline in traffic are everywhere. Airport shops and restaurants are closed, save for those in the departure lounge. Bank of Ireland has shut its airport branch and just 250 of its 4,000 car park spaces are being used.
Cork Airport is owned and run by DAA. Currently it employs 250 people, though staff have the option of taking a career break, working reduced hours or taking redundancy. Up to 40 posts are expected to go.
If Ryanair withdraws next month, airport handling agents Swissport, which would normally employ 170 people in Cork during the summer, will be badly affected. Today, Swissport employs 36 and this could fall to eight if Ryanair departs.
Cullinane would not be drawn on Ryanair’s case, though he concedes that Cork Airport is at a critical juncture as airlines attempt to plan their schedules for next summer.
“At this stage they are crying out for clarity from the Government,” he says. “Airlines are urging the Government to map out a clear path in relation to air travel to and from Ireland. The green list is very limited and they are looking for a change in that regime and whether the blanket 14-day quarantine remains in place.”
Cork Airport and Munster’s economic health are inextricably linked according to a study by aviation consultants InterVistas, which last year estimated that it supports 12,000 jobs (directly or indirectly) and contributes €904 million a year to the local economy.
“Without viable passenger numbers, airlines will continue to make cold decisions with an impact that will last for years to come,” says Cork Chamber of Commerce chief executive Conor Healy, who wants common EU-wide travel rules to be introduced.
“Once a route or airline is gone, there is little short-term prospect of its return.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Covid-19: 414 new cases reported over weekend, including 234 in Dublin

A total of 414 new cases of Covid-19 , including 234 in Dublin , and three further deaths from the disease were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) over the weekend .
NPHET was notified of 255 new cases on Sunday , the second highest daily number since May , and 159 on Saturday .
These bring the total number of confirmed infections to 30,985 .
The death toll now stands at 1,784 .
The proportion of infections in Dublin , accounting for 56.5 per cent of the latest cases , is running at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall 47 per cent share of cases since the start of the pandemic .
This will put focus on the capital as the Cabinet considers whether tighter local restrictions should be imposed when the Government sets out its medium-term plan on managing Covid-19 on Tuesday .
Gardaí stepped up high-visibility patrols in Dublin in response to the rise in cases as State authorities warned the city and county faced a “ critical moment ” in the fight against the virus .
The Garda said that increased policing would involve officers on foot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county “ to support the public health guidelines , particularly in relation to social distancing and gathering in large groups ” .
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said it was “ vital ” that people living and working in Dublin , as well as those visiting , limit their social interactions , maintain social distancing , wear face masks in shops and on public transport , and avoid gathering in large groups .
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that reducing social contacts , including in people ’ s homes , would be a “ key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan given the disease was spreading in households .
He denied the Government was reacting too slowly by waiting until Tuesday to introduce restrictions when Covid-19 infections were rising significantly .
“ We will be acting decisively , ” Mr Martin told RTÉ ’ s The Week In Politics , adding that the restrictions on households would be official guidance rather than regulations or laws .
Just over two thirds of the infections reported on Sunday were in people aged under 45 .
A third of the confirmed cases were associated with existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contact with a confirmed case .
Some 27 per cent of the cases were identified as community transmission .
Waterford had the second highest number of cases after Dublin in the latest figures with 22 infections , followed by Donegal ( 13 ) , Wicklow ( 11 ) , Limerick ( nine ) , Kildare ( eight ) and Clare ( five ) .
The remaining 31 cases were spread across 13 other counties .
The Health Service Executive plans to carry out mass Covid-19 testing in meat processing plants again from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher risk settings tested first .
“ This schedule has been developed and informed with guidance from HSE Public Health .
Those facilities or areas which are deemed higher risk will be scheduled as early as possible within the four-week programme , ” a HSE spokeswoman said .
Testing is being rationed after a surge in referrals from GPs for people showing symptoms last week pushed the testing system to capacity of between 14,000 and 15,000 tests a day .
This forced the HSE to postpone scheduled mass testing of meat plants where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being imposed in counties Kildare , Laois and Offaly .
Meanwhile , the HSE ’ s winter plan , at €600 million , is expected to be the most expensive blueprint of its type in the history of the Irish health service .
It will seek to increase capacity in the main hospitals – to take account of Covid-19 restrictions .
Traditionally GPs have referred patients to hospitals for diagnostic tests .
However , officials working on the plan are considering offering arrangements that would allow for diagnostic tests to be secured in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have to go to hospitals .
In addition to the cost of the winter plan , a further bill of €1.5 billion is expected for the provision of personal protective equipment for health service and key personnel for the winter and next year .

A total of 414 new cases of Covid-19, including 234 in Dublin, and three further deaths from the disease were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) over the weekend.
NPHET was notified of 255 new cases on Sunday, the second highest daily number since May, and 159 on Saturday. These bring the total number of confirmed infections to 30,985. The death toll now stands at 1,784.
The proportion of infections in Dublin, accounting for 56.5 per cent of the latest cases, is running at a higher level than the county’s overall 47 per cent share of cases since the start of the pandemic.
Hospital Report
This will put focus on the capital as the Cabinet considers whether tighter local restrictions should be imposed when the Government sets out its medium-term plan on managing Covid-19 on Tuesday.
READ MORE
Patrols
Gardaí stepped up high-visibility patrols in Dublin in response to the rise in cases as State authorities warned the city and county faced a “critical moment” in the fight against the virus.
The Garda said that increased policing would involve officers on foot, in cars and on bikes throughout the county “to support the public health guidelines, particularly in relation to social distancing and gathering in large groups”.
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said it was “vital” that people living and working in Dublin, as well as those visiting, limit their social interactions, maintain social distancing, wear face masks in shops and on public transport, and avoid gathering in large groups.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that reducing social contacts, including in people’s homes, would be a “key ingredient” in the Government’s plan given the disease was spreading in households. He denied the Government was reacting too slowly by waiting until Tuesday to introduce restrictions when Covid-19 infections were rising significantly.
“We will be acting decisively,” Mr Martin told RTÉ’s The Week In Politics, adding that the restrictions on households would be official guidance rather than regulations or laws.
Just over two thirds of the infections reported on Sunday were in people aged under 45. A third of the confirmed cases were associated with existing outbreaks or in people who were in close contact with a confirmed case. Some 27 per cent of the cases were identified as community transmission.
Waterford had the second highest number of cases after Dublin in the latest figures with 22 infections, followed by Donegal (13), Wicklow (11), Limerick (nine), Kildare (eight) and Clare (five). The remaining 31 cases were spread across 13 other counties.
Meat plants
The Health Service Executive plans to carry out mass Covid-19 testing in meat processing plants again from Monday over a four-week schedule, with higher risk settings tested first.
“This schedule has been developed and informed with guidance from HSE Public Health. Those facilities or areas which are deemed higher risk will be scheduled as early as possible within the four-week programme,” a HSE spokeswoman said.
Testing is being rationed after a surge in referrals from GPs for people showing symptoms last week pushed the testing system to capacity of between 14,000 and 15,000 tests a day. This forced the HSE to postpone scheduled mass testing of meat plants where outbreaks were responsible for local lockdown restrictions being imposed in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly.
Meanwhile, the HSE’s winter plan, at €600 million, is expected to be the most expensive blueprint of its type in the history of the Irish health service. It will seek to increase capacity in the main hospitals – to take account of Covid-19 restrictions.
Traditionally GPs have referred patients to hospitals for diagnostic tests. However, officials working on the plan are considering offering arrangements that would allow for diagnostic tests to be secured in the community so the patients concerned do not have to go to hospitals.
In addition to the cost of the winter plan, a further bill of €1.5 billion is expected for the provision of personal protective equipment for health service and key personnel for the winter and next year.


theirishtimes--2020-09-14--Catholic primary schools in Dublin to end ‘sibling-first’ enrolment policies

Catholic primary schools in the greater Dublin area are to end the practice of giving priority enrolment to siblings of pupils currently attending school .
The Archdiocese of Dublin – the patron body for almost 90 per cent of schools in Dublin , Wicklow and parts of Kildare , Carlow , Laois and Wexford – has asked all primary schools to update their admissions policies over the coming weeks .
Schools who operate “ sibling-first ” enrolment policies say they have been instructed by the archdiocese to amend their policies to give parity to all children in the local catchment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised policies are due to be signed off by the archdiocese this month , and will come into effect for children enrolling in the 2021/22 school year .
Schools are due to commence enrolments next month .
A spokeswoman for the archdiocese confirmed that its school enrolment policies do not permit over-subscribed schools to prioritise siblings of current pupils only .
She said this did not represent a change in the policy of the archdiocese , and these policies had been in place for many years .
However , several schools confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sibling-first enrolment policies for years with no objection until now .
The move has sparked controversy among school boards of management , parents ’ representatives and principals , although many say they have been reluctant to speak out publicly .
The principal of one Catholic school said : “ There will be uproar among parents when this comes out .
It means that families risk being split up .
It undermines the sense of school community.
” A parents ’ representative on one school board said : “ The idea is that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the opposite effect , and hugely inconvenience families and result in parents sending children to multiple different schools.
” Another principal said many schools in their area had sought to resist the changes being insisted upon by the archdiocese without success .
“ Our board of management must by law , and in accordance with the Education Act , accept the patron ’ s decision on this point .
It can not by law adopt an admission policy which has not been approved by the patron.
” Other patron bodies – such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their sibling-first admission policies , while the Department of Education has said sibling-first policies are permitted under school admissions legislation .
A letter to one Catholic school , signed by Monsignor Dan O ’ Connor , episcopal vicar for education in the Archdiocese of Dublin , states that the polices will only apply in oversubscribed schools .
The letter states that under school admissions legislation which came into effect last February , all schools are required to have a uniform and transparent admissions policy .
It said the revised policy being adopted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to a school alongside children living in the local parish “ as it is their local school ” , and was a “ fair , transparent and reasonable ” policy .

The revised policies are due to be signed off by the archdiocese this month, and will come into effect for children enrolling in the 2021/22 school year. Photograph: Getty Images
Catholic primary schools in the greater Dublin area are to end the practice of giving priority enrolment to siblings of pupils currently attending school.
The Archdiocese of Dublin – the patron body for almost 90 per cent of schools in Dublin, Wicklow and parts of Kildare, Carlow, Laois and Wexford – has asked all primary schools to update their admissions policies over the coming weeks.
Schools who operate “sibling-first” enrolment policies say they have been instructed by the archdiocese to amend their policies to give parity to all children in the local catchment area alongside children of siblings.
The revised policies are due to be signed off by the archdiocese this month, and will come into effect for children enrolling in the 2021/22 school year. Schools are due to commence enrolments next month.
READ MORE
A spokeswoman for the archdiocese confirmed that its school enrolment policies do not permit over-subscribed schools to prioritise siblings of current pupils only. She said this did not represent a change in the policy of the archdiocese, and these policies had been in place for many years.
However, several schools confirmed to The Irish Times that they have operated sibling-first enrolment policies for years with no objection until now.
The move has sparked controversy among school boards of management, parents’ representatives and principals, although many say they have been reluctant to speak out publicly.
The principal of one Catholic school said: “There will be uproar among parents when this comes out. It means that families risk being split up. It undermines the sense of school community.”
A parents’ representative on one school board said: “The idea is that this will be more inclusive but it will have the opposite effect, and hugely inconvenience families and result in parents sending children to multiple different schools.”
Another principal said many schools in their area had sought to resist the changes being insisted upon by the archdiocese without success.
“Our board of management must by law, and in accordance with the Education Act, accept the patron’s decision on this point. It cannot by law adopt an admission policy which has not been approved by the patron.”
Legislation
Other patron bodies – such as Educate Together – are not ending their sibling-first admission policies, while the Department of Education has said sibling-first policies are permitted under school admissions legislation.
A letter to one Catholic school, signed by Monsignor Dan O’Connor, episcopal vicar for education in the Archdiocese of Dublin, states that the polices will only apply in oversubscribed schools.
The letter states that under school admissions legislation which came into effect last February, all schools are required to have a uniform and transparent admissions policy.
It said the revised policy being adopted in Catholic schools would ensure siblings would have access to a school alongside children living in the local parish “as it is their local school”, and was a “fair, transparent and reasonable” policy.