theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Timeline: 10 key dates in the Scouting Ireland controversy

February 23rd , 2018 : The Irish Times published a front page story revealing the details of a confidential review into Scouting Ireland ’ s handling of a rape allegation concerning two adults .
The review , conducted by child protection expert Ian Elliott , found the handling of the case had been “ deeply flawed ” .
April 12th , 2018 : Minister for Children Katherine Zappone decides to suspend €900,000 in State funding to Scouting Ireland , over governance and safeguarding concerns .
April 19th , 2018 : Amid growing backlash , four senior Scouting Ireland volunteers criticised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to temporarily step aside from their positions .
These were chief scout Christy McCann , chief commissioners David Shalloo and Thérèse Bermingham , and former national secretary Ollie Kehoe .
June 25th , 2018 : A report by children ’ s rights expert Jillian van Turnhout , commissioned by Ms Zappone , concluded there was a “ deeply rooted dysfunction ” at the top of the organisation , due to a lack of transparency and a culture of “ blind loyalty ” to certain senior figures .
October 6th , 2018 : Scouting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governance of the organisation at an extraordinary general meeting , and elect an entire new board .
November 21st , 2018 : At an Oireachtas committee hearing it is disclosed an initial review by Mr Elliott had identified 108 alleged victims of historic child sex abuse , and 71 alleged abusers .
The alleged abuse related to legacy bodies the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and Scout Association of Ireland .
December 12th , 2018 : The Irish Times reported that emerging evidence showed abuse had occurred “ within all levels ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ covered up ” , where people permitted known abusers to move from group to group .
Large numbers of other survivors had also come forward , and the organisation had identified 317 alleged victims , and 212 alleged perpetrators .
February 18th , 2019 : Tusla , the child and family agency , raises “ serious concerns ” with current practices in Scouting Ireland in a controversial letter .
The agency criticised the handling of recent safeguarding cases and said the organisation should “ consider the viability of continuing with overnight trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were made public in a Dáil speech by Ms Zappone several days later .
November 13th , 2019 : Taoiseach Leo Varadkar states the Government was considering a “ commission of investigation or statutory inquiry of some nature ” into the abuse scandal , on foot of questions in the Dáil .
May 14th , 2020 : The final report into the historic abuse scandal completed by Mr Elliott is published .

In 2018, The Irish Times revealed that Scouting Ireland’s handling of a rape allegation, concerning two adults, had been ‘deeply flawed’.
February 23rd, 2018: The Irish Times published a front page story revealing the details of a confidential review into Scouting Ireland's handling of a rape allegation concerning two adults. The review, conducted by child protection expert Ian Elliott, found the handling of the case had been "deeply flawed".
April 12th, 2018: Minister for Children Katherine Zappone decides to suspend €900,000 in State funding to Scouting Ireland, over governance and safeguarding concerns.
April 19th, 2018: Amid growing backlash, four senior Scouting Ireland volunteers criticised in Mr Elliott's report agreed to temporarily step aside from their positions. These were chief scout Christy McCann, chief commissioners David Shalloo and Thérèse Bermingham, and former national secretary Ollie Kehoe.
June 25th, 2018: A report by children's rights expert Jillian van Turnhout, commissioned by Ms Zappone, concluded there was a "deeply rooted dysfunction" at the top of the organisation, due to a lack of transparency and a culture of "blind loyalty" to certain senior figures.
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October 6th, 2018: Scouting Ireland members overwhelmingly pass proposals to overhaul the governance of the organisation at an extraordinary general meeting, and elect an entire new board.
November 21st, 2018: At an Oireachtas committee hearing it is disclosed an initial review by Mr Elliott had identified 108 alleged victims of historic child sex abuse, and 71 alleged abusers. The alleged abuse related to legacy bodies the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and Scout Association of Ireland.
December 12th, 2018: The Irish Times reported that emerging evidence showed abuse had occurred "within all levels" of legacy organisations, and had been "covered up", where people permitted known abusers to move from group to group. Large numbers of other survivors had also come forward, and the organisation had identified 317 alleged victims, and 212 alleged perpetrators.
February 18th, 2019: Tusla, the child and family agency, raises "serious concerns" with current practices in Scouting Ireland in a controversial letter. The agency criticised the handling of recent safeguarding cases and said the organisation should "consider the viability of continuing with overnight trips". The details of the letter were made public in a Dáil speech by Ms Zappone several days later.
November 13th, 2019: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar states the Government was considering a "commission of investigation or statutory inquiry of some nature" into the abuse scandal, on foot of questions in the Dáil.
May 14th, 2020: The final report into the historic abuse scandal completed by Mr Elliott is published.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Gardaí investigate after youth wounded in Darndale shooting

Gardaí in Dublin have launched an investigation following a shooting incident in Darndale on Thursday evening .
A teenager suffered several shotgun wounds during the incident which occurred in the Marigold Park area the north-side suburb just off the Malahide Road shortly after 9pm .
It is understood the victim was shot at by a gunman on a moped .
Gardaí from Coolock who were alerted to the incident – following several reports of shots being fired in the area – discovered the victim had already left the area when they arrived on the scene .
Gardaí said a male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital with gunshot wounds .
Sources indicated that the injuries were non-life threatening , although it is understood the victim underwent surgery at the hospital on Thursday night .
Gardaí have sealed off two locations in the Darndale area for forensic examination after the moped was found set alight a short distance away .
Sources said the incident may be linked to local ongoing disputes over drugs .
But gardaí are keeping an open mind on the motive for the attack at this early stage of the inquiry .
Anyone with information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coolock on 01-6664200 or the Garda confidential line on 1800-666111 .

Gardaí have sealed off two locations in the Darndale area for forensic examination. File photograph: The Irish Times
Gardaí in Dublin have launched an investigation following a shooting incident in Darndale on Thursday evening.
A teenager suffered several shotgun wounds during the incident which occurred in the Marigold Park area the north-side suburb just off the Malahide Road shortly after 9pm.
It is understood the victim was shot at by a gunman on a moped.
Gardaí from Coolock who were alerted to the incident – following several reports of shots being fired in the area – discovered the victim had already left the area when they arrived on the scene.
READ MORE
Gardaí said a male presented a short time later at Beaumont Hospital with gunshot wounds.
Sources indicated that the injuries were non-life threatening, although it is understood the victim underwent surgery at the hospital on Thursday night.
Gardaí have sealed off two locations in the Darndale area for forensic examination after the moped was found set alight a short distance away.
Sources said the incident may be linked to local ongoing disputes over drugs. But gardaí are keeping an open mind on the motive for the attack at this early stage of the inquiry.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact gardaíin Coolock on 01-6664200 or the Garda confidential line on 1800-666111.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Religious leaders unite in prayer for end to Covid-19 crisis

An Irish Muslim leader who was critically ill with Covid-19 joined other religious leaders in expressing gratitude to frontline staff and praying for a speedy end to the coronavirus crisis .
Dr Ali Al Saleh ( 63 ) , Imam at Ireland ’ s main Shi ’ a mosque in Dublin ’ s Milltown and a member of the Irish Council of Imams , became ill on March 15th last .
He was hospitalised at St James ’ s Hospital , Dublin where he spent six days in ICU , including four on a ventilator .
In early April he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then discharged .
Dr Al Saleh , himself a medical doctor and graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons , was one of the Dublin faith leaders who took part in a joint prayer service “ to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic ” on Thursday .
It followed an appeal by Pope Francis on May 3rd “ for believers of all religions to unite spiritually this 14th May for a day of prayer , fasting , and works of charity , to implore God to help humanity overcome the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayed for all the health care staff at St James ’ s and elsewhere “ who have sacrificed themselves to treat us ” including cleaning staff at hospitals , and asked God to “ save them from danger.
” He prayed too that Ireland would “ be successful in the steps it is taking against this disease ” .
Covid-19 spared no race , no region and “ has put us away from our churches , our mosques , our prayer places ” , he said .
But it was also “ an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith.
” As religious leaders , whether Jewish , Christian , Muslim or of other faiths , “ we don ’ t need to fear anything , ” he added .
Rabbi Zalman Lent , of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation , who followed Dr Al Saleh in the order of service in the Zoom prayer meeting , expressed his delight at the imam ’ s recovery and said the occasion presented an opportunity for all the faith leaders to express their “ extraordinary appreciation of frontline healthcare staff.
” He read Psalm 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hebrew and English .
Other Dublin faith leaders to take part included the Catholic Archbishop Diarmuid Martin , Church of Ireland Archbishop Michael Jackson , Castleknock parish priest Fr Kieran Coghlan , Imam Ahmed Halawa of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland at Clonskeagh , Pastor Stephan Arras of the Lutheran Church , Swami Purnananda Puri of the Hindu community , Hilary Abrahamson of the Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation , Dr Jasbir Singh Puri of the Sikh community , Alison Wortley of the Bah ’ ai community , and Zen Buddhist Rev Hodo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cristea of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum .

Dr Ali Al Saleh (centre, in white) said that Covid-19 spared no race, no region and ‘has put us away from our churches, our mosques, our prayer places’ but it was also ‘an opportunity to show the strength of our faith.’ File photograph: Cyril Byrne
An Irish Muslim leader who was critically ill with Covid-19 joined other religious leaders in expressing gratitude to frontline staff and praying for a speedy end to the coronavirus crisis.
Dr Ali Al Saleh (63), Imam at Ireland's main Shi'a mosque in Dublin's Milltown and a member of the Irish Council of Imams, became ill on March 15th last. He was hospitalised at St James's Hospital, Dublin where he spent six days in ICU, including four on a ventilator. In early April he was moved to a recovery ward and then discharged.
Dr Al Saleh, himself a medical doctor and graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons, was one of the Dublin faith leaders who took part in a joint prayer service “to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic” on Thursday.
It followed an appeal by Pope Francis on May 3rd " for believers of all religions to unite spiritually this 14th May for a day of prayer, fasting, and works of charity, to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic".
READ MORE
Dr Al Saleh prayed for all the health care staff at St James's and elsewhere "who have sacrificed themselves to treat us" including cleaning staff at hospitals, and asked God to "save them from danger." He prayed too that Ireland would "be successful in the steps it is taking against this disease".
Covid-19 spared no race, no region and “has put us away from our churches, our mosques, our prayer places”, he said. But it was also “an opportunity to show the strength of our faith.”
As religious leaders, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim or of other faiths, “we don’t need to fear anything,” he added.
Rabbi Zalman Lent, of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation, who followed Dr Al Saleh in the order of service in the Zoom prayer meeting, expressed his delight at the imam's recovery and said the occasion presented an opportunity for all the faith leaders to express their "extraordinary appreciation of frontline healthcare staff." He read Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd in Hebrew and English.
Other Dublin faith leaders to take part included the Catholic Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Church of Ireland Archbishop Michael Jackson, Castleknock parish priest Fr Kieran Coghlan, Imam Ahmed Halawa of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland at Clonskeagh, Pastor Stephan Arras of the Lutheran Church, Swami Purnananda Puri of the Hindu community, Hilary Abrahamson of the Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation, Dr Jasbir Singh Puri of the Sikh community, Alison Wortley of the Bah'ai community, and Zen Buddhist Rev Hodo.
The service was co-ordinated by Adrian Cristea of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Hospital’s late reporting of over 200 cases under investigation

The National Public Health Emergency Team ( Nphet ) is investigating whether all hospitals have fully reported cases of Covid-19 after it emerged that one has reported hundreds of cases late .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said his group had only just learned of the reporting omission and was trying to establish the full facts .
He declined to say whether there would be consequences for the hospital - the prompt reporting of Covid-19 is a legal requirement - and admitted he did not know whether the contacts of the cases involved had been traced .
The late-reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 426 new cases of the disease reported by Nphet on Thursday .
Discounting these cases , the underlying trend shows a continuing decline in new case numbers .
The deaths of another 10 patients were announced by Nphet at its briefing on Thursday .
There have now been 1,506 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic .
The total number of cases is now 23,827 .
Many of the cases reported late by the hospital date back to mid-March but have only just been notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre , Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we weren ’ t aware of them , and they were reported in one group today to add to the number we would have diagnosed over the course of the day.
” Nphet at its meeting on Thursday made recommendations on the planned easing of restrictions on Monday , including proposals on the wearing of face-coverings in certain situations , which will be considered by Cabinet on Friday .
The reproduction number , a measure of the number of people each case goes on to infect , was stable at 0.4 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prof Philip Nolan , chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling group , said all indicators of the spread of Covid-19 were decreasing , including the average number new cases daily , the number in hospital and in ICU and the number of deaths each day .
The average number of new cases was 600 a day in mid-April , under 300 last week and an average of 172 over the last five days , Prof Nolan said .
The model developed to predict the pattern of the epidemic had forecast cases to drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of May , but this level has been reached around now so “ we ’ re doing somewhat better ” than expected , he said .
The number of healthcare workers who had died now stands at seven , an increase of two over last week .
Asked about tensions over testing targets that were revealed in a letter from HSE chief executive Paul Reid to Nphet last month , Dr Holohan said everyone was working “ at pace ” and “ under pressure ” and tensions would arise “ from time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Colm Henry said it would be “ implausible ” to say there were no tensions “ but we work together and sort things out ” .
Both the HSE and Nphet were “ completely united ” in their strategy , he added .
An analysis of cases up to Tuesday shows 57 were female and 43 per cent were male .
The median age was 48 years and 13 per cent were hospitalised .
A total of 7,123 cases were associated with healthcare workers .
Community transmission accounts for 60 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died with the disease , 86.7 per cent had underlying conditions .
Some 756 deaths were male and 750 were female .
The median age of deaths was 84 years and the mean was 82 .
So far , 388 patients have been admitted to intensive care , of which 58 remain there .
A total of 438 clusters have been reported in residential care facilities , an increase of six over the previous day , Dr Holohan said .
This included 250 in nursing homes , an increase of five .
Residential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while nursing homes alone accounted for 4,655 cases .
Some 7.5 per cent of cases in residential care facilities , and 5.3 per cent in nursing homes , were hospitalised , he said .
From March 19th , close contacts will be tested automatically for the virus , Dr Henry also said .

Chief medical officer at the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan speaking at Thursday’s press briefing, with Dr Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer (right), Dr Colm Henry (second left) and Prof Philip Nolan (far left). Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) is investigating whether all hospitals have fully reported cases of Covid-19 after it emerged that one has reported hundreds of cases late.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said his group had only just learned of the reporting omission and was trying to establish the full facts.
He declined to say whether there would be consequences for the hospital - the prompt reporting of Covid-19 is a legal requirement - and admitted he did not know whether the contacts of the cases involved had been traced.
The late-reported cases account for more than half of the 426 new cases of the disease reported by Nphet on Thursday. Discounting these cases, the underlying trend shows a continuing decline in new case numbers.
READ MORE
The deaths of another 10 patients were announced by Nphet at its briefing on Thursday. There have now been 1,506 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic. The total number of cases is now 23,827.
Many of the cases reported late by the hospital date back to mid-March but have only just been notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dr Holohan said.
“They were accumulated, we weren’t aware of them, and they were reported in one group today to add to the number we would have diagnosed over the course of the day.”
Nphet at its meeting on Thursday made recommendations on the planned easing of restrictions on Monday, including proposals on the wearing of face-coverings in certain situations, which will be considered by Cabinet on Friday.
The reproduction number, a measure of the number of people each case goes on to infect, was stable at 0.4 to 0.6, the briefing was told.
Prof Philip Nolan, chair of the Nphet epidemiological modelling group, said all indicators of the spread of Covid-19 were decreasing, including the average number new cases daily, the number in hospital and in ICU and the number of deaths each day.
The average number of new cases was 600 a day in mid-April, under 300 last week and an average of 172 over the last five days, Prof Nolan said.
The model developed to predict the pattern of the epidemic had forecast cases to drop to 150 a day at the end of May, but this level has been reached around now so “we’re doing somewhat better” than expected, he said.
The number of healthcare workers who had died now stands at seven, an increase of two over last week.
Asked about tensions over testing targets that were revealed in a letter from HSE chief executive Paul Reid to Nphet last month, Dr Holohan said everyone was working “at pace” and “under pressure” and tensions would arise “from time to time”.
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said it would be “implausible” to say there were no tensions “but we work together and sort things out”.
Both the HSE and Nphet were “completely united” in their strategy, he added.
An analysis of cases up to Tuesday shows 57 were female and 43 per cent were male. The median age was 48 years and 13 per cent were hospitalised. A total of 7,123 cases were associated with healthcare workers. Community transmission accounts for 60 per cent of cases.
Of those who have died with the disease, 86.7 per cent had underlying conditions. Some 756 deaths were male and 750 were female. The median age of deaths was 84 years and the mean was 82.
So far, 388 patients have been admitted to intensive care, of which 58 remain there.
A total of 438 clusters have been reported in residential care facilities, an increase of six over the previous day, Dr Holohan said. This included 250 in nursing homes, an increase of five.
Residential care facilities accounted for 5,983 cases, while nursing homes alone accounted for 4,655 cases.
Some 7.5 per cent of cases in residential care facilities, and 5.3 per cent in nursing homes, were hospitalised, he said.
From March 19th, close contacts will be tested automatically for the virus, Dr Henry also said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Jailed rapist refuses to end 47 day-long hunger strike

A prisoner on hunger strike because he claims he is innocent of his conviction for rape is refusing to come off his protest , the High Court heard .
The man , who can not be named , is on day 47 of refusing food and has told his lawyers , if he falls into unconsciousness , there should be no intervention , the court was told .
The governor of the prison , which also can not be named , has applied to the court for orders on how to deal with the situation .
That includes addressing whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing with the hunger strike .
Mr Justice David Barniville adjourned the matter to Friday so a full hearing of the issues could take place .
The man viewed the hearing on Thursday via video-link from a room in the prison .
He was in a wheelchair .
His counsel , Micheál P O ’ Higgins , instructed by solicitor Darragh Robinson , who also represented him in the criminal case , said it was a difficult case for all involved .
“ As matters stand he intends to remain on hunger strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him there is an extant appeal in relation to his conviction to the Supreme Court , ” counsel said .
Paul Carroll SC , for the governor and the Irish Prison Service , said his side was anxious to move things along and had hoped a hearing could take place almost immediately .
It was a case which would require oral evidence primarily from medical personnel including the prison psychiatrist to deal with the issue of capacity , he said .
The concern at this stage was the man had been refusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters are deteriorating .
He has underlying health complaints , including a heart condition , counsel said .

The man viewed the High Court hearing on Thursday via video-link from a room in the prison. He was in a wheelchair. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins
A prisoner on hunger strike because he claims he is innocent of his conviction for rape is refusing to come off his protest, the High Court heard.
The man, who cannot be named, is on day 47 of refusing food and has told his lawyers, if he falls into unconsciousness, there should be no intervention, the court was told.
The governor of the prison, which also cannot be named, has applied to the court for orders on how to deal with the situation.
That includes addressing whether the prisoner has capacity to decide on continuing with the hunger strike.
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Mr Justice David Barniville adjourned the matter to Friday so a full hearing of the issues could take place.
The man viewed the hearing on Thursday via video-link from a room in the prison. He was in a wheelchair.
His counsel, Micheál P O’Higgins, instructed by solicitor Darragh Robinson, who also represented him in the criminal case, said it was a difficult case for all involved.
“As matters stand he intends to remain on hunger strike notwithstanding that it has been pointed out to him there is an extant appeal in relation to his conviction to the Supreme Court,” counsel said.
Paul Carroll SC, for the governor and the Irish Prison Service, said his side was anxious to move things along and had hoped a hearing could take place almost immediately. It was a case which would require oral evidence primarily from medical personnel including the prison psychiatrist to deal with the issue of capacity, he said.
The concern at this stage was the man had been refusing food for more than 46 days and matters are deteriorating. He has underlying health complaints, including a heart condition, counsel said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Gorey woman charged with husband's murder

A mother of three has been charged with the murder of her husband at their family home in Gorey , @ @ @ @ @ Sarah Doyle ( 30 ) of The Heath , Ramsgate Village in Gorey appeared before @ @ @ @ @ District Court on Thursday evening .
Ms Doyle was charged with the murder of her @ @ @ @ @ ) at The Heath on January 26th .
During a brief hearing , Det Sgt @ @ @ @ @ of charging and cautioning the accused following her arrest earlier on Thursday afternoon .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act during an earlier court appearance following her @ @ @ @ @ alerted to an incident at their home .
Mr Doyle , a mechanical engineer who @ @ @ @ @ Co Wicklow , was pronounced dead at the scene .
No application for bail was @ @ @ @ @ s behalf .
Judge Brian O ’ Shea remanded Ms Doyle in custody to appear @ @ @ @ @ court on May 19th via video link .

During a brief hearing, Det Sgt Noel McSweeney, gave evidence of charging and cautioning the accused following her arrest earlier on Thursday afternoon. Photograph: Collins Courts
A mother of three has been charged with the murder of her husband at their family home in Gorey, Co Wexford in January.
Sarah Doyle (30) of The Heath, Ramsgate Village in Gorey appeared before a special sitting of Wexford District Court on Thursday evening.
Ms Doyle was charged with the murder of her husband, Philip (33) at The Heath on January 26th.
During a brief hearing, Det Sgt Noel McSweeney, gave evidence of charging and cautioning the accused following her arrest earlier on Thursday afternoon.
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Ms Doyle had originally faced a charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act during an earlier court appearance following her arrest shortly after gardaí were alerted to an incident at their home.
Mr Doyle, a mechanical engineer who came originally from Bray, Co Wicklow, was pronounced dead at the scene.
No application for bail was made on the accused’s behalf.
Judge Brian O’Shea remanded Ms Doyle in custody to appear before another sitting of the court on May 19th via video link.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Brexit: Unionists react with dismay as Irish Sea border ‘now a certainty’

Unionist politicians have responded with annoyance and dismay after a junior Sinn Féin Minister told a Stormont committee that there will be new physical border posts at Northern Ireland ports .
An “ Irish Sea border is now a certainty ” , the Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said on Thursday following comments by Sinn Féin Minister Declan Kearney that border posts are to be created to deal with trade coming into Northern Ireland from Britain .
Mr Kearney told the Assembly ’ s Executive Office scrutiny committee that the “ British government has confirmed it will urgently put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which does include the physical posts at ports of entry ” .
Mr Kearney informed former Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson that the British government had signalled that “ delivery on that infrastructure needs to start as soon as possible ” .
“ The British government has indicated that it will provide advice on the requirements and the funding to put that in place.
” Ms Anderson , in her questioning of Mr Kearney on Wednesday , indicated the posts would be at Belfast , Larne and Warrenpoint and would be designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who would be dealing with livestock .
While it appeared implicit in the EU-UK deal that allowed for Brexit to proceed that there would be checks on some goods and livestock coming in from Britain , unionist politicians have campaigned against any such border at Northern Ireland ports .
Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said an “ Irish Sea border ” was “ now a certainty ” .
He said his party had warned “ this was sadly inevitable ” if the British government continued with the deal it struck with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unforgivable that we have ended up here , ” said Mr Aiken .
“ For all the big talk and bluster , Northern Ireland will now have to deal with border control posts at our ports and airports .
“ This places a huge burden on businesses here who will be expected to be totally prepared for the changes in just over seven months time , amidst the crisis many are currently facing due to Covid-19 , ” he added .
Mr Aiken said that EU “ intransigence ” also played a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said Mr Kearney ’ s “ claim ” about new posts suggested that “ unionists at the Executive face a major test of their mettle ” .
A British government spokesperson said it had “ always been clear that there will be requirements for live animals and agri-food , building on what already happens at ports like Larne and Belfast ” .
“ We want to work with Northern Ireland businesses and the Executive to ensure new administrative procedures are streamlined and efficient , ” the spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanna said that checks at Northern Ireland ports should come as no surprise as it was clear for a long time that this must happen .
“ This is an inevitable consequence of Brexit , ” she said .
Ms Hanna said the proposals gave “ a little bit of comfort ” that if there were checks at Northern Ireland ports that North-South trade could happen seamlessly .
She said that the proposals contradicted previous British government commitments about there being “ unfettered ” trade across the Irish Sea after Brexit .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Irish Sea is to soften Brexit overall , ” added Ms Hanna .

The posts would be at Belfast Port (above), Larne and Warrenpoint and would be designed to accommodate additional customs officers and vets, who would be dealing with livestock
Unionist politicians have responded with annoyance and dismay after a junior Sinn Féin Minister told a Stormont committee that there will be new physical border posts at Northern Ireland ports.
An "Irish Sea border is now a certainty", the Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said on Thursday following comments by Sinn Féin Minister Declan Kearney that border posts are to be created to deal with trade coming into Northern Ireland from Britain.
Mr Kearney told the Assembly’s Executive Office scrutiny committee that the “British government has confirmed it will urgently put in place detailed plans with the Executive, which does include the physical posts at ports of entry”.
Mr Kearney informed former Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson that the British government had signalled that “delivery on that infrastructure needs to start as soon as possible”.
READ MORE
“The British government has indicated that it will provide advice on the requirements and the funding to put that in place.”
Ms Anderson, in her questioning of Mr Kearney on Wednesday, indicated the posts would be at Belfast, Larne and Warrenpoint and would be designed to accommodate additional customs officers and vets, who would be dealing with livestock.
Checks
While it appeared implicit in the EU-UK deal that allowed for Brexit to proceed that there would be checks on some goods and livestock coming in from Britain, unionist politicians have campaigned against any such border at Northern Ireland ports.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said an “Irish Sea border” was “now a certainty”.
He said his party had warned "this was sadly inevitable" if the British government continued with the deal it struck with the European Union.
“It is unforgivable that we have ended up here,” said Mr Aiken. “For all the big talk and bluster, Northern Ireland will now have to deal with border control posts at our ports and airports.
“This places a huge burden on businesses here who will be expected to be totally prepared for the changes in just over seven months time, amidst the crisis many are currently facing due to Covid-19,” he added.
Mr Aiken said that EU “intransigence” also played a big role in creating the current situation.
‘Mettle’
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said Mr Kearney's "claim" about new posts suggested that "unionists at the Executive face a major test of their mettle".
A British government spokesperson said it had “always been clear that there will be requirements for live animals and agri-food, building on what already happens at ports like Larne and Belfast”.
“We want to work with Northern Ireland businesses and the Executive to ensure new administrative procedures are streamlined and efficient,” the spokesperson added.
The SDLP Brexit spokeswoman Claire Hanna said that checks at Northern Ireland ports should come as no surprise as it was clear for a long time that this must happen. "This is an inevitable consequence of Brexit," she said.
Ms Hanna said the proposals gave “a little bit of comfort” that if there were checks at Northern Ireland ports that North-South trade could happen seamlessly.
She said that the proposals contradicted previous British government commitments about there being “unfettered” trade across the Irish Sea after Brexit.
“The only way to minimise the checks in the Irish Sea is to soften Brexit overall,” added Ms Hanna.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Scouts report has ‘striking similarities’ with clerical abuse reviews

There are “ striking similarities ” between the findings of the Elliott report into Scouting Ireland and those that emerged from the Ryan and Murphy reports into clerical child sexual abuse , solicitor and leading child law expert Dr Geoffrey Shannon has said .
He was speaking following the publication of the report , commissioned and published by Scouting Ireland on Thursday into historical child sex abuse that took place in legacy scouting organisations .
The report was compiled by child protection expert Ian Elliott .
Mr Shannon said his “ first thoughts ” were with the victims of abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The report is profoundly shocking and deeply disturbing , ” he said .
“ A striking feature of the findings is the invisibility of the young people who were abused and the reckless disregard for their welfare .
“ The legacy of the organisation ’ s shameful indifference towards children is illustrated in this important report .
“ I acknowledge that Scouting Ireland is a very different organisation today and has made significant improvements in its child protection policies .
It is important , however , that those who perpetrated abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures and natural justice .
“ There are striking similarities with the findings that emerged from the Ryan and Murphy reports .
The findings underscore the importance of mandatory reporting introduced in the Children First Act 2015.
” Mr Shannon noted comments in the report that a more comprehensive investigation would run into difficulties due to the lack of records .
“ That said , it is important to examine further whether an independent inquiry would generate additional information , ” he said .
“ Any such inquiry should be independent , prompt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network Ireland director Cliona Saidlear said the report demonstrated the importance of continued investment in child protection infrastructure .
“ This report tells us how sex offenders dominated the senior levels of the scouting organisations who worked to silence survivors , and protect perpetrators , ” she said .
“ This arose from serious weaknesses in governance and accountability over sustained periods .
“ These failures have caused considerable harm to generations of young people and the apology is very much warranted .
However , while this report speaks to the past its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children safe requires all organisations to commit to substantial and continuous investment in its child protection infrastructure which includes good governance , transparency and accountability.
” Survivors group One in Four today said the report documents “ a devastating history of serial sex offenders abusing young boys , protected within two seriously dysfunctional scouting organisations from the 1960s to the 1990s ” .
One in Four chief executive Maeve Lewis said : “ Our first thoughts must be with the hundreds of survivors who were let down by the scouting volunteers and leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , often made by several boys or their parents .
“ The pain and suffering they have carried into their adult lives is very real , and they are deserving of the most expert independent support .
Where the perpetrators are still alive , every effort must be made to bring them before the criminal courts.
” Ms Lewis said the “ organisational dysfunction ” described by Mr Elliot was “ astonishing , and makes for very grim reading ” .
“ Active abusers rising to leadership positions supported by other abusers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture of cronyism .
Non-offending leaders actively suppressing the reporting of concerns through a desire to protect the good name of the organisation .
“ Chaotic record keeping .
Children ’ s lives destroyed with a total lack of concern for their welfare .
The review makes clear that Scouting Ireland still faces considerable challenges in implementing a robust child protection system .
“ Ian Elliot cites a lack of awareness of the challenges at board level , a culture where there is still evidence of efforts to frustrate the process of holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this day .
“ He makes many strong recommendations for actions which will be necessary to transform Scouting Ireland into a youth organisation where children will be safe .
It is important that those actions should be monitored by a team of independent experts on an ongoing basis .
”

Child law expert Dr Geoffrey Shannon described the findings of the Elliott report into Scouting Ireland as deeply disturbing. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / The Irish Times
There are "striking similarities" between the findings of the Elliott report into Scouting Ireland and those that emerged from the Ryan and Murphy reports into clerical child sexual abuse, solicitor and leading child law expert Dr Geoffrey Shannon has said.
He was speaking following the publication of the report, commissioned and published by Scouting Ireland on Thursday into historical child sex abuse that took place in legacy scouting organisations. The report was compiled by child protection expert Ian Elliott.
Mr Shannon said his “first thoughts” were with the victims of abuse perpetrated by individuals connected with the organisation.
“The report is profoundly shocking and deeply disturbing,” he said. “A striking feature of the findings is the invisibility of the young people who were abused and the reckless disregard for their welfare.
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“The legacy of the organisation’s shameful indifference towards children is illustrated in this important report.
“I acknowledge that Scouting Ireland is a very different organisation today and has made significant improvements in its child protection policies. It is important, however, that those who perpetrated abuse are held accountable in accordance with fair procedures and natural justice.
“There are striking similarities with the findings that emerged from the Ryan and Murphy reports. The findings underscore the importance of mandatory reporting introduced in the Children First Act 2015.”
Mr Shannon noted comments in the report that a more comprehensive investigation would run into difficulties due to the lack of records.
“That said, it is important to examine further whether an independent inquiry would generate additional information,” he said. “Any such inquiry should be independent, prompt, effective and transparent.”
Serious weaknesses
Rape Crisis Network Ireland director Cliona Saidlear said the report demonstrated the importance of continued investment in child protection infrastructure.
“This report tells us how sex offenders dominated the senior levels of the scouting organisations who worked to silence survivors, and protect perpetrators,” she said. “This arose from serious weaknesses in governance and accountability over sustained periods.
“These failures have caused considerable harm to generations of young people and the apology is very much warranted. However, while this report speaks to the past its lessons are for today.
“Keeping children safe requires all organisations to commit to substantial and continuous investment in its child protection infrastructure which includes good governance, transparency and accountability.”
Survivors group One in Four today said the report documents “a devastating history of serial sex offenders abusing young boys, protected within two seriously dysfunctional scouting organisations from the 1960s to the 1990s”.
One in Four chief executive Maeve Lewis said: "Our first thoughts must be with the hundreds of survivors who were let down by the scouting volunteers and leadership who ignored serious allegations of sexual abuse, often made by several boys or their parents.
“The pain and suffering they have carried into their adult lives is very real, and they are deserving of the most expert independent support. Where the perpetrators are still alive, every effort must be made to bring them before the criminal courts.”
‘Culture of cronyism’
Ms Lewis said the “organisational dysfunction” described by Mr Elliot was “astonishing, and makes for very grim reading”.
“Active abusers rising to leadership positions supported by other abusers, protecting and supporting each other through a culture of cronyism. Non-offending leaders actively suppressing the reporting of concerns through a desire to protect the good name of the organisation.
“Chaotic record keeping. Children’s lives destroyed with a total lack of concern for their welfare. The review makes clear that Scouting Ireland still faces considerable challenges in implementing a robust child protection system.
“Ian Elliot cites a lack of awareness of the challenges at board level, a culture where there is still evidence of efforts to frustrate the process of holding people accountable and inappropriate deference to leadership to this day.
“He makes many strong recommendations for actions which will be necessary to transform Scouting Ireland into a youth organisation where children will be safe. It is important that those actions should be monitored by a team of independent experts on an ongoing basis.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Cars to return to Phoenix Park on Monday

Cars can return to Dublin ’ s Phoenix Park from Monday , despite pleas from environmental groups to retain Covid-19 restrictions on parking in the city ’ s premiere outdoor amenity .
The Office of Public Works ( OPW ) will on Monday reopen the car parks in the Phoenix Park , which have been closed since March .
However , they will be open only from 10am daily to encourage their use for “ recreational users ” only , and parking along Chesterfield Avenue will remain prohibited .
Since March , cars have been banned from parking in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed to traffic with only the Park Gate Street and Castleknock gates open .
Gardaí have been on duty at both ends of Chesterfield Avenue – the linear road between the two gates – asking motorists their destination and turning back vehicles where there was non-compliance with the Covid-19 movement restrictions .
Gardaí and park rangers have also been patrolling the park to move on any motorists breaking the new rules .
From May 18th , car parks will open from 10am daily , although “ dedicated parking areas ” will be provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Walled Garden will be used for “ cocooning space ” from 10am to 1pm , daily .
However , parking will remain banned on Chesterfield Avenue , and instead the parking spaces on the hard shoulder , heavily used by commuters , will become cycle lanes and the existing cycle lanes on the avenue will be used for footpaths .
From June 8th , the perimeter gates , that are currently closed , will reopen to traffic .
Parking on the grass or footpaths has always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taisce and the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network had called on the OPW not to allow cars return to the park .
“ The current restriction on through traffic and on the parking of cars along the main avenue shows the park as it should be : a place for recreation , with families able to bring young children to walk , cycle and scoot , with enhanced air quality and amenity for those seeking refuge from polluting urban traffic and noise .
This should be the new normal , ” a joint letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In particular , the previous use of Chesterfield Avenue as a “ bumper to bumper parking strip for all-day commuters ” conflicted with Government sustainable transport policy and the park ’ s designation as a “ national historic park ” it said .
The letter commended Dublin City Council ’ s recent advances in providing more space for cyclists and pedestrians in the city and suggested a “ similar initiative be taken to curtail the level of car parking and access ” to the Phoenix Park .
Electronic gate access could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Garda Headquarters , the zoo , and other facilities and residences .
While a car park could continue to be provided for zoo visitors , incentives to encourage public transport use should be put in place .
Provision could continue to be made for disabled drivers , the letter said .
The OPW last year published a review of the park ’ s “ visitor experience ” which suggested new extensive car parks for certain facilities but said it was keen to reduce through traffic and “ tame ” the use of @ @ @ @ @ @

Cars can return to Dublin's Phoenix Park from Monday, despite pleas from environmental groups to retain Covid-19 restrictions on parking in the city's premiere outdoor amenity.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) will on Monday reopen the car parks in the Phoenix Park, which have been closed since March.
However, they will be open only from 10am daily to encourage their use for “recreational users” only, and parking along Chesterfield Avenue will remain prohibited.
Since March, cars have been banned from parking in the park, and most roads there have closed to traffic with only the Park Gate Street and Castleknock gates open.
READ MORE
Gardaí have been on duty at both ends of Chesterfield Avenue – the linear road between the two gates – asking motorists their destination and turning back vehicles where there was non-compliance with the Covid-19 movement restrictions.
Phoenix Park’s Chesterfield Avenue: the parking spaces on the hard shoulder will become cycle lanes and the existing cycle lanes on the avenue will be used for footpaths. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
Gardaí and park rangers have also been patrolling the park to move on any motorists breaking the new rules.
From May 18th, car parks will open from 10am daily, although “dedicated parking areas” will be provided for those taking early morning exercise, and the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Walled Garden will be used for “cocooning space”from 10am to 1pm, daily.
However, parking will remain banned on Chesterfield Avenue, and instead the parking spaces on the hard shoulder, heavily used by commuters, will become cycle lanes and the existing cycle lanes on the avenue will be used for footpaths.
Perimeter gates
From June 8th, the perimeter gates, that are currently closed, will reopen to traffic. Parking on the grass or footpaths has always been prohibited, and remains so.
An Taisce and the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network had called on the OPW not to allow cars return to the park.
“The current restriction on through traffic and on the parking of cars along the main avenue shows the park as it should be: a place for recreation, with families able to bring young children to walk, cycle and scoot, with enhanced air quality and amenity for those seeking refuge from polluting urban traffic and noise. This should be the new normal,” a joint letter to the OPW sent on Wednesday said.
In particular, the previous use of Chesterfield Avenue as a “bumper to bumper parking strip for all-day commuters” conflicted with Government sustainable transport policy and the park’s designation as a “national historic park” it said.
The letter commended Dublin City Council’s recent advances in providing more space for cyclists and pedestrians in the city and suggested a “similar initiative be taken to curtail the level of car parking and access” to the Phoenix Park.
Electronic gate access could be provided for vehicles serving Áras an Uachtaráin, Garda Headquarters, the zoo, and other facilities and residences. While a car park could continue to be provided for zoo visitors, incentives to encourage public transport use should be put in place. Provision could continue to be made for disabled drivers, the letter said.
The OPW last year published a review of the park’s “visitor experience” which suggested new extensive car parks for certain facilities but said it was keen to reduce through traffic and “tame” the use of the park for commuter parking.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Brexit: Unionists dismayed as Irish Sea border looms large

While coronavirus may have knocked Brexit off the front pages , it hasn ’ t gone away , and Sinn Féin junior Minister Declan Kearney set the cat among the pigeons again when he said there soon will be new physical trading posts set up at Northern Ireland ports .
He let this information out when taking a question from former Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson at a meeting of the Assembly ’ s Executive Office scrutiny committee on Wednesday .
He told committee members “ without breaching executive confidentiality ” that , following negotiations between the British government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing of Arlene Foster and Michelle O ’ Neill ’ s Executive Office , London had “ confirmed it will urgently put in place detailed plans with the executive , which does include the physical posts at ports of entry ” .
This was to meet the protocol for January 1st next year , he said , while adding that the British government indicated it would provide the funding to put that infrastructure in place .
Ms Anderson seemed to have the information to hand that these new Border posts would be at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding also was that the posts would be required to facilitate extra customs officers , and extra vets checking trade in livestock .
It took a while for the pigeons to notice the cat , so to speak , but politicians took their concentration away from Covid-19 for a while to consider the implications of Mr Kearney ’ s information .
DUP member of the committee Christopher Stalford did detect what was afoot .
At Wednesday ’ s committee meeting he countered that the UK was no longer in the EU and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their rules and their conditions ” , and also that the EU was “ no longer facing a prime minister without a majority and a parliament that ’ s hamstrung and unable to make any decisions ” .
“ We actually have a government which is capable of governing and capable of going ahead without the consent of the European Commission , ” he added .
Nonetheless , Mr Kearney ’ s report of east-west border posts in Northern Ireland annoyed and distressed unionists .
The British government sought to calm concerns by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there will be requirements for live animals and agri-food , building on what already happens at ports like Larne and Belfast ” .
But that didn ’ t work .
First out of the blocks on Wednesday was Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister who said “ no unionist could agree to the imposition of such posts ” .
He added that it also would have constitutional ramifications .
He was followed quickly by Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken who said that an “ Irish Sea border was now a certainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unforgivable that we have ended up here.
” The nationalist and pro-Remain response was more of the “ I told you so ” variety .
The SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said it was clear from the EU-UK Brexit deal “ that unfortunately there would have to be checks somewhere ” , and from her perspective it was better to have them in Belfast , Larne and Warrenpoint than on the North-South Border .
She took “ no pleasure ” from referring to the DUP previously keeping the Tories in government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Boris Johnson acceding to an Irish Sea border , which is anathema to unionists .
And , conjuring an often-repeated line by the late Seamus Mallon , she said the moral of the story was , “ If you can be bought , you can be sold .
”

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster speaks to the media during a visit to Pond Park primary school in Lisburn, Co Antrim on Wednesday. Photograph: Birmingham City Council/PA Wire
While coronavirus may have knocked Brexit off the front pages, it hasn't gone away, and Sinn Féin junior Minister Declan Kearney set the cat among the pigeons again when he said there soon will be new physical trading posts set up at Northern Ireland ports.
He let this information out when taking a question from former Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson at a meeting of the Assembly’s Executive Office scrutiny committee on Wednesday.
He told committee members "without breaching executive confidentiality" that, following negotiations between the British government and the European Commission and also following a briefing of Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill's Executive Office, London had "confirmed it will urgently put in place detailed plans with the executive, which does include the physical posts at ports of entry".
This was to meet the protocol for January 1st next year, he said, while adding that the British government indicated it would provide the funding to put that infrastructure in place.
READ MORE
Livestock
Ms Anderson seemed to have the information to hand that these new Border posts would be at Belfast, Warrenpoint and Larne. Her understanding also was that the posts would be required to facilitate extra customs officers, and extra vets checking trade in livestock.
It took a while for the pigeons to notice the cat, so to speak, but politicians took their concentration away from Covid-19 for a while to consider the implications of Mr Kearney’s information.
DUP member of the committee Christopher Stalford did detect what was afoot. At Wednesday's committee meeting he countered that the UK was no longer in the EU and "therefore no longer obligated to live under their rules and their conditions", and also that the EU was "no longer facing a prime minister without a majority and a parliament that's hamstrung and unable to make any decisions".
“We actually have a government which is capable of governing and capable of going ahead without the consent of the European Commission,” he added.
Nonetheless, Mr Kearney’s report of east-west border posts in Northern Ireland annoyed and distressed unionists.
The British government sought to calm concerns by saying it had “always been clear that there will be requirements for live animals and agri-food, building on what already happens at ports like Larne and Belfast”.
Ramifications
But that didn't work. First out of the blocks on Wednesday was Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister who said "no unionist could agree to the imposition of such posts". He added that it also would have constitutional ramifications.
He was followed quickly by Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken who said that an "Irish Sea border was now a certainty" while lamenting, "It is unforgivable that we have ended up here."
The nationalist and pro-Remain response was more of the "I told you so" variety. The SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said it was clear from the EU-UK Brexit deal "that unfortunately there would have to be checks somewhere", and from her perspective it was better to have them in Belfast, Larne and Warrenpoint than on the North-South Border.
She took "no pleasure" from referring to the DUP previously keeping the Tories in government and now seeing, as Mr Aiken said, Boris Johnson acceding to an Irish Sea border, which is anathema to unionists.
And, conjuring an often-repeated line by the late Seamus Mallon, she said the moral of the story was, "If you can be bought, you can be sold."


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Northern Ireland-born British and Irish win EU citizenship rights

Every person born in Northern Ireland will be regarded as a European Union citizen for immigration purposes , following a significant climbdown by the British Home Office .
Emma DeSouza from Magherafelt in Co Derry had fought a lengthy legal immigration battle to allow her US-born husband , Jake , stay in Northern Ireland , without compromising her to identify as an Irish citizen .
However , the Home Office rejected the couple ’ s application deeming that Ms DeSouza was British , notwithstanding her argument that she never held a British passport .
Now however , the Home Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeSouza can seek UK residency while his wife continues to identify solely as Irish .
Expressing delight at the outcome , the couple said the Home Office had finally brought its rules into line with last January ’ s New Decade , New Approach deal that restored the Northern Executive and Assembly .
The Home Office had requested Ms DeSouza either apply for residency for her husband as a British citizen or renounce her British citizenship and apply as an Irish citizen .
Ms DeSouza challenged that decision , stating that she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the Belfast Agreement allowed her to identify as Irish , British or both .
In October the Home Office won an appeal against an immigration tribunal case that had originally upheld Ms DeSouza ’ s right to declare herself as Irish , without first renouncing British citizenship .
Ms DeSouza , who marred in Belfast in July 2015 , applied under her Irish passport for a residence card for her husband in December that year .
“ This delivers on the commitment the UK government made in the New Decade , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power sharing Executive in Northern Ireland , ” the Home Office said in a statement on Thursday .
The rule changes , which Tánaiste Simon Coveney has pressed for , mean that all British and Irish citizens born in Northern Ireland will be treated as EU citizens for immigration purposes .
The rule changes are due to expire in June next year .
Mr DeSouza now will be permitted to remain in the UK indefinitely if he applies for residency under the EU settlement scheme .
Ms DeSouza said she and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British government move to fulfil their commitment to change the immigration rules as outlined in the New Decade New Approach deal ” .
“ These changes are on the back of years of campaigning for the full recognition of our right to be accepted as Irish or British or both under the Good Friday Agreement , ” she said .
“ We have always contended that no one should be forced to adopt or renounce a citizenship in order to access rights .
To do so goes against both the letter and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am an Irish citizen and have the right to be accepted as such .
The Home Office now concedes that point.
” She said the rule changes “ will have a positive impact on families across Northern Ireland and will provide a route to family reunification under the EU regulations whether that person identifies as Irish or British or both ” .
“ We personally know a number of families who will benefit from this change and are filled with joy and relief that these families will not face calls to renounce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like we have , ” said Ms DeSouza .
Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile said the decision was a “ victory ” for the DeSouzas .
Changing the rules clearly showed “ that there are distinct political , historic and societal differences here – the very reason we have the Good Friday Agreement in the first place ” , he said .
“ Many of us are concerned , however , with the time-limited nature of today ’ s announced changes – they only run until the end of the transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s continued failure to address our citizenship and identity rights by codifying the GFA provisions within their own domestic law , ” he added .

Emma DeSouza and her husband, Jake, said they know a number of families who will benefit from this change. Photograph: Justin Kernoghan/ Photopress
Every person born in Northern Ireland will be regarded as a European Union citizen for immigration purposes, following a significant climbdown by the British Home Office.
Emma DeSouza from Magherafelt in Co Derry had fought a lengthy legal immigration battle to allow her US-born husband, Jake, stay in Northern Ireland, without compromising her to identify as an Irish citizen.
However, the Home Office rejected the couple’s application deeming that Ms DeSouza was British, notwithstanding her argument that she never held a British passport.
Now however, the Home Office has changed its rules so that Mr DeSouza can seek UK residency while his wife continues to identify solely as Irish.
READ MORE
Expressing delight at the outcome, the couple said the Home Office had finally brought its rules into line with last January’s New Decade, New Approach deal that restored the Northern Executive and Assembly.
The Home Office had requested Ms DeSouza either apply for residency for her husband as a British citizen or renounce her British citizenship and apply as an Irish citizen.
Ms DeSouza challenged that decision, stating that she had never held a British passport and citing how the Belfast Agreement allowed her to identify as Irish, British or both.
In October the Home Office won an appeal against an immigration tribunal case that had originally upheld Ms DeSouza’s right to declare herself as Irish, without first renouncing British citizenship.
Ms DeSouza, who marred in Belfast in July 2015, applied under her Irish passport for a residence card for her husband in December that year.
“This delivers on the commitment the UK government made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement in January 2020 which restored the power sharing Executive in Northern Ireland,” the Home Office said in a statement on Thursday.
Expiry date
The rule changes, which Tánaiste Simon Coveney has pressed for, mean that all British and Irish citizens born in Northern Ireland will be treated as EU citizens for immigration purposes. The rule changes are due to expire in June next year.
Mr DeSouza now will be permitted to remain in the UK indefinitely if he applies for residency under the EU settlement scheme.
Ms DeSouza said she and her husband were “delighted to see the British government move to fulfil their commitment to change the immigration rules as outlined in the New Decade New Approach deal”.
“These changes are on the back of years of campaigning for the full recognition of our right to be accepted as Irish or British or both under the Good Friday Agreement,” she said.
“We have always contended that no one should be forced to adopt or renounce a citizenship in order to access rights. To do so goes against both the letter and the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. I am an Irish citizen and have the right to be accepted as such. The Home Office now concedes that point.”
She said the rule changes “will have a positive impact on families across Northern Ireland and will provide a route to family reunification under the EU regulations whether that person identifies as Irish or British or both”.
“We personally know a number of families who will benefit from this change and are filled with joy and relief that these families will not face calls to renounce British citizenship or face years in court like we have,” said Ms DeSouza.
Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile said the decision was a “victory” for the DeSouzas. Changing the rules clearly showed “that there are distinct political, historic and societal differences here – the very reason we have the Good Friday Agreement in the first place”, he said.
“Many of us are concerned, however, with the time-limited nature of today’s announced changes – they only run until the end of the transition period – and more broadly with the British government’s continued failure to address our citizenship and identity rights by codifying the GFA provisions within their own domestic law,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-05-14--Elliott Report: The 12 recommendations

Elliott Report: The 12 recommendations

– The governance structure of Scouting Ireland should ensure that small , undemocratic cliques of members do not exert undue influence on the decision-making of the organisation .
– A robust disciplinary process should be adopted that will hold volunteers accountable where it has been found that their behaviour is unacceptable or contravenes the expectations that are held .
– Records should be created that reflect the safeguarding practice of the organisation fairly and comprehensively .
They should be centrally stored , regularly monitored , and capable of being retrieved easily .
– The board should be regularly updated on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at any time , in Scouting Ireland .
– A diligent attempt should be made to establish what documentation exists outside of the official records system , currently .
– Scouting Ireland should make an institutional apology to all those that have been harmed through their contact with scouting in previous years .
– Effective safeguarding must be adequately resourced and prioritised in Scouting Ireland today and in the future .
Eliminating preventable harm to young people must be the most important objective before Scouting Ireland today .
– Where it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their position , has placed a young person at risk through their actions , or brought dishonour to the scouting movement by their behaviour , they should be expelled directly .
– Where risk has been identified , this information should be shared with all those people that need to be informed .
– Scouting Ireland should set up an independent audit process that monitors the quality of its safeguarding practice .
An audit report should be presented to the board , detailing the findings .
– Scouting Ireland should continue to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key safeguarding statutory agencies in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland .
– Scouting Ireland should deter an improper use of social media to distribute unsubstantiated allegations .

– The governance structure of Scouting Ireland should ensure that small, undemocratic cliques of members do not exert undue influence on the decision-making of the organisation.
– A robust disciplinary process should be adopted that will hold volunteers accountable where it has been found that their behaviour is unacceptable or contravenes the expectations that are held.
– Records should be created that reflect the safeguarding practice of the organisation fairly and comprehensively. They should be centrally stored, regularly monitored, and capable of being retrieved easily.
– The board should be regularly updated on the overall safeguarding workload that exists, at any time, in Scouting Ireland.
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– A diligent attempt should be made to establish what documentation exists outside of the official records system, currently.
– Scouting Ireland should make an institutional apology to all those that have been harmed through their contact with scouting in previous years.
– Effective safeguarding must be adequately resourced and prioritised in Scouting Ireland today and in the future. Eliminating preventable harm to young people must be the most important objective before Scouting Ireland today.
– Where it has been shown that an individual, regardless of their position, has placed a young person at risk through their actions, or brought dishonour to the scouting movement by their behaviour, they should be expelled directly.
– Where risk has been identified, this information should be shared with all those people that need to be informed.
– Scouting Ireland should set up an independent audit process that monitors the quality of its safeguarding practice. An audit report should be presented to the board, detailing the findings.
– Scouting Ireland should continue to maintain and nurture a close working relationship with the key safeguarding statutory agencies in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.
– Scouting Ireland should deter an improper use of social media to distribute unsubstantiated allegations.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Mater identified as hospital which reported 240 Covid-19 cases late

The Mater hospital in Dublin is the unidentified hospital said to have reported hundreds of cases of Covid-19 up to six weeks late , The Irish Times has learned .
The 244 cases from the occupational health department of the Mater cover the period March 16th to May 12th , according to an internal Department of Health note .
The hospital , which is the main infectious diseases hospital in the State , insists it has complied with all its reporting requirements though it says the data may not have been “ accurately captured ” .
A hospital reported hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though some date back to mid-March , Thursday ’ s briefing of the National Public Health Emergency Team was told .
At the briefing , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said NPHET had only just learned that one hospital had reported several hundred cases of Covid-19 .
Dr Holohan , who declined to name the hospital , said NPHET was trying to establish the full facts .
He declined to say whether there would be consequences for the hospital and said he did not know whether the contacts of the cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says contact tracing on all the 244 cases has been completed .
The extra cases accounted for more than half of the 426 new cases of the disease reported by NPHET on Thursday .
Contacted by The Irish Times , a Mater spokeswoman said : “ The Mater Hospital has reported all cases of Covid-19 positive results to the relevant authorities on a daily basis .
At all times the Mater Hospital provided the information that the HSE required and met all legal requirements to report infectious diseases .
“ All of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are working with the HSE to understand why the provided data may not have been accurately captured .
“ The Mater Hospital has also carried out comprehensive contact tracing on every single member of staff who tested positive for Covid-19 through our occupational health department in line with best practice.
” More than 300 staff at the Mater have tested positive for Covid-19 and a further 1,500 have self-isolated following contact tracing .
Under the regulations for disease reporting , notification should be made by a medical practitioner “ as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person on whom he is in professional attendance is suffering from or is the carrier of an infectious disease ” .
In addition , there is a requirement to give “ immediate preliminary notification ” to a Medical Officer of Health in the case of certain specified notifiable diseases , including Covid-19 .

Dr Tony Holohan has confirmed that the rise in positive Covid-19 tests reported on May 14th - 426 cases reported - is an inflated figure as one hospital did not report an accumulation of positive tests from mid-March through to May. Video: RTÉ
A further 16 people have died from Covid-19 in the State bringing the total to 1,518. The total number of confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland is now 23,956 following the announcement of another 129 cases on Friday.
As of midnight on Wednesday, May 13th it was found that 3,062 of the confirmed cases had been hospitalised and of those, 387 were admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Some 57 per cent of the confirmed cases were male while 42 per cent were female.
Dublin continues to have the highest number of cases in the country at 11,557, followed by Kildare at 1,352 and then Cork with 1,256.
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The median age of confirmed cases is 48 while 7,427 cases are associated withhealthcare workers.
Validation of this data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has also resulted in the denotification of four deaths. This is reflected in the total of 1,518.
"As we ease restrictions that were implemented in recent weeks, the core message remains the same, 'stay at home' where possible and follow public health behaviours to limit the spread; hand washing, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing," Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said.
“I urge everyone to remember how easily this virus can spread, how quickly we could lose the progress that the country has worked so hard to achieve.”
A spokeswoman for the Mater said at all times the hospital had ‘provided the information that the HSE required and met all legal requirements to report infectious diseases.’ Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Mater Hospital
Earlier on Friday, The Irish Times learned that the Mater hospital in Dublin is the unidentified hospital said to have reported hundreds of cases of Covid-19 up to six weeks late.
The 244 cases from the occupational health department of the Mater cover the period March 16th to May 12th, according to an internal Department of Health note.
The hospital, which is the main infectious diseases hospital in the State, insists it has complied with all its reporting requirements though it says the data may not have been “accurately captured”.
The Minister for Health Simon Harris said that he had spoken to the chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid, and said that the “HSE are investigating this situation”. He wouldn’t comment further until he received the report of that investigation, he said, but added that the HSE had written to all hospitals to remind them of their reporting obligations.
“This is a matter for Paul Reid to investigate and to provide assurance to me and the department and that work is underway now.”
A hospital reported hundreds of cases of the virus this week, though some date back to mid-March, Thursday’s briefing of the National Public Health Emergency Team was told.
At the briefing, Dr Holohan said NPHET had only just learned that one hospital had reported several hundred cases of Covid-19.
Dr Holohan, who declined to name the hospital, said NPHET was trying to establish the full facts.
He declined to say whether there would be consequences for the hospital and said he did not know whether the contacts of the cases involved had been traced.
The Mater says contact tracing on all the 244 cases has been completed.
The extra cases accounted for more than half of the 426 new cases of the disease reported by NPHET on Thursday.
Contacted by The Irish Times, a Mater spokeswoman said: "The Mater Hospital has reported all cases of Covid-19 positive results to the relevant authorities on a daily basis. At all times the Mater Hospital provided the information that the HSE required and met all legal requirements to report infectious diseases.
“All of this information is correct and up to date. We are working with the HSE to understand why the provided data may not have been accurately captured.
“The Mater Hospital has also carried out comprehensive contact tracing on every single member of staff who tested positive for Covid-19 through our occupational health department in line with best practice.”
More than 300 staff at the Mater have tested positive for Covid-19 and a further 1,500 have self-isolated following contact tracing.
Under the regulations for disease reporting, notification should be made by a medical practitioner “as soon as he becomes aware or suspects that a person on whom he is in professional attendance is suffering from or is the carrier of an infectious disease”.
In addition, there is a requirement to give “immediate preliminary notification” to a Medical Officer of Health in the case of certain specified notifiable diseases, including Covid-19.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Mother and autistic children challenge refusal of disabled parking permit

A number of children with autism and their mother are seeking leave to bring a High Court action claiming laws and regulations governing eligibility for disabled parking permits are unconstitutional .
The case arises after the mother , the children ’ s full-time carer , was refused a disabled person ’ s parking permit .
Derek Shortall BL , for the family , who can not be identified , said the permit was needed on health and safety grounds as it would allow the mother find parking much quicker and closer to essential services .
It would also limit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged under 10 and some of whom need to be restrained when travelling , spend in the car .
Counsel said Section 35 of the 1994 Road Traffic Act and Article 43 of the 1997 Road Traffic Regulations , which regulate parking and the issuing of disabled persons parking permits , define a disabled person as somebody with walking difficulties .
The children in this case can walk but have been diagnosed with various conditions , including sensory difficulties , autism and ADHD , he said .
Due to their complex conditions their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of the children had no sense of danger and can bolt from the car once it stops .
A second adult is generally required when the family take a car trip , which can be extremely difficult , he said .
The applicants ’ case was that the rules and regulations governing entitlement to the permits are too rigid , disproportionate , impermissibly wide and discriminatory .
Under the current laws , there is no power to create different categories of disabled persons , it is argued .
It is claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights because they discriminate against and exclude the children ’ s mother from getting a disabled person ’ s parking permit .
The proceedings are against IWA Ltd , trading as the Irish Wheelchair Association , the Minister for Transport , Tourism and Sport , Ireland and the Attorney General .
Mr Shortall said the IWA is the entity designated by government to make decisions on applications for permits .
Last February , the mother was refused a permit .
The IWA , counsel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said , as the rules stand , it could not grant the permit .
Counsel said various agencies , including the HSE , are supportive of the family ’ s application for the permit .
In their action , the applicants seek an order disallowing the IWA ’ s refusal of the permit .
They also various seek declarations including that sections of the 1994 Road Traffic Act and the 1997 Traffic and Parking regulations are repugnant to Articles 15 and 40 of the Constitution .
Mr Justice Michael Quinn this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring the challenge should be heard on notice to the respondents and returned the matter to later this month .

The applicants’ case was that the rules and regulations governing entitlement to the permits are too rigid, disproportionate, impermissibly wide and discriminatory. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
A number of children with autism and their mother are seeking leave to bring a High Court action claiming laws and regulations governing eligibility for disabled parking permits are unconstitutional.
The case arises after the mother, the children’s full-time carer, was refused a disabled person’s parking permit. Derek Shortall BL, for the family, who cannot be identified, said the permit was needed on health and safety grounds as it would allow the mother find parking much quicker and closer to essential services.
It would also limit the amount of time the children, all aged under 10 and some of whom need to be restrained when travelling, spend in the car. Counsel said Section 35 of the 1994 Road Traffic Act and Article 43 of the 1997 Road Traffic Regulations, which regulate parking and the issuing of disabled persons parking permits, define a disabled person as somebody with walking difficulties.
The children in this case can walk but have been diagnosed with various conditions, including sensory difficulties, autism and ADHD, he said. Due to their complex conditions their behaviour can be challenging, he said. Some of the children had no sense of danger and can bolt from the car once it stops. A second adult is generally required when the family take a car trip, which can be extremely difficult, he said.
READ MORE
The applicants’ case was that the rules and regulations governing entitlement to the permits are too rigid, disproportionate, impermissibly wide and discriminatory. Under the current laws, there is no power to create different categories of disabled persons, it is argued. It is claimed the relevant rules and regulations are unconstitutional and contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights because they discriminate against and exclude the children’s mother from getting a disabled person’s parking permit. The proceedings are against IWA Ltd, trading as the Irish Wheelchair Association, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Ireland and the Attorney General.
Mr Shortall said the IWA is the entity designated by government to make decisions on applications for permits. Last February, the mother was refused a permit. The IWA, counsel said, was very apologetic about its decision but said, as the rules stand, it could not grant the permit.
Counsel said various agencies, including the HSE, are supportive of the family’s application for the permit. In their action, the applicants seek an order disallowing the IWA’s refusal of the permit. They also various seek declarations including that sections of the 1994 Road Traffic Act and the 1997 Traffic and Parking regulations are repugnant to Articles 15 and 40 of the Constitution. Mr Justice Michael Quinn this week directed that the application for leave to bring the challenge should be heard on notice to the respondents and returned the matter to later this month.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Covid-19: Calls to let sixth class students say their goodbyes

Sports days , confirmations , school tours and graduations : this year ’ s sixth class pupils are missing out on key milestones in their young lives .
It has prompted calls for schools to be reopened when it is safe to do so to allow sixth class pupils say goodbye to their classmates and teachers .
“ They are being deprived of the opportunity to say goodbye to classmates whom they have sat beside for eight years , before moving on to different secondary schools , ” said Green Party education spokeswoman Catherine Martin TD .
“ We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressing from primary to secondary school is marked and celebrated by students , their families and their school communities.
” In the meantime , Sarah Webb , an award-winning children ’ s writer , has set up a movement on Twitter - # Messagesfor6th - with the aim of collecting inspirational messages and sending them to students who are missing out on their final months in primary school .
Webb , who runs online writing workshops for the children of healthcare workers , was acutely aware of the importance that these cancelled events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
“ I think people forget that it is not just the end of school , they have missed sports day , confirmation and graduation but they have also missed being the big kids for the last few months , ” says Webb .
“ They have missed all these huge rites of passage , which I think are really important for this age group.
” Webb wanted not only to acknowledge the eight years these students had spent in primary school but also celebrate the new beginning that lies ahead for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to make them feel special and to be heard and be seen .
I wanted everyone to see sixth class and celebrate how cool they are and what exciting things are ahead of them , ” she says .
“ I thought : what is the coolest thing I can do for them ?
And I thought , well , I can ask some of their heroes to give me some personalised messages.
” The movement soon picked up momentum with many writers , sports stars and celebrities eager to show their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people involved are ex-primary school teachers , so they get it , they 100 per cent get it , ” says Webb .
The videos will go live on Saturday May 23rd and some of the names confirmed include : Amy Huberman , Paul Howard , Sinead Burke ( an ex-primary teacher herself ) , Eoin Colfer ( another ex-primary teacher ) , Robin Stevens , Dave Rudden , Marita Conlon-McKenna ( the grandmother of a sixth class child ) , John Boyne , Onjali Q. Rauf , Gordon D ’ Arcy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deirdre Sullivan ( currently a primary school teacher ) , Derek Landy and the new Laureate na nÓg , Irish Children ’ s Laureate , Áine Ní Ghlinn .
The videos will be available free of charge via the Children ’ s Books Ireland website ( www.childrensbooksireland.ie ) and You Tube channel from the launch day on Saturday 23rd May at 10am .
There will be Irish language messages for gaelscoileanna delivered by Sadhbh Devlin , Patricia Forde and Muíreann Ní Chiobháin , and a message in ISL ( Irish Sign Language ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all students and have a multitude of interests and role models represented in the messages given .
“ I have some sports people and scientists too .
I wanted there to be someone for every kid , ” she says .
Webb will , of course , be giving a message of her own .
“ I found the transition for primary to secondary tricky enough , but I managed , and I had a lovely time once I settled , ” she says .
“ So , I will be very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very happy in primary school .
”

Sports days, confirmations, school tours and graduations: this year’s sixth class pupils are missing out on key milestones in their young lives.
It has prompted calls for schools to be reopened when it is safe to do so to allow sixth class pupils say goodbye to their classmates and teachers.
“They are being deprived of the opportunity to say goodbye to classmates whom they have sat beside for eight years, before moving on to different secondary schools,” said Green Party education spokeswoman Catherine Martin TD.
“We need to ensure that this landmark event of progressing from primary to secondary school is marked and celebrated by students, their families and their school communities.”
READ MORE
In the meantime, Sarah Webb, an award-winning children's writer, has set up a movement on Twitter - #Messagesfor6th - with the aim of collecting inspirational messages and sending them to students who are missing out on their final months in primary school.
Webb, who runs online writing workshops for the children of healthcare workers, was acutely aware of the importance that these cancelled events normally play in the lives of young people.
“I think people forget that it is not just the end of school, they have missed sports day, confirmation and graduation but they have also missed being the big kids for the last few months,” says Webb.
“They have missed all these huge rites of passage, which I think are really important for this age group.”
Webb wanted not only to acknowledge the eight years these students had spent in primary school but also celebrate the new beginning that lies ahead for them in secondary school.
“I wanted to make them feel special and to be heard and be seen. I wanted everyone to see sixth class and celebrate how cool they are and what exciting things are ahead of them,” she says.
“I thought: what is the coolest thing I can do for them? And I thought, well, I can ask some of their heroes to give me some personalised messages.”
Children’s author Sarah Webb has set up a campaign to send inspirational messages to sixth class pupils who are missing out on their final months of primary school.
The movement soon picked up momentum with many writers, sports stars and celebrities eager to show their support.
“A lot of the people involved are ex-primary school teachers, so they get it, they 100 per cent get it,” says Webb.
The videos will go live on Saturday May 23rd and some of the names confirmed include: Amy Huberman, Paul Howard, Sinead Burke (an ex-primary teacher herself), Eoin Colfer (another ex-primary teacher), Robin Stevens, Dave Rudden, Marita Conlon-McKenna (the grandmother of a sixth class child), John Boyne, Onjali Q. Rauf, Gordon D'Arcy, Dr Sindy Joyce, Sinead Moriarty, Deirdre Sullivan (currently a primary school teacher), Derek Landy and the new Laureate na nÓg, Irish Children's Laureate , Áine Ní Ghlinn.
The videos will be available free of charge via the Children's Books Ireland website (www.childrensbooksireland.ie) and You Tube channel from the launch day on Saturday 23rd May at 10am.
There will be Irish language messages for gaelscoileanna delivered by Sadhbh Devlin, Patricia Forde and Muíreann Ní Chiobháin, and a message in ISL (Irish Sign Language).
Webb is also keen to cater for all students and have a multitude of interests and role models represented in the messages given.
“I have some sports people and scientists too. I wanted there to be someone for every kid,” she says.
Webb will, of course, be giving a message of her own.
“I found the transition for primary to secondary tricky enough, but I managed, and I had a lovely time once I settled,” she says. “So, I will be very honest in my message. I was very happy in primary school.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Ronan Ryan and Pamela Flood to sell house after reaching deal with US fund

The restauranteur Ronan Ryan and his wife , former Miss Ireland and TV personality , Pamela Flood , are to sell their home in Clontarf , Dublin , under a deal agreed with the US fund Tanager .
In October last , the couple won a High Court appeal against a possession order that had been granted to the fund over the house on Mount Prospect Avenue .
They argued that the fund was not entitled to possession because Mr Ryan had obtained a protective certificate that gave him a period of protection from his creditors as part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Ryan , a well-known restauranteur , had a mortgage debt on the property .
Ms Flood was a notice party to the proceedings .
The one-time owner of the Town Bar & Grill in Dublin had at one stage consented to a possession order that would see Tanager settle for whatever it could get by selling the property .
However Mr Ryan then instituted personal insolvency proceedings .
He was seeking court approval for a personal insolvency deal that would have seen the write-off of approximately half of his debt of €1.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their family home , but the fund was to oppose it .
The agreement now reached means there will no longer be a need for court proceedings in relation to that .
During the possession proceedings in 2019 , it emerged that the couple had not made any mortgage payments on the home for years.There was a lot of outrage expressed at the time on social media , Mr Ryan said in media interviews , but the original assisted sale arrangement he had come to with Bank of Scotland ( Ireland ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage repayments on the house .
The house was then put on the market on a number of occasions , but the bank did not go through with the sales , holding back in the hope of achieving a better price .
The US fund bought more than 2,000 distressed Irish home mortgages from Bank of Scotland ( Ireland ) .
Tanager became the owner of the Ryan mortgage in 2014 .
The house has now been put on the market with an asking price of €695,000 .
The couple are running a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have debts to Bank of Ireland and Everyday Finance that have been given a value of more than €350,000 in court filings .

Ronan Ryan and Pamela Flood will sell their Clontarf home under a deal with a US fund
The restauranteur Ronan Ryan and his wife, former Miss Ireland and TV personality, Pamela Flood, are to sell their home in Clontarf, Dublin, under a deal agreed with the US fund Tanager.
In October last, the couple won a High Court appeal against a possession order that had been granted to the fund over the house on Mount Prospect Avenue.
They argued that the fund was not entitled to possession because Mr Ryan had obtained a protective certificate that gave him a period of protection from his creditors as part of his application for a personal insolvency arrangement.
Pamela Flood in her Clontarf home. File photograph: Dave Meehan
Mr Ryan, a well-known restauranteur, had a mortgage debt on the property. Ms Flood was a notice party to the proceedings.
READ MORE
The one-time owner of the Town Bar & Grill in Dublin had at one stage consented to a possession order that would see Tanager settle for whatever it could get by selling the property. However Mr Ryan then instituted personal insolvency proceedings.
He was seeking court approval for a personal insolvency deal that would have seen the write-off of approximately half of his debt of €1.6 million, but leaving the couple with their family home, but the fund was to oppose it. The agreement now reached means there will no longer be a need for court proceedings in relation to that.
During the possession proceedings in 2019, it emerged that the couple had not made any mortgage payments on the home for years.There was a lot of outrage expressed at the time on social media, Mr Ryan said in media interviews, but the original assisted sale arrangement he had come to with Bank of Scotland (Ireland) in 2012, did not involve any further mortgage repayments on the house.
The house was then put on the market on a number of occasions, but the bank did not go through with the sales, holding back in the hope of achieving a better price.
The US fund bought more than 2,000 distressed Irish home mortgages from Bank of Scotland (Ireland). Tanager became the owner of the Ryan mortgage in 2014.
The house has now been put on the market with an asking price of €695,000. The couple are running a catering business called Counter Culture and still have debts to Bank of Ireland and Everyday Finance that have been given a value of more than €350,000 in court filings.


theirishtimes--2020-05-15--Cork man saves toddler from choking on a jelly

Tributes have been paid to a Cork man after he saved a three-year-old girl from choking on a jelly .
Paul Curtin , who has worked with Enable Ireland for over twenty years , was driving down MacCurtain Street in Cork city earlier this week when he spotted a woman in a car who he said was clearly panicking .
He noticed two children in the back of the car and decided to offer his assistance .
In an interview on the Neil Prendeville Show , on Cork ’ s Red FM , he said that he initially thought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He wondered if he could calm the situation down .
“ I have tattoos .
I have one arm covered in them and I have a few on the other arm .
And I have piercings .
The mother kind of had a fright when she saw someone like that coming .
“ I got out of the car and went over to them .
I said ‘ are you alright ?
Can I help you with anything .
She said ‘ The child .
The child .
The child is choking.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that she couldn ’ t even open the door of the car .
“ So I opened the door .
I went in , opened the seatbelt , took the child out .
I put the child over my knee and hit her a sharp slap in between the shoulder blades and dislodged what was in the child ’ s mouth.
” Mr Curtin , who is from Castlemagner in Co Cork , said he experienced a feeling of immense relief when the child took “ a big gulp of air ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He could see that the oxygen was draining from her face .
Mr McCurtin , who received first aid training as part of his job , handed the child back to her distraught mother and told her to take the youngster to hospital for a check up .
He then returned to his car and headed to work .
Traffic in MacCurtain Street is normally hectic and he said if it wasn ’ t for the reduced cars on the street arising out of the coronavirus pandemic he probably wouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on because the traffic would have just kept going on.
” Later that day as he was driving home from work a car pulled in front of him and he saw the mother of the child trying to flag him .
She recognised him as being the person who had saved her child when she saw his arm tattoos .
She apologised to him for not expressing gratitude earlier , took his phone number and said she hoped one day to tell her daughter of his good deeds .
The woman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Curtin ’ s heroism .
The radio station tracked him down and gifted him barbecue meats and a restaurant voucher .

Tributes have been paid to a Cork man after he saved a three-year-old girl from choking on a jelly.
Paul Curtin, who has worked with Enable Ireland for over twenty years, was driving down MacCurtain Street in Cork city earlier this week when he spotted a woman in a car who he said was clearly panicking.
He noticed two children in the back of the car and decided to offer his assistance.
In an interview on the Neil Prendeville Show, on Cork's Red FM, he said that he initially thought a bee was flying around the car. He wondered if he could calm the situation down.
READ MORE
“I have tattoos. I have one arm covered in them and I have a few on the other arm. And I have piercings. The mother kind of had a fright when she saw someone like that coming.
“I got out of the car and went over to them. I said ‘are you alright? Can I help you with anything. She said ‘The child. The child. The child is choking.’
“She was in such a panic now that she couldn’t even open the door of the car.
“So I opened the door. I went in, opened the seatbelt, took the child out. I put the child over my knee and hit her a sharp slap in between the shoulder blades and dislodged what was in the child’s mouth.”
Mr Curtin, who is from Castlemagner in Co Cork, said he experienced a feeling of immense relief when the child took " a big gulp of air" as her lips were going blue. He could see that the oxygen was draining from her face.
Mr McCurtin, who received first aid training as part of his job, handed the child back to her distraught mother and told her to take the youngster to hospital for a check up. He then returned to his car and headed to work.
Traffic in MacCurtain Street is normally hectic and he said if it wasn’t for the reduced cars on the street arising out of the coronavirus pandemic he probably wouldn’t have stopped.
“I would have driven on because the traffic would have just kept going on.”
Later that day as he was driving home from work a car pulled in front of him and he saw the mother of the child trying to flag him. She recognised him as being the person who had saved her child when she saw his arm tattoos.
She apologised to him for not expressing gratitude earlier, took his phone number and said she hoped one day to tell her daughter of his good deeds.
The woman’s husband subsequently contact Red FM to highlight Mr Curtin’s heroism. The radio station tracked him down and gifted him barbecue meats and a restaurant voucher.