theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Asylum seekers in Cahersiveen protest over ‘inhumane conditions’

Dozens of asylum seekers staying in a former hotel in Cahersiveen , Co Kerry have begun a protest over “ inhumane ” living conditions , and are demanding a transfer to more suitable accommodation .
The 30 men and women began a fast on Tuesday morning in the centre , previously known as the Skellig Star Hotel , complaining that “ the past and present Government has not done anything to help us from this open prison ” .
More than 100 residents – from countries including Somalia , Syria , Morocco , Nigeria , Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 18th .
An outbreak of Covid-19 occurred shortly afterwards .
“ They are really adamant , ” local Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty .
“ They have no sense of having any control whatsoever over their own destiny or any choice in what happens to them.
” Rooms in the former hotel are smaller than standard-sized hotel rooms and many residents have had to stay inside for significant periods because of the outbreak .
The residents are demanding a move to family-friendly accommodation at direct provision centres in Mosney or Mullingar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locals on Tuesday evening .
Ms Moriarty said their were concerns over a lack of access to cooking facilities and “ cramped ” conditions Despite the freed up accommodation , she said residents were reluctant to move into rooms where others who tested positive for coronavirus had been staying over concerns about hygiene measures .
Ms Moriarty insisted there were good relations between the local community and the residents , although she said there was no employment for them and some felt it was “ a real disappointment ” that a hotel was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a huge asset to cafes , restaurants and bars .
It functions best as a short stay hotel , not as a direct provision centre , ” she said .
One resident , Azwar Fuard said 25 people quickly contracted Covid-19 : “ Think of the pressures on our mind , locked in a small room .
One by one getting Covid .
We suffered for four months in the same building.
” Following the outbreak , the Sri Lankan-born Mr Fuard said they were not allowed out of the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cook and “ all the time we have to beg ” for basic necessities .
During a boil water notice , residents were rationed to one litre of water per person during day , he said , while children received “ chicken nuggets ” instead of “ proper nutritious ” food .
Those in the centre are “ already victims of trauma ” , he said , including “ torture and rape ” .
Mr Fuard is seeking asylum from persecution and a death threat in his home country .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face something like this.
” Fear at the centre is now turning to a second wave of the coronavirus .
“ The virus spreading in this building again is a very high chance .
We don ’ t want to take risks here .
We want to leave and recover from what we ’ ve been through , ” he said .
The Department of Justice said it is “ concerned that any resident would put their health in danger by refusing food.
” On the rationing of water , a spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , July 19th , and that stocks were replenished the following day , adding : “ At no time were residents without access to safe drinking water.
” Two litres of bottled water is provided to each resident every day , he added .
The department said it takes the concerns of residents “ very seriously ” and its officials were onsite on Tuesday to “ see the situation first-hand and to hear the concerns of residents directly.
” “ They have also been tasked with examining issues raised around provision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boil water notice currently in place in the town , ” the spokesman said .
“ Any outstanding issues will be followed up for resolution as a matter of priority .
”

Locals and residents of the former Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, renew calls to close the centre. Photograph: Alan Landers
Dozens of asylum seekers staying in a former hotel in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry have begun a protest over “inhumane” living conditions, and are demanding a transfer to more suitable accommodation.
The 30 men and women began a fast on Tuesday morning in the centre, previously known as the Skellig Star Hotel, complaining that "the past and present Government has not done anything to help us from this open prison".
More than 100 residents – from countries including Somalia, Syria, Morocco, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka – were sent to the former 56-bedroom hotel on March 18th. An outbreak of Covid-19 occurred shortly afterwards.
Asylum seekers Azwar and Safra Fuard, from Sri Lanka, with their daughter Mariyam (3) in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry. Photograph: Fran Veale / The Irish Daily Mail (must credit)
"They are really adamant," local Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty. "They have no sense of having any control whatsoever over their own destiny or any choice in what happens to them."
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Rooms in the former hotel are smaller than standard-sized hotel rooms and many residents have had to stay inside for significant periods because of the outbreak.
The residents are demanding a move to family-friendly accommodation at direct provision centres in Mosney or Mullingar. A solidarity demonstration was held by locals on Tuesday evening.
Ms Moriarty said their were concerns over a lack of access to cooking facilities and “cramped” conditions
Despite the freed up accommodation, she said residents were reluctant to move into rooms where others who tested positive for coronavirus had been staying over concerns about hygiene measures.
Ms Moriarty insisted there were good relations between the local community and the residents, although she said there was no employment for them and some felt it was “a real disappointment” that a hotel was lost as a tourism draw.
“It was a huge asset to cafes, restaurants and bars. It functions best as a short stay hotel, not as a direct provision centre,” she said.
‘Have to beg’
One resident, Azwar Fuard said 25 people quickly contracted Covid-19: “Think of the pressures on our mind, locked in a small room. One by one getting Covid. We suffered for four months in the same building.”
Following the outbreak, the Sri Lankan-born Mr Fuard said they were not allowed out of the building for almost two months, had nowhere to cook and “all the time we have to beg” for basic necessities.
Asylum seekers Azwar and Safra Fuard, from Sri Lanka, with their daughter Mariyam (3) in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry. Photograph: Fran Veale / The Irish Daily Mail (must credit)
During a boil water notice, residents were rationed to one litre of water per person during day, he said, while children received “chicken nuggets” instead of “proper nutritious” food.
Those in the centre are “already victims of trauma”, he said, including “torture and rape”. Mr Fuard is seeking asylum from persecution and a death threat in his home country. “I came here to live, not to face something like this.”
Fear at the centre is now turning to a second wave of the coronavirus.
“The virus spreading in this building again is a very high chance. We don’t want to take risks here. We want to leave and recover from what we’ve been through,” he said.
The Department of Justice said it is “concerned that any resident would put their health in danger by refusing food.”
On the rationing of water, a spokesman said the centre ran out of bottled supplies on Sunday, July 19th, and that stocks were replenished the following day, adding: “At no time were residents without access to safe drinking water.” Two litres of bottled water is provided to each resident every day, he added.
The department said it takes the concerns of residents “very seriously” and its officials were onsite on Tuesday to “see the situation first-hand and to hear the concerns of residents directly.”
“They have also been tasked with examining issues raised around provision of meals and any issues arising following the boil water notice currently in place in the town,” the spokesman said. “Any outstanding issues will be followed up for resolution as a matter of priority.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Arthritis drug could be effective in seriously-ill Covid-19 patients

The potential of a commonly-used arthritis drug in treating seriously-ill Covid-19 patients , especially in avoiding the need for mechanical ventilation , has been confirmed in a UCD School of Medicine study .
The research published in the journal Respirology shows treatment with tocilizumab may deliver a favourable outcome in patients with pneumonia and “ hyperinflammatory response ” caused by Covid-19 – before they may have to go into an intensive care unit .
Tocilizumab suppresses an over-active immune system and prevents it from attacking the body .
It is “ a humanised monoclonal antibody ” made in a laboratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clones of a unique parent cell .
The drug is very safe and very well-tolerated when given in cases of inflammatory arthritis but further work is needed to confirm if this is case with coronavirus , the researchers say .
The UCD team have shown it was effective in a subset of Covid-19 patients admitted to St Vincent ’ s University Hospital in Dublin with severe pneumonia , which in some cases evolves to acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS ) coupled with hyperinflammatory syndrome .
ARDS is a type of respiratory failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the lungs while hyperinflammatory syndrome is a serious condition in which there is inflammation throughout the whole body – marked by increasing heart rate , low blood pressure , low or high body temperature , and low or high white blood cell count .
This condition may lead to multiple organ failure and shock .
A total of 193 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to SVUH between March 7th and April 7th and enrolled into the All-Ireland Infectious Diseases Cohort Study , a multicentre study led by infectious diseases consultant Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tocilizumab based on presence of severe Covid-19 pneumonia and evidence of a hyperinflammatory response .
Six were then treated with a single dose of intravenous tocilizumab .
Lead author Dr Cormac McCarthy , a consultant respiratory physician at SVUH , said “ this study suggests treatment with tocilizumab in the pre-ICU setting where patients are critically unwell may avoid the need for mechanical ventilation and may deliver a favourable outcome ” .
However , Dr McCarthy stressed the need for caution in interpreting these results due to the small cohort of patients ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the absence of an appropriately matched control group ” .
A further trial is in train at SVUH and the Mater Hospital led by Prof Mallon .
Researchers from Imperial College London are also working on tocilizumab ’ s potential to treat Covid-19 by halting the immune system “ storm ” that the body produces in response to infection .
Their trial results on 450 patients around the world is due to be released later this week .
A separate US study at the University of Michigan published last week showed critically-ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tocilizumab were 45 per cent less likely to die and more likely to be discharged from hospital or off a ventilator one month after treatment , compared to those who did not receive the drug .

Research published in the journal Respirology shows treatment with tocilizumab may deliver a favourable outcome in seriously-ill Covid-19 patients. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
The potential of a commonly-used arthritis drug in treating seriously-ill Covid-19 patients, especially in avoiding the need for mechanical ventilation, has been confirmed in a UCD School of Medicine study.
The research published in the journal Respirology shows treatment with tocilizumab may deliver a favourable outcome in patients with pneumonia and “hyperinflammatory response” caused by Covid-19 – before they may have to go into an intensive care unit.
Tocilizumab suppresses an over-active immune system and prevents it from attacking the body. It is “a humanised monoclonal antibody” made in a laboratory by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell.
The drug is very safe and very well-tolerated when given in cases of inflammatory arthritis but further work is needed to confirm if this is case with coronavirus, the researchers say.
READ MORE
The UCD team have shown it was effective in a subset of Covid-19 patients admitted to St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin with severe pneumonia, which in some cases evolves to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) coupled with hyperinflammatory syndrome.
ARDS is a type of respiratory failure characterised by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs while hyperinflammatory syndrome is a serious condition in which there is inflammation throughout the whole body – marked by increasing heart rate, low blood pressure, low or high body temperature, and low or high white blood cell count. This condition may lead to multiple organ failure and shock.
A total of 193 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to SVUH between March 7th and April 7th and enrolled into the All-Ireland Infectious Diseases Cohort Study, a multicentre study led by infectious diseases consultant Prof Paddy Mallon.
Patients were considered for tocilizumab based on presence of severe Covid-19 pneumonia and evidence of a hyperinflammatory response. Six were then treated with a single dose of intravenous tocilizumab.
London study
Lead author Dr Cormac McCarthy, a consultant respiratory physician at SVUH, said “this study suggests treatment with tocilizumab in the pre-ICU setting where patients are critically unwell may avoid the need for mechanical ventilation and may deliver a favourable outcome”.
However, Dr McCarthy stressed the need for caution in interpreting these results due to the small cohort of patients; the group being relatively young, “and the absence of an appropriately matched control group”.
A further trial is in train at SVUH and the Mater Hospital led by Prof Mallon.
Researchers from Imperial College London are also working on tocilizumab's potential to treat Covid-19 by halting the immune system "storm" that the body produces in response to infection. Their trial results on 450 patients around the world is due to be released later this week.
A separate US study at the University of Michigan published last week showed critically-ill Covid-19 patients who received a single dose of tocilizumab were 45 per cent less likely to die and more likely to be discharged from hospital or off a ventilator one month after treatment, compared to those who did not receive the drug.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Land Development Agency to take on St Teresa’s Gardens redevelopment

The State ’ s Land Development Agency intends to take on the redevelopment of St Teresa ’ s Gardens in Dolphin ’ s Barn , 15 years after Dublin City Council proposed to redevelop the dilapidated 1950s flat complex .
Once one of the city ’ s largest council flat complexes , St Teresa ’ s Gardens was earmarked for regeneration in 2005 , but the plan was scrapped in 2009 after the collapse of the property market .
Members of Dublin City Council , many of whom have raised concerns about the LDA ’ s involvement , will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design team “ immediately ” .
Once built , it should have 600 social and affordable homes , alongside the 1,400 or so expected when US property group , Hines finishes redeveloping nearby land , including the former Players Wills cigarette factory .
In April 2013 , the council announced plans to demolish 10 of the 12 flat blocks and refurbish two blocks to create 52 modern apartments , and to build 54 more houses and apartments .
Demolition began in February 2015 .
The refurbishment of the saved block was completed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new homes had been due to start in November 2015 .
However , hazardous waste was found in October 2016 and everything was put on hold until the soil was decontaminated .
Construction of the houses eventually began in December 2018 .
They are due to be finished early next year .
However , the full redevelopment of the rest of the site promising 600 homes never got off the ground .
In 2017 , the council produced a masterplan for St Teresa ’ s , along with Player Wills and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two were then owned by Nama .
However , Hines subsequently bought them .
In May , it applied to build 416 apartments on the Bailey Gibson site , with 1,360 in all planned across both sites .
The LDA will tell councillors on Wednesday that it can lodge a planning application to the St Teresa ’ Garden site in early 2021 and ensure “ swift delivery ” of social and affordable cost rental units .
Its involvement “ mitigates ” funding risks since it is “ funded to deliver affordable cost rental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council , meanwhile , would be its client , with “ key roles ” for councillors to have oversight .
However , local Sinn Féin councillor Críona Ní Dhalaigh said she was “ hugely concerned ” by the prospect of the LDA “ taking over ” the site : “ My preferred option is for Dublin City Council to build on the land .
“ The LDA hasn ’ t proved itself as far as I ’ m concerned .
They say they will be quicker but I haven ’ t seen anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know if the council will own the social housing units , ” she said .

Demolition as part of the regeneration of St Teresa’s Gardens complex in Dublin 8. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
The State's Land Development Agency intends to take on the redevelopment of St Teresa's Gardens in Dolphin's Barn, 15 years after Dublin City Council proposed to redevelop the dilapidated 1950s flat complex.
Once one of the city’s largest council flat complexes, St Teresa’s Gardens was earmarked for regeneration in 2005, but the plan was scrapped in 2009 after the collapse of the property market.
Members of Dublin City Council, many of whom have raised concerns about the LDA's involvement, will be told that it wants to appoint a design team "immediately".
Once built, it should have 600 social and affordable homes, alongside the 1,400 or so expected when US property group, Hines finishes redeveloping nearby land, including the former Players Wills cigarette factory.
READ MORE
Block demolition
In April 2013, the council announced plans to demolish 10 of the 12 flat blocks and refurbish two blocks to create 52 modern apartments, and to build 54 more houses and apartments.
Demolition began in February 2015. The refurbishment of the saved block was completed by the end of 2015. Construction of the new homes had been due to start in November 2015.
However, hazardous waste was found in October 2016 and everything was put on hold until the soil was decontaminated. Construction of the houses eventually began in December 2018. They are due to be finished early next year.
However, the full redevelopment of the rest of the site promising 600 homes never got off the ground. In 2017, the council produced a masterplan for St Teresa’s, along with Player Wills and the adjoining Barry Gibson site.
‘Swift delivery’
The latter two were then owned by Nama. However, Hines subsequently bought them. In May, it applied to build 416 apartments on the Bailey Gibson site, with 1,360 in all planned across both sites.
The LDA will tell councillors on Wednesday that it can lodge a planning application to the St Teresa’ Garden site in early 2021 and ensure “swift delivery” of social and affordable cost rental units.
Its involvement “mitigates” funding risks since it is “funded to deliver affordable cost rental product at scale”. Dublin City Council, meanwhile, would be its client, with “key roles” for councillors to have oversight.
However, local Sinn Féin councillor Críona Ní Dhalaigh said she was "hugely concerned" by the prospect of the LDA "taking over" the site: "My preferred option is for Dublin City Council to build on the land.
“The LDA hasn’t proved itself as far as I’m concerned. They say they will be quicker but I haven’t seen anything to indicate that. We don’t know if the council will own the social housing units,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--WHO official says the Covid-19 pandemic is ‘one big wave’

A World Health Organisation official on Tuesday described the Covid-19 pandemic as “ one big wave ” and warned against complacency in the northern hemisphere summer since the infection does not share influenza ’ s tendency to follow seasons .
WHO officials have been at pains to avoid describing a resurgence of Covid-19 cases like those in Hong Kong as “ waves ” as this suggests the virus is behaving in ways beyond human control , when in fact concerted action can slow its spread .
Margaret Harris repeated that message in a virtual briefing in Geneva .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to be one big wave .
It ’ s going to go up and down a bit .
The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet , ” she said .
Pointing to high case numbers at the height of the US summer , she urged vigilance in applying measures and warned against mass gatherings .
“ People are still thinking about seasons .
What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus and ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ Summer is a problem .
This virus likes all weather.
” However , she expressed concern about Covid-19 cases coinciding with normal seasonal influenza cases during the southern hemisphere ’ s winter , and said the Geneva-based body was monitoring this closely .
So far , she said , laboratory samples are not showing high numbers of flu cases , suggesting a later-than-normal start to the season .
“ If you have an increase in a respiratory illness when you already have a very high burden of respiratory illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health system , ” she said , urging people to be vaccinated against flu .

People dine at an outdoor restaurant along 5th Avenue in The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego, California. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Getty/AFP
A World Health Organisation official on Tuesday described the Covid-19 pandemic as "one big wave" and warned against complacency in the northern hemisphere summer since the infection does not share influenza's tendency to follow seasons.
WHO officials have been at pains to avoid describing a resurgence of Covid-19 cases like those in Hong Kong as “waves” as this suggests the virus is behaving in ways beyond human control, when in fact concerted action can slow its spread.
Margaret Harris repeated that message in a virtual briefing in Geneva. "We are in the first wave. It's going to be one big wave. It's going to go up and down a bit. The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet," she said.
Pointing to high case numbers at the height of the US summer, she urged vigilance in applying measures and warned against mass gatherings.
READ MORE
“People are still thinking about seasons. What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus and...this one is behaving differently,” she said.
“Summer is a problem. This virus likes all weather.”
However, she expressed concern about Covid-19 cases coinciding with normal seasonal influenza cases during the southern hemisphere’s winter, and said the Geneva-based body was monitoring this closely.
So far, she said, laboratory samples are not showing high numbers of flu cases, suggesting a later-than-normal start to the season.
“If you have an increase in a respiratory illness when you already have a very high burden of respiratory illness, that puts even more pressure on the health system,” she said, urging people to be vaccinated against flu.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Scientists edge closer to blood test which can detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms

Researchers are edging closer towards a blood test that can detect Alzheimer ’ s disease even before symptoms appear .
Scientists from the US and Europe say data indicates that levels of a specific form of tau , one of the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer ’ s disease , can be detected in blood .
The research suggests that levels of p-tau217 are elevated during the early stages of the disease .
Scientists reported results of multiple studies on advances in blood tests for abnormal versions of the tau protein .
One may be able to detect changes in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Changes in brain proteins amyloid and tau , and their formation into clumps known as plaques and tangles respectively , are defining physical features of Alzheimer ’ s disease in the brain .
Build-up of tau tangles is thought to correlate closely with cognitive decline .
Currently , scans and tests of spinal fluid are the only ways to detect the brain changes that occur before Alzheimer ’ s dementia symptoms appear .
But these methods are expensive and invasive .
In a study presented at the Alzheimer ’ s Association International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Oskar Hansson , from Lund University in Sweden , also identified a highly accurate , blood-based biomarker for the detection of Alzheimer ’ s disease by measuring levels of p-tau217 in blood .
They studied three different cohorts of more than 1,400 cases , and found that blood p-tau217 could distinguish Alzheimer ’ s from other neurodegenerative disorders with diagnostic accuracy between 89 per cent and 98 per cent .
Dr Hansson said : “ This test , once verified and confirmed , opens the possibility of early diagnosis of Alzheimer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very important for clinical trials evaluating novel therapies that might stop or slow down the disease process.
” Researchers in the US suspected that p-tau217 might also be present in the blood of Alzheimer ’ s patients , albeit at very low levels that would make it difficult to detect .
Randall Bateman , professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis , said : “ We therefore wanted to quantify the levels of different tau proteins , especially p-tau217 , in the blood and compare them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assess their potential as blood-based Alzheimer ’ s disease biomarkers.
” Dr Bateman , Nicolas Barthelemy and colleagues found that p-tau217 accumulates in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer ’ s patients before the onset of cognitive symptoms .
It increases with disease progression , and can accurately predict the formation of amyloid plaques , according to the study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine .
The researchers developed a mass spectrometry-based method to measure the amount of p-tau217 and other tau fragments in as little as 4ml of blood .
They found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cerebrospinal fluid , p-tau217 levels in the blood were extremely low in healthy volunteers but elevated in patients with amyloid plaques , even in those who had yet to develop cognitive symptoms .
Dr Bateman said : “ Our findings support the idea that tau isoforms in the blood are potentially useful for detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer ’ s disease pathology .
“ Moreover , our assay for measuring plasma tau levels could be used as a highly sensitive screening tool to identify tau changes associated with amyloid plaque formation in normal subjects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PA

Researchers are edging closer towards a blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease even before symptoms appear. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty
Researchers are edging closer towards a blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease even before symptoms appear.
Scientists from the US and Europe say data indicates that levels of a specific form of tau, one of the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s disease, can be detected in blood.
The research suggests that levels of p-tau217 are elevated during the early stages of the disease.
Scientists reported results of multiple studies on advances in blood tests for abnormal versions of the tau protein.
READ MORE
One may be able to detect changes in the brain 20 years before dementia symptoms occur.
Changes in brain proteins amyloid and tau, and their formation into clumps known as plaques and tangles respectively, are defining physical features of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain.
Build-up of tau tangles is thought to correlate closely with cognitive decline.
Currently, scans and tests of spinal fluid are the only ways to detect the brain changes that occur before Alzheimer’s dementia symptoms appear.
But these methods are expensive and invasive.
In a study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2020, researchers, led by Dr Oskar Hansson, from Lund University in Sweden, also identified a highly accurate, blood-based biomarker for the detection of Alzheimer's disease by measuring levels of p-tau217 in blood.
They studied three different cohorts of more than 1,400 cases, and found that blood p-tau217 could distinguish Alzheimer’s from other neurodegenerative disorders with diagnostic accuracy between 89 per cent and 98 per cent.
Dr Hansson said: “This test, once verified and confirmed, opens the possibility of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s before the dementia stage, which is very important for clinical trials evaluating novel therapies that might stop or slow down the disease process.”
Researchers in the US suspected that p-tau217 might also be present in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients, albeit at very low levels that would make it difficult to detect.
Randall Bateman, professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, said: "We therefore wanted to quantify the levels of different tau proteins, especially p-tau217, in the blood and compare them with amyloid pathology and onset of dementia to assess their potential as blood-based Alzheimer's disease biomarkers."
Dr Bateman, Nicolas Barthelemy and colleagues found that p-tau217 accumulates in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's patients before the onset of cognitive symptoms.
It increases with disease progression, and can accurately predict the formation of amyloid plaques, according to the study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
The researchers developed a mass spectrometry-based method to measure the amount of p-tau217 and other tau fragments in as little as 4ml of blood.
They found that, similar to p-tau217 levels in cerebrospinal fluid, p-tau217 levels in the blood were extremely low in healthy volunteers but elevated in patients with amyloid plaques, even in those who had yet to develop cognitive symptoms.
Dr Bateman said: “Our findings support the idea that tau isoforms in the blood are potentially useful for detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
“Moreover, our assay for measuring plasma tau levels could be used as a highly sensitive screening tool to identify tau changes associated with amyloid plaque formation in normal subjects, replacing costly PET imaging.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Tributes paid to retired garda who died in house fire

Tributes are being paid to a retired garda sergeant who died in a house fire in the early hours of Tuesday in Co Kilkenny .
Frank Stafford snr ( 85 ) was in his bungalow with one of his daughters , who is in her 50s , when the blaze broke out about midnight in Graiguenamanagh .
Emergency services from the village and nearby Thomastown went quickly to the house , which is located beside the Garda station on Main Street and where Mr Stafford was stationed for the majority of his working life .
The injured woman , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to St Luke ’ s Hospital in Kilkenny with non-life threatening injuries .
Fire services were at the scene for several hours and extinguished the fire at about 4am .
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council , Peter ‘ Chap ’ Cleere said : “ Frank was a real character .
I had many great chats with him especially around the time of the local elections .
He was well-respected , well-known and well-liked as are all his family .
“ The people of Graiguenamanagh are hurting today .
People are shocked and sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My thoughts and condolences are with his friends and family.
” Technical examinations have been carried out at the scene and Mr Stafford ’ s body was taken to Waterford University Hospital for a postmortem examination .

Fire services were at the scene in Graiguenamanagh for several hours and extinguished the fire at about 4am on Tuesday. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times
Tributes are being paid to a retired garda sergeant who died in a house fire in the early hours of Tuesday in Co Kilkenny.
Frank Stafford snr (85) was in his bungalow with one of his daughters, who is in her 50s, when the blaze broke out about midnight in Graiguenamanagh.
Emergency services from the village and nearby Thomastown went quickly to the house, which is located beside the Garda station on Main Street and where Mr Stafford was stationed for the majority of his working life.
The injured woman, who cares for her father, was taken to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny with non-life threatening injuries.
READ MORE
Fire services were at the scene for several hours and extinguished the fire at about 4am.
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere said: “Frank was a real character. I had many great chats with him especially around the time of the local elections. He was well-respected, well-known and well-liked as are all his family.
“The people of Graiguenamanagh are hurting today. People are shocked and sad. The whole community is devastated. My thoughts and condolences are with his friends and family.”
Technical examinations have been carried out at the scene and Mr Stafford’s body was taken to Waterford University Hospital for a postmortem examination.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Rules stopping pandemic payments for people who go on holidays ‘not legal’ - Flac

The Free Legal Advice Centre ( Flac ) has said that rules preventing people claiming pandemic unemployment benefits while on holidays are “ not legal ” .
In a statement on Tuesday evening , the NGO which offers free legal advice said “ there is no clear legal basis to sanction Covid Pandemic Unemployment Payment claimants holidaying abroad.
” It comes after it emerged the Government has been suspending payments to people on the payment who have travelled outside the country .
On Tuesday , the chief executive of Flac Eilis Barry said she had written to Minister for Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In recent days , Flac have been contacted by a number of individuals and NGOs concerning the reported sanctioning of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemploument Payment who took holidays abroad.
” She said that the supports had been cut based on a departmental circular which “ purports to allow the suspension of certain social welfare payments in circumstances where a claimant leaves the state ” .
Ms Barry said the in-house Flac legal team , led by managing solicitor Sinead Lucey has been examining legislation and “ our assessment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Circular , is that while legitslaiton may allow for this suspension in relation to jobseekers benefit , it does not go so far as to allow the Department sweeping powers to suspend or close other payments that people may receive - including Covid PUP.
” Flac is arguing that the primary legislation in relation to jobseekers ’ allowance allows claimantss to remain in payment if they are normally resident in the State but does not empower a Minister to make further regulations in relation to eligibility for the payment when claimants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of the Department to suspend those payments where claimants , who are residents of Ireland , take holidays abroad would be open to challenge on this basis , ” Ms Lucey said .
She also questioned whether it was possible to deny social welfare recipients who had travelled abroad the payment while they were self-isolating on return from their travels .
Flac is now requesting that the policy be immediately suspended to “ ensure that claimants are not sanctioned financially in respect of holidays outside the State ” .
Further , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this rule , must have their claim reinstated and backdated as a matter of urgency , ” she said .

The Free Legal Advice Centre (Flac) has said that rules preventing people claiming pandemic unemployment benefits while on holidays are “not legal”.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, the NGO which offers free legal advice said “there is no clear legal basis to sanction Covid Pandemic Unemployment Payment claimants holidaying abroad.”
It comes after it emerged the Government has been suspending payments to people on the payment who have travelled outside the country.
On Tuesday, the chief executive of Flac Eilis Barry said she had written to Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys with her concerns. "In recent days, Flac have been contacted by a number of individuals and NGOs concerning the reported sanctioning of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemploument Payment who took holidays abroad."
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She said that the supports had been cut based on a departmental circular which “purports to allow the suspension of certain social welfare payments in circumstances where a claimant leaves the state”.
Ms Barry said the in-house Flac legal team, led by managing solicitor Sinead Lucey has been examining legislation and "our assessment of the Department's policy, based on the Circular, is that while legitslaiton may allow for this suspension in relation to jobseekers benefit, it does not go so far as to allow the Department sweeping powers to suspend or close other payments that people may receive - including Covid PUP."
Flac is arguing that the primary legislation in relation to jobseekers’ allowance allows claimantss to remain in payment if they are normally resident in the State but does not empower a Minister to make further regulations in relation to eligibility for the payment when claimants leave the State.
"Any decision on behalf of the Department to suspend those payments where claimants, who are residents of Ireland, take holidays abroad would be open to challenge on this basis," Ms Lucey said. She also questioned whether it was possible to deny social welfare recipients who had travelled abroad the payment while they were self-isolating on return from their travels.
Flac is now requesting that the policy be immediately suspended to “ensure that claimants are not sanctioned financially in respect of holidays outside the State”.
Further, any claimant who has been penalised by this rule, must have their claim reinstated and backdated as a matter of urgency,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-07-28--Gaffes, rows and reversals: Government’s shaky start keeps going

If you Google “ shaky start ” and “ Irish politics ” , the inevitable dates crop up : 1997 ; 2011 ; 2017 ; and 2020 .
What unites them is this : new governments and leader trying to find their feet , only to put them in their mouths .
Take 1997 , for example .
Relatively new Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern managed a surprise general election victory .
Soon afterwards , the scandal broke about his foreign minister Ray Burke ’ s graft .
Within months , Burke was gone and there were question marks about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition , and creeping doubts about Ahern .
He lasted nearly a decade .
Fast forward to 2011 .
Enda Kenny was the leader who won power though nobody had rated him .
He sailed through his first few months .
Labour ’ s Eamon Gilmore was under fire from the off .
Leo Varadkar , when he took over from Kenny , soon flew into turbulent air with a controversy that led to the resignation of his tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald .
If truth be told , most governments have shaky starts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the start for this one has been particularly wobbly .
The launch of the stimulus plan last week and the roadmap to reopening schools this week were pluses for the Government but they came amid reversals , including Barry Cowen ’ s sacking , ministerial pay controversies , and the row over the pandemic unemployment payment .
A little like in 2011 , Fine Gael has more or less managed to stay above the fray , helped by their more recent experience of government .
“ Frankly , it shows , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The pay thing was just a mess , ” said another Fianna Fáil parliamentarian .
“ The worst thing was there was an argument for it .
It seemed to reflect on us more than the other two for some reason .
And that shows how naive we are.
” Until this decade , FF rarely had less than 70 TDs and was never out of power long enough to lose the muscle memory of government .
This time around , only Taoiseach Micheál Martin has experience of senior ministry .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eamon Ryan is their only former minister .
So many others of its TDs are new , not only to the Dáil but also to politics .
And the party has it leadership divisions .
Furthermore , it is under sustained attacks from Sinn Féin and left-wing parties who see it as the potential “ weak link ” in the coalition of three , and that the coalition ’ s majority can be whittled down by one assault after another .
Meanwhile , the Greens are suffering growing pains and has not got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place yet to run it properly .
Fianna Fáil has a different but related problem .
With only 37 TDs , it no longer has that built-in self-conferred authority – arrogance in some eyes – of being the natural governing party .
Moreover , it is divided .
Large clusters of parliamentarians are disaffected for a variety of reasons with Martin .
For now , the disaffection is muted but that could change .
In the past few days , we have seen a small procession of Fianna Fáil TDs – including Willie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly criticise Government policy on the PUP travel clampdown .
Sometimes , such public displays are permitted , even encouraged by the leadership .
But it is not a deliberate strategy .
Instead , it reflects its own members ’ uncertainty about the wisdom of coalescing with its arch-rival .
Every TD and Senator spoken to by The Irish Times yesterday said the ministerial salaries ’ reverse was a serious embarrassment : “ We all know we are going to get it in the neck anytime you mention pay , ” said one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three super junior ministers were already on the higher salary could have made it justifiable .
The mistake , said the non-Martin supporting TD , was not the rise but the fact that it was slipped in , on the quiet .
Did the Cabinet then overcompensate by deciding to take a 10 per cent pay cut , and the three super juniors agreeing to forego the €16,000 supplement ?
Especially when it turned that it did not mean a pay cut at all .
Possibly .
A person with knowledge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay cut was discussed before the controversy arose .
But that said , the same person conceded the decision was probably expedited by the controversy .
Interestingly , some believe the mistakes , or that some of them can be blamed on fatigue , following months of uncertainty .
Some Ministers , they argue , have taken their eye off the ball as the summer session winds down .

Large clusters of parliamentarians are disaffected, for a variety of reasons, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
If you Google “shaky start” and “Irish politics”, the inevitable dates crop up: 1997; 2011; 2017; and 2020. What unites them is this: new governments and leader trying to find their feet, only to put them in their mouths.
Take 1997, for example. Relatively new Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern managed a surprise general election victory. Soon afterwards, the scandal broke about his foreign minister Ray Burke's graft.
Within months, Burke was gone and there were question marks about the future of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition, and creeping doubts about Ahern. He lasted nearly a decade.
Fast forward to 2011. Enda Kenny was the leader who won power though nobody had rated him. He sailed through his first few months. Labour's Eamon Gilmore was under fire from the off.
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Leo Varadkar, when he took over from Kenny, soon flew into turbulent air with a controversy that led to the resignation of his tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
If truth be told, most governments have shaky starts, shaky middles and very shaky ends. But the start for this one has been particularly wobbly.
The launch of the stimulus plan last week and the roadmap to reopening schools this week were pluses for the Government but they came amid reversals, including Barry Cowen’s sacking, ministerial pay controversies, and the row over the pandemic unemployment payment.
A little like in 2011, Fine Gael has more or less managed to stay above the fray, helped by their more recent experience of government. "Frankly, it shows," said one Fianna Fáil TD ruefully.
“The pay thing was just a mess,” said another Fianna Fáil parliamentarian. “The worst thing was there was an argument for it. It seemed to reflect on us more than the other two for some reason. And that shows how naive we are.”
Lack of experience
Until this decade, FF rarely had less than 70 TDs and was never out of power long enough to lose the muscle memory of government. This time around, only Taoiseach Micheál Martin has experience of senior ministry.
It is the same for the Greens. Eamon Ryan is their only former minister. So many others of its TDs are new, not only to the Dáil but also to politics. And the party has it leadership divisions.
Furthermore, it is under sustained attacks from Sinn Féin and left-wing parties who see it as the potential “weak link” in the coalition of three, and that the coalition’s majority can be whittled down by one assault after another.
Meanwhile, the Greens are suffering growing pains and has not got the number of staff or systems in place yet to run it properly.
Fianna Fáil has a different but related problem. With only 37 TDs, it no longer has that built-in self-conferred authority – arrogance in some eyes – of being the natural governing party. Moreover, it is divided.
Large clusters of parliamentarians are disaffected for a variety of reasons with Martin. For now, the disaffection is muted but that could change.
In the past few days, we have seen a small procession of Fianna Fáil TDs – including Willie O'Dea and Cormac Devlin – openly criticise Government policy on the PUP travel clampdown.
Sometimes, such public displays are permitted, even encouraged by the leadership. But it is not a deliberate strategy. Instead, it reflects its own members’ uncertainty about the wisdom of coalescing with its arch-rival.
Salaries
Every TD and Senator spoken to by The Irish Times yesterday said the ministerial salaries’ reverse was a serious embarrassment: “We all know we are going to get it in the neck anytime you mention pay,” said one TD.
The fact that two of the three super junior ministers were already on the higher salary could have made it justifiable. The mistake, said the non-Martin supporting TD, was not the rise but the fact that it was slipped in, on the quiet.
Did the Cabinet then overcompensate by deciding to take a 10 per cent pay cut, and the three super juniors agreeing to forego the €16,000 supplement? Especially when it turned that it did not mean a pay cut at all.
Possibly. A person with knowledge of Cabinet discussions said the 10 per cent pay cut was discussed before the controversy arose. But that said, the same person conceded the decision was probably expedited by the controversy.
Interestingly, some believe the mistakes, or that some of them can be blamed on fatigue, following months of uncertainty. Some Ministers, they argue, have taken their eye off the ball as the summer session winds down.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--€18,500 for child who fractured bone in foot on shopping centre escalator

A judge has approved a €18,500 settlement for an 11-year-old Co Kildare girl who seven years ago fractured a bone in her foot while travelling on an escalator .
Barrister Beth Gilhooly , counsel for Jasmine Franzoni , of Castle Village Rise , Celbridge , told the Circuit Civil Court on Wednesday that the girl ’ s right foot became trapped in the brush guard of the escalator in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre when she was four .
Ms Gilhooly , who appeared with Yvonne McGuirk Solicitors , said a bone in the girl ’ s right foot had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be placed in a plaster for almost six weeks .
“ She was very fortunate her auntie Karen Franzoni , who was with her at the time , acted quickly and was able to pull her foot free from the apparatus before an even more serious injury might have occurred , ” Ms Gilhooly told Judge John O ’ Connor .
Judge O ’ Connor heard that Jasmine ’ s aunt had noted a number of pot plants had been placed in front of the emergency stop button at the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2013 .
An earlier settlement offer of €12,000 had been made but this had been increased to €15,000 and later to €18,500 and Ms Gilhooly recommended that the final offer be accepted .
The girl had accompanied her aunt to the post Christmas sale at the shopping centre , the judge heard .
Her injury had required immediate medical attention and she had been taken to Our Lady ’ s Children ’ s Hospital , Crumlin , where an x-ray had revealed the fracture .
The court heard that further x-rays had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fracture clinic for a check-up two days after the incident .
Judge O ’ Connor said she had made a full and uneventful recovery from her injury and he approved the settlement offer .

The girl had accompanied her aunt to the post Christmas sale at the Liffey Valley shopping centre, the judge heard. File photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
A judge has approved a €18,500 settlement for an 11-year-old Co Kildare girl who seven years ago fractured a bone in her foot while travelling on an escalator.
Barrister Beth Gilhooly, counsel for Jasmine Franzoni, of Castle Village Rise, Celbridge, told the Circuit Civil Court on Wednesday that the girl's right foot became trapped in the brush guard of the escalator in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre when she was four.
Ms Gilhooly, who appeared with Yvonne McGuirk Solicitors, said a bone in the girl’s right foot had been fractured and her foot and ankle had to be placed in a plaster for almost six weeks.
"She was very fortunate her auntie Karen Franzoni, who was with her at the time, acted quickly and was able to pull her foot free from the apparatus before an even more serious injury might have occurred," Ms Gilhooly told Judge John O'Connor.
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Judge O’Connor heard that Jasmine’s aunt had noted a number of pot plants had been placed in front of the emergency stop button at the time of the accident which occurred on 28th December, 2013. An earlier settlement offer of €12,000 had been made but this had been increased to €15,000 and later to €18,500 and Ms Gilhooly recommended that the final offer be accepted.
The girl had accompanied her aunt to the post Christmas sale at the shopping centre, the judge heard. Her injury had required immediate medical attention and she had been taken to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, where an x-ray had revealed the fracture.
The court heard that further x-rays had been taken when she attended the hospital’s fracture clinic for a check-up two days after the incident.
Judge O’Connor said she had made a full and uneventful recovery from her injury and he approved the settlement offer.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Covid-19: Travel to less affected regions abroad ‘unlikely’ to be approved

Travel to regions less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic within countries that are not themselves on the green list is “ unlikely ” to be approved by the Government .
Liz Canavan , assistant secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach , said the government is making its assessment for inclusion on the green list based on data at a national level .
“ We have been looking at it at a national level , that ’ s the most reliable , and once someone enters a country , we don ’ t really know where they go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national data , ” she said at a Government press briefing on the pandemic today .
While she said cabinet may discuss the issue again when it next week considers the update to the green list , Ms Canavan said the criteria being applied includes “ the national 14-day incidence rate , the trajectory , and other aspects of testing and tracing , so it was a broader range , but it was never looking at regional level.
” It comes after it emerged that the Spanish government has been lobbying their Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islands , including Mallorca and Ibiza , and the Canary Islands , on the State ’ s green list .
The islands are currently excluded from the list , along with the Spanish mainland , meaning anyone travelling into the State from there is asked to restrict their movements for 14 days on arrival .
They also face the suspension of social welfare payments , and depending on their employers ’ policies , could be forced to take unpaid leave while self-isolating .
However , the Spanish government has argued that the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are safe to travel to .
The Spanish Embassy in Dublin earlier this week told The Irish Times that “ the next review of the green list gives a good opportunity to include [ the Balearic and Canary Islands ] ” .
Elsewhere , Ms Canavan said that a total of 105 people have now received alerts that they were close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 through the HSE ’ s contact tracing app , which she said was a good performance .
Around 1.45 million downloads of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said that it is “ vital to avoid becoming complacent ” about the disease in Ireland , after 40 new cases were diagnosed on Tuesday – the highest number since June .
Ms Canavan also warned of an increase in Covid-related cybercrime and fraud in Ireland , including around staycation breaks , with criminals targeting people with requests for upfront payments for holidays and reservations which later transpire to be bogus .
There have also been incidences of consumers paying for campervans and other expensive items up front on cloned websites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said there has now been €2.2 billion paid out to employers under the State ’ s Covid wage subsidy scheme , and the pandemic unemployment payment is currently running at around €89 million per week .

Spain said the Balearic Islands, which include Ibiza, and the Canary Islands should feature on Ireland’s green list. Photograph: Getty Images
The Government is unlikely to immediately review countries on its so-called green list or to consider regional travel corridors, in spite of some states experiencing big increases in Covid-19 cases recently, it has been confirmed.
It is to stick to a fortnightly review of countries considered safe to travel to. The list was drawn up at a Cabinet meeting on July 21st based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), and it will be August 4th at the earliest before it will re-examine the list, though some countries significantly exceed the Irish case rate.
There are 15 countries on the green list, among them Finland, Greece, Malta, Italy, Cyprus, Monaco and Norway.
Gozo Cathedral, Rabat, Malta: The holiday destination was the safest on the green list on July 21st, but cases have increased six-fold since then to 6.9 per 100,000, compared to Ireland, which is currently at 5.3. File photograph: Getty
The latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) confirm the extent of sharp rises in infection rates in some green list countries since July 21st, based on cases per 100,000 people over 14 days. Malta was the safest country, but cases have increased almost seven-fold since then to 6.9 per 100,000, compared to Ireland, which is currently at 5.3.
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Low population
As of Wednesday, Monaco has seen an 800 per cent increase to 27 per 100,000, though this is where there is a low population, while Cyprus have gone from 3.7 to 5.1. Finland has increased from 0.9 to 2.
Travel to regions less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic within countries that are not themselves on the green list is "unlikely" to be approved by the Government. Liz Canavan, assistant secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach, said the Government is making its assessment for inclusion on the green list based on countrywide data.
“We have been looking at it at a national level, that’s the most reliable, and once someone enters a country, we don’t really know where they go, so we’re operating on the national data,” she said at a Government briefing.
She said the Cabinet may discuss the issue again when it next week considers the update to the list, but Ms Canavan said the criteria being applied includes “the national 14-day incidence rate, the trajectory, and other aspects of testing and tracing, so it was a broader range, but it was never looking at regional level.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said Nphet's advice remains that all non-essential travel should be avoided. "Like all public health advice, this is kept under constant review. Any updated advice from Nphet is sent to Government for their consideration," she added.
Quarantine list
The UK government, however, has indicated it is prepared to look at a regional travel corridor to the Spanish islands, though it may add Luxembourg and Croatia to its Covid-19 quarantine list. The Covid operations committee will review "the air bridge system" on Friday.
Transport minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton confirmed the idea was being investigated after pressure from Madrid over the change to travel advice made by the government over the weekend.
The Spanish government has been lobbying their Irish counterparts for the inclusion of the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca and Ibiza, and the Canary Islands, on Ireland's green list. The ECDC does not provide a breakdown of the Spanish figures to indicate rates of infections on the islands. The national figure was 51.1 per 100,000 people on Wednesday.
The islands are currently excluded, along with the Spanish mainland, meaning anyone travelling into the State from these locations is asked to restrict their movements for 14 days on arrival. It has insisted lower levels of infection in the islands mean they are safe to travel to.
The Spanish embassy in Dublin earlier this week said “the next review of the green list gives a good opportunity to include [the Balearic and Canary Islands]”.
Meanwhile Ryanair has declined to comment on its legal action against the Government in relation to the list. "We don't comment on pending legal matters," a spokeswoman said.
Legal action threatened
The airline has threatened legal action against the Government if it fails to expand the list of countries to which Irish travellers can go, include Britain and all EU member states.
"The idea (which underlines Ireland's green list) that the major economies of Europe are not dealing effectively with C-19 will do huge damage to our relations with those countries," it said in a submission to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response this week.
“Ireland is an integrated part of the EU economy and if we lose this opportunity to restart, then we will pay for it with economic decline and massive increases in unemployment,” it added.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--High Court challenge to housing development in Meath Gaeltacht

A High Court challenge has been brought aimed at overturning planning permission for a proposed development of 30 houses and a guesthouse in the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht in Co Meath .
Comharchumann Ráth Chairn , a local development co-operative charged with implementing a language plan to increase the amount of Irish in the area , secured leave on Tuesday to bring the judicial review proceedings .
The action is aimed at quashing An Bord Pleanála ’ s June 2020 permission for the planned development , on a site between the local primary school and community centre .
Seamús Ó Tuathail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instructed by Colm McGeehin , of Prospect Law solicitors , outlined grounds of challenge including that the board had erred in not holding that a language impact statement ( LIS ) submitted on behalf of the developer , Colm Griffin , from Ráth Chairn , was inadequate .
The author of the LIS had no qualifications in language planning or social linguistics and the LIS is inadequate for reasons including it underestimated the numbers who speak Irish in the locality , it is claimed .
A planning condition that 70 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish speakers “ unless otherwise agreed by the developer and the Council ” amounted to an unauthorised delegation of the Board ’ s powers , it is also claimed .
Among other grounds of challenge it is alleged rights of the applicant as a linguistic minority have been violated , particularly the right not to be assimilated .
Ms Justice Bronagh O ’ Hanlon said she was satisfied to grant counsel ’ s ex parte ( one side only represented ) application for leave for judicial review of the Board ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a later stage .

A proposed development of 30 houses and a guesthouse for the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht, Co Meath, has been challenged. Map via Google Maps
A High Court challenge has been brought aimed at overturning planning permission for a proposed development of 30 houses and a guesthouse in the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht in Co Meath.
Comharchumann Ráth Chairn, a local development co-operative charged with implementing a language plan to increase the amount of Irish in the area, secured leave on Tuesday to bring the judicial review proceedings.
The action is aimed at quashing An Bord Pleanála’s June 2020 permission for the planned development, on a site between the local primary school and community centre.
Seamús Ó Tuathail SC, with Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh BL, instructed by Colm McGeehin, of Prospect Law solicitors, outlined grounds of challenge including that the board had erred in not holding that a language impact statement (LIS) submitted on behalf of the developer, Colm Griffin, from Ráth Chairn , was inadequate.
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The author of the LIS had no qualifications in language planning or social linguistics and the LIS is inadequate for reasons including it underestimated the numbers who speak Irish in the locality, it is claimed.
A planning condition that 70 per cent of the 30 houses be provided for Irish speakers “unless otherwise agreed by the developer and the Council” amounted to an unauthorised delegation of the Board’s powers, it is also claimed.
Among other grounds of challenge it is alleged rights of the applicant as a linguistic minority have been violated, particularly the right not to be assimilated. Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon said she was satisfied to grant counsel’s ex parte (one side only represented) application for leave for judicial review of the Board’s decision.
A hearing date will be fixed at a later stage.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Nursing homes no longer restricting visitor numbers under new guidelines

Nursing homes and other residential care settings will no longer have to restrict the number of nominated visitors for residents and children will now be allowed to visit in some cases , under new guidance which came into effect on Wednesday .
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) guidelines , which apply to acute mental health facilities and community housing units for people with disabilities as well as nursing homes outline a number of changes to visiting restrictions to residential care facilities .
The guidance states that the duration of the visits may be limited to an hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptional circumstances .
The document also recommends that visits during an outbreak should be facilitated if the situation permits .
During an ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 within a residential facility , visits will generally “ be suspended in the first instance ” with the exception of the most critical circumstances , such as end of life , the HPSC said .
However , when the situation has been evaluated and control measures are in place , visits that are essential will be facilitated and if the outbreak is confined to one wing or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be less requirement for visiting restrictions in other areas .
The guidance also recommends the removal of the requirement to limit the number of people nominated as visitors for residents .
This had been limited to two people .
The recommended number of visitors at any one time is two , but there can be some flexibility around this number , particularly in the case of children , the guidance added .
Some visits by children will now be facilitated with appropriate supervision .
Previously , most facilities requested that children did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The registered provider/person in charge has a responsibility to ensure that the autonomy of residents and the right to have visitors is balanced with the need to ensure that visitations do not compromise overall resident care or adherence to requisite infection control procedures , ” the guidance states .
“ Visitors who do not adhere to guidance will be asked to leave and may be declined access subsequently if there is a pattern of non-adherence.
” Mary Butler , Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People , welcomed the publication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ ve listened to the views of many families and I recognise that the impact of Covid-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable .
We must remember that residential settings are people ’ s homes as well as places where health and social care are provided , ” she said .
“ The introduction of physical distancing , isolation and restricted contact with family and loved ones has changed the usual dynamic of social interaction .
I understand the need to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and I am confident that nursing homes are preparing the way to allow for visiting in a safe way .
”

Visitors who do not adhere to guidance will be asked to leave and may be declined access subsequently if there is a pattern of non-adherence. File photograph: iStock
Nursing homes and other residential care settings will no longer have to restrict the number of nominated visitors for residents and children will now be allowed to visit in some cases, under new guidance which came into effect on Wednesday.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidelines, which apply to acute mental health facilities and community housing units for people with disabilities as well as nursing homes outline a number of changes to visiting restrictions to residential care facilities.
The guidance states that the duration of the visits may be limited to an hour with some flexibility on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances.
The document also recommends that visits during an outbreak should be facilitated if the situation permits.
READ MORE
During an ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 within a residential facility, visits will generally “be suspended in the first instance” with the exception of the most critical circumstances, such as end of life, the HPSC said.
However, when the situation has been evaluated and control measures are in place, visits that are essential will be facilitated and if the outbreak is confined to one wing or one building on a campus there may be less requirement for visiting restrictions in other areas.
The guidance also recommends the removal of the requirement to limit the number of people nominated as visitors for residents. This had been limited to two people.
The recommended number of visitors at any one time is two, but there can be some flexibility around this number, particularly in the case of children, the guidance added.
Some visits by children will now be facilitated with appropriate supervision. Previously, most facilities requested that children did not visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The registered provider/person in charge has a responsibility to ensure that the autonomy of residents and the right to have visitors is balanced with the need to ensure that visitations do not compromise overall resident care or adherence to requisite infection control procedures,” the guidance states.
“Visitors who do not adhere to guidance will be asked to leave and may be declined access subsequently if there is a pattern of non-adherence.”
Mary Butler, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, welcomed the publication of the latest visiting guidance for nursing homes.
“I’ve listened to the views of many families and I recognise that the impact of Covid-19 on society in general and especially those living in nursing homes has been considerable. We must remember that residential settings are people’s homes as well as places where health and social care are provided,” she said.
“The introduction of physical distancing, isolation and restricted contact with family and loved ones has changed the usual dynamic of social interaction. I understand the need to protect residents, staff and visitors to nursing homes and I am confident that nursing homes are preparing the way to allow for visiting in a safe way.”


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Council investigates removal of slave statues from Shelbourne Hotel

Dublin City Council is investigating the decision by the Shelbourne Hotel to remove four statues from its facade , apparently without planning permission .
The statues of two Nubian princesses and two slave girls were removed by the hotel on Monday .
Hotel management said they took the decision in light of world events and the black lives matter movement which has called attention to the legacy of slavery around the world .
In a statement Dublin City Council said it was “ not aware of permission being granted to remove the statues concerned .
“ The matter is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore no further comment can be made on the matter at this time.
” The Irish Georgian Society said it had lodged a complaint with the council about the removal of the statues .
It tweeted on Tuesday night : “ Further to reports and in the interests of clarity , the IGS was not consulted about the removal of statues from The Shelbourne Hotel .
“ Such works require planning permission which we believe was not sought .
The IGS has contacted DCC planning urging them to address the matter.
” Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the statues was a breach of Part Four of the Planning Development Act 2000 .
Cllr Conroy , who is an architect and a conservationist , has written to the planning executive and the conservation officer in the council about the removal .
She said the facade of the Shelbourne Hotel including its statues are a listed structure and therefore can not be amended without permission from the council .
She said many householders are being refused planning permission to remove railings from outside their homes .
“ Dublin City Council would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be changed .
The idea that the Shelbourne Hotel on St Stephen ’ s Green would be allowed to do that is just ridiculous really , ” she said .
Cllr Conroy said under Section 57 ( 2 ) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 the owner of a protected structure such as the facade of the Shelbourne Hotel has to make a written request to the planning authority for an exemption application .
“ It would take three months at least for the conservation application department to make an assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe , who is also an architect , said a period of public consultation should have taken place before such a “ significant step ” was taken .

Empty plinths outside the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin after the statues were removed. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Dublin City Council is investigating the decision by the Shelbourne Hotel to remove four statues from its facade, apparently without planning permission.
The statues of two Nubian princesses and two slave girls were removed by the hotel on Monday.
Hotel management said on Tuesday they took the decision in light of world events and the black lives matter movement which has called attention to the legacy of slavery around the world.
In a statement on Wednesday Dublin City Council said it was “not aware of permission being granted to remove the statues concerned.
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“The matter is under investigation by the planning enforcement section and therefore no further comment can be made on the matter at this time.”
A council spokeswoman confirmed that the facade of the building is a listed structure and the purpose of the investigation will be to ascertain whether or not the hotel broke the law by removing the statues without informing the council first.
Senator Michael McDowell suggested it was “unlawful and criminal” to alter the façade of the Shelbourne Hotel without planning permission.
“For a large multinational company to breach the law in this way is wholly unacceptable,” he told the Seanad during the order of business.
Senator McDowell, a former Minister for Justice and attorney-general said if the statues were moved following a complaint, it was a “response to idiocy”.
If it was part of a “corporate search for anything that might offend, it was another form of idiocy”.
Senator McDowell said the Shelbourne Hotel statues “give no offence to anybody reasonable”.
He urged the minister with responsibility for heritage, Catherine Martin, to come to the Seanad and stop the tearing down of structures “because of some foolish notion of causing offence where no offence could possibly be found”.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Hazel Chu said the Shelbourne Hotel needed to comply with planning law.
However, she was puzzled that the statues were “now a hill on which some of my colleagues are dying on at the moment” when many had never noticed them before.
“If the Shelbourne Hotel had enough of a cop on that slavery symbols are bad and they wanted them removed, I don’t really understand what the fuss is at the moment. They obviously thought this was the right thing to do.
“Even they (the statues) are not overtly racist and supposedly portraying slavery as such, if some people take offence, that is something we have to ask and talk about.”
The Irish Georgian Society said it had lodged a complaint with the council about the removal of the statues.
It tweeted on Tuesday night: "Further to reports and in the interests of clarity, the IGS was not consulted about the removal of statues from The Shelbourne Hotel.
“Such works require planning permission which we believe was not sought. The IGS has contacted DCC planning urging them to address the matter.”
Dublin City Councillor Deirdre Conroy said the removal of the statues was a breach of Part Four of the Planning Development Act 2000.
Cllr Conroy, who is an architect and a conservationist, has written to the planning executive and the conservation officer in the council about the removal.
She said the facade of the Shelbourne Hotel including its statues are a listed structure and therefore cannot be amended without permission from the council.
She said many householders are being refused planning permission to remove railings from outside their homes.
“Dublin City Council would not allow a 19th century pedestrian gate to be changed. The idea that the Shelbourne Hotel on St Stephen’s Green would be allowed to do that is just ridiculous really,” she said.
Cllr Conroy said under Section 57 (2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 the owner of a protected structure such as the facade of the Shelbourne Hotel has to make a written request to the planning authority for an exemption application.
“It would take three months at least for the conservation application department to make an assessment of a Section 57 application.”
Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe, who is also an architect, said a period of public consultation should have taken place before such a "significant step" was taken.
The former Irish Times environment correspondent Frank McDonald accused the hotel’s US owner, Kennedy Wilson, and its operator Marriott Hotels of trying to bring “cancel culture” from the United States into Ireland.
The Shelbourne Hotel has been asked for comment.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Eleven DUP Assembly members defy advice of leader Arlene Foster

Eleven of the DUP ’ s 27 Assembly members have defied party leader Arlene Foster by abstaining on a vote for new legislation chiefly designed to free up the planning process in Northern Ireland .
Senior DUP members such as former ministers Mervyn Storey and Michelle McIlveen went against the wishes of party leader and First Minister Ms Foster by refusing to support the The Executive Committee ( Functions ) Bill .
It was also reported on Wednesday that three senior DUP figures , former deputy leader Nigel Dodds and MPs Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson had advised Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation to the autumn but that she refused .
The Bill was comfortably passed in the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon with the support of other DUP MLAs , Sinn Féin , the SDLP and Alliance .
Its supporters argued it was necessary in order to address a 2018 court judgment relating to a proposed huge incinerator at Mallusk in north Belfast viewed as meaning every major planning matter would have to go before the Executive .
Ulster Unionist Party members , the two Green MLAs , Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislation .
Ostensibly the Bill is a practical measure mainly aimed at easing the planning process in Northern Ireland .
It is designed , according to its proponents , to allow individual Ministers – particularly SDLP infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon – have more power to take individual planning decisions without having to refer them to the full Northern Executive .
It ran into controversy however when Richard Bullick , a former special advisor to DUP first ministers Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster , warned that the detail of the legislation would undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant individual decisions without reference to the Executive .
Mr Bullick , who now works in the private sector , described the law change as “ the most significant rolling back of the St Andrews Agreement and will significantly undermine the ability of the Executive to prevent Ministers acting without collective agreement ” .
The 2006 St Andrews Agreement changed elements of the 1998 Belfast Agreement to limit the ability of individual Ministers to take decisions without referral to the Northern Executive .
This was largely prompted by a decision by the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister , to abolish the 11 Plus educational transfer test – a decision that infuriated many unionists .
Mr Bullick ’ s central argument is that the new law could allow a repeat of such action .
Ms Foster however has rejected this interpretation of the new legislation , citing her own legal advice and insisting that any three Ministers can demand that potential controversial decisions be referred to the Executive for approval .
As the DUP has four Ministers , her argument goes , individual Ministers therefore can not take “ solo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether Ms Foster or Mr Bullick is correct may have to be a matter for the courts .
But in the meantime the new legislation is causing difficulties for Ms Foster ’ s leadership and has resulted in 11 of her party MLAs refusing to heed her advice .
BBC Radio Ulster ’ s Nolan Show added to that headache by reporting that three of the party ’ s senior members , Nigel Dodds , Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson had advised her to hold back on pushing through the Bill but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made efforts to contact Mr Dodds , Mr Donaldson and Mr Wilson for comment and also sought a response from the DUP .
No response was forthcoming at the time of writing .
The 11 DUP members who abstained had to actively make their point by voting in the “ aye ” and “ no ” lobbies .
They were : Paula Bradley , Thomas Buchanan , Jonathan Buckley , Joanna Bunting , Trevor Clarke , Alex Easton , Paul Few , David Hilditch , William Humphrey , Michelle McIlveen and Mervyn Storey @

Arlene Foster insists that no Minister can go on a solo run with a controversial decision under the new legislation. Photograph: David Young/PA Wire
Eleven of the DUP's 27 Assembly members have defied party leader Arlene Foster by abstaining on a vote for new legislation chiefly designed to free up the planning process in Northern Ireland.
Senior DUP members such as former ministers Mervyn Storey and Michelle McIlveen went against the wishes of party leader and First Minister Ms Foster by refusing to support the The Executive Committee (Functions) Bill.
It was also reported on Wednesday that three senior DUP figures, former deputy leader Nigel Dodds and MPs Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson had advised Ms Foster to pause the passing of the legislation to the autumn but that she refused.
The Bill was comfortably passed in the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon with the support of other DUP MLAs, Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance.
READ MORE
Its supporters argued it was necessary in order to address a 2018 court judgment relating to a proposed huge incinerator at Mallusk in north Belfast viewed as meaning every major planning matter would have to go before the Executive.
Ulster Unionist Party members, the two Green MLAs, Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister and Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit opposed the legislation.
Practical measure
Ostensibly the Bill is a practical measure mainly aimed at easing the planning process in Northern Ireland.
It is designed, according to its proponents, to allow individual Ministers – particularly SDLP infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon – have more power to take individual planning decisions without having to refer them to the full Northern Executive.
It ran into controversy however when Richard Bullick, a former special advisor to DUP first ministers Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster, warned that the detail of the legislation would undermine collective Executive responsibility by allowing Ministers take significant individual decisions without reference to the Executive.
Mr Bullick, who now works in the private sector, described the law change as “the most significant rolling back of the St Andrews Agreement and will significantly undermine the ability of the Executive to prevent Ministers acting without collective agreement”.
The 2006 St Andrews Agreement changed elements of the 1998 Belfast Agreement to limit the ability of individual Ministers to take decisions without referral to the Northern Executive. This was largely prompted by a decision by the late Martin McGuinness, when he was education minister, to abolish the 11 Plus educational transfer test – a decision that infuriated many unionists.
Mr Bullick’s central argument is that the new law could allow a repeat of such action.
Ms Foster however has rejected this interpretation of the new legislation, citing her own legal advice and insisting that any three Ministers can demand that potential controversial decisions be referred to the Executive for approval.
As the DUP has four Ministers, her argument goes, individual Ministers therefore cannot take “solo runs” on controversial matters.
Ultimately, whether Ms Foster or Mr Bullick is correct may have to be a matter for the courts.
Difficulties
But in the meantime the new legislation is causing difficulties for Ms Foster’s leadership and has resulted in 11 of her party MLAs refusing to heed her advice.
BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show added to that headache by reporting that three of the party’s senior members, Nigel Dodds, Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson had advised her to hold back on pushing through the Bill but that she refused.
The Irish Times made efforts to contact Mr Dodds, Mr Donaldson and Mr Wilson for comment and also sought a response from the DUP. No response was forthcoming at the time of writing.
The 11 DUP members who abstained had to actively make their point by voting in the "aye" and "no" lobbies. They were: Paula Bradley, Thomas Buchanan, Jonathan Buckley, Joanna Bunting, Trevor Clarke, Alex Easton, Paul Few, David Hilditch, William Humphrey, Michelle McIlveen and Mervyn Storey.


theirishtimes--2020-07-29--Parents of Nóra Quoirin take legal case against Facebook and user

The parents of Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin , who was found dead in a Malaysian jungle during a family holiday last summer , have initiated High Court proceedings against Facebook and a social media user over posts relating to their daughter ’ s disappearance .
Nóra ’ s disappearance from her family ’ s cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in the southern Negeri Sembilan state in Malaysia on August 4th last sparked a massive search operation .
Her body was discovered on August 13th beside a small stream about 2km from the resort .
Police said there was no sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a preliminary postmortem showing that she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress .
It is understood that the legal case , initiated by Sebastien and Maebh Quoirin in court papers filed on Monday , against Facebook and retired solicitor Anne Brennan , relate to a number of social media posts about the young girl ’ s disappearance .
A postmortem examination carried out in Malaysia found that Nóra , who had a brain condition called holoprosencephaly which limited her development , died from internal bleeding , however the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the findings .
They had sought for an inquest into the death of their daughter as they believed there is a “ criminal element ” to her death .
Speaking on the Late Late Show in January , Ms Quoirin said : “ We believe she was abducted and kept in the jungle for the time she was missing .
We don ’ t feel it is helpful to speculate beyond that .
“ What is important for us is to let the police do their job .
We are hoping they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the angles of the case and in particular the criminal angles , ” she added .
Authorities in Malaysia earlier this month agreed to grant an inquest , which is due to take place from August 24th to September 4th .

Nóra Quoirin’s parents sought an inquest into the death of their daughter as they believed there is a “criminal element” to her death. File photograph: Lucie Blackman Trust/Family handout/PA Wire
The parents of Franco-Irish teenager Nóra Quoirin, who was found dead in a Malaysian jungle during a family holiday last summer, have initiated High Court proceedings against Facebook and a social media user over posts relating to their daughter's disappearance.
Nóra's disappearance from her family's cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in the southern Negeri Sembilan state in Malaysia on August 4th last sparked a massive search operation. Her body was discovered on August 13th beside a small stream about 2km from the resort.
Police said there was no sign that the 15-year-old was abducted or attacked, with a preliminary postmortem showing that she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress.
It is understood that the legal case, initiated by Sebastien and Maebh Quoirin in court papers filed on Monday, against Facebook and retired solicitor Anne Brennan, relate to a number of social media posts about the young girl's disappearance.
READ MORE
A postmortem examination carried out in Malaysia found that Nóra, who had a brain condition called holoprosencephaly which limited her development, died from internal bleeding, however the couple said there were question marks over the findings.
They had sought for an inquest into the death of their daughter as they believed there is a “criminal element” to her death.
Speaking on the Late Late Show in January, Ms Quoirin said: “We believe she was abducted and kept in the jungle for the time she was missing. We don’t feel it is helpful to speculate beyond that.
“What is important for us is to let the police do their job. We are hoping they will reopen the investigation... and properly examine all the angles of the case and in particular the criminal angles,” she added.
Authorities in Malaysia earlier this month agreed to grant an inquest, which is due to take place from August 24th to September 4th.