theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Where are they now? The mixed fortunes of gang linked to Det Garda Donohoe killing

The gang members who killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe have experienced mixed fortunes since the fatal shooting 7½ years ago ; some drifting through life unemployed , involved in Borderland crime while others are working for themselves and leading apparently successful lives abroad .
Aaron Brady ( 29 ) New Road , Crossmaglen , Co Armagh , was on Wednesday found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe at the Central Criminal Court .
Det Garda Donohoe , a 41-year-old married father of two , was shot dead on January 25th , 2013 , as he stepped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleague arrived at Lordship Credit Union , Bellurgan , Co Louth , to provide an armed cash escort for staff carrying cash .
The prosecution alleged Brady was the gunman who fired the gun that killed the detective .
But the other four men present could also be prosecuted for capital murder – the killing of a Garda member carrying a 40-year sentence – under the legal principal of joint enterprise .
That means while the other four gang members did not fire the weapon , they could be convicted of the murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in advance and produced on the night to further the gang members ’ shared goal of stealing cash from the credit union .
All five men , ranging in age at the time from 20 years to their late 20s , were part of a south Armagh-Louth gang specialising in a range of criminal activity including armed robberies , diesel laundering and theft for resale of vehicles and plant machinery .
At the time Det Garda Donohoe was shot dead he was investigating Brady for an alleged role in an armed-gang robbery on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same gang was also suspected of a previous robbery on Lordship Credit Union , in August 2011 , though Brady was not suspected of involvement in that crime .
In recent years there have also been a spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the Border , during which the machines have been ripped from bank and shop exterior walls .
Gardaí believe some of the four suspects for Det Garda Donohoe ’ s murder who are still at large were involved in some of those crimes .
Since the night Det @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit Union robbery the men have spent time in the US , Britain , Australia , the Republic and Northern Ireland .
Of the four suspects for the murder , two reside in the US while two others still live in Ireland where their status as murder suspects is widely known .
One of the men who lives in Northern Ireland at present has , like Aaron Brady , settled down with his partner since the 2013 murder and has become a father .
Now in his early 30s he is unemployed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the courts on unrelated charges .
The Garda and the PSNI suspect him of several armed robberies and ATM thefts on both sides of the Border .
He is believed to have taken part in the Lordship Credit Unit robbery in August , 2011 , during which more than €22,000 was stolen , and also the armed robbery at the Dundalk race course the same year .
Where are they now ?
Another of the suspects , who lives in Armagh , was the youngest of the gang at the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fuel laundering with Brady .
Like Brady , his phone was switched off for the period of the robbery , as were the phones of the other main suspects .
Information gleaned from an examination of his phone appears to implicate all of the suspects .
He has spent time in Australia since the murder and when interviewed by gardaí refused to engage substantively .
Two of the other suspects , who are well known to each other , have been working for themselves in the construction trade in Boston in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an address known to Irish and US law enforcement .
One was especially close to Brady , though it is believed they have not spoken for several years .
That suspect ’ s car was spotted close to the crime scene in Lordship in the days before the robbery and murder and was also identified close to the location on Clogherhead , Co Louth , where the getaway car used by the gang on the night of the murder was stolen .
The other man in Boston is under investigation for the robbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furnish an alibi that has held tight so far .
Gardaí believe they can link him to the theft of the getaway car two days before the robbery and murder .
By the time Brady was arrested in May , 2017 , in New York , he had settled down there and was earning $ 65 per hour in a construction job .
He first went to the US in 2013 and initially worked with one of the other suspects for the murder , who was already established there at that point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ settle and aided him in finding work , before they fell out with him .
Like Brady was at the time , they are now living comfortable lives in the US , with plenty of money and , for now , untroubled by the investigation in Ireland .
However , they are being monitored by US law enforcement and gardaí say they are confident Brady will not be the last man charged in relation to the robbery and murder .

Det Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead in 2013 as he stepped from his Garda car after he and a colleague arrived at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, to provide an armed escort for staff carrying cash. Photograph: Garda/PA
The gang members who killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe have experienced mixed fortunes since the fatal shooting 7½ years ago; some drifting through life unemployed, involved in Borderland crime while others are working for themselves and leading apparently successful lives abroad.
Aaron Brady (29) New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was on Wednesday found guilty of the capital murder of Det Garda Donohoe at the Central Criminal Court.
Det Garda Donohoe, a 41-year-old married father of two, was shot dead on January 25th, 2013, as he stepped from his Garda car after he and a colleague arrived at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, to provide an armed cash escort for staff carrying cash.
The prosecution alleged Brady was the gunman who fired the gun that killed the detective. But the other four men present could also be prosecuted for capital murder – the killing of a Garda member carrying a 40-year sentence – under the legal principle of joint enterprise.
READ MORE
That means while the other four gang members did not fire the weapon, they could be convicted of the murder because the gun was sourced and loaded in advance and produced on the night to further the gang members’ shared goal of stealing cash from the credit union.
All five men, ranging in age at the time from 20 years to their late 20s, were part of a south Armagh-Louth gang specialising in a range of criminal activity including armed robberies, diesel laundering and theft for resale of vehicles and plant machinery.
At the time Det Garda Donohoe was shot dead he was investigating Brady for an alleged role in an armed-gang robbery on Dundalk race course in 2011. The same gang was also suspected of a previous robbery on Lordship Credit Union, in August 2011, though Brady was not suspected of involvement in that crime.
In recent years there have also been a spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the Border, during which the machines have been ripped from bank and shop exterior walls. Gardaí believe some of the four suspects for Det Garda Donohoe’s murder who are still at large were involved in some of those crimes.
Since the night Det Garda Donohoe was murdered during the €7,000 Credit Union robbery the men have spent time in the US, Britain, Australia, the Republic and Northern Ireland. Of the four suspects for the murder, two reside in the US while two others still live in Ireland where their status as murder suspects is widely known.
One of the men who lives in Northern Ireland at present has, like Aaron Brady, settled down with his partner since the 2013 murder and has become a father. Now in his early 30s he is unemployed, though his partner works, and is before the courts on unrelated charges. The Garda and the PSNI suspect him of several armed robberies and ATM thefts on both sides of the Border. He is believed to have taken part in the Lordship Credit Unit robbery in August, 2011, during which more than €22,000 was stolen, and also the armed robbery at the Dundalk race course the same year.
Where are they now?
Another of the suspects, who lives in Armagh, was the youngest of the gang at the time of the robbery and has been heavily involved in fuel laundering with Brady. Like Brady, his phone was switched off for the period of the robbery, as were the phones of the other main suspects. Information gleaned from an examination of his phone appears to implicate all of the suspects. He has spent time in Australia since the murder and when interviewed by gardaí refused to engage substantively.
Two of the other suspects, who are well known to each other, have been working for themselves in the construction trade in Boston in recent years. They still live there at an address known to Irish and US law enforcement.
One was especially close to Brady, though it is believed they have not spoken for several years. That suspect’s car was spotted close to the crime scene in Lordship in the days before the robbery and murder and was also identified close to the location on Clogherhead, Co Louth, where the getaway car used by the gang on the night of the murder was stolen.
The other man in Boston is under investigation for the robbery and murder but has been able to furnish an alibi that has held tight so far. Gardaí believe they can link him to the theft of the getaway car two days before the robbery and murder.
By the time Brady was arrested in May, 2017, in New York, he had settled down there and was earning $65 per hour in a construction job. He first went to the US in 2013 and initially worked with one of the other suspects for the murder, who was already established there at that point.
The two men in Boston helped him settle and aided him in finding work, before they fell out with him. Like Brady was at the time, they are now living comfortable lives in the US, with plenty of money and, for now, untroubled by the investigation in Ireland. However, they are being monitored by US law enforcement and gardaí say they are confident Brady will not be the last man charged in relation to the robbery and murder.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--A million trees, including 400,000 oaks, to be destroyed this week

Due to a crisis in the commercial forestry business , the destruction of one million trees , including 400,000 oaks , has started this week .
Already five million trees have been shredded in the past three years by the State ’ s largest supplier of sapling trees .
Teige Ryan of None So Hardy forest nurseries , which has bases at Coolattin , Co Wicklow , and near Enniscorthy , Co Wexford , said the forestry industry in Ireland , after years of decline , was now in a severe crisis .
He compared the industry to “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has just had a heart attack ” .
Mr Ryan said administration of forest services and licensing by the Department of Agriculture had never been accompanied by a sense of urgency , with the result that many farmers decided against planting trees , and Government targets for planting have been repeatedly missed .
But Mr Ryan said the critical factor that has “ given the business a heart attack ” was a European Court of Justice case in recent years that found environmental assessments , part of the forest licensing process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case was taken by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman against the development of a windfarm on Coillte lands in Co Laois , and the decision was handed down in March 2018 .
The case triggered a review of licensing arrangements by the forest service of the Department of Agriculture , which signalled a need for many more ecologists and administrative staff to implement the proper assessments .
Ireland has about 11 per cent of land under forest and has a target of 18 per cent by 2050 .
To achieve this target requires an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Wood Marketing Federation .
But government targets dating from 2014-2016 were for annual planting of just 8,000 hectares .
Following the European court ruling , Mr Ryan says the out-turn for this year “ is likely to be about 2,500 hectares ” .
He warned “ urgent political action ” was needed if planting this November were to go ahead in any meaningful numbers .
Standing beside 400,000 oak saplings at his land in Co Wexford , Mr Ryan said the saplings had a limited shelf life .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of plants required to deliver the Government ’ s climate action afforestation targets ” .
The targets , he said , “ remain at high risk due to current Department of Agriculture administration ” .
The failure to plant in sufficient numbers in recent years had the potential to wipe out his business , had it not been for exporting to Scotland .
“ We don ’ t grow trees for export , ” he said .
“ This is an emergency .
It is that serious.
” “ A new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political intervention we will face the same situation next year.
” Last November then minister of state for forestry Andrew Doyle published a review of the department ’ s approval process , which was carried out by James Mackinnon , who is credited with streamlining the industry in Scotland .
The review made recommendations to streamline procedures in Ireland , and its implementation is part of the current programme for government .
But Mr Ryan said the industry was still awaiting “ a Government statement or press release outlining a strategy for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture said it was “ intensively engaging ” on the issues and accepted that changes to assessment procedures had been “ challenging to implement ” .
“ The scope and breadth of these changes has unfortunately meant that delays have occurred and the current backlog has arisen , ” it said in a statement .
The department said it had plans for dealing with the current backlog that included additional ecologists , forestry inspectors and administrative staff .
It said there would be a continuous review of the process and stakeholders would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For the plan to succeed , stakeholders also need to engage with it .
This will require a commitment from forestry companies to submit applications that are of the required standard and quality , ” the department said , “ The current situation is challenging , but it is a temporary disruption which , when resolved , will make for a better , more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come .
”

Teige Ryan and John Kavanagh, directors of None So Hardy Forestry, Ballymurrin, Co Wexford with two-year-old oak saplings. Photograph: Patrick Browne
Due to a crisis in the commercial forestry business, the destruction of one million trees, including 400,000 oaks, has started this week.
Already five million trees have been shredded in the past three years by the State’s largest supplier of sapling trees.
Teige Ryan of None So Hardy forest nurseries, which has bases at Coolattin, Co Wicklow, and near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, said the forestry industry in Ireland, after years of decline, was now in a severe crisis.
He compared the industry to “a patient with a long-term, serious illness who has just had a heart attack”.
READ MORE
Mr Ryan said administration of forest services and licensing by the Department of Agriculture had never been accompanied by a sense of urgency, with the result that many farmers decided against planting trees, and Government targets for planting have been repeatedly missed.
But Mr Ryan said the critical factor that has “given the business a heart attack” was a European Court of Justice case in recent years that found environmental assessments, part of the forest licensing process, were not sufficiently rigorous.
The EU case was taken by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman against the development of a windfarm on Coillte lands in Co Laois, and the decision was handed down in March 2018.
The case triggered a review of licensing arrangements by the forest service of the Department of Agriculture, which signalled a need for many more ecologists and administrative staff to implement the proper assessments.
Ireland has about 11 per cent of land under forest and has a target of 18 per cent by 2050.
Urgent action
To achieve this target requires an annual afforestation programme of 15,000 hectares, according to the Wood Marketing Federation.
But government targets dating from 2014-2016 were for annual planting of just 8,000 hectares.
Following the European court ruling, Mr Ryan says the out-turn for this year “is likely to be about 2,500 hectares”.
He warned “urgent political action” was needed if planting this November were to go ahead in any meaningful numbers.
Standing beside 400,000 oak saplings at his land in Co Wexford, Mr Ryan said the saplings had a limited shelf life. He also claimed his business supplies “over 90 per cent of plants required to deliver the Government’s climate action afforestation targets”. The targets, he said, “remain at high risk due to current Department of Agriculture administration”.
The failure to plant in sufficient numbers in recent years had the potential to wipe out his business, had it not been for exporting to Scotland. “We don’t grow trees for export,” he said. “This is an emergency. It is that serious.”
“A new planting season begins in November and without political intervention we will face the same situation next year.”
Review
Last November then minister of state for forestry Andrew Doyle published a review of the department’s approval process, which was carried out by James Mackinnon, who is credited with streamlining the industry in Scotland. The review made recommendations to streamline procedures in Ireland, and its implementation is part of the current programme for government.
But Mr Ryan said the industry was still awaiting “a Government statement or press release outlining a strategy for the Mackinnon report”.
The Department of Agriculture said it was “intensively engaging” on the issues and accepted that changes to assessment procedures had been “challenging to implement”.
“The scope and breadth of these changes has unfortunately meant that delays have occurred and the current backlog has arisen,” it said in a statement.
The department said it had plans for dealing with the current backlog that included additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff.
It said there would be a continuous review of the process and stakeholders would be fully and regularly informed of progress.
“For the plan to succeed, stakeholders also need to engage with it. This will require a commitment from forestry companies to submit applications that are of the required standard and quality,” the department said,
“The current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Schools urged not to demand clean uniforms each day

Schools have been urged not to impose financial pressure on families by directing parents to provide clean sets of school uniforms each day .
Some parents have expressed concern about recent communications from certain schools urging that freshly-laundered uniforms or school-branded tracksuits be worn every day in order to help limit the spread of Covid-19 .
There is no reference in public-health guidance to daily washing of school uniforms or any clothes , and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has confirmed no such advice has been issued by health authorities .
A Department of Education spokesman said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter for the board of management of each individual school ” .
One mother , whose twins attend a Co Limerick primary school , said she received a note last week “ encouraging ” parents to have two to three crested tracksuits , “ one should be washed and dried every day ” .
The mother said the crested tracksuits cost €35-€40 each .
“ That means , having twins , I may have to buy six tracksuits which are also very cumbersome to wash. ” Jean Leonard , principal of the Assumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was changing policy so that all pupils would wear tracksuits , whereas until now those in first and second class wore a uniform .
“ We are doing this because they are easier to wash , ” she said .
The principal said she was not asking parents to launder the tracksuits every day because it would be difficult for some , such as those living in accommodation for homeless who had no laundry facilities easily available .
“ I do think most parents will choose to do it and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are conscious there has not been a directive from the department on this.
” Paul Rolston of the National Parents ’ Council Post-Primary warned any new requirements , such as changing uniforms on a regular basis or buying additional supplies , could put parents under financial pressure .
“ There are issues to do with dry clean-only uniforms , cost consideration and hassle , ” he said .
Páiric Clerkin , chief executive of the Irish Primary Principals ’ Network , said : “ At primary , a lot of schools have tracksuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flexibility there .
We expect schools and boards of management will be pragmatic , support families and come up with flexible approaches which put families at ease .
”

A Department of Education spokesman said ‘current policy on school uniforms remains a matter for the board of management of each individual school’. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Schools have been urged not to impose financial pressure on families by directing parents to provide clean sets of school uniforms each day.
Some parents have expressed concern about recent communications from certain schools urging that freshly-laundered uniforms or school-branded tracksuits be worn every day in order to help limit the spread of Covid-19.
There is no reference in public-health guidance to daily washing of school uniforms or any clothes, and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has confirmed no such advice has been issued by health authorities.
A Department of Education spokesman said “current policy on school uniforms remains a matter for the board of management of each individual school”.
READ MORE
One mother, whose twins attend a Co Limerick primary school, said she received a note last week “encouraging” parents to have two to three crested tracksuits, “one should be washed and dried every day”.
The mother said the crested tracksuits cost €35-€40 each. “That means, having twins, I may have to buy six tracksuits which are also very cumbersome to wash.”
Jean Leonard, principal of the Assumption Junior School in Walkinstown, Dublin, said she was changing policy so that all pupils would wear tracksuits, whereas until now those in first and second class wore a uniform.
“We are doing this because they are easier to wash,” she said.
The principal said she was not asking parents to launder the tracksuits every day because it would be difficult for some, such as those living in accommodation for homeless who had no laundry facilities easily available.
“I do think most parents will choose to do it and would like other parents to, but we are conscious there has not been a directive from the department on this.”
Paul Rolston of the National Parents’ Council Post-Primary warned any new requirements, such as changing uniforms on a regular basis or buying additional supplies, could put parents under financial pressure. “There are issues to do with dry clean-only uniforms, cost consideration and hassle,” he said.
Páiric Clerkin, chief executive of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network, said: “At primary, a lot of schools have tracksuits and uniforms, so there could be flexibility there. We expect schools and boards of management will be pragmatic, support families and come up with flexible approaches which put families at ease.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Covid-19: Almost 50,000 more people waiting for outpatient appointment since start of year

Almost 50,000 additional people are waiting for an outpatient appointment since the start of the year , largely as a result of delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic .
The number of outpatients on the waiting list has surpassed the 600,000 mark for the first time , the latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund ( NTPF ) show .
Some 233,445 of these patients have been waiting more than 12 months for their appointment .
The stark figures prompted Labour to warn last night that more patients would end up dying of causes other than Covid-19 if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ tsunami ” of non-coronavirus healthcare needs .
There were 601,362 people on the outpatient waiting list at the end of July , up a substantial 17,000 over the previous month .
At the start of the year , just over 553,000 patients were on the list .
“ Never before in the history of the State has there been so many people on hospital waiting lists and unless the Minister [ for Health Stephen Donnelly ] takes action , this will spiral further out of control .
It is also clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for non-Covid healthcare is inadequate and needs to be significantly beefed-up , ” Labour leader Alan Kelly said .
The Mater hospital in Dublin , University Hospital Waterford , Galway University Hospitals and University Hospital Limerick each have more than 40,000 people on their outpatient waiting lists , while more than 46,000 children are also waiting for an appointment .
The inpatient waiting list has also grown substantially since the start of the year , despite heavy investment by the NTPF in privately sourced procedures , though July ’ s figures are slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 819,037 patients are on some form of waiting list monitored by the fund .
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all non-urgent hospital work in the spring and , although activities have resumed in many parts of the health service , capacity is reduced to about 80 per cent or less due to the requirement for infection control .
The Irish Hospital Consultants ’ Association highlighted the impact on individual specialities , estimating a 25 per cent rise in general surgery lists since the start of the year , 12.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent in urology .
Another 67 new cases of Covid-19 , and no new deaths , were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday .
Eighteen of the new cases are in Dublin , 17 are in Kildare , nine in Clare and five in Limerick .
The remaining cases were reported in Carlow , Cork , Donegal , Laois , Longford , Offaly , Tipperary , Wexford and Wicklow .
Sixteen of the cases have been identified as involving community transmission , meaning the cause of the infection is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also been an increase in the number of contacts per confirmed case to six , according to acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn , who urged people to keep their social contacts low in order to limit the spread of the disease .
Meanwhile , Walsh ’ s Mushrooms in Golden , Co Tipperary , suspended operations after a number of workers tested positive for Covid-19 .
In Kilkenny , a member of staff at St Luke ’ s Hospital is recovering at home after contracting the virus .
A restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive .
Northern Ireland recorded another 74 cases of the virus , while the death of a 32-year-old woman was reported in Co Antrim .
Two of the four midlands meat-processing plants hit by Covid-19 outbreaks are reopening .
Irish Dog Foods , which had 53 cases , and Carroll Cuisine , which had nine , said this would happen on a phased basis .

Labour Party leader Alan Kelly: “It is clear from these figures that the reopening plan for non-Covid healthcare is inadequate and needs to be significantly beefed-up.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Almost 50,000 additional people are waiting for an outpatient appointment since the start of the year, largely as a result of delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of outpatients on the waiting list has surpassed the 600,000 mark for the first time, the latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) show.
Some 233,445 of these patients have been waiting more than 12 months for their appointment.
The stark figures prompted Labour to warn last night that more patients would end up dying of causes other than Covid-19 if the Government did not take action to address the “tsunami” of non-coronavirus healthcare needs.
READ MORE
There were 601,362 people on the outpatient waiting list at the end of July, up a substantial 17,000 over the previous month. At the start of the year, just over 553,000 patients were on the list.
“Never before in the history of the State has there been so many people on hospital waiting lists and unless the Minister [for Health Stephen Donnelly] takes action, this will spiral further out of control. It is also clear from these figures that the reopening plan for non-Covid healthcare is inadequate and needs to be significantly beefed-up,” Labour leader Alan Kelly said.
Children’s appointments
The Mater hospital in Dublin, University Hospital Waterford, Galway University Hospitals and University Hospital Limerick each have more than 40,000 people on their outpatient waiting lists, while more than 46,000 children are also waiting for an appointment.
The inpatient waiting list has also grown substantially since the start of the year, despite heavy investment by the NTPF in privately sourced procedures, though July’s figures are slightly down on the previous month.
A total of 819,037 patients are on some form of waiting list monitored by the fund.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all non-urgent hospital work in the spring and, although activities have resumed in many parts of the health service, capacity is reduced to about 80 per cent or less due to the requirement for infection control.
The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association highlighted the impact on individual specialities, estimating a 25 per cent rise in general surgery lists since the start of the year, 12.4 per cent in orthopaedics and 10.4 per cent in urology.
67 more infections
Another 67 new cases of Covid-19, and no new deaths, were reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team on Friday.
Eighteen of the new cases are in Dublin, 17 are in Kildare, nine in Clare and five in Limerick. The remaining cases were reported in Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow.
Sixteen of the cases have been identified as involving community transmission, meaning the cause of the infection is not known at this point.
There has also been an increase in the number of contacts per confirmed case to six, according to acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, who urged people to keep their social contacts low in order to limit the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Walsh’s Mushrooms in Golden, Co Tipperary, suspended operations after a number of workers tested positive for Covid-19.
In Kilkenny, a member of staff at St Luke’s Hospital is recovering at home after contracting the virus. A restaurant in the city closed when a worker tested positive.
Northern Ireland recorded another 74 cases of the virus, while the death of a 32-year-old woman was reported in Co Antrim.
Two of the four midlands meat-processing plants hit by Covid-19 outbreaks are reopening. Irish Dog Foods, which had 53 cases, and Carroll Cuisine, which had nine, said this would happen on a phased basis.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Fresh uniform every day? Some schools do solo runs

With just two weeks to go until the school gates finally reopen , many parents are confused and frustrated over exactly what rules will apply .
Rumours swirl around whether school uniform rules will change , whether children can bring their books home , and if children will be allowed to bring in lunch boxes .
None of this should come as too much of a surprise .
Schools only received detailed guidance around reopening just over a fortnight ago , even though the education system has been shut since March 12th .
Many are now scrambling to put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , how pods will work in practice and how physical distancing will operate in the yard .
While some have been quick to issue detailed advice to parents , many are only now getting around to consulting staff and getting plans signed-off by boards of management made up of volunteers .
The detailed guidance given to schools also contains some holes and unanswered questions .
The issue of whether school uniforms will need to change , for example , is not outlined in public health guidelines for reopening schools .
At a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said no such advice has been issued by health authorities .
A spokesman for the Department of Education also said it had not issued any such guidance and school uniform policies were matters for individual schools and their boards of management .
In the absence of any official direction , some schools have done solo runs and advised parents to ensure they supply a clean set of uniforms or crested tracksuits each day .
This advice , clearly , would place a major imposition of parents who face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The only reference to clothing in public health guidance relates to creches or childcare facilities , and this only applies in cases where a child has been diagnosed with Covid-19 .
In this case , it says clothes should be washed at the highest temperature the material can stand .
However , a number of schools have taken matters into their own hands and are issuing their own advice .
Similarly , many schools are giving contrasting advice to students on whether lunch boxes will be permitted and whether schools books may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to remain in school .
There are also concerns around rules which will make face masks mandatory at second level .
Many children with sensory difficulties find it difficult or even impossible to wear them for an extended period .
Will rules be relaxed for them ?
And guidelines over class bubbles and pods are a source of concern and confusion with some wondering if children with additional needs will be permitted to move between special and mainstream classes .
Clear communication will be crucial for parents and schoolchildren over the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning – greater clarity would be welcomed by all .

Back to school: Rumours are rife about school uniforms, taking books home and bringing in lunch boxes. Photograph: Jens Buettner
With just two weeks to go until the school gates finally reopen, many parents are confused and frustrated over exactly what rules will apply.
Rumours swirl around whether school uniform rules will change, whether children can bring their books home, and if children will be allowed to bring in lunch boxes.
None of this should come as too much of a surprise.
Schools only received detailed guidance around reopening just over a fortnight ago, even though the education system has been shut since March 12th.
READ MORE
Many are now scrambling to put in place detailed reopening plans around staggered opening times, how pods will work in practice and how physical distancing will operate in the yard.
While some have been quick to issue detailed advice to parents, many are only now getting around to consulting staff and getting plans signed-off by boards of management made up of volunteers.
The detailed guidance given to schools also contains some holes and unanswered questions.
Public health guidelines
The issue of whether school uniforms will need to change, for example, is not outlined in public health guidelines for reopening schools.
At a briefing earlier this week, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said no such advice has been issued by health authorities.
A spokesman for the Department of Education also said it had not issued any such guidance and school uniform policies were matters for individual schools and their boards of management.
In the absence of any official direction, some schools have done solo runs and advised parents to ensure they supply a clean set of uniforms or crested tracksuits each day.
This advice, clearly, would place a major imposition of parents who face having to buy additional sets of clothing.
The only reference to clothing in public health guidance relates to creches or childcare facilities, and this only applies in cases where a child has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Lunch boxes
In this case, it says clothes should be washed at the highest temperature the material can stand.
However, a number of schools have taken matters into their own hands and are issuing their own advice.
Similarly, many schools are giving contrasting advice to students on whether lunch boxes will be permitted and whether schools books may be brought home by children or will have to remain in school.
There are also concerns around rules which will make face masks mandatory at second level. Many children with sensory difficulties find it difficult or even impossible to wear them for an extended period. Will rules be relaxed for them?
And guidelines over class bubbles and pods are a source of concern and confusion with some wondering if children with additional needs will be permitted to move between special and mainstream classes.
Clear communication will be crucial for parents and schoolchildren over the coming days.
Many are anxious enough about returning – greater clarity would be welcomed by all.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Landlords’ group concerned with manner of Dublin eviction

The Irish Property Owners ’ Association ( IPOA ) , has said it was “ concerned with the manner ” in which an eviction took place of nine tenants from a house on Berkeley Road , Dublin this week .
Several men entered the house opposite the Mater hospital on Wednesday morning and instructed the tenants inside to leave and then boarded up the front door and windows .
Video footage shows a number of gardaí attended the eviction and watched as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property .
On Thursday , activists with the Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the tenants re-entered the property .
The tenants claim they had not been served written eviction notices to vacate the property prior to it being repossessed on Wednesday .
Gerry Ward , who had earlier been the tenants ’ landlord , said he had been involved with the property since around 2004 .
He said there was a legal dispute over it since 2017 with a property fund , Beltany Property Finance .
He said he had not been aware of the property ’ s repossession until he was contacted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which controls Beltany , said the fund had sold the property on June 2nd , but was unable to disclose the name of the buyer citing confidentiality reasons .
Landlords ’ representative organisation , IPOA , said tenants should not be caught up in disputes between property owners and financial institutions .
“ While we are aware that difficulties arise in cases where repossession by financial institutions cause friction , the occupiers should not be involved .
Legislation should be adhered to , ” the association said .
“ Where a dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be referred to the RTB [ Residential Tenancies Board ] for resolution in an organised manner.
” A Garda spokesman said legal representatives of the property ’ s owner attended Mountjoy Garda station on Wednesday “ to inform gardaí that they intended to secure their premises ” .
Gardaí “ noted the proposed activity but did not attend the premises at the time ” , he said .
During the eviction a tenant made an emergency call to gardaí at 11am , and a number of units attended the scene , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , the spokesman said .
“ Subsequently a number of Garda personnel remained at the scene with the primary function to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved , ” he said .
On re-entering the house on Thursday tenants found significant damage including broken windows , doors and toilets .

Nine tenants have been evicted from a house they were renting in Phibsborough, north Dublin with a number of men repossessing and boarding up the property. Video: Enda O'Dowd
The Irish Property Owners’ Association (IPOA), has said it was “concerned with the manner” in which an eviction took place of nine tenants from a house on Berkeley Road, Dublin this week.
Several men entered the house opposite the Mater hospital on Wednesday morning and instructed the tenants inside to leave and then boarded up the front door and windows.
Video footage shows a number of gardaí attended the eviction and watched as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property.
On Thursday, activists with the Dublin Central Housing Action group removed the boarding and the tenants re-entered the property. The tenants claim they had not been served written eviction notices to vacate the property prior to it being repossessed on Wednesday.
READ MORE
Gerry Ward, who had earlier been the tenants' landlord, said he had been involved with the property since around 2004. He said there was a legal dispute over it since 2017 with a property fund, Beltany Property Finance.
He said he had not been aware of the property’s repossession until he was contacted by the tenants.
A spokesman for Goldman Sachs, which controls Beltany, said the fund had sold the property on June 2nd, but was unable to disclose the name of the buyer citing confidentiality reasons.
Landlords’ representative organisation, IPOA, said tenants should not be caught up in disputes between property owners and financial institutions.
“While we are aware that difficulties arise in cases where repossession by financial institutions cause friction, the occupiers should not be involved. Legislation should be adhered to,” the association said.
“Where a dispute arises between property owner and tenant it may be referred to the RTB [Residential Tenancies Board] for resolution in an organised manner.”
A Garda spokesman said legal representatives of the property’s owner attended Mountjoy Garda station on Wednesday “to inform gardaí that they intended to secure their premises”.
Gardaí “noted the proposed activity but did not attend the premises at the time”, he said.
During the eviction a tenant made an emergency call to gardaí at 11am, and a number of units attended the scene, but “the majority were quickly stood down”, the spokesman said.
“Subsequently a number of Garda personnel remained at the scene with the primary function to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved,” he said.
On re-entering the house on Thursday tenants found significant damage including broken windows, doors and toilets.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Carrick-on-Shannon native left reeling by plan to raze home

An 85-year-old Carrick-on-Shannon woman says she is traumatised after learning from “ a person on the street ” that Leitrim County Council intends to demolish her home and business on the Main Street , to make way for a “ destination centre ” .
Kathleen Geraghty , who has run a shop in the centre of the town for 65 years , says she was never consulted about the proposal which would require the demolition of three buildings that are part of the original streetscape .
An artist ’ s impression of the council ’ s plan , which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal ” , shows a glass structure spread over the three properties that are opposite St Mary ’ s Catholic Church .
The Geraghty family – who are “ disgusted and devastated ” over how the council has handled the project – say thousands of people have signed a petition opposing it , including almost 3,700 online .
Local Fine Gael Cllr Finola Armstrong Maguire , who owns one of the three buildings involved , and runs The Magnet drapery store from there , said she had agreed to the “ concept ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the proposed building but believed there was “ room for compromise ” , such as having parts of the existing buildings incorporated into the new structure .
The council has said that as a centre for artisan and originally-designed goods in the centre of the town , it would be a significant draw .
“ My bottom line is that I believe that health and education must be our priorities in the current circumstances ” , added Cllr Armstrong Maguire , who questioned whether finance would be available for such an ambitious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband Pat bought their building in 1953 , said they had reared their nine children there and had sold everything from fishing tackle and musical instruments to bicycles , while also for many years running a bar .
“ I am very , very traumatised by this , ” she said .
Her daughter Ella said they were opposed to the plan not just for the family ’ s sake but because they believe it is the wrong thing for Carrick-on-Shannon to replace buildings which survived since the 1800s with a glass structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up without a fight , ” she said .
“ There are so many empty retail units , and buildings which are derelict in the town and this plan would affect seven businesses which are still trading .
Surely this is the exact opposite to what they should be doing , ” she added .
She said that just last year Leitrim County Council had included Geraghty ’ s in an exhibition celebrating the county ’ s traditional shopfronts “ and now they want to demolish it ” .
There is a preservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which used to be known as “ the canon ’ s house ” and which is occupied by a butcher ’ s shop , jeweller ’ s and two other small businesses .
Independent Cllr Enda Stenson said he had never seen the council mishandle a project to such a degree since he became a councillor in 1999 .
He said he and other members of the Carrick municipal council had not been informed that an application for funding was going to the Department of Housing under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointed with how this was dealt with , with no proper consultation especially with one of the families involved , ” he added .
“ I certainly would support the enhancement of any town in Leitrim but I would never ever support compulsory purchase orders for anybody ’ s dwelling or business.
” Leitrim County Council said the project was only at conceptual stage “ and no planning approval process whatsoever has commenced for this concept ” .
The council added that if approved for funding under the URDF , “ full public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape and evolve what is presently a concept into a full design brief ” .
Only on completion of this full design stage would the planning approval process commence , it added .
The council said that with towns throughout the country under immense pressure to survive “ it is the considered opinion of the executive of Leitrim County Council , if such a destination facility was to be built in the town centre of Carrick-on-Shannon , this national trend could be reversed , and the destination centre in its own right would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling the N4 and local people from across the region ” .
The Geraghtys have said they no longer have trust or faith in the council .
“ We want it known that we did not and do not give our consent , ” said the family .
“ This is our home .
.
.
We ’ re devastated but there is a principle involved about knocking down buildings , ” said Ella Geraghty .
“ Once they are knocked down they are gone.
” She said the family supported the regeneration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convinced this plan is for the betterment of Carrick ” .
The council previously said it regretted any misunderstanding that had arisen in submitting the application “ as this was never the intention ” .

An 85-year-old Carrick-on-Shannon woman says she is traumatised after learning from “a person on the street” that Leitrim County Council intends to demolish her home and business on the Main Street, to make way for a “destination centre”.
Kathleen Geraghty, who has run a shop in the centre of the town for 65 years, says she was never consulted about the proposal which would require the demolition of three buildings that are part of the original streetscape.
An artist’s impression of the council’s plan, which the local authority described as a “concept proposal”, shows a glass structure spread over the three properties that are opposite St Mary’s Catholic Church.
The Geraghty family – who are “disgusted and devastated” over how the council has handled the project – say thousands of people have signed a petition opposing it, including almost 3,700 online.
READ MORE
Local Fine Gael Cllr Finola Armstrong Maguire, who owns one of the three buildings involved, and runs The Magnet drapery store from there, said she had agreed to the “concept”. She said she did have concerns about the proposed building but believed there was “room for compromise”, such as having parts of the existing buildings incorporated into the new structure. The council has said that as a centre for artisan and originally-designed goods in the centre of the town, it would be a significant draw.
“My bottom line is that I believe that health and education must be our priorities in the current circumstances”, added Cllr Armstrong Maguire, who questioned whether finance would be available for such an ambitious project.
‘Traumatised’
Mrs Geraghty, whose late husband Pat bought their building in 1953, said they had reared their nine children there and had sold everything from fishing tackle and musical instruments to bicycles, while also for many years running a bar. “I am very, very traumatised by this,” she said.
Her daughter Ella said they were opposed to the plan not just for the family’s sake but because they believe it is the wrong thing for Carrick-on-Shannon to replace buildings which survived since the 1800s with a glass structure. “My mother will not give up without a fight,” she said.
“There are so many empty retail units, and buildings which are derelict in the town and this plan would affect seven businesses which are still trading. Surely this is the exact opposite to what they should be doing,” she added.
Interior of Geraghty’s family shop. Photograph: Brian Farrell
Kathleen Geraghty outside the family shop with her daughter Rita (left) and grandaughter, Karen. Photograph: Brian Farrell
She said that just last year Leitrim County Council had included Geraghty’s in an exhibition celebrating the county’s traditional shopfronts “and now they want to demolish it”.
There is a preservation order on part of the third building which used to be known as “the canon’s house”and which is occupied by a butcher’s shop, jeweller’s and two other small businesses.
Independent Cllr Enda Stenson said he had never seen the council mishandle a project to such a degree since he became a councillor in 1999.
He said he and other members of the Carrick municipal council had not been informed that an application for funding was going to the Department of Housing under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). “I was extremely disappointed with how this was dealt with, with no proper consultation especially with one of the families involved,” he added.
“I certainly would support the enhancement of any town in Leitrim but I would never ever support compulsory purchase orders for anybody’s dwelling or business.”
Leitrim County Council said the project was only at conceptual stage “and no planning approval process whatsoever has commenced for this concept”.
The council added that if approved for funding under the URDF, “full public consultation and engagement will take place to shape and evolve what is presently a concept into a full design brief”.
Only on completion of this full design stage would the planning approval process commence, it added.
Visitors
The council said that with towns throughout the country under immense pressure to survive “it is the considered opinion of the executive of Leitrim County Council, if such a destination facility was to be built in the town centre of Carrick-on-Shannon, this national trend could be reversed, and the destination centre in its own right would become a must-visit destination for all visitors travelling the N4 and local people from across the region”.
The Geraghtys have said they no longer have trust or faith in the council. “We want it known that we did not and do not give our consent,” said the family.
“This is our home . . . We’re devastated but there is a principle involved about knocking down buildings,” said Ella Geraghty. “Once they are knocked down they are gone.”
She said the family supported the regeneration of Carrick but “we are not convinced this plan is for the betterment of Carrick”.
The council previously said it regretted any misunderstanding that had arisen in submitting the application “as this was never the intention”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Homeless man spoke about Covid-19 challenges month before death

A homeless man whose body was found near the entrance to a car park in Cork city centre spoke last month on the radio of the challenges of living on the streets during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Gary Dineen ( 35 ) was found dead near the entrance to Merchant ’ s Quay car park on Parnell Place in Cork on Wednesday .
Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on the circumstances of his death following a postmortem examination and have appealed for any witnesses to contact them .
On July 13th , Mr Dineen , a father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Montenotte in Cork , contacted 96FM ’ s Opinion Line and spoke with presenter PJ Coogan about how he had ended up homeless and the challenges homeless people faced since the outbreak of Covid-19 .
In particular , Mr Dineen spoke about how the number of spaces available under the Nightlight emergency service provided by Cork Simon in co-operation with Cork City Council had been cut back due to Covid-19 .
Using the pseudonym , James , Mr Dineen , who had addiction issues , told how he had recently gone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Cork City Council only to be told there were no places available and handed a blanket and sent back on to the street .
“ I ’ m lucky to get in on a mattress on the floor at night and they threw me out at 7 o ’ clock in the morning , until 11 at night , during the whole virus , they ’ re kicking me out at 7 o ’ clock in the morning , not leaving me in until 11pm and then 11pm becomes 11.30pm .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the place , it makes you worse and then you ’ re battling your own demons .
It ’ s just hard , ” said Mr Dineen , adding that he and others were being put out on the street at a time when there were empty hotels in the city as a result of Covid-19 .
“ It was pure contradiction ‘ Stay in , stay safe ’ and then throwing us out , they didn ’ t put us up in hostels or B & Bs , or anywhere like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jurys and the one next to it , they were empty , and there were five to 10 people sleeping in the doorways .
It would make you sick .
“ Every night the Penny Dinners [ a Cork charity which provides meals to homeless people ] were coming around , fair play to them , and Simon were handing out their dinners at the back of the Simon , there would be 10 or 15 people there eating their dinner off the floor .
He said he had never been offered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even though his case worker had told him that he would get a place within 12 months he doubted if he could survive on the streets for that long .
“ I don ’ t have the heart for it any more , ” he said .
“ I just need to get off the street .
If I walk into the city council they ’ re just going to tell me to go to Nightlight , to walk around until 11 o ’ clock at night , it ’ s degrading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was on the streets during the day , he and others were constantly being moved along by gardaí .
Contacted by The Irish Times about Mr Dineen ’ s criticisms of Cork Simon , a spokesman for the charity conceded that the service was far from ideal and that Covid-19 had indeed made the task of providing services for the homeless in Cork even more challenging .
“ Nightlight is additional emergency accommodation that was put in place in the winter of 2018 to meet a need for emergency accommodation when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not perfect – it was literally at the time , 17 mattresses on the floor of our day services centre on Anderson ’ s Quay .
“ It opened at 11pm at night , it closed at 7.30am in the morning , people had to leave and the reason they had to leave was because it provides a day service – the doors open at 9am for people who are sleeping rough so they can come in and get a shower and a bite of breakfast and a change of clothes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary measure , it was due to close at the end of April 2019 but it stayed in place and in that form because there was such a need for it but then when Covid-19 hit in the middle of March we had to reduce the capacity from 17 to 10 because of social distancing .
”

A homeless man whose body was found near the entrance to a car park in Cork city centre spoke last month on the radio of the challenges of living on the streets during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gary Dineen (35) was found dead near the entrance to Merchant's Quay car park on Parnell Place in Cork on Wednesday. Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on the circumstances of his death following a postmortem examination and have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.
On July 13th, Mr Dineen, a father of two originally from Herbert Park Lawn in Montenotte in Cork, contacted 96FM's Opinion Line and spoke with presenter PJ Coogan about how he had ended up homeless and the challenges homeless people faced since the outbreak of Covid-19.
In particular, Mr Dineen spoke about how the number of spaces available under the Nightlight emergency service provided by Cork Simon in co-operation with Cork City Council had been cut back due to Covid-19.
READ MORE
Using the pseudonym, James, Mr Dineen, who had addiction issues, told how he had recently gone to the Nightlight service after registering as homeless with Cork City Council only to be told there were no places available and handed a blanket and sent back on to the street.
“I’m lucky to get in on a mattress on the floor at night and they threw me out at 7 o’clock in the morning, until 11 at night, during the whole virus, they’re kicking me out at 7 o’clock in the morning, not leaving me in until 11pm and then 11pm becomes 11.30pm.
“The amount of stuff that goes on around the place, it makes you worse and then you’re battling your own demons. It’s just hard,” said Mr Dineen, adding that he and others were being put out on the street at a time when there were empty hotels in the city as a result of Covid-19.
"It was pure contradiction 'Stay in, stay safe' and then throwing us out, they didn't put us up in hostels or B&Bs, or anywhere like that. There were two hotels, Jurys and the one next to it, they were empty, and there were five to 10 people sleeping in the doorways. It would make you sick.
"Every night the Penny Dinners [a Cork charity which provides meals to homeless people] were coming around, fair play to them, and Simon were handing out their dinners at the back of the Simon, there would be 10 or 15 people there eating their dinner off the floor.
He said he had never been offered a flat by Cork Simon in 13 years. Even though his case worker had told him that he would get a place within 12 months he doubted if he could survive on the streets for that long. “I don’t have the heart for it any more,” he said.
“I just need to get off the street. If I walk into the city council they’re just going to tell me to go to Nightlight, to walk around until 11 o’clock at night, it’s degrading,” he said, adding that when he was on the streets during the day, he and others were constantly being moved along by gardaí.
Far from ideal
Contacted by The Irish Times about Mr Dineen’s criticisms of Cork Simon, a spokesman for the charity conceded that the service was far from ideal and that Covid-19 had indeed made the task of providing services for the homeless in Cork even more challenging.
“Nightlight is additional emergency accommodation that was put in place in the winter of 2018 to meet a need for emergency accommodation when everywhere else was full – it’s not perfect – it was literally at the time, 17 mattresses on the floor of our day services centre on Anderson’s Quay.
“It opened at 11pm at night, it closed at 7.30am in the morning, people had to leave and the reason they had to leave was because it provides a day service – the doors open at 9am for people who are sleeping rough so they can come in and get a shower and a bite of breakfast and a change of clothes.
“We thought it would be a temporary measure, it was due to close at the end of April 2019 but it stayed in place and in that form because there was such a need for it but then when Covid-19 hit in the middle of March we had to reduce the capacity from 17 to 10 because of social distancing.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Thinking Anew – ‘Have a care for justice, act with integrity’

The first reading in tomorrow ’ s liturgy , written approximately 3,000 years ago , needs to be shouted from the rooftops.The first sentence in the reading from the Prophet Isaiah goes : “ Thus says Yahweh : Have a care for justice , act with integrity , for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest.
” ( Isaiah 56 : 1 ) After the ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut last week there was a consensus among the Lebanese population that such a devastating event did not just happen .
It is generally believed that the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should be .
I have been twice in Lebanon on work assignments and have been impressed with the idealism of the people and the beauty of their capital city .
It ’ s important to remember that Lebanon is home to over 1.5 million Syrian refugees .
Sadly , corruption weaves its multifaceted web in myriad situations .
Seldom if ever is anything in life black and white .
The death of John Hume has reminded us of the work he did in bringing about peace in Ireland .
At his funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Derry Fr Paul Farren mentioned some of John Hume ’ s characteristics and his great achievements .
The Gospel read at the Mass was the parable of the Good Samaritan and Fr Farren pointed out that John never passed a person in trouble .
I think above all else John Hume would like us to honour his name by being people of justice and peace .
I ’ m often intrigued when I hear about the controversies that tend to gain ascendancy in different religions and in different Christian faiths .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its aspects seldom seem to cause a stir , especially within religious leaderships .
Recently the archbishop of Portland in the United States , Alexander Sample , advised people to stay at home , suggesting that they disengage from the current Black Lives Matter demonstrations .
Catholics taking part in the demonstrations have been critical of his stance .
Yes , the churches produce fine documents on many aspects of social justice , but I think it ’ s fair to say that in the general perception of people , church leadership is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social justice than , say , on matters of sexuality .
The Catholic church , of which I am a member , is better known for its stance on sexual matters than on social justice .
We proclaim loudly that it is a “ mortal sin ” to commit adultery .
When did you hear a bishop or priest say that it is a “ mortal sin ” to underpay an employee or to overcharge a tenant , or worse , hound a family out of their home for the sake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did you ever hear of a priest being “ defrocked ” for not taking the side of the marginalised or those abused and degraded by the powerful and wealthy ?
Never ?
Are the churches as forthright in preaching a gospel of social justice as they are in preaching on sexual morality ?
We know the answer to that and blaming the media solves nothing .
Isn ’ t it interesting that Pope Francis , who regularly asks pertinent questions about our attitudes towards the terrible inequalities in the world and matters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism from his own bishops and cardinals ?
However , it is impressive to see that a third of the Brazilian bishops in an open letter have criticised the Bolsonaro government .
“ The cause of the storm is a combination of an unprecedented health crisis and a disastrous collapse of the economy and tension striking the foundations of the republic , brought about largely by the president , producing a deep crisis of politics and governance.
” I ’ m with Francis in preferring a church that never stops talking and preaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hume is recognised around the world for his work concerning issues of peace and social justice .
There is little point in vilifying the body politic in Lebanon or praising John Hume unless we strengthen our resolve to become people of justice , if we are to be saved , as the Prophet Isaiah bids us in tomorrow ’ s liturgy .

“Above all else, John Hume would like us to honour his name by being people of justice and peace.” Photograph: Pacemaker
The first reading in tomorrow’s liturgy, written approximately 3,000 years ago, needs to be shouted from the rooftops.The first sentence in the reading from the Prophet Isaiah goes: “Thus says Yahweh: Have a care for justice, act with integrity, for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest.” (Isaiah 56: 1)
After the ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut last week there was a consensus among the Lebanese population that such a devastating event did not just happen. It is generally believed that the body politic in the country is not what it should be. I have been twice in Lebanon on work assignments and have been impressed with the idealism of the people and the beauty of their capital city. It’s important to remember that Lebanon is home to over 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Sadly, corruption weaves its multifaceted web in myriad situations. Seldom if ever is anything in life black and white.
The death of John Hume has reminded us of the work he did in bringing about peace in Ireland. At his funeral Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry Fr Paul Farren mentioned some of John Hume’s characteristics and his great achievements. The Gospel read at the Mass was the parable of the Good Samaritan and Fr Farren pointed out that John never passed a person in trouble. I think above all else John Hume would like us to honour his name by being people of justice and peace.
I’m often intrigued when I hear about the controversies that tend to gain ascendancy in different religions and in different Christian faiths. It is striking that social justice and all its aspects seldom seem to cause a stir, especially within religious leaderships. Recently the archbishop of Portland in the United States, Alexander Sample, advised people to stay at home, suggesting that they disengage from the current Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Catholics taking part in the demonstrations have been critical of his stance.
READ MORE
Yes, the churches produce fine documents on many aspects of social justice, but I think it’s fair to say that in the general perception of people, church leadership is far more reticent to speak on matters of social justice than, say, on matters of sexuality. The Catholic church, of which I am a member, is better known for its stance on sexual matters than on social justice. We proclaim loudly that it is a “mortal sin” to commit adultery. When did you hear a bishop or priest say that it is a “mortal sin” to underpay an employee or to overcharge a tenant, or worse, hound a family out of their home for the sake of getting a more profitable tenant? When did you ever hear of a priest being “defrocked” for not taking the side of the marginalised or those abused and degraded by the powerful and wealthy? Never?
Are the churches as forthright in preaching a gospel of social justice as they are in preaching on sexual morality? We know the answer to that and blaming the media solves nothing.
Isn’t it interesting that Pope Francis, who regularly asks pertinent questions about our attitudes towards the terrible inequalities in the world and matters of justice in general, attracts so much criticism from his own bishops and cardinals?
However, it is impressive to see that a third of the Brazilian bishops in an open letter have criticised the Bolsonaro government. “The cause of the storm is a combination of an unprecedented health crisis and a disastrous collapse of the economy and tension striking the foundations of the republic, brought about largely by the president, producing a deep crisis of politics and governance.”
A moment of hope?
I’m with Francis in preferring a church that never stops talking and preaching on matters of social justice.
John Hume is recognised around the world for his work concerning issues of peace and social justice. There is little point in vilifying the body politic in Lebanon or praising John Hume unless we strengthen our resolve to become people of justice, if we are to be saved, as the Prophet Isaiah bids us in tomorrow’s liturgy.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Cannabis plants worth €110,000 seized following discovery of Cavan grow house

A man has been arrested and cannabis plants worth €110,000 have been seized following the discovery of a grow house @ @ @ @ @ .
Shortly after 12.15pm on Friday , gardaí from the Cavan/Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit , @ @ @ @ @ Unit and local gardaí , searched a property in Bailieboro .
During the search , @ @ @ @ @ in a shed at the rear of the property .
The grow house contained 137 @ @ @ @ @ man in his 40s was arrested at the scene .
He is currently being detained @ @ @ @ @ Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act , 1984 .

Plants found during a Garda search in Co Cavan on Friday. Photograph: An Garda Síochána
A man has been arrested and cannabis plants worth €110,000 have been seized following the discovery of a grow house in Bailieboro, Co Cavan.
Shortly after 12.15pm on Friday, gardaí from the Cavan/Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit, assisted by the Armed Support Unit and local gardaí, searched a property in Bailieboro.
During the search, gardaí discovered a grow house in a shed at the rear of the property. The grow house contained 137 suspected cannabis plants.
A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene. He is currently being detained at Bailieboro Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Death of terminally ill prisoner ‘inhuman and degrading’, says charity

Penal reform advocates have said the death of a terminally ill prisoner who died after repeatedly trying to access emergency medical attention could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment by the State .
A report into the death of Mr I , a 53-year-old inmate at the Midlands Prison , in June , 2018 was published by the Inspector of Prisons on Wednesday .
It criticised the manner in which his complaints of severe pain were dealt with by prison staff two days before his death , and said terminally ill prisoners should be spared the indignity of dying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison in 1985 and had spent 33 years in custody .
In 2017 , he was transferred from the open Shelton Abbey prison to the Midlands Prison in order to improve his access to medical care .
However , on the morning of June 12th , 2018 , after Mr I had complained of “ severe pain ” , an attending doctor said he required urgent medical attention and referred him to the Midlands Regional Hospital .
This was immediately communicated to prison management by a nurse but later , when no action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was not enough staff to escort him to hospital .
It was agreed he could attend the following day instead .
However , the report noted that the next morning Mr I sounded his alarm bell and was subsequently found lying on the floor beside the toilet “ in distress and pain ” .
“ At this stage there was still no indication of anyone preparing to take him to hospital.
” He was then taken by ambulance to the Midlands Regional Hospital and later transferred to St James Hospital in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the report .
Inspector of Prisons Patricia Gilheaney described the delay in transferring Mr I as a “ major failing ” and noted that “ nobody appeared to treat [ his case ] with any degree of urgency ” .
Among her recommendations are that the Irish Prison Service ( IPS ) ensures there is no repeat of the incident .
“ The IPS should review the application of its Compassionate Temporary Release Policy to ensure that prisoners who are terminally ill are appropriately released on licence in order to avoid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report found .
Responding to the case on Friday , the Irish Penal Reform Trust ( IPRT ) said the failings may have amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment based on Council of Europe guidance which includes that terminally-ill prisoner patients should be allowed to die in freedom and dignity , and without pain .
“ The failure to bring a terminally-ill man in severe pain from Ireland ’ s biggest prison to a hospital across the road due to operational reasons is not acceptable , ” said executive director Fíona Ní @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the life , health and dignity of men and women in the custody of the State are the priority consideration.
” The IPRT pointed out that following its visit to Ireland in 2014 , the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture ( CPT ) described healthcare in some Irish prisons as being “ in a state of crisis ” and highlighted services at the Midlands prison .
The IPS has acted on several recommendations set out in the report including the creation of an “ email group ” for nursing staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ referral to hospital form ” introduced as policy .
“ Communications have been improved between the Detail Office and Healthcare in relation to the expected timeframe for transfers which allows nursing staff to plan care , ” an IPS document stated .
As regards temporary release , it said decisions are made on a case by case basis in accordance with legislation and taking multiple factors into account .

Penal reform advocates have said the death of a terminally ill prisoner who died after repeatedly trying to access emergency medical attention could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment by the State.
A report into the death of Mr I, a 53-year-old inmate at the Midlands Prison, in June, 2018 was published by the Inspector of Prisons on Wednesday.
It criticised the manner in which his complaints of severe pain were dealt with by prison staff two days before his death, and said terminally ill prisoners should be spared the indignity of dying in custody.
Mr I was sent to prison in 1985 and had spent 33 years in custody. In 2017, he was transferred from the open Shelton Abbey prison to the Midlands Prison in order to improve his access to medical care.
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However, on the morning of June 12th, 2018, after Mr I had complained of "severe pain", an attending doctor said he required urgent medical attention and referred him to the Midlands Regional Hospital.
This was immediately communicated to prison management by a nurse but later, when no action was taken, a prison officer explained there was not enough staff to escort him to hospital. It was agreed he could attend the following day instead.
‘Distress and pain’
However, the report noted that the next morning Mr I sounded his alarm bell and was subsequently found lying on the floor beside the toilet “in distress and pain”.
“At this stage there was still no indication of anyone preparing to take him to hospital.”
He was then taken by ambulance to the Midlands Regional Hospital and later transferred to St James Hospital in Dublin where he died of an illness unspecified in the report.
Inspector of Prisons Patricia Gilheaney described the delay in transferring Mr I as a "major failing" and noted that "nobody appeared to treat [his case] with any degree of urgency".
Among her recommendations are that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) ensures there is no repeat of the incident.
“The IPS should review the application of its Compassionate Temporary Release Policy to ensure that prisoners who are terminally ill are appropriately released on licence in order to avoid the indignity of dying in prison,” the report found.
Responding to the case on Friday, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) said the failings may have amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment based on Council of Europe guidance which includes that terminally-ill prisoner patients should be allowed to die in freedom and dignity, and without pain.
“The failure to bring a terminally-ill man in severe pain from Ireland’s biggest prison to a hospital across the road due to operational reasons is not acceptable,” said executive director Fíona Ní Chinnéide.
“It is absolutely paramount that the life, health and dignity of men and women in the custody of the State are the priority consideration.”
The IPRT pointed out that following its visit to Ireland in 2014, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) described healthcare in some Irish prisons as being "in a state of crisis" and highlighted services at the Midlands prison.
The IPS has acted on several recommendations set out in the report including the creation of an “email group” for nursing staff to communicate referrals, as well as a “referral to hospital form” introduced as policy.
“Communications have been improved between the Detail Office and Healthcare in relation to the expected timeframe for transfers which allows nursing staff to plan care,” an IPS document stated.
As regards temporary release, it said decisions are made on a case by case basis in accordance with legislation and taking multiple factors into account.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Two Irishmen held in UK on suspicion of planning to carry out kidnap

Two men regarded as suspects in a number of gangland killings in Ireland face kidnapping-related charges after being arrested in Britain .
The men , from counties Limerick and Meath , have been held in prison since last month though news of their detention has only emerged .
One of the men is a leading figured in the Drogheda gangland feud who was also linked to three murders that predate that gun feud .
The other man is linked to the McCarthy Dundon gang in Limerick , who had been involved in a murderous feud in that city for over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , are under investigation in Britain on suspicion of conspiring to carry out an abduction there .
It is alleged they targeted two men for the purposes of demanding money and they were being held in a Staffordshire prison .
One of the men is in his late 30s and has been a driving force of the Drogheda feud for over a year .
He left Ireland for Britain in the aftermath of the murder and dismembering of 17-year-old Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda in January .
At the time he feared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same side of the Drogheda feud that killed the teenager and then dismembered him and took his remains to Dublin for dumping in different locations on the north side of the city .
Before the Drogheda feud the man in his late 30s had already been heavily involved in drug dealing in the north east and related gun feuding .
He was suspected of involvement in the murder of Benny Whitehouse ( 35 ) in Balbriggan in 2014 , a drug dealer who was shot dead as he returned to his car after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has also been linked to the disappearance , presumed murder , of a couple in 2015 .
Willie Maughan ( 35 ) and Latvian national Anastasija ( Anna ) Varslavane ( 21 ) were last seen in Gormanston , Co Meath , on April 14th , 2015 .
Gardaí believe they were killed because the men who killed Whitehouse feared the couple was intent on supplying information to the Garda about the Whitehouse murder .
The older man in custody in England is also among the suspects for the murder in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 ) , who was suspected for the murder and dismembering of Keane Mulready-Woods .
Furthermore , the younger of the two Irishmen in custody in Britain is suspected of helping to set up Lawlor , a gangland criminal , to be murdered at a house on Etna Drive in the Ardoyne .
He was among a group of people arrested for questioning after the killing but was released by the PSNI without charge .
The older Irishman in custody in Britain had previously fled Ireland because of threats from a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for the murder of his brother-in-law Richard Carberry in Bettystown , Co Meath , in November , 2019 .

One of the men in custody has been linked to the disappearance, presumed murder, of Willie Maughan (35) and Latvian national Anastasija (Anna) Varslavane (21) in 2015.
Two men regarded as suspects in a number of gangland killings in Ireland face kidnapping-related charges after being arrested in Britain. The men, from counties Limerick and Meath, have been held in prison since last month though news of their detention has only emerged.
One of the men is a leading figured in the Drogheda gangland feud who was also linked to three murders that predate that gun feud. The other man is linked to the McCarthy Dundon gang in Limerick, who had been involved in a murderous feud in that city for over a decade.
Both Irishmen, and others, are under investigation in Britain on suspicion of conspiring to carry out an abduction there. It is alleged they targeted two men for the purposes of demanding money and they were being held in a Staffordshire prison.
One of the men is in his late 30s and has been a driving force of the Drogheda feud for over a year. He left Ireland for Britain in the aftermath of the murder and dismembering of 17-year-old Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda in January.
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At the time he feared his life was in danger from the same side of the Drogheda feud that killed the teenager and then dismembered him and took his remains to Dublin for dumping in different locations on the north side of the city.
Before the Drogheda feud the man in his late 30s had already been heavily involved in drug dealing in the north east and related gun feuding.
He was suspected of involvement in the murder of Benny Whitehouse (35) in Balbriggan in 2014, a drug dealer who was shot dead as he returned to his car after bringing his daughter to her national school.
He has also been linked to the disappearance, presumed murder, of a couple in 2015. Willie Maughan (35) and Latvian national Anastasija (Anna) Varslavane (21) were last seen in Gormanston, Co Meath, on April 14th, 2015. Gardaí believe they were killed because the men who killed Whitehouse feared the couple was intent on supplying information to the Garda about the Whitehouse murder.
The older man in custody in England is also among the suspects for the murder in Belfast in April of Robbie Lawlor (35), who was suspected for the murder and dismembering of Keane Mulready-Woods.
Furthermore, the younger of the two Irishmen in custody in Britain is suspected of helping to set up Lawlor, a gangland criminal, to be murdered at a house on Etna Drive in the Ardoyne. He was among a group of people arrested for questioning after the killing but was released by the PSNI without charge.
The older Irishman in custody in Britain had previously fled Ireland because of threats from a number of people, including Robbie Lawlor who blamed him for the murder of his brother-in-law Richard Carberry in Bettystown, Co Meath, in November, 2019.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--McGrath warns of limit to State financial support

Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has warned there is a limit to the level of financial support that the State can provide for pandemic-related measures .
The Cabinet met on Friday and agreed on a package of economic supports for the three midlands counties in partial lockdown , including a 20 per cent top-up on existing restart grants .
Fáilte Ireland will also spend €1 million promoting Kildare , Laois and Offaly when the restrictions lift .
County Kildare Chamber chief executive Allan Shine welcomed the package but said : “ The harsh reality is that the package announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business to survive [ and ] we may require further stimulus package coming into to the winter months.
” Mr McGrath said the “ next significant economic action from Government will be in the budget in October ” .
And he said that the Covid-19 crisis “ puts strain on the public finances but we are in an environment where we can borrow at low interest rates .
That is not going to last indefinitely.
” Businesses had also called for the Government ’ s wage subsidy scheme to remain at its current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those counties but this was not included in the package of measures .
“ Our view is that it is very difficult to make a distinction within the taxation system for the application of different schemes on a geographic basis , ” Mr McGrath said .
There were also an expectation that the waiver on commercial rates would be extended beyond the end of September ; however , this change was not introduced .
“ That is something that will be kept under review for the three counties and for the remainder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So the current waiver is up to the end of September .
It costs about €300 million per quarter , so it is something that we will keep under review but we are not making any changes as part of today ’ s announcement.
” Under the plan for the midlands , there will be a 20 per cent top-up to the existing business restart grant so the maximum a company can claim in these areas will now be €30,000 .
This scheme usually involves a grant of €4,000 to €25,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now get access to up to an additional €5,000 on top of this .
There will also be €1 million made available for local enterprise officers to promote local schemes available for firms across the three counties .
It is also intended that these measures will be applied to other areas should they also have to enter partial lockdown .

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the “next significant economic action from Government will be in the budget in October”. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has warned there is a limit to the level of financial support that the State can provide for pandemic-related measures.
The Cabinet met on Friday and agreed on a package of economic supports for the three midlands counties in partial lockdown, including a 20 per cent top-up on existing restart grants. Fáilte Ireland will also spend €1 million promoting Kildare, Laois and Offaly when the restrictions lift.
County Kildare Chamber chief executive Allan Shine welcomed the package but said: “The harsh reality is that the package announced may only enable a certain amount of business to survive [and] we may require further stimulus package coming into to the winter months.”
Mr McGrath said the “next significant economic action from Government will be in the budget in October”.
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And he said that the Covid-19 crisis “puts strain on the public finances but we are in an environment where we can borrow at low interest rates. That is not going to last indefinitely.”
Businesses had also called for the Government’s wage subsidy scheme to remain at its current level for a further three months for those counties but this was not included in the package of measures.
“Our view is that it is very difficult to make a distinction within the taxation system for the application of different schemes on a geographic basis,” Mr McGrath said.
There were also an expectation that the waiver on commercial rates would be extended beyond the end of September; however, this change was not introduced.
“That is something that will be kept under review for the three counties and for the remainder of the country,” the Minister added.
“So the current waiver is up to the end of September. It costs about €300 million per quarter, so it is something that we will keep under review but we are not making any changes as part of today’s announcement.”
Under the plan for the midlands, there will be a 20 per cent top-up to the existing business restart grant so the maximum a company can claim in these areas will now be €30,000.
This scheme usually involves a grant of €4,000 to €25,000 but businesses in the affected counties can now get access to up to an additional €5,000 on top of this.
There will also be €1 million made available for local enterprise officers to promote local schemes available for firms across the three counties.
It is also intended that these measures will be applied to other areas should they also have to enter partial lockdown.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Co Laois ‘glamping’ site reopens so locals can holiday at home

As many local businesses in Laois , Kildare and Offaly closed their doors again last week due to coronavirus restrictions , one Laois business saw an opening to meet the needs of the local community .
Glamping under the Stars , a boutique “ glamp ” site , is now providing local Laois residents with the opportunity to have a staycation without having to break any of the public health rules .
The business initially closed on Friday , August 7th , when the coronavirus restrictions were reintroduced in the county , which owner Kyra Fingleton said “ felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Ms Fingleton said after speaking to Fáilte Ireland and local representatives , she learned she could reopen at her own discretion as the campsite is largely outdoor based .
“ It was sort of an organic thing that just came about because of how events occurred .
Friday night myself and my husband were here tearing our hair out , trying to contact guests and it was all about refunds and losses , ” she said .
“ Saturday morning from about 9 o ’ clock in the morning , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with people from Laois saying ‘ my holiday is cancelled , my kids are devastated , can I please come to you instead ?
’ .
There was such a volume of calls that I thought there has to be something in this .
I don ’ t really see any logical reason why we couldn ’ t accommodate these people.
” Ms Fingleton said she didn ’ t want to break any rules , and was worried that reopening might not be permitted .
“ We held off until we had that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that according to the way our site was laid out , it was at our discretion if we wanted to open .
On that basis , and with the huge demand we were getting from people , we decided to go for it , ” she added .
The local support has been “ unprecedented ” , as people opt to holiday in their own county , she said .
“ Within 24 hours , the full week and a half was booked out with local guests .
I ’ ve got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s unprecedented , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve found that people have really enjoyed it and even people living virtually on our doorstep surprised themselves by how much the kids enjoyed it and will be back next year.
” The site has six self-catering accommodation units , each of which have their own private bathroom facilities as well as barbecue facilities .
There are two acres of wildflower meadow , with paths mown for children to explore .
Ms Fingleton also provided each unit with their own chiminea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communal campfire is not feasible under social distancing rules .
“ They still get the campfire under the stars experience and the kids still get to toast the marshmallows under the stars , but the social distancing is still in place , ” she explained .
Asked if the local demand is enough for the business to break even this year , Ms Fingleton said it all depends on what happens next .
“ When we had the two-week unexpected lockdown we thought we would have to close for that period but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got bookings in from local people , so it has helped from a financial point of view .
But it ’ s hard to know if it goes on much longer , are there enough people in Laois to sustain us ?
”

One of the accommodation units at Glamping under the Stars in Co Laois. Photograph: Glamping under the Stars
As many local businesses in Laois, Kildare and Offaly closed their doors again last week due to coronavirus restrictions, one Laois business saw an opening to meet the needs of the local community.
Glamping under the Stars, a boutique “glamp” site, is now providing local Laois residents with the opportunity to have a staycation without having to break any of the public health rules.
The business initially closed on Friday, August 7th, when the coronavirus restrictions were reintroduced in the county, which owner Kyra Fingleton said "felt like the end of the world".
However, Ms Fingleton said after speaking to Fáilte Ireland and local representatives, she learned she could reopen at her own discretion as the campsite is largely outdoor based.
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Within 24 hours, the full week and a half was booked out with local guests
“It was sort of an organic thing that just came about because of how events occurred. Friday night myself and my husband were here tearing our hair out, trying to contact guests and it was all about refunds and losses,” she said.
“Saturday morning from about 9 o’clock in the morning, the phone just rang and rang and rang with people from Laois saying ‘my holiday is cancelled, my kids are devastated, can I please come to you instead?’. There was such a volume of calls that I thought there has to be something in this. I don’t really see any logical reason why we couldn’t accommodate these people.”
One of the tents at the Glamping under the Stars camp site in Co Laois.
Ms Fingleton said she didn’t want to break any rules, and was worried that reopening might not be permitted.
“We held off until we had that confirmation and [Fáilte Ireland] said that according to the way our site was laid out, it was at our discretion if we wanted to open. On that basis, and with the huge demand we were getting from people, we decided to go for it,” she added.
The local support has been “unprecedented”, as people opt to holiday in their own county, she said.
“Within 24 hours, the full week and a half was booked out with local guests. I’ve got a waiting list now for Laois people, it’s unprecedented,” she said.
“I’ve found that people have really enjoyed it and even people living virtually on our doorstep surprised themselves by how much the kids enjoyed it and will be back next year.”
The site has six self-catering accommodation units, each of which have their own private bathroom facilities as well as barbecue facilities. There are two acres of wildflower meadow, with paths mown for children to explore.
Ms Fingleton also provided each unit with their own chiminea stove and fire wood, since the communal campfire is not feasible under social distancing rules.
“They still get the campfire under the stars experience and the kids still get to toast the marshmallows under the stars, but the social distancing is still in place,” she explained.
Asked if the local demand is enough for the business to break even this year, Ms Fingleton said it all depends on what happens next.
“When we had the two-week unexpected lockdown we thought we would have to close for that period but I suppose it’s great that we got bookings in from local people, so it has helped from a financial point of view. But it’s hard to know if it goes on much longer, are there enough people in Laois to sustain us?”