theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Couple who photographed themselves naked and abusing toddler get 24 years

A Co Down couple who photographed themselves naked and abusing a toddler who they had raped were on Monday sentenced to a total of 24 years between them .
Judge Piers Grant told husband and wife Gary and Heather Talbot the “ depraved ” and “ disgusting ” offences they carried showed “ obvious wickedness and wrongdoing ” .
The judge said their actions “ will provoke a sense of disgust and even disbelief that anyone could act in this way , particularly towards a child of such tender years ” .
In a statement afterward the now 20-year-old victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long process .
However seeing my abusers jailed has given me renewed strength.
” She said she hoped to become a counsellor in the future “ as counselling has been essential in my recovery ” .
“ I would really like to thank and commend all survivors of sexual abuse for your amazing strength as it has helped me to fight to get my justice .
“ Together we will send a message across the world that there is no shame in being a survivor of sexual abuse – the shame is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the blame for introducing “ children to his and Heather ’ s sexual relationship ” , was sentenced to 12 years for abusing the girl when she was a toddler , with an additional three years imposed for abusing her again when she was aged 13-14 .
He will serve 7½ years in prison , followed by the same period on licence when he is released from jail .
His wife Heather ( 59 ) , who at one stage said it was “ just a fantasy we carried too far ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her husband and she only “ played along ” , was given a nine-year sentence .
She was told she would spend six years of her sentence in jail , while the remaining three years would be spend on supervised licence .
The couple were also both made the subjects of a sexual offences prevention order which will remain in place for life , and they will also be on the sex offenders ’ register for an indefinite period .
Standing in the dock of Downpatrick Crown Court , sitting in Belfast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even to acknowledge each other , while just yards behind them , comforted by family and friends , sat their now adult victim in the public gallery .
Gary Talbot admitted a total of 16 charges including two rapes , gross indecency , indecent assault , and taking and distributing indecent images of the child , and a separate charge of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old teen some time between July 2012 and July 2014 .
His wife admitted 10 charges , ranging from aiding and abetting her husband to rape the girl , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , indecently assaulting the child and committing acts of gross indecency .
The 60-year-old former school bus driver and postman , and his wife are from Kinghill Avenue in the Co Down seaside town of Newcastle .
Defence QC Greg Berry for Mr Talbot said his admissions , which allowed for the identification of his victim , were made out of a sense of shame and remorse , sparing their victim having to give evidence , which was all the more demonstrative of his genuine remorse .
Eugene Grant QC described a remorseful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in what had been her husband ’ s fantasies , and “ disgusted ” with herself that it ever happened .
After sending the couple to prison , Judge Grant said he hoped the jail terms gave the young woman who had been abused “ some comfort ” , and added “ the court wishes her well in the future ” .
In a statement afterwards the 20-year old woman said : “ I am glad that my abusers have finally faced justice and will have to serve time in prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only a child when they took my innocence away.
” Joseph Murphy from the Public Prosecution Service said “ I want to commend the bravery shown by the victim , who is now an adult , and her family throughout the criminal justice process ” .

Married Co Down couple Gary Talbot and his wife Heather from Kinghill Avenue in Newcastle
A Co Down couple who photographed themselves naked and abusing a toddler who they had raped were on Monday sentenced to a total of 24 years between them.
Judge Piers Grant told husband and wife Gary and Heather Talbot the “depraved” and “disgusting” offences they carried showed “obvious wickedness and wrongdoing”.
The judge said their actions “will provoke a sense of disgust and even disbelief that anyone could act in this way, particularly towards a child of such tender years”.
In a statement afterward the now 20-year-old victim said “pursuing justice has been a long process. However seeing my abusers jailed has given me renewed strength.”
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She said she hoped to become a counsellor in the future “as counselling has been essential in my recovery”.
“I would really like to thank and commend all survivors of sexual abuse for your amazing strength as it has helped me to fight to get my justice.
“Together we will send a message across the world that there is no shame in being a survivor of sexual abuse – the shame is on the abuser.”
Gary Talbot, who took the blame for introducing "children to his and Heather's sexual relationship", was sentenced to 12 years for abusing the girl when she was a toddler, with an additional three years imposed for abusing her again when she was aged 13-14.
He will serve 7½ years in prison, followed by the same period on licence when he is released from jail.
His wife Heather (59), who at one stage said it was “just a fantasy we carried too far” before claiming it was all to do with her husband and she only “played along”, was given a nine-year sentence.
She was told she would spend six years of her sentence in jail, while the remaining three years would be spend on supervised licence.
The couple were also both made the subjects of a sexual offences prevention order which will remain in place for life, and they will also be on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.
No emotion
Standing in the dock of Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, neither showed any emotion, not even to acknowledge each other, while just yards behind them, comforted by family and friends, sat their now adult victim in the public gallery.
Gary Talbot admitted a total of 16 charges including two rapes, gross indecency, indecent assault, and taking and distributing indecent images of the child, and a separate charge of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old teen some time between July 2012 and July 2014.
His wife admitted 10 charges, ranging from aiding and abetting her husband to rape the girl, taking pictures of her husband doing so, indecently assaulting the child and committing acts of gross indecency.
The 60-year-old former school bus driver and postman, and his wife are from Kinghill Avenue in the Co Down seaside town of Newcastle.
Defence QC Greg Berry for Mr Talbot said his admissions, which allowed for the identification of his victim, were made out of a sense of shame and remorse, sparing their victim having to give evidence, which was all the more demonstrative of his genuine remorse.
Eugene Grant QC described a remorseful Mrs Talbot as a “reluctant participant” in what had been her husband’s fantasies, and “disgusted” with herself that it ever happened.
Jail terms
After sending the couple to prison, Judge Grant said he hoped the jail terms gave the young woman who had been abused “some comfort”, and added “the court wishes her well in the future”.
In a statement afterwards the 20-year old woman said: “I am glad that my abusers have finally faced justice and will have to serve time in prison for what they did to me. I was only a child when they took my innocence away.”
Joseph Murphy from the Public Prosecution Service said “I want to commend the bravery shown by the victim, who is now an adult, and her family throughout the criminal justice process”.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Murderer’s daughter says family ‘allowed fear to dictate our emotions’

The daughter of murderer Paul Wells snr , who dismembered the body of Kenneth O ’ Brien and dumped it in a suitcase in the Grand Canal , has said her family are “ devastated and disgusted ” at what their father did and that it does not represent who they are .
“ We are normal , decent people who are of good moral standing .
As a family we stand with you in grieving for Kenneth and pray for him every day , ” Amy Wells told the Central Criminal Court during her brother Paul Wells jnr ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wells said Paul Wells jnr wished to offer an apology to the O ’ Brien family if his actions caused them any distress as this was never his intention .
She hoped people could see the courage it took for him to go to gardaí given how “ evil ” their father could be .
“ We as a family are so sorry for not coming forward sooner to help with the investigation .
We allowed fear to dictate our emotions , ” she said .
However , Kenneth O ’ Brien ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim impact statement that the “ inaction ” of Paul Wells jnr in coming forward to gardaí enabled his son ’ s murderer to attend his funeral .
“ There are no words which can describe how we feel about this , ” he said .
Paul Well ’ s jnr ( 33 ) was found guilty last November of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father Paul Wells snr ( 51 ) , who carried out the murder and dumped the victim ’ s body parts in the Grand Canal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beatty Park , Celbridge , Co Kildare , had denied disposing of a chainsaw motor at a time unknown between January 19th and 20th , 2016 , in Co Kildare .
He also pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20th , 2016 , in the same location .
Wells snr , of Barnamore Park , Finglas , Dublin , was jailed for life in 2018 having been found guilty of murdering Mr O ’ Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15th or 16th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting the 33-year-old father in his back garden he had dismembered his body and dumped it in a suitcase in the Grand Canal .
Wells jnr will be sentenced next week , and his barrister asked the judge for a fully suspended sentence .
Wells jnr maintained throughout his interviews that he did not try to hinder the investigation and was afraid his father , who he described as a “ glorified criminal ” , would shoot him .
The trial heard that Wells snr was a “ very violent ” man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the defendant to carry explosives and join the IRA .
The killer also made threats from prison on the defendant ’ s life , and said if he did not put a bullet in his own son “ the IRA would ” .
The trial also heard that Wells jnr went on his stag party to Latvia with his father just days after Wells snr had dismembered the victim ’ s body .
The accused also accepted over €11,000 in cash from his father but disputed it was payment to get rid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the younger sister of Wells jnr , told the court in her statement that her family would like to offer their condolences to the O ’ Brien family .
“ We as a family are so sorry for not coming forward sooner to help with the investigation.
” She said her father had attacked Mr O ’ Brien ’ s character “ throughout ” the 2018 trial and spread many lies about him .
“ Kenneth was the pinnacle of what a father should be .
He travelled thousands of miles to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner and child .
We know he adored his son .
We are truly sorry for all of you loss , and wish you strength and peace , and Kenneth will be forever in our prayers.
” Earlier , Kenneth O ’ Brien ’ s father Gerard O ’ Brien read a victim impact statement in which he said “ the heartbreak is still impossible to bear ” .
He said that whatever the outcome Wells jnr would be able to continue on with his life .
“ Unfortunately for us we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Paul Wells jnr leaving court on Monday after his sentence hearing. He was remanded on continuing bail. Photograph: Collins Courts
The daughter of murderer Paul Wells snr, who dismembered the body of Kenneth O'Brien and dumped it in a suitcase in the Grand Canal, has said her family are "devastated and disgusted" at what their father did and that it does not represent who they are.
“We are normal, decent people who are of good moral standing. As a family we stand with you in grieving for Kenneth and pray for him every day,” Amy Wells told the Central Criminal Court during her brother Paul Wells jnr’s sentence hearing on Monday.
Ms Wells said Paul Wells jnr wished to offer an apology to the O'Brien family if his actions caused them any distress as this was never his intention. She hoped people could see the courage it took for him to go to gardaí given how "evil" their father could be.
“We as a family are so sorry for not coming forward sooner to help with the investigation. We allowed fear to dictate our emotions,” she said.
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However, Kenneth O’Brien’s father told the court in his victim impact statement that the “inaction” of Paul Wells jnr in coming forward to gardaí enabled his son’s murderer to attend his funeral. “There are no words which can describe how we feel about this,” he said.
Paul Well’s jnr (33) was found guilty last November of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father Paul Wells snr (51), who carried out the murder and dumped the victim’s body parts in the Grand Canal.
Wells jnr, with an address at Beatty Park, Celbridge, Co Kildare, had denied disposing of a chainsaw motor at a time unknown between January 19th and 20th, 2016, in Co Kildare. He also pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20th, 2016, in the same location.
Back garden
Wells snr, of Barnamore Park, Finglas, Dublin, was jailed for life in 2018 having been found guilty of murdering Mr O’Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15th or 16th, 2016.
Wells snr admitted that after shooting the 33-year-old father in his back garden he had dismembered his body and dumped it in a suitcase in the Grand Canal.
Wells jnr will be sentenced next week, and his barrister asked the judge for a fully suspended sentence.
Wells jnr maintained throughout his interviews that he did not try to hinder the investigation and was afraid his father, who he described as a “glorified criminal”, would shoot him.
The trial heard that Wells snr was a “very violent” man, who in the past had tried to get the defendant to carry explosives and join the IRA. The killer also made threats from prison on the defendant’s life, and said if he did not put a bullet in his own son “the IRA would”.
The trial also heard that Wells jnr went on his stag party to Latvia with his father just days after Wells snr had dismembered the victim’s body.
The accused also accepted over €11,000 in cash from his father but disputed it was payment to get rid of the chainsaw.
Investigation
Amy Wells, the younger sister of Wells jnr, told the court in her statement that her family would like to offer their condolences to the O’Brien family. “We as a family are so sorry for not coming forward sooner to help with the investigation.”
She said her father had attacked Mr O’Brien’s character “throughout” the 2018 trial and spread many lies about him.
“Kenneth was the pinnacle of what a father should be. He travelled thousands of miles to find work so he could provide for his partner and child. We know he adored his son. We are truly sorry for all of you loss, and wish you strength and peace, and Kenneth will be forever in our prayers.”
Earlier, Kenneth O’Brien’s father Gerard O’Brien read a victim impact statement in which he said “the heartbreak is still impossible to bear”.
He said that whatever the outcome Wells jnr would be able to continue on with his life. “Unfortunately for us we have a life sentence without Kenneth.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Speed cameras to be extended to 900 additional areas from next week

Speed cameras are being extended to 900 additional areas from next Monday .
While 903 new safety zones will be rolled out next week , 575 areas have been removed following a review , bringing the extra total of areas covered to 328 .
An Garda Síochána said there will be a total of 1,322 safety cameras operating from 6am next Monday .
In addition , 170 extra hand-held speed guns will be deployed to gardaí this month .
More than 1.5 million speeding tickets have been issued since the introduction of GoSafe speed cameras in November 2010 .
Supt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roads Policing Bureau , said the new locations were selected using data available examining fatal and serious injury collision locations .
“ The safety cameras are proven lifesavers and only operate in areas which have a speed-related collision history where fatal , serious injury and now minor injury collisions occur , ” he said .
“ By identifying and targeting these high-risk areas our aim is to continue to reduce the number and severity of collisions , thus save more lives and prevent more injuries from occurring .
This makes the roads safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new safety zones – as well as existing ones – are available on the garda.ie website .
Collision data analysis from January 2016 to December 2018 identified potential areas for cameras , which included 52.3 per cent on regional roads , 28.8 per cent on national roads , 9.5 per cent on local roads , 3.6 per cent on motorways and 5.8 per cent on unclassified roads .
Moyagh Murdock , chief executive of the Road Safety Authority , said speed remains the single biggest contributory factor to road deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this country for a decade now and are proven lifesavers .
Deaths and injuries , as a result of speeding , in collision-prone zones where they are located have dropped , ” she said .
“ I welcome this review of locations by An Garda Síochána , which is based on speed-related crash data and I would remind people that the locations can be found on the Garda website .
“ The locations are also being shared with satellite navigation companies .
That ’ s because this whole project is about stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speeding .
So there really is no excuse.
” GoSafe is contracted to provide a minimum of 7,400 hours of speed enforcement and 100 hours of surveying per month as directed by An Garda Síochána .
GoSafe has completed over 800,000 hours of enforcement and checked over 248 million vehicles since 2010 to the end of last month .
The GoSafe contract remains in place until May 2023 .

More than 1.5 million speeding tickets have been issued since the introduction of GoSafe speed cameras in November 2010. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Speed cameras are being extended to 900 additional areas from next Monday.
While 903 new safety zones will be rolled out next week, 575 areas have been removed following a review, bringing the extra total of areas covered to 328.
An Garda Síochána said there will be a total of 1,322 safety cameras operating from 6am next Monday. In addition, 170 extra hand-held speed guns will be deployed to gardaí this month.
More than 1.5 million speeding tickets have been issued since the introduction of GoSafe speed cameras in November 2010.
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Lifesavers
Supt Tony Lonergan, from the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said the new locations were selected using data available examining fatal and serious injury collision locations.
“The safety cameras are proven lifesavers and only operate in areas which have a speed-related collision history where fatal, serious injury and now minor injury collisions occur,” he said.
“By identifying and targeting these high-risk areas our aim is to continue to reduce the number and severity of collisions, thus save more lives and prevent more injuries from occurring. This makes the roads safer for every road user.”
The location of the new safety zones – as well as existing ones – are available on the garda.ie website.
Collision data analysis from January 2016 to December 2018 identified potential areas for cameras, which included 52.3 per cent on regional roads, 28.8 per cent on national roads, 9.5 per cent on local roads, 3.6 per cent on motorways and 5.8 per cent on unclassified roads.
Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said speed remains the single biggest contributory factor to road deaths.
“Safety cameras have been in operation in this country for a decade now and are proven lifesavers. Deaths and injuries, as a result of speeding, in collision-prone zones where they are located have dropped,” she said.
“I welcome this review of locations by An Garda Síochána, which is based on speed-related crash data and I would remind people that the locations can be found on the Garda website.
“The locations are also being shared with satellite navigation companies. That’s because this whole project is about stopping people from speeding, not catching people speeding. So there really is no excuse.”
GoSafe is contracted to provide a minimum of 7,400 hours of speed enforcement and 100 hours of surveying per month as directed by An Garda Síochána.
GoSafe has completed over 800,000 hours of enforcement and checked over 248 million vehicles since 2010 to the end of last month. The GoSafe contract remains in place until May 2023.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Keelin Shanley funeral to take place on Wednesday in Dublin

The funeral of RTÉ journalist and broadcaster Keelin Shanley will take place on Wednesday in Dublin .
The 51-year-old award-winning journalist died on Saturday following a long battle with cancer .
Her funeral will take place at St Paul ’ s Church in Glenageary .
In the notice for her funeral , Shanley was described as the “ adored wife of Conor and devoted mother to Lucy and Ben ” who died “ peacefully , in the last sunshine before the storm ” .
Born in 1968 , Keelin ( Caoilfhionn ) Shanley grew up in Greystones , Co Wicklow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin when she was 10 .
She studied biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin in the 1980s and then moved to Italy to work as an assistant researcher in the school of pharmacy at the University of Bologna .
She returned to Ireland in 1993 and started working with RTÉ in the late 1990s , presenting a number of science and technology programmes .
She later joined Prime Time and more recently presented Morning Edition , The Consumer Show , Crimecall and The Irish Book Awards on RTÉ One .
She also worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on RTÉ Radio 1 : Morning Ireland ; News at One ; Today with Sean O ’ Rourke ; and Late Debate .
Shanley was appointed as co-presenter of RTÉ ’ s Six-One news bulletin in January 2018 .
Jon Williams , managing director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs , said there wasn ’ t a corner of RTÉ news untouched by Shanley ’ s “ fearless , generous and passionate journalism ” .
The head of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland also paid tribute to Shanley , who was an ambassador for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lives of people with CF in Ireland ” .
“ A friendly , generous and down-to-earth individual , she was always willing to lend a hand , ” said chief executive Philip Watt .
“ Keelin always gave generously of her time over the past six years and was a wonderful spokesperson for , and friend to , the CF community .
”

Keelin Shanley’s funeral will take place at St Paul’s Church in Glenageary, Co Dublin, on Wednesday.
The funeral of RTÉ journalist and broadcaster Keelin Shanley will take place on Wednesday in Dublin.
The 51-year-old award-winning journalist died on Saturday following a long battle with cancer. Her funeral will take place at St Paul's Church in Glenageary.
In the notice for her funeral, Shanley was described as the “adored wife of Conor and devoted mother to Lucy and Ben” who died “peacefully, in the last sunshine before the storm”.
Born in 1968, Keelin (Caoilfhionn) Shanley grew up in Greystones, Co Wicklow, before her family moved to Monkstown in Dublin when she was 10. She studied biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin in the 1980s and then moved to Italy to work as an assistant researcher in the school of pharmacy at the University of Bologna.
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She returned to Ireland in 1993 and started working with RTÉ in the late 1990s, presenting a number of science and technology programmes.
She later joined Prime Time and more recently presented Morning Edition, The Consumer Show, Crimecall and The Irish Book Awards on RTÉ One. She also worked as a radio presenter across several programmes on RTÉ Radio 1: Morning Ireland; News at One; Today with Sean O’Rourke; and Late Debate.
Shanley was appointed as co-presenter of RTÉ’s Six-One news bulletin in January 2018.
Jon Williams, managing director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs, said there wasn’t a corner of RTÉ news untouched by Shanley’s “fearless, generous and passionate journalism”.
The head of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland also paid tribute to Shanley, who was an ambassador for the charity and was “committed to improving the lives of people with CF in Ireland”.
“A friendly, generous and down-to-earth individual, she was always willing to lend a hand,” said chief executive Philip Watt. “Keelin always gave generously of her time over the past six years and was a wonderful spokesperson for, and friend to, the CF community.”


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Men charged with conspiracy to murder Patrick Hutch appear in court

Six men charged with conspiring to murder Patrick “ Patsy ” Hutch appeared in the Special Criminal Court on Monday .
The books of evidence were served on each of the men and Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded each of them in custody to appear again on March 9th .
State solicitor Ciara Vibien , for the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) also told the judge that the prosecution are at an “ advanced stage ” in terms of disclosure to the defence .
Michael Burns ( 43 ) , of no fixed abode ; Ciaran O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address at Avondale House , Cumberland Street , Dublin 1 ; Patrick Curtis ( 38 ) and his brother Stephen Curtis ( 32 ) , both of Bellmans Walk , Seville Place , Dublin 1 ; Mohammed Smew ( 27 ) , with an address at Milners Square , Shanowen Road , Santry , Dublin 9 ; and Mark Capper ( 21 ) of Cappagh Green , Finglas , Dublin 11 , are all charged with conspiring with one or more persons to commit a serious offence , to wit , the murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February 1st , 2018 and March 10th , 2018 , both dates inclusive .
Mr Smew appeared in court on his own while Mr Burns , Mr O ’ Driscoll and the Curtis brothers appeared together later .
Mr Capper then appeared on his own later again .
Each of the six men are also charged with participating in activities intending to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members , namely the murder of Mr Hutch within the State between February 1st , 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates inclusive .
The six accused are also charged with conspiring with one or more persons to commit a serious offence , to wit , the murder of a person unknown within the State on the same occasion .
Patrick Curtis and Mr Burns are also facing charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between February 1st , 2018 and March 10th , 2018 .
Mr Burns is further accused of possession of a firearm silencer/suppressor and five rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition in such circumstances as to give rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not got them in his possession for a lawful purpose on March 10th , 2018 at Méile An Rí Road , Balgaddy , Clondalkin , Dublin 22 .
Mr Capper is also charged with participating in activities being reckless as to whether such participation would facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members , to wit : the murder of Patrick Hutch , also between February 1st , 2018 and March 10th , 2018 , both dates inclusive .
In addition , Mr Capper is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to whether such participation would facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members , to wit : the murder of a person unknown , between February 1st , 2018 and March 10th , 2018 .

Six men charged with conspiring to murder Patrick “Patsy” Hutch appeared in the Special Criminal Court on Monday.
Six men charged with conspiring to murder Patrick “Patsy” Hutch appeared in the Special Criminal Court on Monday.
The books of evidence were served on each of the men and Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded each of them in custody to appear again on March 9th.
State solicitor Ciara Vibien, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) also told the judge that the prosecution are at an “advanced stage” in terms of disclosure to the defence.
Michael Burns (43), of no fixed abode; Ciaran O'Driscoll (24), with an address at Avondale House, Cumberland Street, Dublin 1; Patrick Curtis (38) and his brother Stephen Curtis (32), both of Bellmans Walk, Seville Place, Dublin 1; Mohammed Smew (27), with an address at Milners Square, Shanowen Road, Santry, Dublin 9; and Mark Capper (21) of Cappagh Green, Finglas, Dublin 11, are all charged with conspiring with one or more persons to commit a serious offence, to wit, the murder of Patrick Hutch within the State between February 1st, 2018 and March 10th, 2018, both dates inclusive.
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Mr Smew appeared in court on his own while Mr Burns, Mr O’Driscoll and the Curtis brothers appeared together later. Mr Capper then appeared on his own later again.
Each of the six men are also charged with participating in activities intending to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, namely the murder of Mr Hutch within the State between February 1st, 2018 and February 28th, 2018, both dates inclusive.
Conspiring
The six accused are also charged with conspiring with one or more persons to commit a serious offence, to wit, the murder of a person unknown within the State on the same occasion.
Patrick Curtis and Mr Burns are also facing charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between February 1st, 2018 and March 10th, 2018.
Mr Burns is further accused of possession of a firearm silencer/suppressor and five rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he had not got them in his possession for a lawful purpose on March 10th, 2018 at Méile An Rí Road, Balgaddy, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Mr Capper is also charged with participating in activities being reckless as to whether such participation would facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit: the murder of Patrick Hutch, also between February 1st, 2018 and March 10th, 2018, both dates inclusive.
In addition, Mr Capper is charged with participating in activities being reckless as to whether such participation would facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit: the murder of a person unknown, between February 1st, 2018 and March 10th, 2018.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Almost 2,000 child abuse websites to be blocked under new initiative

Almost 2,000 websites containing child abuse material will be blocked in Ireland under a new agreement between the Gardaí and internet service providers .
The new blocking initiative will mean subscribers who enter a web address that contains child abuse material will be redirected to An Garda Síochána ’ s “ stop page ” and notify the user that they are attempting to view illicit material .
On Monday , BT Ireland , Eir Ireland , Sky Ireland , Tesco Mobile , Three Ireland and Vodafone Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding announcing their decision to block access to Interpol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ websites that contain child abuse material .
In order for a website domain to be blocked , it must be on the Interpol “ Worst of ” list ( IWOL ) , which contains domains that provide the most severe child sexual abuse material available on the open web .
These websites contain images and videos which feature real children , who are , or appear to be , younger than 13-years-old and the abuse is considered to be “ severe ” .
The domains on this list are verified by Interpol and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list or make any alterations to it .
A Garda spokesman said the purpose of preventing access to such pages is to protect consumers , including children , from viewing documented child sexual abuse material , and to prevent the further exploitation of children who have already been abused and photographed or filmed .
Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly , from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau ( GNPSB ) , welcomed the service providers commitment to protecting children .
“ Child abuse material on the internet is an exploitative and demeaning crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has pathways to the contact offending of children , ” he said .
“ The continued introduction of blocking child abuse imagery in Ireland , protects children in our communities by reducing demand , it increases their protection and facilitates a concentration of policing resources towards those who seek to harm children online.
” Under this agreement , the personal data of those seeking to access these sites is not obtained , or transferred , by either the gardaí or the internet providers .
However , it is at the discretion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of attempts made to access blocked websites .
In 2014 , UPC , now Virgin Media , signed a memorandum of understanding with the gardaí regarding the blocking of child abuse material .
The decision to extend the initiative to the providers with the “ largest share of the market ” was included in the Government ’ s Action Plan for Online Safety .

Almost 2,000 websites containing child abuse material will be blocked in Ireland under a new agreement between the Gardaí and internet service providers. Photograph: iStock
Almost 2,000 websites containing child abuse material will be blocked in Ireland under a new agreement between the Gardaí and internet service providers.
The new blocking initiative will mean subscribers who enter a web address that contains child abuse material will be redirected to An Garda Síochána’s “stop page” and notify the user that they are attempting to view illicit material.
On Monday, BT Ireland, Eir Ireland, Sky Ireland, Tesco Mobile, Three Ireland and Vodafone Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding announcing their decision to block access to Interpol's 1,857 "worst of" websites that contain child abuse material.
In order for a website domain to be blocked, it must be on the Interpol "Worst of" list (IWOL), which contains domains that provide the most severe child sexual abuse material available on the open web.
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These websites contain images and videos which feature real children, who are, or appear to be, younger than 13-years-old and the abuse is considered to be “severe”.
The domains on this list are verified by Interpol and An Garda Síochána cannot create the list or make any alterations to it.
Purpose
A Garda spokesman said the purpose of preventing access to such pages is to protect consumers, including children, from viewing documented child sexual abuse material, and to prevent the further exploitation of children who have already been abused and photographed or filmed.
Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly, from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), welcomed the service providers commitment to protecting children.
“Child abuse material on the internet is an exploitative and demeaning crime. It is a child abuse offence, which has pathways to the contact offending of children,” he said.
“The continued introduction of blocking child abuse imagery in Ireland, protects children in our communities by reducing demand, it increases their protection and facilitates a concentration of policing resources towards those who seek to harm children online.”
Under this agreement, the personal data of those seeking to access these sites is not obtained, or transferred, by either the gardaí or the internet providers.
However, it is at the discretion of the internet providers to record the number of attempts made to access blocked websites.
In 2014, UPC, now Virgin Media, signed a memorandum of understanding with the gardaí regarding the blocking of child abuse material.
The decision to extend the initiative to the providers with the “largest share of the market” was included in the Government’s Action Plan for Online Safety.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Election 2020: New ‘baby’ of the Dáil is Fianna Fáil’s James O’Connor

James O ’ Connor will be the baby of the 33rd Dáil .
The 22-year-old will enter Leinster House as the third youngest Fianna Fáil TD ever elected – behind only Mary Coughlan in 1987 and Lorcan Allen in 1961 .
But despite being born in the late 1990s , the Youghal native is not a political novice having been elected to Cork County Council last May , before securing the second seat in Cork East on Sunday .
Before becoming a councillor O ’ Connor had interned with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and justice spokesman Jim O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outgoing Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O ’ Connor on the issue of consent .
Going back even further to when he was aged 14 , O ’ Connor was a member of Comhairle na nÓg and successfully lobbied the then minister for transport Leo Varadkar to make public transport fares more child-friendly When told by The Irish Times that he was the baby of the new Dáil , O ’ Connor expressed surprise .
He had thought that mantle was already taken by Louis O ’ Hara , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to being elected in Galway East .
“ I thought if he was elected he ’ d at least take the attention off me as the youngest TD in the Dáil , ” O ’ Connor laughed .
It has been quite a year for the young politician , who was only added to the Fianna Fáil ticket for the local elections nine weeks before last May ’ s polling day .
He was elected back then after running what he described as a “ very positive campaign ” which saw his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a traditional canvass while also using social media to reach a wider , and possibly younger , audience .
O ’ Connor said his team grew after he found his way onto the ticket for the general election .
“ I ’ m not from a political family at all , ” he said .
“ My mother is a food scientist and my dad is a dairy farmer .
My mother ’ s family is staunchly Fianna Fáil , mind you , while my dad ’ s would be more of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business degree finals in Trinity College Dublin after being elected to Cork County Council , and looks set to defer them again now that he has entered the Oireachtas .
“ I am going to make the most of the time I have as an elected representative .
I am not sure how long I will be in politics , but I believe that there is no point in staying in it just for the sake of it and if you are not affecting change .
I love what I do , mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grá for politics it never really feels like work.
” The youngest ever TD was Labour ’ s William J. Murphy , who was 21 years and 29 days old when elected in 1949 .
The youngest female TD elected was Kathleen O ’ Connor , who was 21 years and seven months when elected in 1956 as a member of Clann na Phoblachta .
At the other end of the age spectrum in the 33rd Dáil will be Fine Gael ’ s Bernard Durkan , who is heading towards his 75th birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kildare North .
He first entered the Dáil in 1981 , and apart from a blip in the first of the two general elections held in 1982 , he has been re-elected at each time of asking .
When asked what advice he would give the new baby of the Dáil , Durkan said the the only words of wisdom he had for any new TD were “ to do the job honourably and honestly , and to treat people with respect ” .
He said that in recent years politics had become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was of the view that “ animosity and recrimination in public life is unnecessary ” .
“ We need to have self-respect and respect for other people , ” he said .

Cork East TD James O’Connor: he is the third youngest Fianna Fáil TD ever elected – behind Mary Coughlan in 1987 and Lorcan Allen in 1961. Photograph: Twitter.
James O'Connor will be the baby of the 33rd Dáil. The 22-year-old will enter Leinster House as the third youngest Fianna Fáil TD ever elected – behind only Mary Coughlan in 1987 and Lorcan Allen in 1961.
But despite being born in the late 1990s, the Youghal native is not a political novice having been elected to Cork County Council last May, before securing the second seat in Cork East on Sunday.
Before becoming a councillor O’Connor had interned with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan. He also worked for the outgoing Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor on the issue of consent.
Going back even further to when he was aged 14, O'Connor was a member of Comhairle na nÓg and successfully lobbied the then minister for transport Leo Varadkar to make public transport fares more child-friendly
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When told by The Irish Times that he was the baby of the new Dáil, O'Connor expressed surprise. He had thought that mantle was already taken by Louis O'Hara, a 21-year-old Sinn Féin candidate, who came close to being elected in Galway East.
“I thought if he was elected he’d at least take the attention off me as the youngest TD in the Dáil,” O’Connor laughed.
It has been quite a year for the young politician, who was only added to the Fianna Fáil ticket for the local elections nine weeks before last May’s polling day.
He was elected back then after running what he described as a “very positive campaign” which saw his team knocking on doors as part of a traditional canvass while also using social media to reach a wider, and possibly younger, audience.
O’Connor said his team grew after he found his way onto the ticket for the general election.
"I'm not from a political family at all," he said. "My mother is a food scientist and my dad is a dairy farmer. My mother's family is staunchly Fianna Fáil, mind you, while my dad's would be more of a Fine Gael family."
He deferred his business degree finals in Trinity College Dublin after being elected to Cork County Council, and looks set to defer them again now that he has entered the Oireachtas.
“I am going to make the most of the time I have as an elected representative. I am not sure how long I will be in politics, but I believe that there is no point in staying in it just for the sake of it and if you are not affecting change. I love what I do, mind you, and once you have the grá for politics it never really feels like work.”
Age spectrum
The youngest ever TD was Labour's William J. Murphy, who was 21 years and 29 days old when elected in 1949. The youngest female TD elected was Kathleen O'Connor, who was 21 years and seven months when elected in 1956 as a member of Clann na Phoblachta.
At the other end of the age spectrum in the 33rd Dáil will be Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan, who is heading towards his 75th birthday and has just been returned to represent Kildare North.
He first entered the Dáil in 1981, and apart from a blip in the first of the two general elections held in 1982, he has been re-elected at each time of asking.
When asked what advice he would give the new baby of the Dáil, Durkan said the the only words of wisdom he had for any new TD were “to do the job honourably and honestly, and to treat people with respect”.
He said that in recent years politics had become increasingly toxic, and he said he was of the view that “animosity and recrimination in public life is unnecessary”.
“We need to have self-respect and respect for other people,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Ian Bailey sets out his objections to being extradited to France

Lawyers for the Minister for Justice require time to consider Ian Bailey ’ s objections to being extradited to France for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier , the High Court has been told .
It is the third time French authorities have sought Mr Bailey ’ s surrender in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier , whose badly beaten body was found outside her holiday home in Schull , Co Cork in December 1996 .
The 62-year-old Englishman , with an address at The Prairie , Liscaha , Schull , west Cork , was convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his absence in a Paris court last summer .
The three-judge Cour d ’ Assises in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on him in his absence .
Mr Bailey , who denies any involvement in Ms du Plantier ’ s death , was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant in December .
He did not attend the French court and had no legal representation in the proceedings , which he has described as a “ farce ” .
Counsel for Mr Bailey , Ronan Munro SC , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had recently sworn an affidavit setting out his objections to being surrendered .
Mr Munro said the affidavit raised certain factual matters , particularly in relation to Mr Bailey ’ s health , which lawyers for the Minister for Justice required time to consider .
He assured Mr Justice Donald Binchy that progress was being made in the case .
Mr Bailey was remanded on continuing bail to February 24th next , when a date for hearing is expected to be fixed .

Lawyers for the Minister for Justice require time to consider Ian Bailey’s objections to being extradited to France for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, the High Court has been told.
It is the third time French authorities have sought Mr Bailey’s surrender in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier, whose badly beaten body was found outside her holiday home in Schull, Co Cork in December 1996.
The 62-year-old Englishman, with an address at The Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, west Cork, was convicted of the Frenchwoman’s murder in his absence in a Paris court last summer. The three-judge Cour d’Assises in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on him in his absence.
‘Farce’
Mr Bailey, who denies any involvement in Ms du Plantier’s death, was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant in December. He did not attend the French court and had no legal representation in the proceedings, which he has described as a “farce”.
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Counsel for Mr Bailey, Ronan Munro SC, told the High Court on Monday that his client had recently sworn an affidavit setting out his objections to being surrendered.
Mr Munro said the affidavit raised certain factual matters, particularly in relation to Mr Bailey’s health, which lawyers for the Minister for Justice required time to consider. He assured Mr Justice Donald Binchy that progress was being made in the case.
Mr Bailey was remanded on continuing bail to February 24th next, when a date for hearing is expected to be fixed.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Doctor who engaged in ‘elaborate fraud’ to get work struck off register

A doctor who engaged in an “ elaborate fraud ” in seeking to obtain employment here , including claiming to have worked for a non-existent Dublin hospital and providing false references , has been struck off the medical register .
Dr Idowu Adeyemi Adeboro can not apply for registration for another ten years , High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly also ordered .
The judge said on Monday there was “ every reason ” for making the orders as the doctor had engaged in “ breath-taking dishonesty on an elaborate scale ” .
He had claimed a work history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had provided bogus references , one from an English doctor who does not exist and another from a US doctor who does exist but who gave evidence he had never met Dr Adeboro , the judge said .
Dr Adeboro had demonstrated no insight into his conduct , he added .
He agreed with the Medical Council the orders sought by it under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 were proportionate and necessary to ensure public safety and protect the reputation of the profession .
At an earlier court hearing , held in camera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ register pending further order .
He was registered here in July 2017 but has never worked here and had told the Council he has never been to Ireland .
On Monday , JP McDowell , solicitor for the Council , told the judge Dr Adeboro , with an address at Apsledene , Gravesend , UK , is a native of Nigeria , holds a Spanish passport and qualified in medicine in Romania .
Mr McDowell said an investigation was initiated , leading to a hearing before a Fitness to Practise Committee ( FTPC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complaint in April 2018 arising from it having become suspicious about the authenticity of references relating to the doctor and about a work history on his CV when he applied for first registration in May 2017 .
The FTPC found various allegations were proven , including that , around March 22nd , 2018 , the doctor incorporated and/or registered or caused to be incorporated/registered a limited company under the name “ Saint Emmanuel Hospital European Medical Center Healthcare Ltd ” , with a registered addresses at Harcourt Street , Dublin , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment history as a medical practitioner when there was no such hospital operating from that address .
It was also proven he had submitted , or caused/allowed to be submitted , a CV to Niche Jobs Ltd and/or Cowley Brown Recruitment in which he represented he was a resident medical officer in emergency and/or general medicine at “ St Emmanuel Hospital European Medical Centre , Dublin , ” from August 1st 2017 “ to present ” when that was not true .
It was proven he had represented he was a junior doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Standard Medical Healthcare Group , London , UK ” , between December 1st , 2016 and July 30th , 2017 when that was not true and there was no such UK hospital .
It was further proven the CV represented he was a clinical fellow engaging in an “ attachment/observership ” at the “ Cancer Institute of Florida , Weston , Florida ” from September 1st , 2016 to November 28th , 2016 when that was not true .
Dr Adeboro did not attend the inquiry and was not represented .
The FTPC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the most serious end of the spectrum and the “ prolonged pattern of dishonesty ” was “ disturbing and incompatible with being a registered medical practitioner ” .
The Medical Council concurred and agreed with the Committee that Dr Adeboro ’ s registration should be cancelled .
The Council further decided he should be prohibited for ten years from applying to register here .

A doctor who engaged in an “elaborate fraud” in seeking to obtain employment here, including claiming to have worked for a non-existent Dublin hospital and providing false references, has been struck off the medical register.
Dr Idowu Adeyemi Adeboro cannot apply for registration for another ten years, High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly also ordered.
The judge said on Monday there was “every reason” for making the orders as the doctor had engaged in “breath-taking dishonesty on an elaborate scale”.
He had claimed a work history at hospitals which did not exist and had provided bogus references, one from an English doctor who does not exist and another from a US doctor who does exist but who gave evidence he had never met Dr Adeboro, the judge said.
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Dr Adeboro had demonstrated no insight into his conduct, he added.
He agreed with the Medical Council the orders sought by it under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 were proportionate and necessary to ensure public safety and protect the reputation of the profession.
At an earlier court hearing, held in camera, Dr Adeboro was suspended from the register pending further order.
He was registered here in July 2017 but has never worked here and had told the Council he has never been to Ireland.
On Monday, JP McDowell, solicitor for the Council, told the judge Dr Adeboro, with an address at Apsledene, Gravesend, UK, is a native of Nigeria, holds a Spanish passport and qualified in medicine in Romania.
Suspicious
Mr McDowell said an investigation was initiated, leading to a hearing before a Fitness to Practise Committee (FTPC), after a recruitment agency made a complaint in April 2018 arising from it having become suspicious about the authenticity of references relating to the doctor and about a work history on his CV when he applied for first registration in May 2017.
The FTPC found various allegations were proven, including that, around March 22nd, 2018, the doctor incorporated and/or registered or caused to be incorporated/registered a limited company under the name “Saint Emmanuel Hospital European Medical Center Healthcare Ltd”, with a registered addresses at Harcourt Street, Dublin, in order to create and/or support a false employment history as a medical practitioner when there was no such hospital operating from that address.
It was also proven he had submitted, or caused/allowed to be submitted, a CV to Niche Jobs Ltd and/or Cowley Brown Recruitment in which he represented he was a resident medical officer in emergency and/or general medicine at “St Emmanuel Hospital European Medical Centre, Dublin,” from August 1st 2017 “to present” when that was not true.
It was proven he had represented he was a junior doctor in emergency medicine at “SMHG Hospital Standard Medical Healthcare Group, London, UK”, between December 1st, 2016 and July 30th, 2017 when that was not true and there was no such UK hospital.
It was further proven the CV represented he was a clinical fellow engaging in an “attachment/observership” at the “Cancer Institute of Florida, Weston, Florida” from September 1st, 2016 to November 28th, 2016 when that was not true.
Dr Adeboro did not attend the inquiry and was not represented.
The FTPC concluded his conduct amounted to professional misconduct at the most serious end of the spectrum and the “prolonged pattern of dishonesty” was “disturbing and incompatible with being a registered medical practitioner”.
The Medical Council concurred and agreed with the Committee that Dr Adeboro’s registration should be cancelled.
The Council further decided he should be prohibited for ten years from applying to register here.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Girls who get phones earlier fare ‘less well’ in behavioural adjustment - study

Girls who receive mobile phones earlier fare “ less well ” in terms of their behavioural adjustment and their academic self-concept , according to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) .
The authors found that while mobile phone ownership creates greater opportunities for peer interaction , “ perhaps it also creates greater opportunities for peer comparison ” , which may impact negatively on girls development .
Authors Seraphim Dempsey , Sean Lyons and Selina McCoy examined data of over 8,500 nine year olds from the Growing Up in Ireland study and looked at how children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone ownership score in terms of their wellbeing .
The children were first surveyed in 2007/08 and then again in 2011/12 at the age of 13 .
Forty per cent of children stated that they owned a mobile phone aged nine .
The analysis focused on the “ self-concept ” scale , which captures how children feel about themselves in areas like physical appearance , anxiety , behaviour , happiness and popularity .
They also examined a questionnaire which measured psychological adjustment as reported by parents for each child .
Overall , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and psychological adjustment , there was no relationship between early mobile phone ownership and children ’ s socio-emotional development .
“ However , there is evidence that girls who receive mobile phones earlier fare less well in terms of their behavioural adjustment and their academic self-concept , ” they said .
“ These findings suggest that girls may be aware of a negative impact of mobile phone usage on their cognitive skills development , but boys are not .
It may also reflect the differences in the way in which girls and boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more detrimental impact of excessive or problematic mobile phone use on girls ’ wellbeing.
” The ESRI said the challenge for policymakers and society more generally is how to maximise the potential of digital technologies for education and other purposes , while “ mitigating any negative effects from access ” , particularly for children .

There is evidence that girls who receive mobile phones earlier fare less well in terms of their behavioural adjustment and their academic self-concept. Photograph: iStock.
Girls who receive mobile phones earlier fare “less well” in terms of their behavioural adjustment and their academic self-concept, according to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
The authors found that while mobile phone ownership creates greater opportunities for peer interaction, “perhaps it also creates greater opportunities for peer comparison”, which may impact negatively on girls development.
Authors Seraphim Dempsey, Sean Lyons and Selina McCoy examined data of over 8,500 nine year olds from the Growing Up in Ireland study and looked at how children with longer or shorter periods of mobile phone ownership score in terms of their wellbeing.
The children were first surveyed in 2007/08 and then again in 2011/12 at the age of 13. Forty per cent of children stated that they owned a mobile phone aged nine.
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The analysis focused on the “self-concept” scale, which captures how children feel about themselves in areas like physical appearance, anxiety, behaviour, happiness and popularity. They also examined a questionnaire which measured psychological adjustment as reported by parents for each child.
Overall, the authors found that in terms of self-concept and psychological adjustment, there was no relationship between early mobile phone ownership and children’s socio-emotional development.
“However, there is evidence that girls who receive mobile phones earlier fare less well in terms of their behavioural adjustment and their academic self-concept,” they said.
“These findings suggest that girls may be aware of a negative impact of mobile phone usage on their cognitive skills development, but boys are not. It may also reflect the differences in the way in which girls and boys use mobile phones, and a potentially more detrimental impact of excessive or problematic mobile phone use on girls’ wellbeing.”
The ESRI said the challenge for policymakers and society more generally is how to maximise the potential of digital technologies for education and other purposes, while “mitigating any negative effects from access”, particularly for children.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Congealed blood in freezers and rodent evidence found at eateries

Congealed blood in freezers , evidence of “ rodent activity ” , and large accumulations of dirt and debris resulted in the temporary closure of five food businesses by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland last month .
A takeaway , cafe , two shops and a pub , serving food in Cork , Waterford , Louth and Laois were served with enforcement orders due to the risk their food posed to the public .
Separately the authority published details of a Dublin restaurant , Camden Rotisserie at 37 Lower Camden Street , which was served with a closure order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the District Court .
The appeal was subsequently withdrawn .
The African Shop/Costello Stores , 87 Shandon Street , Cork was last month closed after “ an extremely large build- up ” of “ congealed blood , food debris and dirt ” which posed “ a grave and immediate danger to public health ” was found in all freezers on the premises .
The walls , ceiling , floors and shelving of the shop were “ in an extremely poor structural condition with significant amount of holes noted throughout the floor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large accumulations of dirt and debris throughout the entire premises which poses a grave and immediate danger to public health , ” the authority said .
Also in Cork , Mr Kebab , 99 Lower Glanmire Road , was closed after “ filthy ” matting , a build up of dirt and grease on equipment and dirty cloths , were found .
The poor structure of the building and a lack of instant hot water for handwashing also led to the closure .
The Exchange Bar , 1 Ballybricken , Waterford City was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity ” in the bar area , posing a risk of contamination to “ foodstuffs , food preparation surfaces , equipment and utensils ” .
Oriental City and Noodle House , Keen Market , Mountmellick Road , Portlaoise , Co Laois was closed because it failed to ensure adequate pest control and had failed to keep the premises clean .
The cold room , walk in freezer , and three storage areas of the Londis shop in the Bellurgan Service Station , Co Louth , were closed due to evidence of rodent activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found at Camden Rotisserie , a Dublin city chicken restaurant , with “ rodent burrow holes ” found to the rear and under foundations of the building .
“ Rodent bait was evident at the rear outdoor area of the food premises and was gnawed and eaten by rodents , ” the authority said .
There was also an “ infestation of crawling insects ” in a food preparation room .
Food storage and preparation areas were found to be in a “ dirty condition with old food debris and heavy grease and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been cleaned in a while or regularly ” .
There were no hand washing facilities for food handlers who were handling raw meat in the rear food preparation area .
A substantial amount of food had been pre-cooked including for whole chickens , chicken wings and chicken portions , but there was no date labelling to indicate when the food had been prepared and staff working in the premises were unable to confirm the date of preparation , the authority said .
“ The above conditions lead to a serious risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to render the food unfit for human consumption , injurious to health or contaminated in such a way that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be consumed in that state.
” The closure order was served on Camden Rotisserie last October , but the details of the closure had been withheld pending the court appeal .

Congealed blood in freezers, evidence of "rodent activity", and large accumulations of dirt and debris resulted in the temporary closure of five food businesses by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland last month.
A takeaway, cafe, two shops and a pub, serving food in Cork, Waterford, Louth and Laois were served with enforcement orders due to the risk their food posed to the public.
Separately the authority published details of a Dublin restaurant, Camden Rotisserie at 37 Lower Camden Street, which was served with a closure order last year, but had appealed to the District Court. The appeal was subsequently withdrawn.
The African Shop/Costello Stores, 87 Shandon Street, Cork was last month closed after “ an extremely large build- up” of “congealed blood, food debris and dirt” which posed “a grave and immediate danger to public health” was found in all freezers on the premises.
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The walls, ceiling, floors and shelving of the shop were “in an extremely poor structural condition with significant amount of holes noted throughout the floor of the premises”. There were also “ large accumulations of dirt and debris throughout the entire premises which poses a grave and immediate danger to public health,” the authority said.
Also in Cork, Mr Kebab, 99 Lower Glanmire Road, was closed after “filthy” matting, a build up of dirt and grease on equipment and dirty cloths, were found. The poor structure of the building and a lack of instant hot water for handwashing also led to the closure.
The Exchange Bar, 1 Ballybricken, Waterford City was closed due to “evidence of rodent activity” in the bar area, posing a risk of contamination to “foodstuffs, food preparation surfaces, equipment and utensils”.
Oriental City and Noodle House, Keen Market, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois was closed because it failed to ensure adequate pest control and had failed to keep the premises clean.
The cold room, walk in freezer, and three storage areas of the Londis shop in the Bellurgan Service Station, Co Louth, were closed due to evidence of rodent activity.
Evidence of rodent activity was also found at Camden Rotisserie, a Dublin city chicken restaurant, with “rodent burrow holes” found to the rear and under foundations of the building.
“Rodent bait was evident at the rear outdoor area of the food premises and was gnawed and eaten by rodents,” the authority said. There was also an “infestation of crawling insects” in a food preparation room.
Food storage and preparation areas were found to be in a “dirty condition with old food debris and heavy grease and grime build up which indicated they had not been cleaned in a while or regularly”.
There were no hand washing facilities for food handlers who were handling raw meat in the rear food preparation area. A substantial amount of food had been pre-cooked including for whole chickens, chicken wings and chicken portions, but there was no date labelling to indicate when the food had been prepared and staff working in the premises were unable to confirm the date of preparation, the authority said.
“The above conditions lead to a serious risk of food being contaminated with pathogenic bacteria likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, injurious to health or contaminated in such a way that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be consumed in that state.”
The closure order was served on Camden Rotisserie last October, but the details of the closure had been withheld pending the court appeal.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Martin ‘The Viper’ Foley loses Supreme Court challenge to Cab case

The Dublin criminal Martin Foley , known as ‘ the Viper ’ must pay €738,449 in tax , interest and penalties after losing a Supreme Court appeal against a Criminal Assets Bureau tax bill .
Foley took a case to the Supreme Court claiming that Cab had delayed for years in pursuing him for the principal sum , interest and penalties imposed by Cab and that the total sum now owed dwarfed the original judgment against him .
The interest and penalties incurred over the unpaid tax bill more than trebled the amount initially owed .
In a ruling published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s application for an appeal was “ not arguable ” .
“ The court ’ s scarce resources must be managed in a manner consistent with the proper administration of justice and that warrants that the court ’ s time be reserved to hear and determine legal issues which are potentially sustainable .
“ And , it is the view of this court that the appeal proposed by the applicant is clearly not sustainable , ” the ruling published on Monday said .
“ In this case the proceedings were issued on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for judgment followed on 26th September , 2013 .
Hence , there was no delay which could be relied upon to invoke the court ’ s jurisdiction.
” Instead , Foley was found not to have acted quickly enough when Cab secured its initial ruling against him .
The case has been before the courts for some time though reporting restrictions meant Foley could not be named before the matter concluded before the Court of Appeal in November 2019 .
Last year the Court of Appeal heard Foley was assessed for income tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years for taxation purposes ) at €218,000 .
He appealed this decision in 2002 and submitted returns claiming his income for these two years was €72,000 and the tax due was €19,000 .
He also paid off a small amount of the demand which was a requirement of being allowed to appeal .
When his appeal was refused he brought another appeal to the Revenue Appeal Commissioner and submitted revised returns saying his income for these two years involved was €133,000 and his tax bill should be around €50,000 .
He made four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax bill to €178,000 .
The Appeal Commissioner also rejected his appeal and he did not appeal the matter further to the Circuit Court or bring a High Court challenge , as he was entitled to do .
In 2013 Cab sued Foley for €881,000 , including the outstanding €178,000 and €634,000 in interest accrued between 2002 , when he made his last appeal , and 2013 .
However , he claimed there was an unexplained delay of 11 years before the authorities moved to enforce the demand by summons .
By that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million because of interest and penalties .
Foley claimed he was led to believe by gardaí¬ that the tax bill would not be pursued .
He then brought a High Court case arguing that the 11-year delay between when the final demand had been made and the summons for non-payment had been issued was unfair .
The High Court rejected his case and Foley appealed this ruling to the Court of Appeal .
Having heard arguments on October 7th , 2019 from Foley ’ s counsel and Cab , the three- judge court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Higgins SC , for Foley , argued there was no dispute on the facts of the case but there was an overarching supervisory function of the courts to ensure such matters were prosecuted quickly .
He submitted that there was a failure by the High Court to attribute sufficient weight to the delay .
Foley was entitled to an explanation for the delay by Cab in seeking to recover “ vast sums of money over the years ” , he said .
It was open to the appeal court to consider whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basis that the reasons for the delay have not been explained , counsel said .
A person was entitled to “ get on with their lives and not have a sword of Damocles hanging over them ” , he said .
Benedict Ó Floinn SC , for Cab , said there was no dispute that Foley was in breach of his obligations .
Under the relevant tax legislation , there is no provision for “ stopping the clock ” in relation to a demand , he said .
The power to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he argued .
The Court of Appeal ruled that the passage of time involved had no bearing on the monies being owed by Foley and interest and penalties accruing .
Foley ( 68 ) was born in Derry but moved to Dublin when he was a child .
He has survived being shot and wounded in a number of gangland attacks .
He has survived five attempts on his life and has been wounded a total of 14 times .
The most recent effort to kill him was in January 2008 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin 12 .
He was a one-time member of the crime gang headed by Martin Cahill , known as ‘ the General ’ , and Foley was dubbed ‘ the Viper ’ by the media .
In more recent years he took ownership of the moniker and , literally , traded off it .
When he set up a business as a debt collector a logo stating ‘ The Viper ’ was emblazoned on his company van .
The company is no longer trading .
The first of his 40 convictions was recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the Probation Act for being drunk and disorderly .
He was convicted of larceny and receiving stolen goods when he was 17 .
He and Cahill first came into contact when Foley was aged nine after the Cahill family was transferred to a council house on Captain ’ s Road in Crumlin .
It was around this time that their friendship began .
It endured until shortly before Cahill ’ s murder , probably at the hands of the Provisional IRA , in 1994 .

The Dublin criminal Martin Foley, known as 'the Viper' must pay €738,449 in tax, interest and penalties after losing a Supreme Court appeal against a Criminal Assets Bureau tax bill.
Foley took a case to the Supreme Court claiming that Cab had delayed for years in pursuing him for the principal sum, interest and penalties imposed by Cab and that the total sum now owed dwarfed the original judgment against him.
The interest and penalties incurred over the unpaid tax bill more than trebled the amount initially owed.
In a ruling published on Monday the Supreme Court ruled Foley’s application for an appeal was “not arguable”.
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“The court’s scarce resources must be managed in a manner consistent with the proper administration of justice and that warrants that the court’s time be reserved to hear and determine legal issues which are potentially sustainable. “And, it is the view of this court that the appeal proposed by the applicant is clearly not sustainable,” the ruling published on Monday said.
“In this case the proceedings were issued on 8th March, 2013 and the motion for judgment followed on 26th September, 2013.
Hence, there was no delay which could be relied upon to invoke the court’s jurisdiction.”
Instead, Foley was found not to have acted quickly enough when Cab secured its initial ruling against him.
The case has been before the courts for some time though reporting restrictions meant Foley could not be named before the matter concluded before the Court of Appeal in November 2019.
Last year the Court of Appeal heard Foley was assessed for income tax for 1993-94 and 1999-2000 (considered two years for taxation purposes) at €218,000.
He appealed this decision in 2002 and submitted returns claiming his income for these two years was €72,000 and the tax due was €19,000. He also paid off a small amount of the demand which was a requirement of being allowed to appeal.
When his appeal was refused he brought another appeal to the Revenue Appeal Commissioner and submitted revised returns saying his income for these two years involved was €133,000 and his tax bill should be around €50,000.
He made four further payments which brought down the original tax bill to €178,000.
The Appeal Commissioner also rejected his appeal and he did not appeal the matter further to the Circuit Court or bring a High Court challenge, as he was entitled to do.
In 2013 Cab sued Foley for €881,000, including the outstanding €178,000 and €634,000 in interest accrued between 2002, when he made his last appeal, and 2013.
However, he claimed there was an unexplained delay of 11 years before the authorities moved to enforce the demand by summons.
By that stage, the bill was almost €1 million because of interest and penalties. Foley claimed he was led to believe by gardaí¬ that the tax bill would not be pursued.
He then brought a High Court case arguing that the 11-year delay between when the final demand had been made and the summons for non-payment had been issued was unfair.
The High Court rejected his case and Foley appealed this ruling to the Court of Appeal. Having heard arguments on October 7th, 2019 from Foley’s counsel and Cab, the three- judge court reserved its decision.
Michael O’Higgins SC, for Foley, argued there was no dispute on the facts of the case but there was an overarching supervisory function of the courts to ensure such matters were prosecuted quickly.
He submitted that there was a failure by the High Court to attribute sufficient weight to the delay. Foley was entitled to an explanation for the delay by Cab in seeking to recover “vast sums of money over the years”, he said.
It was open to the appeal court to consider whether the tax bill should have been reduced on the basis that the reasons for the delay have not been explained, counsel said.
A person was entitled to “get on with their lives and not have a sword of Damocles hanging over them”, he said. Benedict Ó Floinn SC, for Cab, said there was no dispute that Foley was in breach of his obligations.
Under the relevant tax legislation, there is no provision for “stopping the clock” in relation to a demand, he said. The power to stop the clock always rested with the taxpayer, he argued.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the passage of time involved had no bearing on the monies being owed by Foley and interest and penalties accruing.
Foley (68) was born in Derry but moved to Dublin when he was a child. He has survived being shot and wounded in a number of gangland attacks.
He has survived five attempts on his life and has been wounded a total of 14 times.
The most recent effort to kill him was in January 2008 when he was shot outside a gym in Dublin 12. He was a one-time member of the crime gang headed by Martin Cahill, known as 'the General', and Foley was dubbed 'the Viper' by the media.
In more recent years he took ownership of the moniker and, literally, traded off it. When he set up a business as a debt collector a logo stating ‘The Viper’ was emblazoned on his company van.
The company is no longer trading. The first of his 40 convictions was recorded when Foley was 16. He was given the Probation Act for being drunk and disorderly. He was convicted of larceny and receiving stolen goods when he was 17.
He and Cahill first came into contact when Foley was aged nine after the Cahill family was transferred to a council house on Captain's Road in Crumlin.
It was around this time that their friendship began. It endured until shortly before Cahill’s murder, probably at the hands of the Provisional IRA, in 1994.


theirishtimes--2020-02-10--Snowy and cold conditions forecast to continue on Tuesday

Cold and wintry conditions are expected to continue across the country on Tuesday , with a yellow snow and ice weather warning remaining in place .
Snow fell in many counties on Monday afternoon , creating difficult road conditions for motorists nationwide .
The two-day snow and ice warning , which is in force until midnight on Tuesday , affected road conditions in a number of locations including in Limerick , Tipperary , Laois , Kildare , Wicklow , Carlow and Kilkenny .
Met Éireann meteorologist Linda Hughes said some travel disruption should be expected as a result of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sleet and snow , and some snow accumulations as well , mainly in the west and the north , and especially on the mountains and hills.
” Temperatures were expected to fall to freezing overnight and not forecast to rise much higher than three degrees on Tuesday .
“ It will be a very cold day and feeling even colder because of the strong westerly winds , ” Ms Hughes added .
On Monday , Storm Ciara brought strong westerly winds to coastal areas , with mean speeds of 65km/h to 80km/h @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 130km/h .
A status orange wind warning for counties Donegal , Galway , Leitrim , Mayo , Sligo , Clare and Kerry was also in place until Monday night , while a yellow wind warning was in place for the remaining counties .
Met Éireann said a combination of spring tides and high seas created “ a significant risk of coastal flooding ” .
As a result of the weather , a 100-year-old sand embankment was breached at Banna in Co Kerry .
At 5am on Sunday “ ferocious ” winds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sea is now rushing in , putting houses and roads at risk .
Patrick Lawlor , whose grandfather helped build the defence system , said up to 60 houses were at immediate risk .
“ There is huge stress and anxiety .
It needs to be declared an emergency .
It is going to continuously erode now , ” Mr Lawlor said .
The lands including Ardfert village were at sea level and the ferocity of the tides had increased in the past 20 years along the Kerry coast , he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 30,000 faults caused by Storm Ciara over the weekend had been resolved by Sunday night .
An ESB spokesman told The Irish Times that high winds across the country had led to most of the faults .
The Road Safety Authority advised road users to prepare for cold weather conditions , with motorists advised to clear windows and mirrors before setting out on journeys .
Seán Moynihan , chief executive of Alone , a charity for older people , called on members of the public to check in on their older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re advising older people to be prepared by ensuring they have adequate heat , medication , food and to stay indoors where possible , ” he said .
“ With some snow forecast , it is important that older people prioritise spending on heating and stay warm in the coming days.
” In the North , the Met Office has issued a status yellow warning for snow and wind which runs until midnight on Tuesday .
In Britain , Storm Ciara caused widespread flooding and brought winds of more than 140km/h @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media showed a wall of the Bridge House Guest House and Sonia ’ s Bistro building collapsing into the fast-flowing River Teviot in Hawick , Scotland .
Storm Ciara has caused some travel disruption to flights and sailings in and out of Ireland .
Aer Lingus advised travellers to check the status of their flight before departing for the airport , while Irish Ferries warned passengers there would be some disruption to sailings .
The Irish Coast Guard has cautioned people in coastal areas to “ stay back , stay high and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PA

Sheep feed during heavy snowfall in Roundwood, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Garry O’Neill
Cold and wintry conditions are expected to continue across the country on Tuesday, with a yellow snow and ice weather warning remaining in place.
Snow fell in many counties on Monday afternoon, creating difficult road conditions for motorists nationwide.
The two-day snow and ice warning, which is in force until midnight on Tuesday, affected road conditions in a number of locations including in Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Kildare, Wicklow, Carlow and Kilkenny.
Members of Ennis fire brigade free a car from under a tree felled by Storm Ciara at Friars Walk, Ennis on Sunday. Photograph: Eamon Ward
A photograph of flooding from Hawes, North Yorkshire in the UK on Sunday. Photograph: Thomas Beresford/PA
Met Éireann meteorologist Linda Hughes said some travel disruption should be expected as a result of the weather.
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“There will be falls of sleet and snow, and some snow accumulations as well, mainly in the west and the north, and especially on the mountains and hills.”
Temperatures were expected to fall to freezing overnight and not forecast to rise much higher than three degrees on Tuesday.
“It will be a very cold day and feeling even colder because of the strong westerly winds,” Ms Hughes added.
On Monday, Storm Ciara brought strong westerly winds to coastal areas, with mean speeds of 65km/h to 80km/h expected as well as gusts of up to 130km/h.
Wind warning
A status orange wind warning for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry was also in place until Monday night, while a yellow wind warning was in place for the remaining counties.
Met Éireann said a combination of spring tides and high seas created “a significant risk of coastal flooding”.
As a result of the weather, a 100-year-old sand embankment was breached at Banna in Co Kerry.
At 5am on Sunday “ferocious” winds and tidal undercurrents demolished the embankment, and the sea is now rushing in, putting houses and roads at risk.
Patrick Lawlor, whose grandfather helped build the defence system, said up to 60 houses were at immediate risk.
“There is huge stress and anxiety. It needs to be declared an emergency. It is going to continuously erode now,” Mr Lawlor said.
The lands including Ardfert village were at sea level and the ferocity of the tides had increased in the past 20 years along the Kerry coast, he added.
ESB Networks said that the majority of the 30,000 faults caused by Storm Ciara over the weekend had been resolved by Sunday night.
An ESB spokesman told The Irish Times that high winds across the country had led to most of the faults.
Road warning
The Road Safety Authority advised road users to prepare for cold weather conditions, with motorists advised to clear windows and mirrors before setting out on journeys.
Seán Moynihan, chief executive of Alone, a charity for older people, called on members of the public to check in on their older neighbours during the extreme weather.
“We’re advising older people to be prepared by ensuring they have adequate heat, medication, food and to stay indoors where possible,” he said.
“With some snow forecast, it is important that older people prioritise spending on heating and stay warm in the coming days.”
In the North, the Met Office has issued a status yellow warning for snow and wind which runs until midnight on Tuesday.
In Britain, Storm Ciara caused widespread flooding and brought winds of more than 140km/h over the weekend.
Footage posted on social media showed a wall of the Bridge House Guest House and Sonia's Bistro building collapsing into the fast-flowing River Teviot in Hawick, Scotland.
Storm Ciara has caused some travel disruption to flights and sailings in and out of Ireland. Aer Lingus advised travellers to check the status of their flight before departing for the airport, while Irish Ferries warned passengers there would be some disruption to sailings.
The Irish Coast Guard has cautioned people in coastal areas to “stay back, stay high and stay dry”. Additional reporting: PA


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Four men arrested over death of journalist Lyra McKee

Four men have been arrested over the death of journalist Lyra McKee .
The 29-year-old writer was shot dead by a New IRA gunman in April last year while observing behind PSNI lines a riot in the Creggan in Derry .
In the weeks afterwards the dissident republican group the New IRA said its members carried out the killing .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) arrested the four men in Derry on Tuesday morning .
The men were aged 20 , 27 , 29 , and 52 years of age .
Officers arrested the four under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast for questioning .
PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy renewed a public appeal for any information connected to the murder of the young journalist .
“ I have always believed that some people within the community know what happened and who was involved .
I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us .
I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today , as we approach the anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice , ” he said .
Det Supt Murphy appealed for mobile phone footage taken the night of the killing not previously shared with police to be passed on to the PSNI .
The four latest arrests come shortly after the family of Ms McKee complained to the Northern Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation in Derry in advance of her killing .
During the search serious rioting broke out , and questions were raised at the time about whether the police were wise to mount a search operation in Creggan at night .
Police were searching for guns and possible explosives in advance of Easter commemorations by dissident republicans in the city .
Last week the PSNI said the search was necessary for operational reasons aimed at targeting dissident republicans , in this case the New IRA who killed Ms McKee .

Four men have been arrested over the death of journalist Lyra McKee.
The 29-year-old writer was shot dead by a New IRA gunman in April last year while observing behind PSNI lines a riot in the Creggan in Derry.
In the weeks afterwards the dissident republican group the New IRA said its members carried out the killing.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) arrested the four men in Derry on Tuesday morning. The men were aged 20, 27, 29, and 52 years of age.
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Officers arrested the four under the Terrorism Act, and the men have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast for questioning.
PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy renewed a public appeal for any information connected to the murder of the young journalist.
“I have always believed that some people within the community know what happened and who was involved. I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us. I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today, as we approach the anniversary of Lyra’s murder,” he said.
“We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice,” he said.
Det Supt Murphy appealed for mobile phone footage taken the night of the killing not previously shared with police to be passed on to the PSNI.
The four latest arrests come shortly after the family of Ms McKee complained to the Northern Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson about how the PSNI carried out a police search operation in Derry in advance of her killing.
During the search serious rioting broke out, and questions were raised at the time about whether the police were wise to mount a search operation in Creggan at night. Police were searching for guns and possible explosives in advance of Easter commemorations by dissident republicans in the city.
Last week the PSNI said the search was necessary for operational reasons aimed at targeting dissident republicans, in this case the New IRA who killed Ms McKee.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Road conditions slippery amid snow and ice warning

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice remains in place until midnight on Tuesday .
Met Éireann has warned of snowfall , especially in the west and north of the country .
A status yellow wind warning is in place in counties Donegal , Galway , Leitrim , Mayo , Sligo , Clare and Kerry until 8pm .
AA Roadwatch said it has received reports of “ especially slippery road conditions ” around parts of Cavan , Longford and Roscommon .
South Kilkenny , Carlow , Laois , Meath , Dublin , Westmeath , Donegal , Leitrim , Galway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
Snow has affected conditions at the Conor Pass and Moll ’ s Gap in Co Kerry , where a truck is stuck .
In Co Wicklow , both routes through the Sally Gap , including the Old Military Road ( R115 ) and the Roundwood/Manor Kilbride Road ( R759 ) are expected to remain closed until at least later today .
In Co Clare , emergency services are clearing debris off the N67 in Quilty Village .
It will be cold and icy on Tuesday morning with snow lying in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Éireann said it will be very windy with a mix of sunny spells and further hail , sleet and snow showers with isolated thunderstorms .
Highest temperatures will be between three and seven degrees , but feeling colder in strong and gusty westerly winds .
A combination of spring tides , strong onshore winds and high seas will result in a risk of coastal flooding along the Atlantic seaboard , especially around high tide .
Wintry showers will continue for a time on Tuesday night but will tend to become confined to western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rain and hail .
Frost and ice will form in many areas with lowest temperatures between minus one and 2 degrees .
There will be sunny spells and scattered showers for a time on Wednesday , which will mainly affect the west and north of the country .
Cloud will thicken in the south later in the day and rain will spread into west Munster by evening .
Highest temperatures will be between four and eight degrees in moderate to fresh southwest breezes .
Rain will extend northwards to all counties on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some spot flooding .
The rain will turn to snow across parts of Connacht and Ulster with lowest temperatures between one and four degrees .
There will be showery outbreaks of rain across the country on Thursday , with blustery west to northwest winds .
Conditions will turn drier in the day with highest temperatures between four and five degrees .
It will be dry for much of Thursday night with a risk of frost and lowest temperatures between zero and four degrees .
Southeasterly winds will strengthen on Friday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western half of the country during the morning , extending eastwards to remaining counties in the afternoon .
Highest temperatures will be between 9 and 12 degrees .
There will be clear spells later in the day , but rain is expected to arrive along the Atlantic seaboard during the night with lowest temperatures of five to eight degrees .

Sisters Aoibhe, Shona and Cara Heaney, from Rathfarnham, enjoying the snow in Killakee, Co Dublin, on Tuesday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Further snowfall is expected early on Wednesday in parts of the country ahead of a further period of unsettled weather with the expected arrival of Storm Dennis to Ireland at the weekend.
Met Éireann issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for the entire country up to 10am on Wednesday with forecasts of scattered wintry showers nationwide with some heavy snowfall in parts, particularly the west and north.
“Some disruption to travel is possible, particularly over higher routes,” it warned.
Wednesday is expected to be another cold day with highest temperatures of 4- 8 degrees.
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The remainder of the week will see the return of rain in advance of more stormy conditions as a result of Storm Dennis.
The storm is expected to bring further strong winds and heavy rain, although it is not predicted to be as strong as Storm Ciara, which affected Ireland and Britain over last weekend.
Snow-covered fields in Kilteel, Co Kildare, on Tuesday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Several parts of the country experienced the first major falls of snow this winter on Tuesday. Roads around the Sally Gap in Co Wicklow were closed for a period due to heavy snowfalls, although on lower ground snow turned quickly to sleet and rain.
Ferry crossings
Due to weather conditions, some ferry crossings on the Irish Sea experienced delays of up to three hours on Tuesday night. AA Roadwatch has advised motorists that road conditions can change quite quickly in hail or snowfall.
"In any affected areas, it will take much longer to stop a vehicle, so slow down and avoid any harsh acceleration or braking," it added.
Meanwhile, a school on Achill Island, Co Mayo, had part of its roof ripped off by strong winds on Tuesday. The incident happened at Dooagh National School, which caters for some 40 pupils, at about 9.30am. No one was injured when the flat roof was blown off.
Remnants of part of the roof at Dooagh National School, Achill, Co Mayo. Photograph: Dooagh NS/Facebook
Principal Irene Gielty said the roof was blown clean off the structure before landing on a nearby pitch.
A status yellow wind warning was in place in counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry until 8pm on Tuesday.
AA Roadwatch received reports of slippery road conditions in Clare, Donegal and Kerry. Gardaí were advising all road users to avoid the Gap of Dunloe in Co Kerry until further notice as it was completely impassable due to snow.
Conditions were also poor in the Mullinavat area of Co Kilkenny, particularly on the M9.


theirishtimes--2020-02-11--Woman dies after being hit by truck in Cork city

A woman has died after she was struck by a truck in Cork city on Monday afternoon .
The truck @ @ @ @ @ in her 50s , in the Smith St area of the city at around 3.50pm @ @ @ @ @ is from the Gurranebraher area of the city ’ s northside , was taken by @ @ @ @ @ where she was pronounced dead .
A technical examination of the scene has been carried @ @ @ @ @ for anyone with information , particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage @ @ @ @ @ time of the collision , to contact themat Anglesea Street on 021 452 2000 or @ @ @ @ @ 1800 666 111 .

Gardaí have asked witnesses to contact them at Anglesea Street on 021 452 2000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A woman has died after she was struck by a truck in Cork city on Monday afternoon.
The truck hit the pedestrian, aged in her 50s, in the Smith St area of the city at around 3.50pm.
The woman, who is from the Gurranebraher area of the city’s northside, was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A technical examination of the scene has been carried out.
Gardaí have appeared for anyone with information, particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage of the area from the time of the collision, to contact themat Anglesea Street on 021 452 2000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.