theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Bill bestows powers on Garda to inspect licensed premises

Denying entry to a garda trying to inspect a pub for compliance with Covid-19 regulations will result in a fine of up to €2,500 on conviction , under new laws published by the Government on Tuesday .
The Bill , which will be debated on Wednesday by the Dáil , details wide-reaching powers for gardaí to inspect licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants for their compliance with public health rules .
It gives members of the force powers to issue immediate closure orders on premises that do not comply with a direction to close , and exposes anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a similar fine and up to six months ’ imprisonment , if convicted .
The immediate closure orders will initially apply for the day on which the order is issued only , including any period after midnight that a premises is allowed to be open .
However , the legislation outlines that emergency closure orders served for failing to comply with more than one direction from a garda will apply for up to three days .
The longer closure period can only be imposed after an application to the District Court by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A garda of such a rank also has to approve an initial immediate closure order , but can do so without recourse to the courts .
The legislation also gives the gardaí powers to apply to the District Court for a temporary closure order if a premises fails to obey a compliance notice handed down alongside the immediate closure order .
Such an order carries stricter penalties , including the closure of a pub or restaurant for up to seven days for a first offence , and up to 30 days for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premises during an enforced closure could face a fine of €5,000 or one year in jail .
The legislation is time-bound until November 9th this year .
Elsewhere , vintners groups have written to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn to request a meeting on the protocols for pubs to reopen .
After a Cabinet meeting last week , Mr Varadkar said the Government intended to work with the State ’ s public health team to draft protocols which might allow pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief executive of the Licensed Vintners ’ Association , said he wanted the meeting to discuss the protocols mentioned by the Tánaiste .
“ What does he mean by that , what conditions need to be met to allow pubs reopen and when does he see those conditions being met.
” He said Dr Glynn “ needs to help us to understand the conditions that need to be met for pubs to reopen ” .
Pádraig Cribben , chief executive of the Vintners ’ Federation of Ireland , said he wanted an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were reopening while Irish premises remained shut .
“ It ’ s the same science across Europe , but we ’ re interpreting it differently as far as the pubs are concerned , ” he said .

Publicans who reopen their premises during an enforced closure could face a fine of €5,000 or one year in jail. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Denying entry to a garda trying to inspect a pub for compliance with Covid-19 regulations will result in a fine of up to €2,500 on conviction, under new laws published by the Government on Tuesday.
The Bill, which will be debated on Wednesday by the Dáil, details wide-reaching powers for gardaí to inspect licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants for their compliance with public health rules.
It gives members of the force powers to issue immediate closure orders on premises that do not comply with a direction to close, and exposes anyone who refuses to comply with such an order to a similar fine and up to six months’ imprisonment, if convicted.
The immediate closure orders will initially apply for the day on which the order is issued only, including any period after midnight that a premises is allowed to be open. However, the legislation outlines that emergency closure orders served for failing to comply with more than one direction from a garda will apply for up to three days.
READ MORE
Closure orders
The longer closure period can only be imposed after an application to the District Court by a garda ranked superintendent or higher. A garda of such a rank also has to approve an initial immediate closure order, but can do so without recourse to the courts.
The legislation also gives the gardaí powers to apply to the District Court for a temporary closure order if a premises fails to obey a compliance notice handed down alongside the immediate closure order.
Such an order carries stricter penalties, including the closure of a pub or restaurant for up to seven days for a first offence, and up to 30 days for a second transgression. Publicans who reopen their premises during an enforced closure could face a fine of €5,000 or one year in jail. The legislation is time-bound until November 9th this year.
Protocols for opening
Elsewhere, vintners groups have written to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn to request a meeting on the protocols for pubs to reopen.
After a Cabinet meeting last week, Mr Varadkar said the Government intended to work with the State’s public health team to draft protocols which might allow pubs to reopen.
Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners’ Association, said he wanted the meeting to discuss the protocols mentioned by the Tánaiste. “What does he mean by that, what conditions need to be met to allow pubs reopen and when does he see those conditions being met.”
He said Dr Glynn “needs to help us to understand the conditions that need to be met for pubs to reopen”.
Pádraig Cribben, chief executive of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, said he wanted an explanation as to why pubs across Europe were reopening while Irish premises remained shut.
“It’s the same science across Europe, but we’re interpreting it differently as far as the pubs are concerned,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--CAO points set to rise under Leaving Cert calculated grades

CAO points for many third-level courses are likely to rise due to higher grades being offered to Leaving Cert students this year under the Government ’ s new calculated grades process .
The Department of Education has confirmed that grades will be “ stronger ” this year compared to previous years , which will lead to some grade inflation .
The biggest impact of this will be on up to 20,000 students who have applied for college places this year on the basis of results they secured in previous years .
Department of Education officials have acknowledged that they faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make them consistent from year to year versus being fair to this year ’ s Leaving Certs who faced “ exceptional ” circumstances .
Officials said the release of more than 1,250 higher education places in high-demand courses will enable more students get their first-choice course and take some of the heat out of the points race .
It has also emerged that teachers awarded more than twice the number of top H1 grades to students in many subjects than would have been expected in the normal Leaving Cert .
In some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was three times the normal rate .
“ There is no evidence that the students of 2020 were expected to achieve such a jump in performance , ” according to a department briefing note .
“ Such uncontrolled growth in scores is not credible in one school year.
” The final calculated grade results will be adjusted using a standardisation process to bring grades closer into line with normal achievement patterns .
Overall , a large majority ( 79 per cent ) of students ’ estimated grades will remain the same .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent ) or increased ( 4 per cent ) .
About 60,000 Leaving Cert students are set to receive their final calculated grade results at 9am on Monday .
Minister for Education Norma Foley announced on Tuesday that teachers ’ estimated grades would be at the core of the results that students can expect .
At a press conference at Government Buildings , Ms Foley also said the Cabinet had agreed to drop a controversial measure know as “ school profiling ” .
This relates to a plan to use schools ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year ’ s Leaving Certs .
Ms Foley said she had taken this measure so that students from disadvantaged backgrounds were not treated unfairly .
“ Your school will not determine the results that you get through standardisation this year , ” she said .
A breakdown of the calculated grades shows the proportion of downgrades for students in disadvantaged or Deis schools is smaller ( 13.6 per cent ) compared with other schools ( 16.8 per cent ) .
Overall , Government officials are hopeful key differences with the Irish approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and controversy seen in the UK .
The Irish Second Level Students ’ Union said it was glad to see that “ lessons had been learned ” from the UK ’ s experience and that students , rather than the system , were at the heart of the process .

Minister for Education Norma Foley said the Cabinet had agreed to drop a controversial measure know as “school profiling”. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
CAO points for many third-level courses are likely to rise due to higher grades being offered to Leaving Cert students this year under the Government’s new calculated grades process.
The Department of Education has confirmed that grades will be “stronger” this year compared to previous years, which will lead to some grade inflation.
The biggest impact of this will be on up to 20,000 students who have applied for college places this year on the basis of results they secured in previous years.
Department of Education officials have acknowledged that they faced a choice this year between adjusting grades to make them consistent from year to year versus being fair to this year’s Leaving Certs who faced “exceptional” circumstances.
READ MORE
Officials said the release of more than 1,250 higher education places in high-demand courses will enable more students get their first-choice course and take some of the heat out of the points race.
It has also emerged that teachers awarded more than twice the number of top H1 grades to students in many subjects than would have been expected in the normal Leaving Cert.
The Department of Education has dropped plans for its controversial ‘school profiling’ which took account of an individual school’s track record in the last three years to help determine whether teachers’ estimated Leaving Cert grades were accurate. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times
In some cases the proportion of H1 grades awarded was three times the normal rate.
“There is no evidence that the students of 2020 were expected to achieve such a jump in performance,” according to a department briefing note. “Such uncontrolled growth in scores is not credible in one school year.”
Grade adjustment
The final calculated grade results will be adjusted using a standardisation process to bring grades closer into line with normal achievement patterns.
Overall, a large majority (79 per cent) of students’ estimated grades will remain the same. The remainder will be either reduced (17 per cent) or increased (4 per cent).
About 60,000 Leaving Cert students are set to receive their final calculated grade results at 9am on Monday.
Minister for Education Norma Foley announced on Tuesday that teachers' estimated grades would be at the core of the results that students can expect.
At a press conference at Government Buildings, Ms Foley also said the Cabinet had agreed to drop a controversial measure know as “school profiling”.
This relates to a plan to use schools’ historical grade data to adjust results for this year’s Leaving Certs.
Ms Foley said she had taken this measure so that students from disadvantaged backgrounds were not treated unfairly.
“Your school will not determine the results that you get through standardisation this year,” she said.
A breakdown of the calculated grades shows the proportion of downgrades for students in disadvantaged or Deis schools is smaller (13.6 per cent) compared with other schools (16.8 per cent).
Overall, Government officials are hopeful key differences with the Irish approach to calculated grades will avoid the chaos and controversy seen in the UK.
The Irish Second Level Students’ Union said it was glad to see that “lessons had been learned” from the UK’s experience and that students, rather than the system, were at the heart of the process.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Covid and schools: Union to claim many staff do not have enough PPE

A significant number of staff in schools are providing personal care to students without adequate personal protective equipment , the country ’ s largest public service union will tell the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Wednesday .
Fórsa , which represents non-teaching staff including special needs assistants , will also say that in one school the isolation facility earmarked for students who may develop Covid-19 symptoms was part of the school secretary ’ s office separated by a Perspex screen .
It will also say its members in the education sector were reporting that a number of schools have either refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are requiring staff to reuse face masks contrary to HSE advice ” .
It intends to carry out a survey of members on the issue early next week .
The union also maintained that the use of isolation rooms for students exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 would “ without doubt be problematic ” .
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland ( ASTI ) will tell the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee that the Department of Education appears “ to be doing little or no planning for the possibility that there might be individual or groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kieran Christie will say that controversy over large assemblies was due to a “ lack of clarity ” that left schools “ unsure should they follow advice [ from the department ] which was silent on the matter or Government advice that was well known ” .
In his opening statement , Mr Christie will tell the committee that the lack of guidance “ was an extraordinary omission given that we were in the middle of controversy on large congregations over in Clifden ” .
The union will say it has not received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for a meeting to discuss a range of concerns .
“ It is regrettable that those who are effectively making the decisions on these matters are refusing to meet representatives of those directly affected by them.
” It also has concerns over parts of the guidance for reopening schools , including issues around testing , the treatment of close contacts , contact tracing and policies around symptomatic children and staff .
Several unions , including the ASTI and the Teachers ’ Union of Ireland ( TUI ) , will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , for teachers and students in “ high risk ” categories .
“ The ASTI is receiving a significant number of calls from teachers whose illnesses include chronic kidney disease , cancer and serious heart disease ” .
It says asking teachers with these illnesses to teach sizeable groups is “ unconscionable ” .
The committee will also hear from the TUI , the National Parents Council , and the Irish National Teachers ’ Organisation on Wednesday .
The INTO said it was imperative that a review be undertaken , by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening of schools and identify improvements which may be necessary .
“ Unless we are vigilant and in a position to adapt quickly to changing circumstances , schools may risk a second period of enforced closure .
”

Fórsa members in the education sector were reporting that a number of schools have either refused to purchase personal protective equipment ‘or are requiring staff to reuse face masks contrary to HSE advice’. Photograph: iStock
A significant number of staff in schools are providing personal care to students without adequate personal protective equipment, the country's largest public service union will tell the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee on Wednesday.
Fórsa, which represents non-teaching staff including special needs assistants, will also say that in one school the isolation facility earmarked for students who may develop Covid-19 symptoms was part of the school secretary’s office separated by a Perspex screen.
It will also say its members in the education sector were reporting that a number of schools have either refused to purchase personal protective equipment “or are requiring staff to reuse face masks contrary to HSE advice”.
It intends to carry out a survey of members on the issue early next week.
READ MORE
The union also maintained that the use of isolation rooms for students exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 would “without doubt be problematic”.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) will tell the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee that the Department of Education appears "to be doing little or no planning for the possibility that there might be individual or groups of school closures".
General secretary Kieran Christie will say that controversy over large assemblies was due to a "lack of clarity" that left schools "unsure should they follow advice [from the department] which was silent on the matter or Government advice that was well known".
In his opening statement, Mr Christie will tell the committee that the lack of guidance “was an extraordinary omission given that we were in the middle of controversy on large congregations over in Clifden”. The union will say it has not received a response from the Minister for Health to a request for a meeting to discuss a range of concerns.
“It is regrettable that those who are effectively making the decisions on these matters are refusing to meet representatives of those directly affected by them.”
It also has concerns over parts of the guidance for reopening schools, including issues around testing, the treatment of close contacts, contact tracing and policies around symptomatic children and staff.
Several unions, including the ASTI and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), will also demand alternative arrangements, including working from home, for teachers and students in “high risk” categories. “The ASTI is receiving a significant number of calls from teachers whose illnesses include chronic kidney disease, cancer and serious heart disease”.
It says asking teachers with these illnesses to teach sizeable groups is “unconscionable”.
The committee will also hear from the TUI, the National Parents Council, and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation on Wednesday.
The INTO said it was imperative that a review be undertaken, by the end of September, to assess the reopening of schools and identify improvements which may be necessary.
“Unless we are vigilant and in a position to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, schools may risk a second period of enforced closure.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--£2bn-plus spent on coronavirus pandemic in North, report finds

More than £2 billion ( €2.25 billion ) has been spent on the response to the coronavirus pandemic in the North , according to a report published on Wednesday by the Northern Ireland Audit Office .
The office described the costs as “ significant ” but said the final figure was expected to be much higher as Northern Ireland was still progressing through the pandemic and some responses had yet to be costed .
It also does not include the Northern Ireland cost of the UK ’ s job retention scheme for furloughed workers , which according to the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 per cent of the North ’ s workforce – as of August .
By July 24th , the UK government had confirmed it would provide £2.2 billion in Covid-19 funding to Northern Ireland .
The North ’ s Department of Health reported 49 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday , bringing the total number of cases identified in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic to 7,294 .
No further deaths were reported , leaving the number of coronavirus-related fatalities recorded by the Department at 560 .
The majority of pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Education minister , Peter Weir , warned there would be cases of coronavirus in schools .
“ Undoubtedly there ’ s likely to be some level of interruption in terms of education , but across the board I think we want to ensure that schools remain open , ” he told the BBC .
In South Armagh , the P2/3 class at Jonesborough Primary School has been advised to self-isolate for 14 days after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus .
The report , An Overview of the Northern Ireland Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published by the North ’ s Comptroller and Auditor General , Kieran Connolly .
The challenge of responding to the pandemic , Mr Connolly said , was “ unlike any the Northern Ireland Executive has ever faced ” , and the scale of its response was “ similarly unprecedented.
” The Executive , he said , “ was required to quickly introduce multiple measures supporting vulnerable individuals and businesses facing a major reduction in income .
“ My report gives an overview of these measures , but no assessment of the value for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point , ” he said .
According to the report the anticipated spending by government departments in the North on 84 separate initiatives to tackle coronavirus is estimated at £1.74 billion , while the estimated cost of other UK-wide schemes which apply to Northern Ireland , including welfare payments , comes to £465 million .
Approximately 70 per cent of total estimated costs related to activities across three government departments .
This included £568 million by the department of the health “ working at the front line , treating infected patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy “ offering support to local businesses struggling to survive as a result of public compliance with social distancing and isolation regulations ” , and £252 million by the department of finance , which offered “ a range of business and rate reliefs for individuals and businesses ” .
Mr Connolly said there would “ undoubtedly be lessons to learn ” and the report would provide the Audit Office “ with the basis for a programme of work evaluating how public money has been spent during this period ” .
As an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Audit Office would examine arrangements around the supply of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) - the cost of which was likely to be in excess of £200m - as well as the support provided to lessen the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable groups and the wider impact of Covid-19 on public sector income .
Concerns were also raised in the report about three coronavirus-related Ministerial Directions , all of which related to Business Support Grant Schemes launched by the Department of the Economy .
Grants paid to local firms by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tourism businesses , a £10,000 grant for small companies and a micro-business hardship fund .
Given the tight timeframes , officials were concerned as to whether they could provide sufficient evidence of value for money , or assurance on the risk of loss through error or fraud .
A spokesperson for the department said it was “ content that it took the necessary , swift action to support tens of thousands of businesses facing serious difficulties , or failure , caused by the Covid-19 crisis .
“ The measures taken by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The evaluation of these schemes will take place in due course.
” Additional reporting - PA .

Teacher Joanne Conlon with pupils on their first day in class P1 at St John the Baptist Primary School in west Belfast, on Tuesday, as the pandemic continues unabated. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
More than £2 billion (€2.25 billion) has been spent on the response to the coronavirus pandemic in the North, according to a report published on Wednesday by the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
The office described the costs as “significant” but said the final figure was expected to be much higher as Northern Ireland was still progressing through the pandemic and some responses had yet to be costed.
It also does not include the Northern Ireland cost of the UK’s job retention scheme for furloughed workers, which according to the report was almost 250,000 employees – or almost 30 per cent of the North’s workforce – as of August.
By July 24th, the UK government had confirmed it would provide £2.2 billion in Covid-19 funding to Northern Ireland.
READ MORE
The North's Department of Health reported 49 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases identified in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic to 7,294.
No further deaths were reported, leaving the number of coronavirus-related fatalities recorded by the Department at 560.
The majority of pupils in the North returned to school on Tuesday. Education minister, Peter Weir, warned there would be cases of coronavirus in schools.
“Undoubtedly there’s likely to be some level of interruption in terms of education, but across the board I think we want to ensure that schools remain open,” he told the BBC.
In South Armagh, the P2/3 class at Jonesborough Primary School has been advised to self-isolate for 14 days after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus.
The report, An Overview of the Northern Ireland Executive's response to Covid-19, is published by the North's Comptroller and Auditor General, Kieran Connolly.
The challenge of responding to the pandemic, Mr Connolly said, was “unlike any the Northern Ireland Executive has ever faced”, and the scale of its response was “similarly unprecedented.”
The Executive, he said, “was required to quickly introduce multiple measures supporting vulnerable individuals and businesses facing a major reduction in income.
“My report gives an overview of these measures, but no assessment of the value for money of individual measures has been made at this point,” he said.
According to the report the anticipated spending by government departments in the North on 84 separate initiatives to tackle coronavirus is estimated at £1.74 billion, while the estimated cost of other UK-wide schemes which apply to Northern Ireland, including welfare payments, comes to £465 million.
Approximately 70 per cent of total estimated costs related to activities across three government departments.
This included £568 million by the department of the health “working at the front line, treating infected patients”, £408m by the department of the economy “offering support to local businesses struggling to survive as a result of public compliance with social distancing and isolation regulations”, and £252 million by the department of finance, which offered “a range of business and rate reliefs for individuals and businesses”.
Mr Connolly said there would “undoubtedly be lessons to learn” and the report would provide the Audit Office “with the basis for a programme of work evaluating how public money has been spent during this period”.
Personal protective equipment
As an initial step, he said, the Audit Office would examine arrangements around the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) - the cost of which was likely to be in excess of £200m - as well as the support provided to lessen the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable groups and the wider impact of Covid-19 on public sector income.
Concerns were also raised in the report about three coronavirus-related Ministerial Directions, all of which related to Business Support Grant Schemes launched by the Department of the Economy.
Grants paid to local firms by the department included £25,000 for hospitality, retail and tourism businesses, a £10,000 grant for small companies and a micro-business hardship fund.
Given the tight timeframes, officials were concerned as to whether they could provide sufficient evidence of value for money, or assurance on the risk of loss through error or fraud.
A spokesperson for the department said it was “content that it took the necessary, swift action to support tens of thousands of businesses facing serious difficulties, or failure, caused by the Covid-19 crisis.
“The measures taken by the minister were supported by the Executive. The evaluation of these schemes will take place in due course.” Additional reporting - PA.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Opposition to wind farm says plans are being assessed based on old guidelines

Sligo and Leitrim locals opposing 10 new 170m wind turbines have expressed concerns that the plans are being assessed based on out of date guidelines introduced when most turbines were a third of the size .
The Government last year published and put to public consultation new draft guidelines governing wind energy developments , but until these are finalised the 2006 guidelines remain in place .
Semi-State forestry firm Coillte plans to erect the turbines on Corry mountain on the Sligo-Leitrim border .
It has applied to Sligo and Leitrim county councils for planning permission .
Community group Wind Aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move .
The group said it had been assured in 2018 that the development would be in line with new draft guidelines .
These take into account issues related to the increased size of wind turbines .
“ It now transpires that Coillte ’ s application to Leitrim and Sligo County Councils is based on the 2006 guidelines , ” said WAD ’ s spokesperson Adrienne Diamond .
She said these guidelines were introduced when the average turbine height was 50m to 65m rather than the 170m proposed .
Ms Diamond said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for purpose , and described the height of new turbines as being “ on an industrial scale ” .
The community group said there were already about 100 turbines on the landscape in this area from Arigna to Dromahair , and has argued that an additional 10 on such a large scale would cause a risk of landslides .
Ms Diamond said 40 homes would be directly impacted if the turbines are built .
She said undisturbed bog was widely recognised as an important carbon storage reservoir .
“ How can the destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of tons of concrete and steel be regarded as being environmentally friendly ?
” Last December the government opened a public consultation process on proposed revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines .
A spokesman for Minister for Housing Darragh O ’ Brien said the department was currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 guidelines which was addressing a number of key aspects , including noise , visual amenity setback distances , shadow flicker , community obligation , community dividend and grid connections .
He said almost 500 submissions had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely detailed and technical in nature ” .
New guidelines would be prepared following detailed analysis of the submissions .
“ In the meantime the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force , ” said the spokesman .
Coillte confirmed that planning applications for the wind farm were recently submitted to both Leitrim and Sligo councils , but did not want to comment while they were being determined..
The company said the application followed extensive community engagement .
A spokeswoman said the project had the potential to generate renewable electricity capable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company said that if the project received planning there would be a significant community benefit fund put in place for the lifetime of the project , which would employ up to 100 people during its construction .
Eighth of the turbines would be located in Co Leitrim and two in Co Sligo .
Both local authorities said it would not be appropriate to comment on a live planning application .
A spokesman for Sligo County Council said a planning authority was required to make a decision on a planning application within eight @ @

A Coillte spokeswoman says the project on the Sligo-Leitrim border has the potential to generate renewable electricity capable of powering 35,000 Irish homes
Sligo and Leitrim locals opposing 10 new 170m wind turbines have expressed concerns that the plans are being assessed based on out of date guidelines introduced when most turbines were a third of the size.
The Government last year published and put to public consultation new draft guidelines governing wind energy developments, but until these are finalised the 2006 guidelines remain in place.
Semi-State forestry firm Coillte plans to erect the turbines on Corry mountain on the Sligo-Leitrim border. It has applied to Sligo and Leitrim county councils for planning permission.
Community group Wind Aware Dromahair (WAD) is opposed to the move. The group said it had been assured in 2018 that the development would be in line with new draft guidelines. These take into account issues related to the increased size of wind turbines.
READ MORE
“It now transpires that Coillte’s application to Leitrim and Sligo County Councils is based on the 2006 guidelines,” said WAD’s spokesperson Adrienne Diamond.
She said these guidelines were introduced when the average turbine height was 50m to 65m rather than the 170m proposed. Ms Diamond said the 2006 guidelines were no longer fit for purpose, and described the height of new turbines as being “on an industrial scale”.
The community group said there were already about 100 turbines on the landscape in this area from Arigna to Dromahair, and has argued that an additional 10 on such a large scale would cause a risk of landslides .
Ms Diamond said 40 homes would be directly impacted if the turbines are built.
She said undisturbed bog was widely recognised as an important carbon storage reservoir. “How can the destruction of native bog and its replacement by thousands of tons of concrete and steel be regarded as being environmentally friendly?”
Consultation
Last December the government opened a public consultation process on proposed revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
A spokesman for Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said the department was currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 guidelines which was addressing a number of key aspects, including noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
He said almost 500 submissions had been received, “many of which are extremely detailed and technical in nature”.
New guidelines would be prepared following detailed analysis of the submissions. “ In the meantime the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force,” said the spokesman.
Coillte confirmed that planning applications for the wind farm were recently submitted to both Leitrim and Sligo councils, but did not want to comment while they were being determined..
The company said the application followed extensive community engagement.
A spokeswoman said the project had the potential to generate renewable electricity capable of powering approximately 35,000 Irish homes .
The company said that if the project received planning there would be a significant community benefit fund put in place for the lifetime of the project, which would employ up to 100 people during its construction.
Eighth of the turbines would be located in Co Leitrim and two in Co Sligo.
Both local authorities said it would not be appropriate to comment on a live planning application.
A spokesman for Sligo County Council said a planning authority was required to make a decision on a planning application within eight weeks.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Nine key actions to improve Irish air quality and human health

1 Implement a nationwide prohibition on smoky coal as soon as possible .
Air pollution in the form of PM2.5 – the biggest threat to human health from burning solid fuels – does not recognise town or city boundaries .
2 As soon as feasible , proceed to a nationwide ban on smoky fuels , including peat and wet wood , in line with latest scientific evidence on premature deaths due to air pollution , aggravated asthma and heart/stroke risk .
3 Many people are in fuel poverty and reliant on fossils fuels , peat and wood to heat their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; part of a “ just transition ” .
This should be placed in the context of addressing the global climate and biodiversity crises and enshrined in all energy policies .
4 Supporting initiatives could include : green taxes to make “ dirty ” fuels more expensive ; new fuel standards such as wood moisture content ( “ wet ” wood emits more PM2.5 ) ; support for people to transition from turf to cleaner fuels and spelling out emission standards for new stoves .
5 Transform the way we heat homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of heat pumps – as committed to in the programme for government .
6 Replace the Air Pollution Act 1987 with a new Clean Air Act driven by priority for health issues , and adhering to World Health Organisation pollution limits , which are stricter than current EU limits .
7 Liaise with authorities in Northern Ireland on transboundary air pollution with a particular focus on the context of Brexit and ending the smuggling of prohibited fuels .
8 Legislative reforms to enable stronger enforcement related to air pollution and smoky fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation ) including better classification of fuel types .
9 Improve air quality monitoring capacity with more robust , real-time publication of trends across the country .
Sources : EPA ; Asthma Society of Ireland , Prof John Wenger ( UCC Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry ) , UCC Centre for Law and the Environment .
An interactive online map illustrates existing low-smoke zones including those coming into operation from September 1st .
The map includes an Eircode search facility , whereby a user can enter the Eircode of any particular premises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls within a low-smoke zone

1 Implement a nationwide prohibition on smoky coal as soon as possible. Air pollution in the form of PM2.5 – the biggest threat to human health from burning solid fuels – does not recognise town or city boundaries.
2 As soon as feasible, proceed to a nationwide ban on smoky fuels, including peat and wet wood, in line with latest scientific evidence on premature deaths due to air pollution, aggravated asthma and heart/stroke risk.
3 Many people are in fuel poverty and reliant on fossils fuels, peat and wood to heat their homes. Scaled-up supports will be needed; part of a "just transition". This should be placed in the context of addressing the global climate and biodiversity crises and enshrined in all energy policies.
A labourer in a coal plant in Xining, northwest China. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters
4 Supporting initiatives could include: green taxes to make "dirty" fuels more expensive; new fuel standards such as wood moisture content ("wet" wood emits more PM2.5); support for people to transition from turf to cleaner fuels and spelling out emission standards for new stoves.
READ MORE
5 Transform the way we heat homes and buildings by retrofitting buildings and facilitating widespread use of heat pumps – as committed to in the programme for government.
6 Replace the Air Pollution Act 1987 with a new Clean Air Act driven by priority for health issues, and adhering to World Health Organisation pollution limits, which are stricter than current EU limits.
7 Liaise with authorities in Northern Ireland on transboundary air pollution with a particular focus on the context of Brexit and ending the smuggling of prohibited fuels.
8 Legislative reforms to enable stronger enforcement related to air pollution and smoky fuel use (with particular regard to EU legislation) including better classification of fuel types.
9 Improve air quality monitoring capacity with more robust, real-time publication of trends across the country.
Sources: EPA; Asthma Society of Ireland, Prof John Wenger (UCC Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry), UCC Centre for Law and the Environment.
An interactive online map illustrates existing low-smoke zones including those coming into operation from September 1st. The map includes an Eircode search facility, whereby a user can enter the Eircode of any particular premises, to see whether or not it falls within a low-smoke zone


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--Timber shortages threaten thousands of forestry jobs, Coillte warns

Coillte has warned the Government that it could run out of timber to sell off before the end of the year , leading to thousands of job losses across the forestry sector .
The warning was made in a letter sent during August to Taoiseach Micheál Martin in his role as acting Minister for Agriculture .
The semi-State forestry company made contact to flag concerns about the impact on its business of a backlog in the appeals process for felling licences , it is understood .
The forestry body warned the Taoiseach that if it runs out of timber the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortages of raw materials .
The backlog has led to the cancellation of multiple auctions of timber by the semi-State already this year , Coillte said in a statement .
The Taoiseach met officials last week to discuss the situation following the letter , Government sources said .
Coillte told The Irish Times that its timber supply for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 is “ under severe threat due to the delays in processing of appeals , which has led to a significant backlog ” .
“ The licensing and appeals process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which allows Coillte to meet the timber needs of the sector , ” a statement from the semi-State said .
The forestry industry has said appeals to tree-felling licences are not being dealt with quickly enough by the Department ’ s Forestry Appeals Committee , with the number of appeals currently before the body reported to be about 400 , and the committee working through them at a rate of around 20 a month .
“ The underlying issues need to be resolved as a matter of urgency , ” a spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agricultural appeals Act and proper resourcing for the committee “ so that appeals can be dealt with in a timely manner ” .
A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said a draft Bill to “ align the forestry licensing and appeals system with other similar planning process ” was published on the department ’ s website inviting public comment on proposals in July .
The department said this Bill would aim to change the operation of the Forestry Appeals Committee “ to make the appeals process more efficient ” .
Sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue by new legislation early in the new Dáil term , with legislation already being worked on by the Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General ’ s office .
Coillte said new procedures on licensing for harvesting of trees “ have had a serious impact on the issuing of felling licences to Coillte and also the wider forest sector ” .
Availability of material for sale by the body has been constrained , it said , arguing that “ the issue has become very critical ” , and Coillte has had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Department of Agriculture said the Minister was “ fully aware ” of issues in the sector , and said a “ detailed project plan ” was being implemented to increase licensing output , including hiring new resources in the department .

Coillte said its timber supply for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 is “under severe threat due to the delays in processing of appeals, which has led to a significant backlog”. Photograph: Getty Images
Coillte has warned the Government that it could run out of timber to sell off before the end of the year, leading to thousands of job losses across the forestry sector.
The warning was made in a letter sent during August to Taoiseach Micheál Martin in his role as acting Minister for Agriculture.
The semi-State forestry company made contact to flag concerns about the impact on its business of a backlog in the appeals process for felling licences, it is understood. The forestry body warned the Taoiseach that if it runs out of timber the State’s sawmills will face drastic shortages of raw materials.
The backlog has led to the cancellation of multiple auctions of timber by the semi-State already this year, Coillte said in a statement.
READ MORE
The Taoiseach met officials last week to discuss the situation following the letter, Government sources said.
Coillte told The Irish Times that its timber supply for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 is “under severe threat due to the delays in processing of appeals, which has led to a significant backlog”.
“The licensing and appeals process is currently not working in a manner which allows Coillte to meet the timber needs of the sector,” a statement from the semi-State said.
The forestry industry has said appeals to tree-felling licences are not being dealt with quickly enough by the Department's Forestry Appeals Committee, with the number of appeals currently before the body reported to be about 400, and the committee working through them at a rate of around 20 a month.
“The underlying issues need to be resolved as a matter of urgency,” a spokesman for Coillte said, calling for amendments to the agricultural appeals Act and proper resourcing for the committee “so that appeals can be dealt with in a timely manner”.
A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said a draft Bill to “align the forestry licensing and appeals system with other similar planning process” was published on the department’s website inviting public comment on proposals in July.
The department said this Bill would aim to change the operation of the Forestry Appeals Committee “to make the appeals process more efficient”.
New legislation
Sources said the Government intends to address the issue by new legislation early in the new Dáil term, with legislation already being worked on by the Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General’s office.
Coillte said new procedures on licensing for harvesting of trees “have had a serious impact on the issuing of felling licences to Coillte and also the wider forest sector”.
Availability of material for sale by the body has been constrained, it said, arguing that “the issue has become very critical”, and Coillte has had to cancel six of its monthly auctions.
The Department of Agriculture said the Minister was “fully aware” of issues in the sector, and said a “detailed project plan” was being implemented to increase licensing output, including hiring new resources in the department.


theirishtimes--2020-09-02--‘We have to stop burning stuff’: The case for a nationwide smoky fuel ban

Air pollution is the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe , according to the European Environment Agency .
It is estimated to cause 1,600 premature deaths a year in Ireland alone .
While gases such as carbon monoxide and ozone are hazardous at certain concentrations , the main threat is a microscopic airborne particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres – known as PM2.5 .
This silent , practically invisible killer can worsen asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) , and cause heart attacks and strokes .
There is no safe level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Prof John Wenger , director of UCC Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry .
Air pollution is made up of a complex chemical mixture of gases and particles that impact strongly on both climate and health , Wenger says .
Its insidious side is seen in research indicating exposure to air pollution is likely linked with the occurrence or severity of Covid-19 infection .
In Ireland it arises in a menacing form , he says , from how we heat our homes and what fuel we burn .
A nationwide ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says , with supports for those in fuel poverty .
He led an EPA-commissioned study ( known as Sapphire ) which starkly states what is at issue .
Researchers looked at particulate matter sources in Killarney , Birr and Enniscorthy – residential settings outside areas where the smoky coal ban existed at the time and where there is no natural gas available .
The study focused on the contribution of residential solid fuel burning to ambient levels of wintertime PM2.5 .
Using “ chemical fingerprints ” of particles generated from combustion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of peat was the dominant source at each location , followed by wood and then coal .
Average PM2.5 concentrations in Killarney and Enniscorthy were considerably higher than those in Dublin and Cork despite having a fraction of their population .
New measures and policies “ are urgently needed to reduce harmful emissions from residential solid fuel burning across the country ” , the report concludes .
A nationwide smoky coal ban “ is unlikely to lead to significant air quality improvements in small towns ” , though Wenger accepts it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for government commits to extending the smoky coal ban to new towns “ and , over the term of government , move towards a full nationwide ban ” .
The smoky coal ban has recently been extended to 13 towns including Enniscorthy and Killarney .
Wenger ’ s blunt message , however , goes further : “ We have to stop burning stuff.
” In short , options are a nationwide ban on smoky coal ; a nationwide ban on smoky fuels or extending current low smoke zones ( LSZs ) .
Measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – peat , wood and coal – would be more successful in improving air quality for all urban centres including small towns , he adds .
Future efforts need to address how homes are heated , “ rather than attempting to discourage use of one specific solid fuel ” .
A nationwide smoky coal ban has been favoured by some environment ministers – but coal firms from outside the State have threatened legal action , arguing that singling out smoky coal would be anti-competitive , since peat and wet wood produce similar levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment Richard Bruton acknowledged last year a nationwide ban on smoky coal “ carries a serious risk of illegality , unless peat , wet wood and turf are also addressed ” .
A report commissioned by the Asthma Society of Ireland ( ASI ) and completed by UCC Environmental Law Clinic outlines options for effective smoky fuels regulation .
A ban on smoky fuels is the most acceptable policy despite being most restrictive on trade , it finds .
It would be easiest to enforce as only smokeless coal would be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of monitoring different types of coal would no longer apply .
And it would remove from use all fuel types which produce high levels of PM2.5 .
A nationwide ban on bituminous coal alone is likely to increase demand for peat , wood and biomass .
Given peatlands ’ ability to act as a natural carbon sink , such a policy “ would exacerbate the climate and biodiversity crises ” , the report cautions .
Because those on lowest income and those most rurally isolated are most dependent on smoky fuels , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those fuels , it adds .
The ASI report also warns that smoky coal suppliers are likely to mount a challenge against the imposition of a nationwide smoky coal ban under EU competition law , “ specifically in relation to the Government imposing unfair trading conditions on one sector of the smoky fuel market ” .
In protecting human health and life , only a ban on all smoky fuels can be justified in restricting free movement of goods ; whereas prohibition of only one harmful fuel would be an unjustifiable distortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the report ’ s authors , believes a smoky fuel ban has not been pursued because awareness of air pollution in Ireland is poor .
“ There ’ s a ‘ we all think it ’ s fine ’ attitude , ” he says .
He cites another study which shows some smokeless fuel in circulation have high levels of PM2.5 “ suggesting the only good option is no fires ” .
Harrington says the introduction of a smoky fuel ban would end a complex and confusing regulatory regime .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published later this year , according to the Department of Climate Action and Environment .
It will be “ a strategic policy framework ” seeking to identify and promote additional integrated measures to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air .
It will adopt a regional approach to air quality enforcement and clamp down on sale of high-sulphur content fuel imported from the UK .
It will also invest in the network of monitoring stations and “ move towards a full nationwide solid fuel regulation ” .
On prohibiting smoky fuels , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant positive impact on air quality in Low Smoke Zones .
“ However , as more research emerges and as we gather increasingly detailed data from our expanded National Ambient Air Monitoring Network , it is clear that a more comprehensive approach is required to reduce air pollution emissions attributed to the use of a range of solid fuels in the residential sector , ” it said in a statement .
Fuels such as peat briquettes , turf and wet wood , as well as bituminous coal , contribute to air pollution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ However , it is not considered likely that a ‘ one size ’ regulatory approach would be suitable for the regulation of all such fuels , particularly given how other fuels are produced and distributed in different ways.
” The department says supports have been increased for those in energy poverty while an initiative aims to have 500,000 homes retrofitted and 400,000 heat pumps installed in existing buildings over the next decade .
“ Improvements to air quality in Ireland are inextricably linked to actions on climate .
In particular , assisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more heavily dependent on solid fuels for heating their homes is an important step in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality , ” the department added .
Wenger believes this transition will take years , entail significant costs as many can not afford to change to cleaner home heating even with current grants , and ultimately will require an end to use of all wood , even though kiln-dried timber used in a eco-efficient stove is less problematic .
The right to “ an environment consistent with the human dignity and wellbeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policymakers under significant obligations to implement effective air quality measures , the Asthma Society of Ireland report argues .
Banning smoky fuels would be the most legally-robust option and most conducive to achieving health benefits for those vulnerable to air pollution and have greatest impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions .
With 25 years of air pollution research behind him , Wenger says it ’ s about being creative , and “ moving away from our love of the open fire ” .
There are issues about pollutants arising from traffic and agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to go “ because it ’ s the largest source of air pollution ” .

Air pollution is the single largest environmental health hazard in Europe, according to the European Environment Agency. It is estimated to cause 1,600 premature deaths a year in Ireland alone.
While gases such as carbon monoxide and ozone are hazardous at certain concentrations, the main threat is a microscopic airborne particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres – known as PM2.5. This silent, practically invisible killer can worsen asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cause heart attacks and strokes.
There is no safe level of exposure to these microscopic particles, according to Prof John Wenger, director of UCC Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry.
Air pollution is made up of a complex chemical mixture of gases and particles that impact strongly on both climate and health, Wenger says. Its insidious side is seen in research indicating exposure to air pollution is likely linked with the occurrence or severity of Covid-19 infection.
READ MORE
In Ireland it arises in a menacing form, he says, from how we heat our homes and what fuel we burn. A nationwide ban on all smoky fuels is now needed, he says, with supports for those in fuel poverty.
He led an EPA-commissioned study (known as Sapphire) which starkly highlights what is at issue. Researchers looked at particulate matter sources in Killarney, Birr and Enniscorthy – residential settings outside areas where the smoky coal ban existed at the time and where there is no natural gas available.The study focused on the contribution of residential solid fuel burning to ambient levels of wintertime PM2.5. Using "chemical fingerprints" of particles generated from combustion of different solid fuels, it revealed burning of peat was the dominant source at each location, followed by wood and then coal.
“So it’s a solid fuel problem; not a coal problem,” Wenger notes.
Average PM2.5 concentrations in Killarney and Enniscorthy were considerably higher than those in Dublin and Cork despite having a fraction of their population.
New measures and policies “are urgently needed to reduce harmful emissions from residential solid fuel burning across the country”, the report concludes. A nationwide smoky coal ban “is unlikely to lead to significant air quality improvements in small towns”, though Wenger accepts it’s a good first step.
The programme for government commits to extending the smoky coal ban to new towns “and, over the term of government, move towards a full nationwide ban”. The smoky coal ban has recently been extended to 13 towns including Enniscorthy and Killarney.
Wenger’s blunt message, however, goes further: “We have to stop burning stuff.”
In short, options are a nationwide ban on smoky coal; a nationwide ban on smoky fuels or extending current low smoke zones (LSZs).
Measures to reduce emissions from all solid fuels – peat, wood and coal – would be more successful in improving air quality for all urban centres including small towns, he adds. Future efforts need to address how homes are heated, “rather than attempting to discourage use of one specific solid fuel”.
A nationwide smoky coal ban has been favoured by some environment ministers – but coal firms from outside the State have threatened legal action, arguing that singling out smoky coal would be anti-competitive, since peat and wet wood produce similar levels of air pollution. Then minister for the environment Richard Bruton acknowledged last year a nationwide ban on smoky coal "carries a serious risk of illegality, unless peat, wet wood and turf are also addressed".
A report commissioned by the Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) and completed by UCC Environmental Law Clinic outlines options for effective smoky fuels regulation.
A ban on smoky fuels is the most acceptable policy despite being most restrictive on trade, it finds. It would be easiest to enforce as only smokeless coal would be allowed enter the country and the current issue of monitoring different types of coal would no longer apply. And it would remove from use all fuel types which produce high levels of PM2.5.
A nationwide ban on bituminous coal alone is likely to increase demand for peat, wood and biomass. Given peatlands ability to act as a natural carbon sink, such a policy “would exacerbate the climate and biodiversity crises”, the report cautions. Because those on lowest income and those most rurally isolated are most dependent on smoky fuels, they are disproportionately exposed to the health impacts of those fuels, it adds.
The ASI report also warns that smoky coal suppliers are likely to mount a challenge against the imposition of a nationwide smoky coal ban under EU competition law, “specifically in relation to the Government imposing unfair trading conditions on one sector of the smoky fuel market”.
In protecting human health and life, only a ban on all smoky fuels can be justified in restricting free movement of goods; whereas prohibition of only one harmful fuel would be an unjustifiable distortion of EU competition.
Ben Harrington, one of the report's authors, believes a smoky fuel ban has not been pursued because awareness of air pollution in Ireland is poor. "There's a 'we all think it's fine' attitude," he says.
He cites another study which shows some smokeless fuels in circulation produce high PM2.5 levels which he says suggests “no fires” is the only good option. Harrington says the introduction of a smoky fuel ban would end a complex and confusing regulatory regime.
A national clean air strategy is to be published later this year, according to the Department of Climate Action and Environment. It will be “a strategic policy framework” seeking to identify and promote additional integrated measures to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air.
It will adopt a regional approach to air quality enforcement and clamp down on sale of high-sulphur content fuel imported from the UK. It will also invest in the network of monitoring stations and “move towards a full nationwide solid fuel regulation”.
On prohibiting smoky fuels, the department said existing regulations had ensured a significant positive impact on air quality in low smoke zones.
"However, as more research emerges and as we gather increasingly detailed data from our expanded National Ambient Air Monitoring Network, it is clear that a more comprehensive approach is required to reduce air pollution emissions attributed to the use of a range of solid fuels in the residential sector," it said in a statement.
Fuels such as peat briquettes, turf and wet wood, as well as bituminous coal, contribute to air pollution to varying degrees, the department added. “However, it is not considered likely that a ‘one size’ regulatory approach would be suitable for the regulation of all such fuels, particularly given how other fuels are produced and distributed in different ways.”
The department says supports have been increased for those in energy poverty while an initiative aims to have 500,000 homes retrofitted and 400,000 heat pumps installed in existing buildings over the next decade.
“Improvements to air quality in Ireland are inextricably linked to actions on climate. In particular, assisting those in energy poverty or who are more heavily dependent on solid fuels for heating their homes is an important step in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality,” the department added.
Wenger believes this transition will take years, entail significant costs as many cannot afford to change to cleaner home heating even with current grants, and ultimately will require an end to use of all wood, even though kiln-dried timber used in a eco-efficient stove is less problematic.
Dr Jurgita Ovadnevaite of NUIG Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies (CCAPS) agrees a nationwide ban on smoky fuels is needed, "but not only on fuels currently defined as smoky, all solid fuels, especially the ones used in open fires (like peat, wood and 'smokeless' coal)" – currently, peat is not classified as a smoky fuel.
“In Dublin, emissions from solid fuels add to 70 per cent of particulate matter during winter and the situation is even worse in smaller towns that do not benefit from the smoky fuel ban,” she adds.
Top of the clean air strategy’s priority list, she believes, should be home renovations to ensure these polluting fuels are not a necessity, along with banning all solid fuels. “Next would be tackling emissions from transport, especially heavy diesel vehicles, like public busses,” she adds. “Public transport should not lag behind, but set an example for privately-owned cars, while currently, we see opposite – one old diesel bus can match the PM emissions from 50 or more newer private vehicles, and recommendation to use a public transport might, thus, seem hypocritical.”
Her CCAPS colleague Dr Clare Noone puts this against the backdrop of Covid-19. While air quality may have improved during the pandemic bringing considerable benefits for health and climate, notably in transport-related air pollution; "the picture hasn't been as clear for other dangerous pollutants, PM2.5 for example, whose primary source in Ireland is household fires".
“The smoky coal ban will see a reduction in this harmful pollutant, and it is imperative that it is extended nationwide if we are to protect lives during this global pandemic. If you live in an area with poor air quality you’re already vulnerable to many health effects, and the associated lung damage from air pollution may worsen those infected with Covid-19.”
The constitutional rights to life and bodily integrity places policymakers under significant obligations to implement effective air quality measures, the Asthma Society of Ireland report argues. Banning smoky fuels would be the most legally-robust option and most conducive to achieving health benefits for those vulnerable to air pollution and have greatest impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With 25 years of air pollution research behind him, Wenger says it’s about being creative, and “moving away from our love of the open fire”. There are issues about pollutants arising from traffic and agriculture, but tackling PM2.5 first is the way to go “because it’s the largest source of air pollution”.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Broadband speeds in Ireland among lowest in Europe, study finds

Average broadband speeds in Ireland continue to be among the lowest in Europe although the country did fare better than many others during lockdown , according to a global study published on Wednesday morning .
The report from comparison website cable.co.uk placed Ireland in 51st place out of more than 200 countries with a mean download speed of just under 35 megabits per second .
The study suggests at that rate it would take just under 20 minutes to download a five gigabyte film .
The same film could be downloaded in Liechtenstein in just two minutes and 58 seconds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to be just under 230 mbps per second .
Jersey , Andorra , Gibraltar and Luxembourg also finish in the top five .
Only a handful of European countries , including Italy and Greece , fare worse than Ireland .
The bottom three places are occupied by Turkmenistan , Yemen and South Sudan where speeds were recorded at less than 1 megabyte per second and the time required to download the film was put at between 15 and 20 hours .
The company said more than 557 million broadband speed tests across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet speed leagues table .
The survey found video streaming services accounted for more than 60 per cent of total network volume last year .
A spike in demand after the pandemic was declared prompted market-leading streaming services including Netflix , Amazon and YouTube to reduce the quality of their video offering to offset the potential network impacts caused by populations spending so much more time at home during lockdowns .
The study revealed that , overwhelmingly , speeds still dropped in most countries included in the study during their most stringent lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 6.3 per cent .
Ireland fared better than most on that score with download speeds here falling by 2.2 per cent at the height of lockdown .
In the UK , the fall was 1.7 per cent with Portugal experiencing a negligible decline of just 0.2 per cent .
By contrast Finland recorded a drop in average download speeds of 25 per cent at the height of their lockdown while it was 13 per cent in the Netherlands and 10.5 per cent in Italy .
“ Although an overall drop of just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t sound like an awful lot , this figure moves very much against the tide , ” said the Consumer Tech analyst at cable.co.uk Don Howdle .
He pointed out its annual global broadband speed tracker had found increases of about 20 per cent year-on-year since 2017 .
“ For the majority of countries in this study to be moving in the opposite direction during their Covid-19 lockdowns , then , is all the more significant.
” He said it was “ impossible to attribute direct causality ” but pointed out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correlation between lockdown periods around the world and dips in measured internet speeds , with some regions of the world measuring the most substantial drops , and others more or less unchanged .
”

Average broadband speeds in Ireland continue to be among the lowest in Europe although the country did fare better than many others during lockdown, according to a global study published on Wednesday morning.
The report from comparison website cable.co.uk placed Ireland in 51st place out of more than 200 countries with a mean download speed of just under 35 megabits per second.
The study suggests at that rate it would take just under 20 minutes to download a five gigabyte film. The same film could be downloaded in Liechtenstein in just two minutes and 58 seconds with average download speeds in that country said to be just under 230 mbps per second.
Jersey, Andorra, Gibraltar and Luxembourg also finish in the top five.
READ MORE
Only a handful of European countries, including Italy and Greece, fare worse than Ireland.
Video streaming
The bottom three places are occupied by Turkmenistan, Yemen and South Sudan where speeds were recorded at less than 1 megabyte per second and the time required to download the film was put at between 15 and 20 hours.
The company said more than 557 million broadband speed tests across 221 countries were analysed to create the internet speed leagues table.
The survey found video streaming services accounted for more than 60 per cent of total network volume last year.
Although an overall drop of just 6.3 per cent across all countries doesn't sound like an awful lot, this figure moves very much against the tide
A spike in demand after the pandemic was declared prompted market-leading streaming services including Netflix, Amazon and YouTube to reduce the quality of their video offering to offset the potential network impacts caused by populations spending so much more time at home during lockdowns. The study revealed that, overwhelmingly, speeds still dropped in most countries included in the study during their most stringent lockdown periods, with the average decline put at 6.3 per cent.
Lockdown decline
Ireland fared better than most on that score with download speeds here falling by 2.2 per cent at the height of lockdown. In the UK, the fall was 1.7 per cent with Portugal experiencing a negligible decline of just 0.2 per cent.
By contrast Finland recorded a drop in average download speeds of 25 per cent at the height of their lockdown while it was 13 per cent in the Netherlands and 10.5 per cent in Italy.
"Although an overall drop of just 6.3 per cent across all countries doesn't sound like an awful lot, this figure moves very much against the tide," said the Consumer Tech analyst at cable.co.uk Don Howdle.
He pointed out its annual global broadband speed tracker had found increases of about 20 per cent year-on-year since 2017. “For the majority of countries in this study to be moving in the opposite direction during their Covid-19 lockdowns, then, is all the more significant.”
He said it was “impossible to attribute direct causality” but pointed out that the new study “shows a high correlation between lockdown periods around the world and dips in measured internet speeds, with some regions of the world measuring the most substantial drops, and others more or less unchanged.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Woman made ward of court after presenting to nursing home

A woman who sold her home for more than €1.5 million has been made a ward of court .
The woman , a retired professional aged in her 60s , has no immediate family .
The HSE sought wardship after a director of nursing raised concerns she presented to a nursing home last December in a dishevelled state , and concerns about her finances .
A couple who are neighbours of the woman ’ s had separately raised an objection with the High Court wards of court office as to whether the woman had capacity to execute an enduring power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , permitting other persons unrelated to her to deal with her finances .
The president of the High Court , Ms Justice Mary Irvine , said on Tuesday she was satisfied to take the woman into wardship prior to the hearing of an application for that EPA to be registered .
Patricia Hill BL , for the HSE , said it was seeking wardship because of safeguarding concerns arising from the woman having presented to the nursing home in a dishevelled state last December and about her capacity last October to execute the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wardship legislation to direct an EPA shall cease to be in force but the issue of whether or not the EPA should remain in force was not for determination at this stage , counsel said .
An EPA does not prevent a person being taken into wardship and , if it is later decided the woman had capacity to execute the EPA , it could be registered and the wardship would end , she added .
A solicitor for the attorneys in whose favour the EPA was created said they understood the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman ’ s best interests and were not taking any position on the application for wardship made without prejudice to an inquiry as to her capacity to execute the EPA .
A solicitor representing the neighbours said the EPA was executed on a date in October in favour of two persons and his clients were made notice parties to it .
The woman was diagnosed in November 2019 with reduced cognitive function but she may also have been treated for that in October , he said .
The neighbours ’ concerns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s capacity when the EPA was executed and they have concerns about being exposed to legal costs , he said .
First cousins of the woman had been in contact to also express concern and may become involved , the solicitor added .
Ms Hill said she could well understand the neighbours ’ legal costs concerns when they were “ just honest brokers ” but their costs could be met from the woman ’ s “ significant ” estate .
Ms Justice Irvine said the issue for the court as of now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application and the EPA .
It was hard to see how the woman would be prejudiced pending an inquiry into her capacity to execute the EPA .
The court was strongly of the view she should be taken into wardship regardless of the application to have the EPA registered , she said .
If it was found the woman had capacity to execute the EPA , she would be discharged from wardship .
The judge appointed Patricia Hickey , general solicitor for wards of court as the committee representing the woman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ’ s views will be taken into account in relation to the EPA , the judge said that matter could be canvassed with the attorneys .
Ms Hickey also indicated the costs of the neighbours could be met from the woman ’ s estate .
The matter has been adjourned to November .

The president of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, said on Tuesday she was satisfied to take the woman into wardship. File photograph: Cyril Byrne
A woman who sold her home for more than €1.5 million has been made a ward of court.
The woman, a retired professional aged in her 60s, has no immediate family. The HSE sought wardship after a director of nursing raised concerns she presented to a nursing home last December in a dishevelled state, and concerns about her finances.
A couple who are neighbours of the woman's had separately raised an objection with the High Court wards of court office as to whether the woman had capacity to execute an enduring power of attorney (EPA) last October, permitting other persons unrelated to her to deal with her finances.
The president of the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, said on Tuesday she was satisfied to take the woman into wardship prior to the hearing of an application for that EPA to be registered.
READ MORE
Patricia Hill BL, for the HSE, said it was seeking wardship because of safeguarding concerns arising from the woman having presented to the nursing home in a dishevelled state last December and about her capacity last October to execute the EPA.
The court has powers under wardship legislation to direct an EPA shall cease to be in force but the issue of whether or not the EPA should remain in force was not for determination at this stage, counsel said.
An EPA does not prevent a person being taken into wardship and, if it is later decided the woman had capacity to execute the EPA, it could be registered and the wardship would end, she added.
Reduced cognitive function
A solicitor for the attorneys in whose favour the EPA was created said they understood the court’s role is to act in the woman’s best interests and were not taking any position on the application for wardship made without prejudice to an inquiry as to her capacity to execute the EPA.
A solicitor representing the neighbours said the EPA was executed on a date in October in favour of two persons and his clients were made notice parties to it. The woman was diagnosed in November 2019 with reduced cognitive function but she may also have been treated for that in October, he said.
The neighbours’ concerns in this matter are principally about the woman’s capacity when the EPA was executed and they have concerns about being exposed to legal costs, he said.
First cousins of the woman had been in contact to also express concern and may become involved, the solicitor added.
Ms Hill said she could well understand the neighbours’ legal costs concerns when they were “just honest brokers” but their costs could be met from the woman’s “significant” estate.
Competing interest
Ms Justice Irvine said the issue for the court as of now was the competing interest between the wardship application and the EPA. It was hard to see how the woman would be prejudiced pending an inquiry into her capacity to execute the EPA.
The court was strongly of the view she should be taken into wardship regardless of the application to have the EPA registered, she said.
If it was found the woman had capacity to execute the EPA, she would be discharged from wardship.
The judge appointed Patricia Hickey, general solicitor for wards of court as the committee representing the woman's interests.
When Ms Hickey said the woman’s views will be taken into account in relation to the EPA, the judge said that matter could be canvassed with the attorneys. Ms Hickey also indicated the costs of the neighbours could be met from the woman’s estate.
The matter has been adjourned to November.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Angler (78) drowned after falling from boat in rough conditions

A 78-year-old anger who drowned after falling from his boat in rough conditions would have suffered some form of shock from the cold water , impeding any chance at survival , an investigation has found .
The man , who is not named and who lived in Ballinrobe , Co Mayo went fishing as usual from Cushlough on Lough Mask , on March 8th , 2019 .
The alarm was raised when he failed to return to the boat slip .
According to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board ( MCIB ) , which examines such fatalities , water conditions at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swell .
At about 6pm , some five-and-a-half hours after his departure , an effort was made to ring his mobile phone .
A local person also travelled to his house where he lived alone .
A search and rescue operation subsequently got underway and the following day his boat was found in good condition near some rocks about a mile and a half from the slip with its fishing equipment safely stowed .
While searches continued , it was not until March 30th that the man ’ s remains were found at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once in the water fully clothed and not wearing a PFD [ personal flotation device ] , he would have struggled to re-board the vessel , ” the report found .
“ The water temperature was 8 degrees Celsius and would have been cold to the human body on immersion .
This would lead to the potential of cold shock for a person being suddenly immersed in the cold lake water.
” Both the temperature and lack of buoyancy aid would have “ considerably reduced his chances of survival ” .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the point that any experienced angler would have found difficult to manage .
In November , a coroner ’ s report found the cause of death to be asphyxia due to drowning .

According to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board water conditions on Lough Mask at the time were choppy with a westerly swell. Photograph: iStock
A 78-year-old angler who drowned after falling from his boat in rough conditions would have suffered some form of shock from the cold water, impeding any chance at survival, an investigation has found.
The man, who is not named and who lived in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo went fishing as usual from Cushlough on Lough Mask, on March 8th, 2019.
The alarm was raised when he failed to return to the boat slip.
According to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB), which examines such fatalities, water conditions at the time were choppy with a westerly swell.
READ MORE
At about 6pm, some five-and-a-half hours after his departure, an effort was made to ring his mobile phone. A local person also travelled to his house where he lived alone.
A search and rescue operation subsequently got underway and the following day his boat was found in good condition near some rocks about a mile and a half from the slip with its fishing equipment safely stowed.
While searches continued, it was not until March 30th that the man’s remains were found at the bottom of the lake.
Coroner’s report
“Once in the water fully clothed and not wearing a PFD [personal flotation device], he would have struggled to re-board the vessel,” the report found.
“The water temperature was 8 degrees Celsius and would have been cold to the human body on immersion. This would lead to the potential of cold shock for a person being suddenly immersed in the cold lake water.”
Both the temperature and lack of buoyancy aid would have “considerably reduced his chances of survival”.
It also noted that the weather conditions had deteriorated to the point that any experienced angler would have found difficult to manage.
In November, a coroner’s report found the cause of death to be asphyxia due to drowning.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Meat sector not prepared to have sick pay scheme on table – Siptu

Representatives of employers in the meat-processing sector are refusing to engage on an industry-wide agreement on sick pay and pensions for staff , Siptu has said .
Unions and Opposition politicians have argued that the absence of sick pay may have contributed to the high number of Covid-19 cases associated with meat plants .
Speaking following a meeting with Meat Industry Ireland , Siptu divisional organiser Greg Ennis said progress had been made on other elements of a proposed charter or code of practice for the sector , including safety measures to protect workers against Covid-19 , testing for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these issues are expected to reconvene between Siptu and employers in the meat processing sector later this month .
Meat Industry Ireland said after the meeting that pay and conditions were not matters within its mandate but rather rested with individual employers .
Mr Ennis said he was disappointed that the organisation was not prepared to engage in a process aimed at introducing a standardised across-the-board agreement on sick pay and pensions .
He said the union would now engage with individual employers where sick pay arrangements are not in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his organisation and Siptu were in agreement “ on the importance of ensuring measures are in place to protect workers from Covid-19 and continuity of business , which also protects workers ’ livelihoods.
” He said the differences between the Meat Industry Ireland and Siptu proposals related to suggested measures on pay and conditions put forward by Siptu .
“ Pay and conditions are not matters within Meat Industry Ireland ’ s mandate and rest with individual employers , to be agreed in line with their normal policies and procedures.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place just hours after the Labour Party published a new Bill to bring in paid sick leave and cover for parents when their child ’ s school or childcare provider is closed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 .
The Labour Party proposed that the new legislation should provide a right to paid sick leave of up to six weeks at the same rate as annual leave .
“ There is no right to paid sick leave in Ireland and it is an enormous hole in the protections which workers need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work while sick , ” said party leader Alan Kelly .
“ Ireland is an outlier in Europe in not having paid sick leave , and it has been highlighted by [ the National Public Health Emergency Team ] and the acting chief medical officer as a problem in controlling outbreaks , ” he said.
“ The pandemic has exposed many injustices and inequalities across our society for everyone to see .
The Covid outbreaks in meat-processing plants has put a spotlight on the working conditions in many sectors , especially among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The current rules on sick pay and illness benefit act as a disincentive for workers to comply with public health guidelines as they may be left with reduced or no income .
This Bill would create a level playing field .
”

Siptu divisional organiser Greg Ennis said progress had been made on other elements. Photograph: Alan Betson
Representatives of employers in the meat-processing sector are refusing to engage on an industry-wide agreement on sick pay and pensions for staff, Siptu has said.
Unions and Opposition politicians have argued that the absence of sick pay may have contributed to the high number of Covid-19 cases associated with meat plants.
Speaking following a meeting with Meat Industry Ireland, Siptu divisional organiser Greg Ennis said progress had been made on other elements of a proposed charter or code of practice for the sector, including safety measures to protect workers against Covid-19, testing for the coronavirus and inspections of plants.
Talks on these issues are expected to reconvene between Siptu and employers in the meat processing sector later this month.
READ MORE
Meat Industry Ireland said after the meeting that pay and conditions were not matters within its mandate but rather rested with individual employers.
Mr Ennis said he was disappointed that the organisation was not prepared to engage in a process aimed at introducing a standardised across-the-board agreement on sick pay and pensions.
He said the union would now engage with individual employers where sick pay arrangements are not in place.
Meat Industry Ireland senior director Cormac Healy said his organisation and Siptu were in agreement "on the importance of ensuring measures are in place to protect workers from Covid-19 and continuity of business, which also protects workers' livelihoods."
He said the differences between the Meat Industry Ireland and Siptu proposals related to suggested measures on pay and conditions put forward by Siptu. “Pay and conditions are not matters within Meat Industry Ireland’s mandate and rest with individual employers, to be agreed in line with their normal policies and procedures.”
Labour Bill
The meeting between Siptu and Meat Industry Ireland took place just hours after the Labour Party published a new Bill to bring in paid sick leave and cover for parents when their child’s school or childcare provider is closed due to an outbreak of Covid-19.
The Labour Party proposed that the new legislation should provide a right to paid sick leave of up to six weeks at the same rate as annual leave.
"There is no right to paid sick leave in Ireland and it is an enormous hole in the protections which workers need to prevent them from being forced to go to work while sick," said party leader Alan Kelly.
"Ireland is an outlier in Europe in not having paid sick leave, and it has been highlighted by [the National Public Health Emergency Team] and the acting chief medical officer as a problem in controlling outbreaks," he said."The pandemic has exposed many injustices and inequalities across our society for everyone to see. The Covid outbreaks in meat-processing plants has put a spotlight on the working conditions in many sectors, especially among low paid and non-unionised workers."
“The current rules on sick pay and illness benefit act as a disincentive for workers to comply with public health guidelines as they may be left with reduced or no income. This Bill would create a level playing field.”


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Plumbers, fitters, welders vote for industrial action if pay is cut

Plumbers , fitters and welders in the mechanical and construction sectors who are represented by the Unite trade union have voted unanimously to take industrial action if any employer seeks to reduce terms and conditions on foot of a High Court ruling in June that struck down sectoral employment orders .
The workers concerned are also seeking the implementation of a 2.7 per cent pay increase scheduled to come into effect from the beginning of September which formed part of an agreement reached last year .
Unite regional officer Tom Fitzgerald said on Tuesday : “ ” Employers have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by all agreed terms and conditions , including scheduled pay increases , or they can face determined industrial action.
” “ Our members ’ position is very simple : What we have , we hold ” .
Following the High Court ruling in June a number of trade unions in the construction sector including Unite , Siptu and Connect organised “ protective ” ballots for industrial action to take effect if employers sought to reduce pay and conditions on the basis that the collective sectoral employment order was invalid In June in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Garrett Simons struck down chapter three of the Industrial Relations Act 2015 , which allowed for the making of sectoral employment orders setting pay and conditions in building and related industries .
Later in the summer , Mr Justice Simons last week stayed part of the ruling , relating to the pay and conditions of building workers and plumbers , pending the outcome of an appeal against his finding by the State .
The result s of “ protective ” ballots held by other union in the construction sector are due later @ @ @

Unite trade union members have voted unanimously to take industrial action if any employer seeks to reduce terms and conditions on foot of a High Court ruling in June that struck down sectoral employment orders. Photograph: iStock
Plumbers, fitters and welders in the mechanical and construction sectors who are represented by the Unite trade union have voted unanimously to take industrial action if any employer seeks to reduce terms and conditions on foot of a High Court ruling in June that struck down sectoral employment orders.
The workers concerned are also seeking the implementation of a 2.7 per cent pay increase scheduled to come into effect from the beginning of September which formed part of an agreement reached last year.
Unite regional officer Tom Fitzgerald said on Tuesday: ""Employers have a simple choice: they can either abide by all agreed terms and conditions, including scheduled pay increases, or they can face determined industrial action."
“Our members’ position is very simple: What we have, we hold”.
READ MORE
Following the High Court ruling in June a number of trade unions in the construction sector including Unite, Siptu and Connect organised “protective” ballots for industrial action to take effect if employers sought to reduce pay and conditions on the basis that the collective sectoral employment order was invalid
In June in a case brought by electrical contractors, Mr Justice Garrett Simons struck down chapter three of the Industrial Relations Act 2015, which allowed for the making of sectoral employment orders setting pay and conditions in building and related industries.
Later in the summer, Mr Justice Simons last week stayed part of the ruling, relating to the pay and conditions of building workers and plumbers, pending the outcome of an appeal against his finding by the State.
The result s of “protective” ballots held by other union in the construction sector are due later in September.


theirishtimes--2020-09-01--Man (26) found outside Kerry hotel may have died from asphyxiation

Gardaí investigating the death of a man outside a Co Kerry hotel at the weekend are trying to establish how long it took those present to seek medical help for the dying man .
While the results of the postmortem on Darragh Sheehan have not been released by the Garda for operational reasons , it is understood he died from asphyxiation .
The 26-year-old from Doneraile , Co Cork , had been out socialising in the period before his death on Saturday night outside the Gleneagle Hotel on Muckross Road , where he was staying .
Gardaí believe he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
The case is still being treated by gardaí as one of “ unexplained death ” , though it may yet be ungraded to a criminal inquiry .
Gardaí are interviewing staff , guests and security personnel at the hotel .
They are also reviewing CCTV footage in trying to establish if the people around Mr Sheehan went to his aid when he fell unconscious .
Sources said the manner and speed of the response by those present , especially the person who put him in a headlock , may influence any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severity of any charges .
Mr Sheehan , who played for Doneraile GAA , was a graduate of IT Tralee , where he studied mechanical engineering .
He was engaged to be married at the time of his death .
Fr Aidan Crowley from Doneraile said Mr Sheehan ’ s family and friends had been “ heartbroken ” at the news of his death .
His funeral will be held in Doneraile on Wednesday .
The death notice of Mr Sheehan described him as the “ beloved son of Tom and Hannah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much loved fiance of Karen , adored grandson of Lil and Michael O ’ Sullivan and Ursula and the late Tom Sheehan ” .
It added : “ Sadly missed by his heartbroken parents , brother , sister , fiancee , grandparents , uncle John , aunts Pamela , Mary , Emma , Katie , Ursula , Geraldine and Anne Marie , Rob and Jade , relatives and a large circle of friends.
” Gardai were continuing their appeal for anyone who was around the scene outside , or close to , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording footage on devices , to come forward .

Gardaí investigating the death of Darragh Sheehan from Doneraile in Co Cork outside the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. Photograph: Eye Focus
Gardaí investigating the death of a man outside a Co Kerry hotel at the weekend are trying to establish how long it took those present to seek medical help for the dying man.
While the results of the postmortem on Darragh Sheehan have not been released by the Garda for operational reasons, it is understood he died from asphyxiation.
The 26-year-old from Doneraile, Co Cork, had been out socialising in the period before his death on Saturday night outside the Gleneagle Hotel on Muckross Road, where he was staying. Gardaí believe he had been placed in a headlock at some point.
The case is still being treated by gardaí as one of “unexplained death”, though it may yet be ungraded to a criminal inquiry.
READ MORE
Gardaí are interviewing staff, guests and security personnel at the hotel. They are also reviewing CCTV footage in trying to establish if the people around Mr Sheehan went to his aid when he fell unconscious.
Sources said the manner and speed of the response by those present, especially the person who put him in a headlock, may influence any decision on criminal charges, specifically the severity of any charges.
Mr Sheehan, who played for Doneraile GAA, was a graduate of IT Tralee, where he studied mechanical engineering.
He was engaged to be married at the time of his death.
Fr Aidan Crowley from Doneraile said Mr Sheehan’s family and friends had been “heartbroken” at the news of his death. His funeral will be held in Doneraile on Wednesday.
The death notice of Mr Sheehan described him as the “beloved son of Tom and Hannah, loving brother of Kevin and Fiona, much loved fiance of Karen, adored grandson of Lil and Michael O’Sullivan and Ursula and the late Tom Sheehan”.
It added: “Sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, brother, sister, fiancee, grandparents, uncle John, aunts Pamela, Mary, Emma, Katie, Ursula, Geraldine and Anne Marie, Rob and Jade, relatives and a large circle of friends.”
Gardai were continuing their appeal for anyone who was around the scene outside, or close to, the hotel on Saturday night, especially those recording footage on devices, to come forward.