theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Demand for free food doubles amid coronavirus pandemic

Demand for free food more than doubled last month compared to the same period last year and continues to grow because of the coronavirus-related downturn , the largest food charity in the State has said .
FoodCloud continues to distribute food to more than 400 bodies despite the temporary closure parts of the charity sector .
The organisation is supplying food to 32 new charitable efforts since March and has a waiting list of 55 .
Chief executive Iseult Ward expects the demand to continue well after lockdown due to the expected recession .
“ The challenge for us is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to redistributing surplus food from retailers and wholesalers , FoodCloud delivers the EU ’ s Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived ( Fead ) programme on behalf of the Department of Social Protection .
A total of €26.7 million is allocated through Fead to Ireland , 75 per cent of which is for food .
Its target groups include the homeless , children in poverty , domestic violence victims , people in addiction , Roma and Traveller communities , and households in poverty .
“ We distributed over 152 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , more than double the same period last year , ” said Ms Ward .
“ At the start of the year we anticipated a 20 per cent year-on-year increase for April .
We also distributed 112 tonnes of Fead products .
“ We still can not meet the demand for food .
We need more large-volume food donations from the food industry , particularly of fruit and veg.
” Among the new services is a foodbank being run from the grounds of a football club in Inchicore , Dublin .
St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a local addiction service , Frontline Make Change , in March .
The club ’ s community officer , David Morrissey , said the welfare of fans and the community had always been a priority in its work with the Kilmainham Inchicore Network ( Kin ) .
“ When we were approached by Frontline , it became clear the provision of food parcels locally was a necessity .
We were delighted to be able to help to make this a reality .
It was a no-brainer , ” said Mr Morrissey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in distributing about 190 food parcels a week , with “ demand growing every week ” .
Food is sourced from FoodCloud and non-perishable food donations are being accepted at St Patrick ’ s grounds , Richmond Park , on Saturdays , Mondays and Tuesdays .
Parcels containing tea , coffee , sugar , cereals , tinned fruits and vegetables , canned sauces and jams , as well as biscuits and cooking oils , are packed in Richmond Park , to be distributed by Garda-vetted volunteers on Thursdays .
Frontline psychotherapist Andrew O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been “ really shocked ” at some of the housing conditions , particularly in the private rented sector .
“ These places are not fit for purpose , and the State is using this private accommodation for social housing tenants .
I used to work in homeless services so for me to walk up to some of these doors and be that appalled , well , you could get emotional about it.
” Aoife Hannan , project manager with Kin , has been struck by the additional food costs faced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Families who have children with special needs , single parents who can ’ t get out to do shopping , who are stuck at home and can only go to the local shop , can ’ t get to the big supermarkets , their costs are higher because they don ’ t have the freedom , or the supports.
” Case study : ‘ The food parcel started last week .
It was very good now it was ’ is among the Inchicore residents receiving food parcels over the past month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Dublin City Council older person ’ s complex , for 14 years .
“ I just have my pension .
My daughter , she collects it and pays me phone and pays me rent .
It wouldn ’ t leave much but thank God I don ’ t need much .
It ’ s lovely here.
” In her food parcel , “ we got tea and sugar and cereal , a few bits .
It was very good now , it was .
Ah God yes .
I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you didn ’ t get much .
We had to make things stretch ” .
She does not mind cocooning , though misses seeing neighbours in the complex ’ s kitchen and day centre .
A hot meal is delivered to residents instead , during the pandemic .
Though there is a “ little shop ” nearby she couldn ’ t go during the cocooning and still prefers not to venture out often .
“ The food parcels will help .
I used to go up to Dunnes when someone brought me in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the shop , but I can ’ t go up there now either.
” A mother of 13 and grandparent to more than 60 grandchildren and great grandchildren , she grew up in Gardiner Street in the north inner city .
She lived her married life in the south inner city , in Bride Street , before “ we were shuttled out to Dolphin House ” – a large local authority flat complex in nearby Dolphin ’ s Barn .
“ We had two bedrooms , with 13 kids .
But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is widowed since 2006 .
Her children visit , though have not been able to come into her home in recent weeks .
“ They ’ re very good .
Thank God I have good health .
I always took cod liver oil .
I get them in a health shop .
They ’ re dear but I take them .
”

Demand for free food more than doubled last month compared to the same period last year and continues to grow because of the coronavirus-related downturn, the largest food charity in the State has said.
FoodCloud continues to distribute food to more than 400 bodies despite the temporary closure parts of the charity sector. The organisation is supplying food to 32 new charitable efforts since March and has a waiting list of 55.
Chief executive Iseult Ward expects the demand to continue well after lockdown due to the expected recession. "The challenge for us is going to be sustaining the provision."
In addition to redistributing surplus food from retailers and wholesalers, FoodCloud delivers the EU's Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (Fead) programme on behalf of the Department of Social Protection.
READ MORE
A total of €26.7 million is allocated through Fead to Ireland, 75 per cent of which is for food. Its target groups include the homeless, children in poverty, domestic violence victims, people in addiction, Roma and Traveller communities, and households in poverty.
“We distributed over 152 tonnes of surplus and donated food in April, more than double the same period last year,” said Ms Ward. “At the start of the year we anticipated a 20 per cent year-on-year increase for April. We also distributed 112 tonnes of Fead products.
“We still cannot meet the demand for food. We need more large-volume food donations from the food industry, particularly of fruit and veg.”
Community network
Among the new services is a foodbank being run from the grounds of a football club in Inchicore, Dublin.
St Patrick's Athletic FC was approached by a local addiction service, Frontline Make Change, in March. The club's community officer, David Morrissey, said the welfare of fans and the community had always been a priority in its work with the Kilmainham Inchicore Network (Kin).
“When we were approached by Frontline, it became clear the provision of food parcels locally was a necessity. We were delighted to be able to help to make this a reality. It was a no-brainer,” said Mr Morrissey.
Dublin South City partnership is also involved in distributing about 190 food parcels a week, with "demand growing every week".
Food is sourced from FoodCloud and non-perishable food donations are being accepted at St Patrick's grounds, Richmond Park, on Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
Parcels containing tea, coffee, sugar, cereals, tinned fruits and vegetables, canned sauces and jams, as well as biscuits and cooking oils, are packed in Richmond Park, to be distributed by Garda-vetted volunteers on Thursdays.
Frontline psychotherapist Andrew O’Shaughnessy has been distributing the packs and has been “really shocked” at some of the housing conditions, particularly in the private rented sector.
“These places are not fit for purpose, and the State is using this private accommodation for social housing tenants. I used to work in homeless services so for me to walk up to some of these doors and be that appalled, well, you could get emotional about it.”
Aoife Hannan, project manager with Kin, has been struck by the additional food costs faced by vulnerable, isolated households during the pandemic.
“Families who have children with special needs, single parents who can’t get out to do shopping, who are stuck at home and can only go to the local shop, can’t get to the big supermarkets, their costs are higher because they don’t have the freedom, or the supports.”
Case study: ‘The food parcel started last week. It was very good now it was’
Phyllis O’Brien (91)
is among the Inchicore residents receiving food parcels over the past month.
She has lived in Bulfin Court, a Dublin City Council older person's complex, for 14 years.
“I just have my pension. My daughter, she collects it and pays me phone and pays me rent. It wouldn’t leave much but thank God I don’t need much. It’s lovely here.”
In her food parcel, “we got tea and sugar and cereal, a few bits. It was very good now, it was. Ah God yes. I’d be very grateful. In my time you didn’t get much. We had to make things stretch”.
She does not mind cocooning, though misses seeing neighbours in the complex’s kitchen and day centre. A hot meal is delivered to residents instead, during the pandemic. Though there is a “little shop” nearby she couldn’t go during the cocooning and still prefers not to venture out often.
“The food parcels will help. I used to go up to Dunnes when someone brought me in the car. It’s cheaper than the shop, but I can’t go up there now either.”
A mother of 13 and grandparent to more than 60 grandchildren and great grandchildren, she grew up in Gardiner Street in the north inner city. She lived her married life in the south inner city, in Bride Street, before “we were shuttled out to Dolphin House” – a large local authority flat complex in nearby Dolphin’s Barn. “We had two bedrooms, with 13 kids. But we managed,” she says.
She is widowed since 2006. Her children visit, though have not been able to come into her home in recent weeks.
“They’re very good. Thank God I have good health. I always took cod liver oil. I get them in a health shop. They’re dear but I take them.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Coronavirus: Crisis set to last years, warns top health official

The Covid-19 emergency is set to last years , with the “ ever-present danger ” of further waves of cases , the head of the Department of Health will warn on Tuesday .
The “ huge ” social and economic costs of the pandemic “ will be with us for some time ” , department secretary-general Jim Breslin will tell the Dáil special committee on Covid-19 .
Separately , the Senior Civil Service Association has warned senior civil servants must be protected from “ aggressive or bullying behaviour , contrary to fair procedure and natural justice ” when they give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter , sent on Monday to the head of every department in the Civil Service , the group warns that its members must have their “ rights to constitutional and natural justice fully represented ” in the hearings held by the committee .
Also on Tuesday , the country ’ s largest trade union is to call on the Government to put in place a compensation package to support the 7,600 healthcare workers who have contracted the disease .
Siptu wants all staff who suffered infections to be compensated for loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for weekend or unsocial hours work – due to illness , as well as the costs of future medical care .
The State should also cover the cost of counselling services , according to Siptu health division organiser Paul Bell , who said he feared many health workers would develop post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the pandemic .
In his opening statement to the committee , Mr Breslin will say that while “ all crises come in phases ” , the current Covid-19 crisis has a “ particularly prolonged acute emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be aware that we will continue to be in the acute emergency phase of this crisis for some time , with further waves an ever-present danger .
This is not a one- , two- or even a three-day storm , after which we move to the recovery phase .
The acute phase of this crisis will definitely be measured in months and most probably in years , rather than days.
” There have now been 1,547 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic .
And 88 new cases of the disease were reported , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24,200 .
Thousands of shops , businesses and construction sites reopened on Monday as part of the first phase of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions .
Although long queues formed at some businesses , chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said he believed the vast majority of retailers were acting responsibly in relation to staff and customers .
In the US , share prices on Wall Street rallied after a small-scale study on the first coronavirus vaccine to be tested on people , by drugmaker Moderna , produced favourable results .

Michael O’Hanlon and Liam Cahill at Howth Golf Club in Dublin on Monday, as golf courses reopen and Ireland cautiously begins to lift it’s coronavirus lockdown. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
The Covid-19 emergency is set to last years, with the “ever-present danger” of further waves of cases, the head of the Department of Health will warn on Tuesday.
The “huge” social and economic costs of the pandemic “will be with us for some time”, department secretary-general Jim Breslin will tell the Dáil special committee on Covid-19.
Separately, the Senior Civil Service Association has warned senior civil servants must be protected from “aggressive or bullying behaviour, contrary to fair procedure and natural justice” when they give evidence to the special committee.
In a letter, sent on Monday to the head of every department in the Civil Service, the group warns that its members must have their “rights to constitutional and natural justice fully represented” in the hearings held by the committee.
READ MORE
Also on Tuesday, the country’s largest trade union is to call on the Government to put in place a compensation package to support the 7,600 healthcare workers who have contracted the disease.
The acute phase of this crisis will definitely be measured in months and most probably in years
Siptu wants all staff who suffered infections to be compensated for loss of earnings – including premium payments such as for weekend or unsocial hours work – due to illness, as well as the costs of future medical care.
Counselling
The State should also cover the cost of counselling services, according to Siptu health division organiser Paul Bell, who said he feared many health workers would develop post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the pandemic.
In his opening statement to the committee, Mr Breslin will say that while “all crises come in phases”, the current Covid-19 crisis has a “particularly prolonged acute emergency phase”.
“We need to be aware that we will continue to be in the acute emergency phase of this crisis for some time, with further waves an ever-present danger. This is not a one-, two- or even a three-day storm, after which we move to the recovery phase. The acute phase of this crisis will definitely be measured in months and most probably in years, rather than days.”
There have now been 1,547 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic. And 88 new cases of the disease were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 24,200.
Thousands of shops, businesses and construction sites reopened on Monday as part of the first phase of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Although long queues formed at some businesses, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said he believed the vast majority of retailers were acting responsibly in relation to staff and customers.
In the US, share prices on Wall Street rallied after a small-scale study on the first coronavirus vaccine to be tested on people, by drugmaker Moderna, produced favourable results.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Workplace safety watchdog may not be able to make surprise inspections

The Health and Safety Authority may not be able to carry out surprise inspections due to restrictions to protect against Covid-19 , its chief executive Dr Sharon McGuinness will tell an Oireachtas committee on Tuesday .
“ As a general rule , authority inspections are unannounced .
However , due to the fact that workplaces may have different working arrangements in place to protect against Covid-19 , the authority may need in a number of cases to arrange a suitable time to visit , ” the head of the workplace safety watchdog will tell the committee .
The authority will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hearing that it is assigning 67 field inspectors out of its 109-strong inspectorate to check on workplace safety under the Covid-19 Return to Work Safely protocol .
Dr McGuinness will say the authority must retain a cohort of inspectors to ensure the authority ’ s “ other legal obligations are met across our various mandates ” .
It plans to focus Covid-19 inspections on sectors due to open under the Government ’ s reopening plan and based on complaints received .
Ahead of the hearing , Dr McGuinness told The Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fatality from Covid-19 resulted from an infection contracted in a workplace or a work activity was a “ real challenge ” .
She said that it was “ very tricky ” to determine whether a coronavirus death was a result of workplace activity .
“ One of the challenges for all of us in relation to Covid is that there may have been worker fatalities where Covid was a factor – whether it happened in the workplace or not , or as a result of a work activity , is a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not as simple to say a worker contracted Covid and there was a fatality .
We have to check that that actually happened in the workplace or was it attributable to the work activity going on ?
” Dr McGuinness encouraged greater engagement between employers and employees under a protocol published by the Government to ensure that workers adhered to health and safety guidelines at home where there were large numbers of workers living in shared rental accommodation .
“ Covid is everywhere and our remit is very much in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , how people live outside work , none of that is in our remit but clearly the activities and actions in that regard can have an impact in the workplace , ” she said .
A spokesman said that more than 200 complaints received by the HSA in March and April in relation to non-adherence to Covid-19 guidances did not require on-site inspections .
The spread of the virus in meat processing plants where there are 12 clusters – or one in every four plants in the country – with as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part to the number of lower-paid foreign workers sharing accommodation outside of workplaces .
The State ’ s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan told the Department of Health ’ s week-daily Covid-19 briefing that the national outbreak control teams issued guidance in different languages on risks facing employees who are travelling to work together or sharing accommodation .

The HSA will confirm to the Oireachtas committee that it is assigning 67 field inspectors out of its 109-strong inspectorate to check on workplace safety under the Covid-19 Return to Work Safely protocol
The Health and Safety Authority may not be able to carry out surprise inspections due to restrictions to protect against Covid-19, its chief executive Dr Sharon McGuinness will tell an Oireachtas committee on Tuesday.
“As a general rule, authority inspections are unannounced. However, due to the fact that workplaces may have different working arrangements in place to protect against Covid-19, the authority may need in a number of cases to arrange a suitable time to visit,” the head of the workplace safety watchdog will tell the committee.
The authority will also confirm to the committee at Tuesday’s hearing that it is assigning 67 field inspectors out of its 109-strong inspectorate to check on workplace safety under the Covid-19 Return to Work Safely protocol.
Inspectors
Dr McGuinness will say the authority must retain a cohort of inspectors to ensure the authority’s “other legal obligations are met across our various mandates”.
READ MORE
It plans to focus Covid-19 inspections on sectors due to open under the Government’s reopening plan and based on complaints received.
Ahead of the hearing, Dr McGuinness told The Irish Times in an interview that determining whether a fatality from Covid-19 resulted from an infection contracted in a workplace or a work activity was a “real challenge”.
She said that it was “very tricky” to determine whether a coronavirus death was a result of workplace activity.
“One of the challenges for all of us in relation to Covid is that there may have been worker fatalities where Covid was a factor – whether it happened in the workplace or not, or as a result of a work activity, is a different question,” she said.
“It is not as simple to say a worker contracted Covid and there was a fatality. We have to check that that actually happened in the workplace or was it attributable to the work activity going on?”
Dr McGuinness encouraged greater engagement between employers and employees under a protocol published by the Government to ensure that workers adhered to health and safety guidelines at home where there were large numbers of workers living in shared rental accommodation.
Clusters
“Covid is everywhere and our remit is very much in the workplace. People coming to and from work, how people live outside work, none of that is in our remit but clearly the activities and actions in that regard can have an impact in the workplace,” she said.
A spokesman said that more than 200 complaints received by the HSA in March and April in relation to non-adherence to Covid-19 guidances did not require on-site inspections.
The spread of the virus in meat processing plants where there are 12 clusters – or one in every four plants in the country – with as many as 600 infected workers is attributed in part to the number of lower-paid foreign workers sharing accommodation outside of workplaces.
The State's chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan told the Department of Health's week-daily Covid-19 briefing that the national outbreak control teams issued guidance in different languages on risks facing employees who are travelling to work together or sharing accommodation.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Multilingual videos to better inform Ireland’s migrants on Covid-19

A series of videos translated into 30 foreign languages have launched today to help inform Ireland ’ s migrant communities on how to prevent the spread of Covid-19 , and on the lifting of restrictions over the coming weeks .
The video series , spearheaded by the Together Ireland initiative and the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre ( Nasc ) , features public health messages from international doctors and healthcare professionals living in Ireland with advice including what to do if a person tests positive for the virus and information on the Government ’ s phased reopening plans .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so do not listen to Irish radio , watch Irish television or read Irish newspapers , according to Graham Clifford , who organised the video series .
“ We know that not all people in Ireland today consume public health information on Covid-19 in the same way , ” said Mr Clifford .
“ Many migrants get their information online , via Youtube or from news agencies in their home countries , as so many young Irish migrants do when living abroad .
But often the public health advice from elsewhere can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the videos would be particularly important for people working in meat factories , which hire large numbers of foreign nationals and where as many as 600 workers have already tested positive for the virus .
Residents in direct provision centres are also in need of great clarity around how the virus spreads , he added .
“ We ’ re a modern multicultural country and so during a national public health emergency like this , we need to make sure we communicate with all sections of our society effectively and use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re all in this together then it ’ s vital no one is left behind.
” Mr Clifford criticised the HSE for failing to comprehensively communicate health advice and information on restrictions to migrant communities during the pandemic , and said all scripts for the video series were written by GPs and presented in a “ culturally appropriate style ” .
The HSE currently has Covid-19 information leaflets available online in 24 languages .
Political parties involved in government-formation negotiations needed to recognise the importance of developing “ an effective and functioning migrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not forgotten in situations such as the Covid-19 crisis , Mr Clifford added .
“ If we haven ’ t built up communication and understanding during normal times , how can we expect to comprehend the challenges facing migrants at a time like this and help them ?
“ We need more than translated documents and Africa Days once a year – we need effective , clever , organic community integration which benefits everyone in society and harnesses the assets and abilities of all who now call this country home.
” All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be updated as restrictions are lifted , can be viewed at nascireland.org and include recordings in Albanian , Arabic , Bengali , Croatian , Georgian , Hindi , Kurdish , Lithuanian , Portuguese , Pashto , Polish , Romanian , Serbian , Swahili , Urdu and Yoruba .

“We’re a modern multicultural country and so during a national public health emergency like this, we need to make sure we communicate with all sections of our society effectively and use methods which work.” Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A series of videos translated into 30 foreign languages have launched today to help inform Ireland’s migrant communities on how to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and on the lifting of restrictions over the coming weeks.
The video series, spearheaded by the Together Ireland initiative and the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre (Nasc), features public health messages from international doctors and healthcare professionals living in Ireland with advice including what to do if a person tests positive for the virus and information on the Government's phased reopening plans.
Many migrants in Ireland do not speak English and so do not listen to Irish radio, watch Irish television or read Irish newspapers, according to Graham Clifford, who organised the video series.
“We know that not all people in Ireland today consume public health information on Covid-19 in the same way,” said Mr Clifford. “Many migrants get their information online, via Youtube or from news agencies in their home countries, as so many young Irish migrants do when living abroad. But often the public health advice from elsewhere can be very different to our own.”
READ MORE
He said the videos would be particularly important for people working in meat factories, which hire large numbers of foreign nationals and where as many as 600 workers have already tested positive for the virus. Residents in direct provision centres are also in need of great clarity around how the virus spreads, he added.
“We’re a modern multicultural country and so during a national public health emergency like this, we need to make sure we communicate with all sections of our society effectively and use methods which work. If we’re all in this together then it’s vital no one is left behind.”
Communication criticised
Mr Clifford criticised the HSE for failing to comprehensively communicate health advice and information on restrictions to migrant communities during the pandemic, and said all scripts for the video series were written by GPs and presented in a “culturally appropriate style”.
The HSE currently has Covid-19 information leaflets available online in 24 languages.
Political parties involved in government-formation negotiations needed to recognise the importance of developing “an effective and functioning migrant integration strategy” so that migrant communities are not forgotten in situations such as the Covid-19 crisis, Mr Clifford added.
“If we haven’t built up communication and understanding during normal times, how can we expect to comprehend the challenges facing migrants at a time like this and help them?
"We need more than translated documents and Africa Days once a year – we need effective, clever, organic community integration which benefits everyone in society and harnesses the assets and abilities of all who now call this country home."
All 30 health information videos, which will be updated as restrictions are lifted, can be viewed at nascireland.org and include recordings in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Croatian, Georgian, Hindi, Kurdish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Swahili, Urdu and Yoruba.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--The lost Leaving Cert class of 2020: No debs, sports days, awards or exams

For those us who were due to sit the Leaving Cert of 2020 it will go down in history for the simple reason that it did not happen .
In theory - and for the past few decades , in practice - 14 years in the education system is intended to culminate with the infamous exams at the end of sixth year .
In no way is this milestone anticipated to conclude abruptly on a random Thursday in the middle of March , following an abrupt announcement by the Taoiseach in Washington DC .
However , for myself and 61,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our school days reached their sudden completion .
Our final days of secondary education excluded any cherished competitive sports days or nostalgic final assemblies .
We did not attend emotional prize-givings or graduations together .
Nor did we exchange any sentimental hugs in familiar corridors - though in fairness , hugs in any form have been in short supply in recent weeks .
My ultimate day of secondary school appeared , at the time , to be an incredibly anticlimactic end to my educational journey .
Now , I am looking back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like far too many others , has lost a family member to Covid-19 and who has spent the past few weeks in a now familiar state of unease and concern .
In hindsight , this was the first alteration in a path of changes that would eventually pave their way to an incomparable Leaving Cert and year .
The weeks that succeeded March 12th were awash with stress , study and speculation - each evoked to varying degrees .
On Good Friday , supposed clarity arrived with Minister for Education Joe McHugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been postponed .
However , as time passed it became abundantly apparent that while a potential solution may have been drawn up , the bigger picture remained questionably blurry .
A glaring pandemic-shaped hole lingered in the proposed plans .
One that on Friday May 8th , the Department of Education accepted was too great to overcome .
Exams that we were assured were going ahead “ by hook or by crook ” have been replaced by the much sought after “ predicted grades ” .
At the time of the initial postponement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Times in which I explored the sense that the finish line of our Leaving Cert journey had suddenly been moved .
As I write this piece , without even realising it , I have stumbled over that finish line .
However , I am not crossing this line with the sense of celebration and exuberant joy that I had always associated with the inevitable end of my State exams .
On the contrary , the general mood is significantly more sombre , and the cautious relief experienced by my fellow sixth years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is not to say that my Leaving Cert journey is over .
It is true that I will no longer be spending my days analysing the breakdown of time management for my maths papers .
Nor will I be trying to predict a poet ’ s chance of appearing on English paper two .
Instead , it is a very different prediction that is set to determine my future .
“ Calculated grades ” are a complex process and although it answers some questions , there are many others it raises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the autumn , but how will the bell curve affect the allocation of those coveted third-level places ?
Our final year of school has been irrevocably adjusted but whether our first year of college will be , too , remains to be seen .
While it may alleviate stress for many of my peers and I , it can only add to the pressure for our teachers who now face an unenviable task .
The outcome of this decision will be significant and not just for my fellow Leaving Cert candidates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over recent weeks what my personal preference has been regarding the exams.
, Frankly , despite the amount of time spent pondering this , I ’ m still not sure .
Sitting the papers would have been my personal preference .
Yet , employing calculated grades is , at present , what I consider the fairest way to avoid further disadvantaging some students .
In line with the present state of national health , it is also the option that places welfare at the forefront .
Calculated grades are perhaps the most inclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit this year ’ s exams .
However , if we wish to have a system that is accessible and fair to all students - something we must unequivocally strive for - a complete reform of the Leaving Cert is essential .
The divide between students has become a chasm that engulfs too much potential each year .
It is too late to benefit the class of 2020 .
However , if experience is the best teacher then let this set of circumstances prove to us that the Irish Leaving Cert is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the time to act .
Sophie Coffey is a Leaving Cert student

‘My ultimate day of secondary school appeared, at the time, to be an incredibly anticlimactic end to my educational journey’, writes Sophie Coffey. Photograph: iStock
For those us who were due to sit the Leaving Cert of 2020 it will go down in history for the simple reason that it did not happen.
In theory - and for the past few decades, in practice - 14 years in the education system is intended to culminate with the infamous exams at the end of sixth year.
In no way is this milestone anticipated to conclude on a random Thursday in the middle of March, following an abrupt announcement by the Taoiseach in Washington DC.
However, for myself and 61,000 other students, that is exactly how our school days reached their sudden end.
READ MORE
Our final days of secondary education excluded any cherished competitive sports days or nostalgic final assemblies.
We did not attend emotional prize-givings or graduations together. Nor did we exchange any sentimental hugs in familiar corridors - though in fairness, hugs in any form have been in short supply in recent weeks.
My ultimate day of secondary school appeared, at the time, to be an incredibly anticlimactic end to my educational journey.
Blurry bigger picture
Now, I am looking back at it with the perspective of someone who, like far too many others, has lost a family member to Covid-19 and has spent the past few weeks in a now familiar state of unease and concern.
The weeks that succeeded March 12th were awash with varying degrees of stress, study and speculation.
On Good Friday, supposed clarity arrived with Minister for Education Joe McHugh’s declaration that the exams had been postponed. However, as time passed it became abundantly apparent that while a potential solution may have been drawn up, the bigger picture remained questionably blurry.
A glaring pandemic-shaped hole lingered in the proposed plans. One that on Friday May 8th, the Department of Education accepted was too great to overcome. Exams that we were assured were going ahead “by hook or by crook” have been replaced by the much sought after “predicted grades”.
At the time of the initial postponement, I wrote an article for The Irish Times in which I explored the sense that the finish line of our Leaving Cert journey had suddenly been moved.
As I write this piece, without even realising it, I have stumbled over that finish line.
However, I am not crossing this line with the sense of celebration and exuberant joy that I had always associated with the inevitable end of my State exams. On the contrary, the general mood is more sombre and the cautious relief experienced by my fellow sixth years and I is reflective of this.
That is not to say that my Leaving Cert journey is over.
Complex calculated grades
It is true that I will no longer be spending my days analysing the breakdown of time management for my maths papers.
Nor will I be trying to predict a poet’s chance of appearing on English paper two. Instead, it is a very different prediction that is set to determine my future.
“Calculated grades” are a complex process and although it answers some questions, there are many others it raises.
It assures we can commence college in the autumn, but how will the bell curve affect the allocation of those coveted third-level places? Our final year of school has been irrevocably adjusted but whether our first year of college will be, too, remains to be seen.
While it may alleviate stress for many of my peers and I, it can only add to the pressure for our teachers who now face an unenviable task. The outcome of this decision will be significant and not just for my fellow Leaving Cert candidates.
I have been asked on countless occasions over recent weeks what my personal preference has been regarding the exams., Frankly, despite the amount of time spent pondering this, I’m still not sure.
Sitting the papers would have been my personal preference. Yet, employing calculated grades is, at present, what I consider the fairest way to avoid further disadvantaging some students. In line with the present state of national health, it is also the option that places welfare at the forefront.
Calculated grades are perhaps the most inclusive option for the 61,000 candidates intended to sit this year’s exams. However, if we wish to have a system that is accessible and fair to all students - something we must unequivocally strive for - a complete reform of the Leaving Cert is essential.
The divide between students has become a chasm that engulfs too much potential each year. It is too late to benefit the class of 2020.
However, if experience is the best teacher then let this set of circumstances prove to us that the Irish Leaving Cert is in desperate need of a transformation. Now is the time to act.
Sophie Coffey is a Leaving Cert student


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Will Leaving Cert ‘calculated grades’ be accepted by universities abroad?

Question : I ’ m not sure I ’ ll get the CAO points needed to study physiotherapy at home with “ calculated grades ” , so I ’ ve applied for courses in the UK and the Netherlands .
Will I get my results on time and will they be recognised abroad ?
Answer : The good news is the Department of Education is planning to issue the new calculated grade results in mid-August , which means you should be in a position to be considered for all three options you have outlined .
As you outlined in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conditional offer from the University of Edinburgh based on securing certain grades in your Leaving Cert as your “ firm acceptance ” .
Given that the A levels in the UK this year have been postponed to be replaced by their version of calculated grades , it is inconceivable that the system which has now been put in place in the Republic will not be accepted by the Ucas universities in both Northern Ireland and Scotland .
With regard to applications to Dutch universities , eunicas.ie advises me that the Dutch research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of their programmes without a selection procedure until 1st June .
The Universities of Applied Sciences ( UAS ) - some of which offer English language-based physiotherapy degree programmes including Fontys , Saxion , Amsterdam and Hanze in Groningen - are taking applications for most programmes until August 1st , though most will prefer to receive your application by June 1st .
The Dutch academic year is still scheduled to start on September 1st .
Annual fees of €2,143 to €3,143 apply .
By law , Dutch universities currently have to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to August 31st for Irish/UK students .
The promised certificate issued by the Department of Education in Ireland for Leaving Cert students is likely to be seen as meeting legal requirements , even if it was not acquired through traditional written exams .
With regard to your CAO application , you now have until July 1st at 5.15pm to finalise your course choices at cao.ie .
There are four level eight honours physiotherapy degree programmes on offer in RCSI , Trinity , UCD , and UL , which ranged in points requirements from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science at level six ( higher certificate ) was offered at Letterkenny IT at 400 points in 2019 .
Three other CAO level six/seven programmes allow graduates to progress onto level eight ( honours degree ) physiotherapy programmes in the UK , Northern Ireland and European universities are offered at Carlow and Sligo IT , ( health science and physiology ) and Athlone IT ( sports science with exercise physiology ) .
Now that you have put your schoolbooks aside for the time being at least , you can now focus on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are comprehensive sources of information on all of the options still open to you to consider .

The Depatment of Education is planning to issue the new calculated grade results in mid-August, which will be in time for applicants applying for most courses abroad.
Question: I’m not sure I’ll get the CAO points needed to study physiotherapy at home with “calculated grades”, so I’ve applied for courses in the UK and the Netherlands. Will I get my results on time and will they be recognised abroad?
Answer: The good news is the Department of Education is planning to issue the new calculated grade results in mid-August, which means you should be in a position to be considered for all three options you have outlined.
As you outlined in your email to me, you have accepted a conditional offer from the University of Edinburgh based on securing certain grades in your Leaving Cert as your “firm acceptance”.
Given that the A levels in the UK this year have been postponed to be replaced by their version of calculated grades, it is inconceivable that the system which has now been put in place in the Republic will not be accepted by the Ucas universities in both Northern Ireland and Scotland.
READ MORE
With regard to applications to Dutch universities, eunicas.ie advises me that the Dutch research universities have extended their application deadline for most of their programmes without a selection procedure until 1st June.
The Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) - some of which offer English language-based physiotherapy degree programmes including Fontys, Saxion, Amsterdam and Hanze in Groningen - are taking applications for most programmes until August 1st, though most will prefer to receive your application by June 1st. The Dutch academic year is still scheduled to start on September 1st. Annual fees of €2,143 to €3,143 apply.
Legal requirement
By law, Dutch universities currently have to receive your results by August 1st, extended to August 31st for Irish/UK students. The promised certificate issued by the Department of Education in Ireland for Leaving Cert students is likely to be seen as meeting legal requirements, even if it was not acquired through traditional written exams.
With regard to your CAO application, you now have until July 1st at 5.15pm to finalise your course choices at cao.ie.
There are four level eight honours physiotherapy degree programmes on offer in RCSI, Trinity, UCD, and UL, which ranged in points requirements from 542-565 last year. Physiotherapy with health science at level six (higher certificate) was offered at Letterkenny IT at 400 points in 2019.
Three other CAO level six/seven programmes allow graduates to progress onto level eight (honours degree) physiotherapy programmes in the UK, Northern Ireland and European universities are offered at Carlow and Sligo IT, (health science and physiology) and Athlone IT (sports science with exercise physiology).
Now that you have put your schoolbooks aside for the time being at least, you can now focus on your college applications. Both Qqualifax.ie and Eeunicas.ie are comprehensive sources of information on all of the options still open to you to consider.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Pandemic productivity: How to acquire new skills during lockdown

When digital marketer Jeremy Haynes tweeted recently about the opportunity to learn new schools during the pandemic , he didn ’ t expect the message to go viral .
“ If you don ’ t come out of this quarantine with either : ( 1 ) a new skill ; ( 2 ) starting what you ’ ve been putting off like a new business ; ( 3 ) more knowledge ; you didn ’ t ever lack the time , you lacked the discipline.
” .
In one of over 4,600 replies to Haynes ’ s tweet , psychiatrist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think you lack self-appraisal and a working social conscience.
” Polly Wiseman responded to Haynes : “ Now is not the time to hustle .
Now is the time to acknowledge that people are dying , take stock of where we ’ re at in Western society and vow to be more humane going forward - not keep on with the same old panicky capitalistic hustle.
” So , does Haynes have a point ?
Is it more important than ever to upskill ?
Or is the pressure to be productive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden in a time when many of us are struggling to simply stay afloat ?
Not about the money Conor McGuckin is a professor of educational psychology at Trinity College Dublin .
“ Through the last recession , people still needed a reason to get up in the morning , have a shower , get dressed and have a purpose for your day - this can be psychologically important , ” he says .
“ It ’ s not about the money , it ’ s about keeping routine and purpose .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious or stressed ) is normal ; it ’ s the outside world that is abnormal .
Social media can become an echo chamber of what people can have achieved : look , I learned to play the ukulele or sing a song .
“ For many of us , we just need to ask : did we survive today ?
Are we happy with each other ?
Do we have the basics to meet our needs ?
Is there bread , milk and shelter ?
” Maslow ’ s hierarchy of needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how humans need to satisfy their basic physiological needs ( air , clothing , food , shelter , sleep , reproduction , water ) before we can address our safety needs such as employment , health and personal security .
Only when these needs are addressed can we focus on love and belonging and self-esteem - and only then can we consider self-actualisation , or the desire to become the most that we can be .
With our most basic needs under threat , it ’ s quite understandable that some of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new course too daunting .
“ That said , some of us may have extra space where they feel they can do something educational or vocational , ” says Mc Guckin .
“ The wonderful thing about being human is that we keep growing and developing .
Get through the basics first and if you have spare capacity maybe you could read , do a task , make a picture , listen to an audiobook or podcast.
” With Covid-19 having an impact on many different sectors including media , hospitality and aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of us be looking to retrain anyway ?
“ A lot of people will get their employment back as restrictions ease but there is a cohort who won ’ t , ” says Andrew Brownlee , CEO of Solas , the further education and training agency , which has been adapting its courses so they can be delivered online .
“ We have a big challenge to support those people to get into the work they want to do and are working to help them .
“ While jobs might not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we always say that education is a lifelong process and people should always consider upskilling and retraining whether we ’ re in a crisis , recession or boom.
” In the early stages of the crisis , Solas immediately moved to make learning available online and to use the phone to keep in contact with more vulnerable groups as well as people who don ’ t have smartphones or devices .
The organisation also took the decision eCollege.ie , which focuses on digital and project management skills .
“ We normally had 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we now have 12,300 people enrolled , which does show an appetite to learn and engage [ during this pandemic ] , ” says Brownlee .
“ Education doesn ’ t end after college ; it ’ s a lifelong process and there are many ways to engage throughout your life - so if you don ’ t feel able to engage right now , that ’ s okay , there will be plenty of time to learn in the years to come.
” Jean O ’ Brien is founder of Digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and supports to charities , as well as a number of e-learning courses .
“ I can relate to people who might have trouble focusing at the moment , ” she says .
“ But there is so much learning that suits different learning styles , and you don ’ t have to do an online course that lasts three solid days .
It could be a 15-minute burst of e-learning or a five-minute video .
“ If you have a library card , there are lots of free online courses and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t necessarily vocational or that has exams - something you wouldn ’ t normally have the time to do - such as art history or philosophy.
” Podcasts can be a great learning opportunity because you can listen while you ’ re doing other things , says O ’ Brien .
“ There are lots of professional and industry podcasts .
If you work in communications , marketing or charities , for instance , the podcast You Are Not So Smart is about cognitive biases and why some messages work when others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you can and don ’ t worry about a big course ; there have never been more ways to learn.
” eCollege.ie : Interactive online learning and industry-certified courses from Solas , available 24/7 with support from qualified tutors from Monday to Friday .
Currently free .
Courses include office productivity , computer programming , data science , web and graphic design and Irish language .
Courses range in length .
See eCollege.ie for more info .
GoHighbrow.com : Don ’ t fancy a time commitment right now ?
Wake up every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your email inbox .
Over 300 topics to choose from .
KhanAcademy.org : Almost 7,000 free videos and lectures on a wide range of topics for people of all ages .
Practice exercises , instructional videos and a personalised learning dashboard form key parts of the platform .
Coursera.org : This database of massive online open courses ( MOOCs ) allows learners to take a full course from a range of universities worldwide .
Courses are low-cost or free and include all the major academic disciplines .
The certification isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what matters here .
Alison.com : Over 1,000 free courses from providers across the world are available from this highly-respected , Galway-based company .
The nine categories include IT , language , science , health , humanities , business , maths , marketing and lifestyle .
Mooc-list.com : If you ’ re looking to filter free online courses by country ( including Ireland ) , course provider or course length , this website is a very useful tool that easily directs learners to what they need .
DigitalCharityLab.org/elearning : With charities having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lab is currently offering three online courses aimed at those in the non-profit sector including digital marketing , Google Grant Adwords and email marketing .
Courses are very affordable ( at time of writing , the most expensive was €24.99 ) .
Books : If learning from screens isn ’ t your thing , Lynda Barry ’ s books What If , Picture This and Making Comics are really gorgeous manuals for writing and drawing .
And , indeed , don ’ t forget that we can often learn as much from books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

When digital marketer Jeremy Haynes tweeted recently about the opportunity to learn new schools during the pandemic, he didn't expect the message to go viral.
“If you don’t come out of this quarantine with either: (1) a new skill; (2) starting what you’ve been putting off like a new business; (3) more knowledge; you didn’t ever lack the time, you lacked the discipline.”.
In one of over 4,600 replies to Haynes's tweet, psychiatrist and writer Dr Benjamin Janaway said: "I think you lack self-appraisal and a working social conscience."
If you don’t come out of this quarantine with either:
1.) a new skill
2.) starting what you’ve been putting off like a new business
3.) more knowledge
You didn’t ever lack the time, you lacked the discipline — Jeremy Haynes (@TheJeremyHaynes) April 2, 2020
Polly Wiseman responded to Haynes: "Now is not the time to hustle. Now is the time to acknowledge that people are dying, take stock of where we're at in Western society and vow to be more humane going forward - not keep on with the same old panicky capitalistic hustle."
READ MORE
Ultimately, do what you can and don't worry about a big course; there have never been more ways to learn
So, does Haynes have a point? Is it more important than ever to upskill? Or is the pressure to be productive - including online learning - an extra burden in a time when many of us are struggling to simply stay afloat?
Not about the money
Conor McGuckin is a professor of educational psychology at Trinity College Dublin.
“Through the last recession, people still needed a reason to get up in the morning, have a shower, get dressed and have a purpose for your day - this can be psychologically important,” he says.
“It’s not about the money, it’s about keeping routine and purpose. How people are feeling at the moment (anxious or stressed) is normal; it’s the outside world that is abnormal. Social media can become an echo chamber of what people can have achieved: look, I learned to play the ukulele or sing a song.
“For many of us, we just need to ask: did we survive today? Are we happy with each other? Do we have the basics to meet our needs? Is there bread, milk and shelter?”
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a basic psychological concept that explains how humans need to satisfy their basic physiological needs (air, clothing, food, shelter, sleep, reproduction, water) before we can address our safety needs such as employment, health and personal security.
Only when these needs are addressed can we focus on love and belonging and self-esteem - and only then can we consider self-actualisation, or the desire to become the most that we can be.
With our most basic needs under threat, it’s quite understandable that some of us find the idea of taking on a new course too daunting.
“That said, some of us may have extra space where they feel they can do something educational or vocational,” says Mc Guckin.
“The wonderful thing about being human is that we keep growing and developing. Get through the basics first and if you have spare capacity maybe you could read, do a task, make a picture, listen to an audiobook or podcast.”
While jobs might not be obsolete, many will be different as a result of the crisis, says Solas chief executive Andew Brownlee.
Retrain
With Covid-19 having an impact on many different sectors including media, hospitality and aviation - to name a few - should some of us be looking to retrain anyway?
“A lot of people will get their employment back as restrictions ease but there is a cohort who won’t,” says Andrew Brownlee, CEO of Solas, the further education and training agency, which has been adapting its courses so they can be delivered online.
“We have a big challenge to support those people to get into the work they want to do and are working to help them.
“While jobs might not be obsolete, many will be different, we always say that education is a lifelong process and people should always consider upskilling and retraining whether we’re in a crisis, recession or boom.”
In the early stages of the crisis, Solas immediately moved to make learning available online and to use the phone to keep in contact with more vulnerable groups as well as people who don’t have smartphones or devices.
The organisation also took the decision eCollege.ie, which focuses on digital and project management skills.
“We normally had 500 or 600 a month on these courses but we now have 12,300 people enrolled, which does show an appetite to learn and engage [during this pandemic],” says Brownlee.
“Education doesn’t end after college; it’s a lifelong process and there are many ways to engage throughout your life - so if you don’t feel able to engage right now, that’s okay, there will be plenty of time to learn in the years to come.”
Podcasts can be a great learning opportunity, says Jean O’Brien, founder of the Digital Charity Lab.
E-learning
Jean O'Brien is founder of Digital Charity Lab which provides training, resources and supports to charities, as well as a number of e-learning courses.
“I can relate to people who might have trouble focusing at the moment,” she says.
“But there is so much learning that suits different learning styles, and you don’t have to do an online course that lasts three solid days. It could be a 15-minute burst of e-learning or a five-minute video.
“If you have a library card, there are lots of free online courses and you could take on an area that isn’t necessarily vocational or that has exams - something you wouldn’t normally have the time to do - such as art history or philosophy.”
Podcasts can be a great learning opportunity because you can listen while you’re doing other things, says O’Brien.
“There are lots of professional and industry podcasts. If you work in communications, marketing or charities, for instance, the podcast You Are Not So Smart is about cognitive biases and why some messages work when others don’t. Ultimately, do what you can and don’t worry about a big course; there have never been more ways to learn.”
Upskilling online: What’s available?
eCollege.ie: Interactive online learning and industry-certified courses from Solas, available 24/7 with support from qualified tutors from Monday to Friday. Currently free. Courses include office productivity, computer programming, data science, web and graphic design and Irish language. Courses range in length. See eCollege.ie for more info.
GoHighbrow.com: Don't fancy a time commitment right now? Wake up every morning to a new 5-minute lesson delivered to your email inbox. Over 300 topics to choose from.
KhanAcademy.org: Almost 7,000 free videos and lectures on a wide range of topics for people of all ages. Practice exercises, instructional videos and a personalised learning dashboard form key parts of the platform.
Coursera.org: This database of massive online open courses (MOOCs) allows learners to take a full course from a range of universities worldwide. Courses are low-cost or free and include all the major academic disciplines. The certification isn't the point; learning and upskilling is what matters here.
Alison.com: Over 1,000 free courses from providers across the world are available from this highly-respected, Galway-based company. The nine categories include IT, language, science, health, humanities, business, maths, marketing and lifestyle.
Mooc-list.com: If you're looking to filter free online courses by country (including Ireland), course provider or course length, this website is a very useful tool that easily directs learners to what they need.
DigitalCharityLab.org/elearning: With charities having to move online for fundraising, Digital Charity Lab is currently offering three online courses aimed at those in the non-profit sector including digital marketing, Google Grant Adwords and email marketing. Courses are very affordable (at time of writing, the most expensive was €24.99).
Books: If learning from screens isn't your thing, Lynda Barry's books What If, Picture This and Making Comics are really gorgeous manuals for writing and drawing. And, indeed, don't forget that we can often learn as much from books as we can from any certified course.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Spring begins in garden centres as the public makes up for lost time

The yellow sign warned of “ very heavy queues ” aheads and asked the public “ to bear with us ” , but only a handful of customers were present for the big opening of Woodie ’ s in Bray .
Most who those who turned up at 7.30am on Monday morning did so anticipating a queue .
Most queues are formed when people turn up early to avoid them .
Woodies had created the rows of crash barriers for the anticipated crowds expected at one of its flagship stores which is equidistant between Bray and Greystones .
Peter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shop .
The gable end of their house needs painting .
“ We ’ ve everything done .
We ’ ve cleared all the weeds out of the kerbs .
That ’ s what we were doing last week .
Today there will be four of us working on the house , ” said Peter .
John Peare is building a bar for himself in lockdown in anticipation that the pubs won ’ t open for another 10 weeks and was loading wooden planks into the back of his car .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t ya ?
This is my first time out in six weeks , ” he said .
Sean Matthews was delighted with the small tin of undercoat that he bought to finish painting his garden gate .
“ The job is hateful at the end of it .
I ’ ve been avoiding it for five years .
I ’ ve got the urge and I ’ ll continue.
” The world has changed since Woodies shuts its doors on March 28th .
All the staff are wearing masks and gloves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to be worn by painters on the job and have now become a symbol of the pandemic .
There are perspex screens , hand sanitisers and signs everywhere asking people to social distance .
It would all be shocking if we weren ’ t all used to it by now .
Woodie ’ s chief executive Declan Roynane said the company , which owns 35 stores in the Republic , has “ had a hell of a battering ” over the last seven weeks .
It has been paying its 1,400 staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme .
“ We are a costly business and we have had no revenue coming in .
This thing will end eventually .
I want colleagues to be able to say that our business went out of its way to protect us .
It ’ s physical and psychological , ” he said .
By midday the crowds outside the Woodie ’ s had thickened to approximately 30 customers waiting patiently in mind .
Outside Newlands Cross garden centre in Clondalkin , a queue of people did materialise for its reopening at 9am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the early arrivals who started queuing at 8am , but rain has been as rare as good news this spring and no one was complaining .
Ray Bullock was among them .
He has an ornamental pond that needs plants .
“ I ’ ve been looking at that pond for the last two months , ” he said .
Celestine Walsh loves Newlands Cross garden centre so much that she has her birthday there every year .
The centre ’ s cafe remains closed , but everywhere else was opening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clematis , camellias , potting compost and tomato feeder .
“ I miss my garden stuff something terrible .
This was the worst thing about it , ” she said .
“ I meet my sister here once a week.
” The opening of Newlands Cross has come as a relief to the Devitt family who have run the business for 44 years .
Marie Devitt said she had been looking forward to it “ with fear and anticipation ” .
There were 2,700 online orders waiting for them on April 14th when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We had to close down our website several times , ” she said .
She seemed well pleased with the orderly way in which people queued outside Newlands Cross .
“ We were worried that people would all land on us ta the same time .
Everything will get back to normal and people will find their niche .
It ’ s baby steps for the moment .
”

The yellow sign warned of “very heavy queues” aheads and asked the public “to bear with us”, but only a handful of customers were present for the big opening of Woodie’s in Bray.
Most who those who turned up at 7.30am on Monday morning did so anticipating a queue. Most queues are formed when people turn up early to avoid them.
Woodies had created the rows of crash barriers for the anticipated crowds expected at one of its flagship stores which is equidistant between Bray and Greystones.
Peter and Susan Moore from Loughlinstown were first into the shop. The gable end of their house needs painting. "We've everything done. We've cleared all the weeds out of the kerbs. That's what we were doing last week. Today there will be four of us working on the house," said Peter.
READ MORE
John Peare is building a bar for himself in lockdown in anticipation that the pubs won't open for another 10 weeks and was loading wooden planks into the back of his car. "You have to enjoy yourself, don't ya? This is my first time out in six weeks," he said.
Sean Matthews was delighted with the small tin of undercoat that he bought to finish painting his garden gate. "The job is hateful at the end of it. I've been avoiding it for five years. I've got the urge and I'll continue."
The world has changed since Woodies shuts its doors on March 28th. All the staff are wearing masks and gloves, some wearing the N95 surgical masks that used to be worn by painters on the job and have now become a symbol of the pandemic.
There are perspex screens, hand sanitisers and signs everywhere asking people to social distance. It would all be shocking if we weren’t all used to it by now.
Woodie's chief executive Declan Roynane said the company, which owns 35 stores in the Republic, has "had a hell of a battering" over the last seven weeks. It has been paying its 1,400 staff through the Government's wage subsidy scheme.
“We are a costly business and we have had no revenue coming in. This thing will end eventually. I want colleagues to be able to say that our business went out of its way to protect us. It’s physical and psychological,” he said.
By midday the crowds outside the Woodie’s had thickened to approximately 30 customers waiting patiently in mind.
Outside Newlands Cross garden centre in Clondalkin, a queue of people did materialise for its reopening at 9am.
A steady drizzle started to fall on the early arrivals who started queuing at 8am, but rain has been as rare as good news this spring and no one was complaining.
Ray Bullock was among them. He has an ornamental pond that needs plants. "I've been looking at that pond for the last two months," he said.
Celestine Walsh loves Newlands Cross garden centre so much that she has her birthday there every year. The centre's cafe remains closed, but everywhere else was opening.
She piled the trolly to capacity with clematis, camellias, potting compost and tomato feeder. “I miss my garden stuff something terrible. This was the worst thing about it,” she said. “I meet my sister here once a week.”
The opening of Newlands Cross has come as a relief to the Devitt family who have run the business for 44 years. Marie Devitt said she had been looking forward to it "with fear and anticipation".
There were 2,700 online orders waiting for them on April 14th when they reopened to home delivery . “We had to close down our website several times,” she said.
She seemed well pleased with the orderly way in which people queued outside Newlands Cross. “We were worried that people would all land on us ta the same time. Everything will get back to normal and people will find their niche. It’s baby steps for the moment.”


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Liquidators appointed to private primary school by High Court

The High Court has appointed liquidators to a company operating Ireland ’ s only private boarding school for children aged seven to 13 .
Headfort School in Kells , Co Meath , run by Headfort School DAC , has to close due to an inability to pay its debts , which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic , the court heard .
Some 44 boarders and 65 day pupils will now have to find alternative school places .
Fees at the school were up to €18,000 a year for boarders and just under €15,000 for under-10s .
Class sizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The school , housed in an 18th-century Georgian mansion since opening in 1949 , also operated a Montessori school in recent years and employed about 25 staff .
The operating company has charitable status and although it received certain State funding for the Montessori element , it did not receive capitation grants , Garret Byrne BL , instructed by solicitor Doug Smith , told the court on Monday .
Mr Byrne said the winding-up petition was being presented by the company , the landlord of the school , as a creditor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the best option as it was not possible to convene a meeting of the shareholders , two of whom are deceased .
The school had been in financial difficulties with a net liability for the year ended August 2018 of some €267,000 .
Although the unaudited accounts for 2019 showed a profit of some €79,000 , there was still a net negative liability of €172,476 , counsel said .
Its financial position was “ very suddenly and seriously undermined ” due to the pandemic , he said .
The school was closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had not been in a position to pay salaries and rent .
Although interim accounts to March showed a profit of €144,00 , some €100,000 of that was a loan from one of the directors , counsel said .
The company was clearly operating on an insolvent basis , counsel said .
Due to the closure , fees that would have been expected for the coming summer would not now be paid , including those from parents of children from other countries who attended it .
Mr Justice Mark Heslin said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was satisfied the company is not in a position to pay its debts , including rent and monthly salaries of nearly €100,000 .
This was also in circumstances where it would not receive any income between now and the end of August .
He appointed David O ’ Connor and Peter Doherty of BDO as joint liquidators .

Headfort School, Kells, Co Meath, is based in a Georgian mansion from the 1760s. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The High Court has appointed liquidators to a company operating Ireland’s only private boarding school for children aged seven to 13.
Headfort School in Kells, Co Meath, run by Headfort School DAC, has to close due to an inability to pay its debts, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the court heard.
Some 44 boarders and 65 day pupils will now have to find alternative school places. Fees at the school were up to €18,000 a year for boarders and just under €15,000 for under-10s. Class sizes were, on average, 12-15 students.
The school, housed in an 18th-century Georgian mansion since opening in 1949, also operated a Montessori school in recent years and employed about 25 staff.
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The operating company has charitable status and although it received certain State funding for the Montessori element, it did not receive capitation grants, Garret Byrne BL, instructed by solicitor Doug Smith, told the court on Monday.
Mr Byrne said the winding-up petition was being presented by the company, the landlord of the school, as a creditor in circumstances where the board had agreed this was the best option as it was not possible to convene a meeting of the shareholders, two of whom are deceased.
The school had been in financial difficulties with a net liability for the year ended August 2018 of some €267,000.
Although the unaudited accounts for 2019 showed a profit of some €79,000, there was still a net negative liability of €172,476, counsel said.
Inability to pay
Its financial position was “very suddenly and seriously undermined” due to the pandemic, he said. The school was closed in March due to the crisis and it had not been in a position to pay salaries and rent.
Although interim accounts to March showed a profit of €144,00, some €100,000 of that was a loan from one of the directors, counsel said. The company was clearly operating on an insolvent basis, counsel said.
Due to the closure, fees that would have been expected for the coming summer would not now be paid, including those from parents of children from other countries who attended it.
Mr Justice Mark Heslin said, on the evidence before him, he was satisfied the company is not in a position to pay its debts, including rent and monthly salaries of nearly €100,000. This was also in circumstances where it would not receive any income between now and the end of August.
He appointed David O’Connor and Peter Doherty of BDO as joint liquidators.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Man (43) charged with rape of girl in Cork over a decade ago

A 43-year- old Corkman has been remanded on bail after he was charged with the rape , attempted rape and sexual assault of a girl over a decade ago .
The man , who can ’ t be named for legal reasons , was brought before Cork District Court on Monday where he was charged with a total of 42 offences .
The accused was charged with one count of rape , two counts of attempted rape and 39 counts of sexual assault on various dates between 2002 and 2008 .
Det Garda Craig Peterson of the Garda Protective Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave evidence of arrest , charge and caution .
He told Judge Olann Kelleher that the accused made no reply to any of the 42 charges when he put them to him after caution following his arrest .
Sgt John Kelleher said the DPP had directed that the accused be tried on indictment on all 42 charges by a judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court .
Defence solicitor , Eddie Burke said a book of evidence would be required and Sgt Kelleher applied for an adjourned for service of the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardaí had no objection to the man being remanded on bail once he gave an undertaking to abide by certain bail conditions These included that he would reside at his home address , notify gardaí of any change of address and sign on every Friday at his local garda station in Cork .
Gardaí were also seeking that he would surrender his passport and give an undertaking not to apply for a new one or any replacement travel documents .
Det Garda Peterson said that gardai were also seeking that the accused give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or indirectly with the complainant .
Mr Burke said he had discussed the issue of bail with his client earlier and he was willing to abide by all the conditions being sought by the gardaí .
Judge Kelleher agreed to the adjournment and remanded the man on bail to appear at Cork District Court on June 15th for service of the book of evidence .

A 43-year- old Corkman has been remanded on bail after he was charged with the rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of a girl over a decade ago.
The man, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was brought before Cork District Court on Monday where he was charged with a total of 42 offences.
The accused was charged with one count of rape, two counts of attempted rape and 39 counts of sexual assault on various dates between 2002 and 2008.
Det Garda Craig Peterson of the Garda Protective Services Unit attached to Anglesea Street Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
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He told Judge Olann Kelleher that the accused made no reply to any of the 42 charges when he put them to him after caution following his arrest.
Sgt John Kelleher said the DPP had directed that the accused be tried on indictment on all 42 charges by a judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court.
Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke said a book of evidence would be required and Sgt Kelleher applied for an adjourned for service of the book of evidence.
Det Garda Peterson said gardaí had no objection to the man being remanded on bail once he gave an undertaking to abide by certain bail conditions
These included that he would reside at his home address, notify gardaí of any change of address and sign on every Friday at his local garda station in Cork.
Gardaí were also seeking that he would surrender his passport and give an undertaking not to apply for a new one or any replacement travel documents.
Det Garda Peterson said that gardai were also seeking that the accused give an undertaking to have no contact directly or indirectly with the complainant.
Mr Burke said he had discussed the issue of bail with his client earlier and he was willing to abide by all the conditions being sought by the gardaí.
Judge Kelleher agreed to the adjournment and remanded the man on bail to appear at Cork District Court on June 15th for service of the book of evidence.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Tinder rapist appeals 14-year sentence for attacking women

A serial sex offender is to appeal against the severity of his 14-year sentence for attacking women he met through the Tinder dating app , while the State is to argue that the sentence , of which the final two years were suspended , was too lenient .
Patrick Nevin ( 38 ) attacked three women during their first meetings in the space of eleven days .
The sentencing judge , Ms Justice Eileen Creedon , heard that he had a preoccupation with sex and hostility towards women ; he was at a high risk of re-offending .
Nevin had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bellewstown , Co Meath on July 12th 2014 and to sexual assault four days later of a second woman at an unknown place in Co Meath .
The father-of-two had been due to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court , but changed his pleas to guilty following a legal ruling , which would allow the prosecution to introduce evidence from the other women describing sexual assault by Nevin on a first date .
The court heard that Nevin , previously of Meadowlands Court , Mounttown Road , Dun Laoghaire and Dundalk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case on Tinder .
Justice Creedon imposed a 14-year sentence but suspended the final two years .
The computer programmer is also serving a 5½ year sentence imposed previously for the sexual assault of a third woman he met on Tinder .
This offence took place at the UCD campus on July 23rd 2014 , only weeks after the Brazilian woman had arrived in Dublin .
He had appealed that conviction , but subsequently withdrew it .
Mr Justice George Birmingham on Monday set July 30th as the date for Nevin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard remotely on the same date in line with current social distancing guidelines .

Patrick Nevin (38) attacked three women during their first meetings in the space of eleven days. Photograph: Collins Courts
A serial sex offender is to appeal against the severity of his 14-year sentence for attacking women he met through the Tinder dating app, while the State is to argue that the sentence, of which the final two years were suspended, was too lenient.
Patrick Nevin (38) attacked three women during their first meetings in the space of eleven days.
The sentencing judge, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, heard that he had a preoccupation with sex and hostility towards women; he was at a high risk of re-offending.
Nevin had pleaded guilty to raping one woman at Bellewstown, Co Meath on July 12th 2014 and to sexual assault four days later of a second woman at an unknown place in Co Meath.
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The father-of-two had been due to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court, but changed his pleas to guilty following a legal ruling, which would allow the prosecution to introduce evidence from the other women describing sexual assault by Nevin on a first date.
The court heard that Nevin, previously of Meadowlands Court, Mounttown Road, Dun Laoghaire and Dundalk, Co Louth, met both women in this case on Tinder.
Justice Creedon imposed a 14-year sentence but suspended the final two years.
The computer programmer is also serving a 5½ year sentence imposed previously for the sexual assault of a third woman he met on Tinder. This offence took place at the UCD campus on July 23rd 2014, only weeks after the Brazilian woman had arrived in Dublin.
He had appealed that conviction, but subsequently withdrew it.
Mr Justice George Birmingham on Monday set July 30th as the date for Nevin’s appeal.
Both appeals will be heard remotely on the same date in line with current social distancing guidelines.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Bull Island should be closed again to cars, says Green councillor

Bull Island nature reserve in north Dublin should remain closed to cars until safe cycling and walking infrastructure can be introduced , Green Party councillor Donna Cooney has said .
Causeway Road , which runs through the nature reserve to Dollymount Strand , was closed to traffic at the beginning of April following Garda concerns over the public ’ s observance of the 2km Covid-19 restrictions .
The road , which provides access to St Anne ’ s Golf Club , was reopened on Monday morning , with a line of cones and barriers to provide a segregated space for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council said this would be a 4m wide reservation for the “ exclusive use of pedestrians and cyclists ” .
Later that day it decided the lane would be 3m and would be used for pedestrians only .
However , the lane in place on Monday was less than 2m wide at its widest point , and has no signage indicating it should be used by cyclists .
Most cyclists and walkers on Causeway Road on Monday said they thought it was an additional footpath .
“ If there was a sign there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Brien , who was cycling with his son Luca , said .
Luca ( 9 ) said he was disappointed cars have returned to the causeway .
“ I don ’ t really like it .
It was quite nice for kids when all the road was closed .
It was really peaceful.
” Mr O ’ Brien said he was “ biased ” as he is a member of the golf club so he wants the road open for access .
However , he said he would like to see better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the segregated lane was “ completely inadequate ” and was a source of confusion for all road users .
“ First it was 4m for cyclists and walkers , then 3m for cyclist only , now in places it dwindles away to nothing and there are no signs at all saying who should use it.
” She said the objective to provide safe infrastructure for cyclists and walkers has “ entirely failed ” and the road should be closed again until the issue was resolved .
“ What is there now is unsafe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleading with the council to close the road now until a dedicated cycleway can be put in place.
” A spokesman for the council said the barrier was installed before Causeway Road was reopened on Monday morning “ in order to claim space on the road ” to improve the access for cycling to the nature reserve and Dollymount beach .
“ Works will be on-going for the next two weeks to increase the width of the pavement for both cyclists and pedestrians and at that stage signage will be installed , ” @ @ @

The cycle lane on the road to Bull Island nature reserve, pictured on Monday. Photograph: Olivia Kelly
Bull Island nature reserve in north Dublin should remain closed to cars until safe cycling and walking infrastructure can be introduced, Green Party councillor Donna Cooney has said.
Causeway Road, which runs through the nature reserve to Dollymount Strand, was closed to traffic at the beginning of April following Garda concerns over the public’s observance of the 2km Covid-19 restrictions.
The road, which provides access to St Anne’s Golf Club, was reopened on Monday morning, with a line of cones and barriers to provide a segregated space for cyclists.
On Friday morning Dublin City Council said this would be a 4m wide reservation for the "exclusive use of pedestrians and cyclists". Later that day it decided the lane would be 3m and would be used for pedestrians only.
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However, the lane in place on Monday was less than 2m wide at its widest point, and has no signage indicating it should be used by cyclists.
Most cyclists and walkers on Causeway Road on Monday said they thought it was an additional footpath.
“If there was a sign there we missed it,” Mick O’Brien, who was cycling with his son Luca, said.
Luca (9) said he was disappointed cars have returned to the causeway. “I don’t really like it. It was quite nice for kids when all the road was closed. It was really peaceful.”
Mr O’Brien said he was “biased” as he is a member of the golf club so he wants the road open for access. However, he said he would like to see better provision for cyclists.
‘Inadequate’
Ms Cooney said the segregated lane was “completely inadequate” and was a source of confusion for all road users. “First it was 4m for cyclists and walkers, then 3m for cyclist only, now in places it dwindles away to nothing and there are no signs at all saying who should use it.”
She said the objective to provide safe infrastructure for cyclists and walkers has “entirely failed” and the road should be closed again until the issue was resolved.
“What is there now is unsafe, and frankly insulting. I am pleading with the council to close the road now until a dedicated cycleway can be put in place.”
A spokesman for the council said the barrier was installed before Causeway Road was reopened on Monday morning “in order to claim space on the road” to improve the access for cycling to the nature reserve and Dollymount beach.
“Works will be on-going for the next two weeks to increase the width of the pavement for both cyclists and pedestrians and at that stage signage will be installed,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Woman granted protection order against ‘menacing’ husband

A woman who is working remotely from home told a court on Monday that her husband , who is not working , “ walks around the house with his headphones on , not engaging ” with her or their teenage children .
In an application to the Dublin District Family Court for a protection order , she said her husband had not been physically aggressive to her , but “ his behaviour is increasingly erratic , and he has been acting in a menacing way ” .
“ I get the feeling that he just wants me gone .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sound enough mind to not do something that would hurt me.
” The marriage had been breaking down for years , she told Judge John Campbell , and she slept downstairs .
On a recent night she prepared and had dinner with her husband and their children , but a row erupted afterwards during which he told her to “ watch her tone ” .
“ I said , are you threatening me , and he laughed , like a maniac laughing , and it really put the fear in me.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised not to spend the night in the house .
The next day , when she and the children returned to the house , her husband acted as if nothing had happened .
However , he also said to the children that their mother had been “ really crazy ” to have called the gardaí , and that she was a “ real psycho ” .
Later she heard her husband on the phone to his sister saying that his wife was mentally unstable , and that he didn ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hearing this caused her renewed concern , and she again got in contact with the Garda , who advised her to seek a protection order .
“ I ’ m not saying he ’ s nuts , ” she told the judge , “ but he ’ s clearly not right ” .
Her husband was drinking five cans of beer and a bottle of wine every night , and has a history of recreational drug use , she said .
He was “ paranoid about the virus ” and had been observing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their home , but now that the distance had been increased to 5km , she thought maybe he had access to drugs .
The judge granted the interim protection order , which means the husband can be charged if he breaches the order by acting in a threatening way towards his wife .
In another case a woman got an interim barring order against her “ workaholic ” husband who was putting her in fear for her safety because of his angry outbursts .
The woman told the court that her husband had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth of their first child , because of the unpredictability of the child ’ s sleeping patterns .
The man rarely took a holiday , though when the family did go on holiday some time ago , it was “ the most miserable 19 days of my life ” .
Her husband was now “ in a bad place , and the intensity of what has happened in the last weeks is frightening me ” .
The judge said he was satisfied that the necessary threshold had been reached and issued an interim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what to do in the longer term to go to hearing next week .
In another case an elderly man got an interim protection order against his son , who lives with him .
“ He ’ s a very good worker .
He keeps the house spotless .
He looks after me , ” the man said of his son .
However , his son had a drink problem that started when he was young and went to England to play for a top football team .
“ He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but when he breaks out , he loses the plot , ” the man said .
A woman was granted an interim barring order against her son , who is in his late teens and lives with her .
The young man had been “ squaring up to me ” and making her life miserable , she said .
“ I know it ’ s the drugs , but he chose that road , ” she said .

In an application to the Dublin District Family Court for a protection order, the woman said her husband’s behaviour was ‘increasingly erratic, and he has been acting in a menacing way’. Photograph: Alan Betson
A woman who is working remotely from home told a court on Monday that her husband, who is not working, “walks around the house with his headphones on, not engaging” with her or their teenage children.
In an application to the Dublin District Family Court for a protection order, she said her husband had not been physically aggressive to her, but "his behaviour is increasingly erratic, and he has been acting in a menacing way".
“I get the feeling that he just wants me gone. I don’t trust that he is of sound enough mind to not do something that would hurt me.”
The marriage had been breaking down for years, she told Judge John Campbell, and she slept downstairs.
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Row erupted
On a recent night she prepared and had dinner with her husband and their children, but a row erupted afterwards during which he told her to “watch her tone”.
“I said, are you threatening me, and he laughed, like a maniac laughing, and it really put the fear in me.”
She called the Garda, and was advised not to spend the night in the house. The next day, when she and the children returned to the house, her husband acted as if nothing had happened. However, he also said to the children that their mother had been “really crazy” to have called the gardaí, and that she was a “real psycho”.
Later she heard her husband on the phone to his sister saying that his wife was mentally unstable, and that he didn’t want to leave their children alone with her. Hearing this caused her renewed concern, and she again got in contact with the Garda, who advised her to seek a protection order.
“I’m not saying he’s nuts,” she told the judge, “but he’s clearly not right”. Her husband was drinking five cans of beer and a bottle of wine every night, and has a history of recreational drug use, she said.
He was “paranoid about the virus” and had been observing the rule about staying within 2km of their home, but now that the distance had been increased to 5km, she thought maybe he had access to drugs.
The judge granted the interim protection order, which means the husband can be charged if he breaches the order by acting in a threatening way towards his wife.
In another case a woman got an interim barring order against her “workaholic” husband who was putting her in fear for her safety because of his angry outbursts.
The woman told the court that her husband had found it difficult to cope since the birth of their first child, because of the unpredictability of the child’s sleeping patterns.
The man rarely took a holiday, though when the family did go on holiday some time ago, it was “the most miserable 19 days of my life”. Her husband was now “in a bad place, and the intensity of what has happened in the last weeks is frightening me”.
The judge said he was satisfied that the necessary threshold had been reached and issued an interim barring order, with a decision as to what to do in the longer term to go to hearing next week.
Drink problem
In another case an elderly man got an interim protection order against his son, who lives with him.
“He’s a very good worker. He keeps the house spotless. He looks after me,” the man said of his son.
However, his son had a drink problem that started when he was young and went to England to play for a top football team. “He’s great when he’s not drinking, but when he breaks out, he loses the plot,” the man said.
A woman was granted an interim barring order against her son, who is in his late teens and lives with her. The young man had been “squaring up to me” and making her life miserable, she said. “I know it’s the drugs, but he chose that road,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Gardaí to start using facemasks in enclosed spaces

Gardaí are to start using face masks in certain circumstances for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Members will be required to wear masks in enclosed settings such as houses or cars and if they expect to be in close contact with people for more than 15 minutes .
The move brings the Garda in line with common practice in other European countries and follows the HSE ’ s recommendation that the public should be wearing face coverings on public transport and in shops .
However , gardaí on patrol or at checkpoints will not be required to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been distributed to the force for these purposes .
It has also received two million pairs of disposable gloves and 50,000 litres of hand sanitiser .
Several members of the public have made complaints to the Garda Ombudsman about gardaí not wearing face masks at Covid-19 checkpoints .
This prompted the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors to point out that the Chief Medical Officer had so far instructed members not to wear them .
Last week Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny criticised the decision not to make PPE mandatory for gardaí .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supplies .
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he “ rejected this out of hand.
” “ Gardaí will use PPE as they see fit operationally , and to do so they have more than sufficient supplies , ” he told The Irish Times .

Several complaints have been made to the Garda Ombudsman about gardaí not wearing facemasks at checkpoints. Photograph: Collins
Gardaí are to start using face masks in certain circumstances for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members will be required to wear masks in enclosed settings such as houses or cars and if they expect to be in close contact with people for more than 15 minutes.
The move brings the Garda in line with common practice in other European countries and follows the HSE’s recommendation that the public should be wearing face coverings on public transport and in shops.
However, gardaí on patrol or at checkpoints will not be required to wear the masks.
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Over 200,000 facemasks have been distributed to the force for these purposes. It has also received two million pairs of disposable gloves and 50,000 litres of hand sanitiser.
Several members of the public have made complaints to the Garda Ombudsman about gardaí not wearing face masks at Covid-19 checkpoints.
This prompted the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors to point out that the Chief Medical Officer had so far instructed members not to wear them.
Last week Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny criticised the decision not to make PPE mandatory for gardaí. He suggested it related to a lack of supplies.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he "rejected this out of hand."
“Gardaí will use PPE as they see fit operationally, and to do so they have more than sufficient supplies,” he told The Irish Times.


theirishtimes--2020-05-18--Man (42) killed after car collides with lorry in Co Cork

A 42-year-old man has died following a car crash in Co Cork .
The man was killed when his car @ @ @ @ @ a lorry on the N22 Cork-Macroom road near Ovens at about 11.15am .
The man @ @ @ @ @ the car , was treated by paramedics but later pronounced dead at the scene .
@ @ @ @ @ man ’ s name until relatives are notified .
It is understood he was a @ @ @ @ @ elderly parents in Ballincollig .
The lorry driver was physically uninjured but badly traumatised by @ @ @ @ @ off the road and put local diversions in place to allow forensic investigators to carry @ @ @ @ @ scene .
Gardaí at Gurranabraher are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come @ @ @ @ @ Gurranebraher Garda Station on 021-4946200 .
They are also interested in hearing from motorists with @ @ @ @ @ on the N22 between 10.50am and 11.15am .

Gardaí closed the N22 near Ovens, Co Cork, after the fatal crash on Monday morning. File photograph: Alan Betson
A 42-year-old man has died following a car crash in Co Cork.
The man was killed when his car was in a collision with a lorry on the N22 Cork-Macroom road near Ovens at about 11.15am.
The man, the sole occupant of the car, was treated by paramedics but later pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí have not released the man's name until relatives are notified. It is understood he was a single man living with his elderly parents in Ballincollig.
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The lorry driver was physically uninjured but badly traumatised by the crash.
Gardaí closed off the road and put local diversions in place to allow forensic investigators to carry out an examination of the scene.
Gardaí at Gurranabraher are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward and contact them at Gurranebraher Garda Station on 021-4946200. They are also interested in hearing from motorists with dash cams who were travelling on the N22 between 10.50am and 11.15am.