theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Better-off spent more time outdoors during lockdown, study finds

Significant differences in the amount of time spent outdoors by different socioeconomic groups during the Covid-19 lockdown have been identified in a new study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) .
The research showed those in the lowest income group spent the least amount of time outdoors for recreation and leisure during a week in June when some restrictions implemented to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic had been lifted .
Those with annual earnings of less than €40,000 spent 2.6 days outdoors per week compared with the average of 3.1 days .
The highest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income of more than €100,000 – spent an average of 3.8 and 3.9. days outdoors respectively .
The findings of the study highlighted inequalities in access to and use of so-called blue and green spaces in Ireland such as beaches , lakes , parks and woodland , but excluding private gardens .
Asked about satisfaction levels with their local environment , people living in Leitrim and Laois recorded the highest average scores .
The lowest scores were recorded in Limerick and Louth .
The study was carried out by a team of researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider Sheer Wellbeing Project , which is examining the wider role of blue/green spaces in terms of environmental , socioeconomic and health factors .
They surveyed more than 1,000 people in June , when people were confined to within 20km of their residence .
The study found that 3.6 per cent stated a lack of access to blue/green spaces prevented them from spending time out of doors in the previous week .
One in five respondents cited Covid-19 restrictions as a barrier to accessing recreational areas , although bad weather and being busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why people had not visited blue/green spaces .
The lack of social distancing in some spaces , such as parks and beaches , was perceived as a problem by some , particularly by people living in Dublin .
One of the report ’ s main authors , Dr Gesche Kindermann of NUIG ’ s Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change , said the key finding of inequalities between different socioeconomic groups in accessing and using places such as parks and beaches echoed the results of other studies .
Dr Kindermann said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or altered by Covid-19 , although anecdotal evidence suggested more people were exercising outdoors as remote working offered greater flexibility and less commuting .
However , she said differences in access levels between various socioeconomic groups , evident in a similar survey carried out by NUIG researchers last year , remained .
“ The Covid-19 new normal presents a unique transformative opportunity to rapidly ‘ reset the system ’ to alter behaviours and attitudes towards blue/green spaces for the betterment of our environments and our health and wellbeing , ” Dr Kindermann said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consider accessibility and proximity to blue/green spaces when we are planning new urban and rural areas because we know the important role they play in terms of people ’ s mental health.
” The study found there were statistically significant differences in how the proximity to blue/green spaces was perceived by people in urban and rural areas .
People living in isolated locations felt blue/green spaces were beyond easy walking distance , which was not a problem for people in towns and cities .
Those over 55 years of age were more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaches than younger age groups .
People who reported spending the most time outdoors also recorded the highest levels of perceived good health .
The study showed 79 per cent of those who spent time outdoors six or seven days a week declared their health as good , compared with 52 per cent of those who spent no time outdoors .

People in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, in May. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Significant differences in the amount of time spent outdoors by different socioeconomic groups during the Covid-19 lockdown have been identified in a new study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The research showed those in the lowest income group spent the least amount of time outdoors for recreation and leisure during a week in June when some restrictions implemented to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic had been lifted.
Those with annual earnings of less than €40,000 spent 2.6 days outdoors per week compared with the average of 3.1 days.
The highest and second-highest income groups – people with annual income of more than €100,000 – spent an average of 3.8 and 3.9. days outdoors respectively.
READ MORE
The findings of the study highlighted inequalities in access to and use of so-called blue and green spaces in Ireland such as beaches, lakes, parks and woodland, but excluding private gardens.
Asked about satisfaction levels with their local environment, people living in Leitrim and Laois recorded the highest average scores. The lowest scores were recorded in Limerick and Louth.
The study was carried out by a team of researchers at NUI Galway as part of the wider Sheer Wellbeing Project, which is examining the wider role of blue/green spaces in terms of environmental, socioeconomic and health factors.
Lack of access
They surveyed more than 1,000 people in June, when people were confined to within 20km of their residence.
The study found that 3.6 per cent stated a lack of access to blue/green spaces prevented them from spending time out of doors in the previous week.
One in five respondents cited Covid-19 restrictions as a barrier to accessing recreational areas, although bad weather and being busy with work were the most common reasons why people had not visited blue/green spaces.
The lack of social distancing in some spaces, such as parks and beaches, was perceived as a problem by some, particularly by people living in Dublin.
One of the report's main authors, Dr Gesche Kindermann of NUIG's Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change, said the key finding of inequalities between different socioeconomic groups in accessing and using places such as parks and beaches echoed the results of other studies.
Dr Kindermann said the way communities accessed blue/green spaces was disrupted or altered by Covid-19, although anecdotal evidence suggested more people were exercising outdoors as remote working offered greater flexibility and less commuting.
However, she said differences in access levels between various socioeconomic groups, evident in a similar survey carried out by NUIG researchers last year, remained.
“The Covid-19 new normal presents a unique transformative opportunity to rapidly ‘reset the system’ to alter behaviours and attitudes towards blue/green spaces for the betterment of our environments and our health and wellbeing,” Dr Kindermann said.
“It gives us the chance to consider accessibility and proximity to blue/green spaces when we are planning new urban and rural areas because we know the important role they play in terms of people’s mental health.”
Walking distance
The study found there were statistically significant differences in how the proximity to blue/green spaces was perceived by people in urban and rural areas.
People living in isolated locations felt blue/green spaces were beyond easy walking distance, which was not a problem for people in towns and cities.
Those over 55 years of age were more likely to visit places like parks and beaches than younger age groups.
People who reported spending the most time outdoors also recorded the highest levels of perceived good health.
The study showed 79 per cent of those who spent time outdoors six or seven days a week declared their health as good, compared with 52 per cent of those who spent no time outdoors.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Outpatient waiting list surpasses 600,000 for first time

The number of outpatients on the waiting list has surpassed the 600,000 mark for the first time , the latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show .
There were 601,362 people on the outpatient waiting list at the end of July , up a substantial 17,000 over the previous month .
At the start of the year , just over 553,000 patients were waiting for a hospital appointment .
The Mater hospital in Dublin , University Hospital Waterford , Galway University Hospitals and University Hospital Limerick each have more than 40,000 people on their outpatient waiting lists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for an appointment .
Last month , 80,283 patients were waiting for an inpatient/daycase procedure , up from 66,563 at the start of the year but down 4,000 on June .
A total of 16,597 inpatients have been languishing on the waiting list for more than 12 months , despite various initiatives to ensure their procedures are done in a timely manner .
Another 34,983 patients were waiting last month for an endoscopy , a reduction of under 1,000 on the previous month .
A total of 819,037 patients are on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NTPF ; this includes patients who have been given a date for their procedure or who need to be seen after treatment .
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all non-urgent hospital work in the spring and although activities have resumed in many parts of the health service , capacity is reduced to about 80 per cent or less due to the requirement for infection control .
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association highlighted the impact on individual specialties , including a 25 per cent rise in general surgery lists since the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in orthopaedics and 10.4 per cent in urology .
The increase were not just a result of Covid-19 , the IHCA asserted , but demonstrated the impact of years of consultant shortages and underinvestment in capacity across the health system .
“ Our health service capacity deficits can and should be addressed immediately , ” said IHCA president Dr Donal O ’ Hanlon .
“ Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly ’ s previous commitment to address the consultant recruitment and retention crisis , and to get more specialists back working in our acute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Last month, 80,283 patients were waiting for an inpatient/daycase procedure, up from 66,563 at the start of the year but down 4,000 on June.
The number of outpatients on the waiting list has surpassed the 600,000 mark for the first time, the latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show.
There were 601,362 people on the outpatient waiting list at the end of July, up a substantial 17,000 over the previous month. At the start of the year, just over 553,000 patients were waiting for a hospital appointment.
The Mater hospital in Dublin, University Hospital Waterford, Galway University Hospitals and University Hospital Limerick each have more than 40,000 people on their outpatient waiting lists. Children account for over 46,000 of those waiting for an appointment.
Last month, 80,283 patients were waiting for an inpatient/daycase procedure, up from 66,563 at the start of the year but down 4,000 on June.
READ MORE
A total of 16,597 inpatients have been languishing on the waiting list for more than 12 months, despite various initiatives to ensure their procedures are done in a timely manner.
Another 34,983 patients were waiting last month for an endoscopy, a reduction of under 1,000 on the previous month.
A total of 819,037 patients are on some form of waiting list monitored by the NTPF; this includes patients who have been given a date for their procedure or who need to be seen after treatment.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all non-urgent hospital work in the spring and although activities have resumed in many parts of the health service, capacity is reduced to about 80 per cent or less due to the requirement for infection control.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association highlighted the impact on individual specialties, including a 25 per cent rise in general surgery lists since the start of the year, 12.4 per cent in orthopaedics and 10.4 per cent in urology.
The increase were not just a result of Covid-19, the IHCA asserted, but demonstrated the impact of years of consultant shortages and underinvestment in capacity across the health system.
“Our health service capacity deficits can and should be addressed immediately,” said IHCA president Dr Donal O’Hanlon.
“Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly’s previous commitment to address the consultant recruitment and retention crisis, and to get more specialists back working in our acute hospitals is key to reducing waiting lists.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Man charged with murder over fatal stabbing incident in Clontarf

A 25-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a man who was stabbed to death at a hostel in Dublin .
Michael Olohan ( 35 ) , who was originally from Poppintree , in Ballymun , in north Dublin , suffered fatal chest injuries during a row at a hostel in Brádóg Court , St Lawrence Road , in Clontarf , at about 7.15am on Thursday .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
The 25-year-old man , Sean Murphy , handed himself in to gardaí on Thursday .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for questioning .
Mr Murphy , who lived in an apartment at the same hostel as the deceased , was charged and brought to appear before Judge John Brennan at a late sitting of Dublin District Court on Friday .
In evidence , Det Sgt Dave Ennis told Mr Justice Brennan that the accused replied , “ No , that is fine ” when he was charged and cautioned .
The accused was then handed a copy of the charge sheet , the judge was told .
Mr Justice Brennan remanded Mr Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link on Wednesday .
Mr Murphy ’ s solicitor Michael French asked the court to request an “ urgent psychiatric assessment ” of his client in custody .
Mr Justice Brennan agreed to direct that he would receive the psychiatric assessment .
The judge also granted the accused legal aid after noting he was in receipt of disability allowance .
The district court does not have the jurisdiction to grant bail in a murder case .

A man has appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin in relation to a fatal incident in Clontarf. File photograph: Matt Kavanagh
A 25-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a man who was stabbed to death at a hostel in Dublin.
Michael Olohan (35), who was originally from Poppintree, in Ballymun, in north Dublin, suffered fatal chest injuries during a row at a hostel in Brádóg Court, St Lawrence Road, in Clontarf, at about 7.15am on Thursday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 25-year-old man, Sean Murphy, handed himself in to gardaí on Thursday. He was arrested and detained at Clontarf Garda station for questioning.
READ MORE
Mr Murphy, who lived in an apartment at the same hostel as the deceased, was charged and brought to appear before Judge John Brennan at a late sitting of Dublin District Court on Friday.
In evidence, Det Sgt Dave Ennis told Mr Justice Brennan that the accused replied, “No, that is fine” when he was charged and cautioned.
The accused was then handed a copy of the charge sheet, the judge was told.
Mr Justice Brennan remanded Mr Murphy, who sat silently during the hearing, in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link on Wednesday.
Mr Murphy’s solicitor Michael French asked the court to request an “urgent psychiatric assessment” of his client in custody. Mr Justice Brennan agreed to direct that he would receive the psychiatric assessment.
The judge also granted the accused legal aid after noting he was in receipt of disability allowance.
The district court does not have the jurisdiction to grant bail in a murder case.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Revenue dog sniffs out cannabis labelled as Star Wars Lego

Revenue ’ s drug detection dog Bailey sniffed out cannabis worth more than €34,000 at the Dublin mail centre on @ @ @ @ @ had been put in packages labelled as Star Wars Lego and other toys .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ worth of herbal cannabis was as a result of routine operations at the facility .
@ @ @ @ @ four separate parcels which came from Canada and the US .
The packages were declared @ @ @ @ @ X-Wing , a Fortnite Nerf gun , a book , and a Marvel backpack , @ @ @ @ @ items was on its way to addresses in Dublin and Kildare .
It followed another @ @ @ @ @ when Revenue dog Kelly uncovered almost 50,000 cigarettes at Dublin Port , as well as @ @ @ @ @ June , sniffer dog Robbie played a part in the biggest drug seizure of the @ @ @ @ @ , where €6.2 million worth of cocaine and herbal cannabis was found concealed in hot @ @ @

Revenue’s drug detection dog Bailey sniffed out cannabis worth more than €34,000 at the Dublin mail centre on Friday, after the drugs had been put in packages labelled as Star Wars Lego and other toys.
Officials said the seizure of 1.7kg worth of herbal cannabis was as a result of routine operations at the facility.
Cannabis worth more than €34,000 found at the Dublin mail centre on Friday. Photograph courtesy of Revenue
The drugs were discovered in four separate parcels which came from Canada and the US.
The packages were declared as a Lego Star Wars X-Wing, a Fortnite Nerf gun, a book, and a Marvel backpack, respectively. Each of the items was on its way to addresses in Dublin and Kildare.
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It followed another success story on Wednesday, when Revenue dog Kelly uncovered almost 50,000 cigarettes at Dublin Port, as well as 2.6kg of tobacco.
In June, sniffer dog Robbie played a part in the biggest drug seizure of the year, at Dublin Port, where €6.2 million worth of cocaine and herbal cannabis was found concealed in hot water cylinders.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Government has ‘no current plans’ to follow Spanish outdoor smoking ban

The Government has no plans to follow the lead of the Spanish regions in banning smoking outdoors in public where social distancing can not be guaranteed .
Spain ’ s north-west region of Galicia and its Canary Islands on Thursday became the first to ban smoking in outdoors public spaces where social distancing of two metres could not be guaranteed .
On Friday it also seemed only a matter of time before smokers on the Costa Blanca were facing fines for lighting up on the street .
Regional health minister Ana Barcelo said her department , which covers the autonomous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alicante and popular resorts like Benidorm , was looking at the possibility of following in the footsteps of Galicia .
The ban covers electronic and traditional cigarettes and is being applied in the street as well as other public spaces including cafe terraces .
It has been justified as a measure designed to halt the spread of Covid-19 , on the basis that smokers can infect others when they blow out their smoke and the habit involves repeated mouth and finger contact .
Canary Islands president Angel Victor Torres announced his region ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also introduced tougher face mask rules and said said his government was acting against discos .
Dancing will be banned this weekend throughout the island , with nightspots only allowed to open terraces and serve people sitting at tables .
Andalucia ’ s regional government , responsible for Spain ’ s most populated region with nearly nine million inhabitants , has said it has asked scientific experts to report back on a possible street smoking ban .
However the Government here has said it has “ no current plans ” to introduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid outbreak .
In a statement , the Department of Health said the promotion of tobacco free environments using voluntary measures or by the introduction of by-laws was central to Ireland ’ s tobacco control policy .
The statement added that the current guidance in relation to Covid-19 was for social distancing and “ everyone is urged to exercise their own judgment and take personal responsibility for protecting themselves and others ” .
“ Although there are currently no plans to introduce additional guidelines regarding smoking in outdoor areas , individual businesses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this matter , ” the statement said .

The Government has no plans to follow the lead of the Spanish regions in banning smoking outdoors in public where social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
Spain’s north-west region of Galicia and its Canary Islands on Thursday became the first to ban smoking in outdoors public spaces where social distancing of two metres could not be guaranteed.
On Friday it also seemed only a matter of time before smokers on the Costa Blanca were facing fines for lighting up on the street. Regional health minister Ana Barcelo said her department, which covers the autonomous Valencian Community which includes the province of Alicante and popular resorts like Benidorm, was looking at the possibility of following in the footsteps of Galicia.
The ban covers electronic and traditional cigarettes and is being applied in the street as well as other public spaces including cafe terraces.
READ MORE
It has been justified as a measure designed to halt the spread of Covid-19, on the basis that smokers can infect others when they blow out their smoke and the habit involves repeated mouth and finger contact.
Canary Islands president Angel Victor Torres announced his region’s identical smoking ban on Thursday. He also introduced tougher face mask rules and said said his government was acting against discos. Dancing will be banned this weekend throughout the island, with nightspots only allowed to open terraces and serve people sitting at tables.
Andalucia’s regional government, responsible for Spain’s most populated region with nearly nine million inhabitants, has said it has asked scientific experts to report back on a possible street smoking ban.
However the Government here has said it has “no current plans” to introduce additional anti-smoking measures in response to the Covid outbreak.
In a statement, the Department of Health said the promotion of tobacco free environments using voluntary measures or by the introduction of by-laws was central to Ireland’s tobacco control policy.
The statement added that the current guidance in relation to Covid-19 was for social distancing and “everyone is urged to exercise their own judgment and take personal responsibility for protecting themselves and others”.
“Although there are currently no plans to introduce additional guidelines regarding smoking in outdoor areas, individual businesses are free to establish their own policy on this matter,” the statement said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--‘Overwhelming’ support for closing areas around Grafton Street to traffic

Proposals for the permanent pedestrianisation of several streets around Grafton Street have had an “ overwhelmingly positive ” response following trials in recent weeks , Dublin City Council has said .
For the last three weekends , parts of South William Street , Drury Street , Dame Court , South Anne Street and Duke Street have been pedestrianised , with parking spaces turned into outdoor seating areas for cafes and restaurants .
This weekend was to be the last weekend of the trial scheme , but the council said the scheme will continue for the remaining two weekends in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to be made permanent , it added .
“ We have received 1,010 responses to our online survey on the trials and feedback remains overwhelmingly positive with over 90 per cent of respondents in favour of pedestrianising these streets on a permanent basis.
” Footfall on Grafton Street and the surrounding area had fallen to 20 per cent of normal levels during the coronavirus lockdown .
However , following the introduction of the pedestrianisation , footfall on the August bank holiday Saturday was higher this year than for the same Saturday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , parking spaces in several locations will be retained for tables and chairs on a seven-day basis , the council said .
Green Party councillor Michael Pidgeon said the reaction from businesses and the public to the trial was conclusive .
“ The principle of pedestrianisation of these streets has been settled without question , ” he said .
Some issues such as access for cyclists needed to be ironed out , but it was clear people found coming into town a “ nicer experience ” at the weekends .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trials had been invaluable in allaying any fears in relation to the pedestrianisation .
To facilitate safe cycling routes to schools the council is also installing a 3.5km segregated cycle lane along Griffith Avenue from Ballygall Road in Glasnevin to Malahide Road in Marino .
The route will act as a “ main spine ” , the council said , with extensions either side introduced over time to enable safe cycling to schools and colleges in the area , which includes Dublin City University .
The route will include a contraflow cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue at the Ballymun Road .
Contraflow cycle lanes will also be installed in the city centre on Parnell Square East , to link O ’ Connell Street to North Frederick Street , and on Werburgh Street in Christchurch .
Meanwhile , design work is continuing on the two-way cycle track for Strand Road in Sandymount , which will see the coastal road become one-way for cars .

South William Street in Dublin which has been pedestrianised for the last three weekends. Photograph: Collins
Proposals for the permanent pedestrianisation of several streets around Grafton Street have had an "overwhelmingly positive" response following trials in recent weeks, Dublin City Council has said.
For the last three weekends, parts of South William Street, Drury Street, Dame Court, South Anne Street and Duke Street have been pedestrianised, with parking spaces turned into outdoor seating areas for cafes and restaurants.
This weekend was to be the last weekend of the trial scheme, but the council said the scheme will continue for the remaining two weekends in August. There was clear desire for the measures to be made permanent, it added.
“We have received 1,010 responses to our online survey on the trials and feedback remains overwhelmingly positive with over 90 per cent of respondents in favour of pedestrianising these streets on a permanent basis.”
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People enjoying themselves on Drury Street in Dublin. The council said the street would be pedestrianised for another two weekends. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins
South Anne Street in Dublin City Centre at the weekend. Photograph: Collins
Footfall on Grafton Street and the surrounding area had fallen to 20 per cent of normal levels during the coronavirus lockdown. However, following the introduction of the pedestrianisation, footfall on the August bank holiday Saturday was higher this year than for the same Saturday in 2019, the council said.
From this week, parking spaces in several locations will be retained for tables and chairs on a seven-day basis, the council said.
Green Party councillor Michael Pidgeon said the reaction from businesses and the public to the trial was conclusive.
“The principle of pedestrianisation of these streets has been settled without question,” he said.
Some issues such as access for cyclists needed to be ironed out, but it was clear people found coming into town a "nicer experience" at the weekends. His fellow Green Party councillor Janet Horner said the trials had been invaluable in allaying any fears in relation to the pedestrianisation.
Footfall on Grafton Street has increased markedly having fallen to 20% of normal levels during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins
To facilitate safe cycling routes to schools the council is also installing a 3.5km segregated cycle lane along Griffith Avenue from Ballygall Road in Glasnevin to Malahide Road in Marino.
The route will act as a "main spine", the council said, with extensions either side introduced over time to enable safe cycling to schools and colleges in the area, which includes Dublin City University. The route will include a contraflow cycle lane on the one-way section of Griffith Avenue at the Ballymun Road.
Contraflow cycle lanes will also be installed in the city centre on Parnell Square East, to link O’Connell Street to North Frederick Street, and on Werburgh Street in Christchurch.
Meanwhile, design work is continuing on the two-way cycle track for Strand Road in Sandymount, which will see the coastal road become one-way for cars.


theirishtimes--2020-08-14--Children in Dublin who use public transport should walk or cycle, education dept advises

Children who normally take public transport to school in Dublin are to be asked to prioritise healthy options like walking or cycling , according to guidance issued by the Department of Education .
Letters to parents in recent days outlined plans for school buses to come back into service without a requirement for social distancing , but with a mandatory requirement for those aged over 13 years to wear facemasks .
All staff using the post-primary school transport service will be required to wear face coverings on buses .
The new regime would also see children from the same family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same seats every school day .
Where children do not have siblings on the same bus the requirement is for them to sit with a member of their school class .
Additionally , bus drivers will be required to wear face masks and hand sanitisers will be provided as well as the vehicles being subjected to additional cleaning .
A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann which operates the school transport service for the Department of Education said the thinking behind the new regime was that school buses were very different from public transport generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a “ closed ” community .
“ It is not like public transport where anybody can get on , ” she said .
Ms Headon added that as everyone on the bus would be known to each other and the driver the issue of contact tracing would be straightforward and any outbreaks could be confined to large extent .
However Dermot O ’ Leary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union said the situation in Dublin was quite different as the department ’ s school transport service did not apply in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and schoolchildren in these areas were required to get public transport .
Mr O ’ Leary said the department had consulted with Bus Éireann and the private companies which he said operated “ the vast majority ” of Bus Éireann school transport services .
But he said in relation to areas where children took public transport the capacity on these services was set at 50 percent .
He said the addition of thousands of schoolchildren in September would have to be carefully managed .
He said the NBRU had questions for the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place .
Mr O ’ Leary said he would hope the NTA “ would consult directly with us ” on the measures .
Mia Fanning of the National Parents Council of Post Primary Schools said most parents would have assumed that social distancing would have applied on school buses .
She said parents would be monitoring the roll out of the service and the thinking behind the measures .
Labour Education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin described the plans as “ worrying ” .
“ What attempts were made by the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Transport and the NTA to deal with the logistical considerations by obtaining additional buses to deal with capacity constraints imposed by social distancing ?
” he asked .
A Department of Education spokeswoman said further information would be circulated to parents in the coming days explaining aspects of the new regime .
The additional information is aimed at answering their questions .

A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann said the thinking behind the new regime was that school buses were very different from public transport generally. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Children who normally take public transport to school in Dublin are to be asked to prioritise healthy options like walking or cycling, according to guidance issued by the Department of Education.
Letters to parents in recent days outlined plans for school buses to come back into service without a requirement for social distancing, but with a mandatory requirement for those aged over 13 years to wear facemasks.
All staff using the post-primary school transport service will be required to wear face coverings on buses.
The new regime would also see children from the same family asked to sit together and use the same seats every school day. Where children do not have siblings on the same bus the requirement is for them to sit with a member of their school class.
READ MORE
Additionally, bus drivers will be required to wear face masks and hand sanitisers will be provided as well as the vehicles being subjected to additional cleaning.
A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann which operates the school transport service for the Department of Education said the thinking behind the new regime was that school buses were very different from public transport generally.
Spokeswoman Elizabeth Headon said the service was a “closed” community. “It is not like public transport where anybody can get on,” she said. Ms Headon added that as everyone on the bus would be known to each other and the driver the issue of contact tracing would be straightforward and any outbreaks could be confined to large extent.
However Dermot O’Leary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union said the situation in Dublin was quite different as the department’s school transport service did not apply in the Capital or some other large urban centres and schoolchildren in these areas were required to get public transport.
Mr O’Leary said the department had consulted with Bus Éireann and the private companies which he said operated “the vast majority” of Bus Éireann school transport services.
But he said in relation to areas where children took public transport the capacity on these services was set at 50 percent. He said the addition of thousands of schoolchildren in September would have to be carefully managed. He said the NBRU had questions for the National Transport Authority about what measures would be put in place. Mr O’Leary said he would hope the NTA “would consult directly with us” on the measures.
Mia Fanning of the National Parents Council of Post Primary Schools said most parents would have assumed that social distancing would have applied on school buses. She said parents would be monitoring the roll out of the service and the thinking behind the measures.
Labour Education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin described the plans as “worrying”.
“What attempts were made by the department to engage with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport and the NTA to deal with the logistical considerations by obtaining additional buses to deal with capacity constraints imposed by social distancing?” he asked.
A Department of Education spokeswoman said further information would be circulated to parents in the coming days explaining aspects of the new regime. The additional information is aimed at answering their questions.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Chairman of Fáilte Ireland resigns after it emerged he is holidaying in Italy

The chairman of Fáilte Ireland Michael Cawley has resigned from his position after it emerged he is currently on a family holiday in Italy .
In a statement today , Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin said she had accepted his resignation .
“ Tourism and hospitality have suffered significant losses since the start of this pandemic , with the industry in the three midlands counties of Laois , Kildare and Offaly particularly affected at present , ” she said .
“ While Italy is on the green list , meaning that people who return from there do not have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on people to avoid all non-essential travel .
Many of our citizens and residents have followed this guidance at some personal and financial cost to themselves.
” She said the Government and her Department in particular has encouraged people to holiday in Ireland this year , with the vast majority of people heeding that call .
“ I was disappointed to learn that the chair of Fáilte Ireland was holidaying in Italy .
I rang Mr Cawley this morning and he has offered his resignation which I have accepted .
I wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as chair of Fáilte Ireland.
” She said Mr Cawley had served with “ energy ” over his time as chair and she thanked him for his service to the cause of tourism promotion in Ireland .
“ He recognises that solidarity with the industry is extremely important at this time , and I have accepted his resignation this afternoon because I believe his position was untenable , ” she said .
Mr Cawley according to a report in this morning ’ s Irish Independent , is in Italy for a holiday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ family decision and a personal decision ” to travel .
He said he planned to take two holidays in Ireland this year , and that he had met family members who lived abroad on the Italian trip .
In a statement on Saturday afternoon Mr Cawley said it was with great regret that he had tendered his resignation .
He said : “ It is with great regret that I have this morning tendered my resignation as Chairman of Fáilte Ireland to Minister for Media , Tourism , Arts , Culture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TD .
“ As has been reported in the media this morning I am on a pre-arranged family holiday in Italy , which is on the Government green list .
As I have no wish to allow this issue to become a distraction from the important work of Fáilte Ireland in rebuilding the Irish tourism industry , I have decided after six years in the position to step down .
I fully support the Government ’ s policy on Tourism and I will continue to help the industry emerge from its current difficulties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as Chair of Fáilte Ireland and to have contributed to the massive growth which Irish tourism has enjoyed prior to this global pandemic .
“ I want to thank the superb management lead by Paul Kelly Chief Executive and entire team at Fáilte for their professionalism and unwavering commitment and I wish them and the industry every success in the future ” .
CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly thanked Mr Cawley for his “ strong chairmanship ” and contribution to Fáilte Ireland and to the tourism industry since his appointment as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Michael has been an invaluable support to the executive team at Fáilte Ireland .
He has made a significant contribution to developing and growing the tourism sector in Ireland .
On behalf of the executive team and staff I want to express my thanks to Michael and I wish him well in the future , ” he said .
He had been facing mounting calls for his resignation on Saturday morning .
Before he resigned Imelda Munster , the Sinn Féin spokeswoman on tourism , said the holiday was “ a crass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows a desperate lack of leadership… lots of us have family abroad and haven ’ t seen them , most people would have liked to holiday abroad this year , ” she said .
“ For the head of a tourism board to jet off like that depicts a lack of leadership and no faith in his own industry .
( It is ) a slap in the face for his own industry , which is on its knees.
” Senator Mark Wall , the Labour Party spokesman on tourism , said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelled into the town of Athy and other towns in south Kildare yesterday in the business of tourism , they ’ re on their knees.
” Fáilte Ireland has been the main State agency responsible for a months-long campaign to encourage people to take holidays at home in order to support the domestic tourism industry , which is uniquely exposed to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Italy is on the Government ’ s so-called “ green list ” of destinations , meaning normal precautions apply to travel there , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those arriving into the State from there .
However , the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against non-essential travel overseas .
Mr Cawley was paid €21,000 in board fees for each of 2017 and 2018 , the most recent years for which information is available .
The issue also drew criticism from those in the hospitality trade .
Adrian Cummins , the chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland , said “ leadership starts at the top and this is definitely poor judgement and shows how out of touch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment in time when our tourism industry needs every support it can get .
“ Restaurants and tourism businesses across the country are struggling to stay afloat , but when you see the chairman of the national tourism board not leading by example it ’ s shocking optics .
”

The chairman of Fáilte Ireland Michael Cawley has resigned from his position after it emerged he is currently on a family holiday in Italy.
In a statement today, Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin said she had accepted his resignation.
"Tourism and hospitality have suffered significant losses since the start of this pandemic, with the industry in the three midlands counties of Laois, Kildare and Offaly particularly affected at present," she said.
“While Italy is on the green list, meaning that people who return from there do not have to restrict their movements, the Government has called on people to avoid all non-essential travel. Many of our citizens and residents have followed this guidance at some personal and financial cost to themselves.”
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She said the Government and her Department in particular has encouraged people to holiday in Ireland this year, with the vast majority of people heeding that call.
"I was disappointed to learn that the chair of Fáilte Ireland was holidaying in Italy. I rang Mr Cawley this morning and he has offered his resignation which I have accepted. I wish to thank Mr Cawley for his service as chair of Fáilte Ireland."
She said Mr Cawley had served with “energy” over his time as chair and she thanked him for his service to the cause of tourism promotion in Ireland. “He recognises that solidarity with the industry is extremely important at this time, and I have accepted his resignation this afternoon because I believe his position was untenable,” she said.
Distraction
Mr Cawley according to a report in this morning’s Irish Independent, is in Italy for a holiday. He told the paper it was a “family decision and a personal decision” to travel. He said he planned to take two holidays in Ireland this year, and that he had met family members who lived abroad on the Italian trip.
In a statement on Saturday afternoon Mr Cawley said it was with great regret that he had tendered his resignation.
He said: “It is with great regret that I have this morning tendered my resignation as Chairman of Fáilte Ireland to Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD.
“As has been reported in the media this morning I am on a pre-arranged family holiday in Italy, which is on the Government green list. As I have no wish to allow this issue to become a distraction from the important work of Fáilte Ireland in rebuilding the Irish tourism industry, I have decided after six years in the position to step down. I fully support the Government’s policy on tourism and I will continue to help the industry emerge from its current difficulties. It has been a privilege to serve as chair of Fáilte Ireland and to have contributed to the massive growth which Irish tourism has enjoyed prior to this global pandemic”.
CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly thanked Mr Cawley for his "strong chairmanship" and contribution to Fáilte Ireland and to the tourism industry since his appointment as chairman of the authority in 2014.
“Michael has been an invaluable support to the executive team at Fáilte Ireland. He has made a significant contribution to developing and growing the tourism sector in Ireland. On behalf of the executive team and staff I want to express my thanks to Michael and I wish him well in the future,” he said.
Leadership
Sinn Féin's spokeswoman on tourism Imelda Munster said the holiday was "a crass error of judgement".
“It shows a desperate lack of leadership… lots of us have family abroad and haven’t seen them, most people would have liked to holiday abroad this year,” she said. “For the head of a tourism board to jet off like that depicts a lack of leadership and no faith in his own industry. (It is) a slap in the face for his own industry, which is on its knees.”
Senator Mark Wall, the Labour Party spokesman on tourism, said it was "unbelievable". "I travelled into the town of Athy and other towns in south Kildare yesterday in the business of tourism, they're on their knees."
Fáilte Ireland has been the main State agency responsible for a months-long campaign to encourage people to take holidays at home in order to support the domestic tourism industry, which is uniquely exposed to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Italy is on the Government’s so-called “green list” of destinations, meaning normal precautions apply to travel there, with no period of restricted movement expected for those arriving into the State from there. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against non-essential travel overseas.
Mr Cawley was paid €21,000 in board fees for each of 2017 and 2018, the most recent years for which information is available.
The issue also drew criticism from those in the hospitality trade. Adrian Cummins, the chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said "leadership starts at the top and this is definitely poor judgement and shows how out of touch the chairman of Fáilte Ireland is at a moment in time when our tourism industry needs every support it can get.
“Restaurants and tourism businesses across the country are struggling to stay afloat, but when you see the chairman of the national tourism board not leading by example it’s shocking optics.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Urgent report on Dublin eviction ordered by Deputy Garda Commissioner

Gardaí have launched a criminal investigation into “ alleged criminal damage ” at a property on Berkeley Road in north Dublin from which nine tenants were evicted earlier this week .
Deputy Garda commissioner John Twomey said on Saturday morning that the policing and security unit had also appointed an outside superintendent to examine all the circumstances of the incident on Wednesday “ from a lessons learned perspective ” .
“ I have requested an urgent lessons learned report on this recent incident , ” said the deputy commissioner .
“ If , where An Garda Síochána can learn from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to ensure that we continue to provide the best policing service going forward based on our tradition of policing by consent.
” Nine tenants were evicted from the house in Phibsborough after several men wearing all black , face coverings , caps and sunglasses entered the premises and instructed the tenants to leave before boarding up the front door and windows .
Video footage shows a number of gardaí attended the eviction and watched as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property .
The tenants spent several hours afterwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bin bags full of clothes on the pavement .
In a statement released on Saturday , An Garda Síochána said it was “ very aware of current public discourse ” around the incident on Berkeley Road and that as an organisation gardaí must “ listen and learn from our experiences ” .
The force is “ committed to delivering a professional policing and security service with trust , confidence and support ” , said the statement .
“ Our purpose at events of this type , which are essentially civil legal matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the event but to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved .
“ In the ever increasingly complex policing environment front-line members of An Garda Síochána must make dynamic and real-time decisions based on the information available to them at any particular time .
“ An Garda Síochána management must support frontline members and ensure that they have the correct guidance and support in attending similar developing , dynamic evolving incidents.
” On Thursday , activists with the Dublin Central Housing Action group removed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tenants re-entered the property .
The tenants claim they had not been served written eviction notices to vacate the property prior to it being repossessed on Wednesday .
Gerry Ward , who had earlier been the tenants ’ landlord , said he had been involved with the property since around 2004 .
He said there was a legal dispute over it since 2017 with a property fund , Beltany Property Finance .
He said he had not been aware of the property ’ s repossession until he was contacted by the tenants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which controls Beltany , said the fund had sold the property on June 2nd , but was unable to disclose the name of the buyer citing confidentiality reasons .
Landlords ’ representative organisation , IPOA , said tenants should not be caught up in disputes between property owners and financial institutions .
“ While we are aware that difficulties arise in cases where repossession by financial institutions cause friction , the occupiers should not be involved .
Legislation should be adhered to , ” the association said .
“ Where a dispute arises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be referred to the RTB [ Residential Tenancies Board ] for resolution in an organised manner .
”

Nine tenants have been evicted from a house they were renting in Phibsborough, north Dublin with a number of men repossessing and boarding up the property. Video: Enda O'Dowd
An urgent review of all the circumstances surrounding an eviction in Dublin last Wednesday at which some gardaí were present has been ordered.
An Garda Síochána said on Saturday it is "very aware of current public discourse around an incident on Berkeley Road" and that "as organisation we must listen and learn from our experiences."
Deputy Garda commissioner John Twomey said the policing and security unit had appointed an outside superintendent to examine all the circumstances of the incident "from a lessons learned perspective".
Gardaí have also launched a criminal investigation into “alleged criminal damage” at a property on Berkeley Road in north Dublin from which nine tenants were evicted earlier this week.
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“I have requested an urgent lessons learned report on this recent incident,” said the deputy commissioner. “If, where An Garda Síochána can learn from this experience, we will do so as to ensure that we continue to provide the best policing service going forward based on our tradition of policing by consent.”
Nine tenants were evicted from the house in Phibsborough after several men wearing all black, face coverings, caps and sunglasses entered the premises and instructed the tenants to leave before boarding up the front door and windows.
Video footage shows a number of gardaí attended the eviction and watched as one of the tenants was physically removed from the property. The tenants spent several hours afterwards outside the house, with their belongings and bin bags full of clothes on the pavement.
In a statement released on Saturday, An Garda Síochána said it was “very aware of current public discourse” around the incident on Berkeley Road and that as an organisation gardaí must “listen and learn from our experiences”.
The force is “committed to delivering a professional policing and security service with trust, confidence and support”, said the statement.
“Our purpose at events of this type, which are essentially civil legal matters, is not to be an integral part of the event but to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of all persons involved.
“In the ever increasingly complex policing environment front-line members of An Garda Síochána must make dynamic and real-time decisions based on the information available to them at any particular time.
“An Garda Síochána management must support frontline members and ensure that they have the correct guidance and support in attending similar developing, dynamic evolving incidents.”
Very concerned
The Policing Authority said it was very concerned by the material in public circulation relating to the eviction and it welcomed the Garda statement on the matter.
“That concern was about the appropriateness of the Garda presence and of some of the things that appeared to have been said, and about the fact that circumstances were allowed to develop where the impression was conveyed that the Garda Síochána had an active role in the event. The impression was also conveyed that the Garda concern for vulnerable people so amply demonstrated in the context of the health emergency was not evident in this case” it said.
It said the chairperson of the Policing Authority had a number of contacts and conversations with Deputy Commissioner John Twomey about these issues on Thursday and Friday.
“The statement from the Garda Síochána is welcome and important in that its recognition that there are lessons to be learned from the incident is an acceptance that all was not right with the garda actions on the day.
“The Code of Ethics established for the Garda Síochána by the Policing Authority in 2016 acknowledges that gardaí often have to make on the spot decisions, sometimes with incomplete knowledge of all the facts. It is on the implementation of the learning from these events that attention must now focus,” it said.
“Promoting public understanding of policing is a statutory role of the Authority and concern for anything that might lessen public confidence in the Garda Síochána is central to that. Events that took place in North Frederick Street two years ago should have informed the approach of, and guidance to, Garda members in situations such as arose a few days ago. The Authority will continue its detailed engagement with the Commissioner and his senior colleagues to ensure that everything possible will be done so that the willingness to listen and learn expressed in the Garda statement will bear fruit in policy and practice,” it added.
Notice
On Thursday, activists with the Dublin Central Housing Action group removed the boarding put up on the house and the tenants re-entered the property. The tenants claim they had not been served written eviction notices to vacate the property prior to it being repossessed on Wednesday.
Gerry Ward, who had earlier been the tenants' landlord, said he had been involved with the property since around 2004. He said there was a legal dispute over it since 2017 with a property fund, Beltany Property Finance.
He said he had not been aware of the property’s repossession until he was contacted by the tenants.
A spokesman for Goldman Sachs, which controls Beltany, said the fund had sold the property on June 2nd, but was unable to disclose the name of the buyer citing confidentiality reasons.
Landlords’ representative organisation, IPOA, said tenants should not be caught up in disputes between property owners and financial institutions.
“While we are aware that difficulties arise in cases where repossession by financial institutions cause friction, the occupiers should not be involved. Legislation should be adhered to,” the association said.
“Where a dispute arises between property owner and tenant it may be referred to the RTB [Residential Tenancies Board] for resolution in an organised manner.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Man arrested in Kilkenny for possession of explosives

A man in his 30s has been arrested for possession of explosives in Kilkenny .
The man was arrested after @ @ @ @ @ activity at a property on Church Lane in Kilkenny .
The Garda technical bureau and @ @ @ @ @ were called to the scene at around 7pm on Friday and the area was sealed @ @ @ @ @ the property .
The man in his mid 30s was found nearby and arrested .
@ @ @ @ @ Kilkenny Garda station under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act .
The @ @ @ @ @ been preserved and investigations are ongoing .

The scene on Church Lane has been preserved and investigations are ongoing. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A man in his 30s has been arrested for possession of explosives in Kilkenny.
The man was arrested after gardaí were alerted to unusual activity at a property on Church Lane in Kilkenny.
The Garda technical bureau and army explosive ordnance disposal unit were called to the scene at around 7pm on Friday and the area was sealed off following an inspection of the property.
The man in his mid 30s was found nearby and arrested. He is being detained at Kilkenny Garda station under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
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The scene on Church Lane has been preserved and investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Investigation under way after body found in Dublin house fire

A person has died following a house fire in Crumlin on Friday night .
Gardaí and fire services were called @ @ @ @ @ Stannaway Avenue in Crumlin , Dublin 12 on Fridayabout 9pm .
A body was discovered @ @ @ @ @ fire was brought under control by Dublin Fire Brigade and the person ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ later .
Gardaí have preserved the scene for investigation and in order to establish what @ @ @ @ @ body will be moved to the Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall where a post mortem @ @ @ @ @ State pathologist .
The results of the post mortem and a technical examination of the @ @ @ @ @ of the investigation , said a statement from an Garda Síochána .
Gardaí are appealing @ @ @ @ @ incident room at Crumlin Garda station and anyone with information to contact Crumlin Garda Station @ @ @ @ @ Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station .

Firefighters from Dolphin’s Barn and Donnybrook attended a fire at a home in Crumlin where a body was found on Friday. Photograph: Dublin Fire Brigade/Twitter
A person has died following a house fire in Crumlin on Friday night.
Gardaí and fire services were called to the house fire at Stannaway Avenue in Crumlin, Dublin 12 on Fridayabout 9pm.
A body was discovered inside the house after the fire was brought under control by Dublin Fire Brigade and the person's death was pronounced a short time later.
Gardaí have preserved the scene for investigation and in order to establish what caused the fire. The body will be moved to the Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall where a post mortem will take place by the State pathologist.
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The results of the post mortem and a technical examination of the scene will determine the course of the investigation, said a statement from an Garda Síochána.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact the incident room at Crumlin Garda station and anyone with information to contact Crumlin Garda Station on 01-666 6244, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Cousins went paddle boarding at Furbo as usual location was cut off due to Covid-19

The cousins who were dramatically rescued after spending a night on Galway Bay on their paddle boards had only gone out to sea in Furbo because their usual location was closed off due to Covid-19 restrictions .
Sara Feeney ( 23 ) and her 17-year old cousin Ellen usually went paddle boarding at the sheltered Rusheen Bay or Silverstrand , both of which are close to their homes in Knocknacarra .
But massive crowds over last weekend , especially at Silverstrand , led to the road to the beach being closed and they opted to head further out the Connemara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ellen ’ s dad Johnny Glynn , the former Galway United captain , said it was the first time the pair had paddle boarded from Furbo but that both were experienced water users .
And Ellen , who is expected to be discharged from University Hospital Galway on Saturday after cousin Sara was released on Thursday night , said it was probably the first time she had headed out on the paddle board without having her mobile phone with her wrapped in plastic .
“ If I had my phone I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is exactly where we are ’ .
But I didn ’ t have it with me , ” she said .
But she said they never panicked .
They tied their boards together and while the initial arrival of a helicopter and a couple of boats failed to spot them , they did not panic .
“ We weren ’ t really scared .
I think that we were quite sure that we were going to be found .
The only thing I was worried was how cold we were .
We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The wind out at sea was just getting heavier .
There was thunder and lightning and heavy rain and stuff so we were absolutely frozen , ” she told RTÉ on Friday .
They dosed off several times after nightfall but kept each other ’ s spirits up , firmly believing it was only a matter of time before somebody came to rescue them .
“ We were trying to stay awake , but we ’ d fall asleep for a few seconds .
It started to get bright , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit brighter and we could see where we were ” .
The ordeal ended for the pair before noon on Thursday when fishermen Patrick Oliver ( 38 ) and his 18-year old son , who are based in the Claddagh are of Galway , found them two miles south of Inis Oirr after correctly working out where they might by analysing wind speed and direction and tidal movements .
They were so relieved to see them but in the excitement Ellen ended up knocking Sara into the water as they tried to board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boat belonging to the Olivers .
“ I felt when I was in the water on the paddle board I felt completely fine .
I stood up to get on the boat and my legs collapsed from under me , I knocked Sara off her board as well !
Just complete shock , I hadn ’ t used my legs in so long .
Then we were very shaky getting on to the boat but they wrapped us up and tucked us down in a corner and gave us drinks and everything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are so grateful to them , ” added Ellen .
Sara , an only child , is recovering at home in Knocknacarra .
She has just completed her psychology degree at NUI Galway , while Ellen is heading into fifth year at Colaiste Iognaid in the city .
Johnny Glynn said the strong level of fitness attained by the two young women over the years was a great advantage in dealing with the trauma on staying on board the paddles for 15 hours during a stormy night .
Sara had achieved success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellen ’ s sporting career for many years .
Both are experienced water users in many disciplines .
The families , who live close to each other in the Cappagh Road area of Knocknacarra , have not arranged any celebrations for when Ellen is discharged from hospital , but the first priority will be to meet and thank the father and son who saved their lives .

Safe and sound: Ellen Glynn is expected to be discharged from University Hospital Galway this weekend.
The families of the two cousins rescued on Galway Bay are to launch a fundraising drive to help the RNLI.
They want to give something back in recognition of the vast search which was launched to find Sara Feeney (23) and her 17-year old cousin Ellen Glynn, who were picked up after spending over 15 hours on their paddleboards overnight after being blown out to sea.
Fisherman Patrick Oliver, a member of the Galway lifeboat crew, and his 18-year old son Morgan found the two young women clinging to a lobster pot buoy two miles south of the Aran Islands on Thursday morning.
They had been blown almost 20 miles across the bay from where they entered the water in Furbo.
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On Saturday President Michael D Higgins said he was just one among many who were absolutely delighted there was a happy outcome.
“Their families are people who have given a lot to their communities, and John Glynn (father of Ellen) has given an enormous amount of support to sport, and to soccer in particular,” he said.
He was “lost in admiration for the Oliver family” who he said represented generations of wisdom in relation to the sea.
“When opportunity allows, I look forward to paying tribute to Patrick and Morgan Oliver,” he said on Twitter.
A massive search involving three Coastguard helicopters, lifeboat crews from Galway, Doolin, Aran and Costelloe Bay, were joined by dozens of fishing boats, leisure craft and kayaks in the search for the missing women, while hundreds of people combed the shore in south Connemara, Galway and north Clare.
Sara was discharged from University College Hospital on Thursday evening while Ellen is expected to be discharged this weekend after being monitored for minor issues.
Their relieved families are anxious for life to return to normal as quickly as possible but are also keen to acknowledge the goodwill and effort they have received from so many people.
And they stressed they are anxious to help the rescue services in a meaningful way, mindful of the fact that for a lot of families these sort of searches end in tragedy and heartbreak.
Balloons
Sara is recovering quietly at home in Knocknacarra, while a short distance away Deirdre and Johnny Glynn and their other three daughters Hannah, Clara and Alice, were busy on Saturday afternoon preparing for the return home of their eldest child.
A string of welcome home balloons are hanging inside the porch of the house at Binn Bhán for when Ellen is discharged and mum Deirdre said that while it will be a relief for some degree of normality to return, they are anxious to assist the emergency services who came to their aid.
“It is so hard when you are in the middle of it to think what to do, but a neighbour had the great idea that we should do a GoFundMe page for the RNLI, so we are going to do that as soon as possible and strike while the iron is hot,” she said.
“We are just so grateful to everyone who has helped and we are aware that for a lot of families they don’t have the outcome that we have had. We want to express our gratitude in a meaningful way and do what we can.”
Her husband Johnny, the former Galway United captain who scored the only goal which won them the 1991 FAI Cup, said that he met the fishermen for the first time on Friday evening who had rescued them.
Holding one of the woollen hats which Patrick and Morgan Oliver had put on each of the young women when they found them, he said they would be grateful to everyone who searched for them and, of course, to the Olivers for finding them. The hats have logos on them urging everyone to wear a lifejacket.
“I called down to the fisherman last night. I had spoken to Patrick on the phone for about ten minutes and I just wanted to meet them and thank them”.
Closed
Earlier it emerged the cousins had only gone out to sea in Furbo because their usual location was closed off due to Covid-19 restrictions.
They usually went paddle boarding at the sheltered Rusheen Bay or Silverstrand, both of which are close to their homes in Knocknacarra.
But massive crowds over last weekend, especially at Silverstrand, led to the road to the beach being closed and they opted to head further out the Connemara road to Furbo beach six kilometres away.
Ellen’s dad said it was the first time the pair had paddle boarded from Furbo but that both were experienced water users.
And Ellen said it was probably the first time she had headed out on the paddle board without having her mobile phone with her wrapped in plastic.
“If I had my phone I could have called and just said ‘this is exactly where we are’. But I didn’t have it with me,” she said.
But she said they never panicked. They tied their boards together and while the initial arrival of a helicopter and a couple of boats failed to spot them, they did not panic.
“We weren’t really scared. I think that we were quite sure that we were going to be found. The only thing I was worried was how cold we were. We were shaking like leaves and frozen and everything.
“The wind out at sea was just getting heavier. There was thunder and lightning and heavy rain and stuff so we were absolutely frozen,” she told RTÉ on Friday.
They dosed off several times after nightfall but kept each other’s spirits up, firmly believing it was only a matter of time before somebody came to rescue them.
“We were trying to stay awake, but we’d fall asleep for a few seconds. It started to get bright, the sun came out and it got a bit brighter and we could see where we were”.
Excitement
They were so relieved to see the Olivers coming in their boat to rescue them that in the excitement Ellen ended up knocking Sara into the water as they tried to board the Johnny O, the seven-metre potting boat belonging to the father and son team who came to their aid.
“I felt when I was in the water on the paddle board I felt completely fine. I stood up to get on the boat and my legs collapsed from under me, I knocked Sara off her board as well! Just complete shock, I hadn’t used my legs in so long. Then we were very shaky getting on to the boat but they wrapped us up and tucked us down in a corner and gave us drinks and everything. They were really good to us. We are so grateful to them,” added Ellen.
Sara, an only child, has just completed her psychology degree at NUI Galway, while Ellen is heading into fifth year at Colaiste Iognaid in the city.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Prominent businessman and GAA sponsor dies in crash

A Co Derry businessman has died in a road accident this weekend .
Hugh McWilliams , aged in his 60s @ @ @ @ @ which crashed on the Five Mile Straight in Draperstown on Friday .
His firm , @ @ @ @ @ , sponsors GAA club St Colm ’ s in Ballinascreen and Derry ’ s county @ @ @ @ @ said he was a “ giant of generosity ” .
It added : “ He @ @ @ @ @ for county , club and community .
“ The GAA was a way of life @ @ @ @ @ death will be a shock across the county.
” The PSNI said they were called @ @ @ @ @ single vehicle road traffic collision on Friday about 1.10pm and enquiries were continuing .
– @

Derry GAA paid tribute to Hugh McWilliams: “He was unstinting in his support for county, club and community”.
A Co Derry businessman has died in a road accident this weekend.
Hugh McWilliams, aged in his 60s, was driving a car which crashed on the Five Mile Straight in Draperstown on Friday.
His firm, H&A Mechanical Services, sponsors GAA club St Colm’s in Ballinascreen and Derry’s county GAA teams.
Derry GAA said he was a “giant of generosity”. It added: “He was unstinting in his support for county, club and community.
READ MORE
“The GAA was a way of life for Hugh and his untimely death will be a shock across the county.”
The PSNI said they were called to the scene of a single vehicle road traffic collision on Friday about 1.10pm and enquiries were continuing. – PA


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Safety official urges some water users to carry personal locator beacons

A leading safety official has urged some water users to park “ arrogant ” and “ ignorant ” attitudes towards the wearing of life jackets following the dramatic rescue of two young Galway women on Thursday .
Irish Water Safety CEO John Leech praised the two cousins for wearing their “ life saving ” buoyancy aids , and urged every water user to at a minimum make sure they are similarly protected .
“ Well done to them for wearing the buoyancy aids .
Unfortunately , though , we still have some people who just don ’ t understand their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The vast majority of people now wear life jackets , more than 80 per cent of people do , but there is still that 15 to 20 per cent who just seem to think they ’ re not for them .
“ In many ways it ’ s an arrogance really , an arrogant attitude and an ignorant one to be honest .
And it ’ s really sad because these are the people who drown .
But we are doing our best to get the word out.
” After going paddle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her cousin Sara Feeney were swept out to sea and after spending 15 hours adrift in Galway Bay they were rescued by local fishermen .
But according to Mr Leech their recovery could have been faster had they carried a personal locator beacon or a VHS radio .
“ What we would recommend is that people carry a mobile phone in a wet bag , or better still , carry a personal locator beacon.. “ Make sure that you have a means of communication .
The personal locator beacon is the best form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter right down over you .
“ We recommend that everyone going kayaking , paddle boarding , surfing , sailing or angling carries [ a personal locator beacon ] .
They are so inexpensive and they will save your life.
” While the actions of the cousins helped their safe return , Mr Leech said the quick thinking and natural instincts of local fishermen Patrick and Morgan Oliver also proved crucial .
He says they can expect to be officially recognised when the Water Safety Ireland awards are handed out in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son Morgan , who know Galway Bay well , they realised it was a north easterly wind and they followed their instinct .
The current tidal stream was very weak in the bay with a neap tide , so he followed the wind and found them .

Irish Water Safety CEO John Leech reckons that recovery of two women in Galway Bay could have been even faster had they carried a personal locator beacon or a VHS radio. Above, the search for the two missing women off Spiddal on Thursday. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy
A leading safety official has urged some water users to park “arrogant” and “ignorant” attitudes towards the wearing of life jackets following the dramatic rescue of two young Galway women on Thursday.
Irish Water Safety CEO John Leech praised the two cousins for wearing their “life saving” buoyancy aids, and urged every water user to at a minimum make sure they are similarly protected.
“Well done to them for wearing the buoyancy aids. Unfortunately, though, we still have some people who just don’t understand their importance,” said Mr Leech.
“The vast majority of people now wear life jackets, more than 80 per cent of people do, but there is still that 15 to 20 per cent who just seem to think they’re not for them.
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“In many ways it’s an arrogance really, an arrogant attitude and an ignorant one to be honest. And it’s really sad because these are the people who drown. But we are doing our best to get the word out.”
After going paddle boarding on Wednesday evening Ellen Glynn and her cousin Sara Feeney were swept out to sea and after spending 15 hours adrift in Galway Bay they were rescued by local fishermen.
But according to Mr Leech their recovery could have been faster had they carried a personal locator beacon or a VHS radio.
“What we would recommend is that people carry a mobile phone in a wet bag, or better still, carry a personal locator beacon..
“Make sure that you have a means of communication. The personal locator beacon is the best form, it means they can put a helicopter right down over you.
“ We recommend that everyone going kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, sailing or angling carries [a personal locator beacon]. They are so inexpensive and they will save your life.”
While the actions of the cousins helped their safe return, Mr Leech said the quick thinking and natural instincts of local fishermen Patrick and Morgan Oliver also proved crucial. He says they can expect to be officially recognised when the Water Safety Ireland awards are handed out in November.
“It was brilliant that Patrick and his son Morgan, who know Galway Bay well, they realised it was a north easterly wind and they followed their instinct. The current tidal stream was very weak in the bay with a neap tide, so he followed the wind and found them.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Why did hundreds of mackerel wash up on the beach? Readers’ nature queries

I found this strange object and others of various shapes on Mornington beach last month .
It was fibrous and seemed to be living .
Gerry Douglas , Ballyboughal , Dublin It ’ s the soft coral called dead man ’ s fingers , Alcyonium digitatum .
It ’ s found on all the coasts of these islands .
This bee , about the size of a honeybee , was trapped in the house .
It had a near-white band mid-abdomen and zig-zag markings on the wing .
Simon Rogers , Sandyford , Dublin 4 Not a bee – that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very fond of bramble blossoms .
The children found this large crab shell on Beal Bán beach in Ballyferriter , Co Kerry , and they are wondering who it belongs to .
Gavin Ó Dúill , Clondalkan , Co Dublin It ’ s the shell of the spiny spider crab .
Attached is a photo of a dragonfly clinging to a bamboo plant in my garden , What type is it ?
Janet Little , Navan Road , Dublin , 7 It ’ s the amber-winged hawker .
Can you identify these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegetable bed ?
Zoe Chambers , Lusk , Co Dublin They are bird ’ s nest mushrooms , common but sometimes hard to find .
They are inedible .
On July 29th there were hundreds if not thousands of mackerel washed up on Lahinch beach .
Any idea why ?
Nicola Meere , Ennistymon , Co Clare One explanation is that the mackerel were pursued by large predators and fled in the one direction , ending up on the beach .
Or they themselves might have been chasing sprats and ended up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 ) took this photo of mating insects on what I believe is a wild orchid .
What are they ?
Robert Bloomer , Monkstown , Co Dublin They are a pair of 6-spot burnet moths on a pyramidal orchid .
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn , Louisburgh , Co Mayo , F28 F978 , or by email at viney @ anu.ie .
Include a postal address .

I found this strange object and others of various shapes on Mornington beach last month. It was fibrous and seemed to be living.
Gerry Douglas, Ballyboughal, Dublin
It's the soft coral called dead man's fingers, Alcyonium digitatum. It's found on all the coasts of these islands.
Dead man’s fingers corral
Pellucid hoverfly
This bee, about the size of a honeybee, was trapped in the house. It had a near-white band mid-abdomen and zig-zag markings on the wing.
Simon Rogers, Sandyford, Dublin 4
Not a bee – that's the pellucid hoverfly, which is very fond of bramble blossoms.
Spiny spider crab shell
The children found this large crab shell on Beal Bán beach in Ballyferriter, Co Kerry, and they are wondering who it belongs to.
Gavin Ó Dúill, Clondalkan, Co Dublin
It's the shell of the spiny spider crab.
An amber-winged hawker
Attached is a photo of a dragonfly clinging to a bamboo plant in my garden, What type is it?
Janet Little, Navan Road, Dublin, 7
It's the amber-winged hawker.
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Bird’s nest mushrooms
Can you identify these strange mushrooms we found in our raised vegetable bed?
Zoe Chambers, Lusk, Co Dublin
They are bird's nest mushrooms, common but sometimes hard to find. They are inedible.
Mackerel washed up on Lahinch beach
On July 29th there were hundreds if not thousands of mackerel washed up on Lahinch beach. Any idea why?
Nicola Meere, Ennistymon, Co Clare
One explanation is that the mackerel were pursued by large predators and fled in the one direction, ending up on the beach. Or they themselves might have been chasing sprats and ended up on the beach.
A pair of six-spot burnet moths on a pyramidal orchid
My daughter Susanna (10) took this photo of mating insects on what I believe is a wild orchid. What are they?
Robert Bloomer, Monkstown, Co Dublin
They are a pair of 6-spot burnet moths on a pyramidal orchid.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.


theirishtimes--2020-08-15--Another Life: Arrival of great skuas may alter seabird balance on Clare Island

Birds , too , have their bullies , muggers and thieves .
Seagulls , some of them , snatch ice-creams and sandwiches from human fingers .
I once watched a raven harassing an otter in the dunes , attempting to drive it from eating its freshly caught flounder .
On the global scale , nearly 200 species turn pirate at some time or other .
But the arch-kleptoparasite now colonising our wilder western islands has piracy and murder bred into its genes .
The great skua ( in Scotland , the “ bonxie ” ) is the north Atlantic ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronghold in the Shetland Islands .
Its population burgeoned by pouncing on fish discarded by trawlers or seized from flying gannets in mid-air tussles .
Bonxie colonies began to spread south in Scotland ’ s western isles .
The balance of mid-air piracy , surface fishing and avian prey has been uncertain , even within colonies .
A small minority of great skuas are considered specialist bird predators , but a new dearth of sand eels has turned even more skua appetites to chicks snatched from cliff-ledge nests .
At a fast-growing colony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study estimated that the skuas consumed 40,800 seabirds of seven different species .
And in 2015 , at the Shetland island of Hermaness , the BBC filmed a group of great skuas drowning and eating puffins .
This followed publication of a scientific study , using the skua ’ s regurgitated pellets of bones and feathers , that showed a toll of adult puffins , along with the chicks of guillemots and razorbills and many kittiwakes .
On St Kilda , the birds have begun hunting by night to prey on storm petrels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newton , BirdWatch Ireland ’ s bonxie expert , has wondered if the petrel colonies on Ireland ’ s western islands have helped expand the skua ’ s spread of colonies .
It was 20 years ago that Newton , with a seabird survey team , first found himself attacked by diving skuas on one of the islands that line my Mayo horizon .
In 2001 a nest was found , complete with downy chick .
A few summers later , on another “ empty ” island , 20km from the first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nesting skuas ( at a cautious distance and on my knees – they are really not to be annoyed ) .
By 2010 breeding was reported in Northern Ireland on Rathlin Island , and pairs were prospecting the high cliffs of Donegal .
But the main expansion has been further south in Connacht .
The latest surveys for the National Parks and Wildlife Service found breeding confirmed at 13 sites , and Newton guesses at an Ireland-wide minimum of some 25 pairs of birds .
After adopting Connemara ’ s Inishark and Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first skuas were seen prospecting the Clare Island clifftops in 2015 .
Breeding was confirmed in the following spring .
A new report on the island ’ s birds , just published by the Royal Irish Academy , thinks the arrival of the predatory skuas “ may prove to be a major development in the history of the seabird fauna of Clare Island ” .
This is Volume 9 of the New Survey of Clare Island , the RIA ’ s great ecological reprise of the pioneering survey of the island ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Lloyd Praeger in the early 1900s .
Edited by Dr Thomas Kelly of UCC , it draws on 20 years of fieldwork by a wide range of contributors .
Including the great skua , Clare can claim 14 species of seabird , having lost the terns of Praeger ’ s day but also gained the fulmar , common gull , cormorant , lesser black-backed gull and – substantially in recent years – the gannet .
It is among the land birds , however , that the greatest changes are apparent , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by the Famine , and changes in land use and vegetation .
As Kelly surmises , only the rock pipit , dunnock , wren and reed bunting have survived continuously the 8,000 years of Clare Island ’ s separation from the mainland .
The end of arable farming and overgrazing by sheep have brought the relatively recent extinction of corncrake , yellowhammer and twite and the loss of heather an end to the once-plentiful woodcock .
The report gives a chapter to the fact that Clare has no colony of breeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wood , and nor does any other offshore Irish island .
Comparison with those off Scotland suggests that size is what matters , and the area of even Ireland ’ s biggest islands is 10 times too small to support a rookery .
Clare ’ s most numerous bird in a 2013 census was , remarkably , the northern wheatear , beautifully portrayed on the volume ’ s cover .
This migrant from Africa , feeding on ground insects numbered almost 1,800 individuals , greatly more than all other land birds except the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by sheep , leaving large stretches of Clare nibbled to the nap , may account for such exceptionally high numbers .
Even the native chough , for which Clare ’ s close-cropped cliffs are also thought a refuge , could number less than 100 in the census estimates of 2013 .

Birds, too, have their bullies, muggers and thieves. Seagulls, some of them, snatch ice-creams and sandwiches from human fingers. I once watched a raven harassing an otter in the dunes, attempting to drive it from eating its freshly caught flounder.
On the global scale, nearly 200 species turn pirate at some time or other. But the arch-kleptoparasite now colonising our wilder western islands has piracy and murder bred into its genes.
The great skua (in Scotland, the “bonxie”) is the north Atlantic’s top predator, with a special stronghold in the Shetland Islands. Its population burgeoned by pouncing on fish discarded by trawlers or seized from flying gannets in mid-air tussles. Bonxie colonies began to spread south in Scotland’s western isles.
The balance of mid-air piracy, surface fishing and avian prey has been uncertain, even within colonies. A small minority of great skuas are considered specialist bird predators, but a new dearth of sand eels has turned even more skua appetites to chicks snatched from cliff-ledge nests.
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At a fast-growing colony on remote St Kilda, a 1996 study estimated that the skuas consumed 40,800 seabirds of seven different species. And in 2015, at the Shetland island of Hermaness, the BBC filmed a group of great skuas drowning and eating puffins.
This followed publication of a scientific study, using the skua’s regurgitated pellets of bones and feathers, that showed a toll of adult puffins, along with the chicks of guillemots and razorbills and many kittiwakes.
On St Kilda, the birds have begun hunting by night to prey on storm petrels returning to their nest burrows. Steve Newton, BirdWatch Ireland's bonxie expert, has wondered if the petrel colonies on Ireland's western islands have helped expand the skua's spread of colonies.
It was 20 years ago that Newton, with a seabird survey team, first found himself attacked by diving skuas on one of the islands that line my Mayo horizon. In 2001 a nest was found, complete with downy chick. A few summers later, on another “empty” island, 20km from the first, I had my own binocular view of nesting skuas (at a cautious distance and on my knees – they are really not to be annoyed).
By 2010 breeding was reported in Northern Ireland on Rathlin Island, and pairs were prospecting the high cliffs of Donegal. But the main expansion has been further south in Connacht.
The latest surveys for the National Parks and Wildlife Service found breeding confirmed at 13 sites, and Newton guesses at an Ireland-wide minimum of some 25 pairs of birds.
After adopting Connemara's Inishark and Mayo's Inishturk and Caher, the first skuas were seen prospecting the Clare Island clifftops in 2015. Breeding was confirmed in the following spring.
Greatest changes
A new report on the island's birds, just published by the Royal Irish Academy, thinks the arrival of the predatory skuas "may prove to be a major development in the history of the seabird fauna of Clare Island".
This is Volume 9 of the New Survey of Clare Island, the RIA's great ecological reprise of the pioneering survey of the island's flora and fauna, the brainchild of Robert Lloyd Praeger in the early 1900s. Edited by Dr Thomas Kelly of UCC, it draws on 20 years of fieldwork by a wide range of contributors.
Including the great skua, Clare can claim 14 species of seabird, having lost the terns of Praeger’s day but also gained the fulmar, common gull, cormorant, lesser black-backed gull and – substantially in recent years – the gannet.
It is among the land birds, however, that the greatest changes are apparent, their variety so closely tied to social upheaval, led by the Famine, and changes in land use and vegetation.
As Kelly surmises, only the rock pipit, dunnock, wren and reed bunting have survived continuously the 8,000 years of Clare Island’s separation from the mainland. The end of arable farming and overgrazing by sheep have brought the relatively recent extinction of corncrake, yellowhammer and twite and the loss of heather an end to the once-plentiful woodcock.
The report gives a chapter to the fact that Clare has no colony of breeding rooks, even in its small surviving wood, and nor does any other offshore Irish island. Comparison with those off Scotland suggests that size is what matters, and the area of even Ireland’s biggest islands is 10 times too small to support a rookery.
Clare’s most numerous bird in a 2013 census was, remarkably, the northern wheatear, beautifully portrayed on the volume’s cover. This migrant from Africa, feeding on ground insects numbered almost 1,800 individuals, greatly more than all other land birds except the resident meadow pipit.
The intense grazing by sheep, leaving large stretches of Clare nibbled to the nap, may account for such exceptionally high numbers. Even the native chough, for which Clare’s close-cropped cliffs are also thought a refuge, could number less than 100 in the census estimates of 2013.