theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Q&A: What we know and don’t know about how Covid-19 vaccines will work in Ireland

There are many unknowns when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines , especially on timing , dosage and long-term protection .
Tit-for-tat squabbles over who has the best regulatory and approval system are an unhelpful distraction that risk undermining trust in what are a series of rapidly emerging vaccines approved in record time .
In contrast to lingering doubts , it should be underlined that the three lead candidates – from Pfizer/BioNTech , Moderna , and Oxford University/AstraZeneca – are so far indicating striking efficacy in the level of protection they provide .
So will the Covid-19 vaccines that we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know yet .
Theoretically , they might not .
What we can say at this point , according to UCC-based vaccine specialist Dr Anne Moore , is they will stop infection – that is ensure people don ’ t get the disease .
“ We can not say they will stop transmission.
” The key priority is protecting the individual , most notably those at greatest risk .
That said , if up to 70 per cent of the population gets vaccinated , herd immunity is realisable , she notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will protection last ?
It ’ s too early to know .
Additional research is needed ; the answer is likely to emerge with scaled-up vaccination and follow-up monitoring .
However , it is encouraging that available data suggests most people who recover from Covid-19 develop an immune response that provides at least some protection against reinfection – though we ’ re still learning how strong this protection is and how long it lasts .
The uncertainty is because the world is wrestling with a novel coronavirus .
Research from the 1990s with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year but too much can not be read into this , Dr Moore adds .
So an annual booster dose is a possibility .
Is it likely we will have to get multiple doses with the initial vaccine ?
The initial range of vaccines being tested are using a two-dose regimen , some weeks apart .
Johnson & Johnson is testing a single-dose vaccine .
A two-dose regimen comes with supply-chain challenges and the possibility that not everyone will return .
So a robust system of administration is required .
Will some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is clear that the much-vaunted Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine , already cleared for use in the UK , will probably have to be administered in specialised settings as it must be stored at up to minus 80 degrees and needs to be reconstituted before being administered .
And mRNA vaccines , which have never been used in humans before , are surprisingly straightforward : they ’ re just a smart way of getting a viral protein to generate an immune response , and after a few days the mRNA is degraded by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid .
To generate a good immune response , two doses will be given 21 days apart , with recipients protected from about a week after their second dose .
The Oxford University/AstraZenaca vaccine does not require low temperature storage , so will be much easier to administer .
When will we see Covid-19 vaccines ?
Vaccine rollout in the State depends on EU regulatory approval .
The first tranche is likely to get the green light in late December/early January .
The vaccine taskforce , led by Prof Brian MacCraith , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how vaccines will be rolled out and who will be prioritised .
GPs and pharmacists are likely to join the ranks of immunisers but mass vaccination clinics are likely to be set up .
Nine ultra-low freezer lorries have arrived in the country to assist in rollout .
Ideally , Moore says , vaccines should be self-administered by using an arm patch or taking a tablet but these are next-generation versions , so vaccination by injection will be the standard approach with Covid-19 .
When will a sense of some normality emerge for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 vaccines on the pandemic will depend on their effectiveness ; how quickly they are approved , manufactured and delivered – and how many people get vaccinated .
Most scientists anticipate that , like most other vaccines , they will not be 100 per cent effective .
The first priority has to be healthcare/frontline workers , older people and the medically vulnerable – and securing vaccines for that cohort in the first half of 2021 .
Unfortunately , however , until herd immunity is achieved “ there is no going back to normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , facemasks and washing hands will still be the non-pharmaceutical way of keeping Covid-19 at bay .
All going well , those at least risk are likely to be vaccinated from the third quarter of 2021 on .
The one certainty is Ireland will have enough Covid-19 vaccines ; some 15 million doses from six manufacturers who have reached a supply agreement with the EU , subject to regulatory approval .

Vaccine rollout in the State depends on EU regulatory approval. The first tranche is likely to get the green light in late December/early January. Photograph: BioNTech
There are many unknowns when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines, especially on timing , dosage and long-term protection.
Tit-for-tat squabbles over who has the best regulatory and approval system are an unhelpful distraction that risk undermining trust in what are a series of rapidly emerging vaccines approved in record time.
In contrast to lingering doubts, it should be underlined that the three lead candidates – from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Oxford University/AstraZeneca – are so far indicating striking efficacy in the level of protection they provide.
So will the Covid-19 vaccines that we know work stop contagion?
READ MORE
Unfortunately, we don't know yet. Theoretically, they might not. What we can say at this point, according to UCC-based vaccine specialist Dr Anne Moore, is they will stop infection – that is ensure people don't get the disease. "We cannot say they will stop transmission."
The key priority is protecting the individual, most notably those at greatest risk. That said, if up to 70 per cent of the population gets vaccinated, herd immunity is realisable, she notes, driving down transmission.
How long will protection last?
It’s too early to know. Additional research is needed; the answer is likely to emerge with scaled-up vaccination and follow-up monitoring.
However, it is encouraging that available data suggests most people who recover from Covid-19 develop an immune response that provides at least some protection against reinfection – though we’re still learning how strong this protection is and how long it lasts.
The uncertainty is because the world is wrestling with a novel coronavirus. Research from the 1990s with a mild coronavirus found reinfection occurred after a year but too much cannot be read into this, Dr Moore adds. So an annual booster dose is a possibility.
Is it likely we will have to get multiple doses with the initial vaccine?
The initial range of vaccines being tested are using a two-dose regimen, some weeks apart. Johnson & Johnson is testing a single-dose vaccine.
A two-dose regimen comes with supply-chain challenges and the possibility that not everyone will return for a second jab. So a robust system of administration is required.
Will some be easier to administer than others?
It is clear that the much-vaunted Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine, already cleared for use in the UK, will probably have to be administered in specialised settings as it must be stored at up to minus 80 degrees and needs to be reconstituted before being administered.
That said, mRNA vaccines, which have never been used in humans before, are surprisingly straightforward: they’re just a smart way of getting a viral protein to generate an immune response, and after a few days the mRNA is degraded by the body, leaving behind only immunity to Covid.
To generate a good immune response, two doses will be given 21 days apart, with recipients protected from about a week after their second dose.
The Oxford University/AstraZenaca vaccine does not require low temperature storage, so will be much easier to administer.
When will we see Covid-19 vaccines?
Vaccine rollout in the State depends on EU regulatory approval. The first tranche is likely to get the green light in late December/early January.
The vaccine taskforce, led by Prof Brian MacCraith, is due to deliver a plan shortly on how vaccines will be rolled out and who will be prioritised .
GPs and pharmacists are likely to join the ranks of immunisers but mass vaccination clinics are likely to be set up. Nine ultra-low freezer lorries have arrived in the country to assist in rollout .
Ideally, Moore says, vaccines should be self-administered by using an arm patch or taking a tablet but these are next-generation versions, so vaccination by injection will be the standard approach with Covid-19.
When will a sense of some normality emerge for the average person?
The impact of Covid-19 vaccines on the pandemic will depend on their effectiveness; how quickly they are approved, manufactured and delivered – and how many people get vaccinated. Most scientists anticipate that, like most other vaccines, they will not be 100 per cent effective.
The first priority has to be healthcare/frontline workers, older people and the medically vulnerable – and securing vaccines for that cohort in the first half of 2021.
Unfortunately, however, until herd immunity is achieved “there is no going back to normal” Dr Moore stresses; so social distancing, facemasks and washing hands will still be the non-pharmaceutical way of keeping Covid-19 at bay. All going well, those at least risk are likely to be vaccinated from the third quarter of 2021 on.
The one certainty is Ireland will have enough Covid-19 vaccines; some 15 million doses from six manufacturers who have reached a supply agreement with the EU, subject to regulatory approval.


theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Family issue appeal over disappearance of Mayo woman 20 years ago

The family of a Mayo woman who has been missing presumed murdered for 20 years have appealed for information on the case and said they would never stop their search for her .
Sandra Collins was aged 28 when she disappeared from her home in the seaside village of Killala on December 4th , 2000 .
She was last seen at about 11pm after she bought chips in a local takeaway and a pink fleece , later identified as hers , was found on the pier in Killala .
Despite a major and lengthy search , her body was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not depressed or in any crisis and would not have taken her own life .
Gardaí are treating the case as suspected murder .
On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance , Chief Supt Tony Healy of the Mayo Garda division said gardaí have kept the case open and urged anyone with information to come forward .
He said the Collins family had suffered pain for decades and progress in the case could ease their plight .
Patrick Collins , the missing woman ’ s brother , said his family and gardaí @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandra , who worked as a carer for her aunt , had been for a period of about three hours before she was last seen alive .
He said people who spoke to her said she was not distressed and was not wet , despite the rain and high winds on the night .
Mr Collins said it seemed clear to him his sister had been indoors for a period , adding she bought enough food in the takeaway for two people .
“ Our parents , Eleanor and Joe have gone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional stress and the anguish they carried over our beloved Sandra .
Nothing but nothing can be as bad as not having Sandra ’ s remains back , ” he said .
“ I have dreamt of a small family funeral for Sandra .
I wake up with tears running down my face and yet realise it will be one of the greatest days of my life .
I can visit her grave .
We will have her home .
We can talk to her at her graveside .
We can lay flowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us our sister back.
” Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballina Garda station on 096-20560 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or Crimestoppers 1800 250 025 .

Sandra Collins was aged 28 when she disappeared from her home in the seaside village of Killala on December 4th, 2000.
The family of a Mayo woman who has been missing presumed murdered for 20 years have appealed for information on the case and said they would never stop their search for her.
Sandra Collins was aged 28 when she disappeared from her home in the seaside village of Killala on December 4th, 2000. She was last seen at about 11pm after she bought chips in a local takeaway and a pink fleece, later identified as hers, was found on the pier in Killala.
Despite a major and lengthy search, her body was never found, though her family insist she was not depressed or in any crisis and would not have taken her own life. Gardaí are treating the case as suspected murder.
Sandra Collins was aged 28 when she disappeared from her home in the seaside village of Killala on December 4th, 2000.
On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, Chief Supt Tony Healy of the Mayo Garda division said gardaí have kept the case open and urged anyone with information to come forward. He said the Collins family had suffered pain for decades and progress in the case could ease their plight.
READ MORE
Patrick Collins, the missing woman’s brother, said his family and gardaí were especially keen to find out where Sandra, who worked as a carer for her aunt, had been for a period of about three hours before she was last seen alive.
He said people who spoke to her said she was not distressed and was not wet, despite the rain and high winds on the night.
Mr Collins said it seemed clear to him his sister had been indoors for a period, adding she bought enough food in the takeaway for two people.
“Our parents, Eleanor and Joe have gone to their graves far too soon due to emotional stress and the anguish they carried over our beloved Sandra. Nothing but nothing can be as bad as not having Sandra’s remains back,” he said.
“I have dreamt of a small family funeral for Sandra. I wake up with tears running down my face and yet realise it will be one of the greatest days of my life. I can visit her grave. We will have her home. We can talk to her at her graveside. We can lay flowers. We can grieve. Please give us our sister back.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballina Garda station on 096-20560, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or Crimestoppers 1800 250 025.


theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Banks warn customers about Brexit disruption to direct debits

Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB have sent more than 65,000 letters to customers warning them that direct debits for waste and household utility bills may not be processed because of Brexit .
Around 47,000 customers of Bank of Ireland have received letters telling them that direct debits for a handful of household service providers originate through a UK-based bank , and that unless those banks hold the customer ’ s address , payments will not be made after Brexit on January 1st .
Permanent TSB has sent out about 20,000 letters .
Other banks are planning similar communications .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging them to “ get Brexit ready ” that from the end of the standstill Brexit transition period on December 31st , the UK will remain part of the Single European Payments Area ( Sepa ) but will no longer be a member of the European Economic Area .
As a result to changes to data requirements for payments to and from the UK , British banks will be legally required to provide the address of the Irish customer to Irish banks when requesting payment on behalf of a service provider from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31st , 2020 , where the required address is not provided , Bank of Ireland will not be able to complete the payment and release funds on your behalf , ” the bank says in the letter .
“ We recognise the potential to disrupt the current arrangements that you have with your service provider but unfortunately this is not something that we can resolve on your behalf.
” Many of the service providers that the bank has been writing to customers about are in the waste management sector and include Greyhound , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial , Oxigen and Allied Recycling .
Other affected service providers include the New York Times , energy company Panda Power , Cornmarket Group Financial Services and Deutsche Leasing Ireland .
Customers are being asked to contact their service provider to make sure they have the correct address for them and arrange to submit this to their bank for “ onward processing ” .
Banking and Payments Federation Ireland , the banking industry group , advised more than 150 businesses last month to “ protect against consumers ’ direct debit payments being rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into effect .
“ We estimate at this point that over 80 per cent of impacted transactions meet the new requirements .
However , our research indicates there is an outstanding volume of direct debits that still do not include the additional information required , ” said the group .

Customers of Bank of Ireland have received letters concerning direct debits for a handful of household service providers and the impact of Brexit. Photograph: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg
Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB have sent more than 65,000 letters to customers warning them that direct debits for waste and household utility bills may not be processed because of Brexit.
Around 47,000 customers of Bank of Ireland have received letters telling them that direct debits for a handful of household service providers originate through a UK-based bank, and that unless those banks hold the customer's address, payments will not be made after Brexit on January 1st.
Permanent TSB has sent out about 20,000 letters. Other banks are planning similar communications.
Bank of Ireland told customers in letters urging them to “get Brexit ready” that from the end of the standstill Brexit transition period on December 31st, the UK will remain part of the Single European Payments Area (Sepa) but will no longer be a member of the European Economic Area.
READ MORE
As a result to changes to data requirements for payments to and from the UK, British banks will be legally required to provide the address of the Irish customer to Irish banks when requesting payment on behalf of a service provider from their Irish bank account.
“After December 31st, 2020, where the required address is not provided, Bank of Ireland will not be able to complete the payment and release funds on your behalf,” the bank says in the letter.
“We recognise the potential to disrupt the current arrangements that you have with your service provider but unfortunately this is not something that we can resolve on your behalf.”
Many of the service providers that the bank has been writing to customers about are in the waste management sector and include Greyhound, Panda Waste, Mr Binman, Greenstar commercial, Oxigen and Allied Recycling.
Other affected service providers include the New York Times, energy company Panda Power, Cornmarket Group Financial Services and Deutsche Leasing Ireland.
Customers are being asked to contact their service provider to make sure they have the correct address for them and arrange to submit this to their bank for “onward processing”.
Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, the banking industry group, advised more than 150 businesses last month to “protect against consumers’ direct debit payments being rejected” from January 1st when Brexit comes into effect.
“We estimate at this point that over 80 per cent of impacted transactions meet the new requirements. However, our research indicates there is an outstanding volume of direct debits that still do not include the additional information required,” said the group.


theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Disabled women call for ‘level-playing field’ in workplaces

One of the most frustrating things about the Covid-19 pandemic for disabled people was “ how quickly ” changes they had sought for decades could be delivered when the able-bodied community needed them , campaigners have said .
Gillian Kearns , who is autistic , a mother and one of almost 650,000 disabled people in Ireland , said : “ It was deeply frustrating to see how quickly things could go online , how quickly working from home could be done when it affected able-bodied people .
So many disabled people had been asking for years – in colleges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options ] .
” She is among five disabled women speaking in a short film by the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland ( NWCI ) produced to mark International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Thursday .
Nem Kearns , sister of Gillian , member of the board of Disabled Women Ireland and who also takes part in the film , dislikes the term “ person with disabilities ” arguing the term implies a person has a disability that is intrinsic to them .
“ It is society that disables us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and structured , so we are disabled women.
” She says the dominant narrative , that disabled people are “ socially impaired ” , have communications problems and are “ odd ” and “ awkward ” means when issues arise in their employment or education they are immediately seen as “ the problem ” .
“ All of these things have massive impact so as a community disabled people are massively underemployed and tend to be in vulnerable work , short-term work , part-time work , low-paid work.
” The film ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Disabled women in their own words , takes on board the argument that social assumptions and ways of working disable people more than their condition or injury .
Gladys O ’ Neill , a mother of three and active in the NWCI ’ s disability group , said it would be “ just wonderful ” if disabled people could participate in society as “ just one of the crowd .
.
.
Accessibility is really all that ’ s needed to participate.
” Elaine Grehan , who is deaf and advocacy manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We ’ re not necessarily limited but opportunities are not as frequent because of this attitude from hearing peers or colleagues .
.
.
You feel ‘ I can do it ’ but unfortunately it ’ s the hearing community ’ s lack of understanding or experience.
” Evie Nolan , who has a rare connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome meaning she is in constant pain , has unstable joints and often needs to use a wheelchair , said social attitudes were changing but too slowly .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding their voice.
” “ There was a lot able-bodied people could learn from them , ” she added , if they were more present in colleges , workplaces and in leisure activities .
“ What we ask is not special treatment .
What we ask for is a level playing field .
”

Nem Kearns of the group Disabled Women of Ireland: ‘It is society that disables us, in the way it is organised and structured.’ File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
One of the most frustrating things about the Covid-19 pandemic for disabled people was “how quickly” changes they had sought for decades could be delivered when the able-bodied community needed them, campaigners have said.
Gillian Kearns, who is autistic, a mother and one of almost 650,000 disabled people in Ireland, said: "It was deeply frustrating to see how quickly things could go online, how quickly working from home could be done when it affected able-bodied people. So many disabled people had been asking for years – in colleges and workplaces [to be facilitated with such options]."
She is among five disabled women speaking in a short film by the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) produced to mark International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Thursday.
Nem Kearns, sister of Gillian, member of the board of Disabled Women Ireland and who also takes part in the film, dislikes the term "person with disabilities" arguing the term implies a person has a disability that is intrinsic to them.
READ MORE
“It is society that disables us, in the way it is organised and structured, so we are disabled women.”
She says the dominant narrative, that disabled people are “socially impaired”, have communications problems and are “odd” and “awkward” means when issues arise in their employment or education they are immediately seen as “the problem”.
“All of these things have massive impact so as a community disabled people are massively underemployed and tend to be in vulnerable work, short-term work, part-time work, low-paid work.”
The film’s title and that of the NWCI campaign, Disabled women in their own words, takes on board the argument that social assumptions and ways of working disable people more than their condition or injury.
Gladys O’Neill, a mother of three and active in the NWCI’s disability group, said it would be “just wonderful” if disabled people could participate in society as “just one of the crowd . . . Accessibility is really all that’s needed to participate.”
Elaine Grehan, who is deaf and advocacy manager for the Irish Deaf Society, said: "We're not necessarily limited but opportunities are not as frequent because of this attitude from hearing peers or colleagues . . . You feel 'I can do it' but unfortunately it's the hearing community's lack of understanding or experience."
Evie Nevin, who has a rare connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome meaning she is in constant pain, has unstable joints and often needs to use a wheelchair, said social attitudes were changing but too slowly. “It’s encouraging to see disabled people and women finding their voice.”
“There was a lot able-bodied people could learn from them,” she added, if they were more present in colleges, workplaces and in leisure activities . “What we ask is not special treatment. What we ask for is a level playing field.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Family of Co Kerry builder killed in collapse warn of online funeral scam

Gardaí in Co Kerry are investigating a fake online fundraising page posing as coming from the family of a builder @ @ @ @ @ accident last weekend .
Tom Ross ( 68 ) was killed when the chimney of @ @ @ @ @ in Tralee town centre collapsed on Saturday morning .
The Ross family warned the public @ @ @ @ @ which came to their attention after his funeral in Fenit on Wednesday .
The page @ @ @ @ @ using a number of family photographs , asked people to help fund the funeral costs @ @ @ @ @ is fake and asked the public not to click on it and not to donate @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Keeffe of Tralee Garda station confirmed gardaí have received a report and are @ @ @ @ @ likely to involve contact with Facebook and Interpol to get the IP address of the @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ We will track that back and .. and locate that @ @ @ @ @ ’ Keeffe told Kerry Today .

Gardaí in Co Kerry are investigating a fake online fundraising page posing as coming from the family of a builder who died in a workplace accident last weekend.
Tom Ross (68) was killed when the chimney of the building he was renovating in Tralee town centre collapsed on Saturday morning.
The Ross family warned the public about the fake fundraising page which came to their attention after his funeral in Fenit on Wednesday.
The page, set up on Facebook using a number of family photographs, asked people to help fund the funeral costs. The family said it is fake and asked the public not to click on it and not to donate any money.
READ MORE
Sgt Tim O'Keeffe of Tralee Garda station confirmed gardaí have received a report and are investigating. The inquiry is likely to involve contact with Facebook and Interpol to get the IP address of the person who posted the ad, he said.
“We will track that back and .. and locate that person,” Sgt O’Keeffe told Kerry Today.


theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Media challenge reporting restrictions in triple murder case

A man charged with the murder of a woman and two children at their Dublin home has been further remanded in custody pending formal directions from the Director of Prosecutions .
A request was made by lawyers for The Irish Times , RTE , INM , the Mail Group , The Star and The Sunday Times to be allowed make an application to lift the reporting restrictions in the triple murder case at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday .
However , Judge Victor Blake refused to alter the existing order and said an application could not be heard until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) had been put on formal notice .
Gardaí began a murder investigation following a postmortem into the deaths last month .
They arrested a man in his 30s on Saturday morning and charged him with three counts of murder .
He was remanded in custody on Monday by Judge Anne Watkin at Dun Laoghaire District Court .
Evidence of arrest , charge and caution was given by Detective Sergeant John White .
He told Judge Watkin that section 252 of the Children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties were juveniles .
The Court of Appeal ’ s recent interpretation of that part of the legislation was that anonymity can also apply to deceased children who were crime victims .
Judge Watkin had told the media on Monday there were reporting restrictions .
The accused , who made no reply when charged , faced his second hearing on Thursday when he appeared before Judge Blake at Cloverhill District Court .
Defence counsel Morgan Shelley told the court he had spoken with the prosecution and there was consent to an adjournment until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in continuing custody until that date and he said formal directions from the DPP must be obtained .
Counsel said preparation of a book of evidence could take some time .
The accused did not address the court but nodded in agreement when asked if would prefer to appear via video-link at his next hearing .
Tom Murphy BL , for the media , asked the judge to lift the reporting restrictions , also possible undersection 252 of Children Act where the court is satisfied it is in the interest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first his client had heard of it , and his instructing solicitor Phelim O ’ Neill had not been given any formal notice .
If there were to be a “ collateral attack ” on the decision of Judge Watkin , that should be made on seven day notice , and formally served on the accused and the chief prosecution solicitor , he argued .
Mr Shelley said the defence learned about it informally and it was “ a totally unacceptable situation to be ambushed like this ” .
The defence barrister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received a two paragraph letter about the request from the media .
State solicitor Derek Mangan agreed with the defence and said an email from RTE had been received on Wednesday at 4.45pm .
Counsel for the media said it was not conceded that the defendant needed to be on notice , and added that the State had been contacted .
If the court wished it to be done in a notice of motion by way of affidavit so be it , Mr Murphy said .
“ It is for the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of child victims , ” he submitted .
Judge Blake said he was aware of the Court of Appeal ruling .
He was not disposed to change his colleague ’ s order .
It was up to the the media if they wished to bring a notice of motion , he told Mr Murphy .

The accused, who made no reply when charged, faced his second hearing on Thursday when he appeared before Judge Blake at Cloverhill District Court. Photograph: iStock
A man charged with the murder of a woman and two children at their Dublin home has been further remanded in custody pending formal directions from the Director of Prosecutions.
A request was made by lawyers for The Irish Times, RTE, INM, the Mail Group, The Star and The Sunday Times to be allowed make an application to lift the reporting restrictions in the triple murder case at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
However, Judge Victor Blake refused to alter the existing order and said an application could not be heard until the defence and the chief prosecution solicitor at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been put on formal notice.
Gardaí began a murder investigation following a postmortem into the deaths last month.
READ MORE
They arrested a man in his 30s on Saturday morning and charged him with three counts of murder. He was remanded in custody on Monday by Judge Anne Watkin at Dun Laoghaire District Court.
Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Detective Sergeant John White. He told Judge Watkin that section 252 of the Children Act applied because two of the injured parties were juveniles.
The Court of Appeal’s recent interpretation of that part of the legislation was that anonymity can also apply to deceased children who were crime victims.
Judge Watkin had told the media on Monday there were reporting restrictions.
The accused, who made no reply when charged, faced his second hearing on Thursday when he appeared before Judge Blake at Cloverhill District Court.
Defence counsel Morgan Shelley told the court he had spoken with the prosecution and there was consent to an adjournment until December 16th.
Judge Blake remanded the man in continuing custody until that date and he said formal directions from the DPP must be obtained. Counsel said preparation of a book of evidence could take some time.
The accused did not address the court but nodded in agreement when asked if would prefer to appear via video-link at his next hearing.
Tom Murphy BL, for the media, asked the judge to lift the reporting restrictions, also possible undersection 252 of Children Act where the court is satisfied it is in the interest of the child.
The defence barristersaid this was the first his client had heard of it, and his instructing solicitor Phelim O’Neill had not been given any formal notice.
If there were to be a “collateral attack” on the decision of Judge Watkin, that should be made on seven day notice, and formally served on the accused and the chief prosecution solicitor, he argued.
Mr Shelley said the defence learned about it informally and it was “a totally unacceptable situation to be ambushed like this”.
The defence barrister also said he was aware the prosecution had received a two paragraph letter about the request from the media.
State solicitor Derek Mangan agreed with the defence and said an email from RTE had been received on Wednesday at 4.45pm.
Counsel for the media said it was not conceded that the defendant needed to be on notice, and added that the State had been contacted. If the court wished it to be done in a notice of motion by way of affidavit so be it, Mr Murphy said.
“It is for the court to state what is in the interest of child victims,” he submitted.
Judge Blake said he was aware of the Court of Appeal ruling. He was not disposed to change his colleague’s order. It was up to the the media if they wished to bring a notice of motion, he told Mr Murphy.


theirishtimes--2020-12-03--Funding standoff to see Dublin city emergency hostel for minors close

An emergency hostel for homeless minors and support housing for young people leaving State care in Dublin city centre are set to close due to a funding shortfall .
Lefroy House , which is run by the Salvation Army , is to close following negotiations with Tusla , the State child and family agency .
The facility is located on Eden Quay , and provides an emergency hostel for young people called Nightlight , and several supported accommodation flats for 17 to 18 years olds leaving State care .
In recent days staff were informed the services would be shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating budget ” .
A notice sent to staff , seen by The Irish Times , stated the Salvation Army had been in discussions with Tusla since 2016 over the funding shortfall .
“ Despite these discussions no agreement has been reached with Tusla .
These costs are significant and not sustainable , ” the notice said .
“ Tusla has confirmed that they have decommissioned the support flats service , therefore all staff assigned to the support flats service , your role is at risk of redundancy.
” The charity told staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to run the remaining Nightlight hostel , including the “ ongoing contractual deficit ” , the building ’ s high maintenance cost , its location , and difficulties recruiting qualified staff .
“ The Salvation Army has determined that it is no longer viable to deliver the Nightlight service and has served notice on Tusla to close the Nightlight service , ” the note to staff said .
The seven-bed hostel was set up 20 years ago and provides emergency shelter to children aged between 12 and 18 .
The Salvation Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to support young people and children who would use the Nightlight services.
” However , it said the State agency “ do not accept ” it had any obligation to take on staff currently running the service .
“ We will continue to seek further clarity from Tusla as to how they intend to provide this service in the future , but given their stance on the matter the Salvation Army felt that we now needed to share this information with our Nightlight staff , and to inform all staff assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk of termination , ” the notice said .
Aisling Bruen ( 28 ) , a care leaver who previously used the support flat service , said she was concerned it was being closed .
The “ vital ” service was a “ buffer ” for children preparing to leave State care after turning 18 , who would find it difficult securing housing in the private rental market .
The support flats were an “ alternative to private rental or adult homeless services , ” she said .
Malcolm Page , Salvation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the closure of Lefroy House would not impact on the charity ’ s other residential centres .
“ Our aim is to enable the small number of young people who use this facility to be accommodated safely and securely in other support services and we will work with Tusla on transition arrangements .
The centre will continue to operate for the coming months to make this as smooth as possible , ” he said .
A spokeswoman for Tusla said plans were in place to ensure continuity of the emergency hostel service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the Salvation Army and new service providers.
” Tusla would continue to work with young people leaving State care , to ensure they had “ access to other housing supports such as CAS housing , student accommodation or others where needed , ” she said .

Lefroy House, which is run by the Salvation Army, is to close following negotiations with Tusla, the State child and family agency.
An emergency hostel for homeless minors and support housing for young people leaving State care in Dublin city centre are set to close due to a funding shortfall.
Lefroy House, which is run by the Salvation Army, is to close following negotiations with Tusla, the State child and family agency.
The facility is located on Eden Quay, and provides an emergency hostel for young people called Nightlight, and several supported accommodation flats for 17 to 18 years olds leaving State care.
In recent days staff were informed the services would be shutting due to “significant shortfalls in the operating budget”.
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A notice sent to staff, seen by The Irish Times, stated the Salvation Army had been in discussions with Tusla since 2016 over the funding shortfall.
“Despite these discussions no agreement has been reached with Tusla. These costs are significant and not sustainable,” the notice said. “Tusla has confirmed that they have decommissioned the support flats service, therefore all staff assigned to the support flats service, your role is at risk of redundancy.”
The charity told staff it had a number of concerns with continuing to run the remaining Nightlight hostel, including the “ongoing contractual deficit”, the building’s high maintenance cost, its location, and difficulties recruiting qualified staff.
“The Salvation Army has determined that it is no longer viable to deliver the Nightlight service and has served notice on Tusla to close the Nightlight service,” the note to staff said.
The seven-bed hostel was set up 20 years ago and provides emergency shelter to children aged between 12 and 18. The Salvation Army said Tusla had indicated “it will continue to support young people and children who would use the Nightlight services.”
However, it said the State agency “do not accept” it had any obligation to take on staff currently running the service.
“We will continue to seek further clarity from Tusla as to how they intend to provide this service in the future, but given their stance on the matter the Salvation Army felt that we now needed to share this information with our Nightlight staff, and to inform all staff assigned to the Nightlight service that your role is at risk of termination,” the notice said.
Aisling Bruen (28), a care leaver who previously used the support flat service, said she was concerned it was being closed.
The “vital” service was a “buffer” for children preparing to leave State care after turning 18, who would find it difficult securing housing in the private rental market. The support flats were an “alternative to private rental or adult homeless services,” she said.
Malcolm Page, Salvation Army assistant director of homelessness services, said the closure of Lefroy House would not impact on the charity's other residential centres.
“Our aim is to enable the small number of young people who use this facility to be accommodated safely and securely in other support services and we will work with Tusla on transition arrangements. The centre will continue to operate for the coming months to make this as smooth as possible,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Tusla said plans were in place to ensure continuity of the emergency hostel service, and discussions were under way with “the Salvation Army and new service providers.”
Tusla would continue to work with young people leaving State care, to ensure they had “access to other housing supports such as CAS housing, student accommodation or others where needed,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Girl who suffered brain injury in car crash secures €4.7m payment in settlement

A five-year old girl who suffered a catastrophic brain injury when as a baby , she was a passenger in a car which crashed in a head-on collision has secured a €4.7 million interim payment under a settlement of her High Court action .
Luna Vezignol McGuinness was 3½ months old when the accident happened in Lissycasey , Co Clare on February 27th , 2016 when she was on holiday with her mother and father .
She had sued the driver of the car , her father Laurent Vezignol and the owner of the car Flynn Bros Rent a Car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She brought the proceedings through her mother Orla Vezignol McGuinness .
The family now lives in Donadea , Co Kildare .
Oonah McCrann SC , instructed by Ernest Cantillon solicitor , for the child , said the case arose from particularly tragic circumstances .
Counsel said Luna ’ s father who is a French national had , in driving away from a petrol station in Lissycasey , “ a momentary lapse of concentration ” and pulled out on to the road before the baby was strapped in .
Luna was unrestrained at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counsel told the court Luna ’ s mother and uncle suffered significant injuries in the accident , but they have not brought claims .
Luna , counsel said , has a type of cerebral palsy and is a beautiful little girl .
Her father works full-time and her mother devotes “ every minute of every day ” to her daughter ’ s care .
She said the judge who had been hearing the case before it settled , Ms Justice Bronagh O ’ Hanlon had remarked she was humbled listening to the care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents .
Approving the interim payment , Mr Justice Kevin Cross said both parents have been heroes in caring for their daughter who has come on tremendously as a result .
He said Luna ’ s claim was a necessary claim and noted that other significant claims by Luna ’ s mother and uncle could have been made but were not .
He echoed the sentiments of Ms Justice O ’ Hanlon made earlier in the case and wished the family all the best for the future .
Luna ’ s case will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years when her future care needs will be assessed .
At the opening of the action in the Four Courts this week Ms McCrann with Pearse Sreenan SC told the court the couple who were living in South America at the time had come here on holiday to “ to show off the baby to the grandparents.
” They had stopped at a garage in Lissycasey to buy chocolates for a friend whom they were going to visit .
While her mother was in the shop , Luna ’ s father took his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
On her return , her mother took the baby and was strapping her into her seat when Mr Vezignol , a French national , pulled the car out onto the road .
Counsel said Luna was unrestrained at the time of the collision .
“ In that instance the family ’ s lives imploded , ” counsel told the court .
The baby suffered multiple skull fractures and she was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Limerick and later transferred to Dublin where she had surgery .
She was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2016 and she then spent four months in the National Rehabilitation Hospital .
Counsel said Luna is very much loved and brings joy to all her family .
It was claimed that without warning Mr Vezignol drove the hire car on the incorrect side of the carriageway and the collision occurred with an oncoming vehicle .
It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to ensure the intended path of travel was safe and free of vehicles and an alleged failure to keep any or any proper lookout .
Liability was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court for assessment of damages only .

Orla Vezignol McGuinness and her husband Laurent Vezignol, of Donadea, Co Kildare, outside the High Court. Photograph: Collins Courts
A five-year old girl who suffered a catastrophic brain injury when as a baby, she was a passenger in a car which crashed in a head-on collision has secured a €4.7 million interim payment under a settlement of her High Court action.
Luna Vezignol McGuinness was 3½ months old when the accident happened in Lissycasey, Co Clare on February 27th, 2016 when she was on holiday with her mother and father.
She had sued the driver of the car, her father Laurent Vezignol and the owner of the car Flynn Bros Rent a Car Ballygar, Athlone Road, Roscommon town.
She brought the proceedings through her mother Orla Vezignol McGuinness. The family now lives in Donadea, Co Kildare.
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Oonah McCrann SC, instructed by Ernest Cantillon solicitor, for the child, said the case arose from particularly tragic circumstances. Counsel said Luna’s father who is a French national had, in driving away from a petrol station in Lissycasey, “a momentary lapse of concentration” and pulled out on to the road before the baby was strapped in. Luna was unrestrained at the time of the head-on collision.
Counsel told the court Luna’s mother and uncle suffered significant injuries in the accident, but they have not brought claims. Luna, counsel said, has a type of cerebral palsy and is a beautiful little girl. Her father works full-time and her mother devotes “every minute of every day” to her daughter’s care. She said the judge who had been hearing the case before it settled, Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon had remarked she was humbled listening to the care and love provided by Luna’s parents.
Approving the interim payment, Mr Justice Kevin Cross said both parents have been heroes in caring for their daughter who has come on tremendously as a result. He said Luna’s claim was a necessary claim and noted that other significant claims by Luna’s mother and uncle could have been made but were not.
He echoed the sentiments of Ms Justice O’Hanlon made earlier in the case and wished the family all the best for the future.
Luna’s case will come back before the court in five years when her future care needs will be assessed.
At the opening of the action in the Four Courts this week Ms McCrann with Pearse Sreenan SC told the court the couple who were living in South America at the time had come here on holiday to “ to show off the baby to the grandparents.”
They had stopped at a garage in Lissycasey to buy chocolates for a friend whom they were going to visit. While her mother was in the shop, Luna’s father took his daughter out of her seat to comfort her. On her return, her mother took the baby and was strapping her into her seat when Mr Vezignol, a French national, pulled the car out onto the road. Counsel said Luna was unrestrained at the time of the collision.
“In that instance the family’s lives imploded,” counsel told the court.
The baby suffered multiple skull fractures and she was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Limerick and later transferred to Dublin where she had surgery. She was not discharged from hospital until the end of April 2016 and she then spent four months in the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
Counsel said Luna is very much loved and brings joy to all her family.
It was claimed that without warning Mr Vezignol drove the hire car on the incorrect side of the carriageway and the collision occurred with an oncoming vehicle. It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to ensure the intended path of travel was safe and free of vehicles and an alleged failure to keep any or any proper lookout.
Liability was admitted in the case which was before the court for assessment of damages only.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Irish people should not stereotype the British, says President

Irish people , the subject of stereotyping for so long , should not stereotype British people as a result of Brexit , President Michael D Higgins has said .
The Irish people were regarded as ‘ the other ’ by people in Britain , he said , and this , in turn , led to a “ deep , hostile and comprehensive ‘ othering ’ of what might be considered English or British or alien ” .
“ We must also be cognisant of stereotypical depictions of ‘ the other ’ by some of those on the nationalist side as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anglophobia which has been utilised and exists in some quarters to this day , and is perhaps being fuelled by the worst aspects , and feared consequences , of Brexit , ” he said .
Mr Higgins ’ s comments came during a centenary commemorations address he gave as part of the series entitled Machnamh 100 .
The initiative – the word Machnamh means to reflect or meditate on something - has seen the President draw together historians to discuss how events of 100 years ago have shaped modern Ireland .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British forces on the economic infrastructure of rural Ireland during the War of Independence were a “ key strategic tool ” of the British government .
Mr Higgins said the infliction of economic damage by both the Auxiliaries and Black and Tans was not merely a “ spontaneous series of acts by the uncontrolled , or the drunken ” .
“ Rather it was a response of empire , employed in an attempt to quash support for any separatism that constituted a threat to that empire.
” He said the attacks on rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Independence “ marked an escalation in both the wider socio-economic impacts and the sophistication of reprisal tactics , harming local economies and livelihoods by punishing the civilian population through the destruction of a cherished public utility or key employer ” .
Reprisals and collective punishments were a “ key aspect of empire rule by the different forms of empire that were increasingly coming under opposition from below ” in the aftermath of the first World War , Mr Higgins added .
“ Of course , the British forces were not alone when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Violence breeds violence .
Cruelty is learned and , indeed , the history of Irish Republicanism is one in which the callous disregard for human life has been displayed on too many occasions , with civilians often constituting the target , in what is often termed the Irish Struggle ’ , ” he said .
“ War is always ugly , and posthumous glorification is neither desirable nor morally sound .
We must , therefore , I believe , seek to enable all of our citizens to engage with history and commemoration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pluralist and honest , allowing for the evaluation of motives and of actions on all sides with fairness .
“ Finding a fair and comprehensive way of dealing with the past , one that will win the confidence and support of all , is a daunting challenge - however , it is a challenge that on moral grounds can not be , should not be , I believe , shirked , ” he said .
The President ’ s lecture will be responded to by Prof Ciarán Benson , the chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Prof Anne Dolan of Trinity College Dublin ; Prof Michael Laffan , emeritus Professor of History in UCD ; and Prof Joep Leerssen , professor of European studies at the University of Amsterdam .
It will be followed in February by a seminar entitled Empire : Instincts , Interests and Power that will examine British responses to events in Ireland during the War of Independence and the Treaty .

President Michael D Higgins hosting the first in a series of Machnamh 100 seminars at Áras an Uachtaráin. Photograph: Maxwells
Irish republicans during the War of Independence were capable of reprisals and atrocities, and the British forces were not alone in this, President Michael D Higgins has said.
In an address to launch the Machnamh 100 centenary commemorations address, Mr Higgins said: “Of course, the British forces were not alone when it came to reprisals and atrocities. Violence breeds violence.
“Cruelty is learned and, indeed, the history of Irish republicanism is one in which the callous disregard for human life has been displayed on too many occasions, with civilians often constituting the target, in what is often termed the ‘Irish struggle’,” he said.
“War is always ugly, and posthumous glorification is neither desirable nor morally sound,” he said, in remarks that come just days after Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley’s remarks about the 1979 Warrenpoint attack.
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People should engage with history and commemoration in “an inclusive, ethical, pluralist and honest” way, that evaluates the motives and of actions “on all sides with fairness”.
Daunting challenge
Finding “a fair and comprehensive way of dealing with the past” is a daunting challenge, he said. “However, it is a challenge that on moral grounds cannot be, should not be, I believe, shirked.”
However, it is the basis for a new future “not only of hope”, but of “fulfilment for all on our island and for all in our neighbourhood”, he said. “For the sake of the future, we must break loose from the snares of the past.”
Meanwhile, the President said that Irish people, the subject of stereotyping for so long, should not stereotype British people because a majority of Irish people disagree with Brexit.
Efforts to generate Anglophobia are perhaps being fuelled by the worst aspects, and feared consequences, of Brexit, Mr Higgins said in his address to open the Machnamh series of talks.
In the lecture series – the word Machnamh means to reflect or meditate – the President has drawn together historians to discuss how events of 100 years ago have shaped modern Ireland.
During the address, he suggested attacks on creameries and shops in rural Ireland during the War of Independence were a “key strategic tool” of the British government.
Attacks by Auxiliaries and Black and Tans were not merely a spontaneous series of acts by the uncontrolled, or the drunken, but rather a deliberate response by empire to “quash support” for independence.
The sophisticated reprisals “marked an escalation” in the economic damage wrought during the conflict by punishing population through the destruction of a “cherished” local employer.
Collective punishments
Reprisals and collective punishments were an established strategic tool of imperialist military strategy by the time before they occurred in Ireland during the War of Independence.
Such acts, and the anticipation of them, drew a violent response in turn from Irish nationalists who were “motivated by both new and recalled humiliations of which there was no shortage”.
The President's lecture will be responded to by Prof Ciarán Benson, the chairman of Poetry Ireland and the Irish Museums Trust; Prof Anne Dolan of Trinity College Dublin; Prof Michael Laffan, emeritus professor of history in UCD; and Prof Joep Leerssen, professor of European studies at the University of Amsterdam.
It will be followed in February by a seminar entitled Empire: Instincts, Interests and Power that will examine British responses to events in Ireland during the War of Independence and the treaty.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Suspended sentence for 79-year-old over asking child for oral sex in public toilets

A 79-year-old retired bus driver with no previous convictions who propositioned a secondary school boy for sex in a public toilet in north Cork has received an 18-month suspended sentence .
Denis Carey of Garden Field , Dromcollogher , Limerick , pleaded guilty to inviting a child to engage in a sexual act at a public toilet that would have involved the commission of an offence against the child .
Garda Yvonne Cashman told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that at 4.06pm on April 30th , 2019 a teenage boy in North Cork went to use a public toilet in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in oral sex and made sexual gestures .
The boy ran out of the toilets and went home .
However , 30 minutes later the boy told his father what had occurred .
The father and son returned in their car to the public toilets to find that Carey was still parked in the area .
When he saw the boy he moved his car and started to drive away .
The father and son followed him for a period .
Carey made a voluntary statement at a North Cork Garda station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said he thought the boy was in the public toilet for sex .
Upon his arrest on July 21st , 2019 , he admitted asking the child for oral sex .
However , he denied making sexual gestures .
Garda Cashman said that Carey was in and out of the toilets for an hour on the day in question and moved his car to be near to the toilets .
CCTV showed he went in and out of the toilets four times in a 20-minute period .
Defence barrister , Donal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had never been before the courts .
He stated Carey had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity .
He said Carey ’ s admission of guilt was of particular value in that it meant the teenager didn ’ t have to give evidence at a trial .
He told Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin that the father of four was in good health .
However , his wife has health problems and relies on him .
Mr O ’ Sullivan said what had occurred was a “ huge shock ” and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were doing the best they could to support him .
He told the court that a medical report indicated that Carey might a suitable candidate for supervision by the probation service .
Mr O ’ Sullivan said his client was hugely remorseful if not very insightful in terms of his behaviour .
“ His biggest problem was his insight .
He doesn ’ t have a lot of insight .
But he never intended to cause hurt or harm.
” He said the fact his client would find himself on the Sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicity was “ significant ” .
However , he emphasised Carey had faced up to what he had done .
Judge Ó Donnabháin said there was a level of preparedness on the day as Carey had been “ around and about the location for a while.
” At a hearing last Friday Judge Ó Donnabháin remanded Carey in custody for a week .
This was to allow his barrister ascertain if the pensioner could be supervised by the probation service in the event of a fully suspended sentence being imposed in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the appropriate supervision and sex offenders ’ programme had been put in place for Carey .
Judge Ó Donnabhain said the crime was an opportunistic one .
He told Carey he had remanded him in custody for a week in order to bring the seriousness of the offence home to him .
He jailed Carey for 18 months , suspending the entirety of the sentence .
Carey will be listed on the sex offenders ’ register .

Denis Carey of Garden Field, Dromcollogher, Limerick, pleaded guilty to inviting a child to engage in a sexual act at a public toilet that would have involved the commission of an offence against the child. Photograph: Cork Courts Limited
A 79-year-old retired bus driver with no previous convictions who propositioned a secondary school boy for sex in a public toilet in north Cork has received an 18-month suspended sentence.
Denis Carey of Garden Field, Dromcollogher, Limerick, pleaded guilty to inviting a child to engage in a sexual act at a public toilet that would have involved the commission of an offence against the child.
Garda Yvonne Cashman told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that at 4.06pm on April 30th, 2019 a teenage boy in North Cork went to use a public toilet in his town.
Carey asked the boy to participate in oral sex and made sexual gestures. The boy ran out of the toilets and went home.
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However, 30 minutes later the boy told his father what had occurred. The father and son returned in their car to the public toilets to find that Carey was still parked in the area.
When he saw the boy he moved his car and started to drive away. The father and son followed him for a period.
Carey made a voluntary statement at a North Cork Garda station where he denied any wrongdoing. However, he said he thought the boy was in the public toilet for sex.
Upon his arrest on July 21st, 2019, he admitted asking the child for oral sex. However, he denied making sexual gestures.
Garda Cashman said that Carey was in and out of the toilets for an hour on the day in question and moved his car to be near to the toilets. CCTV showed he went in and out of the toilets four times in a 20-minute period.
Defence barrister, Donal O’Sullivan, said his client had never been before the courts. He stated Carey had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
He said Carey’s admission of guilt was of particular value in that it meant the teenager didn’t have to give evidence at a trial.
He told Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin that the father of four was in good health. However, his wife has health problems and relies on him.
Mr O’Sullivan said what had occurred was a “huge shock” and a source of anguish to his family but they were doing the best they could to support him.
He told the court that a medical report indicated that Carey might a suitable candidate for supervision by the probation service.
Mr O’Sullivan said his client was hugely remorseful if not very insightful in terms of his behaviour.
“His biggest problem was his insight. He doesn’t have a lot of insight. But he never intended to cause hurt or harm.”
He said the fact his client would find himself on the Sex Offenders Register and the subject of adverse publicity was “significant”. However, he emphasised Carey had faced up to what he had done.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said there was a level of preparedness on the day as Carey had been “around and about the location for a while.”
At a hearing last Friday Judge Ó Donnabháin remanded Carey in custody for a week. This was to allow his barrister ascertain if the pensioner could be supervised by the probation service in the event of a fully suspended sentence being imposed in the case.
Barrister Donal O’Sullivan today said the appropriate supervision and sex offenders’ programme had been put in place for Carey.
Judge Ó Donnabhain said the crime was an opportunistic one. He told Carey he had remanded him in custody for a week in order to bring the seriousness of the offence home to him.
He jailed Carey for 18 months, suspending the entirety of the sentence. Carey will be listed on the sex offenders’ register.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Restaurants urged to close if they can’t control gatherings amid warning of ‘de-facto Christmas part

Restaurants urged to close if they can’t control gatherings amid warning of ‘de-facto Christmas parties’

It is crucial that adherence to public health guidelines does not “ veer off course ” as indoor dining in restaurants , cafes , and gastropubs resumes on Friday , a senior civil servant involved in the Government ’ s Covid-19 response has said .
Businesses should take the decision to close if they are concerned about Covid-19 safety , Elizabeth Canavan , Department of Taoiseach assistant secretary general told a press briefing on Friday .
“ If you ’ re a business you know what to do and if you ’ re having difficulty controlling the situation , do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , close your business if congregation is getting too much , ” she said .
The advice was issed after it emerged fridges to store doses of coronavirus vaccines had arrived in Ireland ahead of an expected January roll out .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid tweeted a photograph of the fridges adding : “ We ’ re preparing for the # COVID19 vaccine roll out in Ireland .
At the HSE National Cold Chain Centre , we have received and are currently commissioning & validating a consignment of 9 x Ultra Low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at -75 degrees.
” Meanwhile , Ms Canavan said there had been “ anecdotal reports ” of some pubs serving takeaway drinks taking the decision to shut , due to concerns over numbers gathering outside the premises .
An Garda Síochána would be conducting 100 checkpoints a day , with patrols in major cities and busy retail locations in the run-up to Christmas , she said .
The guidance for restaurants and pubs that serve food was clear that there could be no “ multiple bookings ” of several tables by large groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve spoken to some of the restaurateurs myself , it is very difficult for them , the responsible ones are saying we ’ re not taking multiple bookings , ” she said .
“ This can ’ t be a de facto Christmas party , you will not be allowed to leave your table , swap seats , ” Ms Canavan said .
There was also some concern over potential large numbers gathering in the smoking areas of gastropubs , which had to be monitored by businesses , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening would “ set a marker ” for behaviour over the Christmas period , so it was crucial people were responsible , she said .
“ We don ’ t want to see small infractions being amplified in the media and then causing problems for the whole sector , ” she said .
The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment ( PUP ) has dropped as the country continues to emerge from lockdown .
This week 351,000 people received the PUP , with 6,800 people ceasing to claim the payment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 4,500 of these had indicated this was because they had returned to employment , Ms Canavan said .
In addition to the weekly PUP payment , 286,000 people received an additional arrears payment this week .
This was due to previous delays in processing the large number of PUP applications , or payments for arrears in cases where a claim had been held up due to incomplete or incorrect information being supplied , she said .
The Government ’ s high-level Covid-19 vaccine taskforce was due to submit a plan for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Micheál Martin next Friday , December 12th .
Ms Canavan said there had been some “ speculation ” about whether some type of immunisation passport would be introduced , to establish if someone had received the vaccine .
Until there was more information about what vaccines would be available it was “ very difficult ” to answer questions on whether such a passport scheme would be introduced in Ireland , she said .
Discussion around that proposal were “ weeks away from where we ’ re at , ” with officials currently focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , when one is approved by regulators , she said .

It is crucial that adherence to public health guidelines does not “veer off course” as indoor dining in restaurants, cafes, and gastropubs resumes on Friday, a senior civil servant involved in the Government’s Covid-19 response has said.
Businesses should take the decision to close if they are concerned about Covid-19 safety, Elizabeth Canavan, Department of Taoiseach assistant secretary general told a press briefing on Friday.
“If you’re a business you know what to do and if you’re having difficulty controlling the situation, do the brave thing, look for help, close your business if congregation is getting too much,” she said.
We're preparing for the #COVID19 vaccine roll out in Ireland. At the HSE National Cold Chain Centre, we have received and are currently commissioning & validating a consignment of 9 x Ultra Low Temperature Freezers for storage of the vaccines at -75 degrees. @HSELive pic.twitter.com/ooGUc9OSQo — Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) December 4, 2020
The advice was issed after it emerged fridges to store doses of coronavirus vaccines had arrived in Ireland ahead of an expected January roll out. HSE chief executive Paul Reid tweeted a photograph of the fridges adding: "We're preparing for the #COVID19 vaccine roll out in Ireland. At the HSE National Cold Chain Centre, we have received and are currently commissioning & validating a consignment of 9 x Ultra Low Temperature Freezers for storage of the vaccines at -75 degrees."
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Meanwhile, Ms Canavan said there had been “anecdotal reports” of some pubs serving takeaway drinks taking the decision to shut, due to concerns over numbers gathering outside the premises.
An Garda Síochána would be conducting 100 checkpoints a day, with patrols in major cities and busy retail locations in the run-up to Christmas, she said.
The guidance for restaurants and pubs that serve food was clear that there could be no “multiple bookings” of several tables by large groups, the senior official said.
“I’ve spoken to some of the restaurateurs myself, it is very difficult for them, the responsible ones are saying we’re not taking multiple bookings,” she said.
“This can’t be a de facto Christmas party, you will not be allowed to leave your table, swap seats,” Ms Canavan said. There was also some concern over potential large numbers gathering in the smoking areas of gastropubs, which had to be monitored by businesses, she said.
The first weekend of the hospitality sector reopening would “set a marker” for behaviour over the Christmas period, so it was crucial people were responsible, she said.
“We don’t want to see small infractions being amplified in the media and then causing problems for the whole sector,” she said.
The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) has dropped as the country continues to emerge from lockdown.
This week 351,000 people received the PUP, with 6,800 people ceasing to claim the payment in the week up to 1st December. Some 4,500 of these had indicated this was because they had returned to employment, Ms Canavan said.
In addition to the weekly PUP payment, 286,000 people received an additional arrears payment this week.
This was due to previous delays in processing the large number of PUP applications, or payments for arrears in cases where a claim had been held up due to incomplete or incorrect information being supplied, she said.
The Government’s high-level Covid-19 vaccine taskforce was due to submit a plan for the rollout of a vaccination programme to Taoiseach Micheál Martin next Friday, December 12th.
Ms Canavan said there had been some “speculation” about whether some type of immunisation passport would be introduced, to establish if someone had received the vaccine.
Until there was more information about what vaccines would be available it was “very difficult” to answer questions on whether such a passport scheme would be introduced in Ireland, she said.
Discussion around that proposal were “weeks away from where we’re at,” with officials currently focusing on the plan to roll out the vaccine, when one is approved by regulators, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Covid-19 messaging may be too focused on healthy people over 70, watchdog warns

Messaging around Covid-19 poses a danger of “ medicalisation ” of older people who are in good health , the State ’ s health watchdog has warned .
People who are 70 years and up are classified as “ extremely medically vulnerable ” to the virus but the Health Information and Quality Authority says this risk may required “ more nuanced communication ” .
“ There is a concern that the current broad approach results in a poor risk-benefit balance in those older adults who are otherwise healthy and in individuals for whom actions such as cocooning may have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it warns in a new report .
Conversely , the watchdog says , less healthy people , such as those aged over 50 with multiple chronic conditions or living in deprivation are at increased risk of severe disease , “ yet this risk may not be sufficiently acknowledged ” .
Cocooning is recommended for those categorised as ‘ extremely medically vulnerable ’ but the report says this has implications for wider society .
For example , they may need to be facilitated to work at home , which presents challenges for workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised to reduce or limit social interactions , leading to significant social isolation if implemented over a prolonged period of time.
” Eight groups in the population , who may be at highest risk of severe illness from Covid-19 , are categorised as “ extremely medically vulnerable ” .
Public health officials asked Hiqa to review this definition in the light of international evidence .
The categories include those aged 70 and over , organ transplant recipients , many cancer patients , People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare diseases or who are on immunosuppression therapies , pregnant women with significant heart disease and those on dialysis .
The watchdog found the most consistent finding in international studies was that those aged 70 years and older are at an increased risk of severe illness from the virus .
For other patient groups , current evidence is more limited , so a precautionary approach should continue to be adopted .
“ The evidence identified in this scoping review does not currently support the removal of any of the groups categorised as ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Dr Máirín Ryan , Hiqa ’ s director of health technology assessment .
These groups should be extra vigilant and follow HSE infection prevention guidelines due to the potentially increased risk of experiencing severe illness due to Covid-19 .
“ However , it is important for individuals to consider their own level of risk .
For example , adults aged 50 years and older with multiple chronic conditions , living under circumstances of increased deprivation are not included in the ‘ extremely medically vulnerable ’ category , but are at increased risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dr Ryan said .
There is a need for clarity of communication regarding the groups listed as “ extremely medically vulnerable , ” particularly in relation to the criteria for being included within one of these categories , according to Hiqa .

People who are over 70 are classified as “extremely medically vulnerable” but many are healthy. File photograph: iStock/Getty.
Messaging around Covid-19 poses a danger of “medicalisation” of older people who are in good health, a report by the State’s health watchdog has warned.
People who are 70 years and up are classified as “extremely medically vulnerable” to the virus but the Health Information and Quality Authority report notes a concern this risk may required “more nuanced communication”.
“There is a concern that the current broad approach results in a poor risk-benefit balance in those older adults who are otherwise healthy and in individuals for whom actions such as cocooning may have a significant negative impact on their wellbeing,” an expert advisory group which reviewed the evidence compiled for the report warns.
Hospital Report
Conversely, the report says, less healthy people, such as those aged over 50 with multiple chronic conditions or living in deprivation are at increased risk of severe disease, “yet this risk may not be sufficiently acknowledged”.
READ MORE
Cocooning is recommended for those categorised as ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ but the report says this has implications for wider society.
For example, they may need to be facilitated to work at home, which presents challenges for workforce planning. “They may also be advised to reduce or limit social interactions, leading to significant social isolation if implemented over a prolonged period of time.”
Eight groups in the population, who may be at highest risk of severe illness from Covid-19, are categorised as “extremely medically vulnerable”. Public health officials asked Hiqa to review this definition in the light of international evidence.
The categories include those aged 70 and over, organ transplant recipients, many cancer patients, People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection. people with severe respiratory conditions, rare diseases or who are on immunosuppression therapies, pregnant women with significant heart disease and those on dialysis.
The watchdog found the most consistent finding in international studies was that those aged 70 years and older are at an increased risk of severe illness from the virus. For other patient groups, current evidence is more limited, so a precautionary approach should continue to be adopted.
“The evidence identified in this scoping review does not currently support the removal of any of the groups categorised as ‘extremely medically vulnerable’,” according to Dr Máirín Ryan, Hiqa’s director of health technology assessment.
These groups should be extra vigilant and follow HSE infection prevention guidelines due to the potentially increased risk of experiencing severe illness due to Covid-19.
“However, it is important for individuals to consider their own level of risk. For example, adults aged 50 years and older with multiple chronic conditions, living under circumstances of increased deprivation are not included in the ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ category, but are at increased risk of severe disease if they develop Covid-19,” Dr Ryan said.
There is a need for clarity of communication regarding the groups listed as “extremely medically vulnerable,” particularly in relation to the criteria for being included within one of these categories, according to Hiqa.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--‘Mad scramble’ for scarce restaurant seats as Ireland’s hospitality sector reopens

Pent-up demand for a meal in a restaurant has seen a surge of bookings in recent days with the availability of tables for the peak hours between 7pm and 9pm extremely limited across the country as the sector starts to re-open after a six-week shutdown .
According to the OpenTable restaurant booking engine restaurants that will be able to accommodate a table of six people for dinner at 8pm on Saturday or even within two hours of that time , were few and far between .
The site said that thousands of bookings across hundreds restaurants in Irish towns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours suggesting that a serious scramble for Saturday seats had begun .
A ring-around restaurants also pointed to a huge appetite for a meal out this weekend .
Pichet on Dublin ’ s Trinity St said it was fully booked .
“ There has been a mad scramble for seats in the last weeks and we have quite a few groups of six , ” The Irish Times was told when it looked for booking for Saturday night on Friday morning .
It was the same across the river in the Winding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am booked out , pretty much , ” a spokesman said .
“ I do have one table at 9:45 and a couple of early ones but everything else is chockers .
We have been waiting all year for this it will be a busy couple of weeks but it will be great.
” Tapas de Lola on Camden St said it was “ booked out pretty out pretty much every Friday and Saturday between now and Christmas and only have a few of the 5pm and 9pm sittings mid week available .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Saturday night with some availability on subsequent days while it was the same story in the nearby Brasserie 66 on the capital ’ s South George ’ s Street .
Ard Bia in Galway said it was “ fully booked ” for Saturday night .
“ People were lovely and the minute the restrictions were lifted they started getting in touch , ” a spokeswoman said .
It was the same story in Cava where there was no availability on Saturday night and a limited number of early and late sittings on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cork City while demand in Kilkenny was equally high .
The general manager of Dublin ’ s Marker Hotel Charlie Sheil said he was looking forward to welcoming diners back this weekend .
Safety will remain our priority and we are opening in a very measured fashion , ” he said .
He said there was “ limited availability on Saturday ” with most of the tables already taken by hotel guests .
“ People are able to come out and sit in safe environment and be looked after by people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be back and we are really looking forward to the next few weeks , ” he said .
He added that the hotel was taking bookings for dining in its bars and would also welcome walk-in guests .
“ I think there are a lot of local people just wanting to get out and have some dinner .
It is not going to be like last Decembers but it will be a good month , ” he said .
The head of the Restaurant Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins was similarly upbeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the busiest weekend in the hospitality centre for almost a full year .
“ This Saturday night was always to be the prime night with all the pent up demand .
Restaurants have been closed for six weeks and for longer in Dublin so the demand was always going to be there , ” he told The Irish Times .
He pointed out that restaurants would only be able to around two thirds of the diners who they would normally serve and restrict parties to groups of six or less .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I don ’ t sense any appetite for office parties people are looking forward to going out with a close circle of friends maybe three times before Christmas.
” He said he had also noted a degree of nervousness .
“ We want to do the right thing so that we remain open into January and February , ” he said .
He pointed out that the sector have been through this before .
“ This is not our first rodeo and we know we can do this and we can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year staff didn ’ t get Covid and we know that if everyone does what they are supposed to do and customers adhere to the guidelines we will be okay.
” He suggested that the “ finishing line for us is the roll out of the vaccine ” .
That is when people “ can start to get their lives back to normal .
This has been traumatic for everyone , people who have lost loved ones , lost jobs and had their world turned upside down .
Everyone wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Pent-up demand for a meal in a restaurant has seen a surge of bookings in recent days with the availability of tables for the peak hours between 7pm and 9pm extremely limited across the country as the sector starts to re-open after a six-week shutdown.
According to the OpenTable restaurant booking engine restaurants that will be able to accommodate a table of six people for dinner at 8pm on Saturday or even within two hours of that time, were few and far between.
The site said that thousands of bookings across hundreds restaurants in Irish towns and cities had been made in the last 24 hours suggesting that a serious scramble for Saturday seats had begun.
A ring-around restaurants also pointed to a huge appetite for a meal out this weekend.
READ MORE
Pichet on Dublin's Trinity St said it was fully booked. "There has been a mad scramble for seats in the last weeks and we have quite a few groups of six," The Irish Times was told when it looked for booking for Saturday night on Friday morning.
It was the same across the river in the Winding Stair in Dublin 1. “I am booked out, pretty much,” a spokesman said.
“I do have one table at 9:45 and a couple of early ones but everything else is chockers. We have been waiting all year for this it will be a busy couple of weeks but it will be great.”
Tapas de Lola on Camden St said it was “booked out pretty out pretty much every Friday and Saturday between now and Christmas and only have a few of the 5pm and 9pm sittings mid week available.
Fade St Social was similarly booked out for Saturday night with some availability on subsequent days while it was the same story in the nearby Brasserie 66 on the capital’s South George’s Street.
Ard Bia in Galway said it was "fully booked" for Saturday night. "People were lovely and the minute the restrictions were lifted they started getting in touch," a spokeswoman said. It was the same story in Cava where there was no availability on Saturday night and a limited number of early and late sittings on Sunday.
It was the same story in Cork City while demand in Kilkenny was equally high.
The general manager of Dublin's Marker Hotel Charlie Sheil said he was looking forward to welcoming diners back this weekend. Safety will remain our priority and we are opening in a very measured fashion," he said.
He said there was “limited availability on Saturday” with most of the tables already taken by hotel guests.
“People are able to come out and sit in safe environment and be looked after by people who are properly trained. Everyone is delighted to be back and we are really looking forward to the next few weeks,” he said.
He added that the hotel was taking bookings for dining in its bars and would also welcome walk-in guests. “I think there are a lot of local people just wanting to get out and have some dinner. It is not going to be like last Decembers but it will be a good month,” he said.
‘No big groups’
The head of the Restaurant Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins was similarly upbeat ahead of what is likely to be the busiest weekend in the hospitality centre for almost a full year.
“This Saturday night was always to be the prime night with all the pent up demand. Restaurants have been closed for six weeks and for longer in Dublin so the demand was always going to be there,” he told The Irish Times.
He pointed out that restaurants would only be able to around two thirds of the diners who they would normally serve and restrict parties to groups of six or less. “There will be no big groups this year but I don’t sense any appetite for office parties people are looking forward to going out with a close circle of friends maybe three times before Christmas.”
He said he had also noted a degree of nervousness. “We want to do the right thing so that we remain open into January and February,” he said.
He pointed out that the sector have been through this before. “This is not our first rodeo and we know we can do this and we can do it safely. When we were open earlier this year staff didn’t get Covid and we know that if everyone does what they are supposed to do and customers adhere to the guidelines we will be okay.”
He suggested that the “finishing line for us is the roll out of the vaccine”. That is when people “can start to get their lives back to normal. This has been traumatic for everyone, people who have lost loved ones, lost jobs and had their world turned upside down. Everyone wants to see the end of it.”


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Portlaoise to get Ireland’s first ‘bottle-to-bottle’ plastic-recycling plant

Ireland ’ s first dedicated “ bottle-to-bottle ” plastic-recycling facility is to open in Portlaoise , Co Laois .
The Panda waste management company will build the centre at a cost of €20 million , and the investment will create up to 100 jobs .
The facility is due to be operational by the end of 2021 and will process up to one billion plastic water and soft drinks bottles a year .
Some 20,000 tonnes of plastic bottles are currently exported to the United Kingdom and Europe for processing .
The plant will have the capacity to serve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to export , according to Beauparc utilities – Panda ’ s owners .
It is in negotiations with major soft drinks manufacturers to collect , sort and process the material into new bottles , Ultimately , many of these bottles will be collected using zero emissions electric vehicles , facilitating a “ closed loop ” recycling process , it said .
On a visit to Panda ’ s recycling facility in Ballymount , Dublin , Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan said the new facility would ensure bottles collected in Ireland would be converted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a win for the environment , a win for jobs , a win for the region and an example of how the green economy can be a source of employment in the future , ” he added .
Through the Government ’ s waste-action plan , a battle was being fought against plastic pollution on a number of fronts , he said , including the introduction of a deposit-and-return scheme and banning many single-use plastic products .
Panda ’ s introduction of an electric-powered waste-collection vehicle to Dublin streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loop ” of the recycling process , Mr Ryan said The truck will be powered by clean solar energy from panels on Panda ’ s roof at its Ballymount base , and “ will not emit any carbon on our roads and will prevent the emission of further carbon in the production of goods by delivering recyclable material to the facility ” .
The use of a fully electric , zero-emission refuse collection vehicle is a first for the municipal waste-and-recycling sector in Ireland .
It is also significantly quieter while operating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on track to have its urban fleet fully electric by 2024 .
The replacement of 30 vehicles in operation within Dublin City would result in a net reduction of 810 tonnes of CO2 per annum , it added .
Last year , the company announced an investment in 45 compressed-natural-gas-fuelled refuse trucks for use in rural areas .
Des Crinion – Beauparc ’ s managing director , recycling – said : “ As a nation we are becoming increasingly aware of the need to improve our performance with regard to sustainability , waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The processing of plastic waste produced in Ireland and its use now to produce new products helps keep precious resources in circular use.
” Panda put in place a plastic-wrap recycling operation earlier this year , part of a three-year strategy towards the goal of recycling all plastic packaging .

Pictured at the announcement in Dublin of Panda’s ‘bottle-to-bottle’ plastic-recycling facility were Des Crinion, managing director, recycling, with Beauparc, and Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan. Photograph: Jason Clarke
Ireland's first dedicated "bottle-to-bottle" plastic-recycling facility is to open in Portlaoise, Co Laois .
The Panda waste management company will build the centre at a cost of €20 million, and the investment will create up to 100 jobs.
The facility is due to be operational by the end of 2021 and will process up to one billion plastic water and soft drinks bottles a year.
Ireland’s first fully electric, zero-emission refuse collection vehicle was unveiled today. Photograph: Jason Clarke
Some 20,000 tonnes of plastic bottles are currently exported to the United Kingdom and Europe for processing. The plant will have the capacity to serve the entire Irish market and eliminate the need to export, according to Beauparc utilities – Panda's owners.
READ MORE
It is in negotiations with major soft drinks manufacturers to collect, sort and process the material into new bottles, Ultimately, many of these bottles will be collected using zero emissions electric vehicles, facilitating a “closed loop” recycling process, it said.
On a visit to Panda's recycling facility in Ballymount, Dublin, Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan said the new facility would ensure bottles collected in Ireland would be converted into new bottles within the country. "It's a win for the environment, a win for jobs, a win for the region and an example of how the green economy can be a source of employment in the future," he added.
Through the Government’s waste-action plan, a battle was being fought against plastic pollution on a number of fronts, he said, including the introduction of a deposit-and-return scheme and banning many single-use plastic products.
Panda’s introduction of an electric-powered waste-collection vehicle to Dublin streets was another step towards “closing the loop” of the recycling process, Mr Ryan said
The truck will be powered by clean solar energy from panels on Panda’s roof at its Ballymount base, and “will not emit any carbon on our roads and will prevent the emission of further carbon in the production of goods by delivering recyclable material to the facility”.
The use of a fully electric, zero-emission refuse collection vehicle is a first for the municipal waste-and-recycling sector in Ireland. It is also significantly quieter while operating in residential areas.
Panda says it is on track to have its urban fleet fully electric by 2024. The replacement of 30 vehicles in operation within Dublin City would result in a net reduction of 810 tonnes of CO2 per annum, it added. Last year, the company announced an investment in 45 compressed-natural-gas-fuelled refuse trucks for use in rural areas.
Des Crinion – Beauparc’s managing director, recycling – said: “As a nation we are becoming increasingly aware of the need to improve our performance with regard to sustainability, waste generation, plastics and the circular economy. The processing of plastic waste produced in Ireland and its use now to produce new products helps keep precious resources in circular use.”
Panda put in place a plastic-wrap recycling operation earlier this year, part of a three-year strategy towards the goal of recycling all plastic packaging.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Man (30s) shot in legs in west Belfast

Man (30s) shot in legs in west Belfast

Detectives in Northern Ireland are appealing for witnesses after a man in his 30s was shot in both legs in @ @ @ @ @ .
The PSNI believe the incident was a suspected paramilitary style assault .
Det Sgt @ @ @ @ @ a report at 8.10pm that a man in his 30s had been shot in both @ @ @ @ @ area of west Belfast .
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of their @ @ @ @ @ continuing and at this stage , we are treating this shooting incident as a paramilitary @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Those responsible for this barbaric act do not represent the interests of @ @ @ @ @ they contribute anything to it .
They do it to try and exert influence , @ @ @ @ @ they claim to represent .
“ An investigation is underway and I would urge anyone @ @ @ @ @ detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1737 of 03/12/20.
” Information can also be given @ @ @ @ @ Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

Detectives in Northern Ireland are appealing for witnesses after a man in his 30s was shot in both legs in west Belfast on Thursday night.
The PSNI believe the incident was a suspected paramilitary style assault.
Det Sgt Sam McCallum said police received a report at 8.10pm that a man in his 30s had been shot in both legs in the Downfine Walk area of west Belfast. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries.
“Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, we are treating this shooting incident as a paramilitary style assault,” he said. “Those responsible for this barbaric act do not represent the interests of this community, nor do they contribute anything to it. They do it to try and exert influence, or gain control of those they claim to represent.
READ MORE
“An investigation is underway and I would urge anyone with any information to call detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1737 of 03/12/20.”
Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


theirishtimes--2020-12-04--Winner of €10.7 million Lotto jackpot yet to come forward, but shop named

The €10.7 million-winning Lotto ticket was sold at a Spar store in Rochestown , Co Cork , the National Lottery has revealed .
The Quick Pick ticket for Wednesday night ’ s draw was bought at the shop in Mount Oval while the ticket-holder has yet to make contact .
Shane Cantillon , owner of the local shop runs the outlet with the help of his brother Mark , father Greg and 30 staff .
Mr Cantillon said he has always promised his staff a “ huge celebration ” if they sold a big-winning lottery ticket and that he intends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted .
The first words the local Cork man said when the National Lottery called him on Thursday night were “ please tell me you ’ re calling to let me know I ’ ve sold the winning ticket ” .
“ My phone lit up last night and to my surprise , the National Lottery number came up .
I was aware the winning Lotto ticket was won in Cork so I knew it could only be one thing – I must have sold the winning ticket , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working in the retail trade will tell you that selling a winning lottery ticket to one of your own customers is the next best thing to winning it yourself .
Working with my entire family in the business makes this win even more special .
“ The ethos of the business is all about being local , supporting local communities and local suppliers and now one of our local customers is worth over €10 million.
” Mr Cantillon owns five shops throughout Cork and another in Carlow .
“ I have always promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we ever sold a winning jackpot ticket , ” he added .
“ Once the end of Covid is in sight , it ’ s going to be a massive celebratory party for all of our 250 employees so I know that will give them something special to look forward to , once restrictions are lifted of course.
” The person purchased the winning ticket on Sunday , November 29th .
The winning numbers were 9 , 12 , 22 , 28 , 35 and 47 .
The bonus number was 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players in Co Cork to check their tickets .

The winning ticket was sold at this Spar shop in Rochestown, Co Cork, but the winner has not come forward yet. Photograph: Google Street.
The €10.7 million-winning Lotto ticket was sold at a Spar store in Rochestown, Co Cork, the National Lottery has revealed.
The Quick Pick ticket for Wednesday night’s draw was bought at the shop in Mount Oval while the ticket-holder has yet to make contact.
Shane Cantillon, owner of the local shop runs the outlet with the help of his brother Mark, father Greg and 30 staff.
Mr Cantillon said he has always promised his staff a “huge celebration” if they sold a big-winning lottery ticket and that he intends to throw a big party for them once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
READ MORE
The first words the local Cork man said when the National Lottery called him on Thursday night were “please tell me you’re calling to let me know I’ve sold the winning ticket”.
“My phone lit up last night and to my surprise, the National Lottery number came up. I was aware the winning Lotto ticket was won in Cork so I knew it could only be one thing – I must have sold the winning ticket,” Mr Cantillon explained.
“Anybody working in the retail trade will tell you that selling a winning lottery ticket to one of your own customers is the next best thing to winning it yourself. Working with my entire family in the business makes this win even more special.
“The ethos of the business is all about being local, supporting local communities and local suppliers and now one of our local customers is worth over €10 million.”
Mr Cantillon owns five shops throughout Cork and another in Carlow.
“I have always promised the staff a huge celebratory night out if we ever sold a winning jackpot ticket,” he added.
“Once the end of Covid is in sight, it’s going to be a massive celebratory party for all of our 250 employees so I know that will give them something special to look forward to, once restrictions are lifted of course.”
The person purchased the winning ticket on Sunday, November 29th. The winning numbers were 9, 12, 22, 28, 35 and 47. The bonus number was 37.
The National Lottery has reminded all players in Co Cork to check their tickets.