theirishtimes--2020-03-22--Irish Cancer Society offers remote counselling during pandemic

The Irish Cancer Society has set up a system of remote counselling during the coronavirus pandemic .
The service is being made available to adults and children who are affected by cancer but who can not access face-to-face counselling due to coronavirus containment measures .
The society has developed a new model to ensure that those who are unable to access face-to-face support will still be able to get the help they need .
The organisation said it is doing everything it can to support cancer patients and survivors , with those who are immunosuppressed due to active cancer treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Irish Cancer Society Donal Buggy said counselling was an important tool for all cancer patients and their loved ones as they live with and beyond cancer .
“ With many people now unable to access their usual counselling supports , we have developed this new model to ensure people can get help as they need it.
” The service is available to all people diagnosed with cancer , their carers and their loved ones .
It is available for children through a play therapy model , and for teenagers using appropriately trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels they need counselling support can contact our Cancer Nurseline and , if the service is suitable for their needs , they will then be linked in with an accredited , experienced counsellor , ” Mr Buggy said .
“ We understand that this is an especially worrying time for those affected by cancer and their families .
Our Cancer Nurseline is also available to provide support , information and advice.
” The Nurseline ( Freephone 1800 200 700 ) is available from 9am to 8pm , Monday to Thursday ; and 9am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People can also email cancernurseline @ irishcancer.ie .
The society said it is aware the current situation could be a cause of anxiety and fear to patients who may be finished treatment and are unsure how this affects them .
Specific information on coronavirus for these groups and their close contacts , detailing precautions and what to do in cases of infection , is available at Cancer.ie/Coronavirus .
The information is being constantly updated in line with latest developments , the society said .

Counselling is an important tool for all cancer patients and their loved ones, says Irish Cancer Society’s Donal Buggy. Photograph: Alan Betson
The Irish Cancer Society has set up a system of remote counselling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The service is being made available to adults and children who are affected by cancer but who cannot access face-to-face counselling due to coronavirus containment measures.
The society has developed a new model to ensure that those who are unable to access face-to-face support will still be able to get the help they need.
The organisation said it is doing everything it can to support cancer patients and survivors, with those who are immunosuppressed due to active cancer treatment being prioritised.
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Head of services with the Irish Cancer Society Donal Buggy said counselling was an important tool for all cancer patients and their loved ones as they live with and beyond cancer.
Cancer community
“With many people now unable to access their usual counselling supports, we have developed this new model to ensure people can get help as they need it.”
The service is available to all people diagnosed with cancer, their carers and their loved ones. It is available for children through a play therapy model, and for teenagers using appropriately trained and vetted practitioners.
“Anyone who feels they need counselling support can contact our Cancer Nurseline and, if the service is suitable for their needs, they will then be linked in with an accredited, experienced counsellor,” Mr Buggy said.
“We understand that this is an especially worrying time for those affected by cancer and their families. Our Cancer Nurseline is also available to provide support, information and advice.”
Anxiety and fear
The Nurseline (Freephone 1800 200 700) is available from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Thursday; and 9am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday. People can also email cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie.
The society said it is aware the current situation could be a cause of anxiety and fear to patients who may be finished treatment and are unsure how this affects them.
Specific information on coronavirus for these groups and their close contacts, detailing precautions and what to do in cases of infection, is available at Cancer.ie/Coronavirus.
The information is being constantly updated in line with latest developments, the society said.


theirishtimes--2020-03-22--Big catch: Fresh fish handed out free to locals in West Cork

Hundreds of bags of fresh haddock and hake were given away for free on Saturday by West Cork fishermen , whose operations have been brought to a halt by the effect of the coronavirus .
Fish landings at Castletownbere have completely stopped as local trawlers have tied up in ports , following the collapse of markets in Italy , Spain and France over the last week .
The fish was given away from a makeshift stall outside the local Downey ’ s SuperValu , with people arriving in cars to take advantage of the free offering .
“ We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said shop owner Chris Downey .
“ Anything we can do to support our local community , who are struggling now , we will.
” “ We ’ ve organised that the elderly in our community will be able to get the fish first , ” said Damien Turner , the chair of the Irish South and West Fish Producers ’ Organisation ( ISWFPO ) .
“ A lot of people have lost their jobs and if this fish provides an extra meal for families that are struggling right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Markets held in Italy , France and Spain by the Castletownbere Fishermen ’ s Co-Op , worth more than €60 million annually , have collapsed in the wake of closure orders .
“ Every restaurant , hotel and bar is closed and Italy , France and Spain are in virtual lockdown , ” said the co-operative ’ s manager , John Nolan .
“ The market has collapsed , and this is happening to every fishing community right round our coastline .
Right now we can ’ t keep a fishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our fish , ” he added .
However , the decision to stay in port will not impact on domestic supplies .
“ [ Once ] we know what is needed for the home market we will be able to send boats to sea , ” Mr Nolan said .
“ We can ’ t send the entire fleet as the home market for us here in Castletownbere is just over 5 per cent of our total exports to the continent each year .
“ Our fishermen and the communities need supports now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next few weeks or months , ” he said .
The export collapse has proven disastrous for the fishermen , who were unable to go sea for most of the last few months because of storms and bad weather , said Mr Turner .
“ Then when we can go to sea , we are hit by the coronavirus and the collapse in markets .
We need support to keep fishermen going and to support the supply chains .
”

Trawler skipper Damien Turner hands out bags of fresh fish at Castletownbere with Chris Downey, owner-manager of SuperValu. Photograph: Anne Marie Cronin
Hundreds of bags of fresh haddock and hake were given away for free on Saturday by West Cork fishermen, whose operations have been brought to a halt by the effect of the coronavirus.
Fish landings at Castletownbere have completely stopped as local trawlers have tied up in ports, following the collapse of markets in Italy, Spain and France over the last week.
The fish was given away from a makeshift stall outside the local Downey’s SuperValu, with people arriving in cars to take advantage of the free offering.
“We were of course extremely mindful of social distancing,” said shop owner Chris Downey. “Anything we can do to support our local community, who are struggling now, we will.”
READ MORE
"We've organised that the elderly in our community will be able to get the fish first," said Damien Turner, the chair of the Irish South and West Fish Producers' Organisation (ISWFPO).
“A lot of people have lost their jobs and if this fish provides an extra meal for families that are struggling right now, then all the better,” he said.
Closure orders
Markets held in Italy, France and Spain by the Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-Op, worth more than €60 million annually, have collapsed in the wake of closure orders.
"Every restaurant, hotel and bar is closed and Italy, France and Spain are in virtual lockdown," said the co-operative's manager, John Nolan.
“The market has collapsed, and this is happening to every fishing community right round our coastline. Right now we can’t keep a fishing fleet at sea without a market for our fish,” he added.
Our fishermen and the communities need supports now as we face into the unknown
However, the decision to stay in port will not impact on domestic supplies. “[Once] we know what is needed for the home market we will be able to send boats to sea,” Mr Nolan said.
“We can’t send the entire fleet as the home market for us here in Castletownbere is just over 5 per cent of our total exports to the continent each year.
“Our fishermen and the communities need supports now as we face into the unknown over the next few weeks or months,” he said.
The export collapse has proven disastrous for the fishermen, who were unable to go sea for most of the last few months because of storms and bad weather, said Mr Turner.
“Then when we can go to sea, we are hit by the coronavirus and the collapse in markets. We need support to keep fishermen going and to support the supply chains.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-22--Coronavirus: Irish Government is open to help from China, says Tánaiste

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has denied the Government is failing to take help offered by the Chinese government and said €200 million will be spent on personal protective equipment from that country .
“ Just to give you an example of what we ’ re doing with China , and by the way we ’ re working with lots of other countries at the moment , but in terms of China , we have a contract now to spend over €200 million on personal protective equipment that ’ s going to come from China , ” Mr Coveney said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re going to fly flights between Ireland and China to bring that equipment here in the coming weeks .
“ We ’ re close to an agreement to get 100,000 test swabs from China a week for the weeks that are coming up .
Yesterday I had a long conversation with Chinese Ambassador .
I ’ m likely to have a phone call with my counterpart , the Chinese foreign minister , in the next 48 hours in terms of what else China may be able to do as a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
And as a country that has huge resources that can help us .
“ So I can promise you this : pride isn ’ t going to get in the way of Ireland seeking help from abroad , if and when we need that .
But of course that is going to be on the advice of Paul Reid [ the HSE chief executive ] and the CMO and others who are putting our health response and logistics in place to effectively double the size of our health service in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coveney also said the government will introduce a significant financial package next week for those who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus-related disruption and others at risk of becoming unemployed .
The Government had previously set aside €3 billion in emergency funding to deal with the fallout from the pandemic but now accepts this is insufficient .
There have been 785 confirmed cases and three deaths so far from the virus .
The initial €3 billion in funding was allocated to boost sick pay for workers impacted by the virus , fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses .
It also provided for a €203 weekly payment for employees and self-employed people who have lost their jobs or had hours cut .
The Government said that 58,000 people had already claimed the payment by Wednesday , just three days after its introduction following the closure of schools , childcare facilities and pubs .
A huge number of restaurants and retailers followed suit voluntarily .
An estimated 140,000 people have lost their jobs with fears that up to 400,000 could be out of work shortly , due to the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donohoe has said that for many people the €203 per week pandemic unemployment payment is not enough “ and we need to consider that , but we need to do something really quickly for those at risk of losing their jobs ” .
Ministers were working on changes to the payment over the weekend .
Other European countries like Britain and Denmark have moved to pay up to 80 per cent of the wages of staff who have either lost or are at risk of losing income as a result of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government are going to introduce a significant and supportive economic package in the coming days that will go well beyond what we have announced to date , ” Mr Coveney on RTÉ ’ s This Week programme on Sunday .
“ That will treat everybody equally , so in other words we are not going to separate the people who have lost their jobs to date from the people who may lose their jobs next week ... We want to do something that provides , if you like , a guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country.
” Mr Coveney also said any decision to further tighten restrictions on the movement of people to deal with the coronavirus crisis will be taken on foot of medical advice and not political pressure .
Mr Coveney said tighter restrictions will be imposed if required and based on advice by the chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan .
The Tánaiste ’ s comments on RTÉ ’ s This Week programme come after Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said workplaces where people can not adequately practice social distancing should close .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make “ make decisions on the basis of political pressure ” but “ on the basis of informed medical advice ” .
“ If it is necessary in the days and weeks ahead to tighten the restrictions , we will do that and we will do that immediately on the advice of the CMO , ” Mr Coveney said .
Ms McDonald had earlier told Newstalk radio that the situation some workers find themselves in poses a “ dilemma ” which needs to resolved.
” - Additional reporting : Reuters

Tánaiste Simon Coveney with Minister for Health Simon Harris. Mr Coveney has said more funding will be available for those affected by the coronavirus outbreak in Ireland. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has denied the Government is failing to take help offered by the Chinese government and said €200 million will be spent on personal protective equipment from that country.
"Just to give you an example of what we're doing with China, and by the way we're working with lots of other countries at the moment, but in terms of China, we have a contract now to spend over €200 million on personal protective equipment that's going to come from China," Mr Coveney said. "Aer Lingus have been hugely helpful. They're going to fly flights between Ireland and China to bring that equipment here in the coming weeks.
“We’re close to an agreement to get 100,000 test swabs from China a week for the weeks that are coming up. Yesterday I had a long conversation with Chinese Ambassador. I’m likely to have a phone call with my counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister, in the next 48 hours in terms of what else China may be able to do as a country that understands this virus better than anybody else. And as a country that has huge resources that can help us.
"So I can promise you this: pride isn't going to get in the way of Ireland seeking help from abroad, if and when we need that. But of course that is going to be on the advice of Paul Reid [the HSE chief executive] and the CMO and others who are putting our health response and logistics in place to effectively double the size of our health service in the space of a few weeks."
READ MORE
New funding
Mr Coveney also said the government will introduce a significant financial package next week for those who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus-related disruption and others at risk of becoming unemployed.
The Government had previously set aside €3 billion in emergency funding to deal with the fallout from the pandemic but now accepts this is insufficient.
There have been 785 confirmed cases and three deaths so far from the virus.
The initial €3 billion in funding was allocated to boost sick pay for workers impacted by the virus, fund the health service and offer assistance to businesses.
It also provided for a €203 weekly payment for employees and self-employed people who have lost their jobs or had hours cut.
The Government said that 58,000 people had already claimed the payment by Wednesday, just three days after its introduction following the closure of schools, childcare facilities and pubs. A huge number of restaurants and retailers followed suit voluntarily. An estimated 140,000 people have lost their jobs with fears that up to 400,000 could be out of work shortly, due to the impact of the crisis.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said that for many people the €203 per week pandemic unemployment payment is not enough "and we need to consider that, but we need to do something really quickly for those at risk of losing their jobs".
Ministers were working on changes to the payment over the weekend.
Other European countries like Britain and Denmark have moved to pay up to 80 per cent of the wages of staff who have either lost or are at risk of losing income as a result of the pandemic.
“I want to reassure people that the government are going to introduce a significant and supportive economic package in the coming days that will go well beyond what we have announced to date,” Mr Coveney on RTÉ’s This Week programme on Sunday.
“That will treat everybody equally, so in other words we are not going to separate the people who have lost their jobs to date from the people who may lose their jobs next week ... We want to do something that provides, if you like, a guaranteed level of income for everybody across the country.”
Further restrictions
Mr Coveney also said any decision to further tighten restrictions on the movement of people to deal with the coronavirus crisis will be taken on foot of medical advice and not political pressure.
Mr Coveney said tighter restrictions will be imposed if required and based on advice by the chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan.
The Tánaiste’s comments on RTÉ’s This Week programme come after Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said workplaces where people cannot adequately practice social distancing should close.
Mr Coveney said the Government will not make “make decisions on the basis of political pressure” but “on the basis of informed medical advice”.
“If it is necessary in the days and weeks ahead to tighten the restrictions, we will do that and we will do that immediately on the advice of the CMO,” Mr Coveney said.
Ms McDonald had earlier told Newstalk radio that the situation some workers find themselves in poses a “dilemma” which needs to resolved.” - Additional reporting: Reuters


theirishtimes--2020-03-22--About 40,000 people waiting up to five days for a test

There are now about 40,000 people in Ireland waiting for a test for the coronavirus , the HSE has said .
At a briefing on Sunday the HSE ’ s chief operations officer , Anne O ’ Connor , said the average waiting period for a test was four to five days .
However , she said the HSE had accelerated the provision of testing sites and was looking to reduce the waiting period over coming days .
There are 35 testing sites but by Tuesday this is expected to rise to 41 .
The largest of these , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 tests a day could be provided , opened on Sunday .
The LE Samuel Beckett navy vessel is now also being used as a testing site in Dublin .
In total , the HSE is looking at providing up to 50 testing centres across the State .
About 13,000 people have already been tested for the coronavirus .
Overall , Ms O ’ Connor said there were now 177 people in hospital with Covid-19 .
She said this had increased from 151 on Saturday morning .
There are 29 people in intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital system to deal with growing numbers of patients with Covid-19 , she added , with 2,243 vacant beds at present including 173 ICU beds .
On foot of concerns raised by doctors about a shortage of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for use when dealing with patients with Covid-19 , HSE chief executive Paul Reid said the health service had “ a good stock overall ” .
He said in the past week or so in some particular areas and hospitals “ things ran tighter ” than in others and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-distribution ” .
“ We have been working in a very difficult market and have been securing significant orders , including one for more than €200 million in China .
” He said orders for PPE would include 11 million masks , one million goggles , 400,000 gowns and suits .
Supplies of new PPE would be air freighted to Ireland , the HSE chief said .
Mr Reid said the HSE was working with the private hospital sector and , overall , there would now be a capacity of about 500 intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators was continuing .
“ We ’ ve already secured 300 and a further 1,000 will be delivered over the coming weeks.
” The pandemic would place the Irish health service under stress “ like we ’ ve never known before ” over the coming weeks , he added .
The scale of the problem would put the regular winter overcrowding experienced in Irish hospitals “ into context ” .
However , he said the health service was planning for what was to come .
The HSE is looking to establish 10,000 extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are less acutely sick can be cared for without visiting a hospital .
Specialist in public health medicine Dr Sarah Doyle said an increase in the level of testing for the coronavirus would inevitably lead to a rise in the number of confirmed cases .
She said the health service wanted to find these cases so contact tracing of others who may have been infected could be carried out .
Mr Reid said the scale of contact tracing would increase significantly with more than 1,000 people involved in the process shortly .
Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 virus were still low but this was increasing .
She said there were no plans to introduce testing for people who had no symptoms or randomised testing .
Asked about reports of a cluster of positive cases at a nursing home , the HSE said outbreaks of infectious diseases in nursing homes were not uncommon and staff were used to dealing with this issue .
However , the scale and numbers would be extremely challenging .
The HSE has asked the media not to identify any nursing homes concerned .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 50,000 people who put their names forward to work in the health service to deal with the coronavirus outbreak .
It said about 1,500 nurses had said they were currently not working in the Irish health system and they were the priority ( to recruit ) as were the 1,000 doctors who had volunteered including 200 not currently in the Irish system .
It said about 400 ambulance personnel had put their names forward too .

There are now about 40,000 people in Ireland waiting for a test for the coronavirus, the HSE has said.
At a briefing on Sunday the HSE’s chief operations officer, Anne O’Connor, said the average waiting period for a test was four to five days.
However, she said the HSE had accelerated the provision of testing sites and was looking to reduce the waiting period over coming days. There are 35 testing sites but by Tuesday this is expected to rise to 41. The largest of these, at Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh where 1,000 tests a day could be provided, opened on Sunday. The LE Samuel Beckett navy vessel is now also being used as a testing site in Dublin.
In total, the HSE is looking at providing up to 50 testing centres across the State.
READ MORE
About 13,000 people have already been tested for the coronavirus. Overall, Ms O’Connor said there were now 177 people in hospital with Covid-19. She said this had increased from 151 on Saturday morning. There are 29 people in intensive care units.
There was capacity in the hospital system to deal with growing numbers of patients with Covid-19, she added, with 2,243 vacant beds at present including 173 ICU beds.
On foot of concerns raised by doctors about a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use when dealing with patients with Covid-19, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said the health service had "a good stock overall".
He said in the past week or so in some particular areas and hospitals “things ran tighter” than in others and “we have been looking at some re-distribution”.
"We have been working in a very difficult market and have been securing significant orders, including one for more than €200 million in China. "
He said orders for PPE would include 11 million masks, one million goggles, 400,000 gowns and suits.
Supplies of new PPE would be air freighted to Ireland, the HSE chief said.
Private sector
Mr Reid said the HSE was working with the private hospital sector and, overall, there would now be a capacity of about 500 intensive care beds.
He said procurement of ventilators was continuing. “We’ve already secured 300 and a further 1,000 will be delivered over the coming weeks.”
The pandemic would place the Irish health service under stress “like we’ve never known before” over the coming weeks, he added. The scale of the problem would put the regular winter overcrowding experienced in Irish hospitals “into context”.
However, he said the health service was planning for what was to come.
The HSE is looking to establish 10,000 extra beds including field hospitals where those who are less acutely sick can be cared for without visiting a hospital.
Specialist in public health medicine Dr Sarah Doyle said an increase in the level of testing for the coronavirus would inevitably lead to a rise in the number of confirmed cases. She said the health service wanted to find these cases so contact tracing of others who may have been infected could be carried out.
Mr Reid said the scale of contact tracing would increase significantly with more than 1,000 people involved in the process shortly.
Dr Doyle said the chances of someone contracting the Covid-19 virus were still low but this was increasing.
She said there were no plans to introduce testing for people who had no symptoms or randomised testing.
Asked about reports of a cluster of positive cases at a nursing home, the HSE said outbreaks of infectious diseases in nursing homes were not uncommon and staff were used to dealing with this issue. However, the scale and numbers would be extremely challenging.
The HSE has asked the media not to identify any nursing homes concerned.
Meanwhile, the HSE has begun interviewing some of the 50,000 people who put their names forward to work in the health service to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. It said about 1,500 nurses had said they were currently not working in the Irish health system and they were the priority (to recruit) as were the 1,000 doctors who had volunteered including 200 not currently in the Irish system.
It said about 400 ambulance personnel had put their names forward too.


theirishtimes--2020-03-22--Ireland will soon decide on more coronavirus restrictions, academic says

Ireland will have to make a decision on moving to a more restrictive stage of lockdown in coming days given rising cases of coronavirus , according to Prof Liam Glynn of the University of Limerick ( UL ) .
This includes cocooning older people and those vulnerable to the virus because of pre-existing conditions .
The moves are critical to sending a message “ we need to get really serious about this now , because this is coming ” , he believed .
On whether to proceed to lockdown , where only essential services are allowed to continue operations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
It is further complicated because it will be a week to 10 days before it is known whether effective and necessary shutdown measures already in place are flattening the curve of cases , added the UL professor of general practice .
“ The risk is if we wait until then , it could be a problem , ” he said .
He had huge sympathy for those who have to make that national decision , who were very bright people and handling the crisis very well .
His feeling was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to make this decision ” .
There had been big increases in recent days because of increased testing , while a lot had not got their results and many were waiting to be tested – though capacity for testing was being increased more and more .
On the issue of appropriate social distancing , Prof Glynn said it was not a yes/no scenario , it involved a massive spectrum of behaviour .
“ We need most people to be on the hard end of that .
We definitely need to be cocooning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A great many of those had already taken the decision themselves to self-isolate , he noted .
In his opinion , there should be lockdown at least for the most vulnerable in society combined with more restrictions on the rest of the population .
“ Some groups are still not taking the action they should be , ” he said .
By keeping within family units in the home , the virus may be circulating but not going anywhere , explained Prof Glynn , who also runs a GP practice in west Clare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was already very evident in the community .
On the low Covid-19 death rate in Ireland compared to other countries , he said it was a welcome difference but it was important not to read too much into it at this point as “ there are really wide confidence intervals on it .
.
.
It will take time to indicate if we are an outlier.
” Prof Glynn stressed : “ The big bold steps taken [ up to now ] by Government will have an effect , the question is ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Mike O ’ Callaghan , he has been doing daily analysis on Irish cases through # CovidWatch on twitter and issuing short public health messages .
On the latest case numbers , they tweeted ( on Sunday ) : “ Many tests and test results still outstanding so too early to tell if we have # FlattenTheCurve .
On mother ’ s day ( Big shout out to all mums in the frontline ! )
and every day # SocialDistancing will saves.
” On Saturday , they remarked : “ Cases increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our deaths very low SO FAR .
# socialdistancing will save lives in your community ... act now !
” Meanwhile leading immunologist Prof Luke O ’ Neill , who is based in Trinity College Dublin , underlined at the weekend the need to confine people in their homes .
“ Latest science says you HAVE to stay home .
60 per cent of infections now estimated from people with NO symptoms .
1 in 3 people have no symptoms but are infectious .
It hasn ’ t hit yours lungs but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or simply breath it out .
Stay home , ” he tweeted .

Liz Connor and her daughters Ellen (8) and Grace (6) wear protective facemasks as they go for a walk to celebrate Mother’s Day in Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Ireland will have to make a decision on moving to a more restrictive stage of lockdown in coming days given rising cases of coronavirus, according to Prof Liam Glynn of the University of Limerick (UL).
This includes cocooning older people and those vulnerable to the virus because of pre-existing conditions.
The moves are critical to sending a message “we need to get really serious about this now, because this is coming”, he believed. On whether to proceed to lockdown, where only essential services are allowed to continue operations, was the million dollar question, he said.
It is further complicated because it will be a week to 10 days before it is known whether effective and necessary shutdown measures already in place are flattening the curve of cases, added the UL professor of general practice.
READ MORE
“The risk is if we wait until then, it could be a problem,” he said. He had huge sympathy for those who have to make that national decision, who were very bright people and handling the crisis very well.
His feeling was “they are not going to wait 10 days to make this decision”. There had been big increases in recent days because of increased testing, while a lot had not got their results and many were waiting to be tested – though capacity for testing was being increased more and more.
Appropriate distancing
On the issue of appropriate social distancing, Prof Glynn said it was not a yes/no scenario, it involved a massive spectrum of behaviour. “We need most people to be on the hard end of that. We definitely need to be cocooning our elderly and vulnerable people”.
A great many of those had already taken the decision themselves to self-isolate, he noted. In his opinion, there should be lockdown at least for the most vulnerable in society combined with more restrictions on the rest of the population. “Some groups are still not taking the action they should be,” he said.
By keeping within family units in the home, the virus may be circulating but not going anywhere, explained Prof Glynn, who also runs a GP practice in west Clare, where the coronavirus “storm” was already very evident in the community.
On the low Covid-19 death rate in Ireland compared to other countries, he said it was a welcome difference but it was important not to read too much into it at this point as “there are really wide confidence intervals on it . . . It will take time to indicate if we are an outlier.”
Prof Glynn stressed: “The big bold steps taken [up to now] by Government will have an effect, the question is ‘How much?’”
#CovidWatch
With colleague Dr Mike O'Callaghan, he has been doing daily analysis on Irish cases through #CovidWatch on twitter and issuing short public health messages.
On the latest case numbers, they tweeted (on Sunday): “Many tests and test results still outstanding so too early to tell if we have #FlattenTheCurve. On mother’s day (Big shout out to all mums in the frontline!) and every day #SocialDistancing will saves.”
On Saturday, they remarked: “Cases increasing (due to more testing) but our deaths very low SO FAR. #socialdistancing will save lives in your community...act now!”
Meanwhile leading immunologist Prof Luke O'Neill, who is based in Trinity College Dublin, underlined at the weekend the need to confine people in their homes. "Latest science says you HAVE to stay home. 60 per cent of infections now estimated from people with NO symptoms. 1 in 3 people have no symptoms but are infectious. It hasn't hit yours lungs but it's in your throat u cough or simply breath it out. Stay home," he tweeted.


theirishtimes--2020-03-22--Man (51) arrested on suspicion of ‘brutal murder’ in Co Antrim

A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the “ brutal murder ” of a man in Co Antrim @ @ @ @ @ Insp Peter Montgomery said 67-year-old Inayat Shah died from injuries sustained in an incident on @ @ @ @ @ at about 3.30pm .
“ My investigation into this brutal murder is ongoing , ” @ @ @ @ @ , “ and I continue to appeal for anyone who was on Galgorm Road yesterday @ @ @ @ @ incident or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact detectives @ @ @ @ @ keen to speak with anyone who was driving on the Galgorm Road in the area @ @ @ @ @ the bus station between 3.30pm and 3.45pm and who has dash cam or mobile phone @ @ @ @ @ with detectives at the Incident Room in Ballymena PSNI Station on 101 quoting reference 863 @ @ @

PSNI is appealing appeal for anyone who was on Galgorm Road Saturday afternoon and who witnessed the incident to contact them
A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the "brutal murder" of a man in Co Antrim on Saturday.
Det Chief Insp Peter Montgomery said 67-year-old Inayat Shah died from injuries sustained in an incident on the Galgorm Road in Ballymena at about 3.30pm.
The 51-year-old remains in police custody.
“My investigation into this brutal murder is ongoing,” said Det Chief Insp Montgomery, “and I continue to appeal for anyone who was on Galgorm Road yesterday afternoon and who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact detectives.
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“I am particularly keen to speak with anyone who was driving on the Galgorm Road in the area of the PSNI station or the bus station between 3.30pm and 3.45pm and who has dash cam or mobile phone footage to get in touch with detectives at the Incident Room in Ballymena PSNI Station on 101 quoting reference 863 21/03/20.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-22--Five motorists fined for dangerously overtaking cyclists

Five drivers have been punished under laws introduced last year to combat dangerous overtaking of cyclists .
Since November drivers caught “ endangering or causing inconvenience ” to a cyclist while overtaking or attempting to overtake them face fines of €120 and three penalty points .
Up to the middle of this month , five “ fixed charge notices ” have been issued to drivers for putting cyclists at risk while overtaking them .
Earlier last year a proposed law to set a minimum passing distance for drivers overtaking cyclists was scrapped after the Attorney General raised concerns .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass a cyclist closer than 1m on roads with a speed limit under 50km/h and within 1.5m on roads with a limit of 50km/h or higher .
Attorney General Séamus Woulfe expressed reservations about the enforceability of such legislation .
His concerns were understood to centre around the difficulty in measuring such a distance for the purposes of prosecuting motorists .
Minister for Transport Shane Ross last year said he was introducing the new dangerous overtaking laws because of the “ frankly terrifying tales ” cyclists told him of “ intimidatingly close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Cyclists are vulnerable and we are determined that they will be protected and they will be protected more than they ever have been before by this measure.
” Dangerous overtaking in general was already a fixed penalty offence attracting three penalty points ; however , the fine was lower at €80 .
In the same period that the five drivers were fined for dangerously overtaking cyclists , 14 motorists have received fixed charge notices for general dangerous overtaking .
Separately , at least two convictions were secured last year against motorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other for careless driving – where video evidence supplied by cyclists was instrumental .
In one case a van driver was fined €250 after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving .
Video footage had been entered into evidence of a driver endangering a cyclist by passing too close .
In a second case , a driver was convicted of careless driving and fined €750 after a cyclist supplied footage of a van travelling towards him on his side of the road as it overtook another van .
The Road Safety Authority ( RSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain minimum passing distances of 1m on roads with a speed limit under 50km/h and within 1.5m on roads with a limit of 50km/h or higher .

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has an ongoing campaign recommending motorists maintain minimum passing distances of 1m on roads with a speed limit under 50km/h and within 1.5m on roads with a limit of 50km/h or higher. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Five drivers have been punished under laws introduced last year to combat dangerous overtaking of cyclists.
Since November drivers caught “endangering or causing inconvenience” to a cyclist while overtaking or attempting to overtake them face fines of €120 and three penalty points.
Up to the middle of this month, five “fixed charge notices” have been issued to drivers for putting cyclists at risk while overtaking them.
Earlier last year a proposed law to set a minimum passing distance for drivers overtaking cyclists was scrapped after the Attorney General raised concerns. The proposal would have made it an offence to pass a cyclist closer than 1m on roads with a speed limit under 50km/h and within 1.5m on roads with a limit of 50km/h or higher.
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Attorney General Séamus Woulfe expressed reservations about the enforceability of such legislation. His concerns were understood to centre around the difficulty in measuring such a distance for the purposes of prosecuting motorists.
‘Terrifying’
Minister for Transport Shane Ross last year said he was introducing the new dangerous overtaking laws because of the "frankly terrifying tales" cyclists told him of "intimidatingly close passes and near misses" by drivers.
“Cyclists are vulnerable and we are determined that they will be protected and they will be protected more than they ever have been before by this measure.”
Dangerous overtaking in general was already a fixed penalty offence attracting three penalty points; however, the fine was lower at €80.
In the same period that the five drivers were fined for dangerously overtaking cyclists, 14 motorists have received fixed charge notices for general dangerous overtaking.
Separately, at least two convictions were secured last year against motorists – one for dangerous driving and the other for careless driving – where video evidence supplied by cyclists was instrumental.
In one case a van driver was fined €250 after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. Video footage had been entered into evidence of a driver endangering a cyclist by passing too close. In a second case, a driver was convicted of careless driving and fined €750 after a cyclist supplied footage of a van travelling towards him on his side of the road as it overtook another van.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has an ongoing campaign recommending motorists maintain minimum passing distances of 1m on roads with a speed limit under 50km/h and within 1.5m on roads with a limit of 50km/h or higher.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--‘Am I worried about coronavirus? Nah. I just got engaged’

The man behind me in the British Airways queue to board the Johannesburg-Heathrow flight on Saturday evening was shouting .
“ Stop talking !
” he was repeatedly yelling at the young man behind him , who was talking on his mobile .
“ I am ordering you to stop talking !
” “ I ’ m allowed to talk , ” the guy on the phone responded , bewildered .
“ Not when you ’ re breathing all over me !
” the man behind me bellowed .
There was a jumpy , weird atmosphere in Johannesburg ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , Africa ’ s busiest .
I discovered only when I landed there that the airport was now closed to all but transit passengers .
I had gone out to visit friends in Zimbabwe some days before everything started to close down in Ireland ; a trip I cut short when it became evident that borders were closing around the world , and airlines curtailing flights .
It took most of a day to move my flight forward by five days ; the soonest I could change it to .
When one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabriel Mugabe Airport in Harare on Saturday , he was taken aback to spot several people he knew ; all of them repatriating .
The British embassy and the UK ’ s Department for International Development ( DFID ) had announced two days earlier they were withdrawing all non-essential staff , as had other embassies and NGOs .
For now , my friends , one of whom works for an NGO doing much-needed public health work , are staying .
Tanya Zebroff , who works for the DFID , was leaving , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 17 ) .
They had had 48 hours notice to pack up and leave for Vancouver after 2½ years in Harare .
All three were wearing masks personalised with colourful cartoon features .
“ My daughter ’ s best friend came round at 7am to decorate them .
It was her way of saying goodbye to us , ” she said .
Zebroff will be working remotely from Canada , as best she can , given she ’ ll be at other side of the world from her base office .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in Zimbabwe , although the unofficial consensus , due to lack of testing , was that the true number was far higher .
“ The biggest concern about the spread of coronovirus here in Africa is the lack of a functioning health service , ” Zebroff said .
At Johannesburg , everyone who disembarked had their temperature taken .
A hand-held gadget was held to my forehead , and I was allowed pass .
Staff at passport control were wearing gloves and masks .
The shops were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My hands were sprayed with sanitiser by a staff member before I was allowed enter one of the two cafes open .
John Goodaker , a logistics consultant who lives in Ballyjamesduff , Co Cavan , was travelling back to Ireland en route from Lusaka .
“ I came out to Lusaka to get engaged to my Zambian girlfriend .
My intention is to come out and live here , ” he said .
“ I rented a 50-seater boat for a cruise on the Zambezi river , opened the champagne , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” However , Goodaker then discovered his return flight with South African Airlines had been cancelled .
His long journey back to Ireland involved a circuitous self-booked route from Lusaka to Nairobi , then Johannesburg .
He still had flights to London and Dublin ahead of him .
“ Am I worried about coronavirus ?
Nah .
I just got engaged .
My only worry was she wouldn ’ t say yes.
” Utah-based couple , Dave Atkinson and Raynette Williams , only heard about the spread of coronovirus and cancellation of flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where there was no connectivity .
“ We had been due to go on a 29-day cruise from Cape Town to Singapore .
We ’ ve now rebooked flights home three times as various airlines stop flying , ” Atkinson said .
My evening flight to London was full ; on the way out , this leg had been less than half full .
“ Everyone is trying to get out before it ’ s too late , ” a woman on the phone in the seat in front of me said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday morning , I was disconcerted to see many fellow passengers in disposable white suits with hoods , masks and gloves .
All the sit-down food outlets were closed , with only a couple of takeaway counters operating .
The shops were closed .
My scheduled flight to Dublin was cancelled .
“ Not enough passengers , ” I was told .
On the later flight , the plane was less than a fifth full .
At a virtually deserted Dublin Airport , my phone beeped .
“ You have no idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the text read .

The man behind me in the British Airways queue to board the Johannesburg-Heathrow flight on Saturday evening was shouting. "Stop talking!" he was repeatedly yelling at the young man behind him, who was talking on his mobile. "I am ordering you to stop talking!"
“I’m allowed to talk,” the guy on the phone responded, bewildered.
“Not when you’re breathing all over me!” the man behind me bellowed.
There was a jumpy, weird atmosphere in Johannesburg's eerily empty ORTambo airport; in normal times, Africa's busiest. I discovered only when I landed there that the airport was now closed to all but transit passengers. I had gone out to visit friends in Zimbabwe some days before everything started to close down in Ireland; a trip I cut short when it became evident that borders were closing around the world, and airlines curtailing flights.
READ MORE
It took most of a day to move my flight forward by five days; the soonest I could change it to. When one of my friends dropped me to Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport in Harare on Saturday, he was taken aback to spot several people he knew; all of them repatriating.
The British embassy and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) had announced two days earlier they were withdrawing all non-essential staff, as had other embassies and NGOs. For now, my friends, one of whom works for an NGO doing much-needed public health work, are staying.
Tanya Zebroff, who works for the DFID, was leaving, along with her husband Mark and daughter Tashia (17). They had had 48 hours notice to pack up and leave for Vancouver after 2½ years in Harare. All three were wearing masks personalised with colourful cartoon features. “My daughter’s best friend came round at 7am to decorate them. It was her way of saying goodbye to us,” she said.
Zebroff will be working remotely from Canada, as best she can, given she'll be at other side of the world from her base office. By the time we were leaving, three cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in Zimbabwe, although the unofficial consensus, due to lack of testing, was that the true number was far higher. "The biggest concern about the spread of coronovirus here in Africa is the lack of a functioning health service," Zebroff said.
Gloves and masks
At Johannesburg, everyone who disembarked had their temperature taken. A hand-held gadget was held to my forehead, and I was allowed pass. Staff at passport control were wearing gloves and masks. The shops were open, although customers were few. My hands were sprayed with sanitiser by a staff member before I was allowed enter one of the two cafes open.
John Goodaker, a logistics consultant who lives in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, was travelling back to Ireland en route from Lusaka. "I came out to Lusaka to get engaged to my Zambian girlfriend. My intention is to come out and live here," he said. "I rented a 50-seater boat for a cruise on the Zambezi river, opened the champagne, and proposed to her. She said yes."
However, Goodaker then discovered his return flight with South African Airlines had been cancelled. His long journey back to Ireland involved a circuitous self-booked route from Lusaka to Nairobi, then Johannesburg. He still had flights to London and Dublin ahead of him. "Am I worried about coronavirus? Nah. I just got engaged. My only worry was she wouldn't say yes."
Utah-based couple, Dave Atkinson and Raynette Williams, only heard about the spread of coronovirus and cancellation of flights when they emerged from safari in Botswana, where there was no connectivity. "We had been due to go on a 29-day cruise from Cape Town to Singapore. We've now rebooked flights home three times as various airlines stop flying," Atkinson said.
My evening flight to London was full; on the way out, this leg had been less than half full. “Everyone is trying to get out before it’s too late,” a woman on the phone in the seat in front of me said before we took off.
At Heathrow on Sunday morning, I was disconcerted to see many fellow passengers in disposable white suits with hoods, masks and gloves. All the sit-down food outlets were closed, with only a couple of takeaway counters operating. The shops were closed. My scheduled flight to Dublin was cancelled. “Not enough passengers,” I was told. On the later flight, the plane was less than a fifth full.
At a virtually deserted Dublin Airport, my phone beeped. “You have no idea what you’re coming back to,” the text read.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--Man arrested in connection with stabbing of three in Co Galway

A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of three men in Ballinasloe , Co Galway , over @ @ @ @ @ involving four males broke out at about 7pm on Sunday in the Brackernagh area of @ @ @ @ @ men , all aged in their 20s , were left with stab wounds .
They @ @ @ @ @ with non-life threatening injuries .
One victim has since been released while two men continue @ @ @ @ @ fourth man , also aged in his 20s , was arrested shorty afterwards .
He @ @ @ @ @ interview at Ballinasloe Garda station , where he can be questioned for up to 24 @ @ @ @ @ are understood to be known to each other .
Gardaí say they are not seeking @ @ @ @ @ to the assault but are eager for witnesses or anyone with further information to contact @ @ @ @ @ on ( 090 ) 9631890 , through the Garda confidential line on 1800-666-111 or through @ @ @ @

Gardaí say they are not seeking any more suspects in connection to the assault. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty
A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of three men in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, over the weekend.
A fight involving four males broke out at about 7pm on Sunday in the Brackernagh area of the town. Afterwards three men, all aged in their 20s, were left with stab wounds.
They were brought to Portiuncla Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One victim has since been released while two men continue to receive treatment.
A fourth man, also aged in his 20s, was arrested shorty afterwards. He is currently being detained for interview at Ballinasloe Garda station, where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
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All four men are understood to be known to each other.
Gardaí say they are not seeking any more suspects in connection to the assault but are eager for witnesses or anyone with further information to contact them at Ballinasloe Garda station on (090) 9631890, through the Garda confidential line on 1800-666-111 or through any Garda station.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: ‘I was so ill ... I was having convulsions in bed’

A coronavirus patient in County Kerry has spoken on radio about his experience battling the illness this past week .
The 28-year-old began showing symptoms shortly after returning home to Ireland from London .
Michael Prendergast told Newstalk Breakfast that he felt lucky to be able to sit up and speak given how sick he had been .
“ I was so ill , it is almost indescribable .
It started with an extremely mild headache .
I came home on Monday and I had absolutely no symptoms and then on Tuesday , the shortness of breath , extremely high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
“ I had extreme rigors – that is your body ’ s reaction to infection – I was shaking and by Wednesday night , I was having convulsions in bed.
” He called an ambulance on Thursday and was admitted to the coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , ward in Kerry General Hospital .
Mr Prendergast said he is fairly fit , plays sports and , although he is asthmatic , he has not had an episode or attack in years .
“ This just absolutely knocked me for six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was .
The exhaustion I think is one of the main symptoms as well .
I couldn ’ t move a muscle .
Mr Prendergast said he battled pneumonia , a collapsed lung and even a broken back in the past , but this is “ by far and away the worst.
” “ It will come in waves .
I could feel poorly but then I would get a wave that would last four or five hours that would be the most intense , overwhelming feeling .
“ It is your body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to battle it off so it pulls all energy reserves into fighting the battle and it makes you just feel like you are not far from death.
” The loneliness of the isolation ward makes the whole experience even scarier , he said .
“ Once I was experiencing the sickness with it , it brings every sort of existential question .
Am I going to live ?
Have I lived a good life ?
Did I waste time ?
It is very emotional .
I am in isolation .
I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting me.
” Mr Prendergast urged young people around the country to take social distancing seriously and protect their loved ones from the disease .
“ We all think that we are invincible but this is going to affect everyone in Ireland at varying degrees .
It may not affect a young person as bad as me , but it will most certainly affect their parents or grandparents .

A coronavirus patient in County Kerry has spoken on radio about his experience battling the illness this past week.
The 28-year-old began showing symptoms shortly after returning home to Ireland from London. Michael Prendergast told Newstalk Breakfast that he felt lucky to be able to sit up and speak given how sick he had been.
“I was so ill, it is almost indescribable. It started with an extremely mild headache. I came home on Monday and I had absolutely no symptoms and then on Tuesday, the shortness of breath, extremely high fever – it was just exacerbated every night.
“I had extreme rigors – that is your body’s reaction to infection – I was shaking and by Wednesday night, I was having convulsions in bed.”
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He called an ambulance on Thursday and was admitted to the coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, ward in Kerry General Hospital.
Mr Prendergast said he is fairly fit, plays sports and, although he is asthmatic, he has not had an episode or attack in years.
“This just absolutely knocked me for six and it was frightening how ill I was. The exhaustion I think is one of the main symptoms as well. I couldn’t move a muscle.
Mr Prendergast said he battled pneumonia, a collapsed lung and even a broken back in the past, but this is “by far and away the worst.”
“It will come in waves. I could feel poorly but then I would get a wave that would last four or five hours that would be the most intense, overwhelming feeling.
Battle
“It is your body responding to the infection; it is trying to battle it off so it pulls all energy reserves into fighting the battle and it makes you just feel like you are not far from death.”
The loneliness of the isolation ward makes the whole experience even scarier, he said.
“Once I was experiencing the sickness with it, it brings every sort of existential question. Am I going to live? Have I lived a good life? Did I waste time? It is very emotional. I am in isolation. I can’t have any friends or family visiting me.”
Mr Prendergast urged young people around the country to take social distancing seriously and protect their loved ones from the disease.
“We all think that we are invincible but this is going to affect everyone in Ireland at varying degrees. It may not affect a young person as bad as me, but it will most certainly affect their parents or grandparents.
“It is a cruel, cruel illness.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--UK embarked on ‘foolish experiment’ in approach to coronavirus

Dr Gabriel Scally , president of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London , has said it was deeply disturbing that the British government was “ flying blind ” and embarking on “ a foolish experiment ” in its approach to coronavirus .
The British government must get ahead of the curve and at present it was “ trailing far behind , ” he told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
There is no reason why the UK had departed from accepted international practice and advice about coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Dr Scally said there had been considerable delay in implementing effective social distancing measures in the UK and that the crowds seen at Glendalough last weekend were “ nothing ” compared to the crowds seen at flower markets in London .
All the reports coming from London showed that a situation like Wuhan , where a six-week lockdown was implemented , looked very likely to happen , he warned .
The UK has 5,683 cases of the virus and the death toll has reached 281 .
Dr Scally said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and it can not be allowed spread like wildfire across the country .
On Monday , the UK goverment sent in the army to deliver protective equipment to hospitals on Monday and told people to stay at home and heed warnings over social distancing or the government would bring in more extreme measures to stop the coronavirus spread .

Dr Gabriel Scally, president of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, has said it was deeply disturbing that the British government was “flying blind” and embarking on “a foolish experiment” in its approach to coronavirus.
Dr Gabriel Scally, president of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, has said it was deeply disturbing that the British government was "flying blind" and embarking on "a foolish experiment" in its approach to coronavirus.
The British government must get ahead of the curve and at present it was “trailing far behind,” he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
There is no reason why the UK had departed from accepted international practice and advice about coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, and that of the World Health Organisation, he said.
Dr Scally said there had been considerable delay in implementing effective social distancing measures in the UK and that the crowds seen at Glendalough last weekend were “nothing” compared to the crowds seen at flower markets in London.
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Wuhan
All the reports coming from London showed that a situation like Wuhan, where a six-week lockdown was implemented, looked very likely to happen, he warned.
The UK has 5,683 cases of the virus and the death toll has reached 281.
Dr Scally said the fight must be taken to the virus and it cannot be allowed spread like wildfire across the country.
On Monday, the UK goverment sent in the army to deliver protective equipment to hospitals on Monday and told people to stay at home and heed warnings over social distancing or the government would bring in more extreme measures to stop the coronavirus spread.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: Further recommendations on social distancing likely, Harris says

The Government will seek to keep public spaces such as parks , forests and beaches open for people to use but will emphasise the need for everyone to maintain social distancing .
Four people have died and there are currently 906 positive cases of coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 , in Ireland .
At a briefing at Government Buildings this morning , a senior official said that the Government would consult with national parks , Coillte , the Heritage Council and local authorities “ to develop clear , simple public messaging so we can continue to enjoy these public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canavan , an assistant secretary in the Department of the Taoiseach , told journalists that the Government had received “ significant feedback from the public in relation to the lack of social distancing ” .
“ It ’ s clear that that the vast majority of people are complying with the guidelines , but clearly compliant is not universal , ” she said .
She said the Government would seek to keep public spaces open while reinforcing the need to keep distance between people .
Ms Canavan also said that anyone who applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a payment in their bank accounts tomorrow .
However , she warned that scammers are contacting people purporting to be from the Department of Social Protection asking for bank details .
“ You will not get a phone call asking for your bank details from the Government , ” she said .
Social protection payments would be made every two weeks , she said .
Ms Canavan also said that immigration applications would now move online , and the immigration offices in Dublin had now closed .
On Monday morning , Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not “ something nice to do , it is about saving lives ” , Ireland can not go the way of Italy , Mr Harris told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
It was important to look after people ’ s physical and mental health , but mass gatherings in parks were “ not on ” , he said .
Mr Harris said he had been overwhelmed by the sense of solidarity being displayed around the country and also by the dedication of those in the health service .
The welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone needed to work “ extremely hard ” to protect health workers .
When asked about the possibility of further restrictions , Mr Harris said people were making a conscious effort at social distancing .
He said he would await greater guidance about playgrounds and public spaces .
People still need to abide by social distancing , he said .
People must stay two metres apart .
The president of the Irish College of General Practitioners , Dr Mary Favier , has said it was inevitable that more measures will be introduced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland that “ physical distancing ” was a much better description than “ social distancing ” and that more needed to be done as “ particular groups ” did not seem to understand the necessity for physical distancing .
It was up to us as a society to make the personal decision to create a physical distance rather than to have to introduce mandatory measures , she said .
Ultimately it was people in the community who would save lives , doctors would “ pick up the pieces.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant back log on testing , but pointed out that GPs could not expedite tests or results which would go directly to patients .
“ We would ask people not to ring their GP , we don ’ t have the information.
” However , she said that anyone who developed respiratory symptoms or anyone who was awaiting testing and their symptoms got worse should immediately contact their GP .
In the meantime the broader issue of community health needed to be addressed and GPs needed to look after patients with other illnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
It would not be good to deal with the Covid-19 problem and then find other problems that had not been addressed .
Testing for health care professionals was vital , added Dr Favier as there was already a shortage of GPs in the country and the health service could not afford to have GPs going into isolation while awaiting testing .
Speaking on Newstalk , Mr Harris said orders of face masks , goggles and gowns were being packed up in China and an airline was going to collect them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the week .
On the issue of wait times for tests – Mr Harris said the changed criteria for testing had brought about huge pressures .
Efforts were under way to get more testing kits , there are now far more testing centres and there are 10 labs around the country running the tests .
“ We are testing , testing , testing , but the most important thing is that if you think you have the symptoms you must self-isolate .
That is the most important thing you can do for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Meanwhile , a Cork GP has called on the HSE to let medical practitioners know when more PPE ( personal protection equipment ) will be available .
Dr Nick Flynn , from Holly Hill and Douglas Medical Centres in Cork City told Newstalk Breakfast that GPs would appreciate knowing “ what is coming and when it will be here.
” GPs are buying their own personal equipment , getting masks and goggles from hardware stores , he said .
His own practice had spent €1,000 on such equipment .
On the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE that there are enough PPEs for the country .
Dr Flynn said he had been told by local hospitals that there is a shortage of such equipment .
There were “ worrying ” discussions about the possibility of recycling PPE , he said , but in his opinion this was not a safe option .
One suggestion had been that masks and gowns would be put into a bag and left for 10 days because the virus would not last that long and the items could then be re-worn .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correct procedure for taking off PPE as the items could contaminate the wearer if not taken off correctly , he warned .
In the UK , Dr Gabriel Scally , president of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London , said it was deeply disturbing that the British government was “ flying blind ” and embarking on “ a foolish experiment ” in its approach to coronavirus .
The British government must get ahead of the curve and at present it was “ trailing far behind , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
The UK recently changed their approach after criticism that hundreds of thousands of people would die from the virus .
The UK currently has 5,683 cases and their death toll has reached 281 .

Maureen Canavan from the Department of the Taoiseach outlines the latest measures the Government are taking to deal with problems arising from Covid-19. Video: RTE
The Government will seek to keep public spaces such as parks, forests and beaches open for people to use but will emphasise the need for everyone to maintain social distancing.
Four people have died and there are currently 906 positive cases of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, in the Republic.
In Northern Ireland, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 20 on Monday to 148. To date, two people have died of the virus in the North.
At a briefing at Government Buildings on Monday morning, a senior official said that the Government would consult with national parks, Coillte, the Heritage Council and local authorities “to develop clear, simple public messaging so we can continue to enjoy these public spaces at this time”.
READ MORE
Elizabeth Canavan, an assistant secretary in the Department of the Taoiseach, told journalists that the Government had received “significant feedback from the public in relation to the lack of social distancing”.
“It’s clear that that the vast majority of people are complying with the guidelines, but clearly compliant is not universal,” she said.
She said the Government would seek to keep public spaces open while reinforcing the need to keep distance between people.
Ms Canavan also said anyone who applied for social welfare payments last week would receive a payment in their bank accounts tomorrow. However, she warned that scammers are contacting people purporting to be from the Department of Social Protection asking for bank details.
“You will not get a phone call asking for your bank details from the Government,” she said. Social protection payments would be made every two weeks, she said.
Ms Canavan also said that immigration applications would now move online, and the immigration offices in Dublin had now closed.
Further restrictions
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar indicated the Government is not thinking in terms of implementing severe restrictions on movement at this moment in time but may impose some further restrictions.
Mr Varadkar responded to scenes over the weekend where parks and public places - especially in Co Dublin and Co Wicklow - became very crowded by saying that people had probably gone to those places not expecting such large crowds.
“In fairness to those people they probably turned up not realising how crowded they were going to be,” he said.
“I don’t think we should be berating people about this. We have asked the Chief Medical Officer and the National Public Emergency Team to examine that with a view to coming up with more recommendations for Government tomorrow.
“If they recommend further restrictions we will implement them,” he said.
Mr Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris both emphasised the evidence emerging from contact tracing teams of the social distancing measures having already had an impact.
“Most people most of the time are adhering to social distancing,” said Mr Varadkar.
“We see some evidence in the contact tracing that that is the case,” he said.
He said any decision that will be made on social restrictions “will not be made because of what is trending on Twitter, because of populism or political pressure”.
He said it would be based solely on expert advice.
Earlier on Monday morning, Mr Harris said social distancing is not “something nice to do, it is about saving lives”.
Ireland cannot go the way of Italy, he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
It was important to look after people’s physical and mental health, but mass gatherings in parks were “not on”, he said.
Mr Harris said he had been overwhelmed by the sense of solidarity being displayed around the country and also by the dedication of those in the health service. The welfare of health care workers was key and everyone needed to work “extremely hard” to protect health workers.
When asked about the possibility of further restrictions, Mr Harris said people were making a conscious effort at social distancing. He said he would await greater guidance about playgrounds and public spaces.
People still need to abide by social distancing, he said. People must stay two metres apart.
The president of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dr Mary Favier, has said it was inevitable that more measures will be introduced to ensure physical distancing.
Dr Favier told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that “physical distancing” was a much better description than “social distancing” and that more needed to be done as “particular groups” did not seem to understand the necessity for physical distancing.
It was up to us as a society to make the personal decision to create a physical distance rather than to have to introduce mandatory measures, she said. Ultimately it was people in the community who would save lives, doctors would “pick up the pieces.”
Back log
Dr Favier acknowledged there was a significant back log on testing, but pointed out that GPs could not expedite tests or results which would go directly to patients.
“We would ask people not to ring their GP, we don’t have the information.”
However, she said that anyone who developed respiratory symptoms or anyone who was awaiting testing and their symptoms got worse should immediately contact their GP.
Testing for health care professionals was vital, added Dr Favier as there was already a shortage of GPs in the country and the health service could not afford to have GPs going into isolation while awaiting testing.
Speaking on Newstalk, Mr Harris said orders of face masks, goggles and gowns were being packed up in China and an airline was going to collect them, they should arrive by the end of the week.
On the issue of wait times for tests – Mr Harris said the changed criteria for testing had brought about huge pressures. Efforts were under way to get more testing kits, there are now far more testing centres and there are 10 labs around the country running the tests.
“We are testing, testing, testing, but the most important thing is that if you think you have the symptoms you must self-isolate. That is the most important thing you can do for yourself, your family, your country.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--Four men arrested following robbery of shop in Co Meath

Four men in their 30s have been arrested following a robbery at a convenience store in Trim , Co Meath @ @ @ @ @ men entered the store on the Navan Road at about 7.15pm , one of whom @ @ @ @ @ .
A sum of cash as well as a quantity of cigarettes and alcohol was @ @ @ @ @ also placed into the vehicle used by the men .
The men left the scene @ @ @ @ @ later located it at a residence in Navan .
Gardaí said no one was injured @ @ @ @ @ a follow-up operation in the Co Meath area , four men in their 30s were @ @ @ @ @ men are being detained at Navan Garda station while the other men are detained at @ @ @ @ @ .
All four men are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 @

Gardaí said nobody was injured during the incident on Sunday. File photograph: Frank Miller
Four men in their 30s have been arrested following a robbery at a convenience store in Trim, Co Meath, on Sunday.
Two men entered the store on the Navan Road at about 7.15pm, one of whom was armed with a carjack. A sum of cash as well as a quantity of cigarettes and alcohol was taken. Unleaded petrol was also placed into the vehicle used by the men.
The men left the scene in this vehicle and gardaí later located it at a residence in Navan. Gardaí said no one was injured during the incident.
In a follow-up operation in the Co Meath area, four men in their 30s were arrested.
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Two of the men are being detained at Navan Garda station while the other men are detained at Trim and Ashbourne Garda stations. All four men are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--An Post to introduce staggered delivery times amid crisis

An Post is introducing staggered starting times for its postal delivery staff based at local delivery offices across the country .
The move will result in later mails and parcel deliveries for some customers starting from Monday .
An Post said the measure is to ensure “ flexible working and effective social distancing ” for its staff .
Separately , customers in receipt of Department of Employment and Social Protection welfare payments are to receive two-week payments starting either this Monday or next Monday , March 30th .
A two-week payment will be made this week to most social welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in receipt of jobseeker and working family payments , supplementary welfare allowance , one parent family payment and rent supplement .
“ These customers will receive their regular payment this week and the two-week payment from next week , starting March 30th , ” a spokeswoman for An Post said .
“ All Department of Employment and Social Protection welfare payments will be held at the post office for 90 days to enable customers to plan post office and shopping visits when best suits them.
” An Post has asked customers to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not to bring children to post offices “ if at all possible ” .
“ It ’ s best that only the person with business to conduct enters the post office , and that family groups or other persons wait outside , ” it said .
“ We hope that customers will understand that this helps to enforce vital social distancing guidelines .
”

An Post said the measure is to ensure flexible working and effective social distancing for its staff.
An Post is introducing staggered starting times for its postal delivery staff based at local delivery offices across the country.
The move will result in later mails and parcel deliveries for some customers starting from Monday.
An Post said the measure is to ensure “flexible working and effective social distancing” for its staff.
Separately, customers in receipt of Department of Employment and Social Protection welfare payments are to receive two-week payments starting either this Monday or next Monday, March 30th.
READ MORE
A two-week payment will be made this week to most social welfare payment recipients with the exception of those in receipt of jobseeker and working family payments, supplementary welfare allowance, one parent family payment and rent supplement.
“These customers will receive their regular payment this week and the two-week payment from next week, starting March 30th,” a spokeswoman for An Post said.
“All Department of Employment and Social Protection welfare payments will be held at the post office for 90 days to enable customers to plan post office and shopping visits when best suits them.”
An Post has asked customers to be aware of social distancing at post offices and not to bring children to post offices “if at all possible”.
“It’s best that only the person with business to conduct enters the post office, and that family groups or other persons wait outside,” it said.
“We hope that customers will understand that this helps to enforce vital social distancing guidelines.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--Vatican decrees plenary indulgence for all Catholics dealing with coronavirus

All Catholics suffering from or caring for those with coronavirus are to be granted a plenary indulgence by the Vatican .
It has issued a decree granting the plenary indulgences to “ the faithful suffering from the Covid-19 virus , commonly known as coronavirus , as well as to healthcare workers , family members and all those who in any capacity , including through prayer , care for them.
” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , an indulgence is “ a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ destined for a period in purgatory before being allowed into heaven .
Those who die having been granted a plenary indulgence avoid purgatory .
Meanwhile Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said that we must prepare ourselves for the most difficult experiences over the coming weeks and months , including death , as coronavirus takes hold .
Stressing that it ’ s within our own gift to win this battle , Bishop Leahy said we are entering a period of weeks when we will experience shock , suspense , fear and dismay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Loved ones , he said , will be struck down by the virus and some will die .
Stressing how much this is all in our own hands , he said : “ I appeal , therefore , again today that we all do our part in preventative action.
” He said that “ if we saw a car out of control heading for us , we ’ d make sure we got out of its way .
The virus is that car out of control .
The danger is that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unwell , people we love dearly from us .
But we can save them.
” The Vatican decree states that the plenary indulgence is granted to coronavirus patients quarantined by health authorities in hospitals and in their homes if , “ with a spirit detached from any sin , they unite themselves spiritually through the media to the celebration of the Holy Mass , the recitation of the Holy Rosary , to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion.
” It also allows diocesan bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolution except where there is an “ imminent danger of death ” or a “ grave necessity.
” Individual confession remains preferred however .
If it is deemed there is need to impart absolution to several faithful the priest concerned is obliged to inform the diocesan bishop as soon as possible , it said .
Meanwhile the seven Catholic bishops in Munster have called on priests , “ especially those who are elderly and vulnerable , ” to take care of themselves at this time .
They recommended that “ attendance at funerals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and very close friends ” and that “ all Catholic funeral liturgies in our dioceses be limited to the funeral Mass .
In other words , there should be no removal to the church the evening before .
We strongly advise that the priest celebrating the funeral Mass should be the only priest officiating.
” Mass “ should not be offered in family homes even in the circumstance of a bereavement .
Normally , priests are advised against visiting homes at this time because priests themselves may be carriers of the virus without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the house , ” they said .
In administering the Last Rites , they said “ it is essential that in anointing the sick , the priest should use a cotton bud or surgical glove for the anointing with Holy Oil and dispose of them appropriately .
The rite should be administered while at a distance of one metre.
” It was “ important to follow recommendations on hand hygiene after the celebration of the sacrament .
The priest should avoid contact with others in the home of the person who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some priests will themselves , because of their health condition or age , feel unable to attend to the sick person in their local parish .
They may need to call on another priest from elsewhere to celebrate the sacrament , ” they said .
The seven Munster Catholic bishops are Archbishop of Cashel Kieran O ’ Reilly , Bishop of Cloyne William Crean , Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy , Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne , Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Phonsie Cullinan , Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monaghan , and Bishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @

All Catholics suffering from or caring for those with coronavirus are to be granted a plenary indulgence by the Vatican. Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images
All Catholics suffering from or caring for those with coronavirus are to be granted a plenary indulgence by the Vatican. It has issued a decree granting the plenary indulgences to "the faithful suffering from the Covid-19 virus, commonly known as coronavirus, as well as to healthcare workers, family members and all those who in any capacity, including through prayer, care for them."
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is "a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven." It means the most faithful are destined for a period in purgatory before being allowed into heaven.
Those who die having been granted a plenary indulgence avoid purgatory.
Meanwhile Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said that we must prepare ourselves for the most difficult experiences over the coming weeks and months, including death, as coronavirus takes hold.
READ MORE
Stressing that it’s within our own gift to win this battle, Bishop Leahy said we are entering a period of weeks when we will experience shock, suspense, fear and dismay, and, sadly for some, bereavement. Loved ones, he said, will be struck down by the virus and some will die.
Stressing how much this is all in our own hands, he said: “I appeal, therefore, again today that we all do our part in preventative action.”
He said that “if we saw a car out of control heading for us, we’d make sure we got out of its way. The virus is that car out of control. The danger is that it will take our parents, grandparents, the unwell, people we love dearly from us. But we can save them.”
Decree
The Vatican decree states that the plenary indulgence is granted to coronavirus patients quarantined by health authorities in hospitals and in their homes if, “with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite themselves spiritually through the media to the celebration of the Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion.”
It also allows diocesan bishops complete discretion over the administration of collective absolution except where there is an “imminent danger of death” or a “grave necessity.” Individual confession remains preferred however.
If it is deemed there is need to impart absolution to several faithful the priest concerned is obliged to inform the diocesan bishop as soon as possible, it said.
Meanwhile the seven Catholic bishops in Munster have called on priests, "especially those who are elderly and vulnerable," to take care of themselves at this time.
They recommended that “attendance at funerals should be restricted to the immediate family and very close friends” and that “all Catholic funeral liturgies in our dioceses be limited to the funeral Mass. In other words, there should be no removal to the church the evening before. We strongly advise that the priest celebrating the funeral Mass should be the only priest officiating.”
Mass “should not be offered in family homes even in the circumstance of a bereavement. Normally, priests are advised against visiting homes at this time because priests themselves may be carriers of the virus without knowing it or the virus may be in the house,”they said.
Last Rites
In administering the Last Rites, they said “it is essential that in anointing the sick, the priest should use a cotton bud or surgical glove for the anointing with Holy Oil and dispose of them appropriately. The rite should be administered while at a distance of one metre.”
It was “important to follow recommendations on hand hygiene after the celebration of the sacrament. The priest should avoid contact with others in the home of the person who is seriously ill. It is clear that some priests will themselves, because of their health condition or age, feel unable to attend to the sick person in their local parish. They may need to call on another priest from elsewhere to celebrate the sacrament,” they said.
The seven Munster Catholic bishops are Archbishop of Cashel Kieran O'Reilly, Bishop of Cloyne William Crean, Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Phonsie Cullinan, Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monaghan, and Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin.


theirishtimes--2020-03-23--Publicans still operating put their livelihoods at risk, warns barrister

Publicans who have opened despite the Government ’ s direction that they close for two weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic have not only put the wider public at serious risk , they have also put their licences and livelihoods on the line , one of the State ’ s leading barristers has warned .
Senior Counsel Constance Cassidy who specialises in liquor licence applications , told The Irish Times that although the closure guidelines issued last week “ are merely directory in nature until specific regulatory legislation is introduced ” , publicans have been ignoring them at their peril @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simon Harris said pubs staying open in defiance of the Government ’ s advice would be shut down under new emergency powers signed into law on Friday .
Mr Harris said he had heard rumours of pubs not following the public health advice and had seen video clips of pubs “ beginning to open in various fashion ” .
“ We will shut you down if you are a pub that is remaining open , you are letting down the people of this country , you are also letting down your fellow publicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great difficulty to them and their staff at a very challenging time , ” he said .
The Dáil was also told last Thursday that pubs were still operating in Limerick and other locations across the country despite restrictions in place to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Ms Cassidy pointed out that publicans who had opened in recent days may have already put their licences at terminal risk because exiting legislation could be sufficient to make them pay a very high price for failing “ to comply with directions of the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said publicans may have been acting in the belief that there was “ no effective legal sanction currently existing and that , accordingly , the guidelines are only guidelines and they can , in their view , elect to ignore them ” .
She said it would “ come as a shock to those publicans to learn that there exists under current legislation a means of bringing to book those who seek to flout or ignore the guidelines ” .
She pointed out that every year publicans must apply for a renewal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it clear “ all publicans who operate must be of good , fit and proper character ” .
She suggested that “ a person who , in the current climate , sees fit to flout or ignore the guidelines , certainly arguably can not be viewed as a person of good , fit or proper character ” .
She added that licensing judges “ would require very definite convincing from the errant publican as to why , and in what circumstances , and whether for monetary gain or even more base motives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imperil the health and wellbeing of the public at large ” .
She also said publicans who opened and ignored the requirements of social distancing , isolation and proper public health constraints would be “ wrongfully and negligently , at the very least , exposing all persons who enter to a public health risk ” .
She said if customers subsequently contracted Covid-19 and traced the source to the premises of a specific publican , lawyers could seek “ to consider whether an action properly lay in negligence ” .
She said legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ certainly take the view that the public liability provision in any insurance policy did not cover deliberate , conscious and reckless conduct by the operator of a premises flouting the Government guidelines and recommendations ” .
That would mean that not only would publicans expose themselves potentially to an action on the grounds of negligence “ but they would most likely not be indemnified by any insurer and would be liable to pay compensation ” .
Ms Cassidy described the guidelines issued by the Government as “ sensible , prudent and necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them should suffer all consequences of the law , whether that consequence can be directly or perhaps indirectly exerted ” .

Senior Counsel Constance Cassidy said publicans who had opened in recent days may have already put their licences at terminal risk. Photograph: iStock
Publicans who have opened despite the Government’s direction that they close for two weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic have not only put the wider public at serious risk, they have also put their licences and livelihoods on the line, one of the State’s leading barristers has warned.
Senior Counsel Constance Cassidy who specialises in liquor licence applications, told The Irish Times that although the closure guidelines issued last week "are merely directory in nature until specific regulatory legislation is introduced", publicans have been ignoring them at their peril.
On Saturday the Minister for Health Simon Harris said pubs staying open in defiance of the Government's advice would be shut down under new emergency powers signed into law on Friday. Mr Harris said he had heard rumours of pubs not following the public health advice and had seen video clips of pubs "beginning to open in various fashion".
“We will shut you down if you are a pub that is remaining open, you are letting down the people of this country, you are also letting down your fellow publicans who are helping out and complying at great difficulty to them and their staff at a very challenging time,” he said.
READ MORE
The Dáil was also told last Thursday that pubs were still operating in Limerick and other locations across the country despite restrictions in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Ms Cassidy pointed out that publicans who had opened in recent days may have already put their licences at terminal risk because exiting legislation could be sufficient to make them pay a very high price for failing “to comply with directions of the Government aimed at protecting our citizens”.
She said publicans may have been acting in the belief that there was “no effective legal sanction currently existing and that, accordingly, the guidelines are only guidelines and they can, in their view, elect to ignore them”.
She said it would “come as a shock to those publicans to learn that there exists under current legislation a means of bringing to book those who seek to flout or ignore the guidelines”.
Licence renewal
She pointed out that every year publicans must apply for a renewal of their licence with the law making it clear “all publicans who operate must be of good, fit and proper character”.
She suggested that “a person who, in the current climate, sees fit to flout or ignore the guidelines, certainly arguably cannot be viewed as a person of good, fit or proper character”.
She added that licensing judges “would require very definite convincing from the errant publican as to why, and in what circumstances, and whether for monetary gain or even more base motives, such publican saw fit to ignore and imperil the health and wellbeing of the public at large”.
She also said publicans who opened and ignored the requirements of social distancing, isolation and proper public health constraints would be “wrongfully and negligently, at the very least, exposing all persons who enter to a public health risk”.
She said if customers subsequently contracted Covid-19 and traced the source to the premises of a specific publican, lawyers could seek “to consider whether an action properly lay in negligence”.
She said legal counsel acting for an insurance company would “certainly take the view that the public liability provision in any insurance policy did not cover deliberate, conscious and reckless conduct by the operator of a premises flouting the Government guidelines and recommendations”.
That would mean that not only would publicans expose themselves potentially to an action on the grounds of negligence “but they would most likely not be indemnified by any insurer and would be liable to pay compensation”.
Ms Cassidy described the guidelines issued by the Government as “sensible, prudent and necessary” and said those who “flout them should suffer all consequences of the law, whether that consequence can be directly or perhaps indirectly exerted”.