theirishtimes--2020-03-07--We are in coronavirus-land now, and all is changed utterly

Things move fast in coronavirus-land .
Ten days ago , Ireland was feeling pretty satisfied with itself as the disease remained a faraway threat , overseas ; today , we have cases on both sides of the Border , person-to-person transmission , cases among health staff , even an unexplained case .
Around 3pm on Thursday , a senior HSE official was predicting the virus would be circulating in the community “ within weeks ” ; but just hours later , we learned from tests that it already was , and in a hospital filled with compromised patients .
Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed .
The first case in Northern Ireland .
The first in the Republic .
The first to result in a school closure .
The first to affect a doctor .
The first cluster .
That first unexplained case .
You can write the next stage in the sequence yourself .
Most with the disease will recover , but it will not be long before the first Irish patient dies from coronavirus .
And yet none of this has come as a surprise to the experts , nor should it to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The flu alone has killed more than 100 patients this winter , and this disease may be up to 30 times more lethal .
But the new coronavirus is even better at spreading than killing .
In little over two months , it is already 12 times the size of the Sars outbreak almost 20 years ago .
St Patrick may have banished our snakes , but nothing was going to stop the disease coming here , eventually .
Eventually .
That ’ s a key word .
The longer we could hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could survive an outbreak .
The more time passed in a phony war phase with no cases , the more experts learned about the virus , the closer a vaccine is ( don ’ t hold your breath just yet ) and the nearer is the warm weather that might – just might – blow the threat away .
We did well for a while .
Sixty countries succumbed to the virus while Ireland enjoyed the luxury of chat-show discussions about proper handwashing and patient confidentiality , and theorising about its possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phony war has been replaced by trench warfare , with health staff in the frontline and all of us facing massive disruption to our lives .
This is where it gets really worrying .
Within days , two hospitals have been crippled by the arrival of the virus in their corridors .
Dozens of staff who may have been exposed have been sent home .
Surgeries have been cancelled , visitors banned .
Maybe it is just a coincidence that Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick also have the worst emergency department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential lack of resilience in an Irish health system that is already bursting at the seams .
If avoiding the disease was never an option , there are still two roads we can travel .
One leads to isolated cases that are quickly identified and contained .
The disease probably runs out of energy and eventually goes away or mutates into something harmless .
The other is the Italian scenario , where the virus gets a grip on a population before anyone really knows what ’ s going on .
By the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself in multiple locations and is virtually uncontrollable .
It may eventually die away – it seems Italy may , with China , have already passed the point of peak Covid-19 – but not before wreaking massive damage .
The concern today is that Ireland may turn out more like Italy – with its current total of almost 4,000 cases – than , say , Canada , with 46 , or Denmark , with 10 .
The infected patient in Cork may have spent up to a week in and out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was diagnosed , and at this point we don ’ t know where he got it .
Likewise , the healthcare professional who picked up the virus on an Italian skiing holiday worked across the health service before he was diagnosed .
A recently published Lancet analysis of cases in China showed outcomes improved with better health provision ; the death rates in the more developed cities of China , for example , have been much lower than in the remoter provinces .
In Ireland , we already know hundreds of people die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It seems likely the burden of coronavirus will be magnified by the problems of the health system – the long waits for treatment , the lack of intensive care beds , etc .
“ Most countries will struggle if they start to see large numbers of patients requiring intensive care , ” Dr Mike Ryan , the Irishman leading the World Health Organisation ’ s emergency response to the crisis , said during the week .
Many patients end up spending up to 25 days in critical care , he pointed out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of beds for a very long time .
So I think all countries are going to have to think very carefully about how they manage the critical care component of this disease.
” A month ago , infectious disease expert Prof Sam McConkey told this writer the virus could kill up to 20,000 people in Ireland in a worst-case scenario .
He warned the Government needed to prepare for an event like the Spanish flu of a century ago , which killed more than 50 million people across the world .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t resiling from it today .
“ This is going to hit us like a tsunami , ” he warns .
“ It ’ s a once-in-a-hundred-year event that will kill more people than the Civil War we ’ re commemorating this year did a century ago .
“ And yet the penny hasn ’ t dropped .
There ’ s a lack of realisation about what ’ s happening.
” So far , our public health doctors have excelled in communicating the threat we face , ramping up testing facilities , assessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arisen and tracing the contacts of early confirmed cases .
However , the latest slew of cases suggests flaws or gaps in the approach taken .
Another Lancet study based on Chinese data says more than 70 per cent of contacts of confirmed cases have to be traced in order to control most outbreaks .
The delay between the onset of symptoms and isolation is the biggest factor in determining whether the outbreak can be controlled .
“ I do not think it is possible to guarantee that 70 per cent contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failures in this area could have disastrous consequences , ” said Dr Paul O ’ Brien , an Irish regulatory expert based in China .
“ If our current ‘ contact tracing only ’ strategy continues , we will inevitably see community transmission of the virus very soon.
” Days after he wrote this critique , community transmission was uncovered when the Cork patient tested positive .
O ’ Brien says the most effective mitigation strategy Ireland could have adopted would have been to reduce the risk of infection to zero .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk-stratified mandatory quarantine of all inward travel from high-risk zones could have made this [ the avoidance of panic ] a non-issue for Ireland.
” Effectively , given nearly all our cases have originated in Italy , this means banning flights from that country , though O ’ Brien suggests a 14-day quarantine on inward travel from high-risk regions as an alternative .
Officials have argued against such travel restrictions , saying travellers might simply fly in from a different country .
There is no appetite in the EU for restrictions that might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to tit-for-tat measures .
“ You have to strike a balance .
The research shows your economy drops by as much as half once your close a border .
Taking an action that makes you 50 per cent poorer is not a good solution , ” says McConkey .
In any case , arguments about limiting travel from Italy are probably moot now .
“ If you were talking about restricting people come from areas with community transmission you ’ d have to include the UK .
And very soon , us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , ” says McConkey .
So what to do now ?
McConkey feels “ we may end up copying the Chinese ” .
Up to 5,000 public sector workers should be re-allocated to the job of tracing contacts , he says , while the Government needs to draw up robust contingency plans to keep essential services running .
Schools and colleges need to use IT to keep classes going online when they have to close , and AI could be deployed to help trace contacts of confirmed cases .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an epidemic situation , ” Mike Ryan observed during the week .
“ It ’ s very easy to get behind the curve .
It ’ s almost a rule of epidemic response .
“ The real question is how quickly you catch up .
Do you realise the situation you ’ re in and can you catch up quickly ?
”

The World Health Organisation has warned governments that "this is not a drill" as coronavirus infections near 100,000 worldwide.
Things move fast in coronavirus-land. Ten days ago, Ireland was feeling pretty satisfied with itself as the disease remained a faraway threat, overseas; today, we have cases on both sides of the Border, person-to-person transmission, cases among health staff, even an unexplained case.
Around 3pm on Thursday, a senior HSE official was predicting the virus would be circulating in the community “within weeks”; but just hours later, we learned from tests that it already was, and in a hospital filled with compromised patients.
Day by day, events shifted at dizzying speed. The first case in Northern Ireland. The first in the Republic. The first to result in a school closure. The first to affect a doctor. The first cluster. That first unexplained case.
You can write the next stage in the sequence yourself. Most with the disease will recover, but it will not be long before the first Irish patient dies from coronavirus.
READ MORE
And yet none of this has come as a surprise to the experts, nor should it to the public. Diseases spread; they kill. The flu alone has killed more than 100 patients this winter, and this disease may be up to 30 times more lethal.
But the new coronavirus is even better at spreading than killing. In little over two months, it is already 12 times the size of the Sars outbreak almost 20 years ago. St Patrick may have banished our snakes, but nothing was going to stop the disease coming here, eventually.
Eventually. That’s a key word. The longer we could hold off importing the disease, the better we could survive an outbreak. The more time passed in a phony war phase with no cases, the more experts learned about the virus, the closer a vaccine is (don’t hold your breath just yet) and the nearer is the warm weather that might – just might – blow the threat away.
We did well for a while. Sixty countries succumbed to the virus while Ireland enjoyed the luxury of chat-show discussions about proper handwashing and patient confidentiality, and theorising about its possible effects. Now, though, the phony war has been replaced by trench warfare, with health staff in the frontline and all of us facing massive disruption to our lives.
This is where it gets really worrying. Within days, two hospitals have been crippled by the arrival of the virus in their corridors. Dozens of staff who may have been exposed have been sent home. Surgeries have been cancelled, visitors banned. Maybe it is just a coincidence that Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick also have the worst emergency department overcrowding. Or maybe this illustrates the potential lack of resilience in an Irish health system that is already bursting at the seams.
Two roads
If avoiding the disease was never an option, there are still two roads we can travel. One leads to isolated cases that are quickly identified and contained. The disease probably runs out of energy and eventually goes away or mutates into something harmless.
The other is the Italian scenario, where the virus gets a grip on a population before anyone really knows what's going on. By the time it is identified, it has established itself in multiple locations and is virtually uncontrollable. It may eventually die away – it seems Italy may, with China, have already passed the point of peak Covid-19 – but not before wreaking massive damage.
The concern today is that Ireland may turn out more like Italy – with its current total of almost 4,000 cases – than, say, Canada, with 46, or Denmark, with 10. The infected patient in Cork may have spent up to a week in and out of the health service with the disease before he was diagnosed, and at this point we don't know where he got it. Likewise, the healthcare professional who picked up the virus on an Italian skiing holiday worked across the health service before he was diagnosed.
Most countries will struggle if they start to see large numbers of patients requiring intensive care
A recently published Lancet analysis of cases in China showed outcomes improved with better health provision; the death rates in the more developed cities of China, for example, have been much lower than in the remoter provinces.
In Ireland, we already know hundreds of people die each year due to trolley waits. It seems likely the burden of coronavirus will be magnified by the problems of the health system – the long waits for treatment, the lack of intensive care beds, etc.
"Most countries will struggle if they start to see large numbers of patients requiring intensive care," Dr Mike Ryan, the Irishman leading the World Health Organisation's emergency response to the crisis, said during the week.
Many patients end up spending up to 25 days in critical care, he pointed out. “That’s occupying a lot of beds for a very long time. So I think all countries are going to have to think very carefully about how they manage the critical care component of this disease.”
A month ago, infectious disease expert Prof Sam McConkey told this writer the virus could kill up to 20,000 people in Ireland in a worst-case scenario. He warned the Government needed to prepare for an event like the Spanish flu of a century ago, which killed more than 50 million people across the world.
Doom-laden
It was doom-laden stuff, but McConkey isn’t resiling from it today. “This is going to hit us like a tsunami,” he warns. “It’s a once-in-a-hundred-year event that will kill more people than the Civil War we’re commemorating this year did a century ago.
“And yet the penny hasn’t dropped. There’s a lack of realisation about what’s happening.”
I do not think it is possible to guarantee that 70 per cent contact tracing can be achieved in Ireland
So far, our public health doctors have excelled in communicating the threat we face, ramping up testing facilities, assessing the hundreds of suspected cases that have arisen and tracing the contacts of early confirmed cases.
However, the latest slew of cases suggests flaws or gaps in the approach taken. Another Lancet study based on Chinese data says more than 70 per cent of contacts of confirmed cases have to be traced in order to control most outbreaks. The delay between the onset of symptoms and isolation is the biggest factor in determining whether the outbreak can be controlled.
“I do not think it is possible to guarantee that 70 per cent contact tracing can be achieved in Ireland, and failures in this area could have disastrous consequences,” said Dr Paul O’Brien, an Irish regulatory expert based in China. “If our current ‘contact tracing only’ strategy continues, we will inevitably see community transmission of the virus very soon.”
Days after he wrote this critique, community transmission was uncovered when the Cork patient tested positive.
O’Brien says the most effective mitigation strategy Ireland could have adopted would have been to reduce the risk of infection to zero. “Early adoption of a proactive strategy involving risk-stratified mandatory quarantine of all inward travel from high-risk zones could have made this [the avoidance of panic] a non-issue for Ireland.”
Banning flights
Effectively, given nearly all our cases have originated in Italy, this means banning flights from that country, though O’Brien suggests a 14-day quarantine on inward travel from high-risk regions as an alternative.
Officials have argued against such travel restrictions, saying travellers might simply fly in from a different country. There is no appetite in the EU for restrictions that might impede the free movement of people or lead to tit-for-tat measures.
“You have to strike a balance. The research shows your economy drops by as much as half once your close a border. Taking an action that makes you 50 per cent poorer is not a good solution,” says McConkey.
It's very easy to get caught unawares in an epidemic situation. It's very easy to get behind the curve
In any case, arguments about limiting travel from Italy are probably moot now. “If you were talking about restricting people come from areas with community transmission you’d have to include the UK. And very soon, us, since it’s now happening here,” says McConkey.
So what to do now? McConkey feels “we may end up copying the Chinese”. Up to 5,000 public sector workers should be re-allocated to the job of tracing contacts, he says, while the Government needs to draw up robust contingency plans to keep essential services running. Schools and colleges need to use IT to keep classes going online when they have to close, and AI could be deployed to help trace contacts of confirmed cases.
“It’s very easy to get caught unawares in an epidemic situation,” Mike Ryan observed during the week. “It’s very easy to get behind the curve. It’s almost a rule of epidemic response.
“The real question is how quickly you catch up. Do you realise the situation you’re in and can you catch up quickly?”


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Mary Robinson’s visit to Dubai mentioned in British court judgment

The British court judgment that found the billionaire ruler of Dubai had ordered the abduction of two of his daughters , mentions the controversial visit former president Mary Robinson made to Dubai in December 2018 .
The judgment relates to Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum , the ruler of Dubai , and his former wife , Princess Haya Al Hussein , who lived in Ireland in the 1990s .
In his ruling the judge , Sir Andrew McFarlane , president of the family division of the high court in England and Wales , found that two older daughters of the sheikh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their father ’ s orders , with Shamsa having been abducted from the UK in 2000 and taken to Dubai , via France , in her father ’ s private jet .
In 2018 , the sheikh ordered the forced return of Latifa to Dubai from a boat off the coast of India , an operation conducted by armed soldiers .
Both women are daughters of one of the sheikh ’ s “ unofficial wives ” .
Sheikh Mohammed did not give evidence to the court but said in a witness statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ produce ” the two daughters , who live in Dubai , to give evidence .
“ Both Shamsa and Latifa were adamant that they did not want to do this.
” He said Princess Haya did not believe , up to January 2019 , that the women were being ill-treated and “ was taking steps , for example by inviting Mary Robinson to visit , to disprove the negative allegations ” that were being made .
Princess Haya told the court that initially she did not believe reports that Latifa had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , she became increasingly concerned .
She began to question what she had been told by her husband about Latifa ’ s mental health .
On December 6th , she visited Latifa in a house that was locked and guarded .
“ I went upstairs and knocked on Latifa ’ s bedroom door .
She opened the door , looked at me , embraced me , and burst into tears .
She cried for a long time.
” She considered the conditions she found Latifa in to be “ akin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The mother [ the princess ] states that on December 10th , 2018 she decided to contact Mary Robinson ... whom she had known from previous times .
The intention was for Mary Robinson to visit Dubai to establish ‘ proof of life ’ with respect to Latifa on behalf of the United Nations.
” This visit happened later in December .
On Christmas Eve 2019 , photographs of Mrs Robinson with Latifa were released by the family to rebut what they described as “ false allegations ” she was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit was criticised by human rights organisations Mrs Robinson insisted she had travelled to Dubai “ in good faith ” .
She declined to comment on the court judgment on Thursday .
Comment was also sought on Friday .

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum: the high court in England and Wales found that two older daughters of the sheikh, Shamsa and Latifa, had been abducted on their father’s orders. Photograph: Fayez Nureldine / AFP
The British court judgment that found the billionaire ruler of Dubai had ordered the abduction of two of his daughters, mentions the controversial visit former president Mary Robinson made to Dubai in December 2018.
The judgment relates to Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, and his former wife, Princess Haya Al Hussein, who lived in Ireland in the 1990s.
In his ruling the judge, Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the family division of the high court in England and Wales, found that two older daughters of the sheikh, Shamsa and Latifa, had been abducted on their father’s orders, with Shamsa having been abducted from the UK in 2000 and taken to Dubai, via France, in her father’s private jet.
In 2018, the sheikh ordered the forced return of Latifa to Dubai from a boat off the coast of India, an operation conducted by armed soldiers. Both women are daughters of one of the sheikh’s “unofficial wives”.
READ MORE
Sheikh Mohammed did not give evidence to the court but said in a witness statement it was not possible for him to “produce” the two daughters, who live in Dubai, to give evidence. “Both Shamsa and Latifa were adamant that they did not want to do this.”
He said Princess Haya did not believe, up to January 2019, that the women were being ill-treated and “was taking steps, for example by inviting Mary Robinson to visit, to disprove the negative allegations” that were being made.
Princess Haya told the court that initially she did not believe reports that Latifa had been forcibly returned to Dubai.
Over time, however, she became increasingly concerned. She began to question what she had been told by her husband about Latifa’s mental health.
‘Akin to a prison’
On December 6th, she visited Latifa in a house that was locked and guarded.
“I went upstairs and knocked on Latifa’s bedroom door. She opened the door, looked at me, embraced me, and burst into tears. She cried for a long time.”
She considered the conditions she found Latifa in to be “akin to a prison”, the judge noted.
“The mother [the princess] states that on December 10th, 2018 she decided to contact Mary Robinson... whom she had known from previous times. The intention was for Mary Robinson to visit Dubai to establish ‘proof of life’ with respect to Latifa on behalf of the United Nations.” This visit happened later in December.
On Christmas Eve 2019, photographs of Mrs Robinson with Latifa were released by the family to rebut what they described as “false allegations” she was taken home against her will.
After her visit was criticised by human rights organisations Mrs Robinson insisted she had travelled to Dubai “in good faith”. She declined to comment on the court judgment on Thursday. Comment was also sought on Friday.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Gardaí’s ‘use of force’ with pepper spray to be strictly monitored

Gardaí who use pepper spray on members of the public will have to record and account for each incident under strict new controls around the use of force in Irish policing .
Any Garda member caught not disclosing when they used the spray or failing to document their reasons for using such force can be investigated and disciplined under the new system .
The new measures are being introduced by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in an effort to quantify and control how often gardaí are using force during frontline policing .
Pepper sprays contain a powerful liquid that can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subdue or overpower them .
The sprays can be used when suspects become violent , engage in serious disturbances or when gardaí are under attack or dealing with people resisting arrest .
Under the new controls , any Garda member who uses a pepper spray must provide a written explanation to the designated inspector in their division and surrender the used canister .
The inspector is the only member in that division who can reissue canisters .
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ( Gsoc ) will be informed of every incident .
Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the event a complaint to Gsoc arises from the incident in which the pepper spray was used and the amount used becomes an issue .
The designated inspector in each division must also record each incident in an “ incapacitant spray log book ” , all of which will be surrendered monthly to the Garda ’ s internal affairs section .
All entries in the log book will be crosschecked against records created on the Garda ’ s computerised incident and crime database , PULSE .
This will determine if all “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprays are recorded and fully explained .
If the reason , or manner , the Garda member used force is not in compliance with Garda policy an investigation may result .
Log books will be submitted monthly .
Informed sources said if the log books were submitted for checking less frequently a large build-up of cases would occur and it would be harder to ensure each one was checked closely .
While protocols are already in place stipulating Gsoc must be informed every time pepper spray is used , that system is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and August 2018 , Gsoc received 1,794 reports of Garda use of the incapacitating spray , with almost 90 per cent of the reports made later than the 48-hour period set out in the protocols .
Informed sources said use of the spray was very likely higher than the number of cases reported to Gsoc .
The same sources believed the true rate of use , and a breakdown per Garda division and station , should become clearer under the changes now being put in place .
In reply to queries from The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also intended to publish use of force data “ for openness and transparency and public confidence ” reasons .
“ It will also be used to inform operational personnel on trends and enhance governance of this area.
” The controls are being introduced to ensure day-to-day policing in the Republic complies with the European Convention of Human Rights .
Garda members will be informed to “ use force only when strictly necessary and only to the extent required to obtain a legitimate objective ” .

Any Garda member caught not disclosing when they used the spray or failing to document their reasons for using such force can be investigated and disciplined under the new system. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times
Gardaí who use pepper spray on members of the public will have to record and account for each incident under strict new controls around the use of force in Irish policing.
Any Garda member caught not disclosing when they used the spray or failing to document their reasons for using such force can be investigated and disciplined under the new system.
The new measures are being introduced by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in an effort to quantify and control how often gardaí are using force during frontline policing.
Pepper sprays contain a powerful liquid that can be directed at people to temporarily incapacitate, subdue or overpower them.
READ MORE
The sprays can be used when suspects become violent, engage in serious disturbances or when gardaí are under attack or dealing with people resisting arrest.
Under the new controls, any Garda member who uses a pepper spray must provide a written explanation to the designated inspector in their division and surrender the used canister. The inspector is the only member in that division who can reissue canisters.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) will be informed of every incident. Each canister will be retained by the Garda in the event a complaint to Gsoc arises from the incident in which the pepper spray was used and the amount used becomes an issue.
The designated inspector in each division must also record each incident in an “incapacitant spray log book”, all of which will be surrendered monthly to the Garda’s internal affairs section.
All entries in the log book will be crosschecked against records created on the Garda’s computerised incident and crime database, PULSE. This will determine if all “use of force” incidents involving pepper sprays are recorded and fully explained.
Transparency
If the reason, or manner, the Garda member used force is not in compliance with Garda policy an investigation may result.
Log books will be submitted monthly. Informed sources said if the log books were submitted for checking less frequently a large build-up of cases would occur and it would be harder to ensure each one was checked closely.
While protocols are already in place stipulating Gsoc must be informed every time pepper spray is used, that system is not regarded as rigorous. Between January 2016 and August 2018, Gsoc received 1,794 reports of Garda use of the incapacitating spray, with almost 90 per cent of the reports made later than the 48-hour period set out in the protocols.
Informed sources said use of the spray was very likely higher than the number of cases reported to Gsoc. The same sources believed the true rate of use, and a breakdown per Garda division and station, should become clearer under the changes now being put in place.
In reply to queries from The Irish Times, Garda Headquarters said it also intended to publish use of force data “for openness and transparency and public confidence” reasons.
“It will also be used to inform operational personnel on trends and enhance governance of this area.”
The controls are being introduced to ensure day-to-day policing in the Republic complies with the European Convention of Human Rights. Garda members will be informed to “use force only when strictly necessary and only to the extent required to obtain a legitimate objective”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Mary Robinson says climate crisis should have topped election agenda

Former president Mary Robinson has said she has been trying to reconcile why the world was collectively addressing the coronavirus threat by changing behaviours and habits , but had yet to respond to the climate crisis in a similar way .
There were lessons to be learned from how people had responded so effectively to Covid-19 , which was also “ a real threat ” , she said during an address to the Lions National Convention in Ballina , Co Mayo .
Given her concerns about climate , she had come to the realisation she should travel less and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video-conferencing .
She regretted the climate crisis had not topped the agenda during the recent general election .
However , it was not as divisive an issue in Ireland as it was in the US , she believed .
“ In many ways that is why it was not such a big issue in the election ... whereas the issues of health and housing were very much on the front of people ’ s minds.
” Much work remained to be done on climate ; while “ the EU would drag us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the price of political inaction would be substantial fines for the country .
Climate action was not just about implementing “ the Government ’ s climate action plan ” or about putting a price on carbon in the form of a tax that was fairly applied ; it had to involve action across society , said the former UN climate envoy .
She was heartened by the scale of actions reflected in Chambers Ireland embracing the UN sustainable development goals , with towns such as Kinsale becoming plastic-free , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were beginning to take the climate issue really seriously in Europe and the US , whereas in Africa and Asia they had done so for quite some time because they saw the impact on the ground .
In the developed world , women had been prepared to to speak out eloquently on issues such as the # MeToo movement ; discrimination ; gender violence ; education and health , but less so on climate .
While men had to be part of the solution , women already had an acute sense of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs Robinson said .
It was women in the developing world who were building resilience to climate disruption in their communities .
On the climate cause , she added : “ I have become in the past year a fearless woman , a connected woman and a dangerous woman.
” While women were engaged on the issue , she confirmed that at least a dozen times in the past year she was approached by women who said they were not going to bring children into the world because of “ the hellish future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It breaks my heart , ” she added .

Former president Mary Robinson has said she has been trying to reconcile why the world was collectively addressing the coronavirus threat by changing behaviours and habits, but had yet to respond to the climate crisis in a similar way.
There were lessons to be learned from how people had responded so effectively to Covid-19, which was also "a real threat", she said during an address to the Lions National Convention in Ballina, Co Mayo.
Given her concerns about climate, she had come to the realisation she should travel less and make more use of technology, such as video-conferencing.
She regretted the climate crisis had not topped the agenda during the recent general election.
READ MORE
However, it was not as divisive an issue in Ireland as it was in the US, she believed. "In many ways that is why it was not such a big issue in the election... whereas the issues of health and housing were very much on the front of people's minds."
Much work remained to be done on climate; while “the EU would drag us in the right direction”, she predicted, the price of political inaction would be substantial fines for the country.
Climate action was not just about implementing “the Government’s climate action plan” or about putting a price on carbon in the form of a tax that was fairly applied; it had to involve action across society, said the former UN climate envoy.
Plastic-free
She was heartened by the scale of actions reflected in Chambers Ireland embracing the UN sustainable development goals, with towns such as Kinsale becoming plastic-free, as well as increased divestment from fossil fuels.
Women were beginning to take the climate issue really seriously in Europe and the US, whereas in Africa and Asia they had done so for quite some time because they saw the impact on the ground. In the developed world, women had been prepared to to speak out eloquently on issues such as the #MeToo movement; discrimination; gender violence; education and health, but less so on climate.
While men had to be part of the solution, women already had an acute sense of “the finite time we have”, Mrs Robinson said. It was women in the developing world who were building resilience to climate disruption in their communities.
On the climate cause, she added: “I have become in the past year a fearless woman, a connected woman and a dangerous woman.”
While women were engaged on the issue, she confirmed that at least a dozen times in the past year she was approached by women who said they were not going to bring children into the world because of “the hellish future ahead” – as they perceived it. “It breaks my heart,” she added.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Irish woman killed her family before taking own life, say US police

An Irish mother shot dead her husband and two teenage sons before taking her own life , US police have said .
Joan Huber ( 53 ) , originally from Coolcuslaugh near Killarney , Co Kerry , was found dead following the apparent murder-suicide on Wednesday in the US city of Reno , Nevada .
Police discovered the bodies after they were alerted by neighbours who said they had not seen the family in days .
On Friday , Reno detectives issued a statement saying their investigation had established that Ms Huber , “ within the preceding days of March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Huber , and their two teenage children , before taking her own life ” .
“ Reno Police Robbery/Homicide Detectives are still actively investigating this case and there is no known motive at this time.
” Ms Huber ( nee Kelly ) was the eldest of five children of the late John Kelly , a former president of the East Kerry GAA and one-time general election candidate who died in February 2018 .
Mrs Huber ’ s mother Sheila ( nee Doolan ) and a number of her siblings live in Killarney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Radio Kerry after reports of the deaths emerged , said : “ I know them to be a good , hardworking honest family and pillars in the community and the type of people you would like to be friends with .
“ It ’ s so tough and so hard .
It ’ s very hard to understand why these things happen.
” The body of Ms Huber was found alongside her husband and teenage sons Adam J Huber ( 17 ) and Michael P Huber ( 16 ) .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a master technician at the Reno Buick GMC car dealership since 2006 .
Reno director of marketing Doreen Hicks said he “ has always been a valued member of our team .
We mourn the loss of him and his family .
”

Joan Huber (53), originally from Coolcuslaugh near Killarney, Co Kerry, was found dead following an apparent murder-suicide in the Canyon Country area of the city of Reno, Nevada, US. File photograph: Google Street View
An Irish mother shot dead her husband and two teenage sons before taking her own life, US police have said.
Joan Huber (53), originally from Coolcuslaugh near Killarney, Co Kerry, was found dead following the apparent murder-suicide on Wednesday in the US city of Reno, Nevada.
Police discovered the bodies after they were alerted by neighbours who said they had not seen the family in days.
On Friday, Reno detectives issued a statement saying their investigation had established that Ms Huber, “within the preceding days of March 4th, shot her husband, 50-year-old Adam Huber, and their two teenage children, before taking her own life”.
READ MORE
‘No known motive’
"Reno Police Robbery/Homicide Detectives are still actively investigating this case and there is no known motive at this time."
Ms Huber (nee Kelly) was the eldest of five children of the late John Kelly, a former president of the East Kerry GAA and one-time general election candidate who died in February 2018.
Mrs Huber’s mother Sheila (nee Doolan) and a number of her siblings live in Killarney.
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, speaking to Radio Kerry after reports of the deaths emerged, said: “I know them to be a good, hardworking honest family and pillars in the community and the type of people you would like to be friends with.
“It’s so tough and so hard. It’s very hard to understand why these things happen.”
The body of Ms Huber was found alongside her husband and teenage sons Adam J Huber (17) and Michael P Huber (16).
It was reported Adam P Huber had worked as a master technician at the Reno Buick GMC car dealership since 2006.
Reno director of marketing Doreen Hicks said he "has always been a valued member of our team. We mourn the loss of him and his family."


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--What is the GMAT?

What is the GMAT?

Passing the Graduate Management Admission Test ( GMAT ) is a requirement for entry to some business schools around the world including , in Ireland , those on offer at Trinity and UCD .
NUI Galway , DCU , TU Dublin and the University of Limerick Executive MBA applicants may also be required to have a satisfactory GMAT score .
The test , which measures higher-order reasoning skills including problem-solving and critical thinking , takes about four hours .
Trinity College Dublin says that most people spend between three to four weeks preparing for the test and that it includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how students analyse an argument based around a single topic * Quantitative : Data sufficiency and problem-solving are the focus * Verbal : Reading comprehension , critical reasoning and sentence correction are assessed here .
At Smurfit , candidates who score exceptionally well on the GMAT may be awarded scholarships .
A number of private companies operating in Ireland , including Veritas Prep and Manhattan Review , offer GMAT preparation courses .
On March 28 and April 4 , 2020 , Veritas will host twelve hours of GMAT preparation , held across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills and concepts needed to pass the test .

Passing the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a requirement for entry to some business schools around the world including, in Ireland, those on offer at Trinity and UCD.
NUI Galway, DCU, TU Dublin and the University of Limerick Executive MBA applicants may also be required to have a satisfactory GMAT score.
The test, which measures higher-order reasoning skills including problem-solving and critical thinking, takes about four hours.
Trinity College Dublin says that most people spend between three to four weeks preparing for the test and that it includes:
READ MORE
* Analytical writing: Examiners focus on how students analyse an argument based around a single topic
* Integrated reasoning: This section includes table analysis, interpreting graphics and multi-source reasoning
* Quantitative: Data sufficiency and problem-solving are the focus
* Verbal: Reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction are assessed here.
At Smurfit, candidates who score exceptionally well on the GMAT may be awarded scholarships. A number of private companies operating in Ireland, including Veritas Prep and Manhattan Review, offer GMAT preparation courses.
On March 28 and April 4, 2020, Veritas will host twelve hours of GMAT preparation, held across two days, with applicants learning the skills and concepts needed to pass the test.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--RAF fighter jets repel Russian bombers off northwest Ireland

Six British RAF fighter jets scrambled twice on Saturday to repel Russian bomber aircraft detected approaching northwest Ireland .
London ’ s Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) confirmed quick reaction Typhoon jets launched from RAF Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland , and RAF Coningsby , in eastern England , in response to the Russian proximity to Derry and Donegal .
RAF fighters were launched “ early in the morning ” and again in “ mid-afternoon ” , according to an MoD spokeswoman .
Details of the operation remained unconfirmed during the day until the fighters returned to their bases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lossiemouth are the UK ’ s two designated quick-reaction-alert stations that protect United Kingdom airspace .
Three pairs of fighters were scrambled from both stations during the early morning approach of Russian aircraft .
Fighters were launched again from Lossiemouth during the second incident some hours later .
An airforce spokeswoman told the Irish Times : “ We can confirm that RAF quick-reaction-alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby .
This was a routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and was co-ordinated with several other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighters “ intercepted ” before the Russian aircraft entered British airspace around the north of Ireland .
The MoD could not confirm the Russian aircraft involved in the incident , but it is understood they were Russian TU-95 “ Bear ” bombers .
It was not immediately known how many were involved .
After a similar incident where Typhoons were scrambled twice in one day last August – before the United Kingdom left the European Union – in response to Russian Bear bombers approaching British airspace , the MoD said at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test Nato ’ s level of readiness ” as well as conduct “ intelligence-gathering missions ” .

The MoD could not confirm the Russian aircraft involved in the incident, but it is understood they were Russian TU-95 ‘Bear’ bombers. File photograph: British Ministry of Defence
Six British RAF fighter jets scrambled twice on Saturday to repel Russian bomber aircraft detected approaching northwest Ireland.
London’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed quick reaction Typhoon jets launched from RAF Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland, and RAF Coningsby, in eastern England, in response to the Russian proximity to Derry and Donegal.
RAF fighters were launched “early in the morning” and again in “mid-afternoon”, according to an MoD spokeswoman.
Details of the operation remained unconfirmed during the day until the fighters returned to their bases.
READ MORE
Both RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth are the UK’s two designated quick-reaction-alert stations that protect United Kingdom airspace.
RAF Typhoon jets launched from Lossiemouth air base in northeast Scotland, and Coningsby, in eastern England, in response to Russian aircraft near Derry and Donegal. File photograph: Getty
Three pairs of fighters were scrambled from both stations during the early morning approach of Russian aircraft.
Fighters were launched again from Lossiemouth during the second incident some hours later.
‘Routine response’
An airforce spokeswoman told the Irish Times: “We can confirm that RAF quick-reaction-alert Typhoon aircraft were launched today from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby. This was a routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and was co-ordinated with several other Nato allies.”
The spokeswoman said the fighters “intercepted” before the Russian aircraft entered British airspace around the north of Ireland.
The MoD could not confirm the Russian aircraft involved in the incident, but it is understood they were Russian TU-95 “Bear” bombers.
It was not immediately known how many were involved.
After a similar incident where Typhoons were scrambled twice in one day last August – before the United Kingdom left the European Union – in response to Russian Bear bombers approaching British airspace, the MoD said at the time that Russian aircraft “frequently attempt to test Nato’s level of readiness” as well as conduct “intelligence-gathering missions”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Two arrests in operation against staged crashes and insurance fraud

Gardaí investigating suspected fraudulent insurance claims linked to staged car crashes have made two arrests after searching a series of properties in Co Roscommon .
Business and residential properties were raided by officers from the Garda National Immigration Bureau ( GNIB ) as part of Operation Vantage , which is an ongoing investigation into the involvement of non-Irish nationals in staged collisions .
A Garda spokesman said two people were arrested on February 26th for breaches of work permits and immigration related offences following the searches .
“ One of these individuals has since been removed from the jurisdiction with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with immigration related offences , ” he said in a statement .
“ Prior to the commencement of Operation Vantage nine EU nationals were identified as being involved in staged road traffic collisions and false insurance claims .
Based on criminal history and convictions , applications for EU removal orders were submitted for seven of these individuals.
” The spokesman said some of the businesses searched as part of the operation were found to have breached employment legislation and social protection rules and were now subject to Work Place Relations Commission investigations @ @ @

Gardaí investigating suspected fraudulent insurance claims linked to staged car crashes have made two arrests after searching a series of properties in Co Roscommon.
Gardaí investigating suspected fraudulent insurance claims linked to staged car crashes have made two arrests after searching a series of properties in Co Roscommon.
Business and residential properties were raided by officers from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) as part of Operation Vantage, which is an ongoing investigation into the involvement of non-Irish nationals in staged collisions.
A Garda spokesman said two people were arrested on February 26th for breaches of work permits and immigration related offences following the searches.
“One of these individuals has since been removed from the jurisdiction with the second due before the criminal courts charged with immigration related offences,” he said in a statement.
READ MORE
“Prior to the commencement of Operation Vantage nine EU nationals were identified as being involved in staged road traffic collisions and false insurance claims. Based on criminal history and convictions, applications for EU removal orders were submitted for seven of these individuals.”
The spokesman said some of the businesses searched as part of the operation were found to have breached employment legislation and social protection rules and were now subject to Work Place Relations Commission investigations and prosecutions.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Irish duo charged over alleged child trafficking into UK

Two Irish men have been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to traffic children into the UK , according to Britain ’ s National Crime Agency ( NCA ) .
Wayne Sherlock ( 39 ) is from the Eythorne area of Dover and Eoin Nowlan ( 48 ) is from Sandwich , also near Dover .
Both are Irish nationals and were charged with “ conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration ” .
They were remanded in custody at a hearing at Canterbury Magistrates court .
The pair were among a number of men arrested after officers found 10 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ load of tyres near Ghent in Belgium on Thursday .
The migrants , believed to be two adults and eight children , are thought to be from southeast Asia .
The lorry driver , a 64-year-old man from Glasgow , who was arrested in Belgium has been also been remanded in custody .
A 30-year-old man arrested in Co Antrim on Friday in connection with the same investigation has been released on bail .
The Belgian authorities intercepted the truck following a tip-off from the NCA .
Properties in Northern Ireland and England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two suspected firearms at an address in Kent .
“ Our close working with our Belgian partners in this instance has led to the safeguarding of a number of migrants who had been put in a very dangerous situation .
And we are grateful for their support , ” said NCA regional head of investigation Gerry McLean .
“ Working with partners at home and abroad , we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal immigration and our investigation into this matter continues.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ this kind of human smuggling is very dangerous .
And the operation proves once more that international co-operation works in the fight against this type of organised crime .
”

The National Crime Agency said it is ‘determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal immigration’.
Two Irish men have been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to traffic children into the UK, according to Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
Wayne Sherlock (39) is from the Eythorne area of Dover and Eoin Nowlan (48) is from Sandwich, also near Dover. Both are Irish nationals and were charged with “conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration”.
They were remanded in custody at a hearing at Canterbury Magistrates court.
Update: Two Irish nationals from the Dover area have been charged following yesterday's arrest in people smuggling investigation
Wayne Sherlock and Eoin Nowlan were charged this morning with conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration. https://t.co/yvlotizmmL — National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) March 7, 2020
The pair were among a number of men arrested after officers found 10 people being trafficked in a lorry carrying a load of tyres near Ghent in Belgium on Thursday.
READ MORE
The migrants, believed to be two adults and eight children, are thought to be from southeast Asia.
The lorry driver, a 64-year-old man from Glasgow, who was arrested in Belgium has been also been remanded in custody. A 30-year-old man arrested in Co Antrim on Friday in connection with the same investigation has been released on bail.
The Belgian authorities intercepted the truck following a tip-off from the NCA.
Search operations in NI and England
Properties in Northern Ireland and England were also searched, with officers seizing two suspected firearms at an address in Kent.
“Our close working with our Belgian partners in this instance has led to the safeguarding of a number of migrants who had been put in a very dangerous situation. And we are grateful for their support,” said NCA regional head of investigation Gerry McLean.
“Working with partners at home and abroad, we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in illegal immigration and our investigation into this matter continues.”
West Flanders prosecutor Frank Demeester added that “this kind of human smuggling is very dangerous. And the operation proves once more that international co-operation works in the fight against this type of organised crime.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: New case in east of Ireland brings total to 19

The number of confirmed coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) cases in the State has risen to 19 , after the virus was identified in a male in the east of Ireland on Saturday .
The National Public Health Emergency Team said the Health Protection Surveillance Centre had been informed of the latest case , which was associated with travel from northern Italy , the part of Europe that has been hardest hit by the virus .
“ The HSE is working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient may have had , to provide them with information and advice to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
The emergency team met on Saturday to consider guidance from an expert advisory group on managing healthcare workers who are in close contact with confirmed cases of the virus .
It said it had decided to accept the advice , which was provided in response to the recent diagnosis of Covid-19 in a patient hospitalised at Cork University Hospital .
The patient had a significant number of close contacts with healthcare workers and Dr Cillian de Gascun , chairwoman of the advisory group , said there was “ a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed healthcare worker ” .
The advice noted that if a health facility can not be staffed safely to provide critical services , those who have had close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus and have developed symptoms should be excluded from work .
It added that staff who have not developed symptoms , and are deemed essential workers , may continue to work provided they observe infection prevention and control precautions , and undergo active monitoring twice daily for 14 days after contact with a confirmed case .
Under current coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with mild symptoms will recover in isolation in the community , rather than in hospital , where all cases are being treated at present .
Dr Tony Holohan , chief medical officer in the Department of Health , said coronavirus creates a risk to patient care in two ways : “ The risk of transmission from an infected health care worker ; and the risk of serious impact on patient care by loss of significant numbers of essential staff.
” He said the expert group ’ s guidance would “ be implemented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately ” and that Health Service Executive senior management was meeting with staff in the affected hospitals , offering guidance .
The HSE on Saturday said there would be “ no barriers ” to the recruitment of health service staff needed to work in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
A HSE spokeswoman said the organisation was also “ expediting all other avenues ” in terms of those on panels and awaiting appointment and that those who have left the service for reasons of retirement , career break , secondments were also being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ensure that every method of engaging staff that are required for managing services at this time are maximised and we will not fall short in this regard , ” she added .
“ The efforts of all our staff and stakeholders at this time is fully acknowledged.
” Phil Ní Sheaghdha , general secretary of Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation , told RTÉ radio that the move was welcome “ but it should have happened much earlier ” .
The National Maternity Hospital , on Dublin ’ s Holles Street , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about potential spread of the virus .
“ The only visiting permitted is the birth partner of the pregnant woman or mother attending [ no children ] and the parents of a baby in NICU [ neonatal intensive care unit ] unless exceptional circumstances , ” said the hospital on Saturday .
Hospitals in Cork and the midwest , and Dublin ’ s Mater hospital , where cases are being treated , have also introduced visitor restrictions and many elective surgeries have been cancelled .
Private nursing homes across the State have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ vulnerable ” older residents .
Staff at some Irish hospitals are expected to be trained in order to provide regional coronavirus testing facilities .
The National Virus Reference Laboratory in University College Dublin processes all tests .
Other health service staff are to be drafted in to assist the 60 or so public health professionals who specialise in tracing contacts of people with infectious diseases .
The requirement for contact tracing has escalated hugely since the number of cases grew in recent days .
International data shows four out of every five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
The number of people infected with coronavirus has passed 102,000 globally , the World Health Organisation said on Saturday .
It emerged on Saturday that at least four Irish people are among some 3,500 people on a cruise ship called the Grand Princess that has been stranded off the California coast due to the coronavirus .
At least 20 people on board have tested positive for the virus .
Ms Ní Sheaghdha also criticised the decision to go ahead with big St Patrick ’ s Day celebrations around the country over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put too much strain on our public health service.
” “ After any mass gathering our hospitals and A & E departments are overwhelmed , ” she said .
“ We know this , we know not just from the point of view of the coronavirus but for general activity at mass gatherings.
” While a number of Irish embassies worldwide have cancelled celebrations , the Government has said there are no plans as yet to postpone the major St Patrick ’ s Day events in the State .
However , organisers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Co Cork towns of Youghal , Cobh and Midleton have announced they will cancel their event this year .
Meanwhile , testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in three new presumptive positive results for coronavirus , bringing the total to seven since testing began .
Further positive tests had been expected and the advice to the public remains unchanged .
Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase , according to the Department of Health .
The latest three cases are all adults who had recently travelled from Italy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .

Staff at some Irish hospitals are expected to be trained in order to provide regional coronavirus testing facilities. Photograph: Thomas Sampson/AFP via Getty Images.
The number of confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the State has risen to 19, after the virus was identified in a male in the east of Ireland on Saturday.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said the Health Protection Surveillance Centre had been informed of the latest case, which was associated with travel from northern Italy, the part of Europe that has been hardest hit by the virus.
“The HSE is working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread,” it said in a statement.
The emergency team met on Saturday to consider guidance from an expert advisory group on managing healthcare workers who are in close contact with confirmed cases of the virus.
READ MORE
It said it had decided to accept the advice, which was provided in response to the recent diagnosis of Covid-19 in a patient hospitalised at Cork University Hospital. The patient had a significant number of close contacts with healthcare workers and Dr Cillian de Gascun, chairwoman of the advisory group, said there was “a risk to patients of acquiring Covid-19 from an exposed healthcare worker”.
The advice noted that if a health facility cannot be staffed safely to provide critical services, those who have had close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus and have developed symptoms should be excluded from work.
Essential workers
It added that staff who have not developed symptoms, and are deemed essential workers, may continue to work provided they observe infection prevention and control precautions, and undergo active monitoring twice daily for 14 days after contact with a confirmed case.
Under current coronavirus response plans, it is expected that patients with mild symptoms will recover in isolation in the community, rather than in hospital, where all cases are being treated at present.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer in the Department of Health, said coronavirus creates a risk to patient care in two ways: “The risk of transmission from an infected health care worker; and the risk of serious impact on patient care by loss of significant numbers of essential staff.”
He said the expert group's guidance would "be implemented in Cork University Hospital and Limerick Hospital immediately" and that Health Service Executive senior management was meeting with staff in the affected hospitals, offering guidance.
The HSE on Saturday said there would be “no barriers” to the recruitment of health service staff needed to work in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
A HSE spokeswoman said the organisation was also “expediting all other avenues” in terms of those on panels and awaiting appointment and that those who have left the service for reasons of retirement, career break, secondments were also being identified and contacted.
“The HSE will ensure that every method of engaging staff that are required for managing services at this time are maximised and we will not fall short in this regard,” she added. “The efforts of all our staff and stakeholders at this time is fully acknowledged.”
‘Much earlier’
Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary of Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, told RTÉ radio that the move was welcome "but it should have happened much earlier".
The National Maternity Hospital, on Dublin’s Holles Street, said it had applied visitor restrictions due to concerns about potential spread of the virus.
“The only visiting permitted is the birth partner of the pregnant woman or mother attending [no children] and the parents of a baby in NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] unless exceptional circumstances,” said the hospital on Saturday.
Hospitals in Cork and the midwest, and Dublin’s Mater hospital, where cases are being treated, have also introduced visitor restrictions and many elective surgeries have been cancelled. Private nursing homes across the State have also restricted visiting to minimise risk to “vulnerable” older residents.
Staff at some Irish hospitals are expected to be trained in order to provide regional coronavirus testing facilities. The National Virus Reference Laboratory in University College Dublin processes all tests.
Other health service staff are to be drafted in to assist the 60 or so public health professionals who specialise in tracing contacts of people with infectious diseases. The requirement for contact tracing has escalated hugely since the number of cases grew in recent days.
International data shows four out of every five people who get the disease suffer mild symptoms. The number of people infected with coronavirus has passed 102,000 globally, the World Health Organisation said on Saturday.
Cruise ship
It emerged on Saturday that at least four Irish people are among some 3,500 people on a cruise ship called the Grand Princess that has been stranded off the California coast due to the coronavirus. At least 20 people on board have tested positive for the virus.
Ms Ní Sheaghdha also criticised the decision to go ahead with big St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the country over coming weeks, warning it would “put too much strain on our public health service.”
“After any mass gathering our hospitals and A&E departments are overwhelmed,” she said. “We know this, we know not just from the point of view of the coronavirus but for general activity at mass gatherings.”
While a number of Irish embassies worldwide have cancelled celebrations, the Government has said there are no plans as yet to postpone the major St Patrick's Day events in the State.
However, organisers of St Patrick’s Day parades in the Co Cork towns of Youghal, Cobh and Midleton have announced they will cancel their event this year.
Meanwhile, testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in three new presumptive positive results for coronavirus, bringing the total to seven since testing began.
Further positive tests had been expected and the advice to the public remains unchanged. Northern Ireland is still in the containment phase, according to the Department of Health.
The latest three cases are all adults who had recently travelled from Italy and are linked to a previously confirmed positive case.


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--Appointment of Mick Mulvaney as US special envoy to NI welcomed

The apppointment of a US special envoy to Northern Ireland has been welcomed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill .
US president Donald Trump on Friday confirmed that his acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has taken up the role , which had been vacant since former US senator Gary Hart left the position in 2017 when Mr Trump took power .
Mr Mulvaney is an Irish-American and has strong links to Co Mayo , which is where his grandparents are from .
“ Really pleased Mick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envoy to Northern Ireland , ” Mr Varadkar said in a Twitter post on Saturday .
“ He has been a good friend to Ireland and understands all the key issues in detail .
He ’ ll have a hotline to President Trump when it comes to issues affecting Ireland , north and south.
” Mrs Foster said she met Mr Mulvaney when he took a recent trip to Belfast and demonstrated an an interest in the restoration of a powersharing Executive .
“ The United States has been a loyal friend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Special Envoy will be important in developing that friendship , ” she said in a statement .
“ The US is a key market for us and we will be using our time in Washington next week to get the message across that we are open for businesses , an attractive place to invest with a skilled and strong work force.
” Ms O ’ Neill said she hoped his appointment would “ allow him to build on the work of those who held the role before him in supporting the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have strong historical , political and economic connections with the US and I look forward to working with the new Special Envoy during his term in office to build on those links as we work to protect our interests after Brexit.
” - PA

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has been appointed by US president Donal Trump as US special envoy to Northern Ireland. File photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.
The apppointment of a US special envoy to Northern Ireland has been welcomed by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
US president Donald Trump on Friday confirmed that his acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has taken up the role, which had been vacant since former US senator Gary Hart left the position in 2017 when Mr Trump took power.
Mr Mulvaney is an Irish-American and has strong links to Co Mayo, which is where his grandparents are from.
“Really pleased Mick Mulvaney has been appointed as US special envoy to Northern Ireland,” Mr Varadkar said in a Twitter post on Saturday. “He has been a good friend to Ireland and understands all the key issues in detail. He’ll have a hotline to President Trump when it comes to issues affecting Ireland, north and south.”
READ MORE
Mrs Foster said she met Mr Mulvaney when he took a recent trip to Belfast and demonstrated an an interest in the restoration of a powersharing Executive.
“The United States has been a loyal friend to Northern Ireland and the appointment of the new Special Envoy will be important in developing that friendship,” she said in a statement.
“The US is a key market for us and we will be using our time in Washington next week to get the message across that we are open for businesses, an attractive place to invest with a skilled and strong work force.”
Ms O’Neill said she hoped his appointment would “allow him to build on the work of those who held the role before him in supporting the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement”.
“We have strong historical, political and economic connections with the US and I look forward to working with the new Special Envoy during his term in office to build on those links as we work to protect our interests after Brexit.” - PA


theirishtimes--2020-03-07--No current case for united Ireland Border poll – Alliance party

There is no current case for a Border poll on a united Ireland but there is space for a “ civilised , rational and evidence-based discussions ” on the issue , Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said at the party ’ s 50th anniversary annual conference .
Dr Farry when addressing up to 400 delegates at the conference at the Stormont Hotel in east Belfast on Saturday said that Alliance recognised that Brexit and other factors have energised the debate around the constitutional question .
“ Given the nature of Alliance , some may suggest that this would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these are debates that in which we can engage with confidence , ” said the North Down MP .
Dr Farry ended up delivering the conference ’ s keynote speech as party leader Naomi Long was unable to attend due to a chest infection .
A party spokesman said that Dr Farry ’ s speech also contained input from the Alliance leader .
He also explained that her illness was not coronavirus .
“ Alliance is not a party that is defined by the constitutional question , ” said Dr Farry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who prefer the union , and some who prefer a united Ireland and indeed many who are open to persuasion , we are not only united , but defined , by our shared commitment to make this society work , to overcome division and to build a better future.
” “ We don ’ t believe that there is currently the case for a Border poll , and nor are we pursuing one , but we do recognise that there is a very fluid situation and multiple active debates are underway , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence , and without prejudice to any outcome , engage in civilised , rational and evidence-based discussions .
In all respects , we will be guided by our vision and values and always advocate what we think is right for Northern Ireland .
” Dr Farry was addressing the conference after local , European and Westminster elections last year which saw the “ Alliance surge ” and the party ’ s overall vote more than doubling from 8 per cent in 2017 to 17 per cent in 2019 .
Analysing that success Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more and more people were moving away from traditional labels , and expressing open , mixed and multiple identities .
He added , “ Second , we called Brexit correctly , right from the start , and have been consistent throughout .
We have clearly articulated and defended Northern Ireland ’ s interests .
“ Third , we have channelled frustrations around the politics of deadlock and delay , and the desire to see change , reform and delivery .
Success has bred further success.
” Dr Farry said the “ old canard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wasted vote had been shattered .
“ We have proven that we can win anywhere in Northern Ireland .
And we have drawn votes from right across the community .
We have proven that in a political context usually framed around the constitutional question and a clash of identities that a liberal and cross community party can not only survive but flourish.
” Dr Farry reaffirmed the party ’ s commitment to Europe and the European Union .
“ We should look forward and aspire to Northern Ireland rejoining the EU sooner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But for now , Boris Johnson is set to pursue a reckless hard Brexit .
The Brexit extremists exhibit the characteristics of revolutionaries , in this case fuelled by a libertarian ideology and wishful , delusional thinking .
Dissenting voices are labelled as enemies of the people , ” he added .
“ The UK is turning its back on is biggest and most important neighbours for the pipe dream of a global Britain , all the time failing to acknowledge that it is through the EU that the UK can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade.
” Dr Farry said that the British government appeared determined to turn its back on international human rights standards and that British prime minister Boris Johnson ’ s Brexit deal risked “ leaving Northern Ireland in a ‘ No Man ’ s Land ’ , with the Good Friday agreement undermined and a renewed risk of the return of a hard border on this island ” .
“ It is not in our interests to have a cowboy economy , ” he added .
Dr Farry said the recent New Decade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not perfect but was a “ necessary starting point ” to make politics work .
He called for a reform of Assembly veto system , the petition of concern ; a change of the designation system at Stormont where politicians identify as unionist , nationalist or “ other ” , which is Alliance ’ s designation ; and reform of the North ’ s finances .
And referring to the absent leader Dr Farry said that Naomi Long as Minister of Justice would work for victims of domestic , sexual and other abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ lead a cross-departmental approach to stamp out paramilitary control of communities , build a culture of lawfulness and confidence in the entire justice system and create safe , shared communities ” .

There is no current case for a Border poll on a united Ireland, Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said at the party’s 50th anniversary annual conference. File Photograph: HO/PRU/AFP via Getty Images
There is no current case for a Border poll on a united Ireland but there is space for a "civilised, rational and evidence-based discussions" on the issue, Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said at the party's 50th anniversary annual conference.
Addressing up to 400 delegates at the conference at the Stormont Hotel in east Belfast on Saturday, Dr Farry said Alliance recognised that Brexit and other factors had energised the debate around the constitutional question.
“Given the nature of Alliance, some may suggest that this would be a particular challenge. But, on the contrary, these are debates in which we can engage with confidence,” said the North Down MP.
Dr Farry ended up delivering the conference's keynote speech as party leader Naomi Long was unable to attend due to a chest infection.
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A party spokesman said that Dr Farry’s speech also contained input from the Alliance leader. He also explained that her illness was not coronavirus.
“Alliance is not a party that is defined by the constitutional question,” said Dr Farry. “While there may be some members who prefer the union, and some who prefer a united Ireland and indeed many who are open to persuasion, we are not only united, but defined, by our shared commitment to make this society work, to overcome division and to build a better future.
Border poll
“We don’t believe that there is currently the case for a Border poll, and nor are we pursuing one, but we do recognise that there is a very fluid situation and multiple active debates are underway,” he said.
"We can with confidence, and without prejudice to any outcome, engage in civilised, rational and evidence-based discussions. In all respects, we will be guided by our vision and values and always advocate what we think is right for Northern Ireland. "
Dr Farry was addressing the conference after local, European and Westminster elections last year which saw the “Alliance surge” and the party’s overall vote more than doubling from 8 per cent in 2017 to 17 per cent in 2019.
Analysing that success, Dr Farry said that “for starters” more and more people were moving away from traditional labels, and expressing open, mixed and multiple identities.
“Second, we called Brexit correctly, right from the start, and have been consistent throughout. We have clearly articulated and defended Northern Ireland’s interests.
“Third, we have channelled frustrations around the politics of deadlock and delay, and the desire to see change, reform and delivery. Success has bred further success.”
Dr Farry said the “old canard” of a vote for Alliance being a wasted vote had been shattered. “We have proven that we can win anywhere in Northern Ireland. And we have drawn votes from right across the community. We have proven that in a political context usually framed around the constitutional question and a clash of identities that a liberal and cross community party can not only survive but flourish.”
Dr Farry reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Europe and the European Union. “We should look forward and aspire to Northern Ireland rejoining the EU sooner rather than later,” he said.
“But for now, Boris Johnson is set to pursue a reckless hard Brexit. The Brexit extremists exhibit the characteristics of revolutionaries, in this case fuelled by a libertarian ideology and wishful, delusional thinking. Dissenting voices are labelled as enemies of the people,” he added.
Neighbours
“The UK is turning its back on is biggest and most important neighbours for the pipe dream of a global Britain, all the time failing to acknowledge that it is through the EU that the UK can best project soft power and expand international trade.”
Dr Farry said that the British government appeared determined to turn its back on international human rights standards and that British prime minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal risked “leaving Northern Ireland in a ‘No Man’s Land’, with the Good Friday agreement undermined and a renewed risk of the return of a hard border on this island”.
“It is not in our interests to have a cowboy economy,” he added.
Dr Farry said the recent New Decade, New Approach deal that restored Stormont was not perfect but was a “necessary starting point” to make politics work.
He called for a reform of Assembly veto system, the petition of concern; a change of the designation system at Stormont where politicians identify as unionist, nationalist or “other”, which is Alliance’s designation; and reform of the North’s finances.
And referring to the absent leader Dr Farry said that Naomi Long as Minister of Justice would work for victims of domestic, sexual and other abuse; introduce a stalking Bill; and “lead a cross-departmental approach to stamp out paramilitary control of communities, build a culture of lawfulness and confidence in the entire justice system and create safe, shared communities”.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Cork University Hospital reducing appointments

Cork University Hospital ( CUH ) on Sunday said it would be reducing and rescheduling outpatient appointments between Monday and Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) outbreak .
The measures follow the identification of the virus in a middle aged man at CUH last week .
Authorities have been unable to establish how he fell ill with the virus .
He is among 19 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the State to date , with the latest involving a man in the east of Ireland .
The National Public Health Emergency Team said this man ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Italy , the part of Europe that has been hardest hit by the virus and where millions now face being put in quarantine .
“ The HSE is working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient may have had , to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread , ” it said in a statement .
Three new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Saturday , bringing the total there to seven .
CUH said services including dialysis , radiation therapy , infusions , endoscopy , chemotherapy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be impacted by the rescheduling of apointments .
Surgeries are to proceed as normal unless patients are contacted and advised otherwise .
“ All other appointments are being rescheduled , unless patients are directly contacted by the hospital to attend their scheduled appointment , ” the hospital said in a statement , which added that visiting restrictions remain in place throughout the facility .
“ Cork University Hospital apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to patients.
” It is understood that medical staff at CUH have been asked to postpone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Management at the South/South West Hospital Group has also asked that members of the public explore all other options available to them prior to presenting to Emergency Departments in the city if their needs are not urgent .
The National Public Health Emergency Team accepted guidance over the weekend from an expert advisory group on managing healthcare workers who are in close contact with confirmed cases of the virus .
The advice was provided in response to the recent diagnosis of Covid-19 in a patient hospitalised at Cork University Hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts with healthcare workers and Dr Cillian de Gascun , chairwoman of the advisory group , said there was “ a risk to patients of acquiring Covid-19 from an exposed healthcare worker ” .
The advice noted that if a health facility can not be staffed safely to provide critical services , those who have had close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus and have developed symptoms should be excluded from work .
It added that staff who have not developed symptoms , and are deemed essential workers , may continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control precautions , and undergo active monitoring twice daily for 14 days after contact with a confirmed case .
Under current coronavirus response plans , it is expected that patients with mild symptoms will recover in isolation in the community , rather than in hospital , where all cases are being treated at present .
Dr Tony Holohan , chief medical officer in the Department of Health , said coronavirus creates a risk to patient care in two ways : “ The risk of transmission from an infected health care worker ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care by loss of significant numbers of essential staff.
” The HSE on Saturday said there would be “ no barriers ” to the recruitment of health service staff needed to work in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
A HSE spokeswoman said the organisation was also “ expediting all other avenues ” in terms of those on panels and awaiting appointment and that those who have left the service for reasons of retirement , career break , secondments were also being identified and contacted .
“ The HSE will ensure that every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for managing services at this time are maximised and we will not fall short in this regard , ” she added .
“ The efforts of all our staff and stakeholders at this time is fully acknowledged.
” Phil Ní Sheaghdha , general secretary of Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation , told RTÉ radio that the move was welcome “ but it should have happened much earlier ” .
Hospitals in the midwest and Dublin ’ s Mater hospital , where cases are being treated , and the National Maternity Hospital have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been cancelled .
Private nursing homes across the State have also restricted visiting to minimise risk to “ vulnerable ” older residents .
It emerged on Saturday that at least four Irish people are among some 3,500 people on a cruise ship called the Grand Princess that has been stranded off the California coast due to the coronavirus .
At least 20 people on board have tested positive for the virus .

Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Sunday said it would be reducing and rescheduling outpatient appointments between Monday and Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Photograph: Mark Kerton/PA Wire.
Two new cases of the coronavirus Covid-19 have been confirmed by the HSE, bringing to 21 the number of confirmed cases in the Republic to date.
It said both cases were as a result of transmission of the virus in the community.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said one of the cases involved a female in the east of the country. The other involved a male in the south of the country and was associated with the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork.
It said a risk assessment was underway, adding the HSE was “now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread”.
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Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health, said on Sunday: “Ireland remains in containment phase with 21 cases to date, three of which are associated with community transmission.
“Most people who become infected with Covid-19 experience a mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for some.
“Every individual needs to be aware of how to protect their own health and the health of others.
“The most important way they can do this is by following public health advice.”
This includes washing hands regularly with soap and water; maintaining at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing/sneezing; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and practice cough and sneeze hygiene.
The 19th confirmed case was announced on Saturday. It was a man from the east of Ireland who had travelled from Italy.
Earlier, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said it could not dispute reported projections that up to 1.9 million people could become sick as a result of contracting the coronavirus.
However, Mr Reid said modelling work on how the Covid-19 outbreak could impact the country would not be completed until later in the week.
The Business Post reported on Sunday that health authorities were forecasting that about 40 per cent of the population could become sick as a result of the virus. Mr Reid said he could not dispute these figures, but said the work was not yet concluded and the evidence was changing day by day.
Much of northern Italy has been put in a state of quarantine as a result of the outbreak there. The measures, which are due to be in place for a month, are expected to affect some 16 million people. There have been seven confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to date.
Mr Reid said the health service had plans to deal with a surge in the numbers who become most seriously ill as a result of the coronavirus. These include using high dependency units, resuscitation units and intensive care facilities in the private sector.
He told RTÉ’s This Week programme that the Government had also allocated an additional €20million to open a further 25 intensive care beds in the public hospital system.
Sudden impact
Mr Reid said the HSE was looking to take actions that would prevent the coronavirus having a sudden impact on the health service and rather to spread the effects over a longer period of time. He also said close to 100 health staff in Cork had been impacted as a result of a case of coronavirus identified in a patient last week at Cork University Hospital (CUH).
Authorities have been unable to establish how he fell ill with the virus. When the case was first confirmed, 60 staff were told to self-isolate. Mr Reid said the health system could not sustain that level of staff having to self-isolate.
CUH on Sunday said it would be reducing and rescheduling outpatient appointments between Monday and Wednesday as a result of the coronavirus.
It said services including dialysis, radiation therapy, infusions, endoscopy, chemotherapy, cystic fibrosis treatments and the dressings clinic would not be impacted by the rescheduling of appointments. Surgeries are to proceed as normal unless patients are contacted and advised otherwise.
“All other appointments are being rescheduled, unless patients are directly contacted by the hospital to attend their scheduled appointment,” the hospital said in a statement, which added that visiting restrictions remain in place throughout the facility.
“Cork University Hospital apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to patients.”
Under new rules announced on Saturday healthcare workers who have had close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 but have not developed symptoms, and are deemed to be essential workers, may work, provided they adhere to infection control precautions. They will also have to undergo twice daily monitoring for 14 days.
Symptoms
Health workers who have had close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case and have developed symptoms are to be excluded from work.
Mr Reid said the health service would take every action possible to protect the public. He said he had received full support from the Government and there would be “no short steps”.
It was announced on Saturday that recruitment restrictions in place in the health service are to be lifted to deal with the outbreak. Siptu said on Sunday that this would not only apply to nurses but also other essential grades in the health service.
The HSE said there would be “no barriers to the recruitment of the workforce that is required to support our critical clinical services during the Covid -19”.
“The HSE are also expediting all other avenues in terms of those on panels and awaiting appointment, those who have left the service for reasons of retirement, career break, secondments etc are also being identified and contacted,” a spokeswoman said.
“The HSE will ensure that every method of engaging staff that are required for managing services at this time are maximised and we will not fall short in this regard.”
In proposals tabled to trade unions on Friday, the HSE said that if a national public health emergency was declared in relation to Covid -19, the cancellation of annual and discretionary leave would, if necessary, be considered by the National Crisis Management Team. It said that some or all identified non-essential services may have to be cancelled or postponed in order to deal with the effects of the covid-19 infection.


theirishtimes--2020-03-08--Queen Elizabeth II called on to pardon the Connaught Rangers mutineers

Relatives of those involved in the Connaught Rangers mutiny 100 years ago have been told that they will have to petition Queen Elizabeth II to have them pardoned .
Approximately 500 men in two companies of the 1st battalion of the Connaught Rangers based in northern India refused to soldier in protest at the behaviour of British forces in Ireland during the War of Independence .
Two of their number , privates Patrick Smythe and Peter Sears , were shot dead when they attempted to raid the armoury at the barracks in Solon on July 1st , 1920 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daly from Tyrrellspass , Co Westmeath , was the only one executed for his role in the mutiny .
Of those who mutined , 14 were sentenced to death , later commuted with the exception of Daly , and a further 63 were sentenced to terms of imprisonment .
One of them was Private William Coote from Dublin who joined the Connaught Rangers when he was 16 in 1906 .
Originally from Dublin , he served twice in France in the first World War .
A day after being demobbed in 1919 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to India .
He received a year ’ s hard labour and was discharged in ignomy in 1921 .
The three first World War medals he received in 1920 were taken from him by the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) in the UK and destroyed .
Mr Coote , who died in 1973 at the age of 83 , has five children and 34 grandchildren .
Members of his family have petitioned the MOD to have his medals restored and for him to be granted a pardon .
MOD official retired Lieutenant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coote had no opportunity to re-enlist after being dismissed .
“ As a consequence , his medals would have been destroyed and can never been restored , ” he said .
He also ruled out the possibility of an individual pardon for Coote as it was not possible to pardon one mutineer and not the others .
“ This could only be achieved by a royal prerogative of mercy – sometimes referred to as a royal pardon , ” he wrote .
“ The MOD can not provide a royal pardon – these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and therefore if you wish to pursue a royal pardon , you will need to petition the Queen.
” His grandson Seamus O ’ Kelly said the centenary of the Connaught Rangers mutiny was a “ good time for a goodwill gesture from the British government ” especially after the recent visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge .
Mr O ’ Kelly , who first raised the issue with RTÉ ’ s Liveline programme last week , said his grandfather had been proud of his service in the Connaught Rangers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he was ” in 1921 .
Mr Coote later joined the National Army in the Civil War and got a job subsequently in the Botanic Gardens .
He was one of the oldest surviving mutineers and only one of five left alive when the remains of Daly , Sears and Smythe were repatriated to Ireland on the 50th anniversary of the mutiny in 1970 .
“ It was always a bugbear with us when he did so much with the Connaught Rangers , ” said Mr O ’ Kelly who emigrated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ My grandfather was very loyal .
He felt he owed it to this friends by staying with them ( the mutineers ) .
It ’ s important for Irish people to know what they have done .
Those men were proud of what they did for Ireland .
“ They suffered a lot .
They were left out in the open in the Indian sunshine for a few days .
They couldn ’ t break their resolve.
” The main national commemoration for the mutiny will take place in Tubbercurry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century to the day after the mutiny started .
The event will feature a commemoration ceremony and the unveiling of a memorial by President Michael D Higgins in the town where several of the mutineers were from .
Committee secretary Mary Henry said : “ The project is designed to tell the story and honour the memory of the courageous men who while far from home stood in solidarity with their native country men fighting for our independence .
“ This will be the first occasion where all the families and descendants will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honour the memory of their ancestors .
”

A certificate dated January 8th 1937, signed by Frank Aiken, minister for defence, granting a dependents’ allowance to James Daly in respect of his son James Joseph Daly executed in India on November 2nd 1920 for his part in the Connaught Rangers Mutiny.
Relatives of those involved in the Connaught Rangers mutiny 100 years ago have been told that they will have to petition Queen Elizabeth II to have them pardoned.
Approximately 500 men in two companies of the 1st battalion of the Connaught Rangers based in northern India refused to soldier in protest at the behaviour of British forces in Ireland during the War of Independence.
Two of their number, privates Patrick Smythe and Peter Sears, were shot dead when they attempted to raid the armoury at the barracks in Solon on July 1st, 1920. The instigator of the raid, Private James Daly from Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath, was the only one executed for his role in the mutiny.
Of those who mutined, 14 were sentenced to death, later commuted with the exception of Daly, and a further 63 were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
READ MORE
One of them was Private William Coote from Dublin who joined the Connaught Rangers when he was 16 in 1906.
Originally from Dublin, he served twice in France in the first World War. A day after being demobbed in 1919, he rejoined his regiment and was shipped to India.
He received a year’s hard labour and was discharged in ignomy in 1921. The three first World War medals he received in 1920 were taken from him by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the UK and destroyed.
Mr Coote, who died in 1973 at the age of 83, has five children and 34 grandchildren. Members of his family have petitioned the MOD to have his medals restored and for him to be granted a pardon.
Response
MOD official retired Lieutenant Colonel Kestrel Simson responded by stating that Coote had no opportunity to re-enlist after being dismissed. “As a consequence, his medals would have been destroyed and can never been restored,” he said.
He also ruled out the possibility of an individual pardon for Coote as it was not possible to pardon one mutineer and not the others.
“This could only be achieved by a royal prerogative of mercy – sometimes referred to as a royal pardon,” he wrote.
“The MOD cannot provide a royal pardon – these can only be issued by the Sovereign and therefore if you wish to pursue a royal pardon, you will need to petition the Queen.”
His grandson Seamus O’Kelly said the centenary of the Connaught Rangers mutiny was a “good time for a goodwill gesture from the British government” especially after the recent visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Mr O’Kelly, who first raised the issue with RTÉ’s Liveline programme last week, said his grandfather had been proud of his service in the Connaught Rangers, “but ashamed that he was discharged as he was” in 1921.
Mr Coote later joined the National Army in the Civil War and got a job subsequently in the Botanic Gardens.
He was one of the oldest surviving mutineers and only one of five left alive when the remains of Daly, Sears and Smythe were repatriated to Ireland on the 50th anniversary of the mutiny in 1970.
“It was always a bugbear with us when he did so much with the Connaught Rangers,” said Mr O’Kelly who emigrated to Lincolnshire from Dublin when he was eight.
“My grandfather was very loyal. He felt he owed it to this friends by staying with them (the mutineers). It’s important for Irish people to know what they have done. Those men were proud of what they did for Ireland.
“They suffered a lot. They were left out in the open in the Indian sunshine for a few days. They couldn’t break their resolve.”
The main national commemoration for the mutiny will take place in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo on June 27th, a century to the day after the mutiny started.
The event will feature a commemoration ceremony and the unveiling of a memorial by President Michael D Higgins in the town where several of the mutineers were from.
Committee secretary Mary Henry said: "The project is designed to tell the story and honour the memory of the courageous men who while far from home stood in solidarity with their native country men fighting for our independence. "This will be the first occasion where all the families and descendants will have an opportunity to come together and honour the memory of their ancestors."