theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Coronavirus: North tightens restrictions on gatherings

Tighter restrictions on the number of people allowed to meet indoors and outdoors are to be reintroduced in the North from next week to limit the spread of coronavirus .
Gatherings in private homes are to be reduced to a maximum of six people from two households , while the number of people who can meet outdoors , including in a private garden , will be limited to 15 .
Exemptions will apply to certain events , including weddings , church services and sporting events , as long as a risk assessment is carried out and social distancing and hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were unanimously approved by Ministers at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive on Thursday afternoon .
They also agreed to pause any further lifting of restrictions .
“ These are not decisions I want to take but decisions I had to take , ” the North ’ s Minister for Health , Robin Swann , told reporters at a press conference following the meeting .
“ Unless we take action now I fear it would soon have been too late to arrest further extensive spread of the virus.
” He expressed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to indoor gatherings , “ whether that be licensed premises or house parties ” .
He also said focused police enforcement action would be directed at “ hotspot ” areas of infection .
Cases of Covid-19 have been rising in the North in recent weeks , with the reproductive – or “ R ” – number of the virus now estimated at about 1.3 .
An additional 51 cases were reported by the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) on Thursday , bringing the total number of people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North to 6,556 .
No further fatalities related to the disease were reported , leaving the total number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the department at 559 .
Mr Swann confirmed on Thursday that 35 members of staff at a meat processing plant in Cullybackey , Co Antrim , as well as a smaller number of their recent contacts , have been diagnosed with coronavirus , in what he described as a “ significant ” and “ extensive ” outbreak .
The Cranswick Country Foods plant , which processes pigs , is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the outbreak among its staff .
All staff and their close contacts are to be tested , and the factory is to be deep-cleaned , the company said .
“ The health and safety of all of our colleagues has always been our number one priority and we have done everything we can to protect our team , ” it said in a statement , adding that from the outset of the pandemic it had implemented protective measures including social distancing , the wearing of PPE and additional cleaning and hygiene policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seeking “ urgent clarification ” from the company regarding its plans to ensure safety when the plant reopens , as well as assurances that workers will not lose any pay while self-isolating .
A total of 79 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Mid and East Antrim council area , which includes Cullybackey , in the last seven days , the greatest such number of any council area in the North .
The Minister said he expected the number of cases in the area to rise once the tests are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a lot of the other cases were associated with known outbreaks which had been successfully identified through contact tracing .
While Ministers agreed localised measures may be needed in the future to halt the spread of the virus , Mr Swann said there was “ nothing at this minute in time in regards to community transmission that would see us looking to localised lockdown in Mid and East Antrim ” .
Mr Swann also criticised the “ armchair experts who think they know more than the actual experts ” and said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of some people “ dismissing the figures and becoming increasingly flippant in regards to the impact of this virus ” .
He said if people acted responsibly and followed the regulations and public health guidance , the reimposition of further restrictions was not inevitable .
“ We can still avoid the return to a lockdown if we all do the right thing .
We can fight back against Covid-19 because we know what needs to be done , ” he said .
The North ’ s chief medical officer , Dr Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ far from over ” and there would be “ many more difficult judgments and decisions to make in the weeks and months ahead ” .
Given the increasing number of cases , he said , “ we all must take concerted and determined action to keep a lid on this virus ” .
Meanwhile , a man in his 40s was arrested in the Newtownards area of Co Down on Thursday as part of an investigation into threats made against Mr Swann on social media .
Asked about the threats at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt they were serious enough that it was “ necessary to inform the appropriate authorities ” , but he would “ rather people direct that frustration and anger at me as Minister , than at the health service workers or at those frontline workers ” .

Tighter restrictions on the number of people allowed to meet indoors and outdoors are to be reintroduced in the North from next week to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Gatherings in private homes are to be reduced to a maximum of six people from two households, while the number of people who can meet outdoors, including in a private garden, will be limited to 15.
Exemptions will apply to certain events, including weddings, church services and sporting events, as long as a risk assessment is carried out and social distancing and hygiene measures are implemented.
The new limits were unanimously approved by Ministers at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive on Thursday afternoon. They also agreed to pause any further lifting of restrictions.
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"These are not decisions I want to take but decisions I had to take," the North's Minister for Health, Robin Swann, told reporters at a press conference following the meeting.
“Unless we take action now I fear it would soon have been too late to arrest further extensive spread of the virus.”
He expressed his concern about the spread of coronavirus due to indoor gatherings, “whether that be licensed premises or house parties”. He also said focused police enforcement action would be directed at “hotspot” areas of infection.
‘R’ number
Cases of Covid-19 have been rising in the North in recent weeks, with the reproductive – or “R” – number of the virus now estimated at about 1.3.
An additional 51 cases were reported by the North's Department of Health (DoH) on Thursday, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive for the virus in the North to 6,556.
No further fatalities related to the disease were reported, leaving the total number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the department at 559.
Mr Swann confirmed on Thursday that 35 members of staff at a meat processing plant in Cullybackey, Co Antrim, as well as a smaller number of their recent contacts, have been diagnosed with coronavirus, in what he described as a "significant" and "extensive" outbreak.
The Cranswick Country Foods plant, which processes pigs, is to close temporarily to allow staff to self-isolate following the outbreak among its staff. All staff and their close contacts are to be tested, and the factory is to be deep-cleaned, the company said.
“The health and safety of all of our colleagues has always been our number one priority and we have done everything we can to protect our team,” it said in a statement, adding that from the outset of the pandemic it had implemented protective measures including social distancing, the wearing of PPE and additional cleaning and hygiene policies.
‘Urgent clarification’
The trade union Unite said it was seeking “urgent clarification” from the company regarding its plans to ensure safety when the plant reopens, as well as assurances that workers will not lose any pay while self-isolating.
A total of 79 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Mid and East Antrim council area, which includes Cullybackey, in the last seven days, the greatest such number of any council area in the North.
The Minister said he expected the number of cases in the area to rise once the tests are carried out at the plant, and that a lot of the other cases were associated with known outbreaks which had been successfully identified through contact tracing.
While Ministers agreed localised measures may be needed in the future to halt the spread of the virus, Mr Swann said there was “nothing at this minute in time in regards to community transmission that would see us looking to localised lockdown in Mid and East Antrim”.
Mr Swann also criticised the “armchair experts who think they know more than the actual experts” and said he needed to address a “growing problem” of some people “dismissing the figures and becoming increasingly flippant in regards to the impact of this virus”.
He said if people acted responsibly and followed the regulations and public health guidance, the reimposition of further restrictions was not inevitable.
“We can still avoid the return to a lockdown if we all do the right thing. We can fight back against Covid-19 because we know what needs to be done,” he said.
‘Far from over’
The North’s chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, said the Covid-19 pandemic was “far from over” and there would be “many more difficult judgments and decisions to make in the weeks and months ahead”.
Given the increasing number of cases, he said, “we all must take concerted and determined action to keep a lid on this virus”.
Meanwhile, a man in his 40s was arrested in the Newtownards area of Co Down on Thursday as part of an investigation into threats made against Mr Swann on social media.
Asked about the threats at the media briefing, Mr Swann said he felt they were serious enough that it was “necessary to inform the appropriate authorities”, but he would “rather people direct that frustration and anger at me as Minister, than at the health service workers or at those frontline workers”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Storm Ellen: ‘The local community were brilliant’

“ We ’ ve been here since the 1930s , when my grandfather opened a garage here , and this is the first time it ever flooded , ” said Maeve McCarthy as she explained the damage Storm Ellen caused to her family ’ s premises in Skibbereen , Co Cork .
Ms McCarthy and May Pyburn , her colleague at Charles McCarthy Auctioneers on Bridge Street , said flood waters gushed from a blocked culvert and started to flow down Bridge Street from around 9pm .
The water quickly started to rise over the doorstep and flooded the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We came in about half ten and we had several inches of water , but the local community were brilliant , ” Ms McCarthy said .
“ People just came down and started brushing the water out , so we managed to get the place clear quickly enough .
There was this great community response and people were fantastic.
” Louise O ’ Donovan , who across the street runs the Eldon Hotel with her parents , Michael and Eileen , had a similar story of the flood bringing out the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of locals took off their shoes and socks and waded in to help them try to clear the flood waters .
“ The water was up to the window sills , so I suppose we had over 2ft of water , ” Ms O ’ Donovan said .
“ It came in the front door first .
As it was coming down the street people ran upstairs and grabbed duvets off beds to throw them down to stop it , but it was too strong and it came down the lane and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father and members of the local fire service managed to open a storm drain on the pavement outside and , only for this , the 19-bedroom hotel would have been even more badly damaged .
“ The staff began cleaning the kitchen straight away and the guests helped out too , as did the neighbours .
It doesn ’ t look too bad now because we were able to get the water out relatively quickly , but we don ’ t know how much damage has been done to the electrics and everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street on Thursday and met the dozen or so homeowners and business people affected by the flooding .
He was shown the source of the problem - a culvert that became blocked with debris on the Cuttings , a nearby road , and caused the water to flow down the town .
“ What ’ s frustrating , ” Mr Martin said , “ is that a lot of work has been done here on the OPW Flood Relief Scheme , 19 lots out of 20 , but this piece came late in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So people are annoyed , but we ’ ve been in touch with both Cork County Council and the OPW to make sure this work gets done.
” Fianna Fáil Cork South-West TD Christopher O ’ Sullivan said it was frustrating that the €37million relief scheme had failed to protect the town .
“ This shouldn ’ t be happening in Skibbereen .
.
.
the entire town should be dry even in this intense rainfall.
” However , Ezra MacManamon of the OPW rejected Mr O ’ Sullivan ’ s suggestion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do its job , which he said was to protect Skibbereen from flooding linked to the Ilen River , its major tributaries and tidal flooding .
“ The flood relief scheme did its job on Wednesday night , but very late on in the construction of the scheme we became aware of this very minor local water course in the Cuttings when it flooded some 16 properties on the Main Street in 2016 , it just wasn ’ t on our radar until then , ” he said .
He said Cork County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that it was “ just unfortunate the work was not completed before yesterday ” .
“ There was a temporary screen over the inlet to the pipe and that got blocked or partially blocked and that ’ s what caused the flooding in Bridge Street .
”

Louise O’Donovan: ‘As [the water] was coming down the street people ran upstairs and grabbed duvets off beds to throw them down to stop it.’ Photograph: Barry Roche.
"We've been here since the 1930s, when my grandfather opened a garage here, and this is the first time it ever flooded," said Maeve McCarthy as she explained the damage Storm Ellen caused to her family's premises in Skibbereen, Co Cork.
Ms McCarthy and May Pyburn, her colleague at Charles McCarthy Auctioneers on Bridge Street, said flood waters gushed from a blocked culvert and started to flow down Bridge Street from around 9pm. The water quickly started to rise over the doorstep and flooded the building to a depth of several inches.
“We came in about half ten and we had several inches of water, but the local community were brilliant,” Ms McCarthy said. “People just came down and started brushing the water out, so we managed to get the place clear quickly enough. There was this great community response and people were fantastic.”
Damage
Louise O'Donovan, who across the street runs the Eldon Hotel with her parents, Michael and Eileen, had a similar story of the flood bringing out the best in people.
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She said a number of locals took off their shoes and socks and waded in to help them try to clear the flood waters.
“The water was up to the window sills, so I suppose we had over 2ft of water,” Ms O’Donovan said.
“It came in the front door first. As it was coming down the street people ran upstairs and grabbed duvets off beds to throw them down to stop it, but it was too strong and it came down the lane and in the side too.”
She said her father and members of the local fire service managed to open a storm drain on the pavement outside and, only for this, the 19-bedroom hotel would have been even more badly damaged.
“The staff began cleaning the kitchen straight away and the guests helped out too, as did the neighbours. It doesn’t look too bad now because we were able to get the water out relatively quickly, but we don’t know how much damage has been done to the electrics and everything else.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Bridge Street on Thursday and met the dozen or so homeowners and business people affected by the flooding. He was shown the source of the problem - a culvert that became blocked with debris on the Cuttings, a nearby road, and caused the water to flow down the town.
"What's frustrating," Mr Martin said, "is that a lot of work has been done here on the OPW Flood Relief Scheme, 19 lots out of 20, but this piece came late in the day and wasn't done. So people are annoyed, but we've been in touch with both Cork County Council and the OPW to make sure this work gets done."
‘Just unfortunate’
Fianna Fáil Cork South-West TD Christopher O'Sullivan said it was frustrating that the €37million relief scheme had failed to protect the town.
“This shouldn’t be happening in Skibbereen . . . the entire town should be dry even in this intense rainfall.”
However, Ezra MacManamon of the OPW rejected Mr O’Sullivan’s suggestion that the relief scheme had failed to do its job, which he said was to protect Skibbereen from flooding linked to the Ilen River, its major tributaries and tidal flooding.
“The flood relief scheme did its job on Wednesday night, but very late on in the construction of the scheme we became aware of this very minor local water course in the Cuttings when it flooded some 16 properties on the Main Street in 2016, it just wasn’t on our radar until then,” he said.
He said Cork County Council had since worked on the issue and that it was “just unfortunate the work was not completed before yesterday”.
“There was a temporary screen over the inlet to the pipe and that got blocked or partially blocked and that’s what caused the flooding in Bridge Street.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Scientists discover protein linked to depression and brain disorders

Earlier diagnosis and better treatments for people with depression and certain brain disorders may be possible following a research breakthrough involving Belfast-based scientists .
They have found how a specific protein plays a crucial role in the generation of neurons – the nerve cells that relay electrical signals it the brain .
This was made possible by focusing on a specific time and location during brain development , and how its disruption can lead to intellectual disability and depression in adults .
A research team led by Queen ’ s University Belfast ( QUB ) in collaboration with the Centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany have published their findings in the journal Genes & Development .
“ It is expected this breakthrough will have a major impact on our fundamental understanding of brain development and lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatments for people with certain brain disorders , ” said Dr Vijay Tiwari , who is based at the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at QUB .
“ Our study reveals the key role this protein plays during the birth of probably one of the most important cells in our body – the neuron.
” Brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involves generating various types of cells at defined time points and locations during embryonic development , he explained .
Any kind of interference during these processes is known to cause diseases including a range of intellectual disabilities .
“ Among these brain cell types , neurons are the working unit of the brain , designed to transmit information to other nerve cells and various tissues in the body , such as the muscles as well as storage of memory in our brain , ” he added .
While the field has rapidly advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neurons from their mother cells , called neural stem cells , in time and space during development has not been well understood until now .
To conduct their study , the researchers looked at brain samples to closely determine the development of various cell types within the brain .
“ The study showed how the presence of a specific protein ( called Phf21b ) , within a defined time window of brain development and in a specific location in the brain , signals the birth of neurons from neural stem cells in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr Tiwari , who is a molecular biologist working in neuroscience .
The researchers found that removal of Phf21b stopped production of neurons from neural stem cells and led to severe defects in brain development .
They also found the importance of this protein , in particular in the folding of DNA in cells going on to form neurons .
“ Understanding how a cell type in the brain is born at a specific point and in a specific place during development is crucial in our understanding how neurological issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this discovery will pave the way for earlier diagnosis , earlier interventions and better treatment for people with a brain disorder , such as depression , ” he said .
Their research suggested screening for certain genetic variants would enable earlier diagnosis , in contrast to a scenario where depression in adults is not usually detected until a person is seriously depressed .

“It is expected this breakthrough will. . . lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatments for people with certain brain disorders,” says Dr Vijay Tiwari at Queen’s University Belfast.
Earlier diagnosis and better treatments for people with depression and certain brain disorders may be possible following a research breakthrough involving Belfast-based scientists.
They have found how a specific protein plays a crucial role in the generation of neurons – the nerve cells that relay electrical signals it the brain. This was made possible by focusing on a specific time and location during brain development, and how its disruption can lead to intellectual disability and depression in adults.
A research team led by Queen's University Belfast (QUB) in collaboration with the Centre for Regenerative Therapies at Dresden University in Germany have published their findings in the journal Genes & Development.
"It is expected this breakthrough will have a major impact on our fundamental understanding of brain development and lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatments for people with certain brain disorders," said Dr Vijay Tiwari, who is based at the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at QUB.
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“Our study reveals the key role this protein plays during the birth of probably one of the most important cells in our body – the neuron.”
Role of neurons
Brain development is a highly complex process that involves generating various types of cells at defined time points and locations during embryonic development, he explained. Any kind of interference during these processes is known to cause diseases including a range of intellectual disabilities.
“Among these brain cell types, neurons are the working unit of the brain, designed to transmit information to other nerve cells and various tissues in the body, such as the muscles as well as storage of memory in our brain,” he added.
While the field has rapidly advanced, the mechanisms creating the birth of neurons from their mother cells, called neural stem cells, in time and space during development has not been well understood until now.
To conduct their study, the researchers looked at brain samples to closely determine the development of various cell types within the brain.
Phf21b protein
“The study showed how the presence of a specific protein (called Phf21b), within a defined time window of brain development and in a specific location in the brain, signals the birth of neurons from neural stem cells in the right place and at the right time,” said Dr Tiwari, who is a molecular biologist working in neuroscience.
The researchers found that removal of Phf21b stopped production of neurons from neural stem cells and led to severe defects in brain development. They also found the importance of this protein, in particular in the folding of DNA in cells going on to form neurons.
“Understanding how a cell type in the brain is born at a specific point and in a specific place during development is crucial in our understanding how neurological issues arise later in life. We hope this discovery will pave the way for earlier diagnosis, earlier interventions and better treatment for people with a brain disorder, such as depression,” he said.
Their research suggested screening for certain genetic variants would enable earlier diagnosis, in contrast to a scenario where depression in adults is not usually detected until a person is seriously depressed.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Syrian man and Iraqi friend injured in Dublin street attack

Gardaí are investigating an attack on two men - one Syrian and the other Iraqi - on Pearse Street in Dublin ’ s city centre on Sunday night .
The Irish Times spoke to Jamal ( 28 ) and Mohammed ( 30 ) , who preferred not to give their surnames , about how they were set upon by a group of men believed to be in their 20s and 30s .
The pair were cycling home from work at around 11.15pm on Sunday when they stopped at a red traffic light on Pearse Street .
They were chatting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouting .
The man then ran forward and pushed Jamal off his bike , they say .
“ I fell on my feet and pushed him back asking ‘ what ’ s wrong with you ’ , ” recalled Jamal who is from Syria .
“ His friend came over and said he ’ s just messing and then a third guy showed up .
One of them pretended to steal my bike and again said he was just messing .
I was like ‘ okay , just leave us alone ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they should shake hands when suddenly one of the group punched Mohammed in the jaw .
“ I jumped forward and punched the guy back and then a fight broke out , ” said Jamal .
“ I fell to the ground and two of the guys started kicking me in the head .
I ended up unconscious for a few seconds.
” The men eventually ran off , laughing about Mohammed ’ s long hair and shouting “ we beat up Jesus ” .
A passing car stopped to call an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came by the scene .
The two men were brought to St James ’ s Hospital where Jamal was treated for a fractured nose and a cut over his left eyebrow which required stitches .
He also suffered two black eyes , a shoulder injury and has teeth mark on his chest where one of the men bit him during the struggle .
Mohammed , who was less seriously injured , suffered bruises to his body and a muscle injury in his shoulder .
The men have filed a report with gardaí and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Pearse Street filmed the incident from his apartment and has shared the footage with gardaí , they say .
This is the first time both men , who have lived in Ireland for five years , have been attacked in this country .
They said the men did not shout racial slurs but believe the group approached them because they were speaking Arabic .
“ I was once verbally abused on the Dart and called a terrorist but the people on the train defended me , ” said Mohammed .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
It makes me feel like I don ’ t belong here and I ’ m not completely safe .
“ I never felt safe back in my home but that ’ s a country at war .
Now I have the same feeling here .
I ’ m always looking over my shoulder and have trimmed my beard to look less threatening to people .
“ Everyone talks about the Irish being welcoming and friendly and it is one of the best places to live but there is another side to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone through , and someone needs to stop it.
” Jamal , who has an Irish girlfriend and plenty of Irish friends , said he had heard “ multiple stories ” from colleagues at the company where he worked who had suffered racial abuse in this country .
One colleague , who is from an African country , had milk thrown in her face as she left Spar recently while another from Algeria was beaten up in the street after being called a “ terrorist ” , he said .
“ I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act like this and I ’ m angry because I know this is not what Irish values are about , ” said Jamal .
“ It frustrates me that there are no repercussions for this type of behaviour .
There ’ s no clear definition in Irish law for hate crime and that ’ s the real problem.
” Jamal also admitted to feeling unsafe on the streets following Sunday ’ s attack .
“ I ’ m a physically fit person and I thought I could defend myself but in this situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
Now I ’ m thinking : What can I do to be more prepared ?
What can I do to make sure me and my girlfriend are safe ?
” A spokesman for the Garda confirmed it was investigating an “ assault incident ” that occurred on Pearse Street on August 16th but no arrests had been made .
“ Initial enquiries do not indicate that this incident was racially motivated , however Gardaí continue to investigate all the circumstances of the incident , ” he said .
“ An Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each and every hate crime reported to us is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process.
” A number of cases of racially motivated attacks have emerged publicly in recent days including the case of Xuedan ( Shelly ) Xiong who was pushed into Dublin ’ s Royal Canal by a group of teenage boys last week and that of Martin Hong and Arthur Ma who were attached in Cork earlier this month .
* An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated one of those attacked was Libyan when @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Gardaí are investigatnig the incident which occurred at around 11.15pm on Sunday when the two men stopped on their bikes at a red traffic light on Pearse Street, Dublin. File image: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times
Gardaí are investigating an attack on two men - one Syrian and the other Iraqi - on Pearse Street in Dublin’s city centre on Sunday night.
The Irish Times spoke to Jamal (28) and Mohammed (30), who preferred not to give their surnames, about how they were set upon by a group of men believed to be in their 20s and 30s.
The pair were cycling home from work at around 11.15pm on Sunday when they stopped at a red traffic light on Pearse Street. They were chatting in Arabic when a man standing nearby started shouting. The man then ran forward and pushed Jamal off his bike, they say.
"I fell on my feet and pushed him back asking 'what's wrong with you'," recalled Jamal who is from Syria.
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“His friend came over and said he’s just messing and then a third guy showed up. One of them pretended to steal my bike and again said he was just messing. I was like ‘okay, just leave us alone’.”
The pair said the men gestured that they should shake hands when suddenly one of the group punched Mohammed in the jaw.
“I jumped forward and punched the guy back and then a fight broke out,” said Jamal. “I fell to the ground and two of the guys started kicking me in the head. I ended up unconscious for a few seconds.”
The men eventually ran off, laughing about Mohammed’s long hair and shouting “we beat up Jesus”. A passing car stopped to call an ambulance and a few minutes later gardaí came by the scene.
The two men were brought to St James’s Hospital where Jamal was treated for a fractured nose and a cut over his left eyebrow which required stitches. He also suffered two black eyes, a shoulder injury and has teeth mark on his chest where one of the men bit him during the struggle.
Mohammed, who was less seriously injured, suffered bruises to his body and a muscle injury in his shoulder.
Video footage
The men have filed a report with gardaí and plan to press charges. A resident on Pearse Street filmed the incident from his apartment and has shared the footage with gardaí, they say.
This is the first time both men, who have lived in Ireland for five years, have been attacked in this country. They said the men did not shout racial slurs but believe the group approached them because they were speaking Arabic.
“I was once verbally abused on the Dart and called a terrorist but the people on the train defended me,” said Mohammed.
“It all feels very tough after that physical attack. It makes me feel like I don’t belong here and I’m not completely safe.
“I never felt safe back in my home but that’s a country at war. Now I have the same feeling here. I’m always looking over my shoulder and have trimmed my beard to look less threatening to people.
“Everyone talks about the Irish being welcoming and friendly and it is one of the best places to live but there is another side to the story, what we’ve gone through, and someone needs to stop it.”
Jamal, who has an Irish girlfriend and plenty of Irish friends, said he had heard "multiple stories" from colleagues at the company where he worked who had suffered racial abuse in this country. One colleague, who is from an African country, had milk thrown in her face as she left Spar recently while another from Algeria was beaten up in the street after being called a "terrorist", he said.
“I know the general Irish population doesn’t act like this and I’m angry because I know this is not what Irish values are about,” said Jamal.
“It frustrates me that there are no repercussions for this type of behaviour. There’s no clear definition in Irish law for hate crime and that’s the real problem.”
Jamal also admitted to feeling unsafe on the streets following Sunday’s attack. “I’m a physically fit person and I thought I could defend myself but in this situation I got the s**t kicked out of me. Now I’m thinking: What can I do to be more prepared? What can I do to make sure me and my girlfriend are safe?”
A spokesman for the Garda confirmed it was investigating an “assault incident” that occurred on Pearse Street on August 16th but no arrests had been made.
“Initial enquiries do not indicate that this incident was racially motivated, however Gardaí continue to investigate all the circumstances of the incident,” he said.
"An Garda Síochána takes hate crime seriously, and each and every hate crime reported to us is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process."
A number of cases of racially motivated attacks have emerged publicly in recent days including the case of Xuedan (Shelly) Xiong who was pushed into Dublin’s Royal Canal by a group of teenage boys last week and that of Martin Hong and Arthur Ma who were attached in Cork earlier this month.
* An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated one of those attacked was Libyan when he was in fact from Iraqi.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Secondary students express ‘critical concerns’ over plans for reopening schools

Secondary school pupils have “ critical concerns ” over the implementation of guidelines aimed at safely reopening schools from next week , according to a students ’ union .
In a letter to Minister for Education Norma Foley , the Irish Second-Level Students ’ Union ( ISSU ) has requested clarification on what it says are unanswered questions regarding school reopenings .
It wants to see any official guidance which outlines the rationale for allowing different social distancing rules in schools compared with wider society .
The union has also questioned how students with medical problems can be expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , it also called for the publication of a threshold number of coronavirus cases which will determine when schools need to close on a local or national basis .
This was particularly important , it said , as a full school closure was mandated on March 13th last with 70 cases confirmed nationally , a significantly lower figure than the newly confirmed cases over the last two weeks .
Guidance is also needed on the steps to follow for the continuity of teaching and learning in the event of a closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Students , families , teachers and all in the school community recognise the necessity to return to school and want to return to education , having been out of the classroom since early March , ” according to the letter from ISSU president Reuban Murray .
“ However , this requires clearer communications on the health and safety protocols expected within schools .
To ensure an effective transition in the reopening of schools it is pivotal that guidance and clarification is provided on .
.
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areas of concern.
” The union also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop a class if there are breaches of safety guidelines .
It says that if there is evidence of breaches in physical distancing or other guidelines , students should be entitled to bring this to the attention of the class teacher or a Covid-liaison staff member .
The class should not resume until it is safe for all students and teachers present , the union asserts .
“ The challenges faced by students are multifaceted in the return to education .
Clarification is needed on the concerns aforementioned in order to prioritise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student is left behind due to circumstances outside of their control , ” it adds .
The union also has concerns over education for vulnerable students with compromised immune systems .
It said any student who is immunocompromised or has a family member who is immunocompromised must be able to protect themselves and their families without fear of penalty .
“ These students must be facilitated in receiving meaningful , proactive online tuition if unable to return to school .
The ISSU is calling for the department to develop a national framework of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the letter states .
“ The discrepancies of the digital divide resulted in varied education received during school closures .
This must not become a barrier should online tuition be the only viable option again under possible future restrictions.
” Meanwhile , Sinn Féin has said that students who are unable to work and save for college over the summer due to Covid-19 could face “ a year on Dole queues ” without Government support .
Rose Conway-Walsh TD , the party spokeswoman for higher education , said there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to drop out of third-level education , due to financial pressures .
Inadequate supports from the SUSI college grant and loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic would create a “ perfect storm ” of uncertainty for students looking to start college next month , she said .
This year many students have been unable to take up traditional temporary summer jobs in the service and hospitality industry to allow them to save up for the coming academic year , due to Covid-19 .
“ It ’ s a problem for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re going to have so many students dropping out of college because they can ’ t afford to go , ” Ms Conway-Walsh said .
“ We are looking at a situation where you have a lost year , or maybe even a lost generation in that sense , ” the Mayo TD said .
Failure to put extra financial supports in place for students would result in “ these young people on the Dole queues for a year , ” she said .
The cost of increasing the SUSI grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-level by 10 per cent would be €16.4 million , she said .
“ My concern is the Government don ’ t seem to be treating this as something that is really urgent , ” she said .

Schools across the country are to reopen after months of lockdown, but fears of outbreaks and coughing students have left many staff members anxious about what lies ahead. Video: Enda O'Dowd
Secondary school pupils have “critical concerns” over the implementation of guidelines aimed at safely reopening schools from next week, according to a students’ union.
In a letter to Minister for Education Norma Foley, the Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) has requested clarification on what it says are unanswered questions regarding school reopenings.
It wants to see any official guidance which outlines the rationale for allowing different social distancing rules in schools compared with wider society.
The union has also questioned how students with medical problems can be expected to travel to school and attend classes.
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In addition, it also called for the publication of a threshold number of coronavirus cases which will determine when schools need to close on a local or national basis.
This was particularly important, it said, as a full school closure was mandated on March 13th last with 70 cases confirmed nationally, a significantly lower figure than the newly confirmed cases over the last two weeks.
Guidance is also needed on the steps to follow for the continuity of teaching and learning in the event of a closure, according to the union.
‘Clearer communications’
"Students, families, teachers and all in the school community recognise the necessity to return to school and want to return to education, having been out of the classroom since early March," according to the letter from ISSU president Reuban Murray.
“However, this requires clearer communications on the health and safety protocols expected within schools. To ensure an effective transition in the reopening of schools it is pivotal that guidance and clarification is provided on . . . areas of concern.”
The union also says students should have the right to stop a class if there are breaches of safety guidelines.
It says that if there is evidence of breaches in physical distancing or other guidelines, students should be entitled to bring this to the attention of the class teacher or a Covid-liaison staff member.
The class should not resume until it is safe for all students and teachers present, the union asserts.
“The challenges faced by students are multifaceted in the return to education. Clarification is needed on the concerns aforementioned in order to prioritise the welfare of students and ensure that no student is left behind due to circumstances outside of their control,” it adds.
Compromised immune systems
The union also has concerns over education for vulnerable students with compromised immune systems.
It said any student who is immunocompromised or has a family member who is immunocompromised must be able to protect themselves and their families without fear of penalty.
“These students must be facilitated in receiving meaningful, proactive online tuition if unable to return to school. The ISSU is calling for the department to develop a national framework of how this online tuition should be provided,” the letter states.
“The discrepancies of the digital divide resulted in varied education received during school closures. This must not become a barrier should online tuition be the only viable option again under possible future restrictions.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has said that students who are unable to work and save for college over the summer due to Covid-19 could face “a year on Dole queues” without Government support.
Rose Conway-Walsh TD, the party spokeswoman for higher education, said there was a “danger” greater numbers would be forced to drop out of third-level education, due to financial pressures.
Inadequate supports from the SUSI college grant and loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic would create a “perfect storm” of uncertainty for students looking to start college next month, she said.
This year many students have been unable to take up traditional temporary summer jobs in the service and hospitality industry to allow them to save up for the coming academic year, due to Covid-19.
“It’s a problem for all of us as a society if we’re going to have so many students dropping out of college because they can’t afford to go,” Ms Conway-Walsh said. “We are looking at a situation where you have a lost year, or maybe even a lost generation in that sense,” the Mayo TD said.
Failure to put extra financial supports in place for students would result in “these young people on the Dole queues for a year,” she said.
The cost of increasing the SUSI grant paid to students in lower-income households attending third-level by 10 per cent would be €16.4 million, she said.
“My concern is the Government don’t seem to be treating this as something that is really urgent,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Asylum seekers told of Covid-19 ‘cluster’ in Bray centre

Asylum seekers staying in emergency accommodation at a hotel in Bray , Co Wicklow , have been advised to restrict their movements following an outbreak of Covid-19 at the centre .
Residents at the Esplanade Hotel in Bray received a letter from the HSE on Thursday morning informing them of “ a cluster of Covid-19 infection ” in the centre where they are living .
Two people at the centre have tested positive for the virus so far .
A total of 115 people in receipt of emergency accommodation are living at the centre , 20 of them children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The letter states that testing was already carried out on a number of residents on Tuesday , with further testing set to take place on Friday , August 21st .
The HSE requests in the letter that residents do not go shopping , use public transport or go into any crowded settings and that those with jobs inform their employer that they will be unable to attend work until they are told it is safe to do so .
“ These instructions are being given and enforceable under the law , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have a legal obligation to follow them.
” One resident , who spoke to The Irish Times on condition of anonymity , said people at the centre continue to eat together in large groups and many share a room with a stranger .
“ The situation is very distressing mentally but people are too scared to speak up , ” said the resident .
“ I ’ m scared about the virus now too.
” A duty manager at the hotel confirmed that two people there had tested positive .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , applying all necessary measures regarding PPE use and are in regular contact with the HSE and the Department of Justice , ” she told The Irish Times .
“ This is a large property so there ’ s space for lots of social distancing , with no cramped conditions.
” A HSE spokeswoman said she could not comment on individual cases or outbreaks and that the HSE could not provide details on direct provision centres affected by Covid-19 or the testing of residents in centres .
“ The HSE is aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in congregated settings such as direct provision centres , ” she said .
“ We actively manage every outbreak in direct provision centres and are currently finalising a plan to mass test residents of direct provision centres to further control the risks to these residents .
“ Direct provision is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and queries in relation to same should be directed to that Government department , ” she said .
Asked for comment , the Department of Justice said reporting on outbreaks and the numbers of confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the HSE and queries should be directed to it .
Covid-19 clusters have been reported in a number of direct provision and emergency accommodation centres in recent weeks , with some linked to staff working at meat plants .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said on Thursday that health officials would carry out serial testing among the 8,000 people living across about 80 direct provision and emergency accommodation centres .
Acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said on Wednesday that outbreaks in direct provision centres , food processing plants and construction sites accounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,200 new coronavirus cases in the last two weeks .
Earlier this week , the Irish Council for Civil Liberties ( ICCL ) called on the Government to take more steps to protect people living in direct provision , while the Irish Refugee Council has said the Government must replace the direct provision system without delay to stop the further spread of coronavirus among residents in overcrowded settings and society at large .

The Bray seafront in Co Wicklow, which the Esplanade Hotel overlooks. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Asylum seekers staying in emergency accommodation at a hotel in Bray, Co Wicklow, have been advised to restrict their movements following an outbreak of Covid-19 at the centre.
Residents at the Esplanade Hotel in Bray received a letter from the HSE on Thursday morning informing them of “a cluster of Covid-19 infection” in the centre where they are living.
Two people at the centre have tested positive for the virus so far.
A total of 115 people in receipt of emergency accommodation are living at the centre, 20 of them children, according to latest Department of Justice figures.
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The letter states that testing was already carried out on a number of residents on Tuesday, with further testing set to take place on Friday, August 21st.
The HSE requests in the letter that residents do not go shopping, use public transport or go into any crowded settings and that those with jobs inform their employer that they will be unable to attend work until they are told it is safe to do so.
“These instructions are being given and enforceable under the law,” the letter states in bold. “You have a legal obligation to follow them.”
One resident, who spoke to The Irish Times on condition of anonymity, said people at the centre continue to eat together in large groups and many share a room with a stranger.
“The situation is very distressing mentally but people are too scared to speak up,” said the resident. “I’m scared about the virus now too.”
A duty manager at the hotel confirmed that two people there had tested positive. “We are following all health and safety guidelines, applying all necessary measures regarding PPE use and are in regular contact with the HSE and the Department of Justice,” she told The Irish Times.
“This is a large property so there’s space for lots of social distancing, with no cramped conditions.”
HSE response
A HSE spokeswoman said she could not comment on individual cases or outbreaks and that the HSE could not provide details on direct provision centres affected by Covid-19 or the testing of residents in centres.
“The HSE is aware of the dangers of the spread of Covid-19 in congregated settings such as direct provision centres,” she said. “We actively manage every outbreak in direct provision centres and are currently finalising a plan to mass test residents of direct provision centres to further control the risks to these residents.
“Direct provision is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and queries in relation to same should be directed to that Government department,” she said.
Asked for comment, the Department of Justice said reporting on outbreaks and the numbers of confirmed cases in all settings was a matter for the HSE and queries should be directed to it.
Covid-19 clusters have been reported in a number of direct provision and emergency accommodation centres in recent weeks, with some linked to staff working at meat plants.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said on Thursday that health officials would carry out serial testing among the 8,000 people living across about 80 direct provision and emergency accommodation centres.
Acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said on Wednesday that outbreaks in direct provision centres, food processing plants and construction sites accounted for about 500 of the more than 1,200 new coronavirus cases in the last two weeks.
Earlier this week, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) called on the Government to take more steps to protect people living in direct provision, while the Irish Refugee Council has said the Government must replace the direct provision system without delay to stop the further spread of coronavirus among residents in overcrowded settings and society at large.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Three days for a test – one man’s delay to get checked for Covid-19

John from south Co Dublin ( not his real name ) started feeling unwell earlier this week .
His GP requested a Covid-19 test for him on Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure .
His symptoms are mild – a headache and diarrhoea – but he wanted assurance that he did not have coronavirus , particularly because he lives at home with his wife and children .
“ I received a text from the HSE only this morning for a test appointment on Saturday at noon – a full three days later , ” he said on Thursday .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see if he could be tested sooner but was told the appointment could not be rescheduled .
He is self-isolating , as advised .
He believes it would be “ well into next week ” before he would get a result and that there is no way contact tracing can be done effectively with this kind of a delay .
“ It is no wonder there are reports of people not bothering to test .
What is more worrying is there is no transparency about this , only public declarations that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said John .
He believes the lack of transparency is “ quite scandalous ” when it comes to testing and tracing .
“ No wonder the medics are advocating a full lockdown again as they know the system that we hoped to rely on is broken .
I am very pessimistic about the winter , ” he said .

John: ‘It is no wonder there are reports of people not bothering to test.’ File photograph: Getty
John from south Co Dublin (not his real name) started feeling unwell earlier this week. His GP requested a Covid-19 test for him on Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure.
His symptoms are mild – a headache and diarrhoea – but he wanted assurance that he did not have coronavirus, particularly because he lives at home with his wife and children.
“I received a text from the HSE only this morning for a test appointment on Saturday at noon – a full three days later,” he said on Thursday.
He emailed and phoned the various contacts provided to see if he could be tested sooner but was told the appointment could not be rescheduled. He is self-isolating, as advised.
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He believes it would be “well into next week” before he would get a result and that there is no way contact tracing can be done effectively with this kind of a delay.
“It is no wonder there are reports of people not bothering to test. What is more worrying is there is no transparency about this, only public declarations that there is plenty of capacity in the system,” said John.
He believes the lack of transparency is “quite scandalous” when it comes to testing and tracing.
“No wonder the medics are advocating a full lockdown again as they know the system that we hoped to rely on is broken. I am very pessimistic about the winter,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Gardaí called to over 27,000 domestic violence incidents during pandemic

Gardaí have responded to more than 27,000 incidents of domestic violence since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic , a seminar has heard , with the number of applications for barring and protection order applications up by 17 per cent .
The figures were revealed at an online seminar hosted by Women ’ s Aid to mark the publication of its 2019 annual report .
The charity also published a supplementary report , When Home is Not Safe , on the impact of the pandemic on women and children experiencing domestic abuse .
The supplementary report details a 71 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Aid website between the end of March and end of June , from 67,187 to 114,576 , and a 43 per cent increase in calls to its helpline , from 4,563 to 6,561 , when compared with the same period last year .
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told the seminar there had been a 20 per cent increase in call outs to domestic violence incidents since the end of March .
“ There were some 27,174 incidents falling into the category of domestic abuse - a huge number and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ We are very mindful that these are very vulnerable victims and we have a huge responsibility in terms of our response to them.
” The crime of coercive control , for which there has been one conviction so far , is a growing concern , he said , adding that a number of additional cases were before the courts and investigations were ongoing in 32 others .
Judge Colm Daly , president of the District Court , said there had been a 75 per cent increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for protective reliefs from domestic violence .
“ We saw a 17 per cent increase in cases during the lockdown , ” he said .
Judge Daly said increase , relative to the number of extra contacts made to Women ’ s Aid , “ reflects the fact that perhaps those most in need of protection were finding it difficult to find their way to court ” .
He said a key lesson from the lockdown was the importance of keeping the courts “ accessible ” .
He said the courts , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be open to changing the ways they conduct business .
Key to this would be the development of “ remote courts ” where cases were heard via video or conference link online .
He said developing this would be a “ top priority ” for him at the start of the new legal term next month .
Niamh Ní Domhnaill , whose former boyfriend Magnus Meyer Hustveit was sentenced in 2016 to 15 months for raping her while she slept , said the first challenge for her in confronting the abuse was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ rape ” and “ violence ” .
She was “ still surprised ” at the shame around the issues and said “ we all ” need to confront out biases about domestic violence .
Sarah Benson , chief executive of Women ’ s Aid , said such views “ don ’ t come from nowhere ” but were “ absorbed socially and culturally [ SO THAT ] victims and survivors are inhibited from speaking the truth of their experience ” .

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told a Women’s Aid online seminar there had been a 20 per cent increase in call outs to domestic violence incidents since the end of March. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Gardaí have responded to more than 27,000 incidents of domestic violence since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, a seminar has heard, with the number of applications for barring and protection order applications up by 17 per cent.
The figures were revealed at an online seminar hosted by Women’s Aid to mark the publication of its 2019 annual report. The charity also published a supplementary report, When Home is Not Safe, on the impact of the pandemic on women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
The supplementary report details a 71 per centincrease in visits to the Women’s Aid website between the end of March and end of June, from 67,187 to 114,576, and a 43 per cent increase in calls to its helpline, from 4,563 to 6,561, when compared with the same period last year.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told the seminar there had been a 20 per cent increase in call outs to domestic violence incidents since the end of March.
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“There were some 27,174 incidents falling into the category of domestic abuse - a huge number and it’s a really significant policing issue for us,” he said. “We are very mindful that these are very vulnerable victims and we have a huge responsibility in terms of our response to them.”
Coercive control
The crime of coercive control, for which there has been one conviction so far, is a growing concern, he said, adding that a number of additional cases were before the courts and investigations were ongoing in 32 others.
Judge Colm Daly, president of the District Court, said there had been a 75 per cent increase in family law cases since 2014 including applications for protective reliefs from domestic violence.
“We saw a 17 per cent increase in cases during the lockdown,” he said.
Judge Daly said increase, relative to the number of extra contacts made to Women’s Aid, “reflects the fact that perhaps those most in need of protection were finding it difficult to find their way to court”.
He said a key lesson from the lockdown was the importance of keeping the courts “accessible”. He said the courts, not noted for their flexibility, would have to be open to changing the ways they conduct business.
Key to this would be the development of “remote courts” where cases were heard via video or conference link online. He said developing this would be a “top priority” for him at the start of the new legal term next month.
Niamh Ní Domhnaill, whose former boyfriend Magnus Meyer Hustveit was sentenced in 2016 to 15 months for raping her while she slept, said the first challenge for her in confronting the abuse was to recognise what was happening to her as "rape" and "violence".
She was “still surprised” at the shame around the issues and said “we all” need to confront out biases about domestic violence.
Sarah Benson, chief executive of Women's Aid, said such views "don't come from nowhere" but were "absorbed socially and culturally [SO THAT]victims and survivors are inhibited from speaking the truth of their experience".


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Coronavirus: 136 further cases and one more death in the State

There have been a further 136 cases of coronavirus confirmed in the State and one more death , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) has said .
This brings the total number of Covid-19 related fatalities to 1,776 , and the total number of confirmed cases to 27,676 .
NPHET met on Thursday discuss the possible lifting of the restrictions on the three midland counties which were introduced earlier this month .
Sources said the increase in cases appears to have been controlled in Laois and Offaly , but the figures in Kildare remained worryingly high .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in Dublin and 24 in Kildare , with Tipperary having the next highest number at 11 .
It is understood an announcement on whether restrictions will be lifted in the three midland counties will not be made until Friday .
Some 78 per cent of cases were among people aged under 45 .
Men accounted for 54 of the cases , women 81 .
In Northern Ireland 51 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Thursday , bringing the total number of people who have tested positive for the virus in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compares to 34 new cases reported on Wednesday , and 41 on Tuesday .
No further fatalities were reported , and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the North ’ s department of health remains at 559 .
Earlier , Taoiseach Micheál rejected the claim that there was mixed messaging emerging from the Government and public health experts .
“ There is no confusion about the fundamental issue here .
I would advise everybody to examine [ the advice of ] Ronan Glynn , the chief medical officer in his video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the video , posted on Wednesday evening , Dr Glynn said “ I know that there ’ s been a lot of talk and commentary about the measures that were recommended [ on Tuesday ] and many people are confused about what they should be doing , but at the heart of what we want to do is a very simple message .
“ Please limit the number of people that you are meeting up with over the next three weeks .
Please do not have more than six people over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 15 people should meet up and even then , people need to be physically distance from one another.
” He added : “ You can still play sport , you can still go to a restaurant and meet your friends and family but we are asking that you do this in as safe away as possible.
” Dr Glynn said NPHET made these recommendations in light of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the community He said that outbreaks in workplaces and direct provision centres were “ just part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were particularly concerned about the number of close contacts as a result of “ socialising around sporting activity , house activities ... social engagements and car sharing ” , he said .
Speaking on Wednesday night , Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly acknowledged that parents were worried about sending their children back to school in the coming weeks but added that the coronavirus situation was now about managing risk .
“ We manage risk in our lives everytime we get into a car .
Driving a car is an inherently risking thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have rules of the road and we have all of these things , ” he told Virgin Media News .
“ Playing sports is an inherently risky thing to do , our children being on trampolines is an inherently risky thing for them to be doing.
” Asked if he was equating the risk of Covid-19 with the risk of being in a road traffic incident , he said : “ People die on the roads .
The risk [ of coronavirus ] is not necessarily much higher .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do in life that carry a risk and we ’ ve got to manage that risk and unfortunately until we ’ ve got a vaccine widely distributed for covid-19 , that is the case , ” he added .
“ That ’ s what the measures are about .
Let ’ s not wait until community transmission to go up , let ’ s move now to do what we know will work to reduce community transmission so that the schools can reopen.
” Meanwhile , key employers in the tourism sector have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before publishing the next iteration of the roadmap for reopening Ireland .
In response to the Government decision to publish a new “ Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery ” , by September 13th , the Irish Hotels Federation said “ people must have livelihoods ” .
The sector which was disappointed by the latest restrictions on social gatherings said public health should go hand-in-hand with ensuring a viable economy when the pandemic had passed .
Tourism was the State ’ s biggest employer pre-Covid , supporting almost 270,000 jobs , said hotels federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures for the hotel and guesthouse sector show that occupancy levels reached just 42 per cent for July and 49 per cent so far in August , the peak months for tourism .
This compares to an average of 90 percent last year .
Average occupancy levels of 23 per cent for September and 17 per cent for October are now being reported by the industry , based on current bookings .
Ms Fitzgerald Kane said “ businesses require greater certainty so they can plan forward .
“ What is necessary is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support framework to steer the tourism and hospitality industry through the crisis.
” Ms Fitzgerald Kane said the sector should be consulted on the Government ’ s forthcoming strategy which she said must include a comprehensive testing , tracing and monitoring regime .

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn says that patients under the age of 45 make up 72 per cent of Covid-19 cases over the past 14 days as he confirms 136 new cases in the State. Video: RTÉ
There have been a further 136 cases of coronavirus confirmed in the State and one more death, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has said.
This brings the total number of Covid-19 related fatalities to 1,776, and the total number of confirmed cases to 27,676.
NPHET met on Thursday discuss the possible lifting of the restrictions on the three midland counties which were introduced earlier this month.
Sources said the increase in cases appears to have been controlled in Laois and Offaly, but the figures in Kildare remained worryingly high.
READ MORE
Of the 136 new cases, 51 were in Dublin and 24 in Kildare, with Tipperary having the next highest number at 11.
It is understood an announcement on whether restrictions will be lifted in the three midland counties will not be made until Friday.
Some 78 per cent of cases were among people aged under 45. Men accounted for 54 of the cases, women 81.
In Northern Ireland 51 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Thursday, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive for the virus in the North to 6,556.
The daily total compares to 34 new cases reported on Wednesday, and 41 on Tuesday.
No further fatalities were reported, and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the North’s department of health remains at 559.
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál rejected the claim that there was mixed messaging emerging from the Government and public health experts.
“There is no confusion about the fundamental issue here. I would advise everybody to examine [the advice of] Ronan Glynn, the chief medical officer in his video presentation,” said Mr Martin.
In the video, posted on Wednesday evening, Dr Glynn said “I know that there’s been a lot of talk and commentary about the measures that were recommended [on Tuesday] and many people are confused about what they should be doing, but at the heart of what we want to do is a very simple message.
“Please limit the number of people that you are meeting up with over the next three weeks. Please do not have more than six people over to your house or garden. Outside no more than 15 people should meet up and even then, people need to be physically distance from one another.”
He added: “You can still play sport, you can still go to a restaurant and meet your friends and family but we are asking that you do this in as safe away as possible.”
Dr Glynn said NPHET made these recommendations in light of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the community
He said that outbreaks in workplaces and direct provision centres were “just part of the story”.
Public health doctors were particularly concerned about the number of close contacts as a result of “socialising around sporting activity, house activities... social engagements and car sharing”, he said.
‘Managing risk’
Speaking on Wednesday night, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly acknowledged that parents were worried about sending their children back to school in the coming weeks but added that the coronavirus situation was now about managing risk.
“We manage risk in our lives everytime we get into a car. Driving a car is an inherently risking thing to do. So we have seatbelts, we have rules of the road and we have all of these things,” he told Virgin Media News.
“Playing sports is an inherently risky thing to do, our children being on trampolines is an inherently risky thing for them to be doing.”
Asked if he was equating the risk of Covid-19 with the risk of being in a road traffic incident, he said: “People die on the roads. The risk [of coronavirus] is not necessarily much higher.
“This is about recognising that there are things we do in life that carry a risk and we’ve got to manage that risk and unfortunately until we’ve got a vaccine widely distributed for covid-19, that is the case,” he added.
“That’s what the measures are about. Let’s not wait until community transmission to go up, let’s move now to do what we know will work to reduce community transmission so that the schools can reopen.”
Meanwhile, key employers in the tourism sector have called on the Government to consult it before publishing the next iteration of the roadmap for reopening Ireland.
In response to the Government decision to publish a new “ Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery”, by September 13th, the Irish Hotels Federation said “people must have livelihoods”.
The sector which was disappointed by the latest restrictions on social gatherings said public health should go hand-in-hand with ensuring a viable economy when the pandemic had passed.
Tourism was the State’s biggest employer pre-Covid, supporting almost 270,000 jobs, said hotels federation president Elaina Fitzgerald Kane.
However latest figures for the hotel and guesthouse sector show that occupancy levels reached just 42 per cent for July and 49 per cent so far in August, the peak months for tourism. This compares to an average of 90 percent last year.
Average occupancy levels of 23 per cent for September and 17 per cent for October are now being reported by the industry, based on current bookings.
Ms Fitzgerald Kane said “businesses require greater certainty so they can plan forward.
“ What is necessary is an active, intensive and sustained public policy support framework to steer the tourism and hospitality industry through the crisis.”
Ms Fitzgerald Kane said the sector should be consulted on the Government’s forthcoming strategy which she said must include a comprehensive testing, tracing and monitoring regime.


theirishtimes--2020-08-20--Many schoolbuses likely to operate without social distancing when schools reopen

Many schoolbuses are likely to operate without social distancing when schools reopen , despite new public health advice which states that secondary students should maintain a safe distance while on board such vehicles .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) advised the Government earlier this week that secondary students should both maintain physical distancing and wear face coverings while on schoolbuses , in line with wider rules on public transport .
This was a change to earlier advice which stated that physical distancing was not required .
The updated advice says primary school students should physically distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but do not need to wear face coverings .
In a statement on Thursday , the Department of Education said there will be a “ rolling implementation ” of these new guidelines to provide for physical distancing on secondary school bus services .
It is understood that hundreds of additional buses will now be needed to transport some 68,000 secondary students to school each day in compliance with the new guidelines .
A spokesman for the Department of Education said discussions were underway with Bus Éireann – which operates school transport services – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the start of the school year at 50 per cent capacity will do so .
He said other post-primary transport services will be re-organised and additional services will be provided as required to allow for physical distancing “ over the coming period ” .
In the meantime , he said a range of measures will be in place to ensure the safe operation of school transport services .
They include preassigned seating to ensure children sit beside siblings or classmates , additional hygiene and cleaning measures on board schoolbuses and the wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 13 .
He said the department welcomed NPHET advice and arrangements for primary school transport schemes .
These services will operate fully when schools reopen , with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place .
Secondary school services will also commence operation when schools reopen , with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place , and with the “ rolling implementation of measures to provide physical distancing on the post-primary services as required ” .
The spokesman said the Minister for Education will continue to work with other Government Ministers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support the rollout of these measures .
Bus Éireann said in a statement that it is implementing a range of measures to ensure the safe operation of its school transport service when schools reopen .
It said the Department of Education and Bus Éireann will continue to communicate with parents , guardians , contractors and drivers on the operation of services for the upcoming school year .
Meanwhile Siptu , one of the trade unions representing drivers at Bus Éireann , said it was told by the State transport company it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective screening to be erected around driver cabins on school buses .
Fran McDonnell , assistant industrial organiser with Siptu , said many drivers who are “ fearful and anxious ” for themselves and their families would be unhappy that the screens have not already been fitted throughout the school bus fleet .
“ I raised this issue on June 18th and as of this month there is still no work done on the screens , ” he said , following a meeting with Bus Éireann management on Wednesday .
“ Management said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient but we rejected those claims .
“ I wouldn ’ t say this isn ’ t a red line issue for us any more .
Members won ’ t be happy and the union is not happy with the timeline.
” Siptu was told Bus Éireann has committed to the immediate installation of rear screens but that “ roller type screens ” on the passenger side would take another six to eight weeks to be installed .
Social distancing for post-primary students will take “ a number of weeks ” to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It will be full capacity until then , loading everyone back on to the same bus again , ” he added .
Mr McDonnell said the commitments were brought to drivers at the “ 11th hour ” when the Department of Education and Bus Éireann “ should have been fully on top of the situation ” .
Meanwhile , the Garda National Vetting Bureau said it is “ ready , willing and confident ” that it will be able to process the “ expected increase in vetting applications ” for any newly-hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools staff at “ short notice ” .

Many schoolbuses are likely to operate without social distancing when schools reopen. File photograph: iStock
Many schoolbuses are likely to operate without social distancing when schools reopen, despite new public health advice which states that secondary students should maintain a safe distance while on board such vehicles.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) advised the Government earlier this week that secondary students should both maintain physical distancing and wear face coverings while on schoolbuses, in line with wider rules on public transport.
This was a change to earlier advice which stated that physical distancing was not required.
The updated advice says primary school students should physically distance “where possible” on buses, but do not need to wear face coverings.
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In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Education said there will be a “rolling implementation” of these new guidelines to provide for physical distancing on secondary school bus services.
It is understood that hundreds of additional buses will now be needed to transport some 68,000 secondary students to school each day in compliance with the new guidelines .
Safe operation
A spokesman for the Department of Education said discussions were underway with Bus Éireann – which operates school transport services – so that any services that can operate from the start of the school year at 50 per cent capacity will do so.
He said other post-primary transport services will be re-organised and additional services will be provided as required to allow for physical distancing “over the coming period”.
In the meantime, he said a range of measures will be in place to ensure the safe operation of school transport services.
They include preassigned seating to ensure children sit beside siblings or classmates, additional hygiene and cleaning measures on board schoolbuses and the wearing of face coverings for children over the age of 13.
He said the department welcomed NPHET advice and arrangements for primary school transport schemes. These services will operate fully when schools reopen, with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place.
Secondary school services will also commence operation when schools reopen, with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place, and with the “rolling implementation of measures to provide physical distancing on the post-primary services as required”.
Additional resources
The spokesman said the Minister for Education will continue to work with other Government Ministers to identify and consider the additional resources required to support the rollout of these measures.
Bus Éireann said in a statement that it is implementing a range of measures to ensure the safe operation of its school transport service when schools reopen.
It said the Department of Education and Bus Éireann will continue to communicate with parents, guardians, contractors and drivers on the operation of services for the upcoming school year.
Meanwhile Siptu, one of the trade unions representing drivers at Bus Éireann, said it was told by the State transport company it could take up to eight weeks for proper protective screening to be erected around driver cabins on school buses.
Fran McDonnell, assistant industrial organiser with Siptu, said many drivers who are “fearful and anxious” for themselves and their families would be unhappy that the screens have not already been fitted throughout the school bus fleet.
“I raised this issue on June 18th and as of this month there is still no work done on the screens,” he said, following a meeting with Bus Éireann management on Wednesday.
“Management said head visors and face masks would be sufficient but we rejected those claims.
“I wouldn’t say this isn’t a red line issue for us any more. Members won’t be happy and the union is not happy with the timeline.”
Siptu was told Bus Éireann has committed to the immediate installation of rear screens but that “roller type screens” on the passenger side would take another six to eight weeks to be installed.
Social distancing for post-primary students will take “a number of weeks” to be implemented, Mr McDonnell was told.
“It will be full capacity until then, loading everyone back on to the same bus again,” he added.
Mr McDonnell said the commitments were brought to drivers at the “11th hour” when the Department of Education and Bus Éireann “should have been fully on top of the situation”.
Meanwhile, the Garda National Vetting Bureau said it is “ready, willing and confident” that it will be able to process the “expected increase in vetting applications” for any newly-hired school bus drivers as well as other schools staff at “short notice”.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Substantive file on murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan nearing completion

More than 200 statements have been taken and 250 exhibits have been gathered as part of the investigation into the murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan , Harristown District Court has heard .
Details of the investigation were outlined at the Co Roscommon court on Friday by Sgt Paddy McGirl , who said he was confident the book of evidence would be completed within two weeks .
The file in the case includes 70 CCTV exhibits and the contents of 10 electronic devices , he said .
Stephen Silver ( 43 ) , of Aughaward , Foxford , Co Mayo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horkan in Castlerea on June 17th last and was due to appear before the court by video link on Friday .
However , defence solicitor Marina Moran said the accused was still receiving treatment at the Central Mental Hospital .
It is the fifth time Mr Silver has been deemed unfit to appear before the court by video link .
Sgt McGirl told Judge Deirdre Gearty that the “ substantive ” file on the investigation was nearing completion .
“ In addition , the gardaí are making enquiries with a witness in Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of reports outstanding and we are expecting to be in receipt of those reports this week so I would expect that the file will be completed within two weeks , ” he said .
An application for Mr Silver to be remanded in custody to appear before the court by video link on September 4th was granted by Judge Gearty .

Stephen Silver (43), of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, is charged with murdering Det Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea on June 17th last. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins.
More than 200 statements have been taken and 250 exhibits have been gathered as part of the investigation into the murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan, Harristown District Court has heard.
Details of the investigation were outlined at the Co Roscommon court on Friday by Sgt Paddy McGirl, who said he was confident the book of evidence would be completed within two weeks. The file in the case includes 70 CCTV exhibits and the contents of 10 electronic devices, he said.
Stephen Silver (43), of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, is charged with murdering Det Garda Horkan in Castlerea on June 17th last and was due to appear before the court by video link on Friday.
However, defence solicitor Marina Moran said the accused was still receiving treatment at the Central Mental Hospital. It is the fifth time Mr Silver has been deemed unfit to appear before the court by video link.
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Sgt McGirl told Judge Deirdre Gearty that the “substantive” file on the investigation was nearing completion.
“In addition, the gardaí are making enquiries with a witness in Australia as well, so there are a number of reports outstanding and we are expecting to be in receipt of those reports this week so I would expect that the file will be completed within two weeks,” he said.
An application for Mr Silver to be remanded in custody to appear before the court by video link on September 4th was granted by Judge Gearty.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Oireachtas members to be interviewed by gardaí over golf event

Members of the Oireachtas Golf Society , including TDs and Senators , were set to be interviewed by gardaí as part of the investigation into a dinner held at a hotel in Co Galway on Wednesday night .
Informed sources said that while it was not a criminal offence to attend such an event , any of those who organised it would be investigated and could be criminally prosecuted .
Anyone convicted of organising an event in breach of the Covid-19 regulations faces fines of up to €2,500 and/or up to six months in prison .
A number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short periods for more minor Covid-19-related offences , including being more than 2km or 5km from home without a legitimate excuse during the strict lockdown period .
Invitations for the golfing event were issued by society captain Noel Grealish TD ( Independent ) and society president Donie Cassidy , a former Fianna Fáil senator .
Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said on Friday morning the event was “ organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society ” and that it “ should not have happened ” .
Fianna Fáil ’ s Dara Calleary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for agriculture over his attendance while Fine Gael ’ s Jerry Buttimer has resigned as leas-cathaoirleach of the Seanad .
Among those in attendance were Ireland ’ s EU commissioner Phil Hogan and Supreme Court judge and former attorney general Mr Justice Séamus Wolfe .
A total of 81 people attended the dinner in Clifden , Co Galway , which was far in excess of the limits permitted for indoor gatherings under the Covid-19 regulations .
On Tuesday , some 24 hours before the golfing event , the number of people permitted at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a maximum of six , down from 50 .
Garda Headquarters confirmed on Friday that it was investigating a possible breach of the regulations introduced to combat Covid-19 introduced under the Health Act .
“ As this is an active investigation An Garda Síochána has no further comment , ” the Garda said in a brief statement .
The Irish Times understands gardaí would now seek to establish who within the Oireachtas Golf Society organised the event and whether they had any outside assistance , perhaps from hotel staff .
Under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ restrictions on events ” it states “ a person shall not organise , or cause to be organised ” an event .
While measures relating to social distancing are advisory , and so not enforceable under law , the prohibition on medium and large indoor events is a penal provision , meaning it is a criminal offence .
Garda sources said when the criminal investigating into the Oireachtas golf outing was completed a file would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether criminal charges should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dublin during the lockdown was investigated in the same way .

Members of the Oireachtas Golf Society, including TDs and Senators, were set to be interviewed by gardaí as part of the investigation into a dinner held at a hotel in Co Galway on Wednesday night.
Members of the Oireachtas Golf Society, including TDs and Senators, were set to be interviewed by gardaí as part of the investigation into a dinner held at a hotel in Co Galway on Wednesday night.
Informed sources said that while it was not a criminal offence to attend such an event, any of those who organised it would be investigated and could be criminally prosecuted.
Anyone convicted of organising an event in breach of the Covid-19 regulations faces fines of up to €2,500 and/or up to six months in prison.
A number of people have already been convicted and jailed for short periods for more minor Covid-19-related offences, including being more than 2km or 5km from home without a legitimate excuse during the strict lockdown period.
READ MORE
Invitations for the golfing event were issued by society captain Noel Grealish TD (Independent) and society president Donie Cassidy, a former Fianna Fáil senator.
Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said on Friday morning the event was "organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society" and that it "should not have happened".
Fianna Fáil's Dara Calleary has resigned from his position as minister for agriculture over his attendance while Fine Gael's Jerry Buttimer has resigned as leas-cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
Among those in attendance were Ireland's EU commissioner Phil Hogan and Supreme Court judge and former attorney general Mr Justice Séamus Wolfe.
Permitted limits
A total of 81 people attended the dinner in Clifden, Co Galway, which was far in excess of the limits permitted for indoor gatherings under the Covid-19 regulations.
On Tuesday, some 24 hours before the golfing event, the number of people permitted at indoor events was lowered by the Government to a maximum of six, down from 50.
Garda Headquarters confirmed on Friday that it was investigating a possible breach of the regulations introduced to combat Covid-19 introduced under the Health Act.
"As this is an active investigation An Garda Síochána has no further comment," the Garda said in a brief statement.
The Irish Times understands gardaí would now seek to establish who within the Oireachtas Golf Society organised the event and whether they had any outside assistance, perhaps from hotel staff.
Under a section in the Covid-19 regulations relating to “restrictions on events” it states “a person shall not organise, or cause to be organised” an event. While measures relating to social distancing are advisory, and so not enforceable under law, the prohibition on medium and large indoor events is a penal provision, meaning it is a criminal offence.
Garda sources said when the criminal investigating into the Oireachtas golf outing was completed a file would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether criminal charges should be pursued.
A Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin during the lockdown was investigated in the same way.


theirishtimes--2020-08-21--Delay to compensation scheme for victims of Troubles unlawful, court rules

A judge has ruled that Stormont ’ s Executive Office is acting unlawfully in delaying the introduction of a compensation scheme for injured victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles .
A joint legal challenge to the delay was brought by Jennifer McNern , who lost both legs in a Troubles bombing in 1972 , and Brian Turley , one of the “ hooded men ” who were arrested and interrogated by the British army in 1971 .
The payment scheme , which should have opened to applications at the end of May , is in limbo due to a dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligibility criteria that are set to exclude anyone convicted of inflicting serious harm during the Troubles .
Sinn Féin claims the scheme would be discriminatory and would potentially exclude thousands of people from the republican community .
In a separate row , the Stormont administration and the UK government have been at odds over who should pay for the scheme .
In a scathing judgment delivered in Belfast High Court , Justice McAlinden said the Executive Office was under a “ clear , unqualified and unconditional obligation ” to designate a Stormont department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victims payment board by May 29th .
The judge said any argument to the contrary was “ obtuse , absurd and irrational ” .
He dismissed as “ nonsense ” an Executive Office contention that the court should not involve itself in what it claimed was a political dispute .
The judge said the Executive Office was deliberately stymieing the introduction of the scheme in a bid to pressure Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis to change the terms of it .
He said the Executive Office ’ s stance was “ truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disregard ” for , or “ abject ignorance ” of , the rule of law .
Justice McAlinden said Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill was the only minister in the Executive Office taking this stance , and highlighted how First Minister Arlene Foster , having initially adopted the same position , had now made clear she was willing to designate a department immediately .
Justice McAlinden gave the Executive Office seven days to respond to the judgment .
Reacting to the judgment , Mr Turley said : “ How do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to victims ?
“ As a survivor of torture , I was left with long-term injuries as a result of the actions of the state .
“ The delay in having to wait on my right to a pension can only be described as another form of torture.
” - PA

Jennifer McNern sought a judicial review over her belief that Stormont’s Executive Office is acting unlawfully in delaying the introduction of a compensation scheme for injured victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
Stormont’s deputy first minister has agreed to progress a compensation scheme for victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles after a judge ruled the ongoing delay was unlawful.
Michelle O’Neill’s move came after she was highly criticised by a High Court judge for refusing comply with a legislative requirement to set up the scheme.
A joint legal challenge over the delay was brought by Jennifer McNern, who lost both legs in a Troubles bombing in 1972, and Brian Turley, one of the “hooded men” who were arrested and interrogated by the British army in 1971.
The payment scheme had been in limbo due to a dispute between Sinn Féin and the government over eligibility criteria, with anyone convicted of inflicting serious harm during the Troubles set to be excluded. Sinn Féin and the DUP have also been at odds with Westminster over who should pay for the scheme.
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Applications for the scheme were due to open at the end of May but little progress has been made due to a failure by the Executive Office, shared by Ms O’Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster, to nominate a Stormont department to take responsibility for it.
Mrs Foster subsequently dropped her opposition and during the court hearing the judge was told she was now willing to designate a department immediately.
That left Ms O’Neill as the sole cause of the delay within the Executive Office for nominating the department. That point was made clear in a scathing judgment delivered in Belfast High Court by Justice McAlinden on Friday.
Noting that Ms O’Neill was the source of the blockage, he said the Executive Office was under a “clear, unqualified and unconditional obligation” to designate a department.
The judge said any argument to the contrary was “obtuse, absurd and irrational”. He dismissed as “nonsense” a contention that the court should not involve itself in what it claimed was a political dispute.
The judge said the Executive Office was deliberately stymieing the introduction of the scheme in an attempt to pressure Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis to change the terms of the scheme.
“This is a truly shocking proposition,” he said. “It demonstrates either wilful disregard for the rule of law or an abject ignorance of what the rule of law means in a democratic society.”
In response, Ms O’Neill said she had “no alternative” than to nominate a department. But she insisted the scheme was devised by the UK government and was “exclusionary, discriminatory and divisive”.
“Its policy intent was and remains to create a hierarchy of victims, and reinforce the British state narrative around the conflict,” she said.
Ms O’Neill accused the UK government of reneging on previous commitments to establish mechanisms to deal with the legacy of the Troubles and called for it and the Irish Government to convene a summit to address outstanding issues.
The court had given the Executive Office seven days to respond to the judgment.
Responding to the court victory, Ms McNern said she “should never have had to take this case” and that she and other victims “need our politicians to act on this now and implement the scheme”.
Mr Turley said he was “a survivor of torture” who was left with long-term injuries as a result of the actions of the state. The delay could “only be described as another form of torture”, he said.
Mr Turley has also taken a case against Mr Lewis but the judge found that the secretary of state had fulfilled his obligations by delivering the basis for an “effective” and “workable” scheme. - PA