Six more confirmed cases in Laois
The number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Laois from the latest Department of Health figures is 139.
These figures come from April 15 and are the latest available – an increase of 6 of the previous day but just a 4% increase overall.
709 new cases; 44 more deaths
A total of 709 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
This is an increase on the 13,271 confirmed cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 13,980.
While now 530 people have died from the disease – an increase of 44 from yesterday.
Read the full details from Alan Hartnett’s piece here.
Brave Laois woman praises staff at St Fintan’s hospital following sad passing of husband
The wife of the late Danny Delaney has praised the work of the nurses and doctors at St Fintan’s Hospital following the sad passing of her husband.
Doreen Delaney spoke bravely on RTE’s Prime Time last night to reporter Barry Cummins.
The Stradbally woman’s 77-year-old husband was one of eight patients who passed away in the Maryborough Centre from Coronavirus over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
You can read Doreen’s comments here.
Debenhams staff deserve every support, says local Sinn Féin TD
Patricia Ryan TD has called on the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, Heather Humphries to intervene on behalf of the workers of Debenhams Ireland, to ensure they are treated fairly.
The Kildare South Sinn Féin TD who is based in Monasterevin, said: “It’s extremely stressful and worrying to be made redundant at any stage, but now during a global pandemic makes this all the more difficult.
“There are 1,500 directly employed and 500 concession staff across the country, and they deserve every support available at this difficult time.”
“I have been approached by a number of employees of Debenhams Ireland who are understandably shocked at the decision by the company to close on a permanent basis.
“Sinn Féin contacted Minister Heather Humphreys’ office about this situation last Thursday, and I have followed up on that yesterday.
“We have also been in touch with the General Secretary of Mandate Trade Union, John Douglas.”
“I have asked the Minister to intervene by asking the company to engage with the worker’s Union, Mandate, to see if the decision could be reversed, or failing that, to ensure a fair settlement be reached for the staff.”
IFA call for low interest loans for farmers
IFA President Tim Cullinan has called on the Government to introduce a specific low-interest loan Covid-19 Market Disruption Support Scheme for the farming sector as a matter of urgency.
Primary agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture, with the exception of limited increased funding (plus €7m) available from Microfinance Ireland, are excluded from the Government backed COVID-19 schemes.
“The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented threat,” said Tim Cullinan in a statement.
“The scale and rapidity of market closures and disturbances is unprecedented and has led to widescale disruption for farmers and the associated processing industries.
“To make matters worse, the cashflow situation in many farming households has been further compounded by the loss of off-farm income.”
IFA Farm Business Chairman Rose Mary McDonagh added: “While the reopening of the SBCI’s future loan scheme for farm development purposes is welcome, it doesn’t address the accelerated and growing demand for increased working capital arising on many farms as a result of COVID-19”.
Fianna Fáil MEP calls for €1 trillion EU fund
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has called for the establishment of a new €1 trillion Reconstruction and Recovery Fund by the European Union to ensure that the current Covid-19 health and economic crisis does not turn into a Great Depression.
“The European economy needs new money for investment and economic reconstruction,” said the Cork-based politican, an MEP for Ireland South, which includes the six Munster counties as well as Laois, Offaly, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.
“The fund should be secured by the European Budget itself and supported by the European Central Bank.
“Similar to the Marshall Plan after World War II, it would fund major infrastructure projects to prepare Europe for the next challenges it will face.
“It should also fund the real economy and ensure that every citizen feels the value of EU membership,” added the Renew Europe ECON Committee member.
“The US Government has signed off already on a $2.2 trillion stimulus package with many workers receiving $1200 directly into their bank accounts today.”
Fears grow for future of Gaeltacht colleges
Summer courses at more than 20 Gaeltacht colleges have been thrown into doubt this year due to the Covid-19 emergency, with concerns now being raised about the impact such cancellations might have on colleges into the future.
Coláiste Lurgan in Indreabhán, Co Galway has moved to cancel all three-week courses, and in a statement online it said “the degree of social mixing in having hundreds of teenagers partake in a 3-week cúrsa Gaeilge is the polar opposite to social distancing”.
Read the full report on TheJournal.ie here
Protests in the US over lockdown measures
A growing wave of unrest over coronavirus lockdown measures appears to be rising in the US, with a number of protests taking place this week in various states.
In Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, actions of dissent have been organised outside governors’ mansions and state parliament buildings.
Small-government groups, supporters of President Donald Trump, anti-vaccine advocates, gun rights backers and supporters of right-wing causes have united behind a deep suspicion of efforts to shut down daily life to slow the spread of the Covid-19.
Read the full piece on TheJournal.ie here
Worth a read – Irish Times piece on deaths in St Fintan’s
The Irish Times have a detailed feature on the deaths in St Fintan’s giving the history and background of the facility.
“Danny Delaney, Theresa Sherlock, Ger O’Neill and Velma Jackson – some of the men and women who died last weekend,” is the headline.
Well worth checking out. You can read it in full here.
All the way from Co.Laois.
Always nice to get positive post ??? pic.twitter.com/9AsGT5bdXk
— Michael Healy-Rae (@MHealyRae) April 16, 2020
Tweet of the Day – Michael Healy-Rae
The Healy-Raes have supporters everywhere with one Laois person even taking the time to send their free An Post postcard to Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae in Kilgarvan.
“All the way from Co Laois,” tweeted Michael. “Always nice to get positive post.”
Given the negativity that politicians generally have to endure, it surely must make for a pleasant surprise to get something like this in the post.
Impress feat of the day
With the entire country restricted as to where they go and what they can do, people have taken to trying all sorts of tricks to keep themselves entertained.
And if they don’t video it and put it on social media, did it really happen?
This effort from a youngster in Cavan is particularly impressive.
He’s kicked a ball over his house (and caught it) what’ve you ever done? ??
?: Eoghan McGinnity pic.twitter.com/TJELXseMiP
— LADbible (@ladbible) April 15, 2020
Traveller organisations urge people to stay away from funerals
Traveller organisations areound the country have appealed to members of the community to fully adhere to public health measures regarding the restrictions on funerals.
A statement released by Pavee Point emphasised the new regulations which mean only immediate family members – up to a maximum of 10 people – should attend church and graveside services and that physical distancing should be maintained at all times.
Video footage emerged this week of a large Traveller funeral being held in Birr leading many to voice their concerns about the lack of social distancing and the danger mourners were putting themselves in.
The statement said these restrictions are not easy and “Traveller organisations understand the importance of funerals to bereaved families”.
“The reality is that we don’t know who has, or who does not have, the virus – so it is vital that we take ALL precautions. We are all being encouraged to act as if we all have Covid-19 and that’s why we’ve been told to stay at home as much as possible and not to meet up in groups.”
Read the full piece on TheJournal.ie here.
Worth a listen – GAA Hour on Joe.ie
Colm Parkinson’s GAA podcast The GAA Hour are always worth a listen and this week’s episode was particularly enjoyable.
It included an interview with former Dublin footballer Alan Brogan who is using his down time to ring Dublin supporters for a chat. Most of the calls are to older supporters and to hear how it’s going down is both touching and entertaining.
There is also an interview with former Dublin hurler Michael Carton, who had a bad case of Coronavirus and spent over a week in hospital.
Though he looks back on the experience with good humour, it’s a frightening account from a young person.
You can listen to it in full here.
Home deliveries from Breslin’s SuperValu Abbeyleix and Rathdowney
In these uncertain times, Breslin’s SuperValu in Abbeyleix and Rathdowney are there for their customers.
Home deliveries are available six days a week, there are fresh deliveries to the stores every day and availability is as normal.
Home deliveries – To avail of the home deliveries from Breslin’s SuperValu, email your shopping list to aprilsv@outlook.com (Abbeyleix) and accountsrathdowney@supervalu.ie (Rathdowney). All shopping lists must have contact telephone number and eircode. If you require further info, please call 057 8731606 Abbeyleix or 0505 46334 Rathdowney.
No need to panic buy – Fresh deliveries every day in both store – no need to panic buy – availability has returned to normal.
Revamped Rathdowney store – The Rathdowney store recently underwent a significant renovation with new layout, new deli counter, new butcher and a new checkout area.
Deli and Bakery Staff – We need temporary deli and bakery staff in Rathdowney (4-12 week contracts) – previous experience and flexibility is essential – please apply to connellbreslin@supervalu.ie
SEE ALSO – Coronavirus Daily Noticeboard – Thursday, April 16, 2020
