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'This was weak practice' - Garda Commissioner says it's 'too early' to say what caused breath tests scandal

O’Sullivan is making her first appearance in front of the Policing Authority since the scandal concerning Garda breath tests first broke.

PolicingAuthority / YouTube

GARDA COMMISSIONER NÓIRÍN O’Sullivan says there is “no single cause” that led to almost one million roadside breath tests being officially recorded despite never taking place.

O’Sullivan, together with her senior officers, has made her first appearance before the Policing Authority since the scandals surrounding Garda breath tests and court penalties first broke in late March, at Dublin Castle this morning.

The Commissioner avoided specific answers while being questioned by the authority’s members for the most part.

She said that the issues surrounding breath test recordings was “an issue that we identified ourselves”.

nos Nóirín O'Sullivan at this morning's hearing

“When an organisation is going through a radical overhaul, it’s inevitable that we will identify good practice and weak practice. This was weak practice. But we mustn’t forget that the overall objective is to save lives, and to improve road-user behaviour,” she said.

O’Sullivan said that she is appointing Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn as a dedicated traffic commissioner in order to shore up the processes surrounding such data recording.

Asked as to how the sheer scale of the false breath tests had been missed by Garda management, O’Sullivan said that it is “too early to arrive at any definitive conclusion as to what led to this”.

“We will get to the bottom to how those figures did not alert local management,” she said.

The indications are that there were a number of factors. Having said that, it is simply not good enough.

Authority member Maureen Lynott suggested that, citing the fact that there was a 495% level of over-reporting in the Dublin West Garda division, it’s a mystery as to how “that kind of distortion did not catch anybody’s attention”.

michael finn Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn

“It is not reassuring, this business with the breath tests,” she added. “Surely interrogating such data is a basic management function?”

“It’s important that we get to the root cause of the problem, and to emphasise that there is no single cause,” O’Sullivan replied.

We’ve raised it with the chief superintendents and sergeants and inspectors, and everyone is being asked to account for their figures and as to why they didn’t flag with them.

Deputy Commissioner John Twomey added that “a number of things have been done in the last number of years with regard to data collection and classification”. “We need to deal with all the facts in this,” he said.

Authority member Judith Gillespie then asked  Assistant Commissioner Finn whether, given the discrepancies seen with breath test statistics, he could be certain that the force’s statistics with regard to fatal road accidents are accurate.

“I’d have no question at all that our road traffic statistics are accurate,” Finn replied.

Read: Dr Peter Boylan resigns from board of National Maternity Hospital

Read: ‘It’s definitely on’: Battle heating up for 2FM and Today FM as pair tied for breakfast listeners

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41 Comments
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    Mute Alan Martin
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:49 AM

    We are older couple one undergoing chemotherapy at moment , our hot water tank/ cylinder started leaking badly yesterday water running down the downstairs wall , we tried to get several emergency plumbers but none would come out because of virus, my wife was crying begging them to come to no avail, thankfully our son got young plumber friend to come last night he stopped the leak but we’ve no hot water or heat today , the plumber is trying to get part today to fix it .

    657
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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:59 AM

    @Alan Martin: Sorry to hear that Alan. You should get your son to look out for a dehumidifier also if he can. I hope everything works out for you and your family.

    387
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    Mute Philo
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:02 AM

    @Alan Martin: what part of the country are you in. I know a good plumber in wexford who would help. I could help with cleaning etc. Taking necessary precautions.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:14 AM

    @Philo: gosh fair okay to you. I’m sure it would be a wonderful help if it works out.

    82
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    Mute EillieEs
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:15 AM

    @Alan Martin: whet a time for this to happen:(. Hope you get it sorted and some heat and hot water back into your home. Stay safe

    66
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    Mute Alan Martin
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:33 AM

    @Philo: I live in Dublin, young plumber and mate are here at moment hopefully will get it sorted many thanks

    293
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    Mute Spbeak
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:03 PM

    @Alan Martin: if not fixed and if a plug-in stove heater would be any use to get you over the hump, just email me – jamesjphilbin@gmail.com

    251
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    Mute Mary Brennan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 2:49 PM

    @Alan

    I’m in kilkenny have a plumber here fixing my tap he was great to come .works on his own ,phoned younger lads with vans going around wouldent come

    37
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    Mute Sean Brennan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:32 PM

    @Alan Martin: I’m in Dublin – south side – if you need a fan heater or electric blanket – I can let you have these. Just PM me. Hope all works out for you.

    52
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    Mute Marcus Mc Cann
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:47 PM

    @Alan Martin: If you try ringing Age Action Care and Repair (01) 475 6989 they might be able to help you

    36
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    Mute John Hayes
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    Mar 21st 2020, 9:07 PM

    @Alan Martin: hope it’s sorted soon Alan. To the replies I can only applaud…. decent well bred Human Beings.

    66
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    Mute RiainOg
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:18 PM

    @Alan Martin: have you got sorted yet Alan? I can offer my assistance if needed.

    15
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    Mute Alan Martin
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:30 AM

    Thanks everyone who replied and offered help , the young plumber and his friend are here at moment hopefully they will get it sorted . We are away from them in sitting room with electric heater , haven’t been out since last week (hospital) . Thank God it’s only affecting us oldies be really terrible if younger people or children affected.

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    Mute David Dineen
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:50 PM

    @Alan Martin: it’s not oldies that’s being infected, everybody is at risk

    136
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    Mute Sirius
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    Mar 21st 2020, 6:51 PM

    @Alan Martin: don’t ever be afraid to ask for help, whether it be here, on Facebook, anywhere. Yes, there are many people too sick or too vulnerable and many people under too much pressure already but, there is always help out there for people who ask. I’m very glad you got sorted.

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    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 5:16 AM

    @Alan Martin: there is a Ireland tradesman support group on facevook, plenty of lads who would give you a hand if you reach out. Good luck

    8
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    Mute Paul
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:28 AM

    Not mentioned in the article is that you can be a carrier without contacting or showing signs of a virus.
    Be safe out there people

    312
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    Mute Paul
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:29 AM

    @Paul: …contracting…

    49
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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:46 AM

    @Paul: nobody is above suspicious! everyone single person in society is a possible carrier and must be treated like that!

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    Mute Muiris (don't touch your face)
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:29 PM

    @Bobby wilson: we must treat ourselves as carriers, to avoid passing it on.

    53
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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:34 AM

    We can all beat this dangerous virus that’s invaded our lands! if we all stand together as one people on the island of Ireland and obey all the strict medical advice we have been told! there is sizable minority out there who don’t care and resist any form of authority been imposed on them, culture of this disrespect for law and order! they would be the kink in our armour of defence against this dangerous virus we are all battle against tooth and Nail

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    Mute Anthony Doyle
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    Mar 21st 2020, 2:22 PM

    @Bobby wilson: a lot of politicians everywhere disrespect the law and are richly rewarded for it as in Trump

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    Mute FecklessBear
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    Mar 21st 2020, 6:33 PM

    @Bobby wilson: which island?

    11
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    Mute Spbeak
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:37 AM

    We need to plan for the worst – I really hope the HSE are setting up some make-shift hospitals in hotels near our main hospitals as they are preparing in Germany – so less critical patients can be triaged into them – leaving room in our hospitals only for the serious and critially ill. Any news on this?

    175
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:40 AM

    @Spbeak: really good numbers coming from Germany only 2% serious or critical,

    95
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    Mute Spbeak
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:50 AM

    @Alan Watts: they are saying it will rise dramatically very soon as spreads more in Germany – the initial cases were mostly young healthy skiers coming back from Italy etc. – but that has given them some breathing space to prepare – plus have 20k ICU beds and tonnes of equipment.

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    Mute Susan Obrien
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:01 AM

    @Spbeak: HSE is setting up in citywest hotel in dublin

    43
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    Mute Liz Beeee
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:12 AM

    @Spbeak: have a look at this https://youtu.be/vcGWaBMa7eE
    This doctor explains how they’re dealing with it by making a CoVid Stream. Was at A&E yesterday and witnessed this, it’s super efficient and protective for everyone

    30
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    Mute Spbeak
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    Mar 21st 2020, 1:10 PM

    @Liz Beeee: Thanks Liz, great to see. Gotta love Baz

    8
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    Mute Miriam
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:40 PM

    @Spbeak: i hope they’re preparing a master suite in Monart for me. feeling a tad wheezy!

    2
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    Mute Shayne O'Donoghue
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:58 AM

    The best advice so far is to conduct yourself as if you have it..

    160
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:34 AM

    The journal comments is becoming common place for China conspiracy theorys, guys yes the Chinese government were slow to react they didn’t believe we had another SARS at large but worse, it moved so fast across Wuhan, as soon as they realised how bad it was they mobilised the majority of its resources and people towards fighting it, I believe the Chinese they kept the globe save from SARS

    96
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:35 AM

    @Alan Watts: and they’ve already exonerated that whistleblower doctor and his colleagues which is a very rare thing to do for them,

    96
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    Mute Ths Fer
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:46 AM

    @Alan Watts: That is blatantly untrue. The Chinese government worked first and foremost to keep a lid on the information coming out on the new virus. They bear a huge responsibility in the pandemic, from its origins in wet markets – which, by the way, have been the birthplace of many previous epidemics – to letting it be unleashed on the world. The first thing we must all do is tackle the pandemic and get it under control. But once this is done, the Chinese government must be held to account and the world’s relationship to China must be well scrutinised.

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:54 AM

    @Alan Watts: they allowed the wildlife farming and unsanitary wet markets because of greed. And, it was in those conditions that this virus spawned. The same conditions that spawned the SARS outbreak. The Chinese government put in place a temporary ban on wildlife farming and wet markets after that outbreak, but money and greed drove them to repeal that ban, leading to this outbreak. They did some fantastic work dealing with the afters of the outbreak, but, if the Chinese had maintained that ban this outbreak would never have happened in the first place.

    107
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    Mute Tom kenny
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:57 AM

    @Alan Watts: sorry mate, too many virus’s have came from China, this is the straw that has broken the camels back.

    93
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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:22 AM

    @Ths Fer: and the Spanish for the Spanish flu for 20 million deaths +
    ? Hong Kong for the 1968 flu for 1 million deaths?
    Or maybe the Congo for HIV/Aids for 36 million deaths.
    Nobody can be held responsible for viruses.

    40
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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:22 AM

    @Tom kenny: not true.

    21
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:25 AM

    @Ths Fer: we wouldn’t be able to cope as nations without cheap labour from China

    10
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:28 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: European governments put a lid on the spanish flu epidemic for as long as they could look at how that ended

    19
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:30 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: add bisexual men to be included in blame for the hiv/aids crisis

    16
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    Mute EillieEs
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:32 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: the Spanish flu didn’t originate in Spain, it’s origin is unknown but is thought to be either Britain, France, China or the US as the first known case was on a military base in Kansas.

    65
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    Mute Wendy H
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:41 AM

    @Ths Fer: You talk as if any government would’ve reacted faster. Chinese was the first hit and how could they figure out the nature and features of the disease immediately? They didn’t cover up purposely they just didn’t want to cause panic to 1.4 billion people which is fair enough. Ireland has less than 5 million people and you know about this virus since late January but people just didn’t take it serious until this month and still panic buying happened. They’ve done a lot more measures to contain the spread but the media here don’t report the details only report on their lockdown which is simply not the full story.

    34
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    Mute Tom kenny
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:43 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: p

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    Mute Tom kenny
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:45 AM

    @Brendan Cooney: how untrue?

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    Mute JimmyMc
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:54 AM

    @Wendy H: On Dec 30, Dr Li Wenliang was one of several in Wuhan who sounded the first alarms and released initial evidence online. Dr Li, who was punished for releasing the information, would perish from the disease five weeks later, after contracting it from a patient.

    On Jan 1, after several batches of genome sequence results had been returned to hospitals and submitted to health authorities, an employee of one genomics company received a phone call from an official at the Hubei Provincial Health Commission, ordering the company to stop testing samples from Wuhan related to the new disease and destroy all existing samples.

    Then on Jan 3, China’s National Health Commission (NHC), the nation’s top health authority, ordered institutions not to publish any information related to the unknown disease, and ordered labs to transfer any samples they had to designated testing institutions, or to destroy them.

    It was Jan 9 when the Chinese authorities finally announced that a novel coronavirus was behind Wuhan’s viral pneumonia outbreak. Even then, the transmissibility of the virus was downplayed, leaving the public unaware of the imminent danger.

    Finally, on Jan 20, Dr Zhong Nanshan, a leading authority on respiratory health who came to national attention in his role fighting Sars, confirmed in a TV interview that the disease was spreading from person-to-person.

    A study by the University of Southampton indicates that if Chinese authorities had acted three weeks earlier than they did, the number of coronavirus cases could have been reduced by 95% and its geographic spread limited.

    79
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    Mute Ths Fer
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:07 PM

    @Brendan Cooney: Governments should be blamed for their actions or lack thereof in times of crisis. The fact is that wet markets have been the source of multiple pandemics in the last 50 years, with one cropping up every 5-6 years recently. The Chinese government has done nothing to close them down. Even worse, when the pandemic broke out, their authoritarian system ensured that no one would dare report bad news up the food chain so they stuck their heads in the sand, delayed response, and outright falsified data or destroyed evidence as they tried to keep a lid on this. They wasted a month and a half, which led to scores of garnment industry workers returning to northern Italy with the results we’re now seeing.

    47
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    Mute Ths Fer
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:07 PM

    @Brendan Cooney: One of the major problems governments are now facing is the lack of available, trustworthy data to base their response upon and the fact that the Chinese government has now expelled American news reporters and is pushing blatant propaganda that the US army is actually responsible for the outbreak doesn’t give much reassurance on the credibility of anything coming out of China. So bottom line, yes the Chinese government is to blame and you’d be wise to quit carrying water for a repressive authoritarian regime.

    39
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    Mute Ths Fer
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:09 PM

    @Alan Watts: That is true and does not speak well of our own societies. Maybe we should also rethink some of the ways we organise supply chains and our economical and political priorities in the wake of this catastrophe.

    22
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    Mute Ths Fer
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:18 PM

    @Wendy H: JimmyMc’s comment will answer your point better than I would. I hope you’re just misinformed and not a Chinese operative.

    16
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    Mute kevin mc cormack
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    Mar 21st 2020, 1:12 PM

    @Alan Watts: and there still eating wild animals wtf

    16
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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Mar 21st 2020, 1:45 PM

    @kevin mc cormack: most don’t eat wild animals. It’s only a select wealthy part if Chinese society that does. This group, along with the industry body that supports it, is what put pressure on the Chinese government to repeal the ban that was put un place in the wake of the previous SARS outbreak. The vast majority of Chinese people do not eat wild animals, so not farm wild animals and do not frequent wet, wildlife markets.

    11
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    Mute Pauline Gallagher
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    Mar 21st 2020, 1:56 PM

    @Brendan Cooney: The so called Spanish flu originated in China

    14
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    Mute Alan Watts
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    Mar 21st 2020, 2:20 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: exactly it’s like anyone with morals wouldn’t be killing animals for fun, theres only a select few that are that sick, Trumps sons

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    Mute Bain triail aisti
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:27 PM

    @Brendan Cooney: Spanish flu had nothing to do with Spain. Google it.

    10
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    Mute Paul O'Sullivan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:50 PM

    @Brendan Cooney: Spanish had nothing to do with the ‘Spanish Flu’ they broke the story, because they were not in the war, they had high casualties of death from flu..
    The Origins of the ‘Spanish Flu’ is supposed go be a chicken farm in Kansas although recently American scientist have been saying it actually originated in China.

    Anyway it was spread by American troops, who were stationed in Europe and it spread throughout the world..

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Mar 21st 2020, 9:09 PM

    @Pauline Gallagher: no it didn’t. It more than likely originated in the US. Many documentaries about it!

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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 11:01 AM

    @EillieEs: It originated in the US from a farmlad in Kansas, who in turn got it from a chicken. A programme on it in 2018. It fascinated me how it was traced back to a specific farm in Kansas, considering the millions of US soilders on the move across the Atlantic at that time. Many caught it before leaving the US in training camps and Kansas had one of the biggest in the US. Many were aready carriers before they left the US, when hone on leave, many got sick on the voyage or died en route. The US military knew they had an epidemic on their hands but enter the war they must.

    The flu pandemic lasted two years, from Jan 1918 to Dec 1920. A quater of the worlds world’s population are estimated to have gotten it and figures of deaths are guesstimates from 20 million up to 100 million.

    It came to Ireland from returning soilders. It was called the Spanish flu in mid 1918 when the virus spread from France to Spain and the world’s press picked up on the pandemic. Prior to that, it was kept under wraps due to the war and censorship.

    Imagine surviving years in the trenches only to die from the flu.

    1
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    Mute Damon16
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:04 PM

    Why not take over hotels (pay them a decent rate) and use them to isolate mild/moderate cases for 2 weeks. The Chinese said that most transmissions in Wuhan occurred within family units. At least if people are isolated in hotels you could break the chain of transmissions within families etc. You could also then provide medical care to people in isolation in the hotels who didn’t need to be in hospital thus freeing up hospital beds and lowering the risk of introducing it into hospitals.

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    Mute John O Donoghue
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    Mar 21st 2020, 10:41 AM

    Be calm and please everyone be safe and self distancing and we will fight this big monster and we will get through it alright

    75
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    Mute Ossi Fritsche
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    Mar 21st 2020, 11:56 AM

    It’ so sad that Hospitals received donations of medical equipment from TV Shows in Trumps America, bring on November. Trumps have to be booted out and get rid of. Never leave them forget how he acted during this Pandemic in which called a Hoax.

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    Mute niamh ryan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:38 PM

    @Ossi Fritsche: there is a shortage of medical supplies worldwide due to a unprecedented global pandemic. Its not just america. Or Trumps fault

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    Mute Ann-Marie Tyrrell
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:45 PM

    @Ossi Fritsche: apparently his approval ratings have increased. Unbelievable!

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Mar 21st 2020, 9:11 PM

    @Ann-Marie Tyrrell: heard that too. But the poll was only 500 people. Probably all work for one of his companies!

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    Mute Karin Muller
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:35 PM

    Could we all move from hand shaking to bowing like the Japanese going forward. Might take a while to get used to though!

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    Mute New Remedy Europe
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    Mar 21st 2020, 7:55 PM

    @Karin Muller: why do people need to shake hands? It’s mental anyway.

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    Mute Miriam
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:54 PM

    @New Remedy Europe: I don’t think it’s mental. Societies all over the world use some form of touch in a greeting and have probably done so for time immemorial.

    Even continental double cheek kiss. It breaks barriers between people and builds bonds. Have you ever been introduced to a person and nodded. Then in Europe you’re introduced and double cheek kiss, it’s invading one another’s space to exit your comfort zone and connect. Same as a handshake – add skin touch to a “hello” and it seals it more.

    Not now I know! all gotta finish. for now!

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    Mute Lorraine mcafee
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:24 PM

    The testing is too slow for the tracing to have any impact the damage is done by the time they detect and trace . I know someone waiting to be tested since Wednesday and no confirmed date to be tested yet and the people that person was in contact with are not self isolating as it’s not confirmed yet and they are walking around potentially infecting others without knowing . HSE please speed up the testing and tracing otherwise ……..

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    Mute Sean Fallon
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 8:13 AM

    @Lorraine mcafee: I think people can play their part too.
    Feel.you have symptoms? Ring for test.. self isolate and contact your close contacts to tell them and suggest they restrict their movements too. They prob not need to self isolate but prob should assume they might have it and keep contact minimum..

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    Mute Lapsy Pa
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:01 PM

    47% of Irish population is o type blood , so we may get some reprieve as o type is showing to be less susceptible . Otherwise we’re miles behind and I don’t think we will get to where the Chinese did tech wise to stop this spread . So entire country lockdown looking more inevitable with lack of action in tracing and testing .

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    Mute Pablo 123
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:20 PM

    @Lapsy Pa: Chinese found no cases that had red hair and freckles so that is good news also

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    Mute Ann Morris Doolan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Lapsy Pa:
    I have heard before about blood types reactions to different foods.But why would it be beneficial with this virus…

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    Mute Paul O'Sullivan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 9:11 PM

    @Lapsy Pa: I read that study too,,, it’s interesting..

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    Mute Pete Gilmartin
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 11:48 AM

    @Lapsy Pa: The whole blood types thing is a nonsense. Anyone can get this virus.

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    Mute XvSv
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 12:26 PM

    @Lapsy Pa: You don’t mention the medical study underpinning your statement..If there a credible one please post the link !!

    But unless it’s published by a credible source such as The Lancet, JHU, etc.. it’s not credible ! up to now all known medical wisdom would say viruses don’t distinguish by blood type!!

    This sounds like complete pseudo-science BS….and there seems to be plenty of it around at the moment .!

    You seem to think Ireland is unique with 47% Type O Blood Type

    But Type O +/- it’s the most common blood type in the world !

    O-positive:
    African-American: 47 %
    Asian: 39 %
    Caucasian: 37 %
    Latino-American: 53 %

    O-negative:
    African-American: 4 %
    Asian: 1 %
    Caucasian: 8 %
    Latino-American: 4 %

    The approx % for 3 other Human Blood Types
    ~25% Type A
    ~20% Type B
    ~5% Type AB

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    Mute Lapsy Pa
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 8:14 PM

    @Pete Gilmartin: didn’t say you can’t get it , same with malaria O type have a naturally occurring defense mechanism that stops then going into a coma . You’re less susceptible to the worst of its effects

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    Mute Lapsy Pa
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 8:15 PM

    @XvSv: what ?

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    Mute Bananaquit
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    Mar 21st 2020, 1:40 PM

    Life the sanctions on Iran!

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    Mute Tanks a Minion
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    Mar 21st 2020, 12:41 PM

    Why is there no lockdown in Ireland? This pussy footing around is not working.

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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Mar 21st 2020, 2:42 PM

    @Tanks a Minion: You mean an enforced military lockdown? What about domestic abuse victims, their lives matter as well.

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    Mute Mary Brennan
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    Mar 21st 2020, 2:52 PM

    Lock down for 2 weeks no one in or out see how it goes .Leo do it now .

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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Mar 21st 2020, 2:56 PM

    @Mary Brennan: Abuse victims can die in those two weeks, is that ok? I thought the point of doing this social distancing is the fact that we as a society do not want to trade lives for comfort.

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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Mar 21st 2020, 3:00 PM

    @Mary Brennan: You can’t just say “see how it goes” in relation to peoples lives and well-being. There are people that require the outside to escape high tension life threatening situations. You can’t tell everyone to lock themselves up to protect the vulnerable while being perfectly okay with putting a different group of vulnerable lives at risk, thats not compassion, thats agenda.

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    Mute Tanks a Minion
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:37 PM

    @Aaron O’Leary: Why military? I would call it common sense, a logical response to a pandemic. So, you are saying thousands should die so that a small number of abusers MIGHT abuse less? Wow. Abusers are not stopping because of the virus.

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    Mute Tanks a Minion
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:39 PM

    @Aaron O’Leary: Unfortunately, the entire population is at risk. Abuse victims needs to be protected from the virus, too.

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    Mute paul
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    Mar 21st 2020, 4:51 PM

    Governments across Europe are learning from Italy whose numbers are still rising and now higher in % terms than china. But Ireland has had one of the biggest 1 day % increases in new cases in the world. If you look at the WHO reports it seems that we wont know for at least 6 weeks if the measures Ireland and the Uk have taken has had the required effect to keep the number manageable

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    Mute ITK
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    Mar 21st 2020, 9:05 PM

    @paul: Your right Paul our 191 rise was the same as 2000 increase in many other countries. Our medical staff doing great job saving lives.

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    Mute Pablo 123
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    Mar 21st 2020, 8:18 PM

    TV shows in America are playing their bit by donating props etc. Fair City should donate John Deegan !!!

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    Mute John Deed
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 12:20 AM

    Please Leo and Simon – close all borders immediately and lock us down. I told you so. This is only going one way. That is to a disaster. Act now.

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    Mute John C
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    Mar 21st 2020, 1:43 PM

    Link not working

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    Mute Sean Fallon
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    Mar 22nd 2020, 8:08 AM

    Does anyone know if 1. Test centres and 2. GPs work over weekend ?

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