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Reader Q&A: How are high risk groups being identified and where will they get their vaccines?

The government expects to have access to close to four million vaccine doses in the second quarter of the year.

DESPITE REPEATED ISSUES with supplies, the vaccination programme has moved through the priority list, and is now focused on those aged over 70 and people with very high risk conditions.

After a rocky start in the first three months, the health service is hoping to significantly ramp up the roll-out in the second quarter of the year.

The government still expects just under one million doses to be delivered in April, 1.25 million in May and 1.68 million in June.

As part of our Reader Q&A series, we have been breaking down the latest developments with vaccines and the roll-out in Ireland, trying to answer as many of your questions as we can.

This week, most of the questions were about how the health service will manage the roll-out of vaccines to those considered to be at very high risk of severe disease. 

IDENTIFYING HIGH RISK GROUPS

The majority of the questions we received from readers related to the recent change in the sequencing list which saw patients with certain very high risk conditions moved up. 

  • I understand the government are vaccinating people based on certain medical conditions which makes perfect sense but no one has explained who decides the severity and classification of the disease. There is no database for this information in Ireland so are we leaving this decision up to individual consultants, GPs or HSE administrators? How is this data being assimilated? Should patients contact their GP or consultant to ensure they are not overlooked or is this pointless?
  • Who decides between group seven and four of the vaccine roll out. Who will decide who is ‘very high risk’ and who is ‘high risk’?
  • Why only now is HSE trying to find who is vulnerable in the community after three months it was known that a vaccine will be available?
  • My mother is 90 years old and she is bed-bound. Her medical condition is life threatening and to transport her to a medical centre could exacerbate her condition. How will she get her vaccine?

Last month the Minister for Health announced an update to the vaccine allocation strategy, based on a recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).

He said based on national and international evidence on underlying conditions that may increase the risk of severe disease or death, NIAC had been able to more comprehensively identify those conditions, to “distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus”.

A new ‘Cohort 4′ was created on the priority list; people aged 16-69 who are at very high risk of severe disease.

Here’s the full list of Cohort 4 conditions, with the specific patient criteria for each:

Cancer

  • All cancer patients actively receiving (and/or within 6 weeks of receiving) systemic therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies or immunotherapies and radical surgery or radiotherapy for lung or head and neck cancer.
  • All patients with advanced/metastatic cancers.

Chronic kidney disease

  • Chronic kidney disease, on dialysis, or eGFR 40 Kg/m2.

Chronic neurological disease or condition

  • Chronic neurological disease or condition with evolving ventilatory failure (requiring non-invasive ventilation), for example: motor neurone disease, spinal muscular atrophy.

Chronic respiratory disease

  • For example: severe cystic fibrosis, severe COPD, severe pulmonary fibrosis.

Diabetes

  • Uncontrolled diabetes, for example: HbA1C ≥58mmol/mol.

Immunocompromised

Severe immunocompromise due to disease or treatment, for example:

  • Transplantation: Listed for solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), post solid organ transplant at any time, post HSCT within 12 months;
  • Genetic diseases: Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ecto- dermal dystrophy, inborn errors in the interferon pathway;
  • Treatment:  Included but not limited to Cyclophosphamide, Rituximab, Alemtuzumab, Cladribine or Ocrelizumab in the last 6 months.

Inherited metabolic diseases

  • Disorders of intermediary metabolism/at risk of acute decompensation, for example: Maple Syrup Urine Disease.

Intellectual disability

  • Down Syndrome.

Obesity

  • BMI >40 Kg/m2.

Sickle cell disease

There is still another group, lower down on the list, of at risk groups. Those aged 18-64 who are considered at high risk – rather than at very high risk – are in Cohort 7. A full list of conditions covered in this cohort can be found here.

How they’re identified

HSE CEO Paul Reid has said due to the very high risk conditions captured in the recommendation from NIAC, it is assumed that the majority of the most at risk will be under the care or treatment of hospitals.

From initial feedback from the hospitals and community services, the HSE estimates there are around 150,000 people in this group.

Hospital groups have been asked to identify the relative populations based on definitions provided and they will then contact them. There will also be some input at a later stage from GPs, where patients are not in regular contact with a hospital, such as those with certain categories of diabetes.

The vaccination process for this cohort has already started and next week up to 20,000 people in this very high risk group are due to receive their first dose.

When asked by TheJournal.ie this week why work to identify high risk groups was not started earlier, HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said NIAC’s original document in December had a broad description and it was not until it issued its recent recommendation that it “mined much deeper into this group of people”.

“They decided to look at each of those 13 conditions and decide, in those conditions, what are the clinical criteria that would put people at very high risk,” he said.

“So the most recent document – instead of describing generally people who are high risk, because they have diabetes, or because [of] their lung disease or because they have Cystic Fibrosis – is much more specific.

For example, the timing of cancer treatment, whether it’s active, or whether it’s within six weeks; it talks about immunosuppression, in terms of specific medication; it talks about kidney disease very specifically in terms of whether you’re on dialysis, or whether you have what’s called a GFR – that’s a measure of severity of renal failure of less than 15. So the criteria that came out in the most recent documents were much more specific.

Officials expect the vaccination of this group to continue through March and April and the vaccinations will be administered in whichever setting is believed to be best for the patient. In many cases, this will be in the hospital where they receive treatment, though some may be able to go to vaccination centres. 

Home-bound patients

The HSE has estimated there are up to 1,500 people aged over 70 who are home-bound. 

Trained National Ambulance Service vaccinators will deliver the vaccines in people’s homes. 

HSE CCO Dr Colm Henry said rather than differentiate between age groups, moving down from those aged over 85, to those aged over 80, then those aged 75+ and so on, the entire group will be done in parallel.

“We’re going to approach them as an entire entity, because of the numbers and because of the way the vaccine has been constituted, the ambulance service will have to plan for five, six or seven based on one vial and try to deal with it geographically,” he explained.

He said this will start in north Leinster this week, rolling out across the country in the following weeks. 

PRIORITY LIST

The recent changes to the vaccination sequencing list have caused some confusion, with some readers saying they are now unclear about when they might get their vaccine:

  • When are the over 70s going to get their first vaccination. I am a 74-year-old widow, living alone. On receiving chemotherapy my lungs were damaged and I am now and have been for three years now on oxygen 24/7. I would imagine I am a priority case?
  • In relation to teachers, I would like to know approximately when can we expect to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

Although the vaccination of the ‘very high risk’ category has started now, this does not mean the roll-out to the over 70s has paused – this is continuing. Almost all over 85s have now been vaccinated and the programme will move down through the age groups with those aged 80-84 next, then people aged 75-79 and so on. 

The HSE has said there is some flexibility within this. For example, if the 80-year-old spouse of an 85-year-old person accompanies them to get their vaccine, they can also be given the vaccine if the GP surgery has enough supplies.

Additionally, some GP surgeries only have small numbers of patients in this cohort on their books. If this is the case, in order to avoid wasting doses, they may vaccinate all of their over 70s in a short period of time, ahead of the wider national schedule. 

A significant portion of next week’s vaccine doses will be given to people in the over 70 cohort, which is Cohort 3. 

In relation to teachers, those working in education are part of Cohort 11. There is no date set out for the start of the roll-out to this particular cohort, but there are a number of large groups in society ahead of it. 

Here’s what the sequencing list looks like, following the recent change in relation to high risk groups:

Cohort 1: Residents of long-term care facilities who are aged over 65.

Cohort 2: Frontline healthcare workers in direct patient contact.

Cohort 3: Those aged over 70.

Cohort 4: People aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe Covid-19 disease.

Cohort 5: Those aged 65-69 and at high risk of severe Covid-19 disease.

Cohort 6: All others aged 65-69, other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact and workers key to the vaccination programme (these will all be done in parallel).

Cohort 7: Those aged 16-64 and at high risk of severe Covid-19 disease.

Cohort 8: Residents of long-term care facilities aged 18-64.

Cohort 9: People aged 18-64 living or working in crowded accommodation, where self-isolation/social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Cohort 10: Key workers who cannot avoid high risk of exposure such as those in food supply and public transport.

Cohort 11: Those who are essential to education, such as teachers, SNAs and childcare workers.

Cohort 12: People aged 55-64.

Cohort 13: Those in occupations important to the functioning of society, such as lecturers and people in entertainment and goods producing industries. 

Cohort 14: People aged 18-54 who did not have access to the vaccine in prior phases.

Cohort 15: If evidence demonstrates safety and efficacy, children and pregnant women (note there is specific guidance for pregnant women).

VACCINES AND LIFTING RESTRICTIONS

Several readers are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, wondering whether this roll-out of vaccines will mean an easing of restrictions, allowing people to move around more and mix.

  • Is our opening of society solely dependant on vaccinations?
  • If there’s an acceleration on vaccines (both supply and administrations) will there be an acceleration to open society?
  • We had a three-week camping trip booked for France at the end of June, I accept that this will not happen now. My question is, when will the campsites in Ireland be allowed to open? I would hope that once the high risk groups are vaccinated the country can move out of restrictions or is that a very simplistic view?

There are a number of criteria that are considered when public health officials and the government consider potential easing of restrictions. These include familiar factors such as hospitalisation and ICU numbers and the rate of transmission in the community. But the success of the vaccination programme will also be key to any relaxation of restrictions.

In the US, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said people who are fully vaccinated can gather indoors with other vaccinated people, without wearing a mask or social distancing.

The recommendations also say vaccinated people can come together in the same way — in a single household — with people considered at low risk for severe disease, such as in the case of vaccinated grandparents visiting healthy children and grandchildren.

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky called the guidance a “first step” towards restoring normality in how people come together.

She said more activities would be cleared for vaccinated individuals once caseloads and deaths decline, more Americans are vaccinated, and as more science emerges on the ability of those who have been vaccinated to get and spread the virus.

In Ireland, we saw the first movement on restrictions linked to vaccinations this week, with the announcement that nursing home residents will be able to receive more regular visits from 22 March. Health officials have said there is a clear link between the low levels of disease in these settings currently and the vaccination of residents that has been taking place since the start of the year.

Residents will be able to have two visits per week if 80% of residents and staff at the nursing home have been vaccinated. There is no requirement to limit these visits to under an hour.

Ultimately, having the majority of the population vaccinated will be a significant factor in a return to ‘normal’. In the shorter-term, as we approach the 5 April deadline set by the government to assess the situation and the restrictions in place, the vaccination programme will not impact on those decisions.

Any easing will still depend on a significant reduction in transmission levels and hospital numbers.

Speaking earlier this week, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said some measures that might be on the table in April are further outdoor activities like non-contact sports, a change to the 5km rule and the wider return of construction work. But any wider re-opening of society is a long way off.

“We want to get to the point where this is a virus that we can live with, that it’s like the flu – it’s there but it doesn’t force us to close down our country,” he told Galway Bay FM. “And that prospect is definitely there for this year. We could be there this summer, we could be there this autumn.

“But there are things we just don’t know. Among things we just don’t know is how long does your immunity last for after you get the vaccine? And also to what extent could the virus evolve to outwit the vaccines and become resistant to the vaccine.

“So there is a concern in the scientific community and the government would share this, that we can’t relate problems next winter, because not only could Covid come back next winter, there’s also all the other respiratory viruses.”

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:22 AM

    As horrific are the other nights attack on the bus was, there is a rise of attacks on everyone. Years of ineffectual policing and government policies has made this.

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    Mute Longlin
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:41 AM

    @Alan Wright: About to post a very similar thing. Attacks on the gay community is just an example of the general lack of law and order that unfortunately is in abundant in the last few years. Presence of policing is badly needed in most of our towns and cities and when they do get caught, suspended or light sentencing is not a solution unless there is an imposise on rehabilitation.

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    Mute Jen Mc
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:41 AM

    @Alan Wright: While there may be an increase on attacks on everyone, minorities are still much more at risk. To say otherwise is disingenuous.

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    Mute David Van-Standen
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:09 AM

    @Jen Mc: But is that actually the case? Or is it just that an attack on someone from a minority group makes for a bigger media impact, which is why such an attack might gain higher profile level of reporting and online discussion, but a similar attack without a minority victim, is just a regular Saturday..

    Unprovoked attacks on anyone are horrendous and if someone is targeted because they are from a minority, or for any other specific reason its awful, but unprovoked attacks are usually just on anyone that looks like an easy victim, that’s the primary selection criteria.

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    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:54 AM

    @Jen Mc: I personally feel we need to stop diluting ourselves into minorities and begin to stand together again rather than individually.

    Violence has become a huge problem over the last 30 years, manners are out the window, respect is pretty much non-existent. It’s every man/woman for themselves! We all cannot tolerate whats happening. We need to take a very good look at ourselves (old and young). What was changed all those years ago in legislation re discipline has gone to the extreme and now look.

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    Mute John Kavanagh
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:32 AM

    @David Van-Standen: 5 bus drivers attacked last week and nothing about it .. I guess bus drivers are not minority enough for the like of Jen.. No virtue signalling to be gained from that angle

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:37 AM

    @Alan Wright: As an example, a few weeks ago I protected a young lady (early 20′s) from a jünķie mugger up by Jervis Street (Dublin 1). During that incident when I fought the guy off, he called me a “gáý fág”. So, I am straight, is that a homophobic attack? Crime on everyone, especially in the city centre is getting way out of control. Look at this link from last week: https://www.newstalk.com/news/georges-dock-luas-attack-up-to-ten-teens-involved-in-serious-assault-1370789

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:00 AM

    @Alan Wright: could be worse. This is the Chair of PAC. How are comments from clowns like this helpful in the struggle against homophobia and homophobic attacks? This is potentially the voice of the next government. Can you imagine?

    https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/sinn-fein-td-brian-stanley-refuses-to-apologise-to-lgbti-community-over-tweet-about-leo-varadkar-39822390.html

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:38 AM

    @GrumpyAulFella: Wow, who could’ve seen this coming, GrumpyAylFella taking any opportunity to bash SF. You and that Bri person never add anything to the discussion except “SF are bad”. The grown-ups here are actually talking about the rise in violent attacks (under FF & FG rule btw) and you bring up SF from behind your anonymous account.

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:49 AM

    @Alan Wright: Alan – So it is clear…you did not suffer a homophobic attack as you are not a homosexual. Sad they use the term to mean a negatitive thing still. But well done helping her, not many would and something needs to be done in Ireland asap for crime (all crime asap).

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:57 AM

    @Alan Wright: wow. No Alan, you’re harping on about years of ineffectual government policies and I’m just pointing out what’s in store with the next government. Why are you getting so uptight over somebody pointing out facts and providing links? Here’s another one for you.

    https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/sf-members-quit-amid-allegations-of-homophobic-and-racist-slurs-39827803.html

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:18 PM

    @GrumpyAulFella: And your imaginary “what if” scenario continues. Crime and violent crime is on the rise right now (under FF & FG), that is the fact. But you are clearly blinded to the real facts that our government is completely inept.

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:24 PM

    @Darren Norris: And that’s my point Darren. It clearly wasn’t homophobic on me but an example of the rampant and open crime in our city against anyone regardless. I pointed out on another article about the girl getting pushed under the DART in Howth Junction and the scrote who did it getting off scott free. Varadker should be talking about crime on everyone as he’s a leader of this country and not segregate. Afterall, it’s his government that’s soft on crime.

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:31 PM

    @Alan Wright: yes and this article is specifically about attacks on the gay community. How do you think the commentary and views from the largest party in Ireland are likely to influence would be homophobic attackers? If people in positions of authority espouse homophobia then some of their cheerleaders and average citizens are probably likely to do the same. We all know that we need more visible policing and tougher sentencing but that’s not going to stop homophobia.

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:33 PM

    @GrumpyAulFella: Yep, and the article is about a “feeling”. Feelings aren’t facts, being you love facts so much. Lets get the real stats, concentrate on the known hot spots for crime and then hold criminals accountable for their crimes, but you dont get any of that from our current hug-a-thug government. Im also surprised you haven’t resorted to calling me a sinner-bot yet!

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:35 PM

    @GrumpyAulFella: Christ S.F really are living rent free in your head! Someday you will( or might,) hopefully post a grown up intelligent comment.

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:37 PM

    @Franny Ando: you got something meaningful to state on facts then do so instead of throwing insults around, the preserve of the unintelligent.

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:45 PM

    @Alan Wright: I don’t call names Alan. Again you are off point and off the topic of the article that concerns homophobic attacks. You’re harping on about the governments “hug a thug” policies but you don’t comment on SF’s homophobic comments. Why not? We are talking about homophobia here. This is the next government. Are you condoning their homophobia? Attempting to disband the SCC, attending terrorist funerals and having councillors up in front of the SCC on charges of organised crime doesn’t do much to suggest that SF wouldn’t have a “hug a thug” policy so I don’t know where you’re going with that. ALL parties/politicians need to their utmost to kill-off homophobia and not promote it so while kicking the govt might get you thumbs it’s not addressing the point.

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:53 PM

    @GrumpyAulFella: Ah grumpy insults where? When you can reasonably respond to comments or posts on The Journal without dragging S.F into you might be taken more seriously. Your never ending S.F bashing comments truly are the preserve of the unintelligent.

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Aug 19th 2022, 2:01 PM

    @Alan Wright: 31 Garda stations closed in 2012 due to recession to save a lousy few quid.

    26
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    Mute Dermot N Killian
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    Aug 19th 2022, 2:06 PM

    @Longlin: and the rehab will consist of….?

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 3:02 PM

    @Franny Ando: aw are you offended by facts being posted about SF Franny? Sorry I’ll make up some fiction about how great they are just to keep you happy. I seem to remember commenting on your Covid anti vaccine posts during the pandemic without mentioning SF. Perhaps you missed those ones. Somebody mentioned ineffectual govt policies in relation to the topic. I agree but I just referenced the alternative government’s record on the topic supported by links for some balance. Totally relevant I would have thought.

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 3:20 PM

    @GrumpyAulFella: Jesus man. There is no “alternative government”. SF are not in power they are an opposition party. You’re basing your opinion of a record that’s never even existed (I.e. SF have not been in government). Thats the fact for you there friend. There is only the coalition of FF/FG/G. Your hatred of SF blinds you to all the folly of the actual government.

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:25 AM

    Yeah but let’s just concentrate on making this all about Leo, OK?

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:54 AM

    @Al Fresco: how did you come to that conclusion?

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    Mute James Kerins
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    Aug 19th 2022, 6:45 AM

    @Al Fresco: huh?

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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:05 AM

    @Al Fresco: any chance for a sound bite he is there

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    Mute Rui Firmino
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:26 AM

    I’ve been targeted in a similar attack on a bus a couple years ago, though fortunately wasn’t badly injured. I don’t think we can look at these attacks in isolation, yes they are motivated by homophobia but the people who do it more often than not also engage in petty crime and all kinds of antisocial behaviour. There’s a deeper issue behind it and needs to be addressed. Varadkar and his buddies have done sweet f all to address those issues, though. Legislation is good but won’t fix everything, the causes of this behaviour need to be addressed

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 6:42 AM

    @Rui Firmino: not the government’s fault. It’s the little scrotes parents. Blame the government. The government is not the daddy, go to any social housing estate and this is common behaviour. It’s the little darlings parents you need to target

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    Mute Rui Firmino
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    Aug 19th 2022, 6:48 AM

    @Alan Richard Scott Jr.: It is the government’s fault letting whole sections of society be uneducated and unemployed and free to engage in petty crime without consequence.

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:00 AM

    @Rui Firmino: the government is not responsible. If the parents stop procreating vermin we might get somewhere. the govt have zero obligation to tell these youths how to act. The government are not youth club leaders ffs

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:05 AM

    @Rui Firmino: and people choose to not be uneducated and not working. the law says otherwise but these youths decide not to do these things.

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:07 AM

    @Rui Firmino: I’m sorry you where targeted by these people. In this day and age it should never happen.

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    Mute Christine Hanway
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    Aug 19th 2022, 8:24 AM

    @Rui Firmino: your absolutely spot on. People fail to realise when blaming the parents, for many, the parents are jst as bad and don’t actually care what their kids are at, so relying on them to bring change is useless. Kids need intervention and education and people just have to admit that a major part of that comes from government services, ones they refuse to provide. So if we want our society to change on a whole it needs to be a collective effort and not looking to parents who have the same attitude as their kids to fix this. I think your point is 100% correct.

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    Mute Rui Firmino
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:31 AM

    @Christine Hanway: Thanks, glad I’m not alone on this.

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    Mute The Ghost of Dublin
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:34 AM

    @Alan Richard Scott Jr.: free abortion on demand! No one should be forced to give birth.

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 10:37 AM

    @Christine Hanway: that is the left wing approach. Reeducation my hoxe. We need extreme right wing policies to deal with these scrotes. my nephew came home black and blue after a few grey tracksuits decided to attack him. he spend nearly a week in hospital. What did the judge do?? F ALL. All they got was community service. There should be a law for scrotes procreating scrotes. And their usual yup Tallaght when they get away with it.

    boot camp is what’s needed, like the majority of the EU. Ireland and it’s liberal approach to anti social behaviour is embarrassing actually.

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 10:40 AM

    @The Ghost of Dublin: absolutely nothing got to do with abortion. Abortion is not to be used because it’s a inconvenience.

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    Mute Christine Hanway
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    Aug 19th 2022, 10:56 AM

    @Alan Richard Scott Jr.: I dont disagree with you, my point it they need intervention and as you say, the right discipline and sentencing but you jst said the problem isnt the government, the parents arent going to overhaul the justice system or set up bootcamps.. Im not interested in the left/right wing… the government is where what your requesting be implemented so how are they not responsible for fixing it. And ur right to, our anti social behaviour esp in Dublin is an absolute embarrassment

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:31 AM

    @Alan Richard Scott Jr.: blame the justice system that lets them walk free with 300 previous convictions. As for the parents……

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:22 PM

    @Paul Shepherd: the parents created them. the justice system has lot got to with it also. But parenting starts at home not the courthouse

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    Mute Dermot N Killian
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    Aug 19th 2022, 2:17 PM

    @Rui Firmino: yeah, it’s always the government’s fault. How convenient. How about the inconvenient persuasive evidence that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to antisocial behavior? Maybe CRISPR technology is the answer to converting those wanton thugs into angels? In the meantime threw them in jail.

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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Aug 19th 2022, 4:05 PM

    @Rui Firmino: u think ur right just some sxxm looking for an easy Target sorry that happened to u

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    Mute Dave Wave
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    Aug 19th 2022, 4:41 AM

    One of the contributing factors in the increase of unmeditated or spontaneous violent crime is the lack of social accountability. Ireland is now a country of communities where a person can commit an offence and never have to face the social backlash that would have followed him/her for life. Everybody doesn’t know everybody anymore.

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:33 AM

    @Dave Wave: I tend to agree – while the JLO scheme tries to keep youths without a record we also need to consider things like 7 day custody orders for repeat offenders… We need to use the tools available and not have people in court on their 59th offence. Not liking the US model of three strikes – but there must be consequences for antisocial and violent crimes as they are an assault on everyone’s feeling of safety and security and not just the victims.

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    Mute Greachán Ó Ceallaigh
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    Aug 19th 2022, 8:11 AM

    Ask him about his defense of Robert Troy. Another crooked profiteering Government minister exploiting his position in Government to take advantage of the housing to exploit those caught in the rent trap in order to enrich himself…. oh wait? Are we not supposed to pay attention to that?

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    Mute Jim Casey
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:13 AM

    Society has become more dangerous for everyone it’s not a safe little country for old, young, gay, straight. Attacks murders drugs all everyday news now.

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    Mute Alan Richard Scott Jr.
    Favourite Alan Richard Scott Jr.
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:15 AM

    @Jim Casey: this is a fact, heterosexual people like myself are never attacked for being straight.

    Maybe I misinterpreted your comment. I think what you meant is everyone regardless of their sexuality is attacked and I agree, it happens.

    As people familiar with myself here in the comments will know, I’m quite conservative in my views.

    Saying that I will always stand up for members of the LGBTQ* movement.

    Love is love,

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:36 PM

    @Alan Richard Scott Jr.: No, straight people aren’t attacked for being straight, but the scrotes just use something else, your clothes, your accent etc. These violent criminals just use anything as an excuse to attack.

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    Mute Stuart Doherty
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    Aug 19th 2022, 8:24 AM

    This is cultural and has been allowed to happen through a complete breakdown of law and order over the last 20 years. Whilst great strides have been made in many areas there is a generation whose thug and yob element (and every gen had one) are behaving as they please with no fear whatsoever of any consequence.. it’s been allowed to happen (not just here but in many other countries also, look at the UK..) by a lack of balance and discipline and pandering to a snowflake mindset… a lot of this happened on your watch , Leo…

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:37 AM

    @Stuart Doherty: I was in agreement with you until you tried to blame Leo’s watch. This is happening, by your own words, in many countries and it must therefore be something beyond just Leo’s control. It probabipy would be happening no matter who was in the dail.

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    Mute Stuart Doherty
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:50 AM

    @Niall Ó Cofaigh: I’m absolutely not blaming Leo at all… it’s just they were in charge for some of this timeframe and he’s back in the hot seat soon enough… he has the ability to at least get the ball rolling if he wants to tackle anti social behaviour and violence

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    Mute Pablo
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    Aug 19th 2022, 5:16 PM

    @Stuart Doherty: stop encouraging dead beat parents to have kids by financially supporting them. Parents who never worked a day in their lives getting tax payers money to support as many kids as they want is a joke. Just encourages exponential growth in free loading drop kicks

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    Mute Mark Tallon
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    Aug 19th 2022, 8:40 AM

    Get rid of Drew Harris and invest money in the force. New uniforms should be way down on the “must have” list. 22 million euros would be better spent on man hours.

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Aug 19th 2022, 4:53 PM

    @Mark Tallon: I don’t agree I think we should be able to do both / improve level of front line policing and be sure that the police are properly equipped and appropriately supplied suitable clothing and uniforms and equipment / always envious of most other countries where when police do show up they at the very least appear like they can command authority and get control of situation / showing up in skirts or shirt and ties and formal hats are not fit for purpose in this day and age / maybe stop obsessing about road policing and bloody tax discs and get the force much more focussed on in the harder stuff / try driving without an up to date tax disc and you come across nothing but police but if you’re getting hassled by scrotes police can’t be found for love or money

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    Mute Greachán Ó Ceallaigh
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    Aug 19th 2022, 8:13 AM

    P.S.
    Leo Varadkar voted against gay marriage, even giving am impassioned speech as to why.

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Aug 19th 2022, 4:54 PM

    @Greachán Ó Ceallaigh: what ?

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    Mute Christopher Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2022, 7:58 AM

    ‘Feelings’ are irrelevant. What are the stats?

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    Mute Todd Hebert
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    Aug 19th 2022, 1:30 AM

    One, perhaps even both, of two things are true:
    There ARE more attacks.
    There are more attacks bring reported in the news.

    I think it’s likely both, but either one alone could cause people to feel less safe.

    I’m definitely reading more reports about such attacks.

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    Mute Justin Gillespie
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    Aug 19th 2022, 6:21 AM

    @Todd Hebert: Some hard. Facts would help here. Many people think and feel lots of things, doesn’t necessarily make them true.

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    Mute Ron Collins
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:14 AM

    @Justin Gillespie: how about the fact that two men were killed and mutilated in Sligo earlier this year.

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    Mute Ciarán O' Donoghue
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:35 AM

    @Ron Collins: That is likely an extremist from a particular religious background who’s not from Ireland. I think that’s a different type of issue than dealing with ongoing homophobic attacks, if you get me.

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    Mute Justin Gillespie
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    Aug 19th 2022, 10:42 AM

    @Ron Collins: Terrible an all as that was it doesn’t tell us whether attacks are on the rise across the board.

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    Mute JG
    Favourite JG
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    Aug 19th 2022, 9:49 AM

    Gardai on the streets and highly mobile, on scooters, bicycles, scrambler bikes and not so much in cars doing laps. Ohh and more Gardai on the streets with some more Gardai on the streets.. And I guess more Gardai on the streets.
    With that add in proper sentences for any type of physical assault or hate related verbal abuse and absolutely no bail for anyone with previous conviction. See how simple it is when you put your mind to it.

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:09 AM

    @JG: the GRA would have to allow that first. They’re already complaining about new rosters and want more pay. Imagine asking them to get out of their cars and from behind a desk to walk the beat. Blue Covid would ensue.

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    Mute JG
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:14 AM

    @GrumpyAulFella: more pay and rosters that work are all part of a proper people management system. People who do 12 hour shifts are usually at the peak of their fatigue levels by hour 8…its the job of GRA to shout for its members but its the government job to look after the needs of the population This is not the point of this thread anyhow.. But has some relevance.

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:06 PM

    @JG: good people management is one thing pandering to their every whim under constant threat of strike and blackmail is another. Anyway we need high visibility boots on the ground in urban areas. There’s a great video on Youtube of two guys beating the living cr@p out of each other at Dr Quirkeys in O’Connell and a guy calling the police. 20m later and the lads are stilling beating each other up in broad daylight on the country’s main though fare. Eventual two gards turn up. The caller asks them what kept and one says “we were busy”. O’Connell St should have at least 2 foot patrols on it 24/7 with car patrol support from the immediate area. Policing in the city centre is shocking.

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    Mute Jason Mcginn
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    Aug 19th 2022, 12:29 PM

    The closing of Garda stations and the decimation for Garda numbers by your party the past 15 years is a huge contributory factor to that Varadkar. But sure let’s not let the truth get in the way of another publicity opportunity.

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    Mute Tom Mullally
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    Aug 19th 2022, 11:59 AM

    Although the Catholic church is far from perfect, its greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbour whether you like or disagree with them. The more the church is taken out of society, the more criminal behaviour you will get

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    Mute Stephen Deegan
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    Aug 19th 2022, 6:51 PM

    @Tom Mullally: Well said. They’re great friends of the LGBT community, them Catholics. And as for a woman’s right to choose…

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    Mute Barrycelona
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    Aug 19th 2022, 2:02 PM

    How often do you think a mugger says to themselves, ‘ Oh there is a gay person, I must attack them’. My point is that, although it may happen on rare occasions, it is highly unlikely that, that is the real/ main reason. It is more likely to do with money, so they can get their next fix. Any attack on any individual is disgusting, regardless of their background and while the media sensationalise attacks on minority groups, to the detriment of the general population, which we are ALL part of, we all end up getting tagged as being a homophobic society, which we are not. Gay groups, who are ‘looking for equality’ who use the media to highlight these issues, do so at the expense of similar problems the rest of us suffer. The Gardai will never have enough resources to fully tackle this problem but the courts, by handing out longer sentences, without remission, may start to solve it. ‘ It’ being anti social behaviour, that we ALL experience.

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    Mute Redseat92
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    Aug 20th 2022, 11:35 AM

    I know lots of straight people who have received an unprovoked random kicking after a night out…Has any one ever that these attacks might just be random and the victims just happen to be Gay…?

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    Mute Stephen Deegan
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    Aug 19th 2022, 6:48 PM

    Is this a problem in towns and cities outside of Dublin or is it just in the capital? I use public transport outside of Dublin regularly and see absolutely no hassle or trouble at all. There’s a lot about this in the media at the moment, as is right and proper, but I’ve never seen anti social behavior on my local transport, but I’ve seen plenty of it in Dublin.

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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Aug 19th 2022, 4:04 PM

    How would he know last I heard he lives Mike’s from the gay community

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