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The Department of Health in the Irish Republic have confirmed 20,909 new coronavirus cases and sadly 83 Covid-related deaths in the past week. The number of related deaths since the pandemic began now stands at a colossal 6,035.
There remain 1,055 people in our Republic’s hospitals with the virus, down 7 on yesterday. Of these, 92 patients are in intensive care units across our Republic; unchanged since yesterday.
The Republic’s Cabinet has approved changes to the isolation periods for Covid-19, which will come into effect from midnight tomorrow. This agreed Government decision brings to an end the five day isolation period for fully vaccinated close contacts, who do not have any Covid-19 symptoms.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has stated that the latest health changes were not just about removing rules regarding self-isolation for certain close contacts; but more about the importance of people wearing higher grade face masks.
The HSE has confirmed that, as of yesterday, there were around 95,000 children aged 5-11 years now registered for Covid-19 vaccinations, with some 80,000 appointments now offered, plus some 36,000 vaccinations having been administered in this particular age group.
Meanwhile, nationally the tougher public health measures recently introduced to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant, has triggered a small rise in unemployment of some 7.5% in December 2021, up from 6.9% in November 2021.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also confirmed a further 2,922 coronavirus cases today, down however from the 3,420 cases reported yesterday. Sadly, they also report 2 further deaths, bringing their total number of virus associated deceased persons, since the start of the pandemic in Northern Ireland, to 3,017.
Today, there were 439 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals down 1 on yesterday and of this number, 29 patients are in hospital intensive care units, down 2 on yesterday.
Once again, we remind our readers:
It was never more important that everyone now continue to support our schools, businesses, immediate family
and friends and to keep to the spirit of public health advice.
  
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, on Monday 10th January 2022, of baby Amber Stone, No.2 Dark Road, Brittas, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Aged 10 weeks; the passing of baby Amber is most deeply regretted by her heartbroken and loving parents Christine and Albert Stone, her grandparents Margaret & John O’Donoghue and Marie & John Stone, uncles, aunts, cousins and extended relatives and family friends and neighbours.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
Mass of the Angels will take place in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, on Thursday morning, January 13th, at 11:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in St. Patrick’s cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended Mass of the Angels, for baby Amber, but are unable to do so due to the Covid-19 pandemic; same can be viewed online HERE.
[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]
The extended Stone family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
A 63 year old Tipperary ESB engineer, who was attacked by a Stag, on September 12th 2016, before being tossed through the air, has sued his employers in the High Court.
Mr John Corcoran, with an address at Fawnlough, Nenagh, Co Tipperary; an engineer with the ESB, was on his way to check on an ESB mast, when the Stag attacked him on a forestry path on the 445metres (1460 feet) high Kilduff Mountain [Cnoc Na Coille Duibhe], Borrisnafarney, a hill north west of Templemore, Co. Tipperary.
Note: The three largest species of deer (red, fallow and sika) all rut in early autumn, with Stags pumped full of testosterone; becoming highly aggressive in parklands, often attacking and injuring people and other unrelated animals.
Mr Corcoran informed Mr Justice Paul Coffey that he came upon a herd of deer as he went about his work, on a forest track, before being attacked from behind by the Stag, whose antlers creating eight puncture wounds in his rucksack and injuring his shoulder area, as he tried to escape his attacker. The force of the attack propelling him through the air over a bank and into nearby scrub.
The stag then continued its attack using his feet and antlers, before reared up on his hind legs and crashing down on him, forcing him to lose consciousness for some 10 to 12 minutes.
It was claimed that Mr Corcoran had been allowed to work alone in a hilly area during the deer mating / rutting season, when it ought to have been understood that it was dangerous and unsafe to do so.
Mr Corcoran’s counsel Mr Edward Walsh SC, instructed by Mr Sean Fitzgerald solicitor, informed the court that Mr Corcoran is left with lifelong medical deficits, leading to the spoliation of his career, with his claim for loss of earnings amounting to a total of some €420,000.
Mr Corcoran went back to his employment in February 2017, but on medical advice retired early in November of the same year, having spent in total 38 years working with the ESB.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey was informed that liability had been admitted in the case, which was now before the court, for the assessment of damages only.
The case before Mr Justice Paul Coffey is expected to conclude tomorrow.
Here in the Irish Republic, within the previous 24 hours there have been 19,290 new cases of Covid-19 reported by our Department of Health.
As of 8:00am, there were 1,062 people in hospital with the virus, down 1 on yesterday, and of these, 92 patients are in intensive care units across the country, an increase of 3 on yesterday’s reported cases.
Up to 500,000 Irish people were likely to have been infected by Covid-19 last week, the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan, is understood to have told Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly; as the 14-day incidence rate, last week, hit its highest level ever reaching 4,450 cases per 100,000 people.
The total number of deaths related to Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland since the start of the pandemic now stands at 5,952.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has confirmed 3,420 coronavirus cases today, up from the 2,706 cases reported yesterday.
Today, there are 440 patients with Covid-19 in hospitals in Northern Ireland, up from 387 reported yesterday. Of these 31 patients with Covid-19 are in hospital intensive care units, the same figure as reported yesterday.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has further reported 1 more Covid-19-related death today, sadly bringing their total number of deaths, since the start of the pandemic, to 3,015.
More than half of Europe’s population is expected to contract the Omicron Covid-19 variant within the next six to eight weeks, Regional Director of the World Health Organization Hans Kluge has stated, with over seven million new virus cases reported in the first week of 2022.
The United States have reported 1.35 million new Omicron variant infections yesterday, the highest daily total for any country in the world.
China has reported more cases of the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant also today.
His Holiness Pope Francis has condemned what he has called baseless ideological misinformation about Covid vaccines, thus fully backing national immunisation campaigns around the world, and stating that health care is a moral obligation for all.
“Sadly, we are finding increasingly that we live in a world of strong ideological divides. Frequently people let themselves be influenced by the ideology of the moment, often bolstered by baseless information or poorly documented facts,” he stated.
Again we remind our readers:
It was never more important that everyone now continue to support our schools, businesses, immediate family and friends and to keep to the spirit of public health advice.
The Story of Your Stuff.
“Now more than ever, we can’t lose sight of our power as individuals to bring about change,” says EPA
Second-level students from across Ireland are being asked to consider the global consequences of local actions as the EPA today launches “The Story of Your Stuff” competition 2022.
The competition asks students to think about the wider environmental impact of their everyday decisions. It asks student to research the life cycle and environmental impact of an everyday item – such as their toothbrush – or everyday activity – such as eating their lunch, and to present their findings in a creative way.
Now in its sixth year, The Story of Your Stuff has the empowerment of students at its core, encouraging young people to realise the influence they can have on their friends and family when it comes to making environmentally responsible consumer choices. With its focus on sustainability, waste management, climate action and environmental protection, the competition asks young people to think, talk and make small changes that can have far-reaching impacts.
Entrants visually tell the environmental story of their ‘stuff’ through a creative medium of their choice (including video, animation, infographics, photography, etc.). They are then in with a chance to win €500 for themselves and €500 for their school. There is also a special ‘climate topic prize’ as well as a prize for the best Irish language entry.
Speaking at the launch of the competition, the EPA’s Mr Stephen Fennell said: “Whether using disposable coffee cups, or taking the car instead of walking, or using public transport – these short-term conveniences often are not environmentally sustainable. Our individual actions have lasting impacts, and The Story of Your Stuff competition asks young people how they, and those closest to them, can act in a more environmentally friendly way. Now more than ever, we cannot lose sight of our power as individuals to bring about change, and this competition instils that message among young people. By presenting their findings in a creative way, students will communicate the benefit of making environmentally conscious decisions and hopefully empower others to reflect on their own consumption habits.
Students can access resources from the EPA website, particularly the Irelands Environment and Environment and You sections while researching their topics. These resources will help students to better understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind us needing to change our waste systems, the way we use energy and the ways that we get around, as well as wider environmental concerns.”
Aeronautical engineer, citizen scientist-astronaut candidate and award-winning STEM advocate, Dr Norah Patten returns as competition ambassador for 2022.
Dr Patten said: “The Story of Your Stuff is a fantastic initiative, and I am delighted to take on the role of competition ambassador for a second year. Its focus on thinking, talking, and making changes to consumption habits, highlights to students the impact they have as individuals on our environment and climate change. It also allows them to develop important skills that they will use throughout their studies and into the future. I hope The Story of Your Stuff can be an entry point into environmental research and science communication for a new generation.”
Last year’s overall winner was Robert Urquhart from Presentation College Athenry in Co. Galway for his very topical video ‘Story of Disposable Face Masks’.
Oonagh Hales from John the Baptist Community School, Co. Limerick was awarded the climate topic prize for her entry ‘The Story of Plastic Cutlery’, while the inaugural Irish-language prize was awarded to Rebecca Ni Challanain and Kate Ni Mhathuna from Gaelcholaiste Charraig Ui Leighin, Carrigaline, Co. Cork for their entry, ‘Scéal Lipéad Crochadh’, which looked at clothing labels.
Competition guidelines and tips can be founf and are available at www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie.
NOTE: The deadline for entries in this competition is
Monday, 7th March 2021.
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