Cork jazz festival forced to cancel
€4.8m to boost Trinity’s research It enabled him to conduct video conferences
A €4.8MILLION cash injection has been provided to assist Covid-19 research at Trinity College Dublin.
Announcing the move, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said: “Science and research have never been more important as the world faces a global pandemic.
“We still have so much more to learn about this virus and this partnership will be key to addressing some of the key questions.
“I congratulate all the researchers and clinicians for coming together, with the support of SFI and philanthropic and private sector.
“This is of national importance given the immense societal and economic impact of the current pandemic and will enable us to contribute solutions to the challenges we face.”
THE Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has been axed due to the pandemic.
It’s a major blow to tourism in the city and the wider region.
Committee chairwoman Fiona Collins said: “As a result of Covid-19 and current Government restrictions on indoor and outdoor activities, with the requirement for physical distancing, we regret to confirm the cancellation of this year’s festival.
“We know this will be disappointing for music fans, artists, publicans and the wider community but their health and safety is our No1 priority.
“We look forward to bringing back a strong, exciting and memorable festival next year.”
The jazz festival on the October Bank Holiday Weekend has been worth an estimated €35million to the local economy in recent years.
HSE chief Paul Reid was chauffeured up and down to work in a BMW by soldiers during the pandemic.
The Defence Forces and the HSE confirmed to the Irish Mirror the special service was laid on for his commute from Leitrim to Dublin.
And BMW Ireland have confirmed to us nine BMW X1s were given to the HSE for use in the pandemic.
The Army did not charge the State, but if it did, the cost for the extra service to the HSE would have paid upwards of €25,000.
A chauffeur service
with
an executive car costs in the region of €500 to €700 a day.
If it was laid on five days a week for 10 weeks of the pandemic, the bill could have hit somewhere between €25,000 and €35,000.
A spokesman said the army chauffeurs were provided so Mr Reid wouldn’t get tired from driving and so he could take video calls during his commute.
The service was provided until the coronavirus travel limits were lifted earlier this week.
The Irish Mirror understands two Defence Forces personnel were rostered on a 72-hour week to provide the cover.
The HSE told the Irish Mirror: “The
Defence Forces provided the services of one driver per journey to Mr Reid on occasions for travel between Leitrim and Dublin for necessary meetings and briefings until the removal of travel restrictions.
“The CEO resided in Leitrim for duration of lockdown as this was where he was located when restrictions were imposed.
“This assistance enabled him to conduct video conferences while mobile and for safety reasons due to long working hours during the ongoing national
stepping aside for heart-breaking reasons.
On Thursday the Chief Medical Officer said: “If I may detain you for a minute, just slightly unusually I have a personal statement.”
He explained he would be stepping back from his role to spend time with his family as his wife Dr Emer Feely, who had been battling blood cancer, had been admitted to palliative care.
Dr Holohan said: “Now I want to give public health emergency. The vehicle used was not a HSE vehicle.
“It was one of a number of vehicles generously on loan from private organisations to assist in the pandemic response.”
Cathal Berry is an Independent TD for Kildare and former member of the Defence Forces.
He told the Irish Mirror last night: “I would have a very serious issue that members of the Defence Forces are not getting proper allowances for this.
“I heard in Kildare the
HSE SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY
last day
my energy and time to Emer and our two teenage children.”
It was a moment that brought home how you can never really know what anyone else is suffering.
His dignity and strength in adversity is a lesson to us all.
Paying tribute, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “His work helped people understand the gravity of the situation, while his calmness reassured us. As a country we owe him and his family a