Author Archives: Bodger

Peter Mark (left) and Peter Marks (right)

Yesterday.

Meanwhile…

This morning

UPDATE:

This evening.

He likes us.

This afternoon.

Leinster House, Dublin 2.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald leads out her party’s new front bench. To wit:

Party Leader Mary Lou McDonald
Deputy Party Leader and Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty
Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Mairéad Farrell
Enterprise, Trade and Employment Louise O’Reilly
Health David Cullinane
Housing, Local Government and Heritage Eoin Ó Broin
Agriculture and the Marine Matt Carthy
Justice Martin Kenny
Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands Claire Kerrane
Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport Darren O’Rourke
Media, Tourism, Art, Culture and Sports Imelda Munster
Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Kathleen Funchion
Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Higher Education, Innovation and Science Rose Conway-Walsh
Foreign Affairs & Defence John Brady

Chief Whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Úrlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíne agus Cultúir Aengus Ó Snodaigh

FIGHT!

Earlier: Worth A Troy

First time Sinn Féin TDs feature on front bench (RTÉ)

Meanwhile…O’Neill rejects calls to step aside during social distance inquiry

Rollingnews

 

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

Boom!

This afternoon.

Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite and heiress who became a confidante of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and was later accused of involvement in his alleged sexual crimes, has been arrested by the FBI, two senior law enforcement sources tell News 4 New York.

She was arrested in New Hampshire on Epstein-related charges and is expected to appear in a federal court later today, the sources say.

Spokespeople for the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment.

Jeffrey Epstein Confidante Ghislaine Maxwell Arrested, Sources Say (NBC)

Getty

Bună Ziua!

Hostels in Ireland writes:

A group of young Romanian people in 1948 visiting Ireland. This is probably one of the earliest photos we have of international guests who have stayed at

Damn commie beatniks.

Where are they photographed, anyone?

Part of The Report Card for the HSE/Department of Health Covid tracker app includes reference to Google Firebase and Twillo possibly obtaining patient data

This morning/afternoon.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and Digital Rights Ireland (DRI) have issued a report card evaluating the HSE/Department of Health Covid-19 tracker app prior to its launch.

How did it do?

Regarding the app’s efficacy, experts have given the app a D.

Dr Stephen Farrell, Research Fellow, School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin (speaking in a personal capacity, said:

“We have no clear evidence before us that the app accurately detects close contacts to Covid-19. In the alternative, our independent research shows that app signalling accuracy varies substantially depending on user environments.”

Regarding the app’s clear and limited purpose, experts have given the app a D.

ICCL’s Information Rights Director Elizabeth Farries said:

“European data protection guidance says Covid-19 apps must pursue a single purpose of contact tracing to alert people potentially exposed to Covid-19. Unfortunately, location data and symptom tracking extend beyond this single purpose.”

Regarding the app’s statutory oversight, experts have given the app a C.

Digital Rights Ireland Director Antóin Ó Lachtnáin said:

“We would question the legal basis of consent the government appears to be relying on under the GDPR. Furthermore, long term, we are very concerned that Google/Apple will have ultimate control over most of the EU’s Covid-19 app ecosystem, and not our governments.”

We’re not angry.

Just disappointed.

FIGHT!

Full report card here.

Experts Issue Pre-Release Report Card on the HSE Covid-19 Tracker App (ICCL)

Gulp.

Yesterday.

New York City, New York, USA.

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

Um.

This morning.

Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo/County Galway.

Bebe writes:

Red Carnation Group’s Jewel in their crown this morning with Luke (above)e, suitably attired with mask, guarding the gate…

Hon Mayo.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly (above) has said public health officials are concerned a big increase in international travel could see ‘a second wave’ of Covid-19 in Ireland

This morning.

Via RTÉ

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Donnelly said the Government still plans to publish a “green” list of countries on 9 July, but no decision has been made on when it will be activated.

“July 9 is a decision that has been taken to publish a list.There may be a recommendation to Cabinet [on Monday] that that might change,” he said.

The minister said he understood that the issue is of great concern to people, who may have already booked holidays or who may be planning a trip abroad, and the National Public Health Emergency is meeting today on the issue.

Cases of Covid-19 in Ireland from international travel was at 2% for the last few months, but has risen to 17% in the last few weeks, he said.

Fears overseas travel could trigger second wave of Covid-19 – Donnelly (RTÉ)

Rollingnews