A Garda checkpoint on the N7 motorway at the weekend

This lunchtime.

RTÉ’s Crime Correspondent Paul Reynolds reported:

Gardaí arrested and detained people seven times over the Easter weekend for failing to abide by strict regulations introduced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

No one has been charged with a criminal offence as gardaí will consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions in every case before criminal proceedings are commenced.

…Garda Headquarters also said that in 144 cases where potential breaches of the regulations were suspected – such as house parties and non-essential travel – public order, assault, road traffic, and drugs legislation was used instead.

7 arrested over Easter for breaching virus restrictions (Paul Reynolds, RTÉ)

Previously: New Garda Powers And Your Movement [Updated]

Rollingnews

Kevin Goslin – Lockdown

“We are always encompassed by love.”

That’s the candle in the dark offered by [Capuchin Franciscan] Brother Richard’s spoken word poem ‘Lockdown’ which multi-instrumentalist Kevin Goslin uses over his post-Covid soundtrack.

The impressive video footage was assembled by Ian Bannon.

Nick says: Kevin knows.

This isolation season…

…why not get bendy?

Cara writes:

I created this website – stayhomesociety.com – to keep track of all the different pilates and yoga classes that are going on..

I found it hard to see whats going on day to day so created this and its proving quite helpful for people – its totally manual, wish there was a smarter way to do it but for the time being I’m just entering the classes myself every few days to keep it up to date!

I’m hoping to add fitness and wellness sections too! Maybe your reader will find it useful too!

Stayhomesociety

Top pic: Audrey O’Connor


Bill Gates with President Michael D Higgins in Dublin in 2013

Yesterday.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates discussed with US chat show host Ellen DeGeneres about his foundation’s efforts to help ‘find a vaccine’ for COVID-19 and when “we” can expect to get back to “normal life”

Well, he seems very sincere.

*rolls up sleeve, taps vein*

Earlier: “Social Distancing Will Continue Until A Vaccine Is Available”

Rollingnews

Behold: the magnificent interstellar dust cloud of the Horsehead nebula in the vast constellation of Orion. Sculpted by stellar winds and radiation into an equine pareidolia that will not last forever. To wit:

A potentially rewarding but difficult object to view personally with a small telescope, the above gorgeously detailed image was taken in 2013 in infrared light by the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope in honour of the 23rd anniversary of Hubble‘s launch. The dark molecular cloud, roughly 1,500 light years distant, is cataloged as Barnard 33 and is seen above primarily because it is backlit by the nearby massive star Sigma Orionis. The Horsehead Nebula will slowly shift its apparent shape over the next few million years and will eventually be destroyed by the high energy starlight.

Another perspective?

apod

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has confirmed that she learned yesterday that she tested positive for Covid-19, after getting tested 16 days previous, on March 28.

More as they get it.

Previously: “Hidden From View”

The Wait Debate

Rollingnews

UPDATE:

In fairness.

This morning.

At the latest press briefing by the Assistant Secretary at the Department of An Taoiseach Liz Canavan.

Meanwhile…

Watch the briefing back in full here

Broadsheet.ie