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Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Garda operation conducted near the Russian embassy in south Dublin has resulted in overtime costs exceeding €200,000. Nonetheless, the total expenses associated with safeguarding the embassy and its personnel are significantly greater, as the majority of Gardaí stationed there are fulfilling their regular rostered duties rather than working overtime.

Throughout the majority of the previous 14 months, the primary objective of the Garda operation has been to ensure a noticeable presence and manage the opening and closing of a security barrier for the entry and exit of the embassy’s staff in their vehicles. Since the barrier is located just outside the embassy compound, the responsibility for its operation lies with the Garda rather than the Russians, who maintain their own security measures within the compound.

According to reliable sources, during a period last year when the Garda operation reached its highest level due to a surge in anti-Russian sentiment in the Republic following the invasion, the monthly cost of maintaining the Garda presence outside the embassy on Orwell Road, Rathgar, ranged from €50,000 to €100,000.

According to the sources, the reason for the high expenditure was the significant deployment of gardaí during that period. Additionally, a command-and-control center, which was staffed by additional Gardaí, was temporarily established at the site in case a substantial policing response was necessary to control potential public disorder.

Nevertheless, in the time that followed, the number of people assembling outside the embassy has diminished, although a small faction of anti-Russia demonstrators continues to convene on a daily basis. They vocalize anti-war and anti-Russian statements while displaying signs, as the Russian personnel enter and exit the premises in their vehicles. Occasionally, larger gatherings occur, necessitating an augmented Garda presence for several hours on such occasions.

Although the permanent Garda deployment has been reduced since March and April of last year, which includes the dismantling of the command-and-control unit, there is still a continuous 24-hour Garda presence in effect. Maintaining a single member of the force at any static Garda post necessitates deploying five or six gardaí on a full-time basis. Multiple shifts of gardaí are required within each 24-hour period, taking into account rest periods and annual leave as well.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a lasting Garda presence was established in March of the previous year, triggered by an incident where a vehicle was intentionally driven in reverse into the embassy gates. Russian ambassador Yury Filatov expressed dissatisfaction at that time, asserting that the Garda were not adequately ensuring the safety of him and his staff.

Durable barriers were installed permanently outside the embassy, and initially, a Garda vehicle was stationed at the entrance of the embassy compound. It was relocated as needed whenever a Russian embassy vehicle required entry or exit. Subsequently, a movable steel barrier, specifically designed to withstand impact from a large vehicle, was erected. The responsibility for operating and managing this barrier for the Russians lies with the Gardaí present at the site, who are in charge of its opening and closing.

The tech giant Meta lost a legal battle before the European Court of Justice over the European Commission’s request for information to be turned up in order to look into possible anti-competitive behaviour by the Facebook group.

The second-highest court in the EU dismissed Meta Platforms Ireland’s lawsuit, finding that its legal arguments “proved to be unfounded.”

A press release from the court stated that “The court dismisses the action in its entirety.”

The EU executive ordered Meta to turn over all documents handled by three of its managers in 2020 that contained specific terms and issued a warning that failing to comply may result in a €8 million daily penalties.

On the grounds that the Commission had overstepped its bounds and that the required papers were either unnecessary or may violate employees’ privacy, Meta appealed to the court to set aside the ruling.

The search results included “very common words” like “big question,” “for free,” “shut down,” and “not good for us,” the court was told.

Meta stated that the Commission’s investigation was contrary to the concept of necessity, was not sufficiently clear or consistent, and would require the corporation to turn over a large number of confidential or unnecessary records.

According to Meta, the court heard that the documents obtained materials “containing private correspondence of employees concerning medical and autopsy reports and correspondence of employees at times of great personal distress”,

According to testimony given in court, the Commission’s initial request included 83 distinct questions on Facebook Marketplace, social networking sites, and online classified ad suppliers. According to the court, the Commission requested 729,417 papers in all.

Costs for Meta were mandated.

Stephen Donnelly, the Minister of Health, has signed new laws that mandates all alcoholic beverages list their calorie and alcohol content.

Additionally, all labels will be required by the laws to include a warning about the dangers of drinking alcohol while expecting, as well as the dangers of liver illness and cancers.

According to Mr. Donnelly, the goal of the new law is to inform customers about alcohol content and health hazards related to alcohol consumption.

According to him, labels for food products already include health information, and alcohol is only being brought up to par.

He did, however, clarify that the new law would take effect in May 2026, giving businesses three years to get prepared.

Alcohol Action Ireland applauded the new rules, pointing out that 7% of female breast cancer cases in Ireland have been suggested to be related to alcohol usage.

Minister Donnelly stated: “I welcome that we are the first country in the world to take this step and introduce comprehensive health labelling of alcohol products. I look forward to other countries following our example.”

Professor Eamon Keenan, the National Clinical Lead for Addiction Services at the HSE, expressed support for the labelling plans on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

He claimed that doctors and other organisations have long pushed for the modification.

Professor Keenan stated: “innovative approach” will help educate people about the risks of alcohol and he believes other countries will follow suit.

“We’re going to be able to get information out to people about the risks and harms associated with alcohol, as well,” he said.

“So we would welcome this very much.”

The FSAI has issued a series of food alerts, prompting homeowners to check their freezers and cupboards.

Due to concerns about safety and allergens, food safety officials have advised against consuming a number of items. Products from well-known retailers like Tesco, Lidl, Dunnes, and more are among those that are implicated.

People have been urged to discard the contaminated goods rather than consume them. The complete list of recent food recalls and allergen warnings is provided below:

Tesco Southern Fried Chicken Goujons

Tesco Southern Fried Chicken Goujon batches have been recalled due to salmonella concerns. The goods in question have a 360g pack size, batch IDs 23122 and 23123, and a best-before date of 31/05/2024.

Salmonella is typically characterized by diarrhea, which occasionally turns bloody. Fever, headaches, and pains in the abdomen are possible additional symptoms.

Typically, the illness lasts 4 to 7 days. There are times when diarrhea is so severe that hospital treatment is necessary. The serious sickness is more likely to affect the elderly, young children, and people with weakened immune systems.

Wrights of Howth Smoked Salmon

Due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Wrights of Howth is recalling a batch of Oak Smoked Farmed Irish Organic Salmon, with a batch code of 21P and a best-before date of 19/05/2023, the implicated items come in pack sizes of 120g, 140g, 250g, and 350g.

An announcement on the FSAI website states:

“Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.

“The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.”

Full Moon Frozen Shrimp

Due to the presence of Vibrio cholera and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a batch of 2 kg of Full Moon Frozen Shrimp is recalled. The products that are under investigation have the batch code 29936030 and a best-before date of 03/01/2025.

The illness causes stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, headaches, and watery diarrhea that may be bloody or contain mucus flecks. Symptoms typically begin within six to forty-eight hours and linger for three to five days.

However, depending on the Vibrio species, symptoms could linger for up to 3 weeks. The infection can cause severe dehydration in some people, especially children under the age of five, the elderly, and those with underlying medical issues. If this situation is not properly treated, it may be fatal.

Cadbury Chocolate Desserts

Due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes, many batches of Cadbury chocolate treats are being recalled. Some Lidl locations sold the batches that were under investigation.

The moderate flu-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can be signs of Listeria monocytogenes infection. Rarely, infections can become more serious and lead to serious problems. Pregnant women, infants, and those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, are more prone to Listeria monocytogenes infections than others.

An average of three weeks pass during the incubation period, which can last anywhere between three and seventy days.

The involved batches should not be consumed, consumers are told. Instead, please get in touch with the Müller customer care department in the UK at team_cccare@muller.co.uk or +44 7354 835 893.

Maggi Instant Noodles

Due to inaccurate labeling, a batch of Maggi Instant Noodles contains peanuts and gluten, making it unsafe for customers who are allergic to or intolerant of either gluten or peanuts.

Gosh Foods and Deli

Gosh Foods and The Deli’s gluten-free goods could come in contact with batches of gluten-containing grains. The products are marked as being free of gluten, however gluten is not identified on the label, making them dangerous for customers who are intolerant or allergic to gluten.

When Amin Rhamahi appeared in Letterkenny Circuit Court, he was formally charged.

The 47-year-old was transported to Letterkenny courthouse for the arraignment while being held at Castlerea prison.

On August 26, 2022, in Listillion, Letterkenny, Rhamahi was accused of having cocaine in his possession with the intent to sell it or provide it to someone else.

Rhamahi only spoke to admit guilt to the accusation.

The State’s barrister, Patricia McLaughlin BL, stated that the plea was accepted as an early plea.

Rhamahi’s barrister, Colm Smyth SC, who was hired by solicitor Mr. Rory O’Brien, said that his client was a man with no prior convictions.

Judge John Aylmer asked for a probation and welfare report to be written, along with a recommendation for community service.

It is also necessary to get a report from the prison’s governor at Castlerea.

The matter was postponed until the Letterkenny Circuit Court’s June session and Rhamahi was remanded in custody.