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Morning top 5: Garda overtime ban; More beef blockades lifted; Trump sends troops to Saudi

Garda overtime has been severely curtailed around the country for the rest of the year. All non-e...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

09.23 21 Sep 2019


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Morning top 5: Garda overtime...

Morning top 5: Garda overtime ban; More beef blockades lifted; Trump sends troops to Saudi

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

09.23 21 Sep 2019


Share this article


Garda overtime has been severely curtailed around the country for the rest of the year.

All non-essential overtime was banned from last night as the force experiences “budgetary pressures.”

Officers will still be entitled to overtime for “non-discretionary” duties – including attending court and escorting prisoners.

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A Garda spokesperson said superintendents will still be able to sanction overtime for specific operations – but only if they are expressly approved by Deputy Commissioner Policing & Security John Twomey.

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Farmers lifted their blockades at a number of meat plats around the country overnight.

Last night, pickets outside Dawn Charleville, Dawn Grannagh, Dawn Ballyhaunis and Kepak Watergrasshill ended.

The final protesters also left ABP Cahir while Kepak Clones has indicated they're preparing to stand down over the weekend.

In a statement, the Independent Farmers of Ireland group said the dispute was not over – but said it is hopeful the deal agreed last Sunday can lead to a process to bring about reform.

***

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has accused world leaders of saying the right things on the climate emergency – but failing to act.

She was speaking at a massive rally in New York as hundreds of thousands of people joined climate strike protests around the world.

Later today, the United Nations Youth Climate Summit takes place in New York.

The Taoiseach and the President will join other world leaders at the wider UN Climate Action Summit on Monday.

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US President Donald Trump is sending more US troops and military equipment to Saudi Arabia.

President Trump approved the deployment in the wake of last week’s the attack on two oil facilities in the country – which he has blamed on Iran.

Troops and military equipment will also be sent to neighbouring United Arab Emirates, a Saudi ally.

The Pentagon described the deployment as "moderate", adding that forces will be defensive in nature and primarily focused on air and missile defence.

***

Hospital consultants say six key government health plans are under threat if more senior doctors aren't hired.

They include the Children's Hospital, the National Cancer Care Progamme and the National Maternity Strategy.

The IHCA says one in every five consultant jobs are now vacant, and there are serious issues with hiring and keeping senior doctors on the roster.

Health minister Simon Harris was set to give the keynote address at the conference today but the IHCA says he pulled out at the last minute.

Main image shows a cow in a Leinster field while farmers were picketing meat processing plants, 01-09-2019. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

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