Carlow, Westmeath, and Louth now have the highest incidence of Covid-19 amid signals people across the country are reining in their socialising. e 14-day incidence is more than 1,700 per 100,000 in the three worst- hit counties compared with a national incidence of 1,266 Wicklow, Wexford, and Kildare have the lowest incidence.

‘No scandal’ at TJ’s stag party

THERE was “no scandal” at Kilkenny star TJ Reid’s stag party, according to his teammate Adrian Mullen.

TJ, who plays hurling with Adrian on the Kilkenny senior team as well as with local club Ballyhale Shamrocks, celebrated his last days as an unmarried man with a trip to the famous Cheltenham Racecourse the weekend before last.

Adrian told RSVP Live: “ ere was a horse from Ballyhale who was racing, who we went to see that horse.

“It was good craic, and no there were no scandals,” he laughed.

Richie Hogan, Padraig Walsh, Eoin Cody, Paul Murphy and Joey Holden were some of the well-known Kilkenny players who jetted across the Irish Sea to toast TJ before he ties the knot this ursday.

Meanwhile, TJ’s longtime love Niamh de Brún also enjoyed her hen party in Killarney two weeks earlier with some of her closest friends.

Adrian, 22, said he sadly won’t be able to make it to TJ’s wedding as Ballyhale Shamrocks would be playing that weekend — although TJ would be doing both!

He told RSVP Live: “I think we’re playing that weekend, it’s unfortunate. So I’ll probably stay away and get the body right for the match.

“TJ is a great club man so he’s going to be playing as well, even though it’s just a few days after the wedding.”

Niamh has shared a countdown to the wedding on her Insta stories and is already getting glammed up in preparation, enjoying a manicure and a pedicure at Holly Nails Kilkenny.

Why our Air Ambulance is on mission to light up the skies this Christmas

THE Irish Community Air Ambulance is asking supporters and businesses to help it Light Up e Sky and sponsor a star to fund lifesaving missions this Christmas. Each donation made through the organisation’s website will light a virtual star, supporters can also leave a message for the crew or light a star in honour of a loved one. e Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is Ireland’s only charity-funded air ambulance. It responds to serious incidents and medical emergencies every day of the year, including Christmas Day, from its base in Rathcoole, Co. Cork. ere were 42 taskings during December 2020, including one on Christmas Day. Crews launched 12 times between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve to counties Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford costing an estimated €42,000.

Each helicopter mission costs an average of €3,500, all of which has to be raised or donated. e HEMS Air Ambulance has been tasked by the National Ambulance Service to 468 incidents so far in 2021. One in ve calls has been to cardiac arrests, followed by road tra c collisions and farming incidents.

CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance Micheál Sheridan said: “While many of us will be enjoying Christmas Day with family and friends our crew will be away from theirs and will be available to respond if they are required. Our crew and those working in emergency services work tirelessly throughout the year and Christmas is no exception. e cost to run the charity this year is €2.1 million; the HEMS Air Ambulance alone is expected to cost €1.55m this year.

“By buying a star on our website you are helping us to light up the sky and bring hope to people in emergency situations in our communities this Christmas.”

Chief Pilot Donnagh Verling will be on duty on Christmas Day. “Medical emergencies and other traumas don’t stop because it’s Christmas and neither do we. We’re happy

To the rescue: Adalyn Kenny (7) and Harvey O’Mahony (6) from Dromahane, Mallow, Co Cork helping to launch the appeal along with Donnagh Verling, Chief Pilot with the Air Ambulance Pic: Brian Lougheed

to give up our Christmas Day if it means that we can bring someone to the hospital that best suits their life-saving needs faster.”

* https://communityairambulance.ie

How you could help with Census 2022

THE Central Statistics O ce (CSO) is seeking to hire 100 Census Enumerators to deliver and collect census forms to every home in Kilkenny next year.

Enumerators can earn up to €3,200 for working 10 weeks part-time, between February 28 and May 6 next.

Census 2022 will take place on Sunday, April 3. e results from the Census are vital to planning the future of public services in Kilkenny and across the country. e 100 enumerators will be required to deliver and collect census forms to approximately 34,000 households across the county.

Speaking about the vacant roles, Eileen Murphy, Head of Census Administration said “A Census Enumerator is a job that really counts. ose who undertake this rewarding position will be providing a valuable service to the people of Kilkenny, by ensuring future policy decisions are made based on their community’s needs.

“ e job of Census Enumerator is highly exible, so a perfect option for many people not in a position to commit to full time work. Over the ten weeks enumerators will work approximately 22 hours per week and can largely pick their own hours. Each enumerator is responsible for the delivery and collection of around 400 census forms in their local area.”

Ms Murphy said the role of Census Enumerator is best suited to a people person who enjoys meeting and engaging with new people. e application process is expected to remain open until December 3. However early applications are recommended.

An online application process opens on November 25 at http://www.census.ie.

Mother and Baby Home survivors must receive fair redress

THE Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion has called on all TDs to back a cross-party motion the party is bringing to the Dáil which would ensure the Mother & Baby Homes redress scheme meets the needs of survivors. e motion is being debated in the Dáil and would ensure that the needs of survivors are respected in the government’s redress scheme.

Ms Funchion saidt is would include urgently reviewing issues survivors have identi ed within the scheme such as time-based criteria, the exclusion of children who were boarded out, access to the enhanced Medical Card and the failure to include some institutions. e motion also calls on the Government to immediately seek recourse from religious orders and pharmaceutical companies to contribute to the redress scheme.

It has cross-party support among the opposition.

Speaking today, Teachta Funchion said:

“Sinn Féin are bringing a cross-party motion before the Dáil that would ensure the redress scheme is changed to meet the needs of Mother and Baby Home survivors.

“It’s time to respect Mother & Baby Homes survivors and their families.

“ e scheme is an insult to survivors and totally fails to take into account their needs. is isn’t good enough. is government has failed survivors time and time again. is has to stop, “ she said. “ e motion would ensure the government must urgently review the scheme’s timebased criteria, exclusion of children who were boarded out, access to the enhanced Medical Card, proposed payment rates and end the unfair exclusion of some survivors and institutions.” Ms Funchion said the motion also called on the Government to seek immediate and substantive recourse from religious orders and pharmaceutical companies.