HIP recognised at ‘Women Friendly Workplace Awards 2024’
KyKy Tandy scored a season-high 21 points that included a key 3-pointer in a late second-half surge as Florida Atlantic roared back to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Florida Atlantic (4-2) advances to play Drake in the semifinal round on Friday while the Cowboys square off against Miami in the consolation semifinal contest, also Friday. Oklahoma State led by as many as 10 points in the first half before securing a five-point advantage at halftime. The Owls surged back and moved in front with four and a half minutes to play. It was part of an 11-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tandy that made it 75-68 with 2:41 remaining. Ken Evans added 14 points for Florida Atlantic, with Leland Walker hitting for 13 and Tre Carroll scoring 11. The Owls went 35-of-49 from the free throw line as the teams combined for 56 fouls in the game, 33 by Oklahoma State. Khalil Brantley led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 16 points while Robert Jennings added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys, who hit one field goal over a 10-minute stretch of the second half while having three players foul out. The Owls were up by as many as seven points in the early minutes and by 13-10 after a layup by Carroll at the 11:32 mark of the first half. Oklahoma State leapfrogged to the front on Abou Ousmane's layup off a Brantley steal, fell behind again on a 3-pointer by Evans and then responded on a 3-pointer by Jennings to take a 17-16 lead. From there, the Cowboys stoked their advantage to double digits when Jamyron Keller canned a shot from beyond the arc with five minutes to play in the half. Florida Atlantic got a layup and a monster dunk from Matas Vokietaitis and a pair of free throws from Walker in a 6-2 run to end the half to pull within 39-34 at the break. Jennings and Ousmane tallied seven points apiece for Oklahoma State over the first 20 minutes, as the Cowboys led despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the half. Carroll and Vokietaitis scored seven points apiece to pace the Owls, who committed 11 turnovers that translated to seven points for Oklahoma State before halftime. --Field Level Media
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. , and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump had vowed early in the presidential campaign that he would “instantaneously” block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. “I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company” and will use tax incentives and tariffs to make U.S. Steel “Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST!” he wrote. “As President," he continued, "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!” President Joe Biden , like Trump, also opposes Nippon Steel's purchase of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Biden’s White House in September said that it had yet to see a report from the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States , which was reviewing the transaction for national security concerns. The committee, which is chaired by the treasury secretary and includes other Cabinet members, can recommend that the president block a transaction, and federal law gives the president that power. Ahead of the November election, the proposed merger carried political importance in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that Trump eventually won. Biden publicly sided with the United Steelworkers, the labor union, in seeking to reject the deal. When he announced his opposition in a March statement, Biden said: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.” Nippon Steel has said it is the only company that can make the necessary investment in U.S. Steel's factories and strengthen the American steel industry. Both Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel on Tuesday released statements in support of the acquisition. "This transaction should be approved on its merits. The benefits are overwhelmingly clear. Our communities, customers, investors, and employees strongly support this transaction, and we will continue to advocate for them and adherence to the rule of law," U.S. Steel said. The deal follows a long stretch of protectionist U.S. tariffs that analysts say has helped reinvigorate domestic steel, including U.S. Steel. U.S. Steel's shareholders have approved the deal, but the United Steelworkers oppose it. In a statement Tuesday, the union said the deal carries “serious long-term implications for U.S. economic and national security.” “It’s clear that President Trump understands the vital role a strong domestic steel industry plays in our national security, as well as the importance of the jobs and communities the industry supports," the union said. The deal has drawn bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Senate, including from the incoming vice president, Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, although the federal government's objections to the deal have drawn criticism that the opposition is political. Some U.S. Steel workers would prefer Nippon Steel acquire the company, given that it appears to have a better financial balance sheet than another potential buyer, Cleveland-Cliffs. U.S. Steel “provided a very, very good life for our families for a lot of years,” said Jack Maskil, a vice president at the Steelworkers local branch in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. “And we feel that with the Nippon deal that a lot more families for futures to come will be able to share the same.” West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly said he met with Nippon Steel executives and found himself satisfied by their commitments. Located southeast of Pittsburgh, West Mifflin is home to U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant. “There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best deal moving forward,” Kelly said at a panel hosted on Tuesday by the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, where Maskil was also speaking. The Biden administration committee vetting the merger is scheduled later this month to decide on the acquisition or possibly extend the ongoing review. William Chou, a deputy director at the Hudson Institute specializing in relations with Japan, said that "President-elect Trump's view on the deal are important." But given the upcoming deadline, “It's up to President Biden to recognize how this deal will advance the interests of future generations of U.S. Steel union steelworkers.” Trump’s statement came two weeks after Nippon Steel’s vice chairman, Takahiro Mori, visited Pittsburgh and Washington to meet with lawmakers, local officials and workers in an ongoing persuasion campaign. That campaign has included Nippon Steel's promises to boost its capital commitments beyond the original deal and, more recently, a pledge that it won’t import steel slabs that would compete with U.S. Steel’s blast furnaces. As part of its proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel also pledged to invest at least $1.4 billion in USW-represented facilities, not to conduct layoffs or plant closings during the term of the basic labor agreement, and to protect the best interests of U.S. Steel in trade matters. Boak reported from Washington.Nikita Kucherov hit Matthew Tkachuk with an illegal knee-on-knee play on Monday, and now he's learned his suspension fate from the NHL's Department of Player Safety following a game misconduct and major penalty being assessed on the play. The NHL has always been one of the most physical leagues in the world, but sometimes it gets taken way too far with illegal hits, and we saw yet another example of that on Monday night. During the Battle of Florida between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk was taken down with a knee-on-knee hit from Nikita Kucherov, one that earned him a five-minute major and a game misconduct . While Tkachuk was clearly in pain after the play, he would ultimately return to the game, with the Panthers fans in the arena giving him a huge standing ovation for his return as the superstar forward was thankfully not injured long-term like many feared initially. Since the deadline of 5pm EST has passed, the NHL's Department of Player Safety appears to have made a decision and not suspend Nikita Kucherov. Over his career, Kucherov hasn't been one of the worst players in the NHL when it comes to dirty plays, but he has popped up now and then with dirty plays to his opponents. Thankfully for Tkachuk, it appears that he will be okay and should be good to go when the NHL resumes on December 27th. This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.
Aziz Bandaogo led No. 19 Cincinnati with 15 points as the host Bearcats dominated in the paint in an 84-49 win against Grambling State on Sunday. Dillon Mitchell scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds and Day Day Thomas added 12 points for the Bearcats (10-1). Ernest Ross scored a game-high 16 points for Grambling State (2-10). Mikale Stevenson added 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Tigers. Cincinnati had a 40-26 advantage on points scored in the paint. The Bearcats had nine dunks and eight layups. The tone was set early for the Bearcats when a Mitchell steal led to a lefty windmill jam that gave the Bearcats a 7-2 lead. Bandaogo followed Mitchell's flashy jam with a reverse alley-oop slam. It was the first of consecutive alley-oop dunks for Bandaogo and capped a 9-0 run. After a Grambling State free throw, the Bearcats' reeled off a 6-0 rally. Dan Skillings Jr. drove the lane and shoveled a no-look pass to Simas Lukosius for a layup as Cincinnati went up 17-3 at the 14:11 mark of the first half. A PJ Edwards pass over the top of the Cincinnati defense found Ross, whose layup snapped the Bearcats' surge. Grambling State trailed by 22 when Jizzle James connected on a short-range jumper to give Cincinnati a 37-15 lead with 2:58 left in the first half. But the Tigers rallied and closed the half on a 9-0 run. An Edwards layup in the final seconds cut the Cincinnati lead to 37-24 at halftime. Another lob pass to Bandaogo for a dunk opened the second half for the Bearcats. There was some fight in the visitors, though, as Louis Hutchison went on a personal 5-0 run for the Tigers with a jumper and a deep 3-pointer to cut the Bearcats' lead to 41-29. It was the closest Grambling State got the rest of the game. Cincinnati quickly reeled off an 11-0 run that opened up with consecutive 3-pointers by Lukosius, James and Skillings and was punctuated by Mitchell's dunk for a 52-29 Cincinnati lead. --Field Level MediaTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.
2024 in pop culture: In a bruising year, we sought out fantasy, escapism — and cute little animals
Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreamsIsrael launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with HezbollahNRG Energy Inc. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the day
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new venture in the gaming world: TRUMP GOLF, an official mobile golf game. Trump is well-known for being an avid golfer who owns many golf courses throughout the globe. He is making his debut in the digital sports gaming sector with this game. Game Details and FeaturesTrump Golf is a game that can now be pre-ordered on the iOS and Android operating systems. It is promoted as the best online golf experience available. Players can use Trump-branded gear, such as premium in-app purchases, to compete. Two computerized golf clubs—the Trump Gold and the Trump Noir—are among the attractions. At $9.99, the Gold Club provides "extreme Trump power" with greater precision. At $99, the Noir boasts "full Trump power" and optimal accuracy. There is a shortage of both clubs; the Noir is described as "extremely limited." The cost of the driver is equal to the cost of the game as entrance to the game needs the purchase of one of these clubs. Marketing PushTrump ran an official commercial to promote the game. "Take a look at that lovely swing!" As he demonstrated the game, he asked, "Isn't it perfect?" According to him, it's "the greatest golf game ever created." The advertising effort is in line with Trump's well-known passion for self-promotion and branding. Trump’s Golf LegacyThere is more to Trump's involvement with golf than just games. He has hosted a number of LIV Golf tournaments and is an outspoken advocate for the tour. He said he was certain he could conclude the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger before to the 2024 election. “I think it’ll come together,” Trump said in an interview with Golf WRX. “I could probably get it done in 15 minutes.” Trump pushed for the top players from both teams to go on a single, cohesive tour. He commended LIV's best players for their abilities and contentment with their Saudi-sponsored tour, and he underlined the need of inclusion in big events. Post-Election Golf CelebrationTrump highlighted LIV star Bryson DeChambeau at his election night rally after winning the election. Trump was joined on stage by DeChambeau, who was sporting a "Make America Great Again" cap. Trump praised him and acknowledged their mutual love of golf. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.Trump's pick to lead DEA withdraws saying he will remain a sheriff
None(BPT) - The holidays bring a whirlwind of excitement, sales, and unfortunately also scams. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Week mean increased online transactions, e-commerce traffic, and a heightened focus on fulfilling customer orders — all of which make small businesses, especially micro-businesses, prime targets for cybercriminals. According to Bank of America's Small Business Owner's Report , more than half of small business owners said cybersecurity threats have impacted their business. Unlike larger corporations with dedicated IT departments, many small and micro businesses lack proper security infrastructure, leaving them more vulnerable to and harmed by threats. A single scam or breach can be costly and can put a business behind during the busy holiday season. Scammers know how to exploit the season's hustle and bustle. But don't let the Grinch steal your seasonal success — arm yourself with these tips from the pros at Norton Small Business to stay protected and keep the holiday cheer intact. The Naughty List: Common Holiday Cyber Scams In today's digital-first world, cybersecurity is no longer optional — it's a necessity. With cyber threats evolving constantly, safeguarding your business requires vigilance, informed employees, and robust practices. Investing in cybersecurity tools is a simple way to address these concerns. The Nice List: 7 Cyber Safety Tips for the Holidays In a world where scams are harder to detect it is good to have extra help. Owners and employees can check in real time if something might be a scam with the free Norton Genie app . With a simple screen shot, this AI-powered scam detection tool can tell you if a text message, social media post, email or website message is likely to be a scam, what makes the content suspicious, and what to do next. Beyond just protecting your systems, it's essential to build trust with your customers by showing them that your business takes cybersecurity seriously. Displaying security badges on your website, being transparent about how customer data is protected, and offering secure payment options can go a long way in fostering customer confidence and retention. The holidays are a time of opportunity for both small businesses and scammers. By adopting these best practices, you can protect your business, your customers, and your peace of mind this season. Think of Norton Small Business as your holiday helper, protecting your devices and data while you focus on operating your business. With easy setup and robust features, it's your always-on IT department working 24/7 to protect your business and employees. Visit https://us.norton.com/products/small-business for more information.
In Pictures: Jimmy Carter continued campaigning long after leaving powerThroughout the year, in our Women, Money, and Mindset columns , we have tackled some of life’s most pressing financial challenges. Every month, we have delved into a financial issue that touches the lives of our readers, offering, each week, a distinct insight from the differing viewpoints of a Certified Financial Planner, an attorney, a CPA, and an executive business coach. From navigating the financial markets and business strategies to estate planning and tools to cut taxes, our goal has always been to provide clear, practical, actionable advice to take to your trusted professionals so you take the next steps to grow your wealth and increase your financial security. In this final installment of the year, the issue is giving, and the topic this week is Charitable Gift Annuities. It is a strategy that can address multiple financial and tax planning issues while supporting the causes that matter most to you. Unlike giving away cash or assets and not receiving anything in return, with a CGA, if you donate to a 501(c)(3) qualified charity, in return, you receive two powerful benefits. First, you can qualify for an immediate tax deduction for part of the contribution. Second, you receive a dependable, fixed income from the charity for the rest of your life. The minimum contribution is usually only $5,000, so it is an accessible planning tool for most people. Before diving into more specifics, let’s see how a CGA can help with some specific financial and tax planning concerns you might have: —You want to give more to your house of worship or favorite charity but are concerned about not having enough income in the future. With a CGA, you can receive guaranteed income for life. —You need a last-minute tax deduction and have maxed out on your IRA or 401k plan contribution for the year. A CGA can act as an alternate retirement plan if you itemize deductions on your return. —You are interested in giving away more to charity but do not want the complications of setting up a charitable trust or naming a trustee. A CGA can be set up in days directly with the charity at no cost to you. —You intend to leave some or all of your estate to charity and would like to have all of your estate planning finalized now. CGAs are especially helpful if you would like to leave your estate to several charities because you can set up annuities with each charity. —You have adequate income now or are not yet retired, but you are concerned about costs later in life, like long-term care. You can receive a larger monthly payment later if you choose a deferred annuity and start the payments at a later date. —If you are concerned about paying capital gains taxes on assets you want to sell, you can avoid or defer taxes if you contribute the asset to the CGA. —If you would prefer your church or favorite charity to have access to some of your contribution now, a CGA is preferable to a charitable remainder trust or bequest that funds after you have died. —If you want to secure the financial future of your spouse, child, or another loved one, CGAs can be set up for the lives of two individuals. This could be especially helpful if you have a child in their 50s or older, and you are concerned about them not having enough guaranteed retirement income. —If you keep most of your funds in the bank but would like to earn a higher return, the charity invests your CGA funds (and generally considered safe) with usually a fixed rate of return that is higher than you would receive on a CD. —You would like to avoid paying taxes on a required minimum distribution, so you are planning on doing a Qualified Charitable Rollover (QCR). New rules will allow you to fund your CGA with a one-time $53,000 QCR. The QCR amount to your CGA will not be included as income on your return, but you can still receive the monthly income benefit from the CGA, and you can defer income further if you choose a deferred CGA. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity checks many financial and tax planning boxes, and it is easy and cost-effective to set up. Now to the specifics. First, you set up the CGA and donate the asset to the charity. The gift is set aside and invested by the charity. You (and also your spouse or other person if you choose a two-person annuity) will receive fixed monthly or quarterly payments for the rest of your lives. The charity can utilize the remaining funds after your death. How much is the tax deduction? The income tax deduction is equal to the amount of the contribution minus the present value of the payments that will be made to the donors during their lives. The charity will handle these calculations for you. How much income will you receive? Current suggested annuity rates range from 4.6-10.1% for those 50 and older, dependent primarily on your age. (In other words, you would receive $4,600 to $10,100 a year on a $100,000 contribution.) For recommended rates and how they are calculated, go to acga-web.org/current-gift-annuity-rates . The amount you would receive is generally fixed and will never fluctuate or adjust for inflation. But it’s also secured by the charity’s entire assets and will continue regardless of how the investments of the annuity perform. Here is an example. Dennis, 75, and Mary, 73, fund a $50,000 charitable gift annuity with appreciated stock that they originally bought for $20,000. They are eligible for an income tax charitable deduction of $17,584. They will then receive a payment rate of 6%, or $3,000 each year for the remainder of their lives. If you contact your church or charity, they will provide you with information regarding the minimum age, contribution requirements, and rates for their annuities. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity is more than just a financial tool-it’s a way to make a lasting difference while providing for yourself and your loved ones. As you plan for the year ahead, I hope this inspires you to take the next step. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with peace and purpose! Michelle C. Herting is a CPA, accredited in business valuations, and an accredited estate planner specializing in succession planning and estate, gift, and trust taxes. She is also the past president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Inland Southern California. Related Articles
Syria: Rebels Capture Homs, Celebrate At Famous Clock Tower | WATCHThe 17-year-old son of musicians Sinéad O’Connor and Dónal Lunny was found dead in an area of secluded wasteland behind Corke Abbey housing estate between Bray and Shankill on January 7th, 2022. He was admitted to TUH on December 29th, 2021 after he made a “serious” attempt to take his own life two days earlier, a sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard on Monday. Viewed as a “high-risk” patient by psychiatrists due to the seriousness of his suicide attempt, Shane was prescribed 24-hour, one-to-one supervision during his hospital stay. At the time of his admission, he was under the care of Tusla , the Child and Family Agency. The court heard evidence that on various occasions during his admission, supervision was not provided to Shane. On the morning of January 6th – when he absconded from TUH – there were no healthcare assistants available at the hospital to supervise him due to understaffing, the court heard. Prof Anthony O’Connor, a gastroenterology consultant overseeing Shane’s care while at TUH, said that “generally” one-to-one supervision of patients is provided by hospital staff. He said Shane’s supervision was “cobbled together” during his admission, provided at different times by his father Mr Lunny, care workers who were familiar with Shane and hospital healthcare assistants. Prof O’Connor said that while it was clear that Shane was unwell and troubled, his “gentleness, kindness and creativity” were apparent to all who cared for him. Florence Lambert, a clinical nurse manager, said nurses on Shane’s ward realised he was missing from his single room at about 10.30am on January 6th, the court heard. The ward was understaffed that day, the court heard. After hospital staff reviewed CCTV footage, it was determined that Shane had left the hospital at about 10am, and both gardaí and Tusla were subsequently informed he was missing. Dr Paula McKay, a consultant psychiatrist at TUH who cared for Shane during his admission, said she was not made aware of gaps in his supervision. She told coroner Dr Cróna Gallagher that had she known, she would have “escalated” the case, “because this was a very high risk”. Dr McKay outlined plans that were in train to involuntarily admit Shane to Linn Dara, a HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) facility, following his stay at TUH. At the time he absconded, Shane was awaiting transfer to Linn Dara – subject to a court order – having recovered from the impacts of the suicide attempt. Mary Rose McCarthy, a psychiatrist attached to Camhs in Co Kildare, gave detailed evidence of Shane’s prior admissions to Linn Dara, his various diagnoses with mental and behavioural disorders and psychotic episodes, the impact of his sustained cannabis use and previous instances of his suicidal ideation and behaviour. Seán O’Connor, Shane’s grandfather, had objected to Ms McCarthy providing detailed evidence. He said it was “accepted” that Shane had a difficult youth and had a difficult time “with the politics of the day”. The court heard that Shane had spent time in care since he was 11 years old. He said Shane’s late mother Sinéad often spoke about her son, and to do them both justice there was no use in “raking over dead embers”. “A child arrived in hospital sick,” he said. “We’re talking about the systems that allowed him to escape.” A brief deposition provided by Ms O’Connor was read on to the court record. In the deposition, she said she identified her son to gardaí at the mortuary at St Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown, south Dublin, on January 8th. Several members of Shane’s family were present in court on Monday, including his father and his uncle, the writer Joseph O’Connor. Fiachra Gallagher is an Irish Times journalist