A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
People in west Limerick told to boil water
Householders on a group water scheme in Co Limerick have been urged to boil water after an outbreak of E.coli in the area, writes Karl Hanlon.
Some 14 cases of E.coli 0157 have been identified in the Kilfinny area of west Limerick and two children have received hospital treatment.
In at least nine of the 15 cases, householders had consumed water from the local group water scheme which serves Kilfinny, Ballingarry and Adare.
Officials at the Health Service Executive in the midwest have confirmed that the Kilfinny group water scheme is being investigated as a possible source of infection.
It is the second time in the past month that "boil water" notices have been placed in the area for the estimated 250 householders in the group water scheme.
Residents have been advised to boil all water for drinking, washing fruit and vegetables and brushing teeth while further tests are carried out.
They have also been advised that domestic water filters will not guarantee water is safe to drink pending the outcome of further tests on the local supply.
Legionnaires' disease alert
A Legionnaires' disease alert has been raised at Letterkenny General Hospital, Co Donegal, after the discovery of a deadly bacteria in the water system, writes Paddy Clancy.
The legionella bacteria, blamed for two deaths in Waterford and Dublin two years ago, was discovered in a routine check of the hot water system in an old part of the hospital.
Health Service Executive officials in the northwest said yesterday that precautionary measures had been introduced.
They added that no patients or staff were infected. They insisted there was no cause for alarm.
The use of showers in the hospital's old section was stopped as a safety measure. Staff were being instructed to raise the temperature of the water to rid it of the lethal bacteria.
Public health specialist with the HSE in the northwest Dr Anthony Breslin said there was a low risk and people were being advised how to reduce it further.
"We are also monitoring staff and patients to make sure there isn't anyone with Legionnaires' disease at present," he said.
A mother of seven died in April 2003 in Waterford Regional Hospital when she contracted the disease from a shower head.
A few weeks later a 69-year-old Dublin man died after inhaling water vapour while testing the temperature of a hot tub. He was viewing a house for sale at the time.
Mayo quarry plan turned down
Residents have won their battle against plans by Roadstone Provinces Limited for a major limestone quarry near Castlebar, Co Mayo.
For a second time, An Bord Pleanála has rejected plans by the company to develop a 38-hectare quarry at Islandeady.
The main reason for the refusal is the increase in heavy traffic which would be caused by the development.
The ruling is a severe setback to Roadstone which is due to vacate its quarry in Castlebar soon because limestone supplies are becoming depleted.