Ireland’s Eye - a round of top Irish news stories

A look at news from around Ireland

"The message from drinkaware.ie is to take responsibility for your drinking. Do the maths and if you suspect that you might not be okay to drive, then make alternative arrangements."  

Drinkaware.ie is encouraging people to pace their drinking over the festive season. "Interspersing alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks will slow down the pace of your drinking and help you to drink moderately. It will also help you to remain well hydrated and you'll be more likely to keep track of how many alcoholic drinks you're consuming," Sheehan added.

Noel Brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) said: "The RSA is delighted to partner with drinkaware.ie again this year to highlight the danger of drink driving the morning after. Drink driving is drink driving no matter what time of the day it is, however it is important to make drivers aware of the fact that they may, unknowingly, be unfit to drive the morning after a night drinking. As the campaign says, if you have been drinking the night before the only cure is time."

Assistant commissioner Gerard Philips said, "We obviously do not wish to hamper anyone's enjoyment over the festive period but we must remind every driver that wherever they socialize and consume alcohol, whether it be in a bar or a house, the same enforcement and now lower drink driving limits apply. We appeal to every driver to ensure they are completely alcohol free before they think about driving any vehicle, no matter what time of the day or night it may be."

Meath Chronicle

Hospital Fleas

A patient rights advocate is calling on University Hospital Galway not to take any “shortcuts” in dealing with an outbreak of fleas at the facility.

Mary Tierney of Patient Focus says a multi-disciplinary approach must be taken to eradicate the problem at the regional hospital’s outpatient department.

The HSE West confirmed that a number of staff had been bitten but said there was no evidence that patients had been affected.

However, Tierney said anything that could have a negative effect on patients is of concern to her organization.

“We have always been worried about hospital acquired infections but to think of the possibility of coming away with a foreign body...I shudder to think of it. People have a horror of creepy crawlies,” she said.

Tierney said she hoped the relevant authorities are dealing with the issue. “While we cannot apportion blame what is important is how this problem is being dealt with. I hope pest control and the environmental health department is involved,” she said.

In a statement the HSE West confirmed that a number of staff working in the hospital’s outpatient department have been bitten by fleas recently.

“The hospital has undertaken a series of actions to deal with the problem and we have communicated with staff in the department who have been affected. There is no sign that this is affecting patients. The hospital is sorry for the discomfort to staff and for any worry this has caused to staff and may cause patients and is grateful for the patience and support of all concerned while we deal with this,” the statement said.

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Nster.com