The HSE has confirmed ongoing discussions with Bon Secours Hospital Limerick on a proposal that would allow appropriate medical patients to be transferred from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) during periods of peak demand, in a bid to relieve chronic overcrowding.
Under the proposed arrangement, patients would be treated and cared for in Bon Secours Limerick as the private hospital continues the phased opening and expansion of services at its new facility, which is reported as a €213 million development.
UHL remains the region’s only 24-hour Emergency Department, serving a catchment of more than 400,000 people across North Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and parts of Cork and Kerry.
Current position In a statement, Bon Secours said: “As the new Bon Secours Hospital Limerick opens an additional ward, discussions are being finalised to support the public system in providing care for several medical patients from University Hospital Limerick.”
The HSE Mid West said it has been in discussions with Bon Secours “about transfer of appropriate patients… to alleviate pressure on UHL during periods of peak demand”, adding that it hopes an agreement will be finalised “in the coming weeks”.
Overcrowding context Latest figures, reported this week, show UHL continuing to account for the highest numbers of patients awaiting admission. On Friday, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reported 107 patients on trolleys and in other inappropriate spaces at UHL, while the HSE’s TrolleyGAR, reporting, indicated 55 admitted patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital.
Overcrowding has persisted despite recent expansion works, including the official opening of a €105 million 96-bed block at the UHL campus in October 2025.
Background and longer-term planning The current pressure on UHL is widely linked to the mid-west reconfiguration in 2009, which saw 24-hour emergency departments closed and services centralised, including in Ennis, Co. Clare and Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, as well as St John’s Hospital Limerick.
The Government has also recently indicated it will progress a “blend” of options advised by HIQA to address urgent and emergency care capacity in the region, following its review, as outlined by Minister Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
Mrs De Boer passed away while in the care of staff of St. Theresa’s Nursing Home, Thurles.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; nephews Sean, Mark and Paul, niece Jackie and grandniece Ciara, extended relatives neighbours and many friends.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs De Boer, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended De Boer family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Danone recall specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula due to the possible presence of cereulide.
Alert Summary dated Friday, 6th February 2026.
Category 1: For Action. Alert Notification: 2026.05. Product Identification: Please see table below. Batch Code: Please see implicated expiry dates in the table below. Country Of Origin: Ireland.
Message: Danone is recalling the below specific batches of its Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula sold in Ireland due to the possible presence of cereulide. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.
Please see Questions and Answers: Danone is advising customers to contact its Aptamil careline team on Tel: 1800 22 1234 (https://www.aptaclub.ie), or its Cow & Gate careline on Tel: 1800 570 570 (https://candgbabyclub.ie) if they have any queries regarding this recall.
In addition, Danone is recalling specific batches of its Aptamil and Cow & Gate infant formula and follow-on formula sold in the UK due to the possible presence of cereulide. The below batches may indirectly be distributed to Ireland from the UK.
Nature Of Danger: Cereulide toxin is produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant. Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually 6 to 24 hours.
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. Wholesalers/distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers. Consumers: Parents, guardians and caregivers are advised not to feed the implicated batches to infants or young children.
In his 83rd year and pre-deceased by his brothers Willie and Eddie, sisters Biddy and Nuala; the passing of Mr Bourke is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Jessie, brothers John Joe, Mike, Tony, Gerry, Ollie and Pascal, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, former work colleagues in The Ommaroo Hotel, St Helier, Jersey, and a wide circle of friends in Ireland and Jersey C.I.
The extended Bourke family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
167 probationer Gardaí assigned to Garda Divisions nationwide.
Three further attestations scheduled to take place in 2026.
Over 200 new trainees due to enter the Garda College on Monday next, February 9th 2026.
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Mr Jim O’Callaghan today welcomed the attestation of 167 new Gardaí at a ceremony in the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.
A total of 100 men and 67 women were attested and will now be assigned to Garda divisions across the country by the Garda Commissioner.
Of this cohort, 104 probationer Gardaí will be deployed across the Dublin Metropolitan Region, with 21 assigned to the Southern Region, 31 to the Eastern Region and 11 to the North-Western Region. Only two one will be allocated to the Co. Clare/Co. Tipperary Garda division, with one being allocated to Ennis in Co. Clare and one to Clonmel in Co. Tipperary.
Speaking at the Garda College, the Minister said: “I am very pleased to see another 167 new Gardaí attest from Templemore today. This is the first of four attestations due to take place this year and I look forward to larger classes attesting as the year progresses. This cohort of newly attested Gardaí will take up positions in communities across the country as they begin a career of service to their communities, and to the people of Ireland. They join a tradition that stretches back over a century, one built on trust, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the public they serve. Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is now gathering real momentum. I am looking forward to seeing this momentum continue in 2026. The next intake of up to 215 Garda trainees will enter the Garda College next Monday, 9 February.”
Two recruitment campaigns were held in 2025, with over 11,100 applications received to join An Garda Síochána. Engagement is continuing with publicjobs in relation to scheduling and conducting a further recruitment competition in 2026, supporting an ongoing pipeline of recruits into Templemore.
The Minister added that Budget 2026 provides €2.74 billion to support recruitment and staffing in An Garda Síochána. The Minister also said work will continue with the Garda Commissioner to optimise recruitment, including measures to expand training capacity.
The Minister also noted that the Garda Training Review Group has been established to identify how training and continuous professional development capacity can be increased, including consideration of the case for a second Garda training college, in line with a Programme for Government commitment.
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