More news in brief
An outbreak of the winter vomiting bug at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital has led to management imposing restrictions on visitors.
The hospital said yesterday that 25 patients at the hospital currently have symptoms and it appealed to the public not to visit the hospital unless it was essential.
"As we are just entering the winter months it is extremely important that we take all possible steps to contain this infection as quickly as possible," the hospital said.
"To this end we are only allowing one visitor per patient at any given time and absolutely no visits by children. Visiting hours (1pm to 4 pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm) are being rigidly adhered to and we are asking visitors not to visit more than one ward."
Call for elected lord mayor
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce last night called for a directly elected lord mayor for the city.
Eugene McCague, president of the body, said it would help bring the capital to the top of the premier league of capital cities around the world.
"We believe that a directly elected lord mayor - a mayor of the people and not of party politics - would provide the leadership and accountability to take on such a challenge," he said.
"Just as great companies need a strong leader. . . Dublin Inc needs a directly elected lord mayor."
The group also called on the Minister for Finance to ensure the central Exchequer pays its fair share for the services that are provided by local authorities. Too much of the cost was being borne by business rates, it said.
Judge warns on public disorder
A District Court judge has warned public order offenders that they will go to jail.
Judge Mary Martin in Carlow District Court warned that from November 2nd, she is going to give a prison sentence for all public order matters.
Having heard a number of cases relating to unruly late-night behaviour in Carlow town, Judge Martin said that public drunkenness, people urinating on the street, late night rowdiness and breaches of the peace would all fall under the zero tolerance approach.
While acknowledging that the majority of decisions would be appealed to the Circuit Court, Judge Martin said it was time for the Circuit Court to find out what was going on in the town. "Let the Circuit Court tidy up the dirt and pieces and the riff raff of Carlow," she said.
The judge also warned that the sentences will go across the board with no leniency. "It doesn't matter who it is before me, whether it's a poor student or a rich gentleman. They will get a prison sentence."
The judge has also expressed serious concerns about policing in the town.
"I believe recently there were only two gardaí on beat duty, when 2,000 young people emerged out on to the streets of this town."