Good afternoon. Here are your main headlines past midday.
1. Alan Kelly
A bomb threat was called into Minister for Environment Alan Kelly’s constituency office this morning.
The bomb threat was made this morning at 9am by phone to Mr. Kelly’s office in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, the call taken by an assistant of Mr Kelly’s. Gardai were called and a statement was made to detectives who are investigating the incident.
Minister Kelly has described a bomb threat to his constituency office as deplorable.
Separately, Gardai are investigating an arson attack that destroyed two water service vans belonging to Cork County Council at the weekend.
Writer ‐ Aaron McElroy
2. Trinity Dorms Closed
All 8 students living in House 69, Goldsmith Hall in Trinity College had to leave their accommodation after the discovery of blood sucking bed bugs in one of bedrooms in the dorms.
Although only one bedroom was affected, all residents were evacuated to prevent the potential spread. These students have been put up in alternative accommodation by the College.
Bedbugs feed on blood, and can cause rashes and allergic reactions with adult bed bugs being about 5-6mm in length.
A spokeswoman for Trinity College has said that pest control experts have been called to tackle the infestation.
Writer ‐ Ciara Moran
3. Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald is said to be turning up for work as normal tomorrow, despite being suspended from the Dail until Wednesday following her four hour sit in last week.
Ms. McDonald was suspended after she refused to take her seat after an exchange with Tanaiste Joan Burton over water charges.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said the move was an attempt to remove the Mairia Cahill controversy from the news agenda.
Writer ‐ Aaron McElroy
4. Missing Sligo Man
A man from Sligo who had been working in Sweden since March has been missing for a week.
The family of Brian Farrell has made an appeal for information on the missing 32‐year old man who was last seen on Monday last week around 10:30pm near Wirsttroms Pub in Gamla Stan, Stockholm.
Originally from Cullens, Co. Sligo, his family has a Facebook page to help the search. A spokesperson confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs is providing assistance through their embassy.
Writer ‐ Leandro Pondoc
5. Ebola
A doctor from Sierra Leone treated in a US hospital for Ebola has died.
Dr. Martin Salia is the third patient cared for by the Nebraska Medical Center and a native of Sierra Leone who contracted the disease whilst treating patients in his home country. He was flown into the US on Saturday.
While he was placed on multiple medications, including donated plasma from an Ebola survivor and the experimental drug ZMapp, he sadly succumbed to the disease. Dr. Salia is the 10th person to be treated for Ebola in the US and the second to die there.
Writer ‐ Leandro Pondoc