The latest news from the Tipperary Midwest Community Radio news desk!
2016 has been a bad year for South Tipperary General Hospital’s emergency department, with INMO figures revealing that in the first 11 months of the year the overcrowding level at the hospital increased by 162%. This is despite the trolley figures nationally showing a 1% improvement.
Throughout the country in that period of time 85,731 people were admitted for in-patient care but were left on trolleys as no beds were available.
When the figures for November are considered, it reveals that the problem at South Tipp General got even worse, with the overcrowding rate increasing by 252%
Commenting, the INMO described the overall figures as disappointing, but put some of the deterioration in November down to the need to close 180 beds across the country for infection control reasons.
Despite this however, the INMO notes that the spread of infection can be seen as a direct consequence of the daily overcrowding taking place in the wards of many hospitals across the health service.
The figures will be presented to the Emergency Department Taskforce when it meets on Monday afternoon.
3 men have been arrested following a garda operation in the East Limerick/West Tipperary area this morning.
The searches were carried out as part of Operation Thor by gardai investigating a spate of burglaries in the areas of Tipperary, Doon, Cappawhite and Bruff.
Gardai say that €10,000-worth of property and cannabis herb was seized in the course of the search operation.
The three males who were arrested are being held at Tipperary town, Bruff and Roxboro Road garda stations.
Gardai in Tipperary town are urging the public to be aware of a scam tarmac service operating in the area.
The service is being offered by individuals travelling the area in two vehicles.
One vehicle is a UK-registered Ford Transit van with the words ‘Highway Maintenance’ written on the side or back.
The other vehicle also has a UK registration and is a silver Opel Insignia car.
Gardai say that under no circumstances should anyone engage with these individuals, and if anyone sees either of these vehicles to contact Tipperary town gardai on 062 51212.