Latest figures from HSE West show that 19 of 24 samples of cryptosporidium taken from sick patients and sent for analysis in Wales are of human and not animal origin. The HSE said that the results do not confirm the parasite outbreak that has infected the drinking water of 90,000 people in Galway city and county is primarily caused by sewage.

Further operation cancellations and delays are expected in hospitals around the country as the work-to-rule by nurses enters its third day. The unions are threatening work stoppages in one week’s time if their demands for a 35-hour working week and a 10% pay increase are not met.

Nurses are accusing health service managers of responsibility for any disruption being felt as a result of their ongoing work-to-rule action. Members of the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association are beginning the third day of the protest today in pursuit of improved pay and conditions.

Seven in 10 people arrested or charged for escaping police or prison custody over the past five years were never convicted for the offence, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

Cancer patients from around the country are travelling to Dublin today to protest against the closure of St Luke’s Hospital in Rathgar. Buses carrying people from Donegal, Wexford and Waterford will arrive in the capital at noon as the cancer sufferers step up their campaign by demonstrating outside the Dáil.

Seven in 10 people arrested or charged for escaping police or prison custody over the past five years were never convicted for the offence, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal. A total of 131 people were either arrested or charged with escaping lawful custody from 2002 to the end of 2006, but only 39 of those resulted in a conviction.

Two shamed teachers jailed for sickening child sex offences will soon be back on the streets after serving half of their sentences, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

Further operation cancellations and delays are expected in hospitals around the country as the work-to-rule by nurses enters its third day.

Tough new legislation to crack down on child sex abuse images is currently being considered by the Government, it was announced today. The Government is hoping to introduce a new offence that would criminalise the possession of cartoons, drawings and material created by the manipulation of computer software depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Nursing unions are meeting today to discuss a possible escalation in industrial action as part of their campaign for improved pay and working conditions. Nursing unions are meeting today to discuss a possible escalation in industrial action as part of their campaign for improved pay and working conditions.