More news in brief.
Moneypoint picket if LRC talks fail
The threat of electricity blackouts remained last night as talks continued at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in the dispute over the payment of wages and job security for 200 Polish workers at Moneypoint power station in Co Clare, writes Olivia Kelly.
A strike at the power station, due to begin yesterday morning, was postponed for 24 hours to allow talks at the LRC between the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, the ESB, main contractor German company Lentjes, and subcontractor ZRE Katowicz.
However, the union was planning to place a picket at the plant from this morning if there is no resolution.
Cancer service protest in Sligo
Thousands of people attended a rally to protest at the downgrading of cancer care services at Sligo General Hospital last night as a consultant surgeon warned that the HSE's plan might put people off having treatment, writes Marese McDonagh. Consultant Tim O'Hanrahan said the move would have implications not just for those with cancer but for the thousands who would now face an extra 160-mile round trip from Galway to Sligo just to get a diagnosis.
Nursing home evacuated in fire
Eleven elderly residents of a nursing home in Cork city were evacuated and taken to hospital last night after a fire, writes Barry Roche. Staff at Oakdene nursing home on Prosperity Square managed bring all the residents to safety without injury.