A ward at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry has been closed to new admissions because of an outbreak of  Norovirus.

Ward 42 has been temporarily closed as a result of the bug, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

The Western trust has urged anyone who is unwell not to visit the hospital. It has also issued guidelines to visitors surrounding hygiene.

It is the second outbreak of the Norovirus in a month at the hospital. In June, Ward 20 was closed.

The main symptoms of the Norovirus infection are sudden nausea, stomach ache followed by severe “projectile” vomiting and / or diarrhoea.

Symptoms usually begin between 12 and 48 hours after a person becomes infected.

The search for missing teenager Sean Mc Nair resumed on Lough Swilly at 5 o clock this morning, with members of the Irish Coastguard and the RNLI carrying out searchs in and around the Lough throughout today.

Naval divers are also in the water, and volunteers are carrying out shoreline seaches.

The 17-year-old from Derry hasn’t been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning last.

Derek Flanagan, of the Irish Coastguard is coordinating the search, and says they are not giving up hope of finding him…..

A bookmakers shop in Strabane has been gutted by fire in what is thought to be an act of arson.

The Fire and Rescue Service has been praised for their efforts in controlling the fire at the bookmakers in the Butcher Street area of Strabane.

It is understood the fire broke out a little after 2am this morning, a wheelie bin was set alight with the fire then spreading to the bookies.

Local Councillor Patsy Kelly is confident those responsible will be caught:

Neil McElwee and his wife Yanan Sun

The PSNI has apologised after mistakenly arresting a couple on suspicion of a “sham marriage” for immigration purposes.

Neil McElwee and Yanan Sun, who is of Chinese origin, had just arrived at the Guildhall building in Derry on Tuesday when police arrived and detained all 40 guests.

Yanan is five months pregnant, after being released without charge, the couple went ahead with the wedding on Wednesday.

Police have apologised for any undue upset or distress.

Mr McElwee from Strabane, said that an apology simply isn’t good enough…

The High Court has approved a 2.5 million euro settlement to a 23 year old Donegal woman with cerebral palsy – which is alleged to have arisen from a birth injury.

Lauren Tinney from Buncrana sued the HSE through her mother Eleanor over the handling of her birth at Letterkenny General Hospital in May 1988.

Lauren Tinney has spastic quadroplegia, she is wheelchair bound, and the court heard she has bouts of depression because she is aware of her injuries.

Her lawyers allege she developed cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence during her birth at Letterkenny General Hospital.

They say there was a critical delay of over 24 hours in carrying out an emergency caesarean section.

There has been no admission of liability by the HSE ..in fact this was a highly contested case and Lauren’s solicitor Roger Murray says she is pleased with today’s 2.5 million euro settlement:

While Lauren will always require 24 hour care, the court heard  she’s her own hobbies and interests and today’s award will open a gate to a new level of independence by allowing the 23 year old to live away from her parents for the first time in her life.

Plans have been submitted by the Department of Education for a major new school in Stranorlar.

The new three-story building with 24 classrooms, a teachers room and a library and resource room will be situated at the Mill Brae.

The site, across from the Finn Valley Centre, will allow for much needed extra car-parking spaces.

Local Councillor Patrick McGowan said that the new school is much needed in the area…….

The Order of Malta says the convicted child abuser, Michael Ferry, had no contact with children through the group while he was a member of it.

Michael Ferry worked with the organisation in 1993 with a view to setting up a branch in Gweedore.

However a spokesperson for the order says it never got off the ground and was disbanded long before Michael Ferry faced charges.

Ferry was this week jailed for 14 years on 38 sample counts of sex abuse against four boys on a premises owned by Colaiste Cholmcille.

Order of Malta PRO Jimmy May says he is sure Ferry had no contact with under 18′s involved with the organisation:

Letterkenny General Hospital may be upgraded to regional status in order to being in more money from the hospital’s private work.

Health Minister James Reilly indicated at an Oireachtas Health Committee meeting last evening that he is considering the classification of the hospital, as it is paid less than other large hospitals which do similar amounts of work.

Two weeks ago, Deputy Joe Mc Hugh told the Dail an upgrade to regional status could bring in an extra €2.2 million each year.

Responding to questions from Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue last evening, Minister Reilly said it’s something he is examining. However, he warned there is no quick fix, and no extra money:

Doctors from other EU countries who want to register and work in Ireland are not subject to any test of their medical skills according to the Irish Independent.

The Medical Council, which regulates the profession here, reported 361 complaints against doctors last year — a rise of 22% compared with 2009.

On Tuesday it emerged that Romanian junior doctor 31-year-old Asia Ndaga, who was recruited to work in Letterkenny General Hospital last July, was not able to take a patient’s pulse.

Medical Council president Professor Kieran Murphy said he would not comment on a specific case.

However, he confirmed that because of freedom of movement legislation, doctors from EU states can register to work in another EU country as long as they provide evidence of their qualifications and disciplinary record.

He said the council, along with most of its European counterparts, is now urging the European Commission to exempt doctors from this rule and allow for a test of their clinical skills.

New registration rules will come into effect for junior doctors from outside the EU who want to register to work in Irish hospitals.

This is expected to result in the arrival of a large group of medics from India and Pakistan to ease the shortage of medics in several hospitals.

However, there are fears this will make it easier for unfit doctors to slip through the net.

After weeks of speculations it is expected that the popular Donegal Food and Craft Market, held in Donegal Town, is to be served a closure order in the coming days.

The move is off the back of a complaint form a local business that Casual Trading is taking place in Donegal Town, contrary to the provisions of the Casual Trading Act 1995.

The enforcement is an executive function of the Council.

Councillor Brenden Byrne hopes a solution can be found to allow the market continue: