Menu
11/07/2008
City Centre Gas Alert Follows Irish Hospital Evacuation
Just hours after the evacuation of patients and staff in a Kilkenny hospital - following a reported gas leak on Thursday morning - part of Belfast city centre was also sealed off in a similar incident.
A total of 28 patients and staff at the Department of Psychiatry in St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny had to be evacuated and taken to St Canice's Hospital after Bord Gáis officials and fire brigade crews were called to the scene.
The Irish Health Service Executive said builders working at the site are thought to have hit a gas pipe between the hospital and a housing estate shortly after 9am.
The evacuated patients were able to return to the hospital later the same day, but the affected wards were closed to visitors and outpatient appointments cancelled for the whole of Thursday afternoon.
However, all essential surgery, which had been postponed earlier in the day, resumed later with an HSE spokesman insisting that the hospital was functioning relatively normally by mid afternoon.
Meanwhile, a gas leak in Belfast city centre has led to a similar evacuation of nearby businesses.
It is understood workmen cut through a pipe in Bedford Street early on Thursday afternoon.
A Phoenix Natural Gas spokesperson said a third-party contractor had damaged the supply.
Workers were told to move for their own safety as levels of gas in the area increased. Engineers were called to the scene to repair the damage.
(BMcC)
A total of 28 patients and staff at the Department of Psychiatry in St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny had to be evacuated and taken to St Canice's Hospital after Bord Gáis officials and fire brigade crews were called to the scene.
The Irish Health Service Executive said builders working at the site are thought to have hit a gas pipe between the hospital and a housing estate shortly after 9am.
The evacuated patients were able to return to the hospital later the same day, but the affected wards were closed to visitors and outpatient appointments cancelled for the whole of Thursday afternoon.
However, all essential surgery, which had been postponed earlier in the day, resumed later with an HSE spokesman insisting that the hospital was functioning relatively normally by mid afternoon.
Meanwhile, a gas leak in Belfast city centre has led to a similar evacuation of nearby businesses.
It is understood workmen cut through a pipe in Bedford Street early on Thursday afternoon.
A Phoenix Natural Gas spokesperson said a third-party contractor had damaged the supply.
Workers were told to move for their own safety as levels of gas in the area increased. Engineers were called to the scene to repair the damage.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
18 October 2012
Gas Storage To Be Built Under Lough
A £440m gas storage facility is to be built a mile underneath Larne Lough. The development will enable 500m cubic metres of natural gas to be stored in caverns underneath the lough. The new bank will be able to hold enough gas to provide energy for Northern Ireland for sixty days.
Gas Storage To Be Built Under Lough
A £440m gas storage facility is to be built a mile underneath Larne Lough. The development will enable 500m cubic metres of natural gas to be stored in caverns underneath the lough. The new bank will be able to hold enough gas to provide energy for Northern Ireland for sixty days.
13 May 2008
Undersea Gas Storage Plan Revealed
Imaginative plans to store natural gas deep under Larne Lough look set to go ahead. If test bores carried out by two energy companies are successful, Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and Portland Gas hope to start storing gas there within a few years if their tests show the area to be suitable.
Undersea Gas Storage Plan Revealed
Imaginative plans to store natural gas deep under Larne Lough look set to go ahead. If test bores carried out by two energy companies are successful, Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and Portland Gas hope to start storing gas there within a few years if their tests show the area to be suitable.
02 November 2007
Inter-Ireland Gas Pipe Completed
Significant development of the gas industry in five major towns and cities along the route of the new inter-Ireland gas pipe is expected to follow completion of the natural gas interconnection. Antrim, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon - including Portadown and Lurgan - and Newry are all expected to benefit from the gas facility.
Inter-Ireland Gas Pipe Completed
Significant development of the gas industry in five major towns and cities along the route of the new inter-Ireland gas pipe is expected to follow completion of the natural gas interconnection. Antrim, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon - including Portadown and Lurgan - and Newry are all expected to benefit from the gas facility.
08 January 2002
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
