Sixteen premises closed down last month for food safety breaches

Environmental health officers served 16 closure orders and one prohibition order on food businesses last month.

They were for breaches of food safety legislation.

Nine closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, while seven were under EC regulations.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) expressed disappointment at the high number of orders and the lack of vigilance by some owners in ensuring their food businesses are fit for purpose and fully compliant.

WATCH: "Melissa would have wanted us to play" - Mayo players reflect on tragic loss of teammate

This past weekend, the Mayo Ladies football team took to the pitch in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim in the wake of a tragedy that struck one of the clubs in the county. 

Melissa Patterson, a team-mate of many of those in the panel from Castlebar, died in an accident during the week, and those that had played with her or gotten to know her around the club were clearly emotional at the final whistle, as they reflected on the loss of their friend. 

Newstalk presenter Dil Wickremasinghe breastfeeds on live TV - and people had a lot to say about it...

There has been strong reaction after Newstalk presenter Dil Wickremasinghe appeared on the panel of TV3's 'Midday' show - and breastfed her son Phoenix live on air.

Dil was there to discuss attachment parenting with the panellists Tina Koumarianos, Sonia Harris and Terry Prone.

Dil breastfed her new-born baby as she joined 'Midday' host Elaine Crowley, and panellists Tina Koumarianos, Sonia Harris and Terry Prone.

Department of the Environment letter shows anger at Eurostat's "erroneous" Irish Water ruling

A letter from the Department of the Environment is reported to have accused Eurostat of misinterpreting "fundamental issues of fact" with regard to Irish water.

Irish Independent reports that it has seen an official correspondence sent from the Department to the Central Statistic Office (CSO) outlining potential failings in Eurostat's research.

The newspaper describes the letter as "hard-hitting" - the Department is now seeking clarifications regarding 26 serious concerns regarding the decision of the European body.

Actress Susan Sarandon makes plea for death row inmate's life

One of Hollywood's best known actresses has appealed for public help in stopping the execution of a man she says is "clearly innocent".

Sarandon said next month's scheduled execution in Oklahoma shows everything that is wrong with the death penalty in America.

She also described the governor of Oklahoma as a "horrible person" for refusing to intervene.