The HSE has confirmed that more than 50 people have fallen ill after an outbreak of food poisoning due to Salmonella in North Dublin.

The statement comes a week after Sandra O’Brien, who was in her 50s, died from suspected food poisoning at a First Communion party.

The Health Service Executive confirmed that the outbreak has affected “multiple groups”.

The HSE is liaising with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and an Outbreak Control Team has been formed and an investigation is ongoing.

The statement continues: “The HSE is aware of more than 50 people (including 4 children) ill from a number of separate groups of family parties supplied by a North Dublin food business on Saturday 13th May and Sunday 14th May.

“To date five people were admitted to hospital and 16 of those ill have been confirmed as Salmonella.”

The first cases of food poisoning were notified to the HSE on Thursday May 18. The statement confirms that a north Dublin food business was identified as the common link in this outbreak.

“The investigation is focused on this business. A Closure Order was served on the food business on Friday 19th May.”

The HSE say the investigation is ongoing and includes further examination of the food business operation and food served and assessment of the information from ill and well persons who consumed food.

(BTW, the mask worn by Garth is somewhat equivalent to the mask I wore when I started playing goal in 1969, except Garth’s is better. A couple of years later, in pee wee, the kids could fire the puck and who knows how many concussions I had, along with playing middle linebacker in high school football, so questions of PTSD are never far from what is left of my mind.)