**UPDATE** Slieve Russell shut due to 'Norovirus'

One of the county’s landmark hotels has been forced to shut its doors a week before Christmas following an increased outbreak of the Winter vomiting bug (Norovirus) among residents, staff and patrons.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that the Slieve Russell closed to the public on on Monday, December 19.

Signage at the main entrances to the Ballyconnell hotel informs visitors it is: “Closed until Further Notice. Sorry for any inconvenience. For any queries please contact Reception...”.

The hotel had notified HSE staff on December 12 last that there had been a number of persons suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea illness in the hotel. “Clinical testing had confirmed that this outbreak was caused by Norovirus infection,” the HSE state.

There is presently a high incidence of this infection in the community in Ireland and outbreaks have been noted in hospitals, residential care homes and schools throughout the country.

The hotel itself has issued a statement voicing their “regret” at the temporary closure, but noted that it was done so as a “proactive and precautionary measure”.

“Some of our guests who visited the hotel, as well as members of our staff, have reported symptoms of this Norovirus. We immediately notified the HSE and the Environmental Health Officers and, with their advice and support, we have taken a number of preventative actions over the past week to reduce any risks relating to this virus at our premises.

“The health and safety of our staff, visitors and guests at the Slieve Russell Hotel is of paramount importance to us and we are taking every precaution to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all our patrons.

“We feel it our responsibility, in conjunction with the HSE, to minimise the possibility of spread of further infection to all our staff and patrons. It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision to close the Hotel. The Hotel will reopen as soon as is possible.”