The Week that was

Monday

■ IRELAND could be facing the deadliest outbreak of flu seen in this country in 50 years, experts have warned. Several deaths have already been confirmed here as a result of the ‘Aussie flu’ – a virulent mutation that originated in Australia and which has killed hundreds there.

Tuesday

■ PARENTS employing childminders in the home would get tax back under the latest promise from Fine Gael. Childcare policy is currently focused on subsidies for parents whose children attend crèches. Now, the main Government party is proposing a new tax credit. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe (above).

Wednesday

■ THE health sector has been plunged into chaos as hospitals and GP surgeries are buckling under the strain of a spike in flu cases.

The numbers waiting on trolleys in overcrowded hospitals reached a record high of 656 and GPs said they were inundated with flu and respiratory ailments. Health experts fear the situation will deteriorate as flu cases won’t peak for three to four weeks.

Thursday

■ GARDAÍ are trawling through two mobile phones recovered from an Egyptian teenager as they probe whether a violent rampage is terror-related. A series of frenzied attacks that began at around 9am in Dundalk left a Japanese man dead and two other men seriously injured. Pictured above, the scene of one of the attacks.

Friday

■ PARENTS are now being told to keep their children at home next week if they are showing even minor flu-like symptoms. The spectre of severe disruption to the start of the new term looms large, with parents asked to keep children away from class if they show symptoms. Families who are currently healthy will also be questioning a return to school – with experts warning the flu could spread like wildfire.