Nationally, 593 patients were waiting for a bed in hospital this morning.

The plans call for the demolition of a shed on the north of the site, the construction of the 90 bed facility and 81 residential units as well as a coffee shop and ESB substation.

Guo Zhong Chen, of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, was arrested on August 8th. He currently denies any involvement in the fire. 

Guo Zheng Chen of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, was arrested on August 8 at his home, where he attempted to evade arrest by jumping from a 5-metre high balcony his underwear.

He is charged with setting a fire at the site of a Japanese Restaurant operated by his ex-partner’s brother.

The judge was told the unrest in the town allegedly started on July 4th over a debt worth 50 euro.

The firearm and cartridges will now be forwarded to The Garda Ballistics Unit for further analysis.

The provision of MRI services at the hospital in Mullingar had hit an unexpected roadblock this week when management informed staff the unit would close its doors.