Fears have risen that the financial and personal details of Irish tourists have been severely compromised after the €36.5bn hotel chain Marriott said that a key reservation system had been hacked.

Plans by the Athlone, Co Westmeath-based Hodson Bay Group to expand into the booming Dublin hotel market have been halted by an appeal from An Taisce.

UP to 250 jobs will be created in Athlone with the development of the 12-storey Sheraton Athlone Hotel, which opens in April next year.