The HSE has said it is confident it will have appointed someone to head up its National Office for Suicide Prevention by October following the sudden departure of its director, Stephanie O’Keeffe, last Friday, after just three months in the position.

A massive cyclone was tonight battering north-eastern Australia, tearing roofs off buildings, toppling trees and cutting power to thousands.

Strong winds and driving rain began buffeting north-east Australia today as one of the country’s biggest storms arrived.