SEVERAL of the HSE’s most senior managers received over €7 million in lump sum retirement packages as the economic crisis began to unfold — and have been given another €7.5m in pensions since leaving.

UNDERSPENDING health board bosses were accused yesterday of passing the blame on to the Department of Health for their failure to manage finances properly.

THERE were 55 deaths from cancer - three times the national average - in a small area of Co Limerick where residents claim industrial pollution has harmed public health.