Ahern assures towns over SARS fears

HOST towns for the Special Olympics were yesterday urged by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to maintain a sense of perspective over the SARS scare.

He acknowledged public concerns about a health threat but advised Irish communities not to make any snap decisions.

"In my view," said the Taoiseach, "it's too early for any host town to decide that adequate arrangements to provide the kind of reassurance required on this issue cannot be put in place."