Second Irish college closes as five get swine flu

THE spread of swine flu in a Donegal Gaeltacht area has forced the closure of a second school, as teachers struggled to cope with the number of sick pupils.

The remaining children are being sent home from Coláiste Bhríde in Ranafast, Co Donegal, this morning after its headmaster yesterday admitted the end of the summer course had been brought forward for safety reasons.

It also emerged last night that nearly 350 people yesterday contacted the special swine flu hotline. It has handled about 1,344 calls so far this week.