Kerry hotel remains closed after gas explosion

A landmark hotel in Killarney, Co Kerry, has still not reopened after being damaged a month ago by a fatal gas explosion nearby.

The International Hotel was one of several buildings caught in the force of a huge blast which demolished a launderette and killed its owner, local businessman James Gleeson, aged 59.

Nobody was available for comment at the 90-bedroom town centre hotel yesterday. However, it is understood the hotel could be closed for some months. Killarney is enjoying a busy tourist season and the hotel is losing heavily on trade.