North awaits 'hot' suspect results

Dept of Agriculture officials are remaining in close contact with their Northern counterparts today amid fears that foot-and-mouth disease has established a firm foothold in the North.

Three cases have already been confirmed, and the results of tests are awaited on two 'hot' suspect cases in Co Tyrone.

Gardai and troops along the border have been put on high alert in order to stop the disease spreading south.