Report on Sudden Death Syndrome to be given to Tánaiste

Recommendations aimed at reducing the occurrence of Sudden Death Syndrome are to be published later this month.

The term is used to describe the unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy young person.

The phenomenon was brought into the public eye with the death of Tyrone GAA football star Cormac McAnallen, at the age of just 24.

The most common cause appears to be an undiagnosed heart condition and doctors estimate that one person dies in Ireland every week from the disease.

In 2004 a National Task Force on the syndrome was established and they will make their recommendations to the Minister for Health, Mary Harney this month.

The report is expected to include suggestions and recommendations for training, equipment and the establishment of a method of surveillance for the illness.