HSE to investigate CJD 'cluster' in south Co Dublin

The Health Service Executive is reportedly set to investigate a possible cluster of vCJD cases on the Dublin-Wicklow border.

The move follows concerns expressed by a coroner in Dublin about possible geographical links between three cases of the brain disease.

At an inquest into the death of a 24-year-old CJD sufferer from Shankill, Co Dublin, earlier this month, the coroner said he was aware of two other cases with links to the same area.

He said an Offaly woman who died from the disease had family connections in nearby Ballybrack, while he was also aware of a young man from Bray who was suffering from CJD.

Reports this morning said Health Minister Mary Harney confirmed yesterday that the chief medical officer of her department had asked the HSE to investigate possible links between the three cases.