Six Irish citizens being sought for Polonium-210 tests

Six Irish citizens are being sought to undergo tests for possible radiation poisoning amid the on-going investigation into the death of a former Russian spy in London.

The Health Service Executive says it has been asked by British officials to contact six Irish people who were in London when ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with Polonium-210.

The authorities believe they may have come into contact with Mr Litvinenko, who died in hospital last month just over three weeks after falling ill.

The HSE says it is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Radiological Protection Institute to try to trace these Irish citizens and get them tested.

However, it is stressing that the tests are merely precautionary and do not signify a threat or danger to the public at large.