Tipperary mushroom plant remains closed as 29 Covid-19 cases have been identified

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, at Slane Garda Station last month. The station has now been closed temporarily following a Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Leon Farrell/Rollingnews.ie

A mushroom plant in Co Tipperary remains closed after it emerged 29 staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.

Walsh Mushrooms in Golden, Co Tipperary tested staff after one member tested positive last week.

Ten more cases were identified on Friday and a further 18 cases emerged over the weekend.

After the initial cases were identified, Walsh Mushrooms issued a statement confirming it was temporarily closed and that safety of staff, family members and the community was its priority.

Meanwhile, Slane Garda Station in Co Meath was closed to the public on Monday after two Gardaí stationed there tested positive for Covid-19.

The station is undergoing a deep clean and sanitisation and is expected to reopen to the public on Tuesday.

One Garda was tested after he displayed flu-like symptoms and the other Garda, who works with him, was tested as a precaution. Neither are seriously ill.

No one else in the station party is understood to be symptomatic or expected to have been exposed.

It came as a golf club in Co Laois was also forced to close after a member tested positive for Covid-19.

Abbeyleix Golf Course was closed on Sunday after a male player was found to have contracted the virus.

Liam Ryan, captain at the club, confirmed that the course will remain closed until Wednesday to allow for professional deep cleaning to take place.

Mr Ryan said: “The gentleman who has the virus is doing okay as I have spoken with him.

“As a precaution we have shut the clubhouse and course and will be following all HSE guidelines as well as carrying out a professional deep clean of the premises.”