It has been claimed that up to 30 people have died at a Limerick hospital after being infected with superbugs.

A whistleblower is alleging there has been a long-term failure by local managers to tackle an outbreak that dates back to 2009 in the city’s University Hospital.

The whistleblower alerted HIQA to their concerns in 2014, who published a report criticising the hospital’s facilities for limiting the spread of infection.

However, since then a further eight cases have been found in the hospital in the second quarter of this year.

The HSE has yet to comment this morning, but the problem is a major concern for staff.