Nov 25, 2019 | DNA Testing
Irish Islamic State (IS) supporter Lisa Smith and her 2-year-old daughter may be delayed returning home as Irish officials in Turkey conduct checks to confirm their identities. Ms Smith is currently being held in a camp on the Turkish–Syrian border. A delegation from... 
Nov 18, 2019 | Alcohol Testing
Alcohol is a factor in more than half of all fatal fires in Irish homes, according to a new study by the Health Research Board (HRB). The study examined 101 domestic fires between 2014 and 2016 that resulted in 106 fatalities. Of these fatalities, 51% had alcohol in... 
Nov 11, 2019 | Drug Testing
The biggest increases in recorded drug crime countrywide are occurring outside of Dublin. Sizeable increases have been recorded in many locations in Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Sligo, Carlow, Louth, Mayo, Kildare and Westmeath. Garda sources believe higher disposable... 
Nov 4, 2019 | DNA Testing
A DNA test before baby is born is now available from AlphaBiolabs. This in-house prenatal DNA test can accurately determine the paternity of a baby whilst still in the womb. This is a non-invasive prenatal paternity test, so there is no risk of miscarriage. As such,... 
Oct 28, 2019 | Drug Testing
Politicians are claiming that a ‘cocaine epidemic’ is sweeping across parts of the west of Ireland. “We have never seen [amounts of] cocaine like this, we have never seen this amount of people who are taking cocaine”, said Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Fein TD. Compared... 
Oct 21, 2019 | DNA Testing
Being pregnant is very much a waiting game. Waiting for the first scan, waiting for the first kick, and of course waiting for the big event itself. However, many parents simply can’t wait to learn their baby’s gender. This is usually revealed at the second ultrasound... 
Oct 14, 2019 | DNA Testing
Not everyone enjoys their pregnancy because they are unsure who the father is. Waiting to DNA test the baby after its birth can cause arguments, upset and worry at an already stressful time. It is possible to determine paternity during pregnancy using amniocentesis or... 
Oct 7, 2019 | Alcohol Testing
The process of nail alcohol testing is similar to hair testing for assessing long-term alcohol misuse. The two techniques are similar in that both nails and hair are made from the fibrous protein keratin. As the nail grows, substances can pass from the blood vessels... 
Sep 30, 2019 | DNA Testing
The Loch Ness Monster has apparently been caught on camera again, making it the 16th sighting of the year. This year has had the highest number of sightings of the creature in 36 years. The most recent one comes from Eoin O’Faodhagain from County Donegal. An... 
Sep 24, 2019 | Drug Testing
The Medical Council has warned that the over-prescribing of drugs is affecting the safety and wellbeing of Irish patients. The council is seeking to take action at national level, as it believes this issue is negatively affecting the safety of patients. It has warned...