TALLAGHT HOSPITAL HAS moved to restrict visiting hours due to the breakout of a bacterial infection.

It’s understood that an outbreak of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has hit the hospital.

A number of patients have tested positive for the bacteria, which is difficult but not impossible to treat.

However, it is resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics.

The hospital has appealed on its website for only one visitor per patient during designated visiting hours of 2 – 4pm and 6.30pm – 8.30pm.

It said that children are not permitted to visit in any circumstance, though parents and guardians of paediatric inpatients are allowed to visit as normal as the paediatric unit is not affected.

It is encouraging patients with non-urgent requirements to attend their local GP before presenting to Tallaght Hospital emergency department.