
Irish start-ups recognised globally for work in sustainability and medtech
Laura Mora, managing director at EcoVerify, said the accreditation will help Ireland take the lead in climate action and transparency.
'In a world of shifting regulations and rising ESG (environmental, social, and governance) scrutiny, verified sustainability is no longer optional – it's a strategic differentiator,' Ms Mora said.
'Sustainability isn't just for the big players. SMEs verified today are tomorrow's preferred suppliers. We are therefore delighted to achieve the certification which ensures that the confidence in the quality of services we offer to the market is fully justified.'
Set up in 2023, EcoVerify has worked with SMEs to help them comply with global sustainability standards.
The firm was granted ISO 14068-1, which outlines the various requirements for achieving carbon neutrality, by the Dutch Accreditation Council.
EcoVerify is also the first Irish-owned firm accredited under ISO 17029, which allows it to verify carbon neutrality and net-zero credentials.
It said that the new accreditation will allow the company expand its services to include tailored training and verification programmes for small businesses to strengthen their work around sustainability.
Irish medtech company OncoAssure has said it will launch its new diagnostic tool for prostate cancer into the US market.
The test is designed to help professionals assess cancer risk in their patients. It can be used to make key decisions in the treatment of cancer, post-biopsy and post-surgery.
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OncoAssure, co-founded by Des O'Leary and Professor William Gallagher in 2021, made the announcement at the American Urological Association's (AUA) annual meeting in Las Vegas.
'This launch represents a major milestone in the commercialisation of the test in the US market,' said Mr O'Leary, who is the firm's CEO.
'Access to prognostic testing remains limited for many patients in the US, making the launch of OncoAssure Prostate especially timely.
'This test addresses a critical need by providing reliable information to distinguish between aggressive and low-risk forms of prostate cancer, helping to reduce overtreatment and improve patient outcomes.'
The company, headquartered at University College Dublin's research hub NovaUCD, will hold an investment round later this year to fund the commercialisation and continued development of its products.
Mr O'Leary said the prostate test works by identifying genes that show the progression of cancer. He said it would be easy for medical professionals to integrate it into their work.
'The OncoAssure prostate test incorporates the widely used CAPRA (Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment) score – a way for doctors to evaluate cancer risk – allowing seamless integration into current care pathways,' he said.
He added that it would help the company introduce more cancer detection products
'Building on this momentum, we've made strong progress in developing our next product, a prognostic test for skin melanoma,' he said.
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Agriland
30 minutes ago
- Agriland
Poultry farmers seek more support for when disease strikes
Farmers want "poultry disease compensation scheme" funding in Budget 2026. The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has outlined that a scheme is needed for table egg layers and broiler breeders in particular, as the current scheme "does not fully reimburse losses or even the value of the stock at the time the loss is incurred". "The current funding mechanism does not adequately support the needs of farming families or the poultry sector," according to the IFA. "The Irish poultry industry consistently delivers improvements in biosecurity and disease prevention; however, in the rare case when support is required, it falls drastically short." The IFA poultry committee, in conjunction with Poultry Ireland, is asking the government to allocate additional funding in Budget 2026 to the poultry sector for specific diseases. The IFA is also seeking the establishment of an 'island culling team' to ensure the sector can "quickly respond to contain diseases should there be an outbreak". Salmonella is one of the diseases of concern for poultry farmers, especially with its public health significance. The IFA said that recently, there have been some detections of salmonella within the poultry sector. "These cases were identified at stages where there was no risk to human health, highlighting the effectiveness of on-farm controls, sampling regimes and official testing structures," the IFA said. "However, these incidents have underscored the considerable risks poultry farmers carry and the absence of adequate support mechanisms if a farm is affected." The IFA is seeking support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on a "national disease support structure" for the sector. Salmonella is an "ubiquitous bacterium" with many serotypes, which are typically found in human and animal digestive tracts, a spokesperson for DAFM explained. "There are a large variety of salmonella serotypes with some of them more common in poultry than others," DAFM said. "All poultry types are susceptible to salmonella. Only a few of these salmonella serotypes are of poultry health interest, meaning that they cause disease in poultry, while not affecting humans." These are: salmonella gallinarum, salmonella pullorum and salmonella arizonae - and DAFM told Agriland that they are not present in Ireland. Poultry can carry zoonotic salmonella serotypes, including salmonella enteritidis and salmonella typhimurium. These zoonotic salmonella serovars have the potential to cause human illness - but not illness in poultry. "There is a low incidence of zoonotic salmonella serotypes in commercial poultry flocks in Ireland, in large part due to biosecurity measures and on-farm controls taken," DAFM said. Under EU regulations, table egg layers (hens), broilers, broiler breeders, fattening turkeys, and turkey breeder flocks are tested at defined intervals for public health significant serotypes, according to the department. "This is done by taking boot swabs and in some cases dust swabs to detect salmonella in the poultry environment," a DAFM spokesperson said. "The monitoring is carried out under the Salmonella National Control Plan. Flocks considered to be backyard, i.e. on non-intensive holdings, are not included in the plan." The Salmonella National Control Plan was established in 2012., with the aim of reducing or controling the prevalence of salmonella in a number of regulated serovars under the EU zoonoses regulations. The plan operates on an ongoing basis and includes regular sampling by both department staff and farmers at multiple points during the life stages of the broiler flocks, DAFM explained. There are multiple potential routes of entry of salmonella into a poultry flock - but these are controlled by good standards of biosecurity. And credit is due to Ireland's poultry keepers: there is an overall low incidence of salmonella recorded in Irish flocks. Salmonella vaccination in poultry is not carried out routinely in Ireland, partly due to this low incidence of salmonella, according to the DAFM spokesperson. This low incidence, alongside the strict and good biosecurity measures in place and indirect benefits from heat treatment of poultry feed, are proven to be important measures in the control of salmonella in Ireland. The department allocates funding annually for the compensation of zoonotic salmonella outbreaks in poultry flocks, on a ex-gratia basis. The scheme applies only to suspected or confirmed outbreaks of salmonella enteritidis and typhimurium, the DAFM spokesperson said. All broiler breeder and turkey breeder farms and table egg laying farms infected with these are subject to compulsory slaughter. Payment is only made following confirmation by a department veterinarian that all relevant biosecurity measures have been adhered to. Salmonella species can cause illness called salmonellosis in humans, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) explained. In 2023, salmonellosis was the fourth most commonly reported foodborne infection in humans in Ireland, according to FSAI data, and the second most commonly reported overall in the EU. Salmonella enterica is a key cause of foodborne illness, the FSAI told Agriland. "Out of its six sub-species, enterica is the most relevant to human health and includes over 2,400 serotypes," the FSAI explained. "In recent years, the majority of reported human cases of salmonellosis in Ireland have been attributed to its serotypes salmonella typhimurium and salmonella enteritidis." People infected with salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between six and 72 hours. The FSAI advises that the most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. "While most people recover without treatment, diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. "The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness," the FSAI said. The authority notes that many foods have been identified as potential sources of transmission for salmonella to humans. This includes foods of animal origin, as well as non-animal foods that may be susceptible to faecal contamination. Those of particular importance include undercooked poultry meat (chicken, turkey, duck, and goose) and undercooked pork meat, the FSAI warned. The authority recently confirmed a recall of a batch of turkey burgers due to the possible presence of salmonella. The implicated batch of Hogan's Farm Turkey Burgers has a use-by date of July 26, 2025, and although this date has passed, the FSAI noted that the product is suitable for home freezing. As a result, the authority is advising consumers to check their freezers for the affected batch and not to eat the burgers. "There have also been salmonellosis outbreaks linked to contaminated eggs and egg products, raw (unpasteurised) milk, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and processed foods (e.g., bakery products, sweets, and chocolate)," the FSAI told Agriland. "Consumption of undercooked duck eggs or dishes containing raw or lightly cooked duck eggs have been linked to outbreaks of salmonellosis in Ireland in recent years." To reduce the risk of exposure to salmonella and the development of salmonellosis, consumers should always cook food thoroughly. Good hygiene must also be practised, along with avoiding cross-contamination. Food should also be stored correctly. The FSAI notes that eggs are stored at ambient temperature in retail shops, but it is recommended that they are refrigerated by consumers at home. According to the FSAI, there has been recent evidence to suggest that imported poultry products may present a higher risk of salmonella contamination compared to domesticallyproduced Irish poultry. "This risk may vary depending on the country of origin for the poultry, the production standards they use, and the salmonella control measures they have in place," the FSAI explained. In 2022, the FSAI undertook a National Microbiological Survey assessing the microbiological quality of chilled and frozen coated poultry meat preparations and poultry meat products intended to be consumed cooked. Salmonella infantis was detected in 1.3% of the samples surveyed. Four of the contaminated products originated from Poland (one) and Ukraine (three), while the country of origin for the fifth product could not be determined.


Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Home help: I suffer from insomnia. How can I make my bedroom more conducive to sleep?
Darren Kennedy gets tips from an expert on how to set up your bedroom for a proper night's rest You're not alone. According to new research from furniture company DFS, many of us are getting just three good nights' sleep a week, with one in six people saying they never get a proper night's rest. And while high-tech gadgets and supplements are becoming increasingly popular, sleep expert Anne Marie Boyhan says it all starts with your bedroom environment. First things first: clutter. It might sound simple, but keeping your bedroom clean and tidy can have a huge impact. That pile of laundry in the corner or cluttered bedside table can elevate stress levels. Studies show that sleeping in a messy room can actually increase sleep disturbances. Then there's your bed itself. According to the research, nearly a third of people blame an uncomfortable bed for poor sleep. Boyhan says: 'Rotate your mattress every six months and replace it after 10 years.' A good mattress and supportive pillows are not a luxury but a necessity if you want to sleep better and feel energised the next day. Summer adds another layer of difficulty. The optimal room temperature for sleep is around 18.3C, but many Irish bedrooms creep into the 20s during warmer months, which disrupts melatonin production and makes it harder to fall and stay asleep. 'Your core body temperature needs to drop in order for you to fall asleep,' says Boyhan. 'That means your bedroom set-up is crucial.' Her advice? Keep your bedroom cool and dark. During the day, close windows and curtains to keep heat out. In the evening, use a fan to circulate air and take a lukewarm shower before bed to help lower your core temperature gradually. Swap out heavy duvets for low-tog alternatives or use a light throw, and opt for breathable, natural fabrics for bedding and sleepwear – synthetics can trap heat and make you sweat. Blackout blinds are ideal, but if they're not an option, a good eye mask will help block out summer light. And this is smart: fill a hot water bottle with cold water and place it by your feet in bed. It cools you down slowly, helping your body relax into sleep. If insomnia continues to be a challenge, it might be worth investing in a mattress with temperature-regulating properties — some are designed specifically to increase airflow and help you to stay cool through the night.


The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Lotto bosses reveal where in Ireland huge six-figure sum won as they urge players to ‘double check' their tickets
A LUCKY player is celebrating after bagging a huge sum in last night's Lotto EuroMillions Plus draw. The Lotto player managed to scoop a whopping €500,000 after matching all five numbers. 1 A lotto player has bagged their huge prize in last night's draw Credit: Getty Images - Getty The winning ticket was purchased on Thursday, August 7, from the Gala Express store at the Courtown Harbour in Co Wexford. The winning numbers in last night's draw were 5, 21, 26, 27 and 40. And 58 players managed to match four numbers, bagging themselves €2,000 each. Announcing the location where the winning ticket was purchase, Darragh O'Dwyer from National Lottery said: "The seaside town of Courtown in Ireland's sunny South East has produced a top prize winner in the EuroMillions Plus draw worth an astounding €500,000. "If you bought your ticket in Courtown, now's the time to double check, you could be Ireland's newest big winner." Players in Co Wexford are urged to double-check their tickets and ensure that the numbers match. The winner has been urged to check their clips carefully, sign them immediately and keep them safe if it's the winning ticket. They have been advised to make contact with the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@ They will make arrangements for the lucky winner to claim their prize at Lotto Headquarters. While there was no winner of the main EuroMillions draw with the jackpot worth an eye-watering €197,504,622, in total, over 68,000 players won prizes in both draws. Exact location of winning €250 million ticket revealed And 32 Irish players managed to match four numbers and one star in the main draw, winning themselves €101 each. The numbers for the Ireland-only raffle were revealed, with winning players bagging themselves a whopping €5,000. The winning numbers were: I-SMQ-01702, I-SMV-00970, I-SMV-54055, I-SMV-97615, I-SMW-18348, I-SMX-69359, I-SMX-77679, I-SMZ-39213, I-SNC-29677 and I-SND-20499. LIFE-ENHANCING PRIZE Earlier this week, a lotto player celebrated after bagging a life-enhancing €60,394 on August 3. The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on the day of the draw from Tesco, Athenry Shopping, Athenry, Co. Galway. The punter matched five numbers and the bonus on Saturday night. And the lucky numbers in last night's Lotto draw were: 2, 3, 6, 9, 24, 39 and the bonus was 34. While there was no winner of the Lotto jackpot worth €13,704,859. In total over 109,000 players won prizes in the Lotto & Lotto Plus draws. National Lottery spokesperson, Darragh O'Dwyer, said: 'What a fantastic night for one player in Galway who has claimed a life-enhancing €60,394 after matching 5 numbers and the bonus in last night's main Lotto draw. "If you bought your ticket in Galway, now's the time to double-check, you could be Ireland's newest big winner.'