Seven students and staff from the Technicial University of the Shannon (TUS) were brought to hospital as a precaution after being affected by a possible irritant in the air in a section of a campus building.
TUS' Moyilsh campus in north Limerick was evacuated at around 11am before members of Limerick Fire Service arrived to investigate and inspect the building.
No source for the suspected irritant was found and the building was declared safe at around 2.30pm.
It is understood the affected staff and students had experienced issues with sore throats and their eyes watering.
They were taken to University Hospital Limerick as a precaution in line with TUS' protocol.
An investigation is underway into what may have caused the issue.
In a statement this afternoon, the university said: "Technological University of the Shannon Moylish Campus’s main building was evacuated at approximately 11am today as members of Limerick Fire Service investigated complaints of a possible irritant in the air in one part of the building.
"No source was found for the irritant and following the inspection, the fire service have advised that the main building can re-open at 2:30pm."
In an update released later, it said: "Staff and students are now preparing to return to the building.
"As protocol dictates, seven people (including TUS staff and students) were taken to the University Hospital Limerick by ambulance as a precaution.
"TUS has begun an investigation into the cause of this incident."
