At least three Irish people were staying in a luxury Italian hotel where a man died from suspected food poisoning and 16 people were hospitalised.

But despite the food scare, the trio have elected to finish their stay in the exclusive Lake Garda hotel which was a firm favourite with former British prime minister Winston Churchill.

Their travel company has been in contact with them to offer alternative accommodation but the trio have decide to stay put.

British tourist Geoffrey Appleyard (71) died on Sunday after a suspected outbreak of food poisoning at the four-star Grand Hotel Gardone on the banks of Lake Garda in northern Italy.

Forty others were reported ill on the same night and 16 of those had to be hospitalised.

Orla Markey, spokesperson for Irish travel company Crystal, confirmed that three Irish people were staying in the hotel.

She said they had met with travel representatives and had decided to stay on at the hotel. Ms Markey confirmed the outbreak of illness among the guests.

"The kitchen is closed at the moment," she said adding that the food is being provided by outside caterers.

"The Italian authorities are investigating," she said but the hotel has not been closed.

A spokesperson for the hotel said that it would not be shutting its doors unless the authorities ordered it to.

Ms Markey said that holidays to the luxury hotel in a country famed for its food would not be cancelled.

concerns

However, she said anyone who had booked accommodation at the Grand Hotel Gardone through Crystal should ring the company straight away.

Ms Markey added that if anyone had serious misgivings about staying in the hotel, they would be switched to a different hotel or resort.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that they had not been contacted for consular assistance by anyone in the hotel.

She said: "We are monitoring the situation but as far as we are aware there is nobody there in need of consular assistance."

Mr Appleyard was on holidays with his wife Jean (74) when he fell ill with crippling stomach pains.

Paramedics were called but he had passed away by the time they arrived.

Forty other people were taken to hospital by ambulance, with some remaining in hospital for several days.

The Grand Hotel Gardone boasts beautiful views of Lake Garda.

It is described as one of the most luxurious and exclusive in the region. Its restaurant has also received glowing reviews.

- Sarah Neville