  The phase behavior of the lattice restricted primitive model (RPM) for ionic
systems with additional short-range nearest neighbor (nn) repulsive
interactions has been studied by grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. We
obtain a rich phase behavior as the nn strength is varied. In particular, the
phase diagram is very similar to the continuum RPM model for high nn strength.
Specifically, we have found both gas-liquid phase separation, with associated
Ising critical point, and first-order liquid-solid transition. We discuss how
the line of continuous order-disorder transitions present for the low nn
strength changes into the continuum-space behavior as one increases the nn
strength and compare our findings with recent theoretical results by Ciach and
Stell [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 91}, 060601 (2003)].
