Protesters fast over Monaghan hospital status

A number of TDs will today join protesters holding a fast outside the Department of the Taoiseach over what they claim is the downgrading of Monaghan General Hospital.

Groups of activists, comprising members of Monaghan town council, Monaghan county council and members of the public, have been staging bread-and-water fasts in relays of 24 hours outside Government Buildings since September 28th. They plan to continue their fast until next Monday.

They are demanding the direct intervention of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to save the hospital from what they say is its eventual closure by the North Eastern Health Board.

Sinn Féin's Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Independent TDs Mr Paudge Connolly and Mr Finian McGrath will attend today to voice their support for the protesters.

Mr Ó Caoláin said: "This is a scandalous situation. The health of Monaghan people and their lives are at risk".

A spokesman for the protesters, Mr Mícheál MacDonncha, said they had yet to receive any response from either the Taoiseach or the Minister for Health, Mr Martin. He said the matter had been raised during Dáil questions but was met with "the standard answers".

"The Government has merely batted the ball back to the health board," he said. "But ultimately, the hospital is the responsibility of the Minister".

The North Eastern Health Board said two weeks ago it would establish a forum to "try to resolve the current service difficulties".

Elsewhere, 35 workers at the Spring Valley private nursing home in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, are continuing their industrial action, which has been running since the end of August. They will be joined by SIPTU president Mr Des Geraghty this morning and by ICTU president Mr Joe O'Toole this afternoon.

The workers, comprising care assistants, housekeepers and kitchen staff, are striking over pay and conditions. SIPTU claims they are being replaced by non-union staff and that management have refused to attend meetings at the Labour Relations Commission.