10,000 in protest over Hanly report
Saturday, 29 November 2003 19:40
An estimated 10,000 people have marched in Co Tipperary, in protest at a proposed downgrading of the Accident and Emergency department at Nenagh Hospital.
Plans to alter the status of the hospital's casualty department are contained in the Hanly Report on the future of health service provision.
The demonstration was joined by people from Co Clare concerned about a similar fate proposed for the A&E department at Ennis General Hospital.
A number of national politicians, including Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, as well as local interest groups, participated in the protest.
The Defence Minister, Michael Smith, in whose North Tipperary constituency Nenagh lies, and who failed to support Hanly at a public meeting in the town recently, did not take part in the protest.
His department said the minister would not be taking part and he had no comment whatsoever to make on the demonstration.
