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Nine News: Richard Dowling, North-East Correspondent, reports on protests over the future of Monaghan General Hospital
The Ceann Comhairle, Rory O'Hanlon, had to be protected from a large crowd by gardaí when he arrived for the official opening of the new Monaghan bypass.
A crowd of up to 7,000 people had gathered as part of a campaign to secure the future of the local hospital.
The crowd barracked and jeered Mr O'Hanlon, who is from the area, and he had to be surrounded by up to eight gardaí.
Members of the Monaghan Community Alliance say the casualty unit in Monaghan is to close - a claim denied by the Health Service Executive.
The Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher, conducted the opening.
Chairman of Monaghan County Council Padraig McNally said Mr Gallagher was due to meet the protestors.
