The Argus

800 attend public meeting in Town Hall

October 1987

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THE strength of opposition to any reduction in services at the Louth county hospital is fully illustrate­d when 800 people fill the town hall to capacity.

Feelings run high, and public representa­tives receive a hostile reception, are heckled and frequently interrupte­d.

The stormy atmosphere prevails over a two-hour meeting. However, it degenerate­s into political slanging, and many people stream out before the finish.

Speakers from a recently-formed action committee are applauded to the echo, as they call on locals to unite, stand up and be heard in the campaign to maintain the complete services of the hospital.

Also, a demand is made that the children’s ward be re-opened immediatel­y.

Chairman of the North-Eastern Health Board, Joe Farrell and Junior Minister, Séamus Kirk, say that the hospital’s future is assured, amid the heckling.

N.E.H.B. programme manager, Des Scully points out the Louth is no different from any other hospital in the region.

All have to implement cutbacks, and until the board’s finances are put in order, the children’s ward cannot be re-opened.

Dr. Mary Grehan says on the Health Minister’s own admission, the paediatric service in the north-east region is lacking.

How then, can he explain the closing of the children’s ward?

There are 750 children who pass through it each year, and out of that number, only 20 had to be referred elsewhere for special treatment last year.

Parents and their children obviously find it more than adequate, Dr. Grehan continues.

So, how can the minister justify asking people to travel to Drogheda or even further to Dublin?

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