Kenny accused of 'vindicitiveness'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was accused of “vindictiveness” at a protest outside Roscommon hospital yesterday as over 500 people gathered to mark the launch tomorrow of an 8am to 8pm service at the former A&E unit.

Campaigners have vowed to take their protest to Croke Park on Sunday week, where they hope to confront the Taoiseach at the All-Ireland football semi-finals where Mayo will face Kerry.

Councillor Paula McNamara, a member of the Roscommon Hospital Action committee (HAC), told protesters that the downgrading of the unit had been sparked by sour grapes between Enda Kenny and local TD Denis Naughten.

"It is too bad that the people of Roscommon have to pay for Enda Kenny's vindictiveness," she told the gathering.

Her colleague, Cllr Valerie Byrne said it was significant that Mr Kenny had made the announcement about the hospital when he was opening Deputy Naughten's new office in June.

Speaking at the protest John McDermott, HAC chairman called on HIQA to carry out an immediate audit of services under the new regime.

"Come down now and tell us that we have a safe service and that we won't have our friends, neighbours and family members dying on the side of the road," said Mr McDermott.

He told the crowd that the committee had received apologies from Deputies Naughten and Luke Ming Flanagan who were away, but there were jeers when he said they had not heard from Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan.

Deputy Feighan voted with the government in the Dail on this issue while Deputy Naughten lost the party whip after voting against the removal of services.