No telling where the axe will fall next, says bereaved mother Denise

Ms Denise Livingstone has said the loss of her premature baby, Bronagh, and the implications of the death "must not be swept under the carpet". She has also called for the restoration of maternity services at Monaghan General Hospital.

Ms Livingstone said the rationalisation of health services in the north-east and the withdrawal of maternity services from Monaghan General was "the blueprint for the rest of the country".

"If they get away with it here there is no telling where the axe will fall next."

An interview with Ireland on Sunday was accompanied by a picture of the body of Bronagh Livingstone, which the paper said was "justified, in the hope it will galvanise public opinion behind the campaign to save Monaghan and other local hospitals around the country".

Ms Livingstone said she was disappointed with the independent panel's report and that from the North-Eastern Health Board and she called on the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to intervene.

"Bertie sent his condolences, but it's not going to bring Bronagh back or help the next person this happens to." she said. "He has to open his eyes and see what he and his Government have done. Bertie Ahern and Micheál Martin should put their hands up and say: 'We're sorry. Here is your maternity unit back'."

The independent report did not give her any great cause for hope given that it did not recommend the restoration of maternity services at Monaghan.

"I'm afraid what happened to me is going to happen to other mothers. Monaghan hospital should be there for them. It shouldn't be viewed as a matter of protocol or anything else," Ms Livingstone said.

Calling on both Mr Martin and the CEO of the board, Mr Paul Robinson, to resign, she said they were "spineless" and hiding behind the reports.