THE WIFE of Sinn Féin TD and Monaghan hospital campaigner Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, Breige Ó Caoláin, was involved in a traffic collision in Co Monaghan yesterday.
The incident involving Ms Ó Caoláin’s SUV, another 4 x 4 and a car, happened at about 3.30pm only feet from the gates of Monaghan hospital yet because services at that hospital have been downgraded, Ms Ó Caoláin had to be taken to Cavan hospital 40 miles away.
Her injuries are not thought to be serious. Mr Ó Caoláin was not in the vehicle when the incident occurred but he was quickly on the scene, where he was visibly shaken and angry that his wife could not be treated in her local hospital.
Newly elected Fine Gael Monaghan town councillor Tommy Hagan said at the scene: “It is an absolute disgrace that a serious accident like this can happen only feet from the gates of Monaghan hospital yet someone with serious injuries has to be taken to Cavan hospital.”
Peadar McMahon, chairman of Monaghan Hospital Alliance, which campaigns for the restoration of full medical services at Monaghan hospital, said: “This just shows the stupidity of the whole Government policy of centralisation when an injured person has to be taken over 30 miles to Cavan hospital from the gates of an existing hospital.”