Eddie Reade To Establishment Parties - "Come Clean On The Future Of St Brigid's Hospital"
Eddie Reade has called on the establishment political parties to come clean with the people about the future of St Brigid’s Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. The Éirígí spokesperson was speaking after addressing the latest public protest at the hospital on Saturday last (November 14).
Reade said, “Any Councillor, T.D. or Senator that has information in relation to the future of St Brigid’s needs to come clean with the people of South Tipperary. Such information should not be used as a means to garner votes or enhance political careers. Any politician that attempts to do so will be outed to the community and pay the price for their cynical underhanded behaviour at the next election.”
Eddie Reade at Saturday’s protest in Carrick-on-Suir
Reade was speaking after the third straight week of renewed protests in Carrcik-on-Suir, which again brought traffic to a standstill on the N24 - the main road link between the cities of Waterford and Limerick.
Reade continued, “It is now six months since the people of Carrick and the surrounding areas took to the streets to demand a resumption of both respite and hospice services in St Brigid’s.
In all that time we have yet to receive a meaningful guarantee from the government, or their local representatives, that the services will be resumed. Instead they have attempted to fob us off with nods, winks and soft words.
The latest example of this double-speak has seen the authorities agree in principle to meet with Dr Johnny Flannagan to discuss the future of the hospital, but fail to commit to a specific time and place for that meeting to take place. Dr Flanagan’s father was instrumental in retaining services in St Brigid’s during a previous attempt to close the hospital.
The anger in the community is palpable. Individuals and groups who have never been previously involved in any form of political campaign are now joining the weekly protests. We now need to intensify the demand for a public statement from the government guaranteeing long-term funding for resumed services in St Brigid’s.
I would encourage people from Carrick-on-Suir and the wider community of South Tipperary to join us at the next protest at 2pm on Saturday, November 21st in the grounds of St Brigids. Together we can win this fight and restore a vital public service to the town.”