Protest against closure of St Mary's Orthopaedic, Cork

More than 200 people attended the SAVE OUR ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL rally organised by patients, ex-patients and the Campaign for a Real Public Health Service at the hospital gates on Thursday, May 27.

More than 200 people attended the SAVE OUR ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL rally organised by patients, ex-patients and the Campaign for a Real Public Health Service at the hospital gates on Thursday, May 27.
The gathering made a lot of noise chanting "Save, Save, Save, Save Our Orthopaedic" and "1-2-1-2-3 HSE Hear Our Plea!".
The gathering was addressed by Orthopaedic workers Lorraine Collins and Gerard Collins. Lorraine said that the hospital workers were opposed to the closure of the hospital and the transfer of jobs. Gerard said that Fianna Fail would pay a heavy price if the Orthopaedic was shut down on their watch.
Patient Danny Murphy took the mike and said he had received the best of care at the hospital, thanked the workers and said he did not want the hospital to close.
SIPTU union official Joe O'Callaghan said that Siptu would fight the closure all the way and appealed to other unions at the hospital to join with Siptu to fight the issue.
The Campaign for a Real Public Health Service's Cork co-ordinator Cllr Mick Barry (Socialist Party) said that it was important that the unions turned their words into action.
The meeting was also addressed by Jim Cronin the Chairman of the Campaign for a Real Public Health Service, by Cllr Thomas Gould (Sinn Fein), by Cllr Ted Tynan (Workers' Party), and by other patients.
A vote was taken on a proposal to hold a follow up protest on Thursday, June 24 meeting at 1.30pm at the hospital gates. On a show of hands, this was unanimously agreed.