Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has described as scandalous the cancellation of medical appointments at the Mercy Hospital on 20th May to facilitate the visit of the English Queen to Cork.
Deputy O’Brien said:
“Today I received a phone call from a constituent who had been told by the Mercy Hospital – where she had a medical appointment for 20th May – that she would not be able to drive to the hospital but could only access it on foot. Moreover, if she wanted to keep her appointment she and anybody accompanying her would need to provide photographic ID. According to the hospital, all patients with appointments on the 20th May were being contacted and these measures were being implemented on the advice of the Garda to provide security for the forthcoming visit by the English queen.”
“This woman has been waiting months for a hospital appointment. If she is unable to get to the hospital on 20th May, she will have to wait until July.”
“There will be many patients who, because of their age, state of health, or location, are not able to walk to the hospital and will have their appointments cancelled.”
“It is absolutely scandalous that sick and elderly people should be treated in this way so that the English queen can parade around our city. What kind of threat do hospital patients pose that they need security clearance to get to their appointments? And why should people who live in this city be told they cannot drive to their local hospital because of a foreign monarch?”
“On 20th May Cork will be subjected to a massively costly and massively inconvenient security operation for an unwelcome visitor whose presence will bring no benefit to our city.”
For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907
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