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Thousands Demand Full Return Of Midlands Maternity Services

Monday, 18 August 2025 09:33

An estimated 2,000 people turned out for Saturday's protest.

Thousands of people have come together in the midlands to call for full maternity services to be returned to Portiuncula Hospital.

A public protest, organised by the The Portiuncula Maternity Alliance, marched through Ballinasloe town to the facility for a demonstration on Saturday.

The group wants to meet with the Minister of Health, and for there to be a full review into the national maternity network.

Independent Councillor in the area, and Alliance member, Eveyln Parsons was one of the speakers at Saturday's event.

She says the HSE has questions to answer:

The Health Service must stop prioritising bigger hospitals over smaller regional facilities, like Portiuncula Hospital.

That's the view of the Secretary of the former Portlaoise Hospital Committee John Hanniffy who was also born in the hospital.

Mr Hanniffy who also spoke at the protest says it's what's needed for the facility:

These people at the protest say they're fighting to keep the services in place:

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