Hospital Campaign to Continue

The committee spearheading the campaign to preserve the status of Louth County Hospital are determined to continue their efforts to have the decision by the HSE to move specific services to Drogheda reversed.

Despite many public and well attended meetings Minister for Health Mary Harney has refused to listen, and early in December said that the plans to transfer services was about the improvement of services, despite furious protests from Dundalk.

She said: "I can understand the protests. People are afraid of change but we have to listen to doctors and not politicians on this one. It is all about the improvement of services in Louth, not about saving money."

What a load of rubbish from the Minister without either a party, or a mandate from the people.

It is ludicrous to suggest that doctors would make such a decision.

Unless, of course she means Professor Brendan Drum, and then of course one realises that he knows on which side his bread is buttered, so to speak.

Earlier in the campaign, Minister Dermot Ahearn, from nearby Blackrock, made lavish promises at public meetings that he would ensure that the Louth County Hospital would not be downgraded, but it appears he was not in a position to deliver on his promise.

This huge gaff on his part would appear to have cost him dearly in terms of popularity, and what had earlier been a very promising political career, with potential for the 'top job' now seems to have waned.

Mountain Rescue Callout Disgrace

The recent rescue of two Dundalk couples from the Cooley mountains in the one incident, which involved fire crews from Dundalk and Carlingford, as well as an ambulance from Dundalk poses some some serious questions.

It would appear they went for a drive on St. Stephens Day, on the section of the mountain west of the Long Woman's Grave, in the area of the Clermont Cairn, where the television ond communications mast is sited and with the prevailing icy conditions, their vehicle got stuck.

No doubt they all had mobile phones in their pockets, but instead of calling a friend to arrange for a 4x4 or local tractor to help get them out, they call the emergency services and tie up their time for hours.

In accordance with the callout charges introduced in recent years it would be a lesson to them if they are saddled with a hefty bill for their shenanigans.