Pensioner ‘crucified by HSE’ needs operation in London

Richard Ranaghan has played a few roles in his time, but this is one he probably didn’t want.

Dressed as Jesus Christ, complete with crown of thorns, he literally hung onto the gates of Leinster House yesterday afternoon, his grandson Michael standing nearby with his walking stick.

Richard, a 75-year-old originally from Belfast but a resident of Dublin for the past 40 years, is in the middle of a 48-hour fast in protest at the HSE’s refusal to sanction funding for an operation in London to remove a spinal fistula that, if not treated, could lead to paralysis.