THE notice announcing the death of Patrick Walsh said he had gone peacefully but if that is so, the retired farmer’s last moments contrast starkly with the strife his untimely passing has left behind.

COMMUNITIES in Monaghan are pleading with the Health Service Executive to drop plans to downgrade smaller hospitals following the death of a two-week-old baby who had to endure a two-hour ambulance journey to Dublin because there was no local neo-natal intensive care unit.

A HOSPITAL unable to treat a heart attack victim because its A&E service was off-call will remain closed to emergencies for at least two months.

AN elderly man who suffered a heart attack just 500 yards from Monaghan Hospital died as ambulance staff were forced to rush him to Cavan Hospital 45 miles away.