Silent vigil over HSE plans
Up to 2,000 people from all over the county and as far north as Donegal, began a candlelit march to the gates of Sligo General Hospital at 8pm.
No speeches were made at the event organised by the Cancer Services for Sligo campaign. Despite plans by the Department of Health to centralise breast cancer services at a Galway centre of excellence, the group has vowed to prevent local services being downgraded.
Among those present were Junior Minister for Health, Jimmy Devins, opposition politicians and Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones.
The HSE plans to develop eight centres of excellence by 2009, meaning patients in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Leitrim will have to travel to Galway or Dublin for vital treatment.
The head of the new national cancer strategy, Professor Tom Keane recently warned protestors that “debate on the centres of excellence is over”.
