Duffy calls Crumlin cutbacks shameful

ACTOR and singer Keith Duffy has described cutbacks at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, in Dublin as shameful.

The Boyzone star accused Health Minister Mary Harney of using the recession to make cuts at the hospital.

“Parents of sick children need all the support they can get,” he insisted.

Mr Duffy, whose daughter Mia, 9, has autism, has campaigned to improve services for children with the condition. He is a patron of Irish Autism Action.

“I think at this tough time people can see that difficult decisions need to be made. But to attack hospital care for children who aren’t able to fight for themselves is just sickening,” he was quoted as saying.

“It is OK for this Government to make these decisions, but you mark my words, if one of them had children in Crumlin then they would be looking at this with a different view.

“It is nothing short of criminal, attacking such a wonderful hospital like Crumlin. It is f***ing disgraceful.”

Fine Gael, meanwhile, is to put forward a private members’ motion in the Dáil this week calling on the Government to reverse the cutbacks at Crumlin.