Second children’s hospital chief quits

THE body overseeing the controversial national children’s hospital Mater site plans has lost its second chairman in just six months over claims of political interference.

John Gallagher, who only took the post in October, stepped down after claiming the current location for the €650 million facility no longer has the support of the new Government.

His predecessor, businessman Philip Lynch, resigned after a public row with then Health Minister Mary Harney last autumn which began when he insisted the Mater site was not the best option for children and was wasting money.