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.

The pensioner has worked in property maintenance but also raced as an amateur jockey and has had a series of small parts, mostly non-speaking, in films such as Angela’s Ashes and Evelyn, with Pierce Brosnan.

His time treading the boards might explain how he was able to secure the biblical robes, light wooden cross and crown of thorns, but while he laughed when asked about his rig-out, his situation is no laughing matter.

“I am ready to fall down as it stands at the moment,” he said, holding onto the Leinster House gate. “I wonder would they give me a chair from inside? It’s why I’m holding onto the rails.”

He began his fast at 7am yesterday and his son, Michael, other son, Richard, and family friends joined him in holding placards which read ‘Crucified by the HSE’. They expect to support his 48-hour vigil by operating in shifts to ensure he is never alone.

The fistula, a growth on the vein in his spine, was spotted in 2009. Medics at the Beaumont Hospital considered operating but decided it was too risky as the growth is too close to the spine.

Contact with Harley Street led to a deal last October where an operation could be carried out for €12,000 — half the usual price — but the HSE has refused to sanction it. His son, Michael, said the Government, Health Minister James Reilly and the HSE “don’t want to know” even though his father’s condition has deteriorated.

“Six weeks ago I wasn’t too bad on the stick,” Richard said. “Now I need it to balance. I am at my wits’ end. My nerves are gone with it.”

The next possibility if his condition worsens is that he will need a wheelchair, yet it was only seven years ago that he was still riding horses in stables in Co Meath.

Anyone passing by might think they’re seeing things, or even that the end of the world is nigh. It’s not, but trying telling that to Richard and his family. Heavy lies the crown of thorns.