‘Stand up and fight’ changes to rural services, says campaigner

A community campaigner has called on rural Ireland to “stand up and fight” for the retention of social and economic services.

The West Cork Communities Alliance is leading the charge and is opposed to environment minister Phil Hogan’s plans to put community-run projects under local authority control.

“Services such as rural bus links, rural hospitals, rural post offices, and the Leader development network are all under threat,” said local activist Con McCarthy, who heads WCCA.