Former carer of the year sees ‘100% cut to respite’ care for her daughter

A former carer of the year, who has looked after her daughter for more than 50 years, has had her regular respite care pulled — while 14 other families have been similarly affected.

Mary McDonnell, 78, from Douglas in Cork, said she had suffered a “100% cut to my respite”, following notification from Cheshire Ireland that her daughter, Sinéad, could no longer be facilitated at its St Laurence centre on the outskirts of Cork City.

Sinéad has profound cerebral palsy, is doubly incontinent, has scoliosis, and has suffered a dislocated hip. She has been attending St Laurence’s for two-week respite breaks five times a year since 1997.