Baby born in ambulance due to lack of Monaghan services

A non-national woman has given birth in the back of an ambulance due to the lack of maternity services at Monaghan General Hospital.

The woman, who is living at St Patrick’s College in Monaghan, presented herself to the local hospital this morning, but was sent to Cavan by ambulance accompanied by a midwife.

She gave birth to a healthy baby boy during the journey.

Campaigners seeking the restoration of full maternity services in Monaghan said this morning’s incident could have ended in tragedy.

In December 2002, a newborn baby died in Cavan after being born prematurely in an ambulance while en route to town’s hospital.

The baby’s mother, Denise Livingstone, had also presented herself at Monaghan hospital, but was sent to Cavan because maternity services in Monaghan had been discontinued.