Ceann Comhairle jeered by angry protestors in Monaghan

The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil had to be protected by Gardaí in Monaghan today at the official opening of the new Monaghan town bypass.

Rory O'Hanlon, who is also a local TD, was jeered by up to 10,000 protestors who had gathered to show their anger about the planned downgrading of Monaghan Hospital.

He was subsequently surrounded by a group of Gardaí to protect him from the crowd.

This morning's protest was arranged by the Monaghan Community Hospital Alliance to coincide with the opening of the town's new bypass.

The group is vehemently opposed to the HSE's plan to withdraw acute services from Monaghan Hospital and centralise such services in specialised units.