Health Minister Reilly: No U-turn on Roscommon Hospital A&E cutbacks

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has said there will be no reversal of the decision to close the 24-hour emergency department at Roscommon County Hospital.

Dr James Reilly said he was determined to deliver a safer service for patients through a new Urgent Care Centre, but could not say when that would be operational.

Campaigners in Roscommon - who attended a protest last night - are vowing to continue their fight to retain the full-time A and E unit at the hospital.

Despite the public anger - Minister Reilly is adamant there would be no U-turn as the current service was "unsafe".

"There will be a safe service in Roscommon Hospital 24-7. I will not stand over an unsafe service, and that's what's there at the moment."