Portlaoise protest planned in opposition to hospital cuts

A Co Laois protest group has said it is hoping thousands of people turn out for a rally today against hospital cuts.

The rally will assemble at 3pm at the County Council buildings before marching to the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise in protest at the downgrading and cutting of services.

The campaign group behind the event plans to hand Fine Gael Deputy Charlie Flanagan a letter of protest expressing dissatisfaction with plans for the hospital.

Grainne Boland of the Save Portlaoise Hospital Action Group said: "We want our hospital left alone…Laois has the highest population growth in Ireland this year and we just want our services left aone to save lives in the Midlands area."