Tempers flare as Roscommon TDs trade insults in Dáil

Roscommon-South Leitrim TD Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has accused his constituency’s Government TDs of being traitors if they vote with the Government tonight.

A vote is due within the hour regarding cuts to services at Roscommon County hospital.

Independent TD Flanagan has put intense pressure on Fine Gael TDs Denis Naughten and Frank Feighan to vote against the Government, in favour of a Sinn Fein motion opposing cuts in A&E services for the hospital.

“Today, they must vote in favour of this motion, otherwise they will be classified as traitors till kingdom come,” said Deputy Flanagan.

Deputy Frank Feighan, who claims to have received death threats on the issue, did not give any hints about his voting intentions, but hit back at Deputy Flanagan saying he wasn't telling the truth, calling him a “political thug”.

“I believe that you have more responsibility to tell the people the truth in this country,” he said.

Hundreds of people have travelled from the midlands and other parts of the country to protest outside the Dáil in advance of the vote this evening.