Abbeyleix nursing unit action adjourned

An application by three residents of the Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unit for a High Court injunction preventing the HSE from closing the facility has been adjourned to early December.

Maureen Delaney (aged 89) Bridget O'Neill (aged 92) and Catherine Kelly (aged 93), who have been cared for at the Co Laois facility for the last number of years were last Friday granted permission by the High Court to challenge the HSE's decision to close the unit.

The unit is to be closed for financial reasons.

The residents say they were devastated after the HSE decided earlier this month to shut down the unit. They argue the closure of the facility, which they claim was done without consultation, has caused them irreparable loss, hurt and damage to the patients and the local community.

In their action against the HSE and the Minister for Health the residents are seeking orders from the High Court rescinding the decision to close the unit, which currently has 28 patients, and has respite care facilities for eight more.

They are further seeking an injunction preventing the closure from going ahead until the substantive hearing of the matter has concluded.

Today at the High Court Mr Justice Michael Peart agreed to adjourn the matter to early December in order to allow the HSE time reply to the residents proceedings.