No Christmas medical cover on island of Inishturk

The island of Inishturk will have no medical cover over Christmas for the first time in decades, after a vacant nursing post was not filled.

The Irish Times reported that locals on the island, which is nearly 15 km off the coast, have had no daily access to medical care since their nurse of 30 years retired in September.

The Irish Islands Federations is calling on the HSE to reinstate basic medical service for the community of 58 residents.