Hundreds sign petition as Kerry town left without GP cover

More than 700 people have signed a petition calling for a GP to be appointed in Sneem in South Kerry.

The existing doctor retires in October and there are concerns the town will be left without any GP cover.

The nearest doctor's surgery is 40 minutes away but there is no bus servicing the route.

Dr Patrick Malone says the current system does not favour rural GPs

"The problem with young doctors nowadays starts long before they qualify and it's the selection process to medical school where the crème de la crème of the 'crèmers' manage to gain entry to medical school," he said.

"People who, perhaps, have a genuine vocation are excluded."