'We’re not taking this lying down' — Staff and families fight to keep Cork creche open

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said childcare 'is a national issue' that must be organised in the same way as primary education

Family members and their children turned out to protest over the closure of the Before 5 Family Centre and Creche in Churchfield, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

More than 200 people roared in support when staff, politicians and parents vowed to keep the Before 5 family centre in Cork’s northside open at a protest on Tuesday against its sudden closure.

“We’re not going to take this lying down, we’re going to fight,” Lilian Hannover, who has worked at Before 5 for 28 years, told the crowds. “They’re not going to take this centre from us.”