Long-mooted Tipperary nursing home opens after three-year wait

Although completed in 2023, a delay caused concern that a nursing home might never open

Tánaiste and Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, pictured with resident Jimmy Sherlock as Nenagh Community Nursing Unit was officially opened. Picture: Don Moloney

A Nenagh nursing home, completed in 2023 and then controversially used as a step-down centre for hospital patients, has been officially opened for older residents.

The €23m nursing home was built to replace an older home in the town but instead was repurposed to take patients from University Hospital Limerick (UHL). 

While described as a temporary plan by the HSE at the time, the delay caused concern that a nursing home might never open.

Minister of state for older people Kieran O’Donnell said the "new state-of-the-art 50-bed unit is a major addition to services for older people in Nenagh and North Tipperary and will ensure that they can receive both short and long-term care closer to their families and communities".

Tánaiste Simon Harris acknowledged the unit was “long-sought” locally.

“It replaces a very outdated facility in St Conlon’s, which has now been repurposed in terms of a mental health facility,” he said.

“It increases capacity in terms of older people's beds in this region, and it also, crucially, provides five respite beds and two palliative care beds as well.” 

Labour TD Alan Kelly had supported families in their calls for the new nursing home. 

He attended the opening and welcomed this end to delays. 

“It’s probably the most modern, state-of-the-art facility for residents in Ireland, and I’ve always said if we can’t look after our elderly what can we do?” he told Tipp FM.

“There is some recruitment still to be done, but it’s an absolutely incredible facility. It’s like a hotel. It’s amazing.” 

HSE Midwest on Monday described the opening as “a milestone moment”.

Regional executive officer Sandra Broderick praised staff for their help.

“I want to thank the residents, their families, and people of North Tipperary for their forbearance during the delayed opening of this new centre, which was temporarily used as a rehab facility for 12 months to the benefit of hundreds of people across this region,” she said.

The 50 beds will include five respite beds and a palliative care suite containing two dedicated bedrooms.

The first 25 residents into the new unit last October were transfers from St Conlon’s nursing home, the HSE previously said.

This follows years of concern, however, across Tipperary.

In May 2024, a huge protest took place in Nenagh when people marched through the town calling for the nursing home to be opened for its designated purpose. 

Health watchdog Hiqa had been critical of the outdated premises at the older home, St Conlon’s.

Eamonn Donnellan's 90-year-old father was one of those waiting. 

He told the Irish Examiner at the protest: “I understand why the Government is doing it, but they cannot punish the elderly for their own mistakes.”