Mrs O’Neill plea for home

One of the women who took the HSE to court advised politicians and HSE officials to consider how they would like to be treated as elderly people before closing Abbeyleix.

Bridget O’Neill from Spink and aged 92 years old, led the parade from the front last Sunday. She was also in the front row to hear her letter read out to the crowd by Karen Shields of the action committee.

“I have been a patient here since November 2007. I came in here after I broke my right hip and fractured my left arm and the care I got is thanks to all the staff in physio.

“I am now able to get around on my own with the help of my walking frame. We have all of this under one roof and you would not get the care anywhere else.

“I have very good memories of Abbeyleix as I was attending day care here for 17 years. I am very happy here, as all the nurses and all the staff are all so good and helpful and Dr Madden.

“My late husband John died here in 1990. He was here for six months and died from cancer. The care he got here was second to none over 22 years ago. The majority of patients are all in their nineties and we are all very happy here. We don’t want to go anywhere else. I think we are entitled to a bit of peace and quiet at the end of our days.

“Just remember all these HSE officials and Ministers 20 or 30 years from now they will be elderly. I wonder will they like to be treated like they are treating us now. I don’t think so!

“So please leave us in peace. This is our home!”