Noisy scenes as election of Roscommon first citizen deferred

The expected election of South Roscommon's Cllr Ollie Moore, who works in Athlone, for the post of chair of Roscommon County Council is no longer a done deal as the crisis over the future of Roscommon Hospital has intensified. Roscommon County Hospital is short seven junior doctors needed to retain full services, Monday's Roscommon County Council AGM meeting heard, amid several eruptions of heckling and shouting on the controversial issue over a four-hour period. The revelations sparked a call for the postponement of an election of a first citizen until July 18 next to allow the negotiations to continue on the retention of hospital services, Mayor Ernie Keenan explained that at last Friday's two-hour meeting with the Minister, they were told the shortage of non-consultant doctors was the problem in Roscommon, a situation mirrored in nine other hospitals nationwide. "Seven junior doctors are needed in Roscommon," he said, adding that Dr Reilly told the meeting that the health services was short 400 overall, recruitment for which was underway in the Middle East. However, Mayor Keenan stressed that even with the Minister's fast tracking of 200 willing to work in Ireland, just 40 are ready to travel immediately. Of that first tranche, five would suffice for Roscommon, Mayor Keenan added, pointing out that negotiations are at a delicate stage. "We want A&E services retained full stop. That's what we went for, that's what we went to get," he stressed. "If more doctors come we'll get them quicker otherwise we'll have to wait our turn," he told the 26 members, before HAC Cllr Paula McNamara added her support for an adjournment of the appointment of a new Mayor so that they could put pressure on Fine Gael to follow through on their promises to keep the accident and emergency open on a 24-hour basis. However, Fianna Fail's John Cummins asked what the real reason behind a deferral being sought, pointing out that he understood that if it was not held today it would have to be in 14 days time. At this point, the meeting descended into unruly, noisy scenes with shouting and insults being thrown across the floor for some minutes. Standing up, Cllr Tony Ward (Ind) attempted to stem the disquiet asking for a ten-minute adjournment of all sides, however Mayor Ernie Keenan interjected saying everyone has the welfare of the hospital in their minds and they had sought legal advice that morning about deferring the AGM. Again though, Cllr John Cummins questioned what the connection between the election of Mayor and the retention of services at Roscommon County Hospital was? However, his party colleague, Cllr Rachel Doherty was clearer in her opinion dubbing the call for a postponement a "cynical exercise" on behalf of Fine Gael grouping with the support of the HAC and Sinn Fein members. After a call for clarification in relation to legality of deferring the meeting, Senior Executive Officer, Fiona Ní Chuinn said that on foot of legal advice and consultation with the department, the meeting could be postponed with a three quarters majority. However, Cllr Cummins (FF) complained that their party should have been notified of the situation before the meeting and they had been left in the dark on the issue, accusing Fine Gael of politicising the hospital. More loud squabbling ensued after Cllr Rachel Doherty (FF) accused the HAC members of negotiating for the Mayoral position, a claim vehemently denied. After a ten-minute break, Independent Tom Crosby explained after consultation the Fianna Fáil/Independent grouping were happy to support the adjournment, stressing that they all needed to work together to ensure services remain in Roscommon. Cllr John Keogh pointed out that the other side of the house didn't see fit to consult with Fianna Fail and the Independents, wondering if they want to make the issue a political one, something it shouldn't be as they are all fighting for the hospital. Meanwhile, Cllr Tony Ward told members on foot of the latest HSE West Forum that he sought a meeting with John Hennessy and Dr David O'Keeffe in relation to Roscommon Hospital, a date for which he expects in the coming days. "Roscommon Hospital is very important to the people of South Roscommon," he said firmly, adding that any reduction in A&E services is unacceptable to the people he represents and services must be maintained without bringing party politics into it. However, Cllr Paddy Kilduff said simply that the hospital is a political decision, adding that they need assurances from Minister Reilly on the floor of the Dail. He said Minister Michael Finneran previously secured the hospital's future, now was the time for Deputies Naughten, Feighan and Flanagan to deliver. Sinn Fein's Michael Mulligan warned that he would not support FG on the local authority unless the hospital's future is guaranteed. HIQA talk about safety but what's most important is that Roscommon people don't die on the roads to Ballinasloe and Galway, Cllr Orla Leyden remarked, before stressing that previous Ministerial promises must be honoured. "Ye had your chances, Fianna Fail voted for the Hanly report," Cllr Valerie Beirne hit back before Cllr Fallon said the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin supported reconfiguration of Roscommon Hospital at a pre-election meeting in Athleague.