Portiuncula maternity campaigners to march in local St Patrick's Day parade

The Portiuncula Maternity Alliance, which was established last year in response to the downgrading of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital, is planning to march in the Ballinasloe St Patrick's Day parade - and is calling on locals to walk with them.

People from across the region are being invited by the maternity group to march behind its float in support of safe maternity care close to home.

In a statement, Portiuncula Maternity Alliance said: "For generations, Portiuncula has welcomed babies from families across a wide rural catchment including Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Longford, Leitrim, Offaly, North Tipperary and North Clare.

"Many people across these counties were themselves born in Portiuncula, or welcomed their children there."

The group said the parade "offers an opportunity for the community to stand together and show how much the hospital means" to families across the region.

Those taking part in the parade will assemble at the Fairgreen in Ballinasloe at 1.30pm, with the parade starting at 2pm.

The Portiuncula Maternity Alliance said members of the public from across the region are encouraged to walk behind its float as a visible show of support for safe, properly resourced maternity services at the hospital in the town.

Concerns have been raised about the long-term future of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital following a decision last summer to transfer the care of high-risk pregnancies elsewhere.