March to protest hospital cutbacks
A protest march is being held later by locals and staff opposed to cutbacks at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, west Dublin.
They say around €20m in funding has been slashed in recent years and patients' lives are being put at risk as a result.
The protest march - being staged from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to the hospital - will be attended by local residents and staff at the facility.
"The key problems we are facing are very severe cuts to the budget," said hospital consultant Eamon Leen.
"We've gone from €104m to about €84m in two years.
"At the same time activity level is rising, and we are a demand-led service.
"It's really quite a squeeze and despite the best efforts of hospital management… we are just not able to deliver the services that the community needs on this budget."
