Limerick protestors march on the Dáil as inquest into death of Aoife Johnston takes place
The protest took place outside the Dáil
A protest took place outside the Dáil yesterday to demand action following the ongoing overcrowding issue at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) as the inquest into the death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston at the hospital in 2022 resulted in a verdict of death by medical misadventure.
The protest took place yesterday, April 25, and was organised by Limerick healthcare campaigner Mike Daly.
Mike travelled to the capital along with a group of protestors demanding “urgent action” to alleviate the ongoing pressure on UHL. In particular, the group has demanded the reopening of the A&E units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospital.
In a speech read during the protest, Mike said: “Following the recent media coverage of Aoife Johnson's tragic death, it has become evident that urgent action is needed to address the deficiencies in our healthcare system.
“It is shocking to learn that there was only one doctor on duty in an A&E serving the entire mid-west region of Ireland, which comprises approximately 420,000 people. On the night Aoife was admitted, this lone doctor was responsible for caring for 191 patients. It is simply unreasonable to expect one doctor to effectively manage such a high volume of patients.
“The statement from the doctor that the UHL A&E department is not a safe environment for patients speaks volumes. How can we ignore such a stark warning? Another doctor described the A&E as being akin to a war zone.
Mike added: “The fact that doctors are describing the A&E as a war zone and an unsafe environment for patients is deeply concerning. We have tragically seen the consequences of this with the deaths of both Eve Cleary and Aoife Johnson.
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“Immediate action must be taken to reopen another A&E facility, and Minister Stephen Donnelly must act decisively in response to the findings of Aoife's inquest. The safety and well-being of patients must be our utmost priority.”
Today, April 26, UHL was once again the most overcrowded hospital nationwide with 106 patients waiting on trolleys (42 at the Emergency Department and 64 in other wards) according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
