WATCH: Thousands march through Limerick city for UHL protest

“LISTEN up HSE, give us back our A&Es,” chanted the people of the Mid-West under an overcast sky during what is believed to have been the largest-ever health protest in Limerick city.

Gardai say over 11,000 people marched through the streets of the city to voice their concerns and anger over the current conditions at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) - every person united under one goal: to reinvest in the hospitals in the Mid-West region and to reopen the emergency departments in St John’s Hospital, Nenagh and Ennis.

The march, which included people of all ages from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary departed City Hall at Merchants Quay shortly after 11am this Saturday before making its way via Patrick Street, O'Connell Street, Lower Mallow Street and Henry Street to Arthur's Quay Park where a number of people address the huge crowd.

Melanie Cleary from Corbally, whose daughter Eve tragically passed away in 2019 after being discharged from UHL gave an emotional speech.

“I think at this stage everyone knows who my daughter Eve is,” Melanie said, fighting back tears.

“Eve’s treatment in UHL ended her life and a nightmare began in our family. By closing our three A&Es people like Eve were dumped in corridors in very dangerous conditions. For a long time I blamed myself for this, why didn’t I know how sick Eve was? I’m her mother.

“Recently, I’ve made peace with myself in the realisation that Eve was wheeled out of UHL critically unwell and by seeing the recognition from consultants that our three A&Es never should have been closed,” Melanie added.

A minute's silence in memory of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston, who died at UHL just before Christmas, was impeccably observed during this afternoon's protest. See our website https://t.co/zS09FEWBPe and print editions for full coverage #ImJoiningUHLprotest pic.twitter.com/jRRzZH0aFO

— Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) January 21, 2023

Noeleen Moran Co-ordinator of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, who supported the protest which was organised by Michael Daly, also spoke during the rally.

“People of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary are told often enough we should consider other options than presenting ourselves at University Hospital Limerick for treatment. What other options?” said Ms Moran who is from County Clare.

“UHL was forced to declare a major internal incident as people who were left with no other options flooded into the university hospital's emergency department…

“We know people are dying as a result of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick and I don’t need to quote to you statistics… We know preventable deaths are occurring at University Hospital Limerick as a result of the overcrowding because it is happening to people in our communities,” Ms Moran added.

Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan, Green Party TD Brian Leddin, Independent TD Richard O’Donoghue, and Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe were all spotted at the protest along with a number of local councillors

Tanya De Vito from the Nenagh Needs its A&E Campaign was one of the speakers at Arthur's Quay Park.

“Before I hand over the mic there’s a few things I’m going to say because if I don’t say them and I go home tonight, I’ll kick myself,” Ms De Vito said.

“I’m going to invite every single TD and politician here today - because I’ve seen you here today - I am inviting you to join us, join the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, join our fight.

“If you don’t believe in reinstating our A&Es, why are you here today?” Ms De Vito said passionately.

The organiser of the protest Michael Daly is calling on the government for change.

The UHL protest has just concluded. See our website https://t.co/zS09FEX9EM and print editions for full coverage and reaction #ImJoiningUHLprotest pic.twitter.com/nxi7N78Bi8

— Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) January 21, 2023

“Thank you all for coming here today, it’s been a great turnout and I hope it results with the HSE reversing their decision to close the three A&Es and reopen them.

“But if they don’t then this is not the end, this is only the beginning of a campaign of people power that will force change in the health care in the Mid-West,” Mr Daly added as the crowd erupted in applause.

The UHL protest took place this Saturday morning from Merchants Quay in Limerick city, and saw thousands of people march through the streets towards Arthurs Quay Park.