Longford Senator compares St Joseph's report to 2009 Cathedral Fire

A Longford Oireachtas member has compared multiple regulatory failings at a county Longford care centre during the past year with the 2009 fire at St Mel's Cathedral.

Fine Gael Senator Paraic Brady raised the issue, which he described as being "very local and very personal" to him and the people of Longford, in the Seanad.

The facility was found to be 'non-compliant' in eight out of 15 regulatory areas when Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) officials carried out an unannounced inspection on November 14, 2024.

Senator Brady said the report into St Joseph’s care centre was very concerning.

"It is a damning report of how the service has been run into the ground.

"Our local councillor Peggy Nolan and other councillors in the area have highlighted this matter at local level.

"We lost our cathedral some years ago when it burned to the ground. It was rebuilt from the ashes."

Senator Brady referred to how people call it the Phoenix.

"This is our care centre, where the most vulnerable people in society and our elderly have been looked after for some years.

"There is great pride in this service in Longford.

Also Read: Omission of Newtowncashel from funding scheme questioned by Longford TD

"It is a huge facility and has been wonderful for people down through the years.

Senator Brady stressed eight areas of non-compliance was 'very damning' and he called for a root-and-branch investigation into the report.

"The report is damning, probably one of the worst that has ever been compiled.

"It is hurtful to see patients are not receiving the same care and attention that was there previously."

Senator Brady asked that the service be returned to the standard it was at a number of years ago.

"It is going to take a little investment and a lot of pain to the people who are there and the families and staff in order to get it back to the previous standard.

Also read: Treat for Longford traditional music lovers at inaugural Féile Joe Callaghan

"I hope this matter will be resolved sooner rather than later," he added.

Meanwhile, several key healthcare infrastructure projects in Longford and investment to the tune of almost €8.5 million has been included in the HSE Capital Plan.

The Health Service Executive’s 2025 plan is set to bring a transformative investment of €8.45 million to Longford, as part of a record €1.33 billion allocated nationally for the development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure.

Longford TD Micheál Carrigy said the plan outlines important investment in local services that will directly benefit patients and service users across the county.