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Oireachtas members from Clare and Limerick have given their backing to a three-tier plan to expand hospital capacity in the Mid-West, following publication of HIQA’s review of urgent and emergency care services in the region.
At a meeting in Limerick today, eight members of the Oireachtas agreed that all three options proposed by HIQA should be advanced in parallel, in order to relieve ongoing pressure at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Under the preferred approach, immediate investment would focus on expanding bed capacity on the existing UHL site at Dooradoyle. Medium-term development would see the establishment of a second UHL campus nearby comprising of out-patients department, diagnostics and adult mental health, with a longer-term goal of moving the maternity hospital and other acute services including a new Emergenct Department (ED) to the nearby site under shared governance. This would provide a high quality multi-generational and emergency care service for the Mid-West Region.
It was agreed that Option A combined with Option B will ultimately deliver Option C.
The meeting, held at the Great National South Court Hotel and convened by Clare TD Joe Cooney (Fine Gael), was attended by Minister Patrick O’Donovan (Fine Gael), Minister of State Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fáil), TDs Cathal Crowe and Willie O’Dea (Fianna Fáil), Senators Maria Byrne, Martin Conway and Dee Ryan, and Clare County Council Cathaoirleach Paul Murphy.
Dr Terry Hennessy, the HSE’s Regional Clinical Lead for Strategy and Development, briefed members on the significant constraints to expansion of the UHL site at Dooradoyle, the lack of capacity for that site on its own to deliver for the long-term future needs of the area, along with the HSE Mid-West short, medium and long-term plans for implementing the HIQA recommendations.
Following a positive and very constructive meeting, members agreed to support the HSE Mid-West’s commitment to pursuing all three strands and to engage with the Department of Health to secure full Government backing.
A follow-up meeting is planned for early November 2025 in Leinster House, with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and senior department officials to be invited.
It was with sadness that we learned of the death, today Monday 13th October 2025 of Mr Liam Dwan, Glenbane, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Pre-deceased by his parents Rody and Bridget, brother Rodgie and his wife Eileen, sister Mai and her husband Francis; Mr Dwan, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, while in the care of staff at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Norah (née Spillane), sons Paddy, Stephen, Billy, David and Frankie, daughters Breda, Siobhan, Anne and Marie, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Dwan will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, (Eircode E41 CP59) on Tuesday afternoon, October 14th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His funeral cortège will be received into the former Cistercian Monastery Abbey, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, on Wednesday morning, October 15th, at 11:00am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards in the adjoining grasveyard.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Dwan, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Dwan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: House Private Please. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Diabetes Ireland, in memory of Mr Liam Dwan.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
New 96-bed unit opened today at University Hospital Limerick.
A new 96-bed unit has opened at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), as part of efforts to ease chronic overcrowding at the Mid West’s main hospital serving North Tipperary.
Minister for Health Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill officially opened this new facility, which includes four wards of 24 beds each.
Around 400 additional staff are required to operate the unit, most of whom are already in place, according to the hospital.
UHL, which provides the only 24-hour emergency department for North Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, has consistently recorded the highest number of patients on trolleys in the country.
The expansion comes two weeks after the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) urged immediate action and investment to increase bed capacity in the HSE Mid West.
HIQA outlined three options: expanding the Dooradoyle campus, developing a new nearby site, or constructing a new hospital. Ms Carroll MacNeill said all options remain on the table, adding that increasing inpatient capacity is her priority.
Ms Carroll MacNeill also welcomed the recent granting of planning permission for a second 96-bed block at the Dooradoyle site.
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 100 people were waiting for treatment at UHL on Monday; 70 in the Emergency Department and 30 admitted patients still awaiting a bed.
Emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals were closed in 2009 by under a Fianna Fáil led government, pursuing a reconfiguration of services, centralising emergency care at UHL.
A man, understood to be aged in his 40s, remains fighting for his life after being doused in petrol and set on fire, during a violent incident in South Co Tipperary
Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating what they described as a serious assault in the Knockane area of Tipperary, shortly after 9:00pm last evening (Saturday October 11th).
We understand that emergency services treated the victim at the scene, before he was transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital suffering with critical injuries.
Two men, both in their 20s, were arrested a short time later in connection with the incident and are being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at an unnamed Garda station in Tipperary.
In a statement, a Garda spokesperson has stated that investigations are continuing.
It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 11th October 2025, of Mr Patrick Mullally, Green Street, Callan, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of Lismolin, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his parents Thomas and Kitty, brothers Gerard, PJ and Tomás (latter recently), sisters-in-law Kitty Mullally (née Cleary) and Philomena Mullally (née McGovern); Mr Mullally passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Altamount House, Dublin Road, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving brothers Bobby, Michael and John Joe, sister-in-law Anne, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Mr Mullally will repose at Molloy’s Funeral Home, West Street, Callan, (Eircode R95 Y443) on tomorrow afternoon, Monday October 13th, from 5:00pm, concluding with Rosary and Vigil Prayers at 7:00pm same evening.
Funeral prayers will be recited on Tuesday morning, October 14th at 10:15am, before his funeral cortège is received into the Church of the Assumption, Green Street, Callan, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilvemnon Cemetery, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Mullally, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Mullally family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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