Aontú Selects Sharon Loughran to contest Newry DEA

Speaking today, Sharon Loughran said “I am honoured to contest the Newry DEA for Aontú in the upcoming local elections. I have decades of experience working as a nurse in the Middle East, Britain, and Ireland. I returned to Ireland in 1994 and I am currently proud to serve my community as a nurse in Daisy Hill Hospital A&E. I am passionate about the provision of healthcare and protecting the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Loughran continued “As a result of this first-hand experience, I am deeply concerned by the situation at Daisy Hill Hospital. The news that Emergency General Surgery is to be stripped from Daisy Hill is extremely concerning. Without the capacity to help patients in an emergency, maternity services will be decimated. What mother would choose Daisy Hill as their maternity hospital knowing, that in an emergency, they would have to travel the long road to Craigavon? The loss of services at Daisy Hill will lead to poorer outcomes for local patients and increased pressure on services at Craigavon Hospital. Our people deserve better. All hospital services must be restored and Armagh’s Minor Injuries Unit must be reinstated.”

“The crisis at Daisy Hill is a direct result of years of neglect from Stormont parties. Our healthcare system has 11-year waiting lists for hip replacements and chronic staff shortages. Daisy Hill Hospital is under immense pressure. The closure of the Downe 24 hour Emergency Department and the loss of Coronary Care were supposedly ‘temporary’ measures. I am passionate about fighting for Daisy Hill.”

“Outside of the hospital, I am known in Newry for my volunteer work and as a small business owner. For many years building and running my small Newry based skincare service. If elected, I promise to bring my dependable, practical, and common-sense approach to continue to work towards improving the health and well-being of our community.” Concluded Loughran

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.