Around 1,000 people took part in a protest against proposed cut backs in HSE services for people with disabilities in the Galway area.

The protest assembled at Galway Cathedral where the parent of a child with disbilities that would be affected by the cutbacks addressed the crowd. the demonstration then marched to the HSE head offices in Galway. The HSE has authorised another 2m. euro in cuts in disability services in Galway as part of an overall 15m euro cut in health services in the city.

These cutbacks will affect vital respite services and residential care, bringing more hardship on disabled people and their families and carers.

The Fianna Fail/ Harney/ Green government is enforcing cutbacks on the HSE to help fund the bank bailouts. Despite this the Fianna Fail mayor of Galway, Michael Crowe and his brother FF Councillor Ollie Crowe had the temerity to march with the protest.

However, they did not get any easy passage with a number of protesters making the point that it is government policies which are attacking vital public services. Fianna Fail are trying to shift blame for the cutbacks onto the HSE and service providers for their overspending.

Those attending the protest were calling for decent services, not cutbacks; for the health system Ireland needs, but supposedly we cant afford- because this government is throwing away good money at bad banks.