PICKETS HAVE been placed outside the Bethany House welfare home in Co Carlow over the Health Service Executive’s plans to shut it and move its 25 elderly residents to other facilities.
About 50 campaigners blockaded the entrance to the home on Wednesday afternoon as two taxis arrived to transfer the women, according to campaign spokeswoman Dr Mairéad Byrne.
The HSE said last month it had decided to close the home following an independent review. The Save Bethany Campaign says the home should be refurbished rather than shut.
The HSE yesterday denied that two elderly women were moved from the home on Wednesday night against their wishes.
“Two residents were moved after a process of consultation and face-to-face meetings with the individuals and their families by senior HSE staff. The move was carried out with full consultation and was not done under any duress,” said Anna-Marie Lanigan of the HSE.
