ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY IN CANDLE LIT VIGIL AT HSE TOGHERMORE HOUSE

Date Published: 05-Jan-2013

APPROXIMATELY 150 people took part in a candle lit vigil at Toghermore HSE Residential House near Tuam this evening (Saturday)

It was in solidarity with residents and staff at the facility who have been campaigning against a feared closure later this month.

The feared winding down of the 18 bed residential facility followed an independent fire and safety report delivered to the HSE last month (Dec), which revealed fire safety shortfalls.

But since then, there are now strong hopes that the residential house can be saved from closure following a pledge of funding.

Tuam and District Mental Health Association has offered funding in the region of 60 thousand euro towards required fire safety works. Management received informal notification yesterday (Friday) that the pledge of funding would be accepted.

John Feeley of Tuam and District Mental Health says there is now a need for further formal negotiations with the HSE to ensure that their pledge of funding will keep the residential facility open.