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Protest at St Michael's Day Centre closure

More than 250 people protested outside St Michael's Loreto Day Care Centre this morning in protest at  its closure on Friday.

Up to 120 elderly people who used the centre are now left with no alternative facility and are adamant that they do not want to be split up and set to to diferent centres around the county.

The centre closed on Friday with just four day notice.

It provided a social outlet as well as health checks, hot meals and advocacy services.

Among those protesting were service users, their families, Deputies Peadar Toibín and Shane Cassells, Cllr Joe Reilly, Cllr Tommy Reilly and Cllr Frances Deane.

Last week the HSE said the service users would be accommodated in five centres around the county but no time line was given.

A spokesperson said they would be offered a place in one of the five centres operating in Meath which include Dunshaughlin Local Health Care Unit,  St Joseph's Community Nursing Unit, Trim, Catherine McAuley Day Service, Kells, Kilmainhamwood Day Service and Ozanam Day Service, Mornington. 

She also indicated the HSE has a service level agreement with Alzheimer Society to provide Day Services in Navan in the Whistlemount Centre, Kells Road. 

She also said a number of alternative options are currently being assessed to determine their suitability to open as a Day Service in Navan.

The closure followed a fire officers report, which  found several serious fire safety issues with the building that needed urgent attention.