DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Dealgan House families “not impressed” with Covid 19 inquiry
Remembering Fr Patrick Joseph McMahon
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Elias’s love of wildlife shines through in Louth County Council role Page 11
Wednesday, 9th July, 2025. Vol. 18, Issue 28 • 9A, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 932 0888 | Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
DISCRIMINATION
Hospital accused of discriminating against non-medical card holders By Paul Byrne OUR Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda is no longer accepting biopsy samples from GP practices unless the patient holds a medical card. The decision has been slammed by local Fianna Fáil councillor Shane McGuinness who stated that this decision will not only result in a financial burden to those without a medical card but could potentially also create a serious barrier to timely diagnosis. Last February a letter was sent from the Consultant Histopathologist and the Laboratory Manager in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda to all local
GP’s confirming that the practice of local GP’s doing histological analysis on samples would cease. They cited capacity issues compounded by a staffing crisis within the pathology service for the change in policy. The decision means that GP’s in this area will no longer be able to take a biopsy from a suspicious skin lesion, or remove (and curing) a cancer such as a basal cell cancer or a squamous cell cancer – the two most common skin cancers in Ireland. Those without a medical card will now have to travel to Dublin to visit consultants, often paying €300 or more for the procedure plus costs. Continued on Page 2
Five generations of the McGeary clan!
91 year old Patsy McGeary recently celebrated the arrival of his great great grandson James with his son Pat, Pat’s sons Christopher and Patrick, Pat’s grandson Sean, along with Christopher’s sons Harry and Chris with his newborn son James. L-R Patrick, Chris, baby James, Pat, Sean (back), Harry (front), Christopher and great-great grandfather, Patsy McGeary.
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