Drogheda based disability rights campaigner Michael O’Dowd joined a powerful demonstration outside Leinster House yesterday as part of the National Care Champions Rally calling for urgent government action over the continuing abuse and neglect uncovered in some of Ireland’s nursing homes.
The protest was organised by Care Champions, a national group supporting families affected by poor care standards. Despite torrential rain and strong winds, dozens of survivors, families, and advocates gathered at the gates of the Dáil to demand accountability and real reform.
Michael O’Dowd was present as a representative of Equality Not Care, an advocacy group focused on safeguarding vulnerable adults and promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
Speaking at the protest, Mr. O’Dowd criticised the state’s failure to respond meaningfully to recent revelations, including those exposed by the RTÉ Investigates programme which documented disturbing treatment of elderly and disabled residents.
“This government has spent more time discussing assisted dying than protecting those still alive and suffering,” he said. “The silence from the HSE, HIQA, and the Department of Health is deafening. Reports gather dust, and still nothing changes. It’s disgraceful.”
Campaigners are calling for independent safeguarding legislation, criminal accountability for abusers, and an overhaul of inspection systems which, they say, are failing to protect the most vulnerable.
“There’s no excuse left,” Mr. O’Dowd added. “We stood there soaked to the bone because the injustice is unbearable. Vulnerable people in this country are still being neglected, humiliated, and harmed — and those responsible must finally be held to account.”
