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14 Mar 2026

'We need action now' - Strong community turnout at Buncrana Hospital protest

Speaking following the protest, Cllr Joy Beard said the turnout clearly shows the strength of feeling within the community and the growing frustration over the ongoing delays

'We need action now” - Strong community turnout at Buncrana Hospital protest

The protest took place in Buncrana on Saturday afternoon

Reporter:

Contributor

14 Mar 2026 7:46 PM

Email:

news@donegallive.ie

A strong crowd gathered in Buncrana today to protest the continued delays to the long-promised refurbishment works at Buncrana Community Hospital.

Speaking following the protest, Cllr Joy Beard said the turnout clearly shows the strength of feeling within the community and the growing frustration over the ongoing delays.

“Today we should have been standing outside Buncrana Community Hospital watching refurbishment works well underway and seeing real progress being made," she said. "Instead, after delay after delay, we have been told there is yet another setback. That is simply not good enough.”

Cllr Beard said the protest marks the beginning of continued pressure from the community to ensure the project finally moves forward.

“This is only the start. The people of Buncrana and Inishowen deserve better. We need clear answers from the HSE and from the Minister for Health as to why this project continues to be pushed back when commitments and timelines were previously given.”

She said the community now expects transparency and urgency from the health authorities.

“The HSE and the Minister for Health must now explain what has caused these delays and, more importantly, provide a clear timeline for when these works will finally begin," she said. "The community has waited long enough.”

Cllr Beard stressed that while explanations are important, what the community ultimately wants is progress: “At the end of the day, the people of Buncrana do not want more excuses or more promises. They want action. This refurbishment was promised and it must now be delivered.”

She also thanked the organisers and everyone who attended the demonstration: “I want to sincerely thank the organisers of today’s protest and everyone who came out to stand up for their community. The turnout today sends a very strong message.”
“The message from Buncrana is clear: enough delays. We will keep the pressure on until the promised work begins.”
 

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