Yesteryears - Shock as Clonmel loses all surgical services to Waterford

“Shock as Clonmel loses all cancer surgical services to Waterford” was the main headline jumping from our front page this week 15 years ago, in our edition dated Saturday, January 26, 2008. Eamon Lacey reported that week that “South Tipperary General Hospital is to lose all of its main cancer surgery services to Waterford Regional Hospital as part of the National Cancer Plan”.

The first step in the move was taken that week when all breast cancer surgery was transferred to Waterford, and the report went on to state that before the end of 2009 all other main cancer surgery being conducted at Clonmel, including the two main ones, colon and prostate surgery, would also be transferred.

This huge blow to the level of services being offered at the Clonmel hospital came just days after the first anniversary of the historic amalgamation of all acute services, including the transfer of surgery at Cashel, at the Clonmel site.

In another front page story that week, racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien launched the opening salvo in a two week long battle over the future of an animal and organic waste treatment, electricity and bio-diesel production plant proposed for Rosegreen, by claiming the project would mean “the end” for the world-famous Ballydoyle stables if it went ahead.

He delivered his warning on the opening day of the oral hearing regarding the plant proposed for Castleblake.

Yesteryears: Mean conmen dupe pensioners out of cash throughout Tipperary

Also that week we reported that gardaí in riot gear were called to St Luke’s Hospital in Clonmel to help staff deal with a patient who went berserk. A male patient in the psychiatric hospital, who was in a secure room, pulled apart its door frame and started threatening frightened staff.

The situation was brought under control after the arrival of the gardaí at the hospital.

We also reported another incident of an elderly Ballyporeen man being subjected to a terrifying experience when he returned home one evening that week. He was met at his front door by four men running down the stairs from inside who pushed him aside. A sum of money was taken from the house on the Main Street.

Fortunately the man was not injured during the traumatic event.