An East Cork Councillor has quit his membership of the Green Party with immediate effect.
County Councillor Liam Quaide has resigned from the party, which is part of the government coalition, because he feels the cabinet is not looking after those living on the margins.
Cllr Quaide is a vocal opponent of the HSE's planned closure of the Owenacurra residential mental health facility in Midleton.
The centre, on the grounds of Midleton Community Hospital, had been due to close in October 2021 - after the HSE said the building was not fit for purpose.
Locals have objected to the move saying it will reduce the number of, already limited, mental health beds in East Cork.
Speaking to RedFM News, Cllr Liam Quaide says that Green Party Ministers need to work harder for the marginalised, such as residents of Owenacurra:
"While I've had huge support, I'm afraid I can't say the same when trying to appeal to ministers for intervention. And I recognise that the Green Party is in a very difficult position in government and they've had very important achievement and I respect that. This is an issue that I feel is of such moral significance that it just cannot continue without my taking a stand on this. And I think it also relates to a broader theme of not really looking after people who are on the margins or who are suffering".
