Monaghan protesters jostle Ceann Comhairle

Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon was jostled by protesters at a road opening in Co Monaghan today.

Mr O'Hanlon, who is from Monaghan, had to be protected by gardaí when he was heckled and pushed by a group of protesters as he arrived for the event.

Around 7,000 protesters from the Monaghan Community Hospital Alliance used the opening of the N2 Monaghan bypass to highlight their opposition to the withdrawal of acute inpatient services from Monaghan General.

A number of businesses closed this morning to allow employees take part in the demonstration.

A spokesman for the protesters said they were "very happy" with the numbers that attended. He said the protest had sent a "loud and clear" message to Dublin that there was anger and fear about the withdrawal of the services from Monaghan General Hospital.

The new bypass was cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund, and follows the opening of the N2 Carrickmacross bypass in 2005.

Minister of State for Transport Pat "the Cope" Gallagher said at the opening that the road would "improve the quality of life for residents of Monaghan by relieving the town of unnecessary through traffic".

The Government says it plans to invest an average of more than €9.4 million per day over the next decade through its Transport 21 initiative.