By Louise Doyle
A MOTHER whose son attends specialist appointments in Dublin, and a cancer survivor currently going to post-oncology consultations have told of their distress after it emerged this week the Donegal to Dublin midday flight is to be cancelled.
The vital service from Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn has been hailed as a lifeline for patients availing of cancer treatment in Dublin, enabling them to fly to hospital and return home on the same day.
But, on Tuesday Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed in a shock announcement that the Department has proceeded with a new contract for the Donegal to Dublin flights.
The PSO flights between Donegal and Dublin have been operating twice daily since 2004.
The new Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract removes afternoon flights in favour of a new schedule. Under the new schedule, the midday flights will no longer be provided, replaced instead by a 6.30am flight arriving from Dublin and an 8.30pm flight leaving Donegal.
When the Donegal News phoned Frances Meehan yesterday morning she was at the doctor’s surgery with her son, Declan, who wasn’t feeling well. Declan, now aged 15, suffered a bleed on the brain when he was five years old, which led to a heavy stroke on his left hand side.
The Gortahork mum said she and Declan travel to Dublin at least once a month due to his additional ongoing needs, which require care that can only be facilitated in Dublin.
“For us, it’s devastating news that they have done away with the afternoon flights.”
As a family, it was a lifeline for us. When you have a child with a disability it is a constant fight for everything, but this was one thing we didn’t have to actually fight for. All we’d have to do was to phone the team in Dore and they would take over all the arrangements to get us to Dublin.”
“It is hard to believe that such a decision which affects so many people in Donegal was signed off on without anyone listening to people on the ground here.”
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin was suspended in 2011 but is set to be restored by late 2026, backed by €2 million in Irish government funding.
“It’s just crazy to think about travelling to Derry to fly to Dublin. Declan had an operation where he had his leg lengthened and he had a steel cage on his leg for nearly a year. He had so much pain. We were up and down to Dublin sometimes three times a week. I can’t imagine even thinking about going to Derry Airport, I don’t think Declan would have made it.”
The Donegal Cancer Flights and Services charity committee flew to Dublin today
with 15,000 signatures in hand to demand a U-turn on the decision.
“People who sign off on these things need to take into consideration that this service is not a luxury for people like us. No one wants to be availing of this service. It really has angered me that someone can just sign this away. If they had family in the same position it would be a different outcome.”
“The facilities for children with disabilities are just not available so they have to travel to Dublin. Declan is not the only child that has to travel to Dublin. I can’t get my head around that they think it is ok to take this away. It really is shocking.”
While post cancer treatment, Gaoth Dobhair woman Caroline Sweeney is still attending appointments in Dublin.
“People in Donegal tend to get appointments for 9.30am or 10am in St Luke’s or St James’s, and if you can’t make it for that time then you’re back on the waiting list.
“I can only be dealt with by oncology, and we don’t have any of those services here at all. I have to travel to Dublin, it isn’t an option.”
Ms Sweeney told of an experience travelling by bus after missing her flight from Dublin a year and a half ago.
“I was sick the entire time and eventually I had to get off in Strabane and call my son to pick me up. I am coming out the other side of my cancer journey, but there are so many others who are extremely sick. For them to have to worry about travel arrangements on top on everything else is simply not right.
“This decision is completely disgraceful, it’s scandalous” she said.
Meanwhile, Donegal Airport is assessing legal advice following the Department’s decision. Its Chairman, Garry Martin, said the new contract “does not meet the needs of the passengers using the service, nor does it maximise connectivity to the region”.
He added: “On the face of it, it appears that it favours the requirements of the airline, to maximise income and profitability, at the expense of customers service and at the cost to the taxpayer.”
POLITICAL REACTION
Politicians have united in their anger, condemning the government’s decision.
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald today raised the cancellation of Donegal ‘cancer flights’ to Dublin with the Taoiseach and she called for the cruel decision to be reversed.
“It’s scandalous that the government has signed-off on a new PSO contract which cancels these midday flights.
“These flights are not a convenience for Donegal cancer patients. They are a lifeline.
“A delegation travelled the long journey from Donegal to the Dáil today to have their voices heard and get this decision reversed. The government must meet with them and listen. This must be sorted-out and sorted-out quickly.”
Sinn Féin TD for Donegal, Pearse Doherty, has condemned the Government’s decision to sign a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract for flights between Donegal and Dublin, a move which will result in a changed timetable and the loss of a vital afternoon flight.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said:“This decision is a slap in the face to the people of Donegal.
“The Government has signed off on a PSO contract that removes essential flights that people rely on every single day. This is not serving the public. It is doing the exact opposite.
“These flights are critical for workers, for families, for businesses and, most importantly, for people accessing healthcare. Removing the afternoon flight, having a later evening flight will have a massive and damaging impact right across the county.
“What makes this decision even more disgraceful is that it was signed knowing that a delegation from Donegal was travelling to Dublin tomorrow to meet with the Government.
“That delegation represents over 500 cancer patients in Donegal. They were coming to hand over a petition signed by more than 15,000 people calling on the Government to protect this service.
“The Government didn’t even have the decency to meet with them before signing this contract. That shows a complete lack of respect for patients, their families and the wider Donegal public.
“For cancer patients, these flights are not a convenience, they are a lifeline. They reduce exhausting journeys, allow people to attend appointments and get home the same day, and ease pressure at an incredibly difficult time in their lives.
“This decision will make those journeys longer, harder and more stressful. It will hit the very people who can least afford to be hit.
“Once again, Donegal is being treated as an afterthought by this Government, and people here are rightly furious.
“This is not over. I will be doing everything in my power to stand up for Donegal and for the people who will be so badly affected by this decision.
“The Government may think this issue will go away, but they are wrong. I will continue to fight this every step of the way.”
Caroline Sweeney.
The front terminal of Donegal Airport.
