Dick Sides' passion for Portlaoise hospital never diminished

When Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee disbanded in December last I had the privilege of sitting down with Dick in his home on the Ridge Road a few days afterwards for a chat and a cup of tea. 

The overwhelming feeling expressed by Dick was one of accomplishment - “It is done!” – and I think that spilled over into his life too.  A life well lived.  All things done.  Accomplished.

Dick was 87 years of age when attended the emergency meeting of the Save Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise campaign in 2017 but his passion for the hospital and his determination were not diminished.  He had no hesitation in putting himself forward for election to the newly formed Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee and he was a key guide and mentor to the Committee as we set about organising the Light for Lives march and the campaign to retain the services at the hospital.

For a small man he was fierce! 

Pictured when the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly visited Portlaoise hospital in : L-R: Cllr Padraig Fleming, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald,Brian Stanley TD, Sam Warren (PHAC Member), Tommy Timmons (Chairman PHAC), Harry Allen (PHAC Member), Minster for Health Stephen Donnelly TD, Dick Sides (RIP), (PHAC Member), John Hanniffy (Secretary PHAC), Minister for State Sean Fleming TD and Dr Michelle Byrne (PHAC Member).

He’d ring regularly to see how things were going, had we spoken to the politicians? What were we going to do next?  And he’d always finish with one last exhortation; “you’re doing great – keep going!”.  Dick would be the calming influence at the heated Committee meetings too – he’d wait until things were almost out of hand before interjecting as the peacemaker.

He firmly believed in the value of the hospital to Portlaoise and the wider community and in latter years he had to avail of its services on numerous occasions himself.  He often acknowledged that he wouldn’t have gotten as long a life if it wasn’t for the services provided by the hospital.

Pictured: Dick Sides and fellow members of the PHAC in 2017 planning a new campaign to prevent downgrade.

Laois man Dick Sides who championed Portlaoise hospital and many other causes passes away

For those reasons he was extremely proud to attend the hospital on Friday 2nd December last when Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly visited to finally announce that the future of the hospital was secure.  Though very frail at the time he made sure to be there to see another task in his long life completed.

Dick was a gentleman, a comrade and a friend.  He will be sadly missed.  Our condolences to his family.