Matt Shanahan TD comments on projecting election message onto UHW palliative care wing

Deputy Matt Shanahan (Ind) has faced criticism tonight for advertising his election campaign via laser projections which shone onto the gable end of the Dunmore palliative care wing at University Hospital Waterford.

The laser was being projected from a van which was parked adjacent to the hospital building.

In a statement issued tonight, Deputy Shanahan said:

"This activity I consider to be fair political commentary. All political parties have repeatedly used the campuses of SETU and UHW for their political presentations.

"The illumination was to the gable end of the hospital wing for approximately 90 minutes and could not disturb or be seen in any way by patients resident.

"The activity has no environmental cost whatsoever unlike the tons of plastic posters that political parties have covered every highway and byway of Waterford in.

"I fight every day of my political life for better resources and services for the people who need and use that hospital. The angle of display was such that no disturbance whatsoever could have been caused to patients. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just trying to trump up a situation for their own political ends."