THE recording of a frustrated north Belfast pensioner who was being prevented from getting through a loyalist protest to visit his dying wife in hospital has gone viral.
In the recording, the pensioner says: “If your wife was dying what would you be doing? Have a bit of sense.
“Protestants, you don’t know the meaning of the word. Take yourselves home, show a bit of respect for people.”
On the recording made by the BBC you can hear protestors responding by jeering “cheerio”.
The scenario unfolded on Friday night after loyalist protestors blocked roads throughout the Province.
Countless routes have been blocked during the loyalist campaign.
Meanwhile in west Belfast, a GP was twice prevented from attending a home visit with a patient terminally ill with cancer.
Pat Kerr, who has cancer, had to wait while his GP tried to get through a roadblock in west Belfast on Friday night for a home visit.
His son Chris, a prominent GAA player, said on Twitter: “This flag bull**** has got out of hand. It’s an absolute disgrace how far it is going.”
Mr Kerr’s daughter Nicky expressed disbelief.
“It’s already a very stressful situation without worrying if we can get him to the hospital or to medical attention,” she said. “To me, the most important thing is someone’s health, rather than anything else that’s going on.”
PUP leader Billy Hutchinson said: “My view is that people should get through the protest if they need to go to the hospital or provide care for the sick or elderly.
“It is common courtesy to let essential services through. People have been allowed through, at least in Mount Vernon they let four or five people through on the basis they were going to the hospital or doctor.
“I know other people have been letting the public through and it hasn’t been reported. Just one side of the story was reported.
“If I was on a protest and someone wanted to see their elderly relation I would let them through. That is just good manners.”
Deputy leader of the PUP John Kyle, a practising GP, said: “I accept people’s right to protest but they must also make room for compassion.
“Caring for the sick is a basic human duty.”
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