Protest march highlighting death of Harvey Sherratt (9) and spinal surgery crisis to take place in Dublin
'We're not going to go away,' said Ms Sherratt.
Gillian Sheratt and Stephen Morrison with their son Harvey Sherratt when he was aged 3. Picture: Gerry Mooney
The protest, which will also highlight scandalous persistent prolonged children's spinal surgery waiting lists, is due to start at 2pm, August 23, at the Garden of Remembrance, and finish at Customs House Quay.
Harvey Sherratt's parents, Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, who both tirelessly sought Harvey's surgery to correct scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, are to attend the demonstration which is expected to be one of the biggest ever in the capital city.
'We would appreciate if you all could join us as we march in protest for #JusticeForHarvey ❤️,' Ms Sherratt posted on X.
In an interview with this reporter, Gillian Sherratt said she and her husband 'will not stop' campaigning for adequate healthcare for children, particularly for those who urgently require it.
'We're not going to go away,' said Ms Sherratt.
Asked what she wanted Harvey's legacy to be, Ms Sherratt replied: 'It literally should be, for these children to get the care that they are entitled to, and that they bloody deserve.'
Disability rights campaigner, Bernard Mulvany, opened a GoFundMe account to raise funds to stage the 'Justice For Harvey' demonstration on August 23rd.
Gillian Sheratt and Stephen Morrison with their son Harvey Sherratt when he was aged 3. Picture: Gerry Mooney
News in 90 Seconds - August 15th
'Any outstanding funds (will be) given over to Harvey's family for them to administrate. Please help us to celebrate Harvey's life and to shine a
light on how he and many other children in our society are being failed,' Mr Mulvany said.
Donations can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-harvey utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl:aecc7c47-22ef-4b60 ba6e-4abdcffb8a4f
Gillian Sherratt called on the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to 'recall the Dáil' from its summer recess early, to debate the ongoing crisis in children's spinal surgery.
Ms Sherratt called on Mr Martin to support her and her husband's call for a public inquiry into governance of orthopaedic services at CHI.
Ms Sherratt and Mr Morrison called on Tanaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party, Simon Harris, to resign over the debacle.
In 2017, when he was serving as Minister for Health, Mr Harris said he was 'ashamed' of the prolonged waiting lists, and he pledged that 'no child' would wait longer than four months for scoliosis surgery.
Harvey Sherratt waited seven years for his spinal surgery, including 33 months on and off an active waiting list.
Despite Mr Harris's failed 2017 health pledge, as well as his predecessors, ex-Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly, and current health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, also pledging to tackle the scoliosis scandal, dozens of children continue to wait more than four months for spinal surgery.
Near the end, wheelchair-bound Harvey, from Clondalkin, Dublin, could no longer sit for any long periods in his chair, as scoliosis twisted his ribcage, putting pressure on his heart and lungs. Read more
In February 2024, seventeen months prior to Harvey's death, his father explained that the curvature on his son's spine had extended so much he
was at increased risk of death unless he received a timely surgical intervention.
Desperate to highlight his son's ordeal then, Mr Sherratt pleaded for his son's surgery and said: 'Harvey will die. He absolutely needs the surgery.'
Six months later, in August 2024, Harvey's mother discovered that despite their public calls for Harvey's surgery, her deteriorating son was inexplicably no longer on CHI's active surgery waiting list.
Then the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin, described Harvey's disappearance from the waiting list without his parents consent or knowledge was 'shocking' and 'not good enough', and he said CHI should 'apologise' to Harvey's family 'and arrange a surgery'.
Harvey eventually had his spinal surgery in December 2024, eight years after his parents were first informed by a consultant surgeon that Harvey would require the operation to prevent his spine crushing his ribcage and killing him.
Gillian Sherratt said that by the time Harvey actually had his surgery, his spinal curve was so extended it could not be fully corrected,
nevertheless the surgery helped provide Harvey with an additional eight months of life.
The boy's health suddenly deteriorated two and half weeks ago and he died on July 29th.
Harvey's death refocused the spotlight on the scoliosis waiting list scandal and concerns expressed by Harvey's parents, as well as scoliosis and spina bifida advocacy groups, around governance at CHI.
Gillian Sherratt said that more children, like Harvey, who have 'complex' health issues and require 'timely access' to surgery are still not receiving adequate treatment at CHI.
According to latest data published by CHI, 74 children were waiting longer than four months for spinal surgery, as of the end of July.
A further 57 children were waiting up to three months. One child was waiting more than four years.
Out of a total of 231 children waiting for spinal surgery nationally, 131 children were on CHI's 'active' surgery waiting list, previously occupied by Harvey Sherratt before his name disappeared from the list without explanation.
In response to calls to resign, the Tanaiste, Simon Harris, said he did previously make representations on Harvey Sherratt's behalf to the Department of Health and to CHI, but, he said, he had always maintained that any medical intervention would have to be clinician-led.
A spokesperson for Mr Harris said the Fine Gael leader had spoken to Gillian Sherratt and they were planning on meeting soon.
The Tánaiste's spokeswoman said Mr Harris had also sought, through Minister MacNeill, a full multidisciplinary report on the timeline of care provided to Harvey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
March organised to highlight Harvey Morrison Sherratt's death and surgery crisis
A demonstration march is to be held in Dublin city in memory of Harvey Morrison Sherratt (9), who died from a sudden illness last month, after he had waited several years for spinal surgery. The protest, which will also highlight scandalous persistent prolonged children's spinal surgery waiting lists, is due to start at 2pm, August 23, at the Garden of Remembrance, and finish at Customs House Quay. Harvey Sherratt's parents, Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, who both tirelessly sought Harvey's surgery to correct scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, are to attend the demonstration which is expected to be one of the biggest ever in the capital city. "We would appreciate if you all could join us as we march in protest for #JusticeForHarvey," Ms Sherratt posted on X. In an interview with this reporter, Gillian Sherratt said she and her husband "will not stop" campaigning for adequate healthcare for children, particularly for those who urgently require it. "We're not going to go away," said Ms Sherratt. Asked what she wanted Harvey's legacy to be, Ms Sherratt replied: "It literally should be for these children to get the care that they are entitled to, and that they bloody deserve." Disability rights campaigner, Bernard Mulvany, opened a GoFundMe account to raise funds to stage the 'Justice For Harvey' demonstration on August 23. "Any outstanding funds (will be) given over to Harvey's family for them to administrate. Please help us to celebrate Harvey's life and to shine a light on how he and many other children in our society are being failed," Mr Mulvany said. Donations can be made here. Gillian Sherratt called on the Taoiseach Micheál Martin to "recall the Dáil" from its summer recess early to debate the ongoing crisis in children's spinal surgery. Ms Sherratt called on Mr Martin to support her and her husband's call for a public inquiry into governance of orthopaedic services at CHI. Taoiseach Micheal Martin Ms Sherratt and Mr Morrison called on Tanaiste and leader of the Fine Gael party, Simon Harris, to resign over the debacle. In 2017, when he was serving as Minister for Health, Mr Harris said he was "ashamed" of the prolonged waiting lists, and he pledged that "no child" would wait longer than four months for scoliosis surgery. Harvey Sherratt waited seven years for his spinal surgery, including 33 months on and off an active waiting list. Despite Mr Harris's failed 2017 health pledge, as well as his predecessors, ex-Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly, and current health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, also pledging to tackle the scoliosis scandal, dozens of children continue to wait more than four months for spinal surgery. Near the end, wheelchair-bound Harvey, from Clondalkin, Dublin, could no longer sit for any long periods in his chair, as scoliosis twisted his ribcage, putting pressure on his heart and lungs. Harvey Sherratt's parents Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt have taken to social media after their son Harvey was removed from the waiting list In February 2024, 17 months prior to Harvey's death, his father explained that the curvature on his son's spine had extended so much he was at increased risk of death unless he received a timely surgical intervention. Desperate to highlight his son's ordeal then, Mr Sherratt pleaded for his son's surgery and said: "Harvey will die. He absolutely needs the surgery." Six months later, in August 2024, Harvey's mother discovered that despite their public calls for Harvey's surgery, her deteriorating son was inexplicably no longer on CHI's active surgery waiting list. Then the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin, described Harvey's disappearance from the waiting list without his parents' consent or knowledge was "shocking" and "not good enough", and he said CHI should "apologise" to Harvey's family "and arrange a surgery". Harvey eventually had his spinal surgery in December 2024, eight years after his parents were first informed by a consultant surgeon that Harvey would require the operation to prevent his spine crushing his ribcage and killing him. Gillian Sherratt said that by the time Harvey actually had his surgery, his spinal curve was so extended it could not be fully corrected, nevertheless the surgery helped provide Harvey with an additional eight months of life. The boy's health suddenly deteriorated two and half weeks ago and he died on July 29. Harvey's death refocused the spotlight on the scoliosis waiting list scandal and concerns expressed by Harvey's parents, as well as scoliosis and spina bifida advocacy groups, around governance at CHI. Gillian Sherratt said that more children, like Harvey, who have "complex" health issues and require "timely access" to surgery are still not receiving adequate treatment at CHI. According to latest data published by CHI, 74 children were waiting longer than four months for spinal surgery, as of the end of July. A further 57 children were waiting up to three months. One child was waiting more than four years. Out of a total of 231 children waiting for spinal surgery nationally, 131 children were on CHI's "active" surgery waiting list, previously occupied by Harvey Sherratt before his name disappeared from the list without explanation. In response to calls to resign, the Tanaiste, Simon Harris, said he did previously make representations on Harvey Sherratt's behalf to the Department of Health and to CHI, but, he said, he had always maintained that any medical intervention would have to be clinician-led. A spokesperson for Mr Harris said the Fine Gael leader had spoken to Gillian Sherratt and they were planning on meeting soon. The Tánaiste's spokeswoman said Mr Harris had also sought, through Minister MacNeill, a full multidisciplinary report on the timeline of care provided to Harvey. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Parents of boy, 9, who died while waiting for life-saving op to take to Dublin streets in protest & make march plea
A DEMONSTRATION march is to be held in Dublin city in memory of Harvey Morrison Sherratt. The youngster sadly died from a sudden illness last month after he had waited several years for spinal surgery. 4 Stephen Morrison with his son Harvey, who sadly died last month Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 4 Harvey had waited seven years for his spinal surgery 4 A protest in the capital is due to be held in Harvey's memory Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin The protest, which will also highlight the prolonged children's spinal surgery waiting lists scandal, is due to start at 2pm on August 23, and will run from the Garden of Remembrance to Customs House Quay. Harvey's parents, Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, who both fought tirelessly for the nine-year-old's scoliosis surgery to correct a severe curvature in his spine, are to attend the demo, which is expected to be one of the biggest ever in the capital. In a post on X, Gillian said: 'We would appreciate if you all could join us as we march in protest for #JusticeForHarvey." She previously said she and her husband 'will not stop' campaigning for adequate healthcare for children, particularly for those who urgently require it. She vowed: 'We're not going to go away.' Asked what she wanted Harvey's legacy to be, Ms Sherratt replied: 'It literally should be, for these children to get the care that they are entitled to, and that they bloody deserve.' Disability rights campaigner, Bernard Mulvany, opened a GoFundMe account to raise funds to stage the 'Justice For Harvey' march. He said: 'Any outstanding funds (will be) given over to Harvey's family for them to administrate. Please help us to celebrate Harvey's life and to shine a light on how he and many other children in our society are being failed.' Gillian Sherratt called on the Taoiseach Micheal Martin to 'recall the Dail' from its summer recess early, to debate the ongoing crisis in children's spinal surgery. Harvey's parents also want the Fianna Fail leader to support their call for a public inquiry into governance of orthopaedic services at CHI. Harvey Sherratt's parents branded Taoiseach's comment on case 'slap in face' The parents have revealed that after calling for the resignation of Tanaiste Simon Harris, the Fine Gael leader has since promised to meet the couple. In 2017, when he was serving as Health Minister, Tanaiste Harris said he was 'ashamed' of the prolonged waiting lists, and he pledged that 'no child' would wait longer than four months for scoliosis surgery. Harvey waited seven years for his spinal surgery, including 33 months on and off an active waiting list. Despite Deputy Harris's failed 2017 health vow, as well as his successors - ex-Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly and current health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill - also pledging to tackle the scoliosis scandal, dozens of children continue to wait more than four months for spinal surgery. "We're not going to go away.' Gillian Sherratt Near the end, wheelchair-bound Harvey, from Clondalkin, Dublin, could no longer sit for any long periods in his chair, as scoliosis twisted his ribcage, putting pressure on his heart and lungs. In February 2024, seventeen months prior to Harvey's death, his father explained that the curvature on his son's spine had extended so much that he was at increased risk of death unless he received a timely surgical intervention. Desperate to highlight his son's ordeal then, Mr Sherratt pleaded for his son's surgery and said: 'Harvey will die. He absolutely needs the surgery.' 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH' Six months later, in August 2024, Harvey's mother discovered that despite their public calls for Harvey's surgery, her deteriorating son was inexplicably no longer on CHI's active surgery waiting list. At the time, Taoiseach Martin described Harvey's disappearance from the waiting list without his parents consent or knowledge as 'shocking' and 'not good enough'. He also said CHI should 'apologise' to Harvey's family 'and arrange a surgery'. TRAGIC PASSING Harvey eventually had his spinal surgery in December 2024. But Gillian said that by the time Harvey actually had his surgery, his spinal curve was so extended it could not be fully corrected. The boy's health suddenly deteriorated two and half weeks ago and he died on July 29. According to latest data published by CHI, 74 children were waiting longer than four months for spinal surgery, as of the end of July. A further 57 children were waiting up to three months. One child was waiting more than four years. Out of a total of 231 children waiting for spinal surgery nationally, 131 children were on CHI's 'active' surgery waiting list, previously occupied by Harvey Sherratt before his name disappeared from the list without explanation.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Excellent candidate' has Healy-Rae backing for Aras as frontrunner emerges to replace McGuinness after shock withdrawal
It is understood that the former Minister is considering their options NEW NAME 'Excellent candidate' has Healy-Rae backing for Aras as frontrunner emerges to replace McGuinness after shock withdrawal HEATHER Humphreys would make an 'excellent candidate' for Irish President, according to Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae. His comes come after the shock withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the race on health grounds. 2 Heather Humphreys could become Fine Gael's new selection to run for the Aras Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin Former Cavan-Monaghan TD Humphreys has been given a 9/1 chance with bookmakers of moving into Aras an Uachtarain after the election later this year. Fine Gael have been left assessing their next move after McGuinness announced on Thursday evening that she would not be running. Today, Deputy Healy-Rae said he would 'wholeheartedly' back Ms Humphreys if the party nominate her. The Kerry TD said: 'I would 100 per cent be in her favour. She's a highly capable lady. 'She would galvanise others outside her party and would appeal to a wider base than Fine Gael. 'There are people up and down the country, from all parties and none that would support her. 'Her performance over the years, her policies, the way she carried herself and the way she answered questions would all work in her favour.' The former Minister for Justice and Minister for Social Protection retired from politics last year saying she wanted to spend time with her family, but is now understood to be considering her options. McGuinness said she was stepping aside due to health concerns. The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the next few days to discuss their plans. 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President McGuinness said she took the decision on medical advice. Names previously associated with the candidacy also include Sean Kelly MEP and Frances Fitzgerald. HEALTH CONCERNS Following McGuinness's withdrawal, Tanaiste Simon Harris said that there is a great sense of shock in Fine Gael following her decision to pull out of the presidential race on health grounds. In a statement, McGuinness said the decision was not taken lightly, and followed a stay in hospital last week. Tanaiste Harris said McGuinness is a 'great colleague' and a 'great friend' and is somebody who has served her party and her country with distinction. He said while she had been working hard in preparation for the presidential election, her health has to come first. 'THE RIGHT DECISION' He said: 'It's absolutely crystal clear that on the basis of health advice, she is making the right decision.' McGuinness said she is taking the decision on medical advice, and it is the 'right decision' for her and her family. Her statement said: 'My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all.' Fine Gael leader Harris said the party will convene its executive council in the days ahead and consider the next steps on any potential presidential candidate. WELL WISHES Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who launched her bid for the Aras last month, said McGuinness's decision came 'as a shock'. She said: 'Without a doubt this decision could not have been an easy one for her to make. I would like to extend my best wishes to Mairead and her family at this time, and all the best for the future.' Fianna Fail has yet to decide whether it will run a candidate, while Sinn Fein is considering its options, with a decision to be arrived at in a few weeks. Businessman Gareth Sheridan has already launched his campaign for the Aras, and said he is confident he can be proposed and seconded by six local authorities after having secured the support of Tipperary and Laois county councils.
