Protests over Cervical Check scandal to take place in three Offaly towns

Protest marches are to take place across Offaly today, in Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry, in support of the 209 women affected by the Cervical Check scandal.

Campaigners from the Standing 4 Women Offaly group, wearing red, will take to the streets shortly before 5pm, when the protests will coincide with a march on Dáil Éireann.

Organisers say the Standing 4 Women social media page garnered over 13,000 followers in 48 hours.

They are hoping the support on Facebook will translate into "feet on the street".

"This march is to show the women and families affected that we are with them. That we support them, and to call for immediate action by government and the HSE," Anne Hoctor of Standing4Women Offaly told the Offaly Independent today.

"We have two urgent policy requirements: firstly, asking for relevant policy for the upcoming Bill on Mandatory Disclosure to be implemented in conjunction with an agreed timeline; and secondly, for active and independent support for those affected by the scandal, including and not limited to, an immediate point of contact for those affected, and a multidisciplinary support team."

"Most importantly, the reasons we are doing this is that we are strongest standing together. We are standing for Vicky, for Emma, for Irene, for Catherine, for Orla,for Julie,for Rosie, for Debbie, for Ann, for Carol, for those speaking up daily, for all 18, for all 209."

If you'd like to show your support, organisers are asking you to turn up 30 minutes before 5pm today, Wednesday, and get involved in your local group on Facebook at @Standing4Women and on twitter at @Standing4Women_