Meath woman's protest at Leinster House

Tracy Carroll, the Meath mother whose angry letter to politicians highlighting how her family had been abandoned by the state, took part in a protest outside Leinster house today, along with Family Carers Ireland.
Tracy of Allentstown, Bohermeen is a carer for her severely disabled daughter, Willow, who attended the protest with her.
Tracy, who survives on just four hours sleep a night penned an angry letter to politicians highlighting how her family has been 'abandoned' by the State.
She  believes her family is being punished because her husband John is in full-time employment.
There were about 50 carers at today's protest and among the politicians who came out to talk to them was Minister Regina Doherty, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and Deputies Danny and Michael Healy-Rae.
Tracey said it was difficult to for her to get to the protest today as Willow cried solidly from she got up this morning until  ironically, the TV cameras showed up at Leinster House,
"She started smiling at everybody then," she says.
"I had to come here today because we need our voices to be heard. We need to get out and be seen. I want my daughter to have the quality of life she deserves and her rights as a citizen of this country," Tracey added.