Suicide victim’s family demand investigation into circumstances of death

THE family of a Co Limerick man who committed suicide hours after being allowed out of a psychiatric ward at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital are seeking a full investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Patrick Cregan was found dead at his rented house in Carrickerry on the afternoon of August 7 having been sent to the hospital as an involuntary patient the previous day by a doctor who was concerned for his safety.

A Garda sergeant also completed the necessary forms to enable the man to be brought to the hospital.

Mr Cregan, 56, was moved to the accident and emergency department from the psychiatric wing at some stage to have injuries treated but was allowed get a bus home at about 9.30am on the following morning.

He committed suicide a short time after arriving at the house where he lived alone.

The Health Service Executive will hold its own investigation into the death but it is believed the family of the dead man may demand an independent inquiry.

Dan Neville TD, president of the Irish Suicidology Association, said yesterday that the family had yet to make a decision on the kind of investigation they will be calling for.

Mr Neville was previously involved in getting an independent inquiry into the suicide of a Co Limerick student, Anne O’Rahilly from Adare, who committed suicide while a patient in the psychiatric wing of the Mid Western Regional Hospital.

That inquiry was highly critical at the psychiatric management of Ms O’Rahilly and it transpired that vital medical notes sent from St Patrick’s Psychiatric Hospital (where she had been treated up until the day before her death) had not been read after they arrived in Limerick.

She was found dead in a bathroom in the psychiatric wing.

Her family were critical of the manner in which Ms O’Rahilly was cared for at the hospital.