HSE denies man was refused treatment

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has refuted claims that staff at Ennis General Hospital withheld medical attention from a gravely ill father of 10 until gardaí were first called to the scene.

At 3.15am on Wednesday, September 22, 53-year-old Thomas ‘Brother’ Keenan was rushed by car, driven by his wife, to Ennis General Hospital after he complained of chest pains at his home in Clarecastle. Mr Keenan had lost consciousness before reaching the hospital.

On arrival at the hospital, Mr Keenan’s wife, Anne, attempted to alert staff by knocking on the hospital door. When staff went to treat Mr Keenan an ambulance had already been alerted by hospital personnel and Mr Keenan was then transferred to the ambulance within the grounds of the hospital for treatment. He passed away in the back of the ambulance.